A J Rimmer

Oh I agree - old school engineering every time - I hate digital! (he says, whilst posting on his digital PC, on the digital internet - the irony's not lost on me)

Here you go - Ratch's build log (It' on the same page in the aircraft forum as this thread)

Interesting that there's a clash. You're going great guns though Richard!

Not controversial at all. I think stencils are pretty much much a Marmite subject, you either loath them or love them. Personally I'm in the former camp and generally don't bother with stencils unless they add something visually to the model - most of my small ones get left off.

Cool, Why RAF Warmwell - do you have a connection to the place?

I wonder about this. Whilst I largely think you're right, that military models are more popular, I wonder how many of us out there build warplanes, warships and other military stuff just because there is no other option. We want to build models, but we can't built civilian subjects because the model companies don't kit them. Therefore nobody builds them, therefore they must be less popular?!?!?

That's a mad amount of decals!

They're good paints - I started using them when they first came out. Both the Red and Blue lines are water based and work well for brush painting. I have ordered directly from the company in the past, but I normally just get them from ebay.

I was quite impressed actually!

I've picked up a Hataka blue line paint set - they're my go to paints usually - I have a couple of dozen of their sets.

If you're happy with that, I'll do so - just thought I'd check first 🙂

I guess it's pretty common but I mainly build WWII aircraft and Cold War era Jets - mostly because those of the types that interest me the most. Certainly I like 80's era stuff because that's what I grew up with as an aviation and military mad kid, and the same goes with WWII - all of those Commando comics and great films really have an influence. I also like to build collections based on themes - although I'm not sure why. In the past I've built up a collection of Migs flown by the Albanian Air Force and currently I'm interested in 80's era US jets and US jets flown by the Iranian Imperial Air Force. I'm also trying to build up a range of WWII Fighters, just so I can display the differences in types, developments etc. I call (to myself) my Axis and Allies' build.

Okay, so we all occasionally have a build on the go where we haven't set up a build thread in the appropriate board/forum. Is there room , do you think, for a 'What's on your workbench at the moment' thread? I don't mean a dedicated workbench thread for each member, but just a single thread, probably in the General Discussion forum alongside the 'latest Acquisition' thread, where you can post up a photo two of those builds you're working on that you didn't want/need to set up an individual build thread on, or didn't really require one? I've seen this on a few other sites and they seem reasonably popular.

I actually have a nice set of aftermarket decals - so it's not a problem for this build in that regards. I was just really seeing if this lamp I bought was up to the task of bleaching the decals, like some people use those nail-dryer things for, but alas it seems not (so far). I will, as you said, bung them in the window for a bit just to see how long it takes - although I've not had much success with this method either - hence the idea of the lamp. In reality, I was just experimenting (as you do) to see what I could do with old decals if I come across them in the future. Normally I just buy replacements. Airfix of old used to make some nice, if basic. modern jet kits - it's a shame they don't get a bit more love. I hadn't heard they'd lost the tooling though - that is sad. This one looks like it'll be a nice, if a bit inaccurate, build.

But probably the nicest scheme when all said though - grey jets are boring! That's a fab collection though - well done! Me too! Decalling is my favourite part of the build, it's definitely where the individual personality of the subject first comes to life.

I'd say you're being far too hard on yourself Richard, that looks an absolute swine of a build and having finished it at all is a worthy achievement - also, brush painting gloss paint can be a real pain, so doubly well done. If nothing else, at least you've highlighted the issues for those of us that might well want to try and tackle this beast at some point - poor fools that we are! Very well done sir and what a cracking looking pair of Lifeboats. I hope it's a theme that Airfix continue with.

Very nice indeed - that's coming along very well and I do like the scheme.

Not as much modelling time spent on this as I would have hoped over the weekend, but I have managed to assemble the cockpit tub. I have also since added some nose weight. Hopefully I'll get some paint on it today. Cheers!

Ah, not so much at the moment - I suspect the lamp I have isn't that strong unfortunately - but it was worth a go. I'll keep playing with it this week before I give it up entirely but I suspect I'll be using the AM decals I have.

That does look nice. I was never a fan of the FAA colour scheme on the Phantom but over recent years I've really warmed to it - looking forward to seeing it with some decals on.

Hear Hear! I've thought the same for years. I'd love to see a decent range of newly tooled General Aviation Aircraft - Cessnas, Pipers, Beechcraft - all in something decent like 1/48th. Not just the regulars like the 1/72 and PA-28, but some of the vast array of other aircraft. There's also a huge range of farm or construction machinery that would make really interesting models.

I've heard quite a mixed bag of reviews on this kit, but despite the issues you're having, it's looking excellent!

They came out well. Interesting that Airfix didn't include a crew with this kit considering the options.

You don't see that many built up - certainly I haven't. There are much better kits of the F-105 out there, but this is more about the Nostalgia.

Not sure if it'll work yet lol, but it'll be interesting to see if it works. It's a pretty simple kit, so it should build up nicely.