Dominic Thomas

That’s exactly how I feel. I want to get my oldies done and out of the way. I just think if I start on these new Airfix releases (of which I have many), I won’t want to make these old vintage releases. Maybe right or maybe wrong. 🤪

Having seen some comments about the Airfix Eurofighter, I decided to have a go. It went together well and had a full set of air-to-air missiles, so I thought I would make it as an early F2 from 11 Squadron RAF aircraft before they upgraded the software to give it swing role capability. The kit comes with a fairing similar to that found on the FGR4, hence my vague post title. It probably doesn’t compare well with the more recent releases from Revell or Hobby Boss, but I enjoyed it.

Looks really good. I like the silver finish. Well done.

After some debate about my stash with my wife, I took a number of my older kits to the local Men’s Shed. The boxed kits hardly sold at all, so I decided to make a few and put them in the window as well. To my surprise, the made kits have been relatively popular with several selling. This achieves three things. 1. I get to make some of the old kits I had never made before; 2. The stash grows smaller; 3. Peace returns to the Thomas household.

I really like the finish you have achieved on both of these aircraft. The historical information is a real bonus. Thanks very much for sharing.

Good for you and thanks for the update. Now we have more knowledge than we had at breakfast 😊

Looking good. What I hadn’t realised as a) I don’t have the club kit and b) I hadn’t seen the instructions, is that for this 245 Sqn aircraft the last black band on the fuselage is full on one side and partial on the other, so my apologies.

I was just comparing the painted bands with the illustration in the instructions in the background. That shows a full white and a full black next to the sky band for the rocket armed aircraft.

Not my area of interest, but I really like the results you have achieved. Thanks for sharing.

Nice sharp bands, well done you. (check the fuselage bands and how many go all the way around 🙃)

It’s encouraging that Airfix are looking at this. Undoubtedly they will be looking at not just logistics but also waste classifications, processing parameters, and raw and final material properties to name but a few. The greater availability of grants for recycling these days should not be ignored. As far as logistics are concerned, they could do worse than follow the example of computer printer ink suppliers who include prepaid envelopes for the return of empty cartridges. Getting all the waste together in one place has to be a good start. Even an increase of, for example, £1 per kit to include the envelope should not adversely affect sales, surely? I use this figure because my wife informs me that some of her makeup suppliers have costed this facility at £0.62 per pack.

Looks good, well done. I think you have hit the nail on the head though by trying ‘quite a few times’. In considering the amount of time I might have to spend trying to get this new skill right versus the large number of kits I still have to build, the Stash won. This incomplete kit will have to be consigned to the spares box. Thank you for your help.

Thanks John. I was aware of that option, but I too have never tried it. I don’t think my balsa skills are up to it.

Will do, thank you. And yes, 1/72.

Will do, thank you.

I had just started to build the Airfix Grumman Avenger from the stash only to find out that the main canopy was broken with some small pieces missing. Now, I’ve had this kit for a very long time so these small bits could be lying in a house several moves ago. I tried the spares department but the kit has been out of production for so long, they no longer have spares. Anyone have any suggestions as to where a replacement could be obtained?

I agree with the recycling concept completely. However, being green always comes at a price. While this post has been linked with Airfix, it’s obviously an industry problem. I wouldn’t be able to separate the sprues from the different companies. Do they all use the same formulation? How compatible would the mixed recycled product be? Perhaps an option might be to supply the used sprue to the cottage industry companies - just a thought.

Grumps - nice job. I have a few Canberras awaiting the move from box to bench, but can’t get across the start line. It’s a big model with storage issues for me. Perhaps I should just build it then donate it. Paul - I’d like to see how you solve this problem.

As has been said, the key is how far you’re moving. If I were you, I would make a special trip with the kit sitting on the back seat on a big bed of bubble wrap. Then put it in the new house where no one will go immediately.

Very nice collection. Well done.

The latest Airfix Model World magazine has a build review of the new B-24. It recommends 50g. I wonder how close to actuality that is. I put a recommended 30g in the extreme nose of a Havoc (different manufacturer) and still needed a lot more.

Even worse if you’re doing two at the same time ! 😝

Looking forward to seeing the results of these builds. I spotted the typing error : ZY-Y = 247 Sqn. 😀

I only used the ‘sad’ reaction as I’d not used it before. I fully understand your comments about commissions and work. I build aircraft for the local Men’s Shed coffers. I experience the same delivery pressures But I am luckier in that the potential purchasers are few in number, so as long as there are models in the window, I can take my time with completions. What this has done is allow me to change the emphasis of my stash. By gaining more experience of the old or limited run kits, I find my mastery of techniques has improved to the point where I can, in my mind, do justice to the new range of Airfix kits.

Well done. Nice even white finish and straight solid lines between colours. Did the instructions specify a weight for the nose, and if so how close did you get to it?