John Symmons

And there-by hangs a tale' love to hear more some time, especially the Loch Ness Wellington. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi James. Been following you build with interest, it's certainly a magnium opus. Saw this kit recently in our local hobby shop and saw it had over 500 parts, but the price was well out out of my reach at over R2000, but it's certainly a superb kit. Your build should be a very useful reference guide for others doing or contemplating building this monster. Well done and keep up the good work and postings. That engine and cockpit section looks really great and looking forward to the continuation of the build. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Benzene comes in several types, the really dangerous type which I doubt you could get as it's mainly used industrialy then ther's the cylclo type thats much safer ( I'm thring to remember this from printing college chemistry about 50 odd years ago so my memoury is a bit hazey.) the trpe you can get at any hardware store or pain store is the safe house hold variety and shouldn't touch plastic, it's also great for removing those stick-on price labels that are always placed over instructions etc. It'll even let you remove the label from cellophane without and damage and from printed areas as it won't attack litho print. Hope this helps but test first, and use in a well ventalated area, like a garden shed. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi Patrick. Don't be chicken; buy yourself the train set, do you really need an excuse. Maybe do a habour scene with your ships, I know the scales all wrong but it could be fun. Remember we do this for fun. John the Pom PS. On second thoughts don't buy the train set as then we'll never see any more of your excelent model ships. JtP

Hi Snibble. Ditto to all the above I'll only add be weary or old rolls of tape as it can dry-out at the edges and cause paint to creep under. Also don't leave rolls of tape in the sun or a masked model as sunlight causes the adhesive to harden. Before using any tape check the sides of the roll and if it's tacky or some of the adhesive has squeezed out and hardened bin the roll as that's asking for trouble, like-wise ir the roll of tape has domed trying to squeeze the center inner out again bin the tape. I had the problem or glue residue remaining on a model recently, and found house-hold benzene removed it nicely without marring the plastic or removing the acrylic paint, not sure if it'll work with enamals, but could be worth a try. If your model is painted with acrylics and you want to try and re-paint it, the old paint can be removed with meths without damaging the model, but be warned it'll be messy. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Thanks Ratch and Nmcabecadas, I leart something new to-day. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom.

Fine looking model worth the wai. Glad to see you managed to sort out the picture posting. Your model muggs well. It might be an old model, but like several of the older armour models they seem to have weathered the aging to to current days quite well, it only begs the question what Airfix could do these days with their current technology and design. Well done and keep them coming. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Wow! What can one say. Absolutely stunning it's hard to believe it's only !/400 th scale and only 5 inches long. Now thar's what I call a steady hand. Superb simply superb. Thanks for showing us what can be done with infinite practice. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi.Styrene can be recycled but usuall most plastic here in SA is all ground up and used for plastc super market bags. At our local libary there's a charity bin for collecting old cool drink tops ( Fizzy drinks in the UK.) and I save all the hard plastics including old sprues and take it there. not sure what the charity is, something to do with a children's school so maybe someone gets some good out of the plastic waste. Remember we do this for fun John the pom

Hi T2B. Yes it was a very early version actually a training aircraft in the mid 60's. I always thought the turbo props were vibration free. You live and learn. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hello Comet 4 Nice one great to see this vintage airfix model of an often forgotten aircraft. Many sayng it was the best torpedo bomber of the second world war. in it's time it was held in the same esteem in Italy as the Spitfire was in Britian. lovely model and weel done. that camouflage scheme must have driven you nearly crazy. Keep them coming and love to see more. Love to see a new tool of this kit I'm sure it would sell like the proverbial hot cakes. AsAirfix has done the Whitney and the Do 17 maybe jusy maybe they could do the Savoia Marchetti SM 79 Sparviero (Hawk) as you say there is a huge scope of liveries and comfigerations, did you know there was even a twin engined version with inline engines. Still we can always live in hope. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi T2B Now thar's a superb build and and a great write-up, loved reading it. Those photos brought back memories of my flight in the mark 2 when i was in the ATC. A camp up in Kinross we were offered an all night traning flight Wish we had some of your cushions with us then ( 1963?) that wing spar is really uncomfortable. Can't remember much about the interior it was too dark, but it wasn't as luxuriours as yours. Back then it was a six or seven hour vibro massarge on our rear ends.Your interior looks much more inviting. Again great build. and looking forwards to seeing more. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom.

Very nice build again thanks for showing some of your vintage builds, make a nice change from all the new toolings. I often think many of these old kits really taught many of us the finer skills needed to make decent models. As James said hopefully Airfix will re-tool this one together with the Hallifax. Then if they re-issue the 0/400 you could have a model history of Handley Page from 1917 through to 1980's with the Victor. Well we can dream can't we. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Nice Build Ratch, & a good rescue job. Again I echo the above sentiment about the beneral derth of Airfix armour & vehicles, although maybe I shouldn't say that to loudly seeing as they've released the RAF bomber set & the USAF set recently but these do seem to be aimed sqyarely at the dioramas for the Lancaster & B17 bomber kits. Would love to see a Luftwaffer set to go with the new He111 & Do 17's. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi Duncan Here we go again. Just check back in this forum and the General one & you'll find you're not alone. Why Humbrol continues to market this matt varnish is beyond me & even more puzzling is why people continue to buy & try and use it. Maybe if you thin it down a lot & use thin coats it might work better. Personally I've given-up on Humbrol paints & varnishes, Even model shops in SA refuse to carry the range, I can recommend Vallejo matt varnish; as I've often said before; I know it's acrylic but it goes on beautifully & needs little or no shaking, give it a try you won't be disappointed. Then you can throw out all those tins of Matt Clear varnish & your troubles will be over. Remember we do this for fun. John the Pom

Hello Jo Sorry to hear you're having Humbrol problems. Maybe you should read the posting "A plea for better paint in the general forum, believe me you're not alone. As I mentioned in that posting I've given-up on Humbrol paints and only use the old ones from years back. Like you I also have some VERY old enamels. In fact most shops in SA don't stock Humbrol paints any more and are battling to get rid of their old stock. The prefered paints now are Tamiya and Vallejo, I know Vallejo are acrylics but they're very good and the range is huge, maybe you should give them a go. I have quite a few Roden WW1 aircraft that give Humbrol colours, but I see in their more recent releases even they have dropped Humbrol in favour of Vallejo. Maybe you should return those tins to your model shop for a credit or even send them back to Humbrol. In the posting Imentioned above I even asked why Humbrol or the Admin guys haven't replied to the many complaints, but I see they're conspicious by their continued silence. Good luck and hope you come right with your FW 190, Love to see the result when you've finished. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

I for one & I'm sure many others will agree that's a step in the right direction. Looking forward to hearing more. Now how about a responce in the plea for better paint topic. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi Void Dragon. I know your frustration, had a simular experiance last year with Decals for the 1/72 Gloster Gladiator missing the black ink, even sent them a scan of the faulty decal sheet. Made the model un-makeable and was told no spares in stock & after 9 months still out of stock, & that's also a new kit. Even contemplated getting the decals printed locally, but was unable to find a high ressolution copy. Had to buy a second kit locally. I now always open the kit in the shop to check all's OK. If I remember correctly that part could be fashioned from some stretched sprue & some ingenuity on your part even if it not 100% most will be hidden. Why not give it a go, you have plenty to copy from, and think of the achievement if you get it right. It could be fun. Good luck & love to know how you get on with the Churchill. Remember we do this for fun. John the Pom

Hi Shubi. For all enamel paints and vanishes the initial clean should be in white spirits or turps, with a final wash in hot water and washing-up liquid. See my answer earlier on this subject. For acrylic's clean with either the brands thinners and/or water with a touch of meths in it (about 5 io 10 %) then finishing with the yaual water wash. Hope this helps. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi Ratch Nice little write-up thanks, enjoyed reading it. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hello Tomek22 Thanks for the tip I'll have to try and scorce it in Cape Town. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hello TomeK22 Just down loaded your photos to see them at a higher magnification and all I can say is Wow. They are superb the attention to detail,- it's hard to think they're 76th scale, they could almost be 48th or larger. Love to know how you did that especially the netting on the helmets. Well done and thanks for showing what can be done. It's an inspiration of all on this forum to match them. Just one question how did you get the paint to stick to that awfull polythene plastic Airfix uses for their figure, There's several modellers how've asked this question in the past, but no really satisfactory answer. In my post on the Me 109 shoot out I gave one solution that sort-of works, but yours looks so much better. I'll delete your dowmloaded photos and come back to this post in future for some inspiration. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hello William. Sorry if I ruffle some feathers, but actually I made none of the assumptions you accuse me of. All I said was personally I would not build a modern submarine as in my mind I find them kind of boring. I have built some subs in the past the Revell Nautilus and the USNS Andrew Jackson I believe, anyway it was the one with the removable hull side to expose the interior, and I enjoyed building both of them. I have also built some sailing ships in the past, but was scared for life trying to build the Revell 1/96th scale Thermopylea; but have recently been eying a few sailing ships, as I do think they always make up as superb display models. Whoa! I’m really sorry and I do apologise if I seem to be belittling any one or saying anyone is irrelevant, I am one of the ones who share your interest in ships. What I actually did say was that ship modelling is alive and well, and that if Airfix had the will the market is there. After all didn’t Airfix actually start the plastic modelling with ships and vintage cars and the aircraft seemed to come as an after-thought with those decidedly odd Spitfire and Messerschmitt.. Recently my local model shop has got in stock the Airfix Cutty Sark and HMS Victory and I've been sorely tempted, especially after reading what many have said about them on this forum, But; as I've said elsewhere I have to draw the line somewhere or I'd be drowning in unmade kits, my stash is already far too big. But if Airfix could do some RN WW 2 ships I would be more than sorely tempted; just please include some PE railings. One of the new 350 scale models I brought, was the HMS Hood and then sent off for the WEM added parts and PE, I always thought it was a pity it had to be done by the Chinese, and often wondered why Airfix; to me the obvious choice of manufacture; didn't do it. A missed opportunity. I hope you accept my apology, I really did try to write the post as a personal op pinion. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom. P.S. Whoops. It seems I'm to late as I missed your post above. Anyway a good discusion is good for the soul, and sometimes a little heat is needed. Apology accepted and thanks. JtP

Jonathon I re-itterate my posting earlier on in this discussion about the market for model ships. Th model ships website and forum is very lively and has new products the whole time, there IS a market for model ships Airfix just has to have the will. Personally I would never build a moden submarine to my mind if you've seen one you've seen them all; boring. Airfix are famous for starting the plastic modelling industry in a big way and their main claim to fame was their aircraft, and especially the Spitfire and it's nice to see them continuing with that tradition. Lots of other manufactures have made the Spitfire especially in the early days like Frog, Matchbox and Revell and I've made several but hey just weren't Airfix. Having said that I hope Airfix continue to make aircraft ( and hopefully some German airfield support vehicles like the Kettengrad, VW jeeps and other support vehicles, like they’ve already done with the RAF and US bomber sets just please in 1/72 scale... I still think that Airfix could still have a market share in the ships, so hopefully we'llbe rewarded with a suprize, like the new releases recently announced. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom

Hi PMP. Thanks for showing your build of the A6M2 Zero, Well done and a very nice build. I have one waiting in the wings & will be refering to your build when I eventually get round to building it. Looks especally good with the pairing you've done, looking forewards to seeing more. Now if only Airfix could do a release A6M2-N Ruff Float plane, Shouldn't take too much effort just add blanking-off parts for the wheel wells and add the floats, and you have what I consider to be the best looking Zero ever made. Remember we do this for fun John the Pom