Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Airfix Club Magazine 04
Airfix Club Magazine 04
Airfix Club Magazine 04
Issue 4 2008
IN THIS ISSUE...
FLIES
FROM THE
NEST!
PLUS...
DIORAMA
RE-ENACTING A NORMANDY
BEACH SCENE
www.airfix.com
Contents
2008 September Release Programme Pages 3 & 4
Editorial
Past & Present - RAF Trainers Page 5
D-DAY...An Epic Tale! Pages 6 & 7
The BAe Hawk of 19(F) Squadron Pages 8 & 9
Model Build - BAe Hawk Pages 10 & 11 Many of you will have heard the news that on 1st May,
Competition Time Page 12 2008, Hornby took over that other famous British diecast
Issue 2 Competition Time Results Page 12 model institution – Corgi. Hornby issued the following
Press statement following the takeover.
2 www.airfix.com
2008
SEPTEMBER RELEASE PROGRAMME
We review the variety of Airfix kits being released between now and the end
of September
Classic Kits
A03049 BAC Strikemaster A10103 English Electric Camberra
The Strikemaster was an armed version of PR.9
the Jet Provost. It was capable of operating This was developed as the photo-
from rough airstrips and featured two reconnaissance version of the Canberra
ejector seats suitable even for low-altitude and successfully served in the RAF for
escape. This new 1:72 scale Airfix kit comprises 90 pieces and comes many years. Chile took the aircraft following the Falklands War and the
in three kit variations. When finished, it measures 144mm long with a 1:48 scale Airfix model contains four options – three RAF and the
width of 146mm. Chilean Air Force to reflect this.
The finished model is 423mm in length and 441mm wide. New for 2008,
A10104 Martin B-57B Canberra the model comprises 122 pieces.
3 www.airfix.com
Battle Sets, Themed Collections & Sea by Sail
A50064 The D-Day Collection A50047 The Endeavour
This evocative set depicts the events surrounding Operation The Airfix kit in 1:120 scale replicates the famous sailing ship that,
Overlord on 6th June 1944 when the Allies landed on the in 1769, sailed from Plymouth under the command of the legendary
Normandy beaches in Northern France. The collection explorer Captain James Cook. Born in Marton, North Yorkshire, he
comes with a Normandy beach-head, tanks, landing craft, was apprenticed to a trade in the seaside village of Staithes and then
trucks, a gun emplacement and soldiers to enable you to create this momentous day. The Whitby but his passion was always the sea. He eventually went to
components include 1:72/1:76 scale pieces. sea, working his way up from Ordinary Seaman to Master. Captain
Cook was to discover and chart much of the southern hemisphere,
including the East Coast of Australasia and the unknown islands of
A50048 Waterloo Battle Set the Pacific during his several voyages. He chose the bark Endeavour
This 415-piece set in 1:72 scale re-enacts the famous for several reasons. A Whitby collier, Endeavour was the type of
battle in the environs of Waterloo in Belgium on 18th June vessel he knew to be sturdy and practical, solidly built with a broad beam and a shallow
1815. Much of the battle took place around a village draught making it less likely to run aground. Given its moderate size, it could also be easily
farmhouse which sets the scene for the Airfix kit. Heading managed by a small crew.
the battle for the British against Napoleon of France was the Duke of Wellington, known as The Airfix kit comprises 106 pieces and when completed, it has a length of 395mm and a
the Iron Duke. As well as the battle scene, the kit contains nine regiments of troops, enabling width of 355mm.
you to create your own British victory over Bonaparte, which ended the French aspirations
of ruling the whole of Europe in the early 19th Century.
A50044 Wasa
The Wasa (Vasa) sank within one nautical mile of the start of her
A50056 Duxford Anniversary maiden voyage in 1628 before she had even left the Stockholm
Collection Gift Set archipelago.
She was raised in 1986 and is now on permanent display in the
This set commemorates the commissioning of the famous
Swedish capital.
Duxford Airfield in 1918. Now part of the Imperial War
Museum and the venue for major Air Shows, Duxford in The 1:144 scale Airfix kit comprises 229 pieces and when finished
Cambridgeshire was – in its early days – a key air base is 486mm in length with a width of 170mm.
for many squadrons both from the RAF and particularly in WWII, the USAAF. The Airfix kit
modelled in 1:72 scale contains aircraft from WWII, a narrative from a WWII fighter pilot and
other items of historical interest. No of pieces 106. A50045 Cutty Sark
Probably the most famous tea clipper of them all, as well as being the
A50031 BAe Red Arrows Hawk fastest, Cutty Sark plied the Tea Route between China and London.
She has been a key tourist attraction moored on the Thames in London
Gift Set for many years but suffered a devastating fire in 2007. It is now hoped
The Red Arrows are arguably the best known of all the to rebuild the sailing ship to her former glory. In the meantime, enjoy
international aerobatic teams, seen at all the important building this fantastic 1:130 Airfix kit that contains 220 pieces and when
occasions and frequent visitors to Air Shows. This Airfix kit shows the team in their new complete measures a length of 520mm and a width of 140mm.
2008 colour scheme. In 1:48 scale, there are three kit variations to choose from.
4 www.airfix.com
PAST & PRESENT
By Jeremy Brook - Editor of ‘Constant Scale’
MEMBERS’ MAIL I am a new member to the Airfix Club but have been a keen model maker since
I was about ten years old, when my Dad used to help me build them. He was
just as keen as me and had a long history of constructing Airfix models. I myself
I joined the Airfix Club for my have completed many kits over a period of over 40 years!
youngest son Matthew – he will I am still as keen as ever but in the last 15 years or so have specialised in
be delighted to receive the Spitfire making airliners and civil aircraft, along with creating dioramas of the same
and Club goodies – after he saw subject. I am currently building the Dragon Rapide to include in a diorama.
your stand at the Scottish Model Previous builds include the 747 Jumbo Jet, Concorde and more recently the
Britten Norman Islander – to make at a later date. I would love to see other
Championships in Perth earlier
civil aircraft introduced into the Airfix range in the future. In the meantime, long
this year. Since then he has had a
may you reign!
keen interest in aircraft modelling
and has just completed his first David Seabridge, Staffordshire.
5 w w w . a i r9f i x . c o m
D-DAY...AN EP
The Medway Modelling Club have achieved a worthy
model build of a Diorama based on the Normandy D-Day
How they did it...
First of all, we consulted reference material of the time including maps, books and
landing on 6th June 1944.
film clips to make sure we used correct models of the period and that the landscape
The scene depicts the seaborne landings of the assault was accurate. It is always important to pick out the fact from the fiction!
craft and troops, the beach battle, the cliff-top defences We also selected a team who could work together and had the necessary skills
and the Allied aircraft giving support to the landing craft between them to complete the task. It was also important to be able to visualise
the whole thing and to include elements that people would recognise as being
bringing in further troops from the ships further out at sea. D-Day from both history and their knowledge.
It was built by Kevin Nunn, Peter and Max Birkett and Chris and Mike Porter, all If you break down the 750 hours the project took to construct, you are looking
from the Medway Modelling Club. Max and Mike are both junior members. The at approximately 120 hours for the scenery – cliff, beach and seascape plus 4-6
project was constructed at the request of the Mail on Sunday for their on-line hours on each of the models. For instance, landing craft took around 6-8 hours
magazine and took over 750 hours to construct. You can also view it on their including painting and application of decals and this did not include time allowed
website at www.mailonsunday.co.uk/moslive/article-1026013/How-Make-Airfix- for glue and paint to dry.
diorama.html Starting with the scenery, the cliff faces comprised a base structure of contour
Omaha Beach was the code name for the operation at one of the principal landing shaped foam board which had an infill of cardboard and scrap paper sealed with
points of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings watered down PVA glue. Once set, we laid a skin of Mod Roc, basically an
on the coast of Northern France which took place on 6th June 1944. This part of impregnated plaster bandage, to form a shell. The real trick was the painting and
the operation was the responsibility of the United States Army troops with sea the addition of crumbled dry lumps of Polyfilla type material to create rock faces
transport supplied mainly by the US Navy with some support by the Royal Navy. as well as shading these areas to achieve even greater realism.The modeller
Their task was to land at both the western and eastern sections of the beach. The assigned to this task was a graphic designer so there was great artistry involved.
initial assault comprised tanks, infantry and combat engineer forces with the aim The sea was Polyfilla laid in a bed about 3mm deep and then combed to form
of reducing the coastal defences held by the enemy to allow larger ships to come waves. We then painted it with a mixed blue colour before detailing it in white to
in as part of a second phase of the operation. The overall plan was to secure the form the wake of the boats and the wave tops. Finally coats of polyurethane varnish
area of about five miles to link up with the British landings at Gold Beach to the east were applied to give the wet look. If the scene had been smaller, we would have
and linking up with VII Corps at Utah Beach to the west. All this was in the face of used clear resin but this is a very difficult material to use and we felt that our
the German determination to defeat any seaborne assault at the point of landing. method produced a better result.
Whilst the day was ultimately declared a victory for the Allies, little went as planned Sand scenes are probably the easiest to build as it settles well over contours and
and around 3000 Allied soldiers lost their lives. Enemy losses were assessed at is never just pure sand. There are always bits of rock contained in it and you can
around 1200. Difficulties in navigation including bad visibility caused many of the conveniently ‘weather’ the models by putting a coat of sand dust over everything.
landing craft to miss their targets.
The model painting was also quite involved. First we washed the pieces in weak
The sea was very rough which left many of the soldiers seasick. Under heavy washing up liquid, rinsed them in clean water and allowed them to air dry. We then
enemy fire, the engineers who landed first struggled to clear beach defences which primed them with a base coat of matt paint – normally grey or white, followed by
meant that further landings were channelled through a much narrower area than the main colours, adding shading for depth or thinned blacks to bring out details.
planned and casualties were heavy. The surviving assault forces were not able to The next stage was to apply a gloss varnish before applying the decals. Following
clear the heavily defended exits from the beach and delayed subsequent landings. that, we applied weathering where appropriate on such parts as exhaust systems
Groups of survivors did eventually achieve assaults, scaling the cliffs between the and the wheels – putting more ‘mud’ or ‘sand’ at the top than on the bottom. Finally
most heavily defended points. By the end of the day, two small footholds had been we applied a further coat of appropriate varnish. For instance, a gloss finish is
won, resulting in greater success inland over the next few days where German unlikely on army equipment but looks right on trucks, cars and aircraft. Satin is a
defences were found to be weaker. good choice for aircraft whereas matt is as good for military items, tanks, lorries
and ships.
6 www.airfix.com
PIC TALE!
A useful tip is that two thin coats are better than one thick coat of anything.
Paint effects on the landscape were interesting to do. All the green areas are
achieved with sand glued on with PVA glue and then painted with different shades
of green – mostly dark. Even the beach sand is painted to a darker tone that it
was naturally. The edges of the beach where it meets the water were achieved
with thick and thinned varnish to give a wet/damp look with the main beach area
painted in a variety of greys and base colours for depth and shading.
One of the team was responsible for putting men inside vehicles, which proved
a very fiddly job as it was difficult to retain the figures in the correct poses. I found
painting the figures the most boring because there were so many of them. I painted
most of the cliff attackers, changing the poses at the same time. This section is
also my own personal favourite within the diorama.
Whilst we may attract criticism for lack of detail and landscape perspective, we
are all pleased with the result. Who else, with the exception of museums perhaps,
has achieved a scene on this scale, particularly as we are all amateur modellers?
And our next project, you may ask? I would like to tackle the Battle of the Bulge
– that would be a major project but well documented.
Airfix product Editor’s note: With the recent Corgi acquisition by Hornby Hobbies, there are now
several Corgi Aviation Archive diecast aircraft models (not kits) in the correct scale that
1. Small troop-carrying landing craft £3.99.
would enhance this diorama admirably.
2. Sherman ‘Crab’ mine-flail tanks Each tank £4.99.
3. Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tank £4.99.
4. White M3 A1 half track with trailer £4.99. The Medway Modelling Club
5. Large landing craft carrying tanks and other vehicles (LCM and tank) £6.99. Founded in 1983, the Medway Modelling Club, run by modellers for modellers, attracts
6. Opel Blitz truck and Pak 40 gun with crew £4.99. enthusiasts interested in all types of models, from aircraft, vehicles, figures, tanks and
7. The Coastal Defence Fort Set includes coastal battery featured on the cliff AFVs to sci-fi, ships and much more. Most models use the medium of plastic but not
top and two sets of figures – attackers and defenders. Gun emplacement set exclusively. Club nights are held between 7.30 and 10 pm on the first Tuesday of each
£14.99; British Commandos £3.99; British infantry £3.99; German infantry month at the Disabled Persons Sports Hall, the Strand, Gillingham, Kent. Activities
£3.99 and American Marines £3.99. include competitions, raffles, demonstrations of modelling techniques, guest speakers
and members’ project displays. Refreshments are available. For more information on
The scene also included some Non-Airfix kits to complete the detail.
joining the Club, contact Kevin Nunn on Telephone 01795 421456 before 8 pm.
8. Coastal defence bunker £7.99.
The age group of members ranges from 10 to 81, although the Club insists that children
9. Small bunker and accessories £7.99.
under 16 years of age are accompanied by a parent at all times.
10. Anti-tank/anti-aircraft bunker £7.99.
2008 sees the 25th Anniversary of the Club and the highlight of the year’s activities is
11. North American P-51B Mustang fighter with D-Day stripes £4.99. an exhibition planned for the 5th and 6th September at the Royal Engineers Museum,
Gillingham, Kent ME4 4UG. The planned attractions include a model exhibition, trade
stands, competitions, as well as the chance to look round a great museum hosting a
DIARY DATES
These are some of the events where you will find an Airfix presence during
the coming months. We’ll keep you updated on further venues via our Club
website at www.airfix.com...See you there!
7 www.airfix.com
The BAe Hawk
Monday 14th April Tuesday 15th April Friday 18th April Sunday 20th April
8 www.airfix.com
The few photographs from the period showed that a prominent number 19 had The grey base metal was soon covered in a bright primer showing the lady in a
been applied to the fin. Whilst the RAF Museum determined that the numbers were whole new light. Using drawings and the RAF regulations to hand, the team marked
Red for A Flight and White for B Fight, the BBMF believed that the colour Yellow out the upper wing and fuselage decoration before putting on the various coats of
was applied to the commander’s aircraft. the top scheme on XX184’s fuselage. It was then protected in preparation for the
After considering the various options, Wing Commander Hill sought approval for painting of the camouflage scheme on the wings and fin. By 3pm on 24th April,
the repaint of a T1 BAe Hawk trainer jet aircraft in the camouflage scheme as worn XX184 was back on her own legs and with the covering removed, looked quite
by the first Spitfire when it was delivered to the Squadron in August 1938, with the majestic in her new coat. Next came the job of marking the position for the RAF
addition of number 19 in yellow on the fin. On 11th April 2008, permission was roundels and spraying parts that had been out of reach during the previous stages.
granted from RAF Valley and Babcocks Defence Systems to proceed. They also The aircraft was then wrapped in a gossamer blanket before the meticulous process
approved the addition of an Aden cannon pod to reflect that 19 Squadron had of applying approximately 270 stencils.
been the first unit to receive the cannon armed Spitfire Mk 1b. It is the first time It was now Monday 28th April and the final stages in the countdown to the
that a serving RAF aircraft has been decorated in the distinctive brown and green presentation of the finished Hawk scheduled for 1st May. The paint shop team
camouflage scheme. Following the announcement by Wing Commander Adrian began the initial stages of applying the roundels and their efforts were
Hill on 11th April, Valley Aviation Society have documented the progress on the acknowledged when the Base Commander of RAF Valley, Grp Cpt Connell called
repaint of XX184 between then and the presentation of the finished aircraft on in to check on progress.
1st May. The next step was to apply the various warning and safety markings, which
The repaint received funding from BAe Systems and Babcocks. PPG Aerospace in coincided with the armourers needing to fit the external stores, gunpod and pylons.
County Durham supplied the paint to the nearest specification of the period. The By 30th April, XX184 was resplendent in her evocative 1938 guise and looked all
company kindly donated the paint as a contribution towards the project. On 14th ready for action, should the word to Scramble be given. She was given the chance
April, Hawk T1 XX184 was quietly and carefully backed into the paint shop bay at the next day when just after 10.30 am in clear blue sunshine, she put the clock
RAF Valley, into the hands of the crew known locally as the ‘A’ Team. The plane back 70 years. Piloted by Wing Commander Adrian Hill and crewed by Flt. Lt.
had recently returned from service with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Requirements Air ‘Paddy’ Ireland, who was retiring from the RAF that day, she took to the air from
Direction Unit. The initial work involved placing XX184 on service jacks and RAF Valley, watched by the team who had effected the new colour scheme.
retracting the undercarriage. The airframe was thoroughly washed and delicate For all concerned, it was a stirring and memorable sight and a worthy 90th
areas protected. The fuselage was then sanded down over the next couple of days. Anniversary tribute to all RAF and Allied pilots that flew and fought and died in the
By the end of the first week, the pristine shiny black paintwork was now reduced famous SPITFIRE.
to the base metal ready for the next stage. In August this year, 19(F) Squadron will celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the
Monday 21st April saw the careful process of degreasing prior to the application arrival of the Spitfire on squadron in a special event as part of the Valley Aviation
of the primer. XX184 was surrounded by a team of white-suited persons. Society Photocall and 19 Squadron Families Day.
Monday 28th April Tuesday 29th April Wednesday 30th April Thursday 1st May
Friday 11th April 2008 The confirmation of approval to create a 70th Anniversary Scheme was received during the afternoon and was announced by Wing Co A. Hill CO of 19Sqdn. Monday 14th April 2008 –
At 13.30 hrs Hawk T1 XX184 was quietly towed from the short line and carefully backed into the Paint Shop Bay at RAF Valley. Hawk XX184 has recently returned from service with
Royal Navy's Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit (FRADU)
Tuesday 15th April 2008 The Babcock paint shop team, making the necessary preparations. By 0900 hrs Hawk XX184 had been placed on service jacks and the undercarriage retracted. Initial preparation began.
The airframe was thoughly washed and delicate areas protected. By 1300 hrs an extensive area of the lower fusulage had been sanded. Work proceeded over the next 48 hrs.
Friday 18th April 2008 Gone was the pristine shiny black and almost two thirds of the fuselage had been rubbed down to base. the contrast clearly shown in the view of XX184. Whilst this was happening various
external store were also prepared.
Sunday 20th April 2008 Yes, by Sunday, the Paint Shop Team had managed to denude the lady. XX184 was indeed a sorry sight, yet still exuded a quiet dignity.
Monday 21st April 2008 By 1400 hrs the careful process of degreasing had been completed prior to the application of the primer. XX184 surrounded by white suited persons began to take on a whole new character.
Going, going, gone was the dark dingy grey. The bright primer started to show the lady in a whole new light.
Tuesday 22nd April 2008 The meticulous preparation of masking the fuselage and other areas prior to applying the aluminium undersurface began early on Tuesday morning. By afternoon the Painting Team had
applied along the fuselage and wings this unique colour scheme.
Wednesday 23rd April 2008 Drawings and Regulations to hand, the marking out of the upper wing and fuselage scheme progressed leaving XX184 looking more like a hovercraft than a fast jet. In the afternoon the
team suited up again to put the various coats of the top scheme on XX184's fuselage.
Thursday 24th April 2008 The fuselage, painted the previous day, had once again been protected in preparation for painting of wings and fin. By 1145hrs the fin and wings had had the camouflage scheme applied.
Come 1500hrs the ground crew had put XX184 back on her own legs. With coverings removed XX184 stood majestically with her new coat of colours.
Friday 25th April 2008 The Paint Team began marking out for Roundels and spraying parts which hitherto had been out of reach.
Saturday 26th April 2008 Once again XX184 was wrapped in a gossemer blanket. The meticulous process of applying approximately 270 stencils began.
Monday 28th April 2008 Bullseye well perhaps not. The initial stages of applying the roundels to XX184 was well in hand by 1300hrs. The efforts of the Paint Shop Team were acknowledged when Grp Cpt Connell,
the Base Commander of RAF Valley, called in to view progress.
Tuesday 29th April 2008 The steady progress of applying the various warning and safety markings continued only to be interrupted by the armourers attending to fit the external stores, gunpod and pylons. At last
XX184 was looking the part.
Wednesday 30th April 200 The first sight of XX184 in all her splendour evoked memories of years long gone. Resplendent in her 1938 guise the lady seemed so tranquil yet had the order to Scramble been given.
Thursday 1st May 2008 Scramble! Scramble! At 1035hrs on this sunny May morning Hawk T1 XX184 of 19 Squadron bridged 70 years of time when 'Python 3' rolled, piloted by Wing Co. Adrian Hill and crewed
by Flt Lt 'Paddy' Ireland. XX184 took to the air from RAF Valley - a stirring and memorable sight.
9 www.airfix.com
The subject of our Model Build in this issue comprises of the 1:48 scale Red Arrows Hawk
A05111 decorated in Camouflage colours to mark the 70th Anniversary of RAF 19(F) Squadron.
This ‘step by step’ guide has been created using the 1:48 scale Airfix red Arrows Hawk
(available at www.airfix.com) using a special decal scheme which alongside the painting
instructions will be available to buy soon from www.hannants.com.
The completed model shown here will later be donated to the Valley Aviation Society in
conjunction with the anniversary.
1:48
scale
21
1 2 3 4
(F) SQUADRON
11 www.airfix.com
COMPETITION TIME
If you are an avid aircraft enthusiast, you will want to have a go at winning
the superb Airfix prize we are giving away this time.
We are offering one of the brand new A05115 Spitfire Mk I models and
an example of the A05111 Red Arrows Hawk with special 19(F) Squadron
decals.
Both are 1:48 scale and will go to one lucky winner who can answer the
following questions:
1. Where are 19(F) Squadron based?
2. 2008 marks which anniversary of the Squadron?
Rules of Entry. 3. How many Red Arrows Hawk aircraft take part in the famous
1 The winner will be the first selected at random from the 6. No correspondence to be entered into in conjunction
all-correct entries received by 31st October 2008. with the competition. aerobatic display?
2. The competition is limited to one entry per current 7. No cash equivalent is available.
member of the Airfix Club. 8. The Airfix Club accepts no responsibility for entries lost Put your answers on a postcard with your name, address and Club
3. Duplicate entries will be disregarded. or damaged in the post.
4. The results of the competition will be announced in issue 9. Entries defaced or altered in any way will be deemed membership number and send to Airfix Issue 4 Competition, PO Box 25,
5 of the Airfix magazine and the winners notified by post. null and void.
5. The competition is not open to employees of Hornby 10. The judges’ decision is final.
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 1ZG. UK.
Hobbies, their agents or families.
Entries should reach us no later than 31st October 2008.
COMPETITION RESULTS
In issue 3, we were giving away a superb Battle of Britain Memorial Flight canvas to one And the lucky winner of our Junior Competition, carrying away a full set of fantastic 1:72
winner of our adult competition. And the winner is Mr C Flemming from Staffordshire. scale Airfix figures is Mstr M Maclean aged 12 from Essex.
Congratulations! And the answers to the questions were:
The answers to the competition questions were: 1. King Richard the Lionheart. 2. Sherwood Forest.
1. 1793. 2. Locomotives. 3. General Ernst Udet. 3. Guy of Gisborne.
To order your Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe please fill in your details below and return the I enclose cheque/postal order for £ Cheques should be made payable to Hornby
completed form with your selected method of payment to: Airfix Club Spitfire MkXVIe offer, Hobbies Ltd. Overseas members, please note that cheques should be either in the form of
PO Box 25, Melton Mowbray, Leicester LE13 1ZG. Once payment has been received please a Eurocheque, a cheque drawn on a London bank or an International Money Order.
allow 28 days for delivery in the UK. OR
Title Initials Surname Please debit £ Sterling to my
Address Visa Access Mastercard Switch/Maestro
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Signature (of parent/guardian, if under 16 years) If you wish to order but do not want to damage your magazine, please photocopy the order form and use that
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