Pretty Mediocre Modeller

Thanks RougeTrooper. Yes the decals were a pain, but worth it in the end. I did them in number order, after applying the main markings first, and aimed to do maybe forty or fifty a night.

Thanks RodC and sticky fingers. It's a pretty good kit, apart from the intake fit.

HaHa joy

We still need a decent, mainstream, bomber nose Canberra in 1/72

Hi Timothy, I'm not an employee of Airfix and have no insight into their business model, but I think they would probably be not interested as it is outside their usual business model (pardon the pun). They mainly produce scale models of complete aircraft in either 1/72, 1/48 or 1/24, with occasionally a venture into armour. I think they wouldn't go for your turrets as it's too far away from this, and would probably only appeal to a small market. Maybe a smaller or more specialist producer than Airfix would be interested? However I do stand to be corrected. Again, your work here is amazing, and I do wish you success in your ventures.

Other producers of 1/72 Jaguar GR.1/3 include Italeri and Hasegawa

Hi Timothy, Unfortunately I don't think Airfix would be interested in producing turrets, but had a look at your work on YouTube and... WOW, that is some impressive scratchbuilding there. Now all you need to do is build the Wellington Model to go inbetween the two turrets!

Without promoting any other brand, I would say the easiest way for Sam to find what they want is to Google '1/72 Sepecat Jaguar GR.1' and you get plenty of options pop up.

The Jaguar hasn't been in the catalogue for some time, but a couple of other manufacturers also do models of the Jaguar GR.1/GR.3 in 1/72 scale.

Hi Old Timer, Welcome to the forum. Good advice, not only for the Meteor, but for any nosewheel aircraft kit, make sure you have enough weight in the nose.

Just received the Club kits

Finally completed my Navy Phantom, and I'm pretty pleased with the result. There were a few fit issues, especially the intakes, and the canopy, but I think dealing with things like that help improve skills, and adds to the sense of fulfilment when solved. I built mainly from the box, apart from modifying the decals slightly as mentioned earlier, and a few other easy changes. These included removing the ILS aerials from the fin ( these were never on navy phantoms, but are not mentioned in the instructions), removing the starboard side strake from the underwing fuel tanks (these tanks only ever have one strake, no matter which mark of Phantom it is, don't know how Airfix made that mistake!), and I added an extra rocket pod under each wing, after raiding the spares box for the leftovers from another Airfix Phantom build. The weathering was kept to the underside white, which received a dark grey wash, especially around the rear area, under the engines, and some oil leaks, using a Tamiya weathering set, and some soot around the engine exhausts, using Humbrol Weathering Powder. Overall a good and enjoyable kit to build, let down by some issues such as sink marks here and there, such as on the Sparrow Missiles, and missing details such as the vents around the intakes and exhausts. The kit must have the most options of any Phantom, with 3 different outer wings, 2 tail fins, different parts for retracted and deployed flaps and slats, open and closed canopies, and extended or retracted refuelling probe, and well as the normal and extended nosewheel leg. The weapons load is also pretty good with 3 tanks, 4 Sidewinders, 4 Sparrows, and 4 Sparrow drill rounds, as well as 4 bombs (1000lb'ers I think), and 4 Navy specific rocket pods.

Finally finished the decaling. Took about 4 sessions altogether, about 1 and a half to 2 hours each! Probably close to 400 individual markings to put down, if you count the multiples. I chose to do XV864 in the 892 Squadron markings. I did change it slightly though, instead of doing the 1974-1975 version, I did her as marked for the final deployment in 1978, with the Squadron flash on the nose (this came from an old Modeldecal sheet), the the legend 'FLY NAVY' on the fuselage, instead of 'ROYAL NAVY'. This was made from taking the 'L' and 'Y' for 'ROYAL', and modifying the 'R' into an 'F'. Weapons ready to go on, on the final stretch now.

Hi Chewbacca, I also live very near Manston, and have been to that Museum many a time, as well as the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum next door. When I built my Victor I did as you said and stuck my head in and took multiple photos, which were really helpful. They had also removed and restored the jump seat and this was displayed next to the cockpit, so got lots of reference from that. My build is on here somewhere, but unfortunately all the photos have been lost in the revamp last year. I'll have to see if I can find them on my phone.

Let's think, my top 5, which Airfix may possibly release would be; 1/72 Avro Manchester1/72 Avro Lincoln1/72 de Havilland Venom or Sea Venom (any mark) Hard to get hold of any kit of this RAF/RN staple aircraft1/72 Gloster Javelin1/72 de Havilland Devon/Dove ( spotted one on an old episode of 'The Crown' my wife was watching and remembered what a beautiful aircraft this is)

So only 4 new tools this year, and all aircraft, which will upset the ship and car modellers unfortunately. However, a new tool Spitfire in 1/24, a 1/48 Buccaneer (which I think has been on several wish lists), a 1/48 Avro Anson, for something unusual, and in 1/72 (my scale) a Meteor F8, it's not to bad. Plus I'm interested in some of the vintage classics as well, such as the DHC B * * * er ( That's a banded word apparently, which will be a problem if someone want's to post a build thread! Made me chuckle) and Whirlwind. I'm sure some will still moan about their requests for a 1/48 scale C-5 Galaxy still haven't been met, and how it would fit right into Airfix's catalogue and they would sell thousands!

Sorry, no JE-J markings included according to the site, there's one RAF with invasion stripes, an RCAF machine, a USAAF desert scheme and a French Armée de l'Air. I should think after market sets will come out though.

The basic painting has been completed, again using Vallejo Air, and a gloss coat added, the upper surface grey was hand painted. All ready for decaling now.

The gaps have been filled and the undercarriage also added. The grey paint was to check to seems. The white undersides have also been sprayed using Vallejo Model Air. The undercarriage was a little fiddly to attached, but not to bad. Once on, the interlocking retraction jacks made for a strong construction. The doors were then fitted with no issues.

With the Airfix 2022 range due to be released tomorrow, I was surprised to receive an email from Airfix today informing me that they are going to be dropping a new tool Spitfire IXc on us in 1/24! has anyone else got this message or is it just me? https://uk.airfix.com/products/supermarine-spitfire-mkixc-a17001?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=New+Super+Kit&utm_campaign=Airfix-+New+Kit+-+week+41+21%2F22&modal=-zoom

The wings and intakes have now gone on my Phantom. Had some major issues with the intakes, the fit was not good, with some major gaps, and a lot of pressure was needed to keep them in the right place while the cement cured, see the photos below. The wing flaps and slats were also a little on the sloppy side for fit, but nowhere near as bad as the intakes. This view does show off some of the nice rivet detail however.