Airfix 1/72 Hampden

[Pretty Mediocre Modeller]

I was up in the loft and came across this, which I made a couple of years ago. Built more or less out of the box, except for reprofiling the wingtips to make them squarer, knocking the 60's rivets back a bit, and using Modeldecal replacement markings. The multi part tail was a bit of a pain, and the cockpit a bit basic, but I think it looks pretty neat and makes a change from Lancasters and Wellingtons. I was going to use the open bomb-bay option, but as no detail other than the bomb load is provided and in places you can see through to the crew area, I decided to close it up. However, for an older kit some of the detail is rather nice including mass balances on the controls, the undercarriage, wing bomb racks and Vickers K guns. The moulds were showing their age with a lot of flash present, but altogether an enjoyable built.

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On the real aircraft the underwing roundels were given a thin coat of night paint to knock the white back. I tried to replicate this with some thinned black paint in a light coat. Paints used were Humbrol Acrylics applied by brush.

 

Ps Can't wait to see the RAF Museum's Hampden when it's finally rolled out after restoration, maybe it will prompt Airfix to bring out a new tool, like the raising of the Dornier did!