What builds are on your bench?

[harv_warfield]

currently building Revell's 1/72 P-47D Thunderbolt to try my hand at bare metal foil, pic is of progress so far,

[viper3111]

This is what I am currently working on, its the revell 48th Rafale for our show at Sutton coldfield. It will shortly be joined by the monogram (or Italleri if it is out in time) 48th EA-6B done as one of the 'Jammin jihad' aircraft that I have just bought the decals for. I have had the monogram effort since it was re released earlier last year.



I am most impressed with this kit as revell seem to have put there heart and sole into it. I have been following a photo of the cockpit and ejector seat and the kit is spot on. The only down side is the seat belts are a bit flat, but other than that it is an outstanding kit. It has engraved panel lines that are very nicely done and it is molded in the plastic that I like (grey, not to shiny but still very smooth) and there is absolutely no flash and very few injector pin marks.
I have put one of these up in the model comp so you now know (ruffly) what sort of a kit it is. For the money Revell have outdone them selves, its just a shame they dont do all there kits like this.

[viper3111]

Now I have finished my Rafale I will start my airfix Super etendard. I dont normaly 'knock them out' ths fast but I wanted to make sure had something decent to take to sutton coldfield. The revell Rafale whent together better than I was expecting which helped and I had a week of work so I was on it pretty much every day. Normaly I only work on my kits friday, saturday and sunday and the rubbish weather has also been perfect model building weather so what can I say.

I am now starting the super etendard with a neomega cockpit. I havnt built an airfix kit for 20 years (not since I found better makes but they are getting better, slowly).

[Flyingmonster]

I have at the minute my Mig 29 for the FC Model comp and for a bit of a break from her I have just bought a Airfix Spitfire Mk1a! Only £3.50!!
My next big build I am looking at is the Airfix Alpha Jet in Boscombe Colours

[viper3111]

Ive given up on my super etendard for now as it's a crap kit and I get easily anoyed at the moment (and sarah tells me off as Im not meant to get wound up) so I will be starting a 48th Kinetic F-16C BARAK which I will be doing as a victim viper using the two bobs set I bought last year at Telford. This kit is very nice with a huge amount of stores (one of which has already found a home, eh Ben ) Which I wont be using on this but I have a home for the others on future projects. I like the fact that companys are finaly starting to include a decent selection of stores in there kits. I can arm all three of my russian hardware with what comes with the trumpeter 48th SU-24 I just bought

[HighlandSniper]

I'm showing my ignorance of US military aircraft here Shaun, what exactly is a "Victim Viper" - clearly an F-16 variant of some sort, but which?

[viper3111]

No worries Rob,

You may not like this but its a 'what if' QF-16 Drone. I bought the decals last year to build the aircraft to go wth my QF-86F and my QF-4.
Its only a 'what if' as they arnt using them in the weapons school just yet but it wont be long (I think)

Here you go, what do you think? http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/decal ... 8188.shtml

[HighlandSniper]

I don't have a problem with credible "what ifs" Shaun, especially when they've been properly researched and well modelled as I know yours will be.

[Flyingmonster]

I have just made a start on the Airfix 1/72 Stirling for a ATC regional competition Very nice looking model! Only problem is I have 4 and a 1/2 weeks to do it Might have to put my Mig on hold for a wee bit!

[viper3111]

I built that kit many moons ago, if I remember corectly its quite nice. Is it still molded in black? and I hope we will see some pics of it one way or another

[HighlandSniper]

It was originally moulded in black - I too built the Stirling back in the late sixties/early seventies when it was newly released. If my memory serves me correctly it included a nice little David Brown tractor and bomb trollies. It's a great shame that such aircraft no longer exist apart from crash wreckage, it amazes me how many significant aircraft such as the Stirling, Whitley, Hampden, Hornet etc. were scrapped without any examples being retained.

[Flyingmonster]

I built that kit many moons ago, if I remember corectly its quite nice. Is it still molded in black? and I hope we will see some pics of it one way or another

Ah I am glad it is a nice kit! Its in the usual Grey now. There is a lot of work to do on the pieces that have lots of offcuts from the moulding process. I will try and get some pics of the build and will of course post some shots of her completed!

It was originally moulded in black - I too built the Stirling back in the late sixties/early seventies when it was newly released. If my memory serves me correctly it included a nice little David Brown tractor and bomb trollies. It's a great shame that such aircraft no longer exist apart from crash wreckage, it amazes me how many significant aircraft such as the Stirling, Whitley, Hampden, Hornet etc. were scrapped without any examples being retained.

This kit also includes the tractor and bomb trolly! Its funny about that me and my Dad were talking about it over lunch today. It is such a shame they were all scrapped

[HighlandSniper]

I remember that kit like it was yesterday. I bought it here in Elgin whilst on holiday (we lived in Oxfordshire at the time), and I built it before returning home - it travelled south on the rear parcel shelf of the car and the heat of the sun distorted the upper rear fuselage which ended up with a strange crack in it somewhere on the M6!

[benyboy]

Ha ha one of my first models a 1 72 mustang was left to near a gas fire, the fuse and wing curled up. Made a good crash diorama though

Highland sniper you say you live in Elgin, have you seen this - http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99389" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ben

[HighlandSniper]

I haven't, but I'm aware of the site. It's not so long since we had two scrap yards within Elgin itself literally piled high with very recognizable Buccaneers and other assorted aviation wreckage including Nimrod and Shackleton parts.

[Sparts99]

A wee bit off piste for modelling but ref the Stirling chat above. I'm told a Stirling did survive for quite a few years after the war derelict on an East Anglian airfield but was scrapped on the station commanders orders as it didn't reflect well on the modern RAF. When I worked on a CASA352 on the airshow circuit in the 80's there was a rumour that Norwegian Air Force divers had located a substantially complete and not too badly damaged Stirling at the bottom of a fjord and were looking for sponsorship to raise it. Anyone else heard anything like that ? Seperate rumours thread ?

[HighlandSniper]

I have heard something to that effect - There are also still possibilities of finding aircraft in the Dutch Ijsselmeer and many allied crashes are not yet located. There are also chances of finding in various Russian locations.

It amazes me that even some post-war types didn't survive - Hornet/Sea Hornet, Buckingham/Buckmaster/Brigand, Sturgeon, Seamew, Firebrand, production (turbo-prop) Wyvern etc.

[Flyingmonster]

I tell you what guys this Stirling is pure pleasure to build!! It is fitting together brilliantly!! Nice simple but enjoyable build!!! I have been on with it most of the day and am slowly getting there!! I would highly recommend it!!

[viper3111]

Its always nice when you get a kit that just goes together easily. After my airfix super etendard my Kinetic F-16C is a god send. I seem to remember my stirling that I did many moons ago whent together nicely with no drama.

[Flyingmonster]

You are right there mate!! No Dramas as of yet!! Its a stunning build!! The gear is a wee bit complicated but Im nearly ready to get it primed up for painting!!