Pretty Mediocre Modeller

Well, let's think, if I'm bringing out kits to be financially viable, and not fulfilling my own wish list... To start, we've only recently had a 1/24 superkit, so wait another year or two before the next. 1/48 aircraft seems to be a popular scale for airfix at the moment, so how about a new tool 1/48 Hawker Typhoon, that seems to fit in with the current 1/48 range. So that's new tool 1. No mainstream 1/72 aircraft this year, which caused a bit of upset, so next year has to have one. Again fitting in with Airfix's range, a Tornado GR4. No one else does the GR4 as far as I know, and if the breakdown of parts was done right, a F3 and GR1, and overseas IDS could follow in coming years. That's new tool 2. Updated moulds. The Vulcan could be released as the K2 tanker version with an extra sprue, and as the Falkland's Black Buck version. The Spitfire Vc 1/72, as a clipped wing non tropical filter version ( the parts are already on the sprues) The Beaufort in 1/72 has an extra turret already, so maybe marry that up with new engines to make a later mark. The 1/72 Canberra B(I)8, a new cockpit canopy area to make it as a B2 or 6 How's that for starters?

I remember that I got both of those kits as a kid as a free gift after collecting tokens from Cornflake packets. I still have some of the desert scheme decals from the Spitfire in my spares box!

Do these images help?

Most recent acquisitions from over Christmas. The Spitfire and '109 where a present from the local charity shop where my youngest works when they're home from Uni, and cost £9 each, The other Airfix kits were brought with Christmas money, or came in the Club renewal (I feel a double meteor build coming on!), the F/A-18 was a Christmas present from sister in law.

That's some skills you're displaying there Scot, we are not worthy! Please keep posting the updates.

Hi Steve, I reckon that if you give it another year or two, you will see a re-release of the 1/48 Buccaneer as an RAF version with the belly tank, as Airfix did with the 1/72 version. Watch out for the 2023 range announcement in January! As for the ground equipment, it would be great if Airfix did this, but failing that, I'm sure you would be able to find aftermarket accessories. Have a look on the Hannants site.

Maybe this is a clue, seen on the Airfix stand at Telford

I would like to see any Cold War types not previously kitted or in need of a new tooled version, preferably British operated, but also other NATO build aircraft, and Warsaw Pact. Including all the neglected helicopters.

It's been pinned at the top as it contains a useful tutorial that may be of help to new modellers without them having to search for it. Another useful tutorial could be how to remove join seams when joining fuselage halves, for example, then that could be pinned at the top as well.

Thanks GOM, That's fine, I enjoyed doing a little bit of modelling, makes a change from just construction! Not a patch on your hybrid Sea Hurricane though, from 3 different kits!

The prepainted remaining parts where then added without issue, like the prop and undercarriage, then the model sprayed with Vallejo Matt Varnish. when this was dry, the hand painted canopy, and landing lights were installed using white glue which dries clear, and a little weathering added using Humbrol weathering powders and a Tamiya weathering set. Finally the aerial wire was added using elasticated thread and super glue, and it was done. A pleasurable build (it must be I've done it 4 times now), with not pitfalls, as long as you are careful following the instructions, and in these markings quite striking!

The Cartograf decals went on very nicely, and I think that the Hurricane looks pretty neat with these Belgium markings, makes a change from the usual RAF roundels. The one issue I had was with the large 'H' under the wing, as there is no carrier film between the arms of the letter, when I tried to slide it off the backing paper it immediately curled up into a ball. Luckily I was able to unfold it on the kit. The few 'W/T' squares on the underside came from a very old Almark sheet, and were extremely brittle. They needed a lot of softener to sit properly.

Now came the time for painting. The Hurricane was brush painted, using Vallejo Model Air paints, Dark Earth, Dark Green and Aluminium. These are meant for the airbrush, but can be hand brushed without too much stress, and don't leave so many brush strokes in the finish. The model was then given a coat of Clear floor polish to prepare for the decals.

Next up was modifying the spinner and exhausts. The first photo shows the spare two bladed propeller with bulbous spinner and pole aerial on the spitfire sprue. The prop was removed and sanded to a 'pointier' profile. Not perfect, but good enough for me. Unfortunately I didn't get a good shot of this after modification. The next shot is of the kit exhausts being backdated to 'kidney' type from 'ejector' type. Again not perfect, but good enough.

thanks G.O.M. I do enjoy a bit of kit bashing occasionally, helps keep the skills sharp, usually on older kits. Anyway, the general assembly was next. This went easily, with only a touch of filler needed on the spine just behind the cockpit, and on one of the wing roots. Joints were sanded smooth, and (some) panel lines reinstated. To add a little to the realism I used a pin vice to open up the machinegun ports in the leading edge of the wings.

Following the instructions, construction begins with the undercarriage bays, which are multiple parts, including the compressed air bottle, and good detail, resulting in a realistic looking bay. The one piece top and bottom wing halves are then joined, and construction of the cockpit begins on the centre section of the top wing. Watch the control column once in place as it is very vulnerable sticking up by itself! The rest of the cockpit parts are then assembled into the port fuselage half, more or less following the instruction colour callouts. On the seat frame I painted the lower back armour black so it won't be so noticable. Be careful of the framework under the instrument panel, as this is very delicate, especially when cleaning up attachment points. Everything fitted together without issue so far. A decal is supplied for the instrument panel, and straps were made from tape.

The title may sound a little strange, but let me explain; In the Summer my youngest was down from University, and volunteered in a cancer care charity shop in town. One day they came home with this Hurricane kit, which they had brought for me for £3. Now I've build this kit three times already, including this Battle of Britain version, but it's a great little kit, and I got to thinking. I still had in the decal bank the Belgian Air Force markings from the original release, and also the instruction sheet. I was missing the two bladed prop, early kidney exhausts, pole radio mast, non armoured seat frame, and early pitot tube. A quick search in the spares box and I found the two bladed prop from an Airfix Spitfire Mk.I kit and pole aerial mast ( the spinner is bulbous, whereas the Hurricane had a pointed spinner, but I could deal with that). I figured the seat frame wouldn't notice if the canopy was closed, I could modify the kit exhausts and pitot tube. So I have all the parts I need to do this earlier version. Original Decals and decals from the spares box Leftover spare parts from an old Airfix Spitfire I.

Something on my wishlist for 2023 or beyond would be the new Beechcraft T-6 Texan II in 1/72. There are lots of Airforces using this as a trainer right now, including the RAF (surely they should have called theirs the Harvard II, missed a trick there!)

The hawk is now completed. Had no issues with finishing off, except the XXV Squadron fin decal, which will be staying as it is. A couple of other additions are the wingtip analysis pods scratch built from Evergreen Rod, to replace the Sidewinders, from referring to photos of actual RAF T.2s, and a small probe added to each side of the nose. Overall an easy kit to make, but there are a few mistakes if you want to make an accurate second generation Hawk, and the detail is now a bit dated, coming from the early Hornby period.

Great looking build, with realistic weathering. Just one question. If it was in RAF Germany in 1949, who was shooting at it?

Hi Hailshamlad, I just checked my newly decaled Hawk, and you are only right! On the Starboard side it has 'XXV' for 25 squadron, but on the port it has 'VXX'. I would have never noticed that if you hadn't of said!

Very nice natural metal finish, great looking build!

Great conversion. I thought about a Falklands Sea King, but the rotors put me off.

Cheers Ratch