Karearea's 2024

[Karearea]

It's been quite a trial of a year in many ways but Britmodeller has helped to keep me sane. A place where I've learnt so much about both the techniques of modelling and the subject matter itself, while looking at some truly beautiful creations. Surrounded of course by great support and encouragement.

 

In my second year since returning to the hobby as an adult, I've learnt a few new things, and produced a couple of models I'm proud of. Still nothing I'd want to show off too widely, but I think I understand more of what I'd like to try next and how I might improve further.

 

First up was the 1/72 Airfix F-80C ‘Saggin Dragon, of the 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, USAF. RFI here.

 

 

This was followed by the 1/72 Airfix Vampire T.11, 14 Sqn. RNZAF. RFI here.

 

 

For the Baby Boomer Group Build, the 1/72 Tarangus SAAB J29F, F9 Säve. RFI here.

 

 

For the Frog Classic Group Build, the 1/72 Frog SNCASE Aquilon 202, Flotille 16F, Aéronavale. RFI here.

 

 

A longer term build, the 1/72 Airfix Avro Shackleton AEW.2 WR960, No. 8 Squadron RAF. RFI here.

 

 

For the Axis Twins Group Build (but half a year late), the 1/72 Airfix Me 262A-2A, JG51. RFI here.

 

 

For the Fleets Group Build, the 1/72 Arma Hobby F4F-4, VF-3, Lt. Cdr. John S. Thach. RFI here.

 

 

And for the P-51 Single Type Group Build, the 1/72 Arma Hobby Mustang III KH615, 3 Sqn. RAAF, F/L Ian Howard Roediger. RFI here.

 

 

There are still two models I have on the go and fully intend to complete- an Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.XIV and 1/72 Mitchell. I also started a WIP for a B-24 months ago and didn't get beyond clipping out the fuselage.

 

For the next year I hope to come up with a workflow for cutting masks, spraying markings, and creating homemade laser printed decals. I'd like to build more aicraft in 1/48. I'd like to improve my clear coat smoothness and general airbrushing. And most importantly, try and maintain a series rather than parallel approach to starting kits, which might mean missing groupbuilds I'm interested in.

 

The kits I'm excited about perhaps starting in 2025? Eduard's 1/48 P-40E, Arma's 1/48 Hurricane IIB, and Airfix's 1/48 Lysander.

 

Thanks for looking!

Nick

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2024 by Karearea

[AliGauld]

Amazing and beautiful builds.

The Shackleton was a joy to follow and looks utterly exquisite.

I have a particularly soft spot for the Grey Lady and you more than did her justice.

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[JeroenS]

That is excellent work, the big Shackleton is an awesome piece. 

[bigbadbadge]

A stunning collection for the year, whst lovely models. Great work.

Chris

[stevehnz]

A real quality line up Nick. Nicely done.

Steve.

[AdrianMF]

Very nice collection for the year and sharp finishes. Quite weird seeing a 262 not in mottle!

 

Best for 2025

Regards,

Adrian

[bianfuxia]

This is great work - I'd be proud to have produced any of those models!

[keefr22]

That was a really productive year that resulted in a whole bunch of lovely models! I like them all, have to agree the Shack is stunning - but I also have a soft spot for the Airfix F-80, that's a very nice build of an old classic!

 

Top work on them all!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

 

Keith

[John Laidlaw]

Very nice indeed, and a selection of interesting subjects. Most impressive!

[Yg Models]

nice birds.

i like the last photo most.

[81-er]

That's a nice clutch of great looking builds, Nick

 

James

[Karearea]

@AliGauld @JeroenS @bigbadbadge @stevehnz @AdrianMF @bianfuxia @keefr22 @John Laidlaw @Yg Models @81-er Thanks so much for the very kind comments- a great boost as I start to think about returning to the Spitfire!

 

I promised my seven year old son I’d add his Hobbyboss MiG-15 to the tally, so here it is.

 

 

He built it with a little help from me- the undercarriage doors were tricky to set retracted but he wanted it to look sleek! I also quite heavily supervised the airbrushing for health and safety reasons.
 

I think I had the same wheels-up philosophy at his age. We will add a pilot once I find a suitably Soviet one, the Airfix MiG-17 doesn’t have one unfortunately.

 

 

[keefr22]

That's a great addition to the year's work and really deserves its place in the collection - lovely little Mig with a great paintjob - give the young man a really well done from me!  

 

Keith

[81-er]

I second what Keith's said. At 7 I was lucky if I could glue all of the bits in the right order, never mind paint it. A really superb effort from the next generation

 

James

[Karearea]

48 minutes ago, keefr22 said:

That's a great addition to the year's work and really deserves its place in the collection - lovely little Mig with a great paintjob - give the young man a really well done from me!  

 

Keith

 

1 minute ago, 81-er said:

I second what Keith's said. At 7 I was lucky if I could glue all of the bits in the right order, never mind paint it. A really superb effort from the next generation

 

James

Thanks very much fellas. I’ve passed your messages on and he’s glowing.

 

I think he’s inherited my perfectionism, but actually has the innate skill to build things cleanly that I never had.

[bigbadbadge]

Crikey he has done well, using an airbrush at 7 he is gonna be a master modeller in the future for sure.  Congratulations to him on a superb model, like James,  at that age mine wore lots if excess glue and often unpainted.

Chris

[stevehnz]

A nicely done Mig there mate, tell him it gets a big ✔️ from me too, a real grown up job on that.

Steve.

[AliGauld]

That is a cracking MIG.

Pass on my congratulations to your son.

At 7 I couldn't have even got anywhere near that quality.

 

 

Cheers,

Alistair

[Karearea]

2 minutes ago, AliGauld said:

That is a cracking MIG.

Pass on my congratulations to your son.

At 7 I couldn't have even got anywhere near that quality.

 

 

Cheers,

Alistair

Thanks everyone. I must admit I was looking at the MiG while it dried, wondering how he managed to get such a smooth finish on the gloss- better than most of mine. Steadier hands maybe!

 

He’s obsessed with the F-35 at the moment, so I’m glad I’ve had one squirreled away for his birthday soon. He also received a Hasegawa F-16 from Santa which looks like a very nice kit for the price. Daughter received a Hobbyboss Kittyhawk- it’s her favourite at Motat as it starts with ‘Kitty’!

 

I look at it as succession planning. I’m early 40’s and already rapidly approaching SABLE, it would be nice to see a greater proportion of the stash built one day especially if it makes them happy.

 

 

[Karearea]

 

I have a WIP thread floating around somewhere, but this was today’s progress on his Academy P-40B. It’s a great little model. Not sure if I’ll agree to let him airbrush this one or encourage some hand-painted camouflage, it’s a nice process to learn too.

[scautomoton]

Mirroring all of the above comments, a great output, and the Shackleton is particularly impressive. Also, kudos to your lad; when I was 7 years old I just glued it all together, attacked it with a hairy-stick and some humbrol, and made a complete pig's ear of it!