Heather Kavanagh

That's interesting. I recently built the Azur Br693, and it had engraved panel lines and full interior detail (including plugs to fill the wing roots in the fuselage), resin engines and PE details. I guess a new tool was made. I have to say none of the Azur kits I've built appear to have originated from anywhere other than the Special Hobby family. A complete lack of parts being numbered on the trees is a good example. *shrug* EDIT: I just checked the Scalemates web site, and Azur made a new tool in 2011. It was recently reboxed under the Special Hobby branding.

I don’t think the Azur kit has anything in common with the Heller one, save the scale. It’s got PE, resin and vac form transparencies. ;-) I built the Azur Potez 63-11 a couple of years back, and can agree the undercarriage is a proper French fancy. So many doors, sliding over each other but little to attach them to! I now have both Airfix Wimpies in the stash. It’s very tempting to do a parallel build of both. Perhaps, one day.

This just arrived. And these earlier. I had two definite purchases for 2021. So far, I’ve added 11 to my 1940 obsession collection.

I've used SBS sets on a couple of builds now. They are fiddly, and the designers rely on your building skills to be bob on. Even with the Swordfish I found I needed to selectively trim tiny amounts from a piece to make it fit without problems. The PE fret always has one spare of each wire, and often comes with other detail parts for the model. On the Tiger Moth, for example, they include extended control horns and the fuel tank gauge rodding. The Swordfish set includes circular inspection port covers and pilot ring gunsight. I find PVA best to position and fix the parts, following up with drops of superglue if that’s not enough. Strong light, magnification and flat tweezers are the main tools. Oh, and a bucket of patience and a steady hand!

That Captain Patch sounds a proper character. Cheers for that additional information!

I build models for pleasure. I quite like having the option of lots of fiddly detail to add. I appreciate it being included, and I appreciate Airfix telling me I can leave it out if I want (like in the Wellington, where whole chunks of interior detail can be left out). What I don’t use goes into my bits box to feed detailing other models. Having said that, sometimes I think things can go a bit too far, which can add to the cost of a kit. It must be hard, as a kit designer, striking the best balance.

If so, choose better and more appropriate prototypes. For example, add the Albion chassis for the refueller, with perhaps alternative GS body; Include a Commer Q tractor unit for the Queen Mary trailer; replace the Austin ambulance and crash tender with the Albion heavy ambulance and maybe a Ford WOT tender. I know. It’ll never happen. :)

Fairey Swordfish MkI, K8393/E5A, flown by Captain Oliver Patch RM and Lieutenant David G Goodwin RN, No 824 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Eagle. The squadron was transferred to HMS Illustrious just before taking part in Operation Judgement, the attack against the Italian fleet at Taranto, Italy, 11/12 November 1940. Out of the box, with SBS photo-etch rigging, painted using ColourCoats and Humbrol enamels, with Humbrol acrylics for details. The kit was built as part of a group build on another forum. I'm glad I finally got over the rather intimidating box contents and added a Stringbag to my 1940 collection.

Let’s just say, having looked at what’s in the box, it’s complex and seems to be worth every penny of the rather eye-watering cost! grin

Reference material and mask for my Beaufort, FAA transfers for a Revell Walrus. The missing piece in my Dutch air force 1940 jigsaw.

That is correct. The six HP42/45 planes that had made it to 1940, however, were impressed into RAF service with No 271 Squadron based at Doncaster. As far as I can tell, yellow undersides, DE/DG standard camouflage, regulation roundel markings with additional large red-white-blue flashes at the ends of the upper wings. I’ve not tracked down a full set of serials yet, with only two confirmed and no clue whether those not assigned a serial retained their civilian registrations. A lack of photos from the period is not helping!

I couldn’t resist this. I know it’s the wrong scale for me, and I’m going to spoil it with RAF markings, but it’s about the only affordable opportunity I have to add one of these beauties to my 1940 collection. Now, waiting patiently for the Wellington MkII to appear…

I use thin strips of painted masking tape. If I’m in the mood, I’ll also paint representations of the buckles and fasteners. I have found transfer belts just too flat.

Matthew, I think you can congratulate yourself. You are now a modeller, not just someone that assembles kits! wink Have fun with airbrush. I have only really come to terms with airbrushing my models over the past couple of years, and I’m well past my half century!

That looks tidy, Ratch. Nice one.

I'll add my voice for 1/72nd Avro Manchester, plus new tool HP Hampden and Fairey Battle. Did I mention the Fairey Battle? I'd like a new tool Fairey Battle, please. Those three would happily complete my selfish 1940 Bomber Command fleet, and would fill some serious gaps in the market. Airfix would also have the full set of late 1930s RAF light and medium bombers. PS: A Fairey Battle would be lovely. smile

I suppose I could still use the kit transfers, but I think I’d like a MkI from early in 1940. I did see your Hampden. Good work! Hopefully the old photos will reappear one day.

thumbsup It’s great to see the Beaufort builds. Mine is patiently awaiting its turn, and some suitable 1940 markings.

Isn’t there usually a full list on one of the box sides?

For my part, a like function and the ability to contact via personal message would be enough. Some forums can get very complicated with lots of features I rarely use. It is good to know we are being heard. Airfix has a lot of loyal fans. Many of my builds at present aren’t Airfix kits, but I am more than happy to post progress and gallery threads when I do build from a red box. I’ve got quite a few in the stash, biding their time!

Kenneth, I use the moniker a Heather Kay in most places, as well as my trading name. It makes it easier for my brain cell to remember who I am today! laughing

For things like pitot tubes and aerial masts I almost invariably replace them with brass rod. Bitter experience tells me such things that stick out from models are always going to be vulnerable to damage, either before they’re stuck on or while sitting on the shelf! For the undercarriage problem, my first course would be contacting Customer Services - there's a link over at the bottom right of the text block on the right of this page, if I recall. As the Defiant is supposedly a current stock item, spares should be available. Alternatively, if you don’t feel up to scratching a replacement, build the model wheels up. If you’re looking for brass material, the usual go-to source is Albion Alloys. Search for that online, although most good model shops stock them. They have an extensive range of wire, rod and tube which can be hugely beneficial to modellers of all kinds.

On Britmodeller, and Western Thunder where I actively post model railway work, I can "like" a post without having to comment. Here, all I can do is nod appreciatively, or rack up my post count by adding "Nice build" or "Well done" to a thread. If I don’t have anything worth saying about a build, a like button is much better. Of course, since Hornby have gone the bespoke route for the forums, adding such a thing will be all but impossible.

Good suggestions. I’ll have a play some time.

The start of May, and older pictures are still AWOL. One begins to wonder if they’ll ever return.