Aad Gadgie

Definitely concur with the 1/72 Liberator, and the Hampden. I'd add a new-tool Battle, Fulmar, and Lysander. Yes, I know Dora Wings have a Lizzie, but I think Airfix could pitch one more at the mass market, without crowding. What about a Westland Wessex in 1/48 and/or 1/72 (the helicopter, not the fighter)? Re-work the Bloodhound missile in 1/72 (don't forget the Alsatian!) In 1/35, an Alvis Stalwart amphibious lorry - plenty of variants to choose from, and maybe a 105mm Light Gun & Land Rover tractor. We will have to wait and see...

Back in the dim & distant past, Airfix used to actually state on the box what series kit was contained within. Now there is an inconsistent jumble of product numbers, which you are expected to understand, and from which you are supposed to be able to tell which can be obtained via the "Flying Hours" scheme, and which can not, with no clear list anywhere of what you can get, and for how many points. It is (yes, it really is!) a fairly simple matter to produce such a list, and make both the purchase of the kits and club membership more attractive propositions. As a first-time club member (and a life-long Airfix kit builder) I have to say I'm disappointed at how poorly such basic information is presented - or, rather, not presented. Unless something is done to drastically improve the club from its current level, I will not be renewing my membership. I will continue to buy Airfix kits, but I can not honestly say I still have the loyalty to this brand I once had.

I have two major acquisitions to report, the first being Airfix' 1/24 scale Hawker Typhoon (car door), which I have hankered after since it came out. Finally got it - I need to clear a large space in my schedule, and another one on my workbench! Secondly, since I was a young lad, I've liked railway guns, and there is a local connection, too. British railway guns in World War One were commonly called "Elswick guns" (pronounced "ellzick"), after the location of Armstrong's armaments factory, where most of them were built, and near where I live - my Grandfather actually worked there during World War Two. I haven't been able to find any kits of British railway guns, but there are a few German ones to be had, and I've just got my hands on one. It's the Hobby Boss 1/72 Railway Gun "Leopold", (a WWII weapon), and it looks like an interesting project, with a lot of small, delicate parts. Should keep me busy for a while, when I get round to building it!

That's super work! I'm rubbish at figures but, like you, I built these ones as a lad. British 1815 infantryman, French Imperial Guard, Scots Grey, Polish Lancer, and - my favourite - the Bengal Lancer - what memories! Thank you for sharing.

I'd definitely second Paul Brown's recommendation. I bought one of those a couple of years ago and it's excellent, including being very good at safely removing transparencies from the sprue without damage or crazing. I have a couple of larger saws, but they hardly ever see the light of day, this one is the first one I reach for.

OK, here goes - 1/72 - New (or new tool) Gloster E28/29, DH Comet Racer, HP Hampden, Halifax, Fairey Battle, Fulmar, Firefly, Avro Anson, Manchester, Grumman Avenger, Westland Whirlwind (helicopter, not the fighter plane!), Wessex, Scout & Wasp, Scottish Aviation Bulldog, EE/BAC Canberra, Jaguar, Tornado GR4. 6-pdr A/tk gun & Bren carrier, 17-pdr A/tk gun & Quad tractor, 25-pdr field gun & Quad, 5.5" gun & AEC Matador, Valentine bridge-layer 1/48 - Seafire FR 46/47 (re-issue would be quite acceptable), Hawker Hurricane II, Gloster E28/29, Blackburn Skua, Avro 504K I'm sure I'll think of one or two more!

Given the way 2020 went, I'm pleased Airfix have been able to offer us what they have - both in the way of re-issues and new tools. The Mossie will sell like hot cakes, and the long-bemoaned lack of a Tempest has now been remedied. I hope all those who have shouted for one - myself included - will help to make this one worthwhile, too. I'll certainly be snapping up two or three when they appear. The new 1/35 ambulance is also a definite for me, as will be the Sea Harrier. Possibly the 109G, possibly the Chipmunk. Thank you, Airfix, well done! Now, about next year... 😉

I've been thinking about it, and all my mental images of these magnificent "wooden walls" are of black & yellow hulls. Films, models, magazine & book pictures - especially the superb artworks on the covers of Alexander Kent's "Richard Bolitho" novels - have formed the way I see these ships. So, when I build my Victory, she will be as I have always seen her and, this time, historical accuracy can take a back seat.

I haven't tried any of these yet, but I have one of the forthcoming Cromwells on pre-order. It's not a rebox of anyone else's kit, it's all Airfix. I'm sure it'll be a good one.

That's a very nice tribute, and well presented, the sea surface is excellent - well done! The County class "destroyers" - in reality, cruisers - were very fine ships, solidly built, and solidly crewed, as their fine records show. One of them, HMS Glamorgan, survived a hit by an Exocet missile in the Falklands War of 1982 - a unique achievement. I believe HMS London was the last ship of the Royal Navy to fire a broadside, all subsequent vessels mounting only single main guns. Again, nice job, thanks for sharing, and thanks to your brother for his service.

According to the information given on this website, the Flying Hours that Airfix Club members can collect depend on which series kit is purchased - Series 1 kits have 1 Flying Hour, series 2 kits have 2, and so on. The series number is given at the beginning of the kit's serial number, after the letter "A" - A02005 is given as an example of a series 2 kit, with 2 Flying Hours. This is fair - the more you spend on a kit, the greater its contribution to your Membership rewards. However, I have kit A05137 in front of me - by the above definition a Series 5 kit, so it should have 5 Flying hours. It has only 2. I also have A04016 - Series 4 but, again, only 2 Flying Hours. A03085, Series 3, only 1 Flying Hour. No one else seems to have raised this point - have I missed something?

I saw a piece on YouTube recently, showing that she was being repainted in her original colours i.e. what they actually were, not what the Victorians thought they should have been (and which were accepted as Gospel ever since). It seems that when layers of old paint were removed, the original "yellow" had a definite pinkish tint to it, so the National Maritime Museum were going with that. And what had been accepted as the black parts of the hull were actually a sort of dark metallic grey. I bought this kit recently in the sure and certain knowledge of the "black & yellow" look, but I'll have to re-think. You may want to investigate this before deciding but, of course, the choice is entirely yours.

Very nice, well done! I have one on the go, in the gloss black scheme, but had paint trouble (almost certainly my own fault) resulting in a grainy, sparkly finish. So I'm resorting to a black enamel rattle can - it can't turn out much worse than it already is! My next one will probably be the grey/green wraparound - yours looks very good, thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Peter - I find your comments both reassuring and very welcome (yes, there's one in the stash!) Actually, it belongs to Mrs Gadgie, but we plan to build it some time next year. Ish. Cheers!

Thanks for this thread, John, especially the time-saving tips. I've got one to build for a forthcoming GB that has a very short time limit - these will really help. Thanks again.