Modeling News & New Kits

[McCoy]

Yeah, a perfect solution when the space to store the builds get cramped. But you can from what I've seen get almost the same results even if you don't own an BB gun anymore, just ship the modells oversea...

[Geek44]

I just give 'em to my son these days

[krieg]

ar us boys and our toys we have all got them...

[MAGNA]

OK. Onto another subject I know you guys can help with. I was round at a friends place yesterday and he has two Airfix 1/24th aircraft kits, both unmade and bought in the late seventies. One is a Harrier and the other more interesting one is a P51 Mustang.

All the parts, decals, and instructions are there.

Queries;

Are these still available ?

Is it worth me helping him to put them together, as in are they reasonable without having to do too much fixing ?

Thanks in advance.

[Geek44]

Have built them both over the years. I doubt they are still available...at least I haven't seen them. Funnily, a guy brought the P-51 kit to my club meeting this month and it looked as old as it is.
From memory, the Harrier is an excellent kit that features moveable jet nozzles, removeable panels to show off the engine and a pretty good cockpit. The P-51 is also pretty good but the shape of the model is a little bit inaccurate, but that wouldn't bother most people...it's a bit short lengthwise I think making it look 'fat'. It's still a very good kit with lots of interior details...from memory, the two versions offered are a blue-nosed machine who's name I forget (I was looking at the box art two weeks ago...hello alzheimers) and a red-nosed 'Ridge Runner' with a wild pig motif. The biggest issue I can see here is all that expanse of natural metal. Highly challenging.
The other thing to consider is that if indeed they are unavailable, they're collector's items by now and probably worth some bikkies if they're complete in the boxes. I know Airfix have re-released some of the 1/24 range (FW 190 for sure) but with different box art. The originals (I'm very envious) are classics. I built these as a kid mate...you should go fine.

[MAGNA]

Thanks Geek. Sounds like they might be worth the time. The boxes are the bits that are incomplete but never mind. How's this - he also has three 1/350th Tamiya ships - his brothers swear they are his but he knows he never bought them. They are all made and painted. You'd think whoever owned them would remember making three models of that size wouldn't you ?

[Geek44]

Well I'd certainly remember it. I haven't been a big ship builder but I've dabbled. I intend to do so again too after seeing what's possible. There's a guy at my club who builds the most exquisite ships I've ever seen. His last effort was a Hasegawa Japanese something-or-other...dunno the class or name. It's only maybe 20 centimetres (four matchbox lengths) long but it took him six months! I've seen those 1/350 ships and they're big! One day, I will attempt a Bismarck or Tirpitz in 1/350. (Or that 1/144 one tee-hee!).
This is a part of the ship from the club guy. It has an aircraft or two on the catapults and two stowed away...check out the rigging too. Not also the little PE people. Lots of brass and copper in this model.

Min's Ship.jpg

[Wolster]

Talking of the Airfix 1/24, I only ever built the Hurricane (twice) and loved the detail. I really learn't a lot about the aircraft from it.

I have received my big order from Airfix. The Hurricane, Blenhiem and Beaufighter look 'challenging' but the BBMF set looks good and crisp. Maybe a newer molding. It also comes with acrylic paints, glue and a brush which would be good if giving as a present to get a younger person interested. The most impressive thing is the stand which is included and lets you display the three aircraft in flight as they would appear at a show. I was going to build them all wheels down but this is making me think otherwise.

Lastly, I got the WW2 RAF airfield set. Comes with a Spit, a couple of refueling bowsers and a diarama base. The best thing is a large sprue of RAF ground personell in different poses. Even a couple of scrambling fighter pilots. Could be fun!!

[MAGNA]

That's a fantastic job on that ship Geek. Tell the bloke who made it he is a real artist for me could you?

The finish on the 1/350th ships is really good too. Well worth one for the mantlepiece.

Wolster, that stand is intriguing. I hope you are going to post some pics of it all when it's ready - I'd love to see how it turns out.

[Geek44]

Maybe Airfix (Hornby) have upped the standard a little hey Wolster? That would be nice. I still feel a real nostalgia when I see their packaging. If they're as good as you say, maybe I'll investigate just for 'old times sake'.
MAGNA, the guy that builds the ships regularly wins first prize in his category at the local Expo (Queen's Birthday w'kend). He brings maybe two finished models to the club per year because they take him so long...his French battleship 'Richelieu' is a masterpiece. He modelled it as it was during a refit. He's depicted it being re-painted...a novel idea and excellently finished. Unfortunately, the guy himself reinforces the classic 'modeller' stereotype. Every time I try to talk to him (I'm pretty confident and out going) he seems to want to fold himself up and disappear...he's painfully shy. I'll tell him though...it might help his confidence in some small way.
Peace.