FIRST LOOK! AIRFIX’S 1/ 72 LIGHTNING F.

6 RE-ISSUE
Aug 2018
Issue 93

70+
REVIEWS
INSIDE

LIGHTNING
STRIKES TWICE
We detail Airfix’s re-released 1/72 Lightning F.6

PLUS 1/24 SUBARU LEGACY RS • SOLO F-16 DISPLAY • 1/1200 QUEEN MARY 2
1/32 POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24 • LATEST NEWS AND SHOW REPORTS...

RADIANT LION CUB

1/72 IAI Kfir C7 from AMK £4.60

STEEL GENERAL
Takom’s new 1/35 M3 Grant

R
egular readers will
appreciate Airfix Model
World always offers much
variety, via different genres.
EDITORIAL
Editor: Chris Clifford
Assistant Editor: Stu Fone
Group Editor: Stuart Qualtrough
Contributors to this issue: Jennifer Wright,
Ian Grainger, Chris Jones, Dave Oliver,
Graham Platt, Joe Turner, Andy Davies,
Dr Stephen Payne, Johan Augustsson
Designer: Tom Bagley
Chief Designer: Steve Donovan
EDITORIAL CONTACT
Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd,
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK
Email: chris.clifford@keypublishing.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tel: +44 (0)1780 480404
Email: orders@keypublishing.com
ADVERTISING AND MANAGEMENT
Commercial Director: Ann Saundry
Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter
Advertising Manager: Sarah Jarman
Advertising Sales Executive: Elizabeth Ridge
Classified Sales Executive: Hollie Keeling
Advertising Production Manager: Debi McGowan
WELCOME TO ISSUE 93
The fact was always a positive
aspect of the original iterations of
Airfix Magazine, and it’s something
we hold dear. And while assistant
editor Stu and I put plenty of
thought into our subject choices
for each edition, sometimes it’s
sheer luck that wins the day.
A fine example is the Revell
Queen Mary 2 liner this month. I
must confess, it wasn’t an obvious
choice for a build feature until I
was contacted by the man that
designed the ship. Maritime
architect Dr Stephen Payne
e-mailed to congratulate us on last
November issue’s coverage of the
Airfix Phantom, and our free 1/72
Ark Royal carrier deck drawings. In
MARKETING
Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele
Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington
Event Coordinator: Julie Lawson
Production Manager: Janet Watkins
GROUP CEO AND PUBLISHER
Adrian Cox
SUBMISSIONS
We will gladly accept and review for publication
any, products, articles, letters, photographs
or other contributions. We cannot guarantee
publication nor, regrettably, return items sent
to us or be responsible for their loss. We will try
and reply where possible.
Any letters are assumed suitable for publication
unless we are otherwise notified. All items
submitted for publication are subject to our
terms and conditions. These are regularly
updated without prior notice and are
freely available from Key Publishing Ltd or
downloadable from www.keypublishing.com.
Airfix Model World is published monthly by
Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK. Tel: 01780 755131.
facebook.com/airfixmodelworld
www.airfixmodelworld.com
his correspondence, he let the little
nugget slip that he’d ‘created’ the
QM2, and never one to look a gift
horse in the mouth, I seized upon
the chance to have him tell his
story in AMW. It’s a fascinating and
engaging narrative, and it’s sure
to interest many modellers, even
if ships aren’t on their build list. I
must thank Stephen here for his
keen participation.
I’m also thrilled to see Airfix’s
1/72 Lightning F.6 back on sale
with new markings. The real
aircraft was, and always will
be an iconic machine, and the
re-release ensured Jen Wright had
a fun-packed build with worthy
aftermarket additions. One can
Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne
Printed in England (ISSN 1471-0587).
Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP
Tel: 020 7429 4000.
Airfix Model World is distributed in the USA
by UKP Worldwide, 3390 Rand Road, South
Plainfield, NJ 07080. Periodicals postage paid
at South Plainfield, NJ.
Readers in USA can place subscriptions by
visiting www.airfixmodelworld.com or by calling
toll free 800-428-3003 or fax 757-428-6253
or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3300
Pacific Ave, Ste 500, Virginia Beach,
VA23451-9828.
Postmaster: Send address corrections to
Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, C/O 3390
Rand Road, South Plainfield NJ 07080.
The entire contents of Airfix Model World is ©
2018 and no part of it may be reproduced in any
form or stored on any form of retrieval system
without the prior permission of the publisher.
EDITOR'S DESK
WELCOME
Like us
Visit us
never have too many Lightnings!
Along with another of my favourite
types, the Polikarpov I-16 (in this
instance the 1/32 ICM kit), I’ve
formed what’s almost my ideal
edition this month…but surely,
I’m not alone in favouring a real
mix of tastes. We’ve got big plans
for September’s issue, too, as
it’s our bumper 132-page late-
summer special, which we feel has
something for everybody.
Happy modelling.
Chris Clifford, Editor
chris.clifford@keypublishing.com
We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of
any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly
recommended to take their own precautions
before parting with any information or item
of value, including, but not limited to, money,
manuscripts, photographs or personal
information in response to any advertisements
within this publication.
“AIRFIX’’ is a registered trade mark of Hornby
Hobbies Limited and is used under licence.
The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2017
was 13,149 print and digital copies monthly.
To find a stockist near you,
visit airfixmodelworld.com
www.airfixmodelworld.com 3
 CONTENTS
WHAT'S INSIDE?

REGULARS
06 News
The latest happenings in the world
of plastic modelling, including a
preview of Revell’s newly tooled 1/48
Beaufighter TF Mk.X.

12 Show Scene
Check out our handy at-a-glance
model show calendar.

74 Free Gift!
Subscribe to Airfix Model World
and claim your free 1/72 Tomahawk
Mk.IIB model kit or five-piece
diamond file set.

REVIEWS:
ON THE SHELF

62
76 Books
80 Aircraft kits
84 Military kits
86 Auto kits
88 Maritime kits
90 Decal sheets
94 Accessories

98 Archive
Treasures
This month’s period photo features a
pristine pair of F-104 Starfighters in
close formation, as they pass over a
famous Californian structure.

14 22

4 Airfix Model World

 CONTENTS
WHAT'S INSIDE?

32

FEATURES
54 14 Intermediate Build – Stalin’s Little Donkey
Jen Wright builds ICM’s new 1/32 Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 almost straight from
the box…and finds it a rewarding experience.

22 Intermediate Build – Colin’s Legacy

Hasegawa’s 1/24 Subaru Legacy RS forms an ideal tribute to the late Colin
McRae in Ian Granger’s auto-modelling feature.

30 Out and About – Home of Heroes

Assistant Editor Stu Fone visits Tangmere Sector Modellers’ inaugural show.

32 Intermediate Build – Radiant Lion Cub

Chris Jones discovers the delights of AMK’s new 1/72 IAI Kfir C2/C7.

40 Out and About – Florida Flight Collection

Dave Oliver gets up close and personal with classic carrier aircraft types and
more, at the USA’s National Naval Aviation Museum.

42 Out and About – Out of This World

Stu Fone discovers a rich vein of space modelling and much more at East
44 Midland Modellers’ show, in Hinckley.

44 In Focus – Dark Falcon Takes Off

Aviation photographer Graham Platt provides a superb photo-study of the
Belgian Air Force’s 2018-21 F-16 display aircraft, flown by Snr Capt Stefan
‘Vador’ Darte.

46 Intermediate Build – Steel General

Sixteen-year-old Joe Turner makes the most of Takom’s new 1/35 M3 Grant, in
his convincing out-of-the-box project.

54 Intermediate Build – Lightning Strikes Twice

Jennifer Wright embellishes Airfix’s recently re-released 1/72 Lightning F.6,
with aftermarket from Barracuda Studios.

46 62 Intermediate Build – Transatlantic Luxury

Andy Davies departs from his usual warships to portray the majestic Queen
Mary 2 liner, via Revell’s 1/1200 kit. Just don’t mention sun loungers!

68 In Focus – Monarchic Genesis

Renowned maritime engineer Dr Stephen Payne recounts how his childhood
aspiration became reality, culminating in the Queen Mary 2.

Your favourite magazine is available digitally.

See airfixmodelworld.com for more details.

You can also find us on:

Search ‘Airfix Model World’

www.airfixmodelworld.com 5
 NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
BREAKING
FIGHTER REPRISE
TWO CLASSIC combat aircraft
have got the re-release
treatment from Airfix.
In 1/72 scale, the new-tool Bf
109E-4 from 2012 makes a
return as A01008A, with new
markings for Yellow 13 flown by
Oblt Anton Schön, of 9./JG 54, in
January 1940.
For those who favour 1/48,
WHEELED ROCKET LAUNCHER
NO SOONER has one example of
the Iskander-M/SS-26 Stone ballistic
missile system hit the shelves, than
Zvezda’s new 1/72 tooling emerges,
offering a different take on this
6 View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
NEWS
Airfix’s superlative Mustang
from last year returns as a USAF
F-51D, ‘Rotation Blues’ of the
67th FBS during the Korean War,
a 77 Squadron Royal Australian
Air Force aircraft from the
same conflict, and an F16 Wing
Swedish Air Force J 26, based
at Uppsala in 1946. For further
details visit: www.airfix.com
impressive launch vehicle.
Kit manufacturers would make a
wonderful subject for biologists
studying convergent evolution, such
is the regularity two or more kits of a
JET TWIN…
WITH A DIFFERENCE
EBBRO’S REPUTATION for
stunning racing cars now gets
a new focus…1/48 scale civilian
light jet aircraft.
Its first offering, the HA-420
HondaJet (48001), kick-starts
its ‘Master Series’ in the same
scale. There are four styrene
runners (including transparent
and chrome-plated frames) and
separate upper fuselages in red
and blue plastic…those wishing to
can assemble it without painting,
yet still achieve the type’s eye-
catching scheme.
It includes a well-appointed
cockpit and passenger section,
all of which is visible through the
crystal-clear glazing, and the
single type are released at the same
time (think of last year’s 1/35 King
Tiger frenzy, and the current Panther
trend). Zvezda offers a choice
between open/closed missile doors
(rather than cutting styrene) and, in
addition to the superb suspension,
transmission and roadwheels,
supplies a well-apportioned cab and
fully detailed launch bay, with raised/
lowered stabilisers. There’s plenty
to please here, with crisply moulded
features, while the eight solid vinyl
tyres exhibit suitable heavy block
tread as per the real launch unit.
Two overall dark green vehicles are
suggested, either a 2017 Victory Day
parade machine (with orange/black
stripes) or one assigned to the 26th
Missile Brigade, Leningrad Military
District at St Petersburg. More
details and products are available
via: www.hobbyco.net
HondaJet’s characteristic above-
wing engines are reproduced
faithfully. Options are limited to
just an open/closed passenger
door, as it’s designed to be built
with wheels down; however, due
to the upper fuselage fitting
snugly, one could leave this
unglued to display the interior.
Three US-registered airframes
can be built, two with red livery
(N420EA and N420HM) and
one with blue (N420NC); again,
a handy ‘no-paint’ option is
available, as all trim is supplied on
the sharply printed decal sheet.
Ebbro products are imported
via The Hobby Company (www.
hobbyco.net)
SUPER-NEAT
JOINS
When IPMS(UK)’s Seam Scraper
sold like hot cakes at last year’s
Scale ModelWorld at Telford, the
organisation new it was onto
a winner. Thus, it is producing
more of this handy stainless-
steel tool and they should be
available in the coming weeks. It’s
ideal for removing seams from
gun barrels, neatening joins on
fuselages and reinstating right-
angles. For more details see:
https://ipmsuk.org/membership/
products-seam-scraper/
 MULTI-FACETED BEAU’
FANS OF the Beaufighter have
been spoilt in recent years,
with a brace of 1/72 TF.Xs from
Airfix. However, enthusiasts of
this type are a hungry lot, and
rather than keep them waiting,
Revell has answered the call of
those who build in 1/48 scale,
with an all-new tooling of the
maritime strike TF Mk.X.
There’s an astonishing amount
of plastic on offer, but that
stems from the options
available…and the sheer
size of what is, in reality,
an imposing aeroplane.
The quality of moulding is
excellent, with sharp and
subtle panel lines, impressive
Hercules radial engines and
wonderful main undercarriage
bays. No flash was present on
our test-shot sample, which
bodes well for the production
run. For build options, if it
moves on a real Beaufighter,
it can be posed on the kit
(apart from the trim tabs);
flaps, ailerons, rudder, fore
and aft ventral hatches,
rear cupola, and ventral
canopy frame can all be set
differently. Both early and
late Mk.Xs are represented,
along with three styles of nose
(including the ‘thimble’), early/
late elevator and tailplane
combos, alongside regular
and ‘filleted’ vertical tails.
There are also two variants
of oil cooler, short and long
super-charger intakes, and an
optional DF loop transparency.
Although the instructions
also hint at various styles of
cupola glazing, these weren’t
included in the test-shot, but
they look comprehensive.
There are areas in which the
discerning Beaufighter expert
will possibly want more, but
overall it’s a splendid package,
with decals for two Coastal
Command aircraft. Watch out
for a full build in next month’s
issue. For further details visit:
www.revell.de/en

ATOMIC SPACECRAFT
MOEBIUS MODELS’ latest
sci-fi release is derived from
a design in Adam Johnson’s
2001: The Lost Science, a
tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s
film, and depicts a Convair
Nuclear Exploration Vehicle.
As explained in the book,
it was conceived by Krafft
Ehricke, and was one of fuel distribution ring and the fuel/propulsion pods and
several proposals by this transparent two-piece stand. ‘neck’, and while spacecraft
talented engineer. The 1/144 Assembly is straightforward don’t weather (as there’s
scale kit (#974) is the first and this kit is ideal for novice nothing to act on the surface),
in a series from The Lost modellers, with most of the they would respond well to
Science, and comprises six crew compartment’s exterior a wash. Visit www.amerang.
styrene runners, plus separate detail supplied as decals. co.uk for more on this and
propulsion unit halves, Engraved lines feature on other Moebius products.
 NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
BIG CATS AND TRACKS
HAVING DELIGHTED modellers
with early and late 1/35 Tiger Is,
Rye Field Model has now released
a late version, along with working
track links for the Panther Ausf.G.
Its Tiger I late-production
(RM-5015) is an accurate
representation of a late 1943/
early 1944 machine, with the
correct equipment locations
(notably the sledgehammer and
starting handles). Two versions
can be built, standard and
Befehlswagen (command/radio
tank), and there are markings for
RED DEVILS’ GROUND-POUNDER
ZOUKEI-MURA’S KITS generate
superlatives whenever they are
released, and its 1/48 Phantom
family has received more than
most, and this looks set to continue
with its latest F-4J.
Most parts for its United States
Marine Corps product (SWS 1/48
No.08) are unchanged from the
Navy offerings (see News, January
2017), with the addition of weapons
runners from the F-4S (offering
8 View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
four Zimmerit-coated vehicles
(application tools are supplied);
including White 007, commanded
by Michael Wittman, schwere
Panzer Abteilung 101, July 1944.
Otherwise the contents are
similar to the firm's previous
boxings, with crisply moulded
detail, an absence of flash and
minimal ejector pin marks. There
are 16 styrene runners, plus a
separate lower hull and individual
track links; unlike several previous
versions, it doesn’t have a full
interior, but the exterior and
access ladders and later versions
of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7
Sparrow). As modellers have come
to expect from Zoukei-Mura, the
detail is stunning, from the finely
engraved panel lines and rivets,
to the excellent cockpit interior
and inclusion of raised rails on the
AIM-9 launchers (the first since
Monogram to make this effort).
There are 12 styrene runners,
with one supplying alternative
overall moulding quality more
than compensate.
By comparison, the Panther
Ausf.A/G track set (RM-5014)
duplicates three styrene runners
and individual links from its
Panther (RM-5016), to provide the
ideal upgrade for older offerings.
It includes two examples each
of rubber and steel-rimmed
roadwheels and 14 ice cleats per
track. For further information,
visit: www.tigerhobbies.co.uk
crystal-clear single- and four-piece
canopies. Build options abound,
due to the choice of raised/
lowered flaps and ailerons, open/
closed air brakes, normal/extended
nose undercarriage and straight/
deflected horizontal stabilisers.
The air-to-air selection is enviable,
with sufficient early and late AIM-7
and AIM-9 missiles for two models
(plus extras), and provision for
up to three drop tanks, although
individual pylons for other stores
fits (notably the centreline, as
Marine Corps Phantoms rarely
carried the 600 US gal [2,271 lit]
fuel tank) must be obtained from
aftermarket sources.
This is arguably the best quarter-
scale F-4J available, with the only
minor gripes being the lack of
air-to-ground stores for a Marine
Corps Phantom, and the provision
of just a single (albeit colourful)
scheme, for airframe 15582/11/WT,
of VMFA-232 ‘Red Devils’, stationed
at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in 1974-
75. More detail on this and other
Zoukei-Mura products is at: www.
zoukeimura.co.jp/en
CINEMATIC
FIGHTER
INTERCEPTOR, ground-attacker,
Forward Air Controller-Air
(FAC-A) and reconnaissance
platform; Grumman’s F-14
Tomcat stole the show in Top
Gun, and Haynes’ newest
Owners’ Manual is dedicated to
this iconic swing-wing aircraft.
Occasionally, this publisher’s
tried-and-tested format must
be tweaked due to the subject
matter, and this is the case
here, as there are no flying/
under-restoration US Navy
examples (Iran’s aircraft
are mentioned briefly in an
appendix). The result is a more
‘ops-driven’ layout, covering the
type’s development, anatomy
and service history, followed
by aircrew training and rear-
seat operations, a maintenance
engineer’s perspective and, in
a fitting finale…the Tomcat at
the US Navy Fighter Weapons
School (aka Topgun).
As usual, the photographs are
high quality, and they cover
most if not all of the airframe
and its weapons. While it
scored few air-to-air ‘kills’,
these are recounted in depth,
and its broader ground-attack
accomplishments (including
FAC-A and recce roles) receive
equal treatment. Given the
ignominious end for most
US Navy F-14s (destroyed to
prevent parts being smuggled
to Iran), it would have been
fitting to include a list of
surviving museum exhibits,
but otherwise this is a splendid
mix of photos and narrative,
culminating in a book no
Tomcat aficionado should be
without. Visit www.haynes.co.uk
for more information.
 ERGONOMIC AIR SOURCE
WELL-KNOWN for its budget-
level and innovatively
designed air compressors,
Sparmax has released a new
mid-range unit, the Zeta.
The brand has certainly
thrown convention aside for
this product, separating the
main compressor from the
pressure regulator/moisture
trap and airbrush holder,
with the latter doubling
as a weight-activated on/
off rocker switch (which
works in conjunction with
a control on the main
unit). Pipes and cables are
supplied to connect all three
main components, so its
worthwhile checking the
instructions, as they must
be assembled in a certain
order, and the regulator is
supplied attached to a clamp. turning off the main unit while (between 0-100 PSI/0-7
This means it can be placed repositioning the model or bar) is reached, excess air is
at desk or eye level…no more reloading the airbrush – the vented via a release valve,
cricked necks for modellers rocker switch makes this instead of the pump switching
while checking the airbrush an absolute doddle. Unlike off. Sparmax products are
pressure! This layout does cheaper offerings from this distributed in the UK by the
take a little getting used to, firm (the Zeta retails at £199), Airbrush Company: www.
especially for those used to once the selected pressure airbrushes.com

SUPER-BATTLESHIP DUET these maritime leviathans

JAPANESE SHIP specialist
Pit-Road has delighted
modellers of naval subjects
by releasing superb newly
tooled 1/700 Yamato-class
battleship packages.
Given the firm’s close
association with Imperial
Japanese Navy subjects, its
surprising it has taken so
long to offer Yamato (W200)
and Musashi (W201), but
they are worth the wait and
arguably the finest examples
of these vessels in the scale.
The boxes are crammed with
42 and 40 styrene runners
respectively, but share just
34; the remainder account for
the differences in anti-aircraft
armament, gunner protection
and superstructure between
the two battleships. Both
can be built as waterline
or full-hull models, and a
Japanese-language pamphlet
documents the efforts Pit-
Road made to replicate
accurately. Such is the
moulding quality, it’s hard to
select an individual highlight,
with engraved decking,
hollow gun muzzles, delicate
anti-aircraft gun barrels and a
complete hangar (potentially
a first in this scale) being
worthy features.
Yamato is portrayed as
it appeared in 1945, and
Musashi in 1944, and the
painting and markings
diagram doubles as a set of
1/700 plans. Information on
these kits and other Pit-Road
releases can be found at
www.platz-hobby.com
 NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
{in brief}
BLENHEIM MARKINGS
Xtradecal has been quick to provide
aftermarket schemes for Airfix’s
forthcoming 1/48 Bristol Blenheim.
Sheet X48187 offers four RAF options (Mk.I
and Mk.If); one of the aircraft has a split
black and white underside, and another
is in North Africa Dark Earth and Middle
Stone over Azure Blue. The others wear
Dark Earth and Dark Green over Night
black, and the time frame runs from 1937
to 1940. www.hannants.co.uk
WHEELS DOWN
New additions to SAC’s (www.
scaleaircraftconversions.com) white metal
landing gear range are as follows:
1/72
72155 Phantom FG.1 (Airfix)
72157 SR-71/YF-12 Blackbird (Ital/Test)
72158 Spitfire Mk.IXe/XVI (Ed)
72159 MiG-21 (Ed)
1/48
48349 Focke-Wulf Fw 190A4/5 (Ed)
48350 Bf 109G-6 (Tam)
48351 Sea Fury FB.11 (Airfix)
48352 MiG-15 (Trump)
48353 Spitfire Mk.VIII (Ed)
48354 HE 111H-3/6/16 (ICM/Has/Rev)
48355 Su-35 Flanker-E (GWH)
1/32
32130 I-16 Type 24/28 (ICM/Has/Rev)
32131 Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin (Wingnut)
32132 AVG C.VI (Wingnut)
CORRECTION
In June issue’s Southern Expo show report,
we misspelled a modeller’s name due to
erroneous information from the event
organisers. It should have been Nick Hooper
who built the Fairey Delta FD.2, rather than
Mick. Apologies to all concerned.
10 View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
CORRUGATED FIGHTER
NEVER ONE to shy from unusual
subjects, Wingnut Wings’ 1/32
Junkers D.1 monoplane is a gem,
and fills a major gap in the market.
Compared to some earlier releases,
it’s a fairly basic build, with just four
CLASSY DELTA AND MORE
HIGH PLANES Models has released
another 1/72 Mirage III, with a Latin
American and Middle Eastern focus.
Kit HPK072104 ‘Cyrano Mirages’
offers three different Argentinean
Mirage IIIEA airframes, an Egyptian
5SDE with high-vis orange panels,
and a Venezuelan IIIEV. The bonus is
that decals for a Venezuelan 50EV
are also present; this sub-type sports
the longer Mirage F.1-style radome,
and High Planes has also released
a corresponding resin conversion.
Set HPA072063 comprises not just
the nosecone, but also a beautifully
detailed exhaust with outer fairing,
canards, a refuelling probe, flare
housing, radar-warning receivers,
and plastic strip cable conduits.
The firm’s Mirages are easily the best
styrene runners and a small PE
nfret, but its single-wing structure
makes it the perfect introduction to
modelling World War One aircraft.
The corrugated metal fuselage and
flying surfaces have been replicated
faithfully, and the cockpit detail is
highly impressive.
As ever, the instructions double as
a history/reference document, and
offer a wealth of data, drawings and
photos. It also has a nostalgic feel,
with parts identified by name as
well as number, educating modellers
as to what a particular piece/sub-
assembly does.
This attention to detail is mirrored
by the five liveries, which cater for
four aircraft and provide notes on
schemes and irregularities derived
from interpreting black and white
images. Once again, Wingnut
has delivered a veritable styrene
wonder, and with the D.1 at the
lower end of its pricing, it’s great
value and an ideal starter for those
wanting to build large-scale World
War One models. More details are
at: www.wingnutwings.com
in 1/72 scale, but the wing/fuselage
parts have been reworked to ensure
greater refinement (PJ Productions’
Mirages share the same tooling).
Also released at the same time are
two accessory packs: HPA072031
provides two 3D-printed Matra R.550
Magic missiles, their Aero-3b launch
rails and stripe decals for the stores’
bodies, while HPA072052 is a Mirage
III/5/50 AAM Pylon Set, which offers
two CES-1 pylons and angled ADP-4
adaptors. For further details visit:
www.hpmhobbies.com

WINGED HARRIDAN
‘WHAT-IF’ subjects are always fun,
and Freightdog Models’ new 1/72
Supermarine Type 327 ‘Shrew’
offers one of the latter company’s
‘lost’ designs a chance to shine.
This all-resin kit provides a spartan
cockpit (with an instrument
panel similar to a Spifire’s), and
optional camera ports for PR/FR
reconnaissance versions. There
are 36 finely cast components,
which feature delicate engraved
panel lines, with convincing interior
sidewall detail and provision for a
wheels-down airframe. Given the
type’s design, it’s likely nose weight
BUILDING THE
‘CURTISS CALAMITY’
US MODELLER RICHARD Marmo
has released the sixth in his
‘Marmo Method Modelmaking’
series, which explains how to get
the most from Williams Brothers’
1/72 C-46 Commando.
As described in this comprehensive
PDF document (MMMG-6/ISBN:
978-13-70646-81-4), the aircraft
was overshadowed by the C-47,
and its many maintenance issues
resulted in nicknames of ‘Flying
Coffin’ or ‘Curtiss Calamity’.
Williams Bros’ offering (www.
wmbros.com) is the only game
will be needed, as it appears tail
heavy. The real fun begins with the
excellent markings choices, with
various prototypes in overall PRU
Pink/PRU Blue, and a selection of
two- and three-tone camouflage,
including one with Trainer Yellow
undersides. Several sizes of Type
B, C and C1 roundels are supplied,
along with the all-important
prototype ‘P’ logos. However,
imagination is the limit as far as
potential liveries…perhaps a Cooper
Air Race airframe? Visit www.
freightdogmodels.co.uk for details
on this and other products.
in town for a 1/72 Commando,
although the limited-run kit has
been re-boxed by UK-based S&M
Models with different markings
(www.sandmmodels.co.uk).
The author sets about this build
in a style familiar to many on-line
forum and blog aficionados,
supported by more than 130 colour
photographs. The kit’s deficiencies
(many of which were missed by
other reviewers) are highlighted
during the challenging build, and
each shortfall is addressed in the
step-by-step guide. While the text
is clear and provides plenty of
information, several photos suffer
from poor depth-of-field, and are
blurred in parts as a result. At just
US $3.99, this is a useful C-46
build reference, and is available
from: www.smashwords.com/
books/view/814126
TORPEDO...LOS!
FLYHAWK CONTINUES to
surprise with its maritime
releases, and now offers a 1/700
Type 1913 Großes Torpedoboot
(Large Torpedo Boat) G-39 and
a separate self-adhesive paint
mask set for the decks.
Despite being just 4½in (112mm)
long, the kit (FH1309) is packed
with detail, from the two
twin- and two single-torpedo
launchers (the former with
correct angled tubes) to the
stunning deck, complete with
integrally moulded reloading
track. The funnels are two-
piece items, with the main tube
PRANG-TASTIC REFERENCE
PORTRAYING CRASHED or belly
landed aircraft is tricky to master,
but Canfora Publishing’s new book
offers a fascinating array of period
photos to help with the task.
The softback Fallen Stars 1, the
first in the firm’s Aircraft Pictorial
series, benefits from classy design
and provides one or two black
and white images on each page,
with accompanying captions.
Apparently, author Tom Laemlein,
and publisher Toni Canfora had a
tough job selecting exactly what to
include, but what did make the cut
View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 11
NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
presented as a hollow item,
which must be a first for such a
small part. As with many 1/700
scale subjects, this is a waterline
kit, but superb nonetheless.
The finesse extends to the paint
masks (FH710049), which supply
the main deck in five sections
(including the area immediately
aft of the breakwater), and
reinforcing strips to cover any
joins. Superstructure and deck
gun stands receive similar
treatment, and will make
painting this tiny model much
simpler. Visit www.flyhawkmodel.
com for further information.
is most revealing. Various USAAF
types are shown after coming a
cropper, with bent propellers, some
are upside down, being repaired
or transported; the upshot is a
tantalising collection of photos
to fuel a wealth of dioramas/
vignettes. The types include the
P-38, P-40, P-47 and P-51, while
among the ‘heavies’ sit the B-17,
B-24 and B-29…with scatterings
of B-25, B-26, A-20, A-26 and P-61
coverage for extra variety. Standout
studies include a ‘Razorback’
P-47 being recovered by rail, and
a forlorn Bubbletop Thunderbolt
belly landed on a rolling hillside
outside Würzburg, Germany, with
Allied armour sweeping past in the
background. It’s the motherlode
for inspiration, and still a good
guide in general to airframe details
of the various subjects. For more
information, or to order, visit:
www.canfora.se
 SHOW SCENE
DIARY DATES

SHOW SCENE
At-a-glance model show calendar
E MODEL DISPLAY
) MODEL COMPETITION
J TRADE STANDS
AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
MILITARY DISPLAY
AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY
 REFRESHMENTS
FREE PARKING
MAKE ‘N’ PAINT

Essex Modellers'
Show
Date: July 22
Hosts: IPMS South East Essex,
Hornchurch and Chelmsford,
and MAFVA
Address: Hannakins Farm Community
Centre, Rosebay Avenue,
Billericay, Essex, CM12 0SZ
Times: 10am-4pm
Prices: Adults £3, children/
concessions £1.50
Email: wifflesnoop@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.theessexmodellers
show.com

August 18-19 31 Exposicion Y Concurso De

Modelismo Estático
25 SS 2018 2 East Riding Of Yorkshire Model
Show
Hosts: Scale Scotland
1-4 IPMS USA Nationals 2018 Hosts: IPMS Argentina Mar Del Plata Address: BT Murrayfield Stadium, Hosts: IPMS Bridlington & Wolds
Hosts: IPMS USA Address: UTHGRA Hotel, Tucumàn 2662, Roseburn St, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ Address: Rix Pavilion, Kelleythorpe, Driffield,
Address: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 Mar del Plata, Argentina Times: 10am-5pm East Yorkshire, YO25 9DN
N. 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ, 85004 Times: Sat 10am-7pm, Prices: Adults £5, under-16s free Times: 9.30am-4pm
Times: Wed 2pm-6pm, Thu 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm E-mail: scalescotland18@gmail.com Prices: Adults £3.50, accompanied
Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm Prices: Free Web: www.scalescotland.co.uk under-15s free
Prices: Adults US $10, family US $25, E-mail: ipmsmardelplata@gmail.com E-mail: kevindolman31@hotmail.co.uk
under-10s free Web: www.ipms-mardelplata.com.ar Web: www.bridscalemodelclub.org.uk
E-mail: info@ipmsusanationals2018.org
Web: www.ipmsusanationals2018.org
September
19 Northwest Big Club Meet 2018 1-2 Medway Model Show 8 CSM & IPMS SW Cornwall Show
Hosts: IPMS Lancashire Hosts: Medway Modelling Club Hosts: Cornwall Scale Modellers & IPMS
5 IPMS Avon Annual Show 2018 Address: Canberra Club, Samlesbury Address: Royal Engineers Museum, SW Cornwall
Hosts: IPMS Avon Aerodrome, Myerscough Road, Prince Arthur Road, Brompton, Address: Penhaligon Building, Cornwall
Address: Thornbury Leisure Centre, Balderstone, Blackburn, Gillingham, ME4 4UG, Kent College, Trevenson Lane, Pool,
Alveston Hill, Thornbury, South BB2 7LF Times: 10am-5pm Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3RO
Glos, BS35 3JB Times: 10am-4pm Prices: Adults £8.80, children £4.40, Times: 10am-4pm
Times: 9.30am-4.30pm Prices: Free concessions £7, under-5s free Prices: Free
Prices: Adults £5, under-16s £2 E-mail: ipmslancs@gmail.com E-mail: kimmary18@hotmail.com E-mail: csm.cornwallmodelshow@
E-mail: ipmsavon@gmail.com Web: www.re-museum.co.uk hotmail.com
Web: ipmslancashire.wordpress.com
Web: www.ipmsavon.org.uk Web: Cornish Scale Modellers
(Facebook)

24-26 XII Stupino Scale Models 2 ASVC Wombourne Show 2018

12 BDAC Model Show Exhibition Hosts: IPMS ASVC Wombourne
Hosts: Boscombe Down Aviation Hosts: Club of History-Scale Modelers Address: Library and Community Centre, 9 IPMS ChIltern SHOW
Collection Hosts: IPMS Chiltern/Beds MAFVA
‘Patriot’ Church Road, Wombourne, South
Address: Hangar 1 South, Old Sarum Airfield,
Address: Art-gallery ‘Nika, Bakhareva Staffs, WV5 9EZ Address: The Weatherley Centre, Eagle
Old Sarum, Salisbury, SP4 6DZ
street 8, Stupino, Moscow Times: 10am-4pm Farm Road, Biggleswade, Beds,
Times: 10am-4pm
Prices: Adults £8.50, concessions £7, Region, Russia Prices: Adult £4, concessions £3, under- SG18 8JH
children £6 Times: 9am-8pm 16s free Times: 10am-4pm
E-mail: steph@worldstamps.co.uk Prices: Adults RUR40, children RUR20 E-mail: martyn_crowther21@hotmail. Prices: Adults £3, OAPs £2, under-16s £1
Web: www.boscombedownaviation E-mail: info@kitsm-patriot.ru co.uk E-mail: barrywood123@hotmail.co.uk
collection.co.uk Web: www.kitsm-patriot.ru Web: www.asvcmodelclub.co.uk Web: N/A

IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and was believed to be correct at
the time of going to press. To advertise your event here, email: chris.clifford@keypublishing.com

12 Airfix Model World

 MIL-SPEC
AIRBRUSH-READY
FROME MODEL CENTRE
QUALITY
MODELLING
QUICK-DRYING

86
19
ENAMEL PAINT
ce
sin
PRODUCTS
ed
Service and quality the way it should be
ish
bl
ta
Es

We are one of the largest independent family run model shop in the
country, situated in the historic town of Frome in the beautiful county
of Somerset. We offer our customers probably the largest, most
diverse range of modelling products under one roof with very helpful
and friendly service second to none.
We have many years of experience in the model trade and we offer
free solid advice on all the ranges we stock (which is in the region of
40,000 lines) not to mention the countless number of goodies that
are available and which we are more than happy to order for you,
if we had the space we would stock them all!
sales@alclad2.co.uk
So if you’re new to the modelling hobby, an intermediate or a
veteran modeller we will have something to wet your appetite.
www.alclad2-online.co.uk
Phone: 01692 500700
FROME MODEL CENTRE FREE
1-2 Catherine Street, PARKING OPENING HOURS
Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DA Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun/Mon: Closed
TEL: 01373 465295
Fax: 01373 451468

Email: sales@frome-model-centre.com

www.fromemodelcentre.com
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24

Jen Wright has a barrel of fun with

ICM’s newly tooled 1/32 I-16 Type 24

StALi~'S
LittLe dO~KeY
f
or its time, the Polikarpov retractable undercarriage to 7.62mm machine guns, the aircraft
I-16 was revolutionary, attain operational service status. served in the Spanish Civil War
despite its somewhat The Type 24 modelled here and in China against Japanese
clumsy appearance. differed from earlier variants by opposition, but was perhaps
This tubby little machine was having conventional flaps and better known for its actions on the
the first low-wing cantilever a more powerful Shvetsov M63 Eastern Front during World War
monoplane fighter with engine. Armed with four ShKAS Two. Facing opponents generally
superior in performance, the I-16
did have a slight edge in horizontal
manoeuvrability; because of this,
skilled pilots resisted changing to
newer machines, preferring the
‘Ishak’ (little donkey), as it was  The completed instrument panel looked
known by the Soviets. very effective, having been hand-painted
black to avoid the need for masking. The
Pugnacious parts idea of placing the dial decal onto the
Perhaps to make life more backing piece wasn’t one I’d seen before.
interesting for us jaded kit
reviewers, the instructions immediate deviation occurred,
started with wing assembly. however, when it came to the
Heresy, I know…regardless, forward panelling. Rather than
construction of the wings was attaching the lower cowl at
simple, involving a one-piece this early stage, it was left until
lower section, with the addition much later as I had concerns
 All the internal parts set out for viewing, showing the simple parts breakdown. Note the of upper halves and ailerons about aligning all the separate
single ejector pin recess in the fuselage interior, which was filled prior to construction. being all that was needed. An engine panels.

14

Polikarpov I-16 Type 24
MODEL SPEC
By: ICM
Stock Code: 32001
Scale: 1/32
Price: £27.99
Available from: www.icm.com.ua
Having set the mainplane
aside to dry, more conventional
construction followed as the
internals began with the main
cockpit area. Akin to the rest
of the kit, assembly here was
easy, with enough detail to
suffice, but no more than that.
I elected to add home-brewed
seatbelts, to refine the area,
as no aftermarket parts were
available at the time. Eduard
(www.eduard.com) has
since addressed the
situation in the form
of photo-etched
metal cockpit and
seatbelt upgrades, while
Yahu Models (www.yahumodels.
siemianowice.com) has produced
a neat pre-assembled console.
ICM’s treatment of the
instrument panel was ingenious.
Rather than applying a decal to
the outer surface as one might
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24
SimpLe YEt effeCtiVe
This wasn’t a complex kit and despite the scale, ICM succeeded in presenting a model
that was uncomplicated to build, but provided enough detail to keep most modellers
happy. Supplied on three runners, plus a small transparency set, the overriding initial
impression was one of chunkiness. A harsh critic might have called it clunky, yet closer
examination revealed how sharp the mouldings were; even though many features were
perhaps overstated, the outstandingly crisp definition made it quite forgivable. Attention
to detail was also self-evident; I particularly liked the use of the runners to protect more
fragile areas, as shown in the photo (see panel). Coupled with an almost complete lack of
flash or sink marks, the overall impression was very favourable indeed.
 The rest of the interior was simply
a seat and floor combination. Based on
photographic references, pale blue was
chosen as the colour, and a little weathering
was including, with a wash and pigments.
do normally, it was intended
for the backing panel, which
fitted into the rear of the clear
front piece. This wasn’t terribly
obvious in the instructions, nor
was it particularly intuitive;
however, once figured out it
worked extremely well. Full
colour call-outs were featured
throughout the instructions,
but I will admit I deviated from
them for the most part. The
slender number of reference
photos gleaned from the Internet
suggested pale blue should be
the main interior colour, rather
than the suggested grey. Tamiya
XF-23 Light Blue was selected for
this and used throughout.
Filler curtailed
Detail painting was simply a
matter of accentuating handles
and dials here and there, before
a neutral wash highlighted
 To avoid misalignment, the various internals were test-fitted prior to being added to
the fuselage half. This was important because correct placement of the two main bulkheads
would set the fuselage width.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 15
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24

Never work with childre~

or A~imAlS!
A phrase normally concerned with film-making, I know. That said, many of us have
children or pets, and how many of us have not had a model influenced by one or the other
at any time? On this occasion, for some reason my daughter decided she wanted the
propeller from the model and pinched it while I wasn’t looking. This led to much frowning
as the bench was ransacked looking for the missing airscrew. When eventually found in
her bedroom, it was, of course, broken…with one blade missing and nowhere to be seen.
It had snapped near the root, so the tiny remnants of the blade were trimmed away and
a new blade was carved from thick plastic card. This wasn’t unduly difficult, but added a
considerable amount of extra time and effort.

 Once the cockpit was in, the fuselage halves were cemented with Superglue, and the  Grey paint was added to the top of the internal wing area, in case any parts might be
firewall slotted in afterwards. The fit of all parts up to this point was commendable, and no visible from the cockpit opening later. The forward cowl part was painted pale blue and
filler was required on the seams. retained for fitting later.

 Initial test-fits of the wing to the fuselage looked sketchy to say the least! After much  After shortening the vertical post, the wing joins were glued little by little, holding
fiddling, it was discovered the moulded vertical post on one side was holding the upper wing everything in position; the result was a near perfect seam, which needed just a small
surface too high, so it was trimmed. amount of filler to remedy.

16
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24

"i decided to leAve the

e~gi~e u~fitted, to mAke
mASki~g eASier..."

 The parts list for the engine followed the rest of the kit in its inherent ease of use; not
badly moulded or ‘blobby’, but more a case of effectiveness in simplicity.

the moulded features. The way used in small sections to ensure

the floor was threaded through
both formers, led to a somewhat
wobbly structure, so permanent
gluing was not carried out until
the whole cockpit was fitted to
the fuselage.
From this stage, construction
was lightning quick, since the
wing was already completed
and the horizontal stabilisers
were minimal. A small slot was
snipped from each of the rudder
and elevator attachment points,
so they could be clicked in and
out of position as required. As
described in the photo caption,
the initially tricky-looking wing/
fuselage join turned out to
be just a case of shortening a
moulded location pin, which
allowed for a filler-free wing
seam, although a little putty was
ultimate neatness.
Moving to the engine, the
theme of minimal complications
continued, with a relatively
small number of parts being
involved. These were assembled  With base paint applied to the engine and its bearers, ICM’s ‘more-with-less’ approach
was vindicated fully. This would be combined with the operable forward cowling, with three
without issue, then painted in
keyed components, which enabled the shutter to be rotated.
base colours, and weathered
with oil- and dirt-coloured
washes. Spattering was applied
by flicking a loaded paintbrush
with a cocktail stick, to throw
random sprays of wash against
the intended surface. This takes
a little practice to master, but
once the technique is ‘nailed’,
it’s surprisingly precise. Having
test-assembled the engine and
bearers to the firewall, I decided
to leave the engine unfitted, to
make masking easier when it
came to painting.
 Each of the five forward cowl parts were neatened, and all trailing edges and apertures
thinned before they were test-fitted.

A matter of green shade, I felt the green was much

With assembly essentially
completed, the final touches
of fitting transparencies went
without a hitch. Masking was
executed with Tamiya tape, Blu
Tack and masking fluid, in and
around the cockpit opening
and engine bay. The question of
colour was thorny indeed; the kit
instructions recommended XF-61
Dark Green as the main colour,
 Weathering was applied to both the engine and the surrounding internal areas with oily with XF-23 Light Blue undersides.
coloured washes. A cocktail stick and paintbrush were used to create the spattering effect. Although happy with the blue
paler than the suggested hue.
References for these aircraft
weren’t that easy to come across,
but what I could find led to the
choice of XF-67 NATO Green as
the main colour.
The editor had asked for a
heavily weathered model, so it
was decided to create chipping
effects on sections that received
the most wear and tear. First,
a metallic finish was applied
to selected panels via AK

www.airfixmodelworld.com 17
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24
 The side panels were both slightly too small; lengths of thin plastic card were cemented
to the upper and lower edges to remedy this, and these were trimmed and sanded carefully,
until each panel fitted tightly.
Interactive's AK479 Aluminium,
and as the real aircraft was
mostly wood or fabric-skinned,
other areas were masked in
preparation. Next, a beige colour,
namely AMMO-MIG's A.MIG-0037
New Wood, was selected for
these sections and, to provide a
suggestion of wood grain, lighter
and darker wood grain shapes
were hand-painted over the base
colour, before sealing everything
with a light coat of X-22 Clear.
Once dried thoroughly, the
painted areas were sprayed
with hairspray straight from the
aerosol. Any hairspray product
can be used for this; mine came
from Sainsbury’s ‘Basics’ range.
After giving the hairspray time
to dry, the first coat of XF-23
was applied on the underside.
This was shaded (as per usual),
by first adding a little black to
the paint to produce a darker
 Next, the engine was dry-fitted, so the
separate exhausts could be positioned in
the right orientation. Each had its end
hollowed with a drill bit, and was painted a
metallic iron hue, before being weathered
with pigments.
18 Airfix Model World
version of the base colour,
which was then sprayed into
low-lying parts of the model,
along panel lines and in areas
that required a dirtier look. The
idea was to provide a base for
later weathering, but also to
introduce the illusion of texture
to the surface. It was then
supplemented with light shading,
this time adding white to the
original tone, and was airbrushed
in opposition to the previously
applied shading, accentuating
the effects with extra contrast.
The final step was a blend coat,
which involved a highly diluted
mix of XF-23, sprayed in light
coats, until the shading effects
blended with the overall
finish, and restored the
clarity of the original
airframe colour.
Chipping
commenced as soon
 The model was ready for paint after fitting the windscreen. It was decided to leave the
engine off until later, to ease masking. The elevators, tail cone and rudder were also still
removable at this stage.
as the final layer of paint was dry
to the touch; employing a coarse
paintbrush dipped in water, the
paint was scrubbed in the areas
where this effect was envisaged.
Patience and care were key, as
at first it seemed nothing would
happen. When the paint started
to lift, though, it tended to do so
rather quickly! Once happy with
the chipping effects, a coat of
X-22 Clear sealed the surface.
Marking time
Application of the upper surface
shade followed the same
procedure as that described
for the underside. The only
difference being the lighter/
highlighting hue was used to
suggest slight fading of upper
areas as well. Finally, the whole
model received a generous coat
of X-22 Clear, to leave a smooth,
satin sheen ready for decaling.
Having had past issues with
ICM’s decals, which bordered
on them being unusable, it left
a cautious edge at this point,
although the decals did look
good on the sheet and didn’t
have the matt finish of earlier
examples. As it turned out, my
caution was unwarranted
and the decals were a
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24

 Base colours were applied to allow for chipping later; AK479 Aluminium was employed  To better show the shading effects, this photo was taken before the final blend coat.
for the metal areas, and A.MIG-0037 New Wood on the fuselage. The darker grain streaking Tamiya XF-23 was lightened with white and darkened with black to create tonal variation.
was applied by brush, before everything was sealed with X-22 Clear. The blend coat was simply highly diluted XF-23.

 Chipping was carried out straight away, prior to the underside being airbrushed with  Tamiya XF-67 NATO Green was chosen for the topside colour, and shaded in the same way
X-22 Clear to seal the paintwork. as the underside, visible here prior to the blend coat being added.

delight. Very thin This process wasn’t sufficient tape, which then allowed the red lettering and markings.
and yet quite for a great result on the spinner to be neatened with the airbrush. With these facts in hand,
robust, they star though. It was printed with Once dry, the decals were sealed washes and filters were applied
were applied cut lines to help it conform, and with yet another coat of X-22. to the finish to accentuate the
with Mr. Mark these were slit with a scalpel; moulded surface detail. The filter
Setter, and although the decal did settle Leaky undersides chosen was a mid-brown colour,
where raised wonderfully, the cut lines and Although asked to produce which gave the merest hint of a
detail was overlaps were quite obvious. a heavily weathered finish, dusty patina to the upper finish.
present, a To remedy this, the decal was reference photos of the actual After this, dark wash and
little Mr. Mark rubbed carefully with a fine aircraft didn’t really support the
Softer helped
the decal to
sanding sponge to smooth the
surface. The green area was then
request. Chipping was readily
visible in some areas, and had refere~ceS
conform fully. masked via triangles of Tamiya already been reproduced, but • Polikarpov Fighters in Action Pt.2,
otherwise the aircraft was by Hans-Heiri Stapfer (Squadron),
disappointingly clean - in fact ISBN: 978-0-89747-335-8
it was shiny! Some interesting • Polikarpov I-16, by P Laureau, JA
snippets were spotted though, Cerda, S Soulard and G Duranthie,
including the fact that all ISBN: 978-80-238-8421-0
undercarriage doors were
missing, with quite obviously
soiled wheels and undercarriage
legs. This led me to surmise the
underside of the aircraft ought
to be quite dirty, along with the
"the decAlS were automatic assumption the radial
engine would leak oil ‘just for
A delight. very thi~, fun’. Another interesting point

A~d yet quite roBuSt..." was the easily visible brush

marks in the hand-painted white

www.airfixmodelworld.com 19
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
POLIKARPOV I-16 TYPE 24

 Similarly, chipping was carried out immediately, with water and a stiff brush; a degree  To allow for continuity of finish, the engine panels were held in place with tape and Blu
of restraint was needed to ensure this wasn't overdone. A layer of X-22 sealed the work to Tack when the washes were added. A dark colour was used for the few panel lines present,
date, and prepared the surface for decaling. while a lighter shade added a dusty patina elsewhere.

oily hues were applied to the

underside around the engine and
undercarriage areas, with more
paintbrush spattering to simulate
muddy water splashes from the
wheels. To replicate the brush
marks in the lettering, Abteilung
oils were mixed to a shade close
to that of the upper surface
tone, and then applied with fine
brushes, streaking and blending
the paint to achieve a subtle
smudging of colour across the  The star decal was slit along the visible
large white decals. When happy lines to aid positioning. When dry, it was
with the applied effects, a final still quite rough and raised along the
coat of Clear was required to seams. Careful sanding with a sponge was
followed by masking to allow neatening with
protect the finish. Tamiya XF-86
an airbrush.
Flat Clear was then mixed with
a touch of X-22, to create a just-
 ICM’s decals were extremely thin, but caused no problems in their application. Mr. Mark perceptible sheen.
Setter was employed to facilitate the markings’ softening’ and conforming around the Final assembly was quick; the
raised detail.
big radial was plugged into the
firewall and then the surrounding
keepi~g your optio~S ope~ panels fitted. The upper and left
panels were fixed with a tiny
It’s probably fair to say the trickiest part of the build concerned the plethora of cowling
panels. In fairness, if one was to build the model with them all attached firmly, then filler smear of Deluxe Materials’ Tacky
would neaten the panels easily. In this case, however, I wished to leave two of the panels Wax. Designed to fix figures to a
loose, as this enabled that big radial engine to be displayed. After test-fitting it was base in a non-permanent fashion,
obvious the two cowling side panels required slight enlargement, which was carried out
with plastic card shims. After careful sanding, the two panels fitted sufficiently well to
pop on and off the model at will.

"retrActio~ cABleS were

Added viA eArocluB'S
lycrA threAd..."
20 Airfix Model World
this substance also works well in
situations such as this; providing
just enough ‘stick’ to hold things
in position. After attaching the
undercarriage legs and wheels,
the prominent retraction cables
were added via Aeroclub’s Lycra
thread, leaving just the pitot
tube and guns to finish. Final
weathering was then added via
the black/brown paint mix for
exhaust streaking.

Delightful donkey  Smudging of the large white numerals was emulated with oil paints mixed
This reviewer’s previous to an approximate match for the main camouflage colour. This replicated
experience with the I-16 was the roughly painted appearance of the original.
formed purely from what was
seen in Commando comics from
childhood; this being one of
those aircraft which seemed
to appear often, despite being
relatively obscure. Learning
about the real thing through
research for a project was a fun
facet when building a kit, and the
:7 2
result was a new appreciation, 0 3 9 1 7 o r s a ir ‘R o y a l
N a v y ’, 1
 Albion Alloys’ slide-fit brass tubing (www.albionhobbies.com) was C
both for the aircraft and Russian
employed to replace the pitot tube and wing-mounted gun barrels. Although F 4 U -1 B
aviation engineering in general. expensive, a set such as this does last a long time and is far superior to
The model itself was a joy to styrene alternatives.
construct; while not completely
viceless, the ‘fixes’ required were
easy and merely added to the
enjoyment. Offering superb value
for money and relatively simple
assembly, ICM’s big I-16 should
appeal to any modeller wishing to
dabble in this larger scale, while
also providing a great base 2
t S e t, 1:7
for super-detailing addicts.
n iv e r s a r y ’ G if
03910 li ft 7 0 th A n
e r li n A ir
C -5 4 D ‘B

 Washes and pigments created dirty effects on the underside and wheels.
Since the aircraft operated from grass airfields and runways, the presence
of mud was a given!

0 3 9 1 5 S M T , 1:4 8
M iG -2 1

Available from all good model

stockists and online from

Visit our website

W W W. R E V E L L . D E / E N
Social icon

Rounded square
Only use blue and/or white.

facebook.com/Revell @RevellUK
For more details check out our
Brand Guidelines.

Revell GmbH, Unit 10, Tring HP23 4QR

Tel: 01296 660 291
Email: ukbranch@revell.de

Revell is a subsidiary of Hobbico Inc. Trade enquiries welcome.

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS

with which Colin became

synonymous, from 1991-98.
When most of the casual
automotive population coins the
phrase ‘Scooby’, they instantly
link that with the Impreza model.
This was the title-winning car (in
various guises from 555 to WRC)
that he and co-driver Derek Ringer
employed from late 1993-98. From
1991 to 1993, however, the lesser
Ian Grainger pays homage to known (Group A) Legacy RS model
was the Prodrive weapon of choice.
Colin McRae’s first WRC win in New Zealand, in 1993 The Legacy gave the speedy Scot
his maiden victory on the car’s

I
t seems hard to believe it’s
more than 10 years since
Colin McRae died tragically
in a helicopter crash in 2007,
having retired from regular World
Rally Competition (WRC) in 2005
with Skoda.
His rally career is well
documented, with drives for
major manufacturers such as
Ford, Citroën and the team that
enabled him to secure his 1995
world title, Subaru. This was the
Japanese marque, prepared for
rally by UK specialist Prodrive,
swansong, in New Zealand, during
1993. With Hasegawa re-releasing
it’s 1/24 Legacy in 2017, I believed it
was time to pay a fitting tribute to
Colin’s Legacy.
Of note, Subaru is the Japanese
name for the Pleiades star cluster
M45, or ‘Seven Sisters’ (tradition
dictates just six are visible to the
naked eye), hence the logo. Also,
the stars themselves appear in the
blue spectrum of light, ergo the
widespread use of that colour.

Seeing stars
This modeller couldn’t wait to
get his hands on Hasegawa’s
kit, as until recently the firm’s
Legacy (first released in 1991) had
been so rare it was effectively
non-existent; any available kits
commanded serious collectors’
prices. A ‘Kit Court’ feature
 Cartograf decals were supplied, but they were sufficient for just depicting the Tour de in AMW several years ago
Corse car (which would require a tarmac conversion). pleaded with the manufacturer
 Hasegawa’s PE fret supplied the front mesh/grille, body fixings and seatbelt hardware; to re-release these, and other
however, just the foremost item was used for this build. similar kits from the era…it

22 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS

The four-piece roll cage …and position at the correct angles, despite
was a challenge to assemble… the interior ‘tub’ locations, which acted as a jig.

 The body was prepared by sanding the mould lines, being careful not to obscure the
detail. Once the surface was satisfactorily smooth, the roof vent and door mirrors were
attached, and gaps filled as necessary.

appeared someone in Shizuoka, dark blue for the roof vent and
Japan, took heed! door mirrors. A small rectangular
The kit comprised 107 parts on sheet of vinyl (for the mud flaps
six runners; four in white styrene, and protection material), a thin
one moulded in clear for glazing, metal roof aerial, poly caps for the
and another (the smallest) in wheels and a piece of almost
 Shunko Models’ markings
included cigarette sponsor
logos, and enabled one to
create an accurate 1993
New Zealand rally car.

A L L C O M PO NENTS
“ M OULDED”
W E R E W E L L
www.airfixmodelworld.com 23
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS
translucent red vinyl were all
supplied. Four vinyl/rubber gravel
tyres were also provided, plus
several special ‘reverse transfer’
decals (with Michelin sponsor
logos) for the sidewalls. The body
shell came moulded in dark blue
and was bagged separately, unlike
the clear frame, which was packed
After receiving Vallejo 74.601 Grey
Primer, the interior tub door cards
were airbrushed H-53 Neutral Gray.
 For its priming, the body was held in place on a Tamiya Spray Works Painting Stand.
24 Airfix Model World
carefully nonetheless. Considering
their vintage, all components were
well moulded, with minimal flash
and few moulding flaws, such as
sink marks, present.
A small photo-etched (PE)
metal fret included details for the
front grilles, body fasteners, and
seatbelt hardware. The contents
were completed by a large set
of decals, with options for two
rallies, the 1993 New Zealand and
Tour de Corse, but the former
couldn’t be used directly, as it
was devoid of tobacco branding
(understandably)…and the latter
would require a full tarmac
specification conversion.
 The dash received an undercoat of 74.602 Black Primer, before the main areas were
airbrushed with H-53 Neutral Gray, the anodised panels treated with H-87 Metallic Red, and
details accentuated with various colours.
 All the integrally moulded interior fittings were painted, prior to being masked, and the
tub was then airbrushed with Subaru 555 Rally Montecarlo Blue.
If in doubt…
Despite the quality of the parts,
minor sanding/neatening of mould
lines on the body seams and roll
cage was undertaken initially.
Particular care was exercised
not to obliterate the details
on the circumference of
the body for the ‘rubber’
trims. The initial build
stages deviated from
the (comprehensive)
instructions, and
concentrated on the
body shell and specific
sub-assemblies, to
facilitate painting.
Holes were drilled in the
roof with a 1mm bit for the aerial
and roof vent, before the latter
was attached, along with the
door mirrors. Minimal filling and
sanding of the mirror-to-body
joins was needed, plus similar
work to address a small hole
forward of the windscreen, as
directed by the instructions.
The roll cage comprised four
parts and proved problematic to
assemble, despite the inner floor
pan being used as a jig.
Vallejo 74.601 Grey Primer was
applied to the body (suspended on
a Tamiya Spray Works stand), plus
the assembled roll cage, interior
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS

 With the masking removed and a coat of Alclad II ALC-310 Klear Kote Gloss applied, a  As Zero Paints’ basecoat was matt, it required a gloss varnish layer, which also sealed it
wash of Citadel Nuln Oil muted contrasts and created depth effects around the fittings. in preparation for painting and decaling.

Subaru Legacy RS – 1993 New main colour. Airbrushed in several

MODEL SPEC

Zealand Rally Winner/Tour de thin coats on the body, chassis

Corse Rally and interior assembly, this matt
By: Hasegawa basecoat paint dried quickly,
before Alclad’s ALC-310 Klear
Stock Code: 20311
Kote Gloss supplied a protective
Scale: 1/24 layer for handling. The interior
Price: £49.99 masking was removed from the
Available from: Amerang, moulded details, and the paintwork
www.amerang.co.uk neatened as required, followed
by a wash over several items with
Citadel Shade Nuln Oil.
Due to the complex shape of the
body shell, the builder tried Tamiya
87178 Masking Tape for Curves for  The resin seats from Reji Model (pale cream items) were a vast improvement over those
the first time. This was a plastic, supplied in the kit, and displayed the correct height and profile.
rather than paper-based tape, with
‘tub’ and lower chassis floor pan. very little adhesive, which required adhesion later, the body received a low pressure (12-15psi/0.8-1 bar)
All other items (except for the clear its almost immediate use, then second coat of Klear Kote Gloss. onto the exhaust pipe, and ALC-
parts) were airbrushed with 74.602 removal. The trim and framing With the remaining parts covered 117 Dull Aluminium was employed
Black Primer, before the interior, areas were masked suitably, then with 73.602 Black Primer; ALC-115 for the engine ‘crash’ plate and
including the dash faces and door hand-brushed in black. To aid decal Stainless Steel was airbrushed at rear differential cover. Brake
cards, was masked, to allow Mr.
Hobby Aqueous H-53 Neutral
K IN G TA P E FOR
Gray to be airbrushed. Moulded
features, such as the various
S
“MA RVES WAS A
boxes and fire CU
extinguishers,
then received REVELATION”
hand-painted
detail as
directed, via
colours from
Mr. Hobby
and Citadel.
Once dry, these
were masked
in turn, prior
to the dash receiving a
similar treatment…a task
that demanded patience and a
steady hand.

Flat out!
Zero Paints’ ZP-1041-53C Subaru
555 Rally Montecarlo Blue was
a perfect match for the Legacy’s

www.airfixmodelworld.com 25
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS

 Tamiya’s Masking Tape for Curves was a revelation, conforming well to the body shell in  Unusually, Hasegawa didn’t include masks for the kit’s glazing, so this was achieved via
preparation for the black trim…which was replicated via hand-brushed Citadel Abbadon Black. thin strips of low-tack tape, and Abbadon Black was employed once more.
 The main chassis (with integral floor pan) was also airbrushed with the main body colour
and sealed with gloss varnish.
 To replicate the alloy finish on the rally car’s Speedline gravel wheels, ALC-108 Pale Gold
was airbrushed to produce a suitable metallic lustre.

components received ALC-106
White Aluminium, and the seven-
spoke Speedline wheels were then
airbrushed with ALC-108 Pale Gold.
All metallic-painted chassis
and brake components were
treated with a Citadel Shade
Nuln Oil wash, while black items
were dry-brushed selectively
with Citadel Codex Grey. Several
interior components, such as
the dash, were also resurrected
from the ‘black death’ by a similar
treatment, which created a more
realistic appearance.
Fast cars…
The kit-supplied ‘Recaro’ seats,
while adequate, didn’t really have
the required ‘presence’, so several
aftermarket seats from the spares
box were sourced instead, with
Reji Model’s resin 036 Seats Type
A selected. After neatening with
a variety of sanding sticks and
metal files, plus test-fitting with
the interior, they were washed
with soapy water to remove
any remaining release agent or
grease, then airbrushed with
73.602 Black Primer. Masking tape
templates were fashioned over
the rear shells; these acted as
guides for application of Studio27’s
ST-FP0005 Carbon Decal B set.
Manufacturers’ logos came from
another Reji set, and once fully dry,
the seats were airbrushed with
62.062 Premium Matt Varnish.
The builder chose not to use the
kit’s seatbelt vinyl, instead opting
for Tuner Model Factory’s T2M-
2001-C1 Adhesive Seatbelt Cloth in
Red, cut to the correct widths with
the same firm’s PE-cutting ruler.
This was a vast improvement, and
was finished with Sabelt logos,
from T2M-6001 1/24 Harness
Manufacture Decals & Stickers,
complemented by Reji buckles in
place of the kit’s PE items. Other
than these small deviations,
the interior was completed in
accordance with the instructions,
with the seatbelts attached to the
rear of the floor pan, as indicated
in reference photographs.
…Speedy drivers
Unusually, Hasegawa didn’t supply
any form of window masking,

H A S E G A WA’S KIT
“ IS A P POINT ”
D ID N ’T D

26 Airfix Model World


MATERIALS
AT A GLANCE
Alclad Lacquers:
www.alclad2-online.co.uk
Citadel Paints:
www.games-workshop.com
Deluxe Materials:
www.deluxematerials.co.uk
Mr. Hobby:
www.albionhobbies.com
MSM Creation: www.hiroboy.com
Reji Model: www.domino.be
Sakatsu: www.hiroboy.com
Shunko Models: www.hlj.com
Studio 27: www.hlj.com
Tamiya: www.amerang.co.uk
Tuner Model Factory: www.hiroboy.com
Vallejo: www.acrylicosvallejo.com
Zero Paints: www.hiroboy.com
Zap Glue: www.zapglue.com
despite this being included in most
kits of that era. As a substitute,
1.0mm low-tack masking tape was
placed strategically on the interior
of the main glazing, before hand-
 The rear suspension and differential was treated with oil wash, before it was dry-brushed
to accentuate the superb moulded detail.
painted Citadel Abbadon Black
replicated the framing.
The main body sat dry and ready
for handling, but as mentioned
previously, accurate decals were
required, so Shunko Models’ Three
Five Legacy 1993 New Zealand
(SHKD337) was selected and
applied. Mr. Mark Setter NEO and
Mr. Mark Softer NEO, plus gentle
heat from a hairdryer, eased their
positioning. The quality of these
aftermarket decals was superb,
thin enough to conform to the
complex curves of the body, but
strong enough for some abuse.
Application began with the main
silver trim and culminated with the
major sponsorship logos, before
a 0.05mm Pentel pigment liner
shaded the body panel shuts to
simulate scale depth. Once the
decals had cured, H-22 Gloss Clear
was selected to seal/protect them,
after which the body was set aside
to dry for a full two weeks, prior to
final construction.
Attention then turned to the rear
lamp cluster, which was complex
to mask, before receiving H-90
Clear Red, H-92 Clear Orange and
H-95 Smoke Gray. Shunko Models
supplied excellent aftermarket
silver ‘framing’ for these and the
sponsor panels; sun-strip decals
for the main glazing were applied
at the same time. Interestingly, it
was possible to replicate the car
from any of the three legs (days) of
the event, as between the kit and
aftermarket decals, the respective
blue, red or green boxes (located
on the windscreen) with a white
numeral, were available. The white
 Most of the front chassis underside was obscured by the prominent (but functional on
the real car) protection plate.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS
‘2’ in each informed the stage
marshals the car was subject to a
two-minute interval between cars
on each leg, and it was decided to
opt for Day 2’s red background.
Focus then shifted to the lower
chassis construction, and this was
achieved simply by following the
instructions to fit the previously
painted sub-assemblies. It was a
shame most of the lower engine
and front chassis detail was
obscured once the crash protection
plate was applied. Wheels were
After black primer,
the brake discs
received ALC-106
White Aluminium,
although the main
calliper housing
was masked first.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 27
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
SUBARU LEGACY RS

IN DETAIL
For a walk-round of Colin McRae’s
1992 Subaru Legacy RS, visit
www.airfixmodelworld.com

Applicator cloth. A photocopy

fitted to the tyres and then held
in place with the supplied poly
caps, allowing them to rotate, and
the ‘office’ mated with ease to the
lower frame.
Flying Scot
The main glazing required a
degree of adjustment to position
correctly, plus the careful use of
Pacer Formula 560 Canopy Glue.
Bare-Metal foil ‘chrome’ sections
were applied to the rear-view and
door mirror faces, front headlamp
inserts and rear section, before
being trimmed to size.
With the varnish dried properly,
Tamiya Polishing Compounds
87069 Fine and 87070 Finish
buffed the main components to
a ‘garage queen’ lustre, via the
corresponding Tamiya Compound
was made of sheet four of the
instructions, so the blue vinyl mud
flaps and under-body differential
protector could be cut from a
sacrificial template. The differential
section was fitted around the
exhaust after judicious fettling with
a scalpel blade. After the PE front
grille was attached to the body,
the latter was mated to the lower
chassis, and it clicked into place, as
a well-engineered product should.

 Rear attachment points for the aftermarket seat harnesses (which were augmented by  Black frames on the windscreen were brightened by the sun visor decal, complete with a
Reji PE buckles) were on the floor pan. red box containing a white ‘2’, signifying a two-minute interval between cars on stage.

 Shunko Models’ decals provided the correct tobacco sponsorship displayed on the 1993  Wheels and tyres were fitted to the chassis without issue, and this in turn was attached
New Zealand rally; they may not be politically correct for 2018, but were historically accurate. to the tub, after which the ‘sit’ of the car was checked.

28 Airfix Model World

 All the remaining body
components, such as the rear
mud flaps and their mountings,
were added to the body without
drama. The kit’s PE body fasteners
were discarded for more accurate
items, specifically Tuner Model
Factory’s T2M-5013 1/20-1/24
Hood Pins (Type C). A final
addition was a Sakatsu radio aerial  The kit’s body fasteners were
from the spares box, plus an MSM dismissed in favour of more
accurate aftermarket items, and
Creation Subaru stars domed
these were fitted to the bonnet and  A roof aerial by Sakatsu was
badge, from its MSMA032 HKD55 boot edges. sourced from the builder’s spares box.
Rally Car Emblems.

Lanarkshire legend
Hasegawa’s kit didn’t disappoint,
despite its early 1990s vintage, and
the model was a fitting tribute to
Colin’s rallying career. The Subaru
was engineered superbly, the
quality of most parts was hard
to beat and every bit as good as
some 21st century offerings. One
gripe would be the kit’s decals, as
they can’t be used to accurately
replicate the car ‘as advertised’.  Bare-Metal’s Chrome Foil provided the backing surfaces for the front and
While acquiring aftermarket rear headlamps, and was a vast improvement on silver paint as suggested in
products to address this was a the instructions.
small price to pay for an important
re-release, it would be a factor if a
modeller was on a limited budget.
Hasegawa is to be congratulated
for re-boxing two of its three
Subaru Legacy kits. The other
re-issue was the 1992 Rally Sweden
car (20290), which provided
Colin McRae with his first podium
finish at a WRC event, despite
‘McCrashing’ several times.
Here’s hoping there are more
re-releases, including the early
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions I to  Hasegawa provided a sheet of blue vinyl to replicate the Kaylan
III, and Richard Burns’ Safari protection for the rear differential unit, which was cut via a template
1998-winning Evolution IV. supplied on the instructions.
 OUT AND ABOUT
TANGMERE MODEL SHOW

Tamiya’s splendid 1/48

Mosquito Mk.VI was the subject
of this well-arranged display
from Paul Adams on the
Romsey Modellers’ table, with a
complete machine posed above
another, which was undergoing
major engineering works.
 Host club member Nick Adlam reworked
the rear cockpit on Hobby Boss’ 1/48
Avenger Mk.I, which was modelled as JZ127
from 854 NAS; at a previous show, he met
the son of the observer, L/Air Shirmer, who
flew in this aircraft during World War Two.

Home of Heroes
 Tony Adams’ Airfix 1/48 Boulton-Paul
Defiant Mk.I was built straight from the
box, and featured a suitably weather-worn
appearance for a hard-working day fighter.

 ‘Time to Roll’ was the title of Barry Sharman’s impressive scratch-built diorama on IPMS  This stunning 1/24 1957 Aston Martin DBR 1/2 was scratch-built by Tangmere Sector
Southampton’s stand. It replicated the transfer of one of four Foster-Wheeler boilers for the Modellers’ Philip Cowley and detailed throughout (with the passenger seat cover teased
1960s Oriana ocean liner, from its factory to the dockyards. aside to reveal the inner workings), before receiving an immaculate racing finish.

W
hen reporting on an on a sunny morning in early May. bigger on the inside than on the
inaugural show, such as As one of the few museums outside. These were packed with
that held at the Tangmere located on a former Battle of historical exhibits dating back
Military Airfield Museum, Britain air base, there was a real as far as World War One, along
one can occasionally see greater sense of history and mystery, the with more recent aircraft such
potential for both event and latter enhanced by the ‘TARDIS- as a Hunter, Swift and Lightning,
venue; this was certainly the case like’ buildings, which seemed with clubs and traders positioned
among the rich variety of displays.
A gamble with the weather (this
was the Early May Bank Holiday
after all!) paid off handsomely,
with stands stationed outside in a
variety of gazebo-like structures.
In a first for this reporter at any
model show, there was even a
BBQ to keep the hunger pangs at
bay. All of this was complemented
by the friendly hosts and museum
staff, and the Phantom FGR.2
exhibit (which was open for
people to sit in) was very popular.
 Richard Francis is well-known for his amazing cutaway models; here, Hobby Boss’ 1/350 Tangmere’s first show was a great
Akula I attack submarine was given a stunning scratch-built interior, including the torpedo experience and, based on the
room, reactor compartment and fin-top towed-array sonar mechanism. number of youngsters eagerly
clutching newly acquired kits,
it certainly seemed to have lit a
spark for potential modelmakers.
Best Club Display (sponsored by
that epic traveller MAN Models)
was won by Romsey Modellers,
for their varied and well-arranged
stand. The museum also
announced an award for the most
skilful modelling, which went to
Richard Francis for his incredible
cutaway builds.
Next year’s event has already
been announced, and will take
place on May 4, 2019, which
is the 50th anniversary of the
Transatlantic Air Race, and
involved RAF Harrier GR.1 XV744
as the back-up airframe…currently
residing at the museum in
GR.3 guise. Stu Fone
VIEW MORE ONLINE
www.airfixmodelworld.com

30 Airfix Model World

MISSION
MODELS
PREMIUM HOBBY PAINTS, PRIMERS & ADDITIVES

CHANGE
THE
WAY
YOU
PAINT

WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM
P l e a s e s e e o u r d e a l e r l o c a t o r a t w w w. m i s s i o n m o d e l s u s . c o m
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7

AMK has done

a cracking job
of rendering
the Kfir
in 1/72, as
Chris Jones
discovers

W
hen France banned performance was enhanced.
the sale of Atar 9B/C The resulting aircraft became
turbojets to Israel, it known as the Kfir (Hebrew for lion
placed the Israeli Air Force cub). Although built as a multi-
(IAF) in an impossible position. role aeroplane, the incredible
Both its Mirage IIIs and Neshers performance and agility of the
were powered by the engine, F-15 and F-16 in the air-superiority
and the sudden unavailability of role meant the Kfir found its true
replacements and spares was niche as a ground-attack asset.
a potential threat to the IAF’s
ability to defend its airspace.
However, there were no such
issues with the availability of
domestically produced General
Electric J79s, which also
powered Israeli F-4E Phantoms,
and Israeli Aircraft Industries
was tasked with modifying the
Mirage airframe dramatically
to accept this new powerplant.
Beyond the engine, numerous
improvements were made to the
original design, including Israeli
avionics and distinctive canard
foreplanes, which gave improved
aerodynamic performance.
They could turn hard for longer,
handling was better at high angles
 Given time, a steady hand and a fine brush, AMK’s excellent moulded cockpit and wheel of attack, the ride was smoother
well detail could be made to look superb. at low level and take-off/landing

32 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7

Kit decal options

All metal parts that would be the
same tone as the cockpit base
No less than five attractive paint schemes were on offer, from a variety of air colour were secured, before this
sub-assembly was attached to the
forces. Of note was Kfir serial 874, the only airframe credited with an air-to-air kill,
starboard fuselage half.
namely a Syrian MiG-21MF on June 27, 1979.
• 874, First Fighter Squadron, Israeli AF, 1979
• 543 ‘Zohar’, Arava Guardians Squadron, Israeli AF, 1990
• N401AX, ATAC (Airborne Tactical Advantage Company), USA
• 905, 2113 Squadron, Ecuadorian AF, 1998
• 3043, 111 Squadron, Colombian AF

Lessons learned superlative MiG-31s in 1/48 scale.

Avant Garde Model Kits (AMK)
caused a real stir in the hobby
world with the release of its
 As supplied, the kit’s ejection seat was
reasonable, but lacked harnesses. Happily,
Eduard is all about seat belts, and it’s pre-
painted PE items made a huge difference.
These received extremely high
praise, but unfortunately, the
Midas touch missed its initial
quarter-scale Kfir tooling, which
was criticised for the poor
fuselage shape. Despite this,
it was still a gorgeous model,  After masking the front fuselage, the intake areas were painted, and the rear interior
but room for improvement was also covered with a suitable colour.
had clearly presented itself.
Thankfully, AMK wasn’t prepared With the cockpit in place and the rear
fuselage painted, the fuselage halves
to take such criticism lying down,
could then be married.
and brand-new Kfirs have since
followed in 1/72 and 1/48 — both
featuring accurate fuselage
shapes. Upon opening the
smaller-scale boxing, it’s clear
the company has produced a
very high-quality package indeed.
Crisply moulded parts, gorgeous
engraved panel line detail and
a veritable arsenal of weaponry
(Python-3 missiles, and Mk.82,

www.airfixmodelworld.com 33
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7
 On the right, the peculiar main gear leg
locating hole that punched through the
wing has been plugged with plastic card and
filled. On the left, the offending chasm still
needs attention!
 To avoid the potential for tail-sitting,
the nose cone base was opened and weight
secured with CA.
 It was vital to remove all paint from
mating surfaces before the intake outers
could be added.
“Python-3 missiles, and Mk.82,
Griffin and GBU-12 bombs were
the order of the day”
34 Airfix Model World
Griffin and GBU-12 bombs) were
the order of the day, alongside no Aftermarket
enhancements
less than five perfectly printed
and colourful decal options. It was
time to get building! Various elements (but by no means
all) from Eduard’s comprehensive Kfir
Inside the Kfir C-7 photo-etched (PE) brass/metal
Beginning with the internals, the upgrade (73607) were employed to
cockpit was impressive straight enhance the cockpit, main wheel
from the box, with excellent raised wells and chaff/flare dispensers,
relief on the instrument panel while the cannon blast shields (once
and side consoles, coupled with bent to shape) were simply sublime.
lovely rear bulkhead detailing, and
Most of the ‘office’ components were
integrally moulded wiring on the
supplied as pre-painted PE items,
coaming. With time, patience and
which simplified construction and
a fine brush, it would have been
painting greatly, even if the side
possible to produce an excellent
consoles were a reluctant fit. More
result here, but it’s always
information on this and other Eduard
possible to speed proceedings
products is at www.eduard.com
with the addition of pre-printed
PE parts, which also provided
a level of detail simply not
possible with conventional brush
work. Various raised areas were
therefore scraped and sanded, to
await the addition of Eduard’s PE
components (see panel).
Before this, the intake splitter
plates/half cones were attached
to the fuselage, and then the
surrounding areas were masked.
The interior faces received matt
white, while the inside of the rear
fuselage was airbrushed with
Alclad ALC-121 Burnt Iron (www.
alclad2-online.co.uk), and then
over-sprayed with Tamiya XF-69
NATO Black. Although the intake
trunking supplied was by no
means full length, to do otherwise
would have been a waste of
design effort and time, because
once the intakes were assembled,
the innards were effectively
hidden, so a simple hand-brushed
coat of matt black on the rear
faces sufficed.

After constructing the cockpit/
nosewheel well sub-assembly,
all PE items that would be the
same colour as the ‘office’ were
secured with cyanoacrylate (CA)
glue, before this unit was fixed to
the starboard fuselage half. Being
mindful that jet models tend to
tail-sit unless ballast is installed
in the front, the nose cone was
opened at its base,
before micro-lead
shot was secured
with CA.
Minor issues
AMK’s design
philosophy was
excellent and generally
the fit was precise, but
there were two areas
that caused raised
eyebrows. One of
these concerned the
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7
IAI Kfir C2/C7
MODEL SPEC
By: AMK
Stock Code: 86002
Scale: 1/72
Price: £10.99
Available from: Hannants,
www.hannants.co.uk
undercarriage leg location points,
which were moulded as holes
in the upper wing halves. This
wasn’t the case with its 1/48 Kfirs,
and although scale thickness
and fidelity was something to be
considered, a more pragmatic
approach would have been better.
Theoretically, if the main gears
were applied early, they could
have been knocked off at a later
stage, which could have torn the
plastic away, creating a hole in  Note, the airframe was assembled before the intakes were completed. These were a tight
the upper wing surfaces...not fit and tricky to locate properly, but working in stages with tape and clamps helped no end.
good if paint and decals have
been applied!
To remedy this, a minute plastic
plug was fashioned, and secured
with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement;
this was then filled and sanded
flush. A similar area of concern
was the pressure sensor inserts,
which attached to the spine just
behind the canards. The sensors
themselves were moulded to
larger insert tab blocks, but
during handling the tiny sensors
would have been broken, so the After masking, the
locating holes were filled — the cockpit was painted
sensors would be removed from and detailed late in the
their blocks and applied at the build. As ever, Eduard’s
end of the build. Regarding the PE saved much time,
upper wing halves, moulded but the side consoles
weren’t too keen on
wheel well detail must be
fitting properly.
removed to accommodate
www.airfixmodelworld.com 35
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7
the Eduard parts, but the
instructions were vague as how
much should be eliminated,
which led to tricky scalpel work
once the wings were joined,
along with plastic card inserts to
cover the inevitable damage.
With this work complete, the
undercarriage bay sub-assembly
was attached to the lower wing/
fuselage, before the upper
halves were added. The overall
fit was great, except for a tiny
area around the leading-edge
notches, which required a small
amount of modification. Attaching
 The white block on the spine was where the pressure sensor locating block hole was
the wings and nose cone to the
filled. It was deemed easier to do this, rather than add the sensors early, only to knock
them off later. fuselage resulted in virtually
perfect seams, and AMK had
even done a creditable job of
suggesting the gap that exists on
the underside of the Kfir, located
between the nose and forward
fuselage. The author mistakenly
filled this area and tried to neaten
it, until discovering a photo in
Isradecal’s excellent Kfir book (see
Refence panel), which showed
how prominent this feature was.
Subsequent fine brush work went
some way towards suggesting
shadow in this area. Fixing the
intake areas together neatly was
tricky as they fitted tightly, but
working in stages and employing
 It emerged that more material had to be removed to fit the undercarriage bay ‘roofs’
tape and clamps worked a treat.
than the instructions suggested, but marvellously, the side walls were a perfect fit.
After the undersides were
Cockpit re-wind
primed and painted, a mix of Unusually, the cockpit had still
Tamiya paints that replicated not actually received a coat
FS 33531 Middlestone was of paint. More and more, this
applied to the upper surfaces. author seems to be developing a
The masking prevented tendency to get fuselage halves
overspray onto the pylons. joined before actually tackling
the office, if possible. This way,
the glue on the seams can be
hardening, while interior work is
still taking place, which speeds
construction. After masking,
XF-19 Sky Grey acted as a base
colour, before all the remaining
To complete the Israeli three- After the base tones had been mottled
tone camouflage, blends which with lighter and darker hues, Aqua Gloss
approximated to FS 34424 Clear was applied in several light coats;
Light Gray Green and FS 30219 the surfaces were polished between each,
Tan were then airbrushed with dampened 12,000-grade abrasive
freehand; as ever with this paper, to remove any obvious hairs/dust
technique, touch-ups were vital that escaped earlier detection.
to produce a neat result.
36 Airfix Model World
pre-painted PE was attached.
The side consoles didn’t fit well
though, so tedious modification
to the metal parts was in order.
Once complete, the cockpit was
glossed and oil washed, before
receiving a matt varnish, after
which the surrounding masks
were removed.
One interesting point regarding
the Kfir was the J79 engine had
much larger cooling requirements
than the Atar 9,
which resulted
in numerous
fuselage
inlets/scoops
being added.
Unfortunately,
the fit of these
could have been
better, and several
locating tabs were slightly
over-sized and required
trimming, but attaching
these wasn’t too taxing
otherwise. With the
airframe together,
Milliput Superfine
White was employed to
neaten most of the joins.
Increasingly, the author
is also coming to the
conclusion that no matter
how well engineered or designed
a kit is, there’s always a role for
filler to improve seams, especially
when the vagaries of liquid
cement and plastic expansion/
contraction is taken into account.
It wasn’t a comment on the kit
itself, it’s simply borne from a
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7

desire to squeeze every ounce of

good looks from a finished model!

Combat hues
There can be no doubt the IAF
knows how to produce a stunning
paint scheme, and since the F-16-
style livery was applied to Kfirs
later in their operational lives, it
simply had to be replicated here.
Kfir 543 wore such a scheme
and was the logical choice. This

 Jet pipes on J79s often exhibited a curious green finish, which was replicated by dry
sponging colour onto the white base tone.

The kit decals were superb and added

considerable flair to the model, and
settled without issue.

aircraft also To make a tight demarcation Tamiya matt colours, is that rough
received between the colours, they were patches can accrete in nooks
the moniker diluted heavily with 99.9% and crannies, but this can be
‘Zohar’ Isopropyl Alcohol to produce the removed carefully with a clean,
(Hebrew for sharp edges, while thicker mixes dry sponge…once each light coat
radiance/ were utilised for broader area was touch dry.
aurora), coverage. Once the main body
tallying with of painting had been completed, Well-used airframe
the unit naming light and dark tones were mottled After glossing the model, various
its jets after over the base colours, before a small details were painted
celestial bodies/ round of touch-ups took place. freehand, such as the radome
phenomena. It doesn’t matter how careful and radar-warning receiver
After masking and priming the one is, because when working fairings; the joy of doing this
seams with XF-54 Dark Sea Grey, freehand, elements of over-spray on a gloss coat was mistakes
the underside was airbrushed are unavoidable! Another point could be removed with a sharp
with a home-made mix of 3 parts worth mentioning when using cocktail stick. AMK’s decals
XF-80 Royal Light Grey and 2
parts XF-2 White to re-create FS
36375 Light Compass Ghost Gray.
After a lightly misted protective
coat of Alclad ALC-600 Aqua
Gloss Clear, the canards and wing
leading edges were then masked
to avoid over-spray on the pylons.
FS 33531 Middlestone was mixed
from an equal blend of XF-57
Buff and white, while XF-21 Sky
replicated the FS 34424 Light
Gray Green areas. Finally, a mix
of 6 parts XF-59 Desert Yellow, 8
parts XF-52 Flat Earth and 3 parts
XF-68 NATO Brown was used to
emulate FS 30219 Tan.
These upper surface colours
were all sprayed freehand, with  After painting and an oil wash, the PE-enhanced wheel wells appeared acceptable. The
the needle cap removed from the main gear legs were secured with Gorilla Epoxy, as CA lacked shearing strength…not ideal
air brush to reduce turbulence. for an undercarriage leg with no locating hole and mounted on a plastic/metal surface.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 37
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
KFIR C7

As ever, matt varnish provided
an incredible visual difference
to the high shine of a glossy
decaled airframe, while
also sealing all the previous
painting and weathering.
 To produce the missiles and bombs, AMK utilised slide-moulding techniques, which was
great as they were one-piece items, but did result in extra seams to neaten. Python-3 drill
rounds and Griffin laser-guided bombs completed the look of a jet about conduct weapons
drops on a range.
were truly outstanding and
settled without issue; after being
sealed, different colours of oil
wash were used to define the
panel lines across the varied
camouflage tones. Annoyingly,
the main undercarriage legs
had no locating holes to
speak of (due to the
previous corrections
to the wheel bays), so
the locating tabs were trimmed,
the mating surfaces cleared of
paint, and Gorilla Epoxy (www.
gorillaglue.com) employed to
secure them to the PE ‘roofs’.
Next, various elements of
assembly took place before
numerous light misted coats
of Xtracolor XDFF Flat Varnish
was applied. This produced
an excellent finish, but the
contents seemed to gradually
‘spoil’ once opened, so it’s
worth replacing a bottle every
few months. Otherwise, white/
light grey areas on models can
sometimes exhibit a subtle
yellowish tint in various nooks
and crannies where there has
been a build-up of varnish…we
live and learn.
Weathering effects were
concluded with subtle post-
shading over the panel lines
with a 2:1 mix of XF-64 Red
Brown and XF-1 Flat Black. This
was deliberately very ‘quiet’ as
reference photos suggested
Kfirs were kept generally in a
clean condition. Remarkably,
considering the presence of the
mucky J79 engine, even the few
underside shots the author could
find of Kfirs revealed strangely
unmarked surfaces.
Next, the wing-tip navigation
lights and fin-mounted anti-
collision beacon were painted by
hand, before all the horrible tiny
parts were secured, generally
with Micro Kristal Klear White
Glue, to avoid damaging the
finish, including those pesky
pressure sensors on the spine.
Fighter finale
AMK’s 1/72 Kfir was an excellent
kit. There were a handful of small
areas to critique (particularly
the main undercarriage location
holes), but the shape looked
great, the surface detail and
general standard of the tooling
was excellent, fit was generally
very good, and the decals and
paint scheme options were
brilliant. The Kfir was an eye-
catching aeroplane with real
international appeal, and from
the photos it looked as though
it could be 1/48 scale, which is
always high praise for a 1/72 scale
tooling. Remarkably, it’s also (at
present) priced very affordably,
which is a glorious relief from the
hobby price inflation seen over
recent years. Get one quick
before it changes!
Reference
Isradecal’s comprehensive 54-page
study on the Kfir was invaluable for
this project, and although the walk-
round photos were in black in white,
they were still profoundly helpful in
producing an accurate model.
Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir,
by Ra’anan Weiss and Yoav Efrati
(Isradecal), ISBN: 978-095-2886-715

“the surface
detail and
general standard
of the tooling
was excellent”
38 Airfix Model World
 Pennine Models at Haworth

SOME OF OUR AIRFIX BARGAINS

Series 1 Armour £5.50 04022 Dassault Mirage F1
01306 Stug 3 Series 5 £18.00
01307 JS3 Tank 05701 D-Day Gun Emplacement
01308 Tiger 1 05034 Lockheed Hudson
01311 SD.KFZ.234 05029 Dornier217E + Me328 Mistall
01317 M3 Lee Grant 05021 Heinkel He111 H-20
01318 Matilda Series 6 £22.50
01319 Chi-ha 06304 WW2 USAAF Bomber
Series 2 £7.99 Re-Supply Set
02301 Scammel Tank Transporter 06102 1/48 seafire mk17
02308 Panzer 4 Series 9 £27.50
02311 Sheridan Tank 09007 Lancaster B3 Dambuster
02316 WW2 DUKW 09004 Lockheed Hercules gunship
02320 Sherman Crab Series 1 Aircraft £5.50
02321 Churchill “Crocodile” 01003 Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2
02322 LWB Land Rover & Trailer 01003a Curtiss Tomahawk MK.11B
02327 M113 U.S. Fire Support Version 01004 North American P51D Mustang
02340 Higgins lcvp 01005 Mitsubishi A6M2B Zero
Series 3 £10.50 01006 Folland Gnat T.1
03305 RAF Recovery Set 01008 Messerschimtt BF109E-4
03068 pucara 01054 DHC Chipmunk T.10
03066 NA Texan Club Models
03059 Short Tecano T1 82012 ME BF 109e3/7 £17.50
03062 Mosquito NF XIX/ J30 05116 Spitfire1/48 £18
03031 Grumman Duck
Series 4 £14.50
04301 Churchill Bridge Layer 02325 Saladin £8.50
04040 Mc D Harrier 02325 Saracen £8.50

Wednesday to Sunday 11am - 5pm

33/35 Mill Hey, Haworth,Keighley BD22 8NQ
Tel: 01535 642367
penninemodels@gmail.com

PANZERWRECKS www.panzerwrecks.com
01435 865301

NEW164 pages NEW96 pages 128 pages NEW112 pages Coming

100s photos 156 photos 140 photos 104 photos August
£34.99 £17.99 £19.99 £25.99

NEW228 pages
NEW208 pages 88 pages 100s photos NEW208 pages 550 pages
100s photos 350 photos £39.99 100s photos 800+ photos
£31.50 £14.75 £28.49 £75.50
 OUT AND ABOUT
NATIONAL NAVAL
AVIATION MUSEUM

 The collection houses a huge variety of exhibits, charting the

developments in navy flying over the past century. This striking
F-14 Tomcat gate guardian was the fifth airframe of the production
line…and the first of the type to be put on public display.

Florida Flight Collection

 Chance Vought’s F7U Cutlass stood out among the somewhat more conventional designs  The museum kindly afforded AMW access to the museum’s ‘back lot’. This Douglas A-3
in the South Wing of the collection. This unorthodox twin-tailed aircraft was unsuccessful Skywarrior was just one of the numerous naval aircraft that came into service during the
due to various airframe and powerplant issues, earning it the nickname ‘Gutless Cutlass’. 1950s. Affectionately dubbed the ‘whale’ by its crews, this example was the last of its type.

T
he National Naval Aviation
Museum, Pensacola, Florida,
was established in 1962 to
provide a permanent home
for the United States’ long and
varied naval aviation history.
Situated on a vast 37-acre site,
with 150 aircraft and spacecraft on
display, the sheer size and number
of exhibits required two full days to
cover properly.
A public practice session by the
 It’s not just American aircraft in the
collection, This Me 262B ‘White 35’,
captured by the Allies at the end of the war,
helped to further the understanding and
development of US jet technology.

40 Airfix Model World


National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford Blvd, NAS Pensacola,
FL 32508, USA. FREE Admission (photo ID
required). Open Daily 9am to 5pm
Tel: 001-800-327-5002
E-mail: namfoffice@navalaviation
museum.org
US Navy Flight Demonstration
Squadron, the Blue Angels, made
a spectacular start to the visit and
was a personal highlight of the
trip. The museum itself contained
many Blue Angels-related exhibits,
with a stunning static display of the
team’s former McDonnell-Douglas
A-4 Skyhawk mounts taking pride
of place in the central atrium.
Access to the back lot was very
kindly granted, along with the
huge restoration hangars and
workshops. A freshly restored
North American B-25 Mitchell,
painted to represent one of
the ‘Doolittle Raiders’, looked
resplendent in the sunshine.
Many other more obscure aircraft
were also on display, including
OUT AND ABOUT
NATIONAL NAVAL
AVIATION MUSEUM
the last remaining example of
the Chance Vought F6U Pirate,
the first dedicated and somewhat
aesthetically challenged carrier
based jet fighter, as well as
numerous other short-lived
designs from the Cold War era.
Maintaining such a vast and
well-curated collection would not
be possible without the many
enthusiastic and helpful volunteers
who work tirelessly to uphold the
collection’s motto: ‘Select, collect,
preserve and display’. Their efforts
made the visit an absolute
pleasure. Dave Oliver
Special thanks to Gregory Thomas,
 Just one of the collection’s Grumman F4F Wildcats, in a suitably ad hoc south Pacific whose assistance was invaluable while
setting. This late model example was recovered from Lake Michigan in the 1990s in writing this report.
surprisingly good condition.
 This imposing Curtis NC-4 was the first
aircraft to cross the Atlantic, in May 1919.
Many crew items, maps and correspondence
were displayed around of the base of the
huge flying-boat, bringing the story of this
perilous and pioneering journey to life.
 The War in the Pacific section
contained many poignant exhibits. This N1K2
Shiden-Kai (George) represented a late-war
example of Japanese fighter design. The
anonymous pilot had inscribed a short poem,
or Haiku, on the fuselage.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 41
 OUT AND ABOUT
EAST MIDLANDS MODEL SHOW
Out of
this
World
I
t’s always invigorating to
re-visit a show to see what’s
changed, and for the Hinckley
event, the new leisure centre
venue was a breath of fresh air.
Well-lit, airy and with plenty of
space for traders, clubs, Special
Interest Groups (SIGs) and
visitors alike, there was much to
appreciate…and air conditioning
meant the temperature was
just right, despite the blazing
sunshine on the day. Many varied
model selections were displayed
and, while it may have been just
a coincidence (with the UK's
National Space Centre less than
15 miles [25km] away), there
was a definite space flavour in
evidence, with ‘real’, ‘what-if’ and
sci-fi exhibits throughout.
As a hobby, modelmaking is
distinct from scale railways
 Described as “a nightmare to build and transport”, Dave Cope’s splendid, yet rather
fragile Special Hobby 1/48 Focke-Achgelis Fa 223V-16 Drache (dragon) attracted much
scrutiny, notably for the quality of finish and unusual subject matter.
42 Airfix Model World
 Among the strong space presence was
this Fantastic Plastic 1/48 Soviet LKF94 LK
Lunar Module, by Mildenhall Scale Model
Club’s Phil Mills; it was modified extensively
with brass wire, plastic card and aluminium
foil to match photos of the real machine.
 Tim Duff’s busy 1/35 Operation
Overlord diorama matched a Tamiya 20mm
Flakvierling and Centaur IV (the latter in
Royal Marines’ Armoured Support Group
markings), with a Verlinden flak bunker and
Wee Friends naval figures.
and wargaming, yet all share
common skills, notably painting
and weathering; the display
of superbly finished Games
Workshop figures on IPMS
Gloucester’s stand garnered
plenty of attention. Better still,
modeller Graeme Bates was there
working on yet more figures to
join his existing Cannis Wolfborne
and the Fenrisian Wolfpack (when
not answering questions from
reporters and visitors).
From discussions with modellers
and traders alike, the East
Midlands event is going from
strength to strength, and offers
plenty for enthusiasts and casual
visitors to enjoy.
Stu Fone
 The flawless finish on Alex Payne’s sublime Model Factory Hiro 1/24 resin 1953 Ferrari
VIEW MORE ONLINE 500 F2 came courtesy of Halfords’ Fiat Yellow, and complemented the meticulous detailing
www.airfixmodelworld.com and paintwork on the interior.
 Craig Godwin adopted a scaled-down approach to applying winter camouflage on his
Kinetic 1/48 Harrier T.4, employing a brush and diluted AMMO-MIG Whitewash, echoing how
the real paint was applied in preparation for Snow Falcon exercises at Tromsø, Norway.
 THE CLASSICS ARE BACK!
Airfix brings you Vintage Classics, a range celebrating the
fantastic and diverse products from Airfix’s history.
With over 60 years of products, we’ll be bringing back some
old favourites as well as coming up with some surprises!
Airfix.com Start as you mean to finish
and all good retail stockists
• Modern Humbrol colour references
• Original box art paintings from the likes of Roy Cross
• Many more classic Airfix categories to be revisited in the future
As well as WWI Military Figures which are available now, keep an eye out
for Vintage Classic Military Vehicles, Warships and Classic Ships, which will all
become available throughout 2018.
Official Product
 IN FOCUS
SOLO DISPLAY F-16

Snr Capt Stefan ‘Vador’ Darte

flies F-16 MLU FA-101, wearing
the 2018 Dark Falcon paint
scheme, over the countryside
near Florennes Air Base.

Dark
Falcon
Takes Off E very three years, the Belgian
Air Force (BAF) selects an
experienced pilot to present
the Solo F-16 Display routine
to crowds across Europe.
For 2018-21, this is Snr Capt
Stefan Darte, callsign ‘Vador’. He
is based at Florennes AB with 1
Squadron and has almost 3,000
hours on type.
The aircraft, named Dark Falcon,
sports an all-new scheme for this
 The Florennes paint shop team and the designers are credited on the outside of the season, which took seven weeks
nosewheel door. to apply after the livery was

44 Airfix Model World

 IN FOCUS
SOLO DISPLAY F-16

Detail of the large Dark Falcon

emblem on the vertical tail. The
design is the same both sides
and is painted, rather than
being applied as a decal.

 Namechecks for the individual Florennes paintshop team members, inside the nosewheel
door, follow the Star Wars theme set by the pilot’s callsign.
 ‘Smokewinders’ are carried on the wingtip stations, to accentuate manoeuvres in the
display. Flares will also be used in the routine where individual air show rules permit.

approved. Apart from the national

The topside of the
aircraft mimics the insignia and tips of the horizontal
paths of airflow and stabilisers, the design comprises
vortices generated just black, white and grey. This
during the aircraft’s is the first time a BAF F-16 has
dynamic routine. been seen with an all-black
radome, which required special
permission. The falcon on the tail
required six large masks each
side and, while the horizontal
stabilisers currently sport the
Belgian flag, the port stab will
change to the flag of each country
in which the jet displays.
Graham Platt/BCAR

 The ventral fins are a nod to Snr Capt

Darte’s callsign…‘Vador’.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 45
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT

Teenage AMW contributor

Joe Turner tackles
Takom’s impressive new
1/35 M3 Grant

STEEL GENERAL
esigned during 1940, in firepower and thick armour, the Grant). British M3s were involved

D
M3 GRANT
MODEL SPEC

response to the success
of German Panzer IIIs
and IVs during the
French campaign, the M3 tank
was a development of the US
Army’s then current M2.
Notably, it was realised
the 37mm main armament
was woefully insufficient, so
the M3 ‘Lee’ (named after
Confederate General Robert
E Lee) supplemented it with a
75mm gun, which was mounted
in a sponson on the right side
of the hull. Despite its increased
design had many shortcomings,
including a high silhouette,
riveted armour, poor off-road
performance and limited traverse
of the 75mm cannon.
Although the British knew
of these flaws, they needed
replacement tanks desperately
following the losses at Dunkirk,
and ordered 2,855 as part of
the Lend-Lease programme —
with modifications to fit a new
turret and side skirt armour,
they became known as ‘Grants’
(after Union General Ulysses S
in many actions in North Africa,
but were soon replaced by the By: Takom
M4 Sherman. Surplus machines Stock Code: 2086
were subsequently transferred to
Scale: 1/35
the Soviet Union (approximately
1,000), and the Indian Army, Price: £47.99
the latter for service in the Available from: Pocketbond,
Southeast Asian Campaign. www.pocketbond.co.uk
A strong foundation
Arguably, the M3 has been
underserved in 1/35 scale,
with the only options being
Academy’s from 2006 and
the 1974 Tamiya offerings, so

 Takom’s lower hull featured excellent rivet detail; however, the front section fitted poorly,
which required a large amount of filler.

 By comparison, the rear plate required no such attention, and featured plenty of well-
defined raised relief, even prior to the addition of exhausts, the rear hatch and idler axles.

46 Airfix Model World


 In keeping with the rest of the kit, the sprockets and idler wheels were adorned with
impressive surface detail.
Takom’s announcement it would
produce several M3 variants was
welcomed broadly. The firm’s
Grant was the second release in
the series, following the initial
M3 Lee, and featured almost
identical parts, bar a new turret
and side skirts, which were
supplied on two new runners.
First to be tackled was the lower
hull, which featured faithful
representations of the rivet and
surface relief. The glacis plate
Once completed, the
suspension was fully
workable and moved like the
real thing, which would be
ideal for dioramas.
"Arguably, the
M3 has been
underserved
in 1/35 scale"
section was notable for its fine
cast texture, and fitted tightly
to the lower hull, but required
filler to conceal the gap around
the sprocket mountings. It was
evident immediately that Takom
had researched the subject
fully, as the drive sprocket and
idler wheels exhibited realistic
features, with an emphasis on
ensuring the rivet and teeth
shapes/profiles were correct.
The road wheels were similarly
 The suspension units comprised three main sections, and the sub-assemblies and
complete units fitted perfectly.
 In addition to the crisply moulded detail
on the hull top, Takom provided a linkage
between the main gun and periscope (via
the kidney-shaped hole at lower right), so
they moved in unison.
impressive and, despite a
prominent seam, were easy to
clean with a sanding stick.
Next, the type’s trademark
suspension units and running
gear mountings were assembled,
and these comprised three main
components: two sets of wheels
and the main housing. Despite
their small size and fiddly nature,
they were moulded beautifully
and fitted perfectly, which
allowed for realistic movement
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT
which
general?
The kit provided options for four
colour schemes, including three
British 8th Army machines:
• 24030/52, 2/10 Armoured Regiment,
1st Armoured Division (Armd Div),
Australia, 1942-44
• T-24251, C Squadron, 8th King’s
Royal Irish Hussars, 7th Armd Div,
Al-Gazala, 1942
• T-24243, C Squadron, 3 Royal Tank
Regiment, 4th Armd Brigade, 7th
Armd Div, North Africa, 1942
• T-24539 ‘Monty’, General Officer
Commanding’s Tank, General HQ
Troop, 8th Army Tactical HQ, 1942-43
over uneven surfaces…ideal for
possible diorama opportunities.
At this stage, it was opted to not
attach the wheels and tracks as
suggested by the instructions, as
the side skirts would cover the
latter. Likewise, the mudguards
weren’t installed at this point,
www.airfixmodelworld.com 47
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT

The 75mm gun barrel was

slide-moulded as a single-
piece item and looked the
part, regardless of its
simple design.

Crisp moulding adorned the engine deck,

ranging from fuel caps to tools and
equipment, all of which would become
standout features on the finished model.

 There was a scattering of photo-etched brass parts; these included engine grille mesh and
several smaller details (periscope ring, light shrouds, turret plates and stowage box brackets).

to ease construction later.
The hull’s complex angles meant
it would be more effective to
create several sub-assemblies,
instead of building it all in one
attempt, with plenty of test-
fitting to ensure everything came
together smoothly. Clever design
aided this process, especially
with the hull top, which required
the rear plate to be bent into
shape…moulded depressions
on the inner face allowed this
to be achieved without the
need for tools. Also notable
was the ingenious mechanism
that connected the periscope to
the sponson gun, which meant
they could be moved together.
The next major sub-assembly
was the engine deck-top cover,
which required many holes to be
drilled to accommodate various
tools and fuel caps. Again, the
attention to detail was superb,
exemplified by how the side plate
edges were angled correctly, so
they fitted snugly.

"The turret
comprised a
single-piece
upper
moulding"

48 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT

 The kit captured the type’s unusual shape perfectly, but it wasn’t without fit issues,  The rear of the model really came to life once the exhausts and engine doors were
although these were resolved easily with filler. added; it was clear Takom had done its research, even down to the placement and shape
of specific rivet heads.

Angled armour
With the two largest sub-
assemblies in position, it was
then decided it would be easier
to construct the rest of the
armour directly onto the lower
hull, beginning with the side
plates, which sat perfectly
due to their sizeable contact
area. These included large well-
detailed access hatches, with
hinges, handles, and vision and
pistol ports; notably, there were
features on the inside, hinting
at the possibility of a future kit
with a full interior, or (at the
very least) allowed the doors
to be posed open. The front
plates were attached next, but
the fit was rather complicated
due to minimal mating/gluing
surfaces, and they needed the
surrounding angled plates to
be attached for support, and
to ensure correct alignment. In
particular, the front-left section
was tricky to secure, which
meant a sizeable gap; this was
filled with strip styrene and
Vallejo’s 70.400 Plastic Putty,
before being sanded. As with the
side plates there were exterior
hatches (which could be posed
open) and fittings to be attached.
It was time for the two upper
sub-units to be added, starting

The Grant’s unique turret design was

reproduced faithfully, with the join
of the halves being identical to the
real item, which left a characteristic
notched seam.

As the sub-assemblies came

together, the model started
to resemble the real machine;
however, there were noticeable
gaps, which were filled with
styrene strip and putty.

 A variety of textures were represented on the styrene, from riveted plates to the cast
drive cover and mantlet.
 The tracks were painted while still on the runner for ease of handling, followed by dry-
brushing, which highlighted the detail on each link.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 49
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT
 It was realised that due to the side skirts, the tracks and surrounding hull areas must be
painted before the rest of the model.
with the top hull section. The
join was tight, and this section
was pushed into place, though
surprisingly this didn’t leave
any significant gaps and the
sponson gun remained moveable.
The fit of the engine deck was
similarly snug, and all seams
were smooth. Other small items
were attached at this point,
50 Airfix Model World
including the exhausts, which
lacked refinement; arguably,
this omission could be excused,
as the real components were
relatively featureless and
covered by a box.
The turret comprised a single-
piece upper moulding, which
captured the distinctive shape
and cast texture precisely. In a
neat move, the join between this
and the lower section reproduced
the stepped shape around the
pistol ports faithfully. The gun
was a one-piece unit, which
meant there was no unsightly
seam, and the mantlet allowed
for a full range of movement.
On the right track
The running gear and tracks
were addressed next; as the side
skirts would cover them later,
they were painted prior to being
fitted. The tracks were of the link-
and-length type (with individual
links for the sprockets and idler
wheels), and featured superb
detail, notably on the pads.
Thanks to Takom’s thoughtful
positioning of the runner
attachment points, it meant the
tracks could be painted before
they were removed from their
frames, and this was done at the
same time as the lower hull, side
skirts and wheels.
Everything received Alclad
ALC-309 Black Primer and
Microfiller, with the tracks being
given an extra coat of this shade
as it would be their main colour.
Wheels were fixed onto cocktail
 The side skirts were added with a surprising lack of hassle, and exhibited fine raised and
engraved relief.
 For pre-shading, it was decided to employ a blue-tinted variation on the ‘black-and-
white’ colour-modulation technique, via Alclad primers, to eliminate the need for further
(unnecessary) paint layers.
sticks and the suspension units
were attached to corks with Blu
Tack for ease of handling. The
hull, wheels and suspension then
received several light airbrushed
layers of AMMO-MIG A.MIG-061
BS 381c No.61 Light Stone, to
build a uniform colour. Rubber
details (tyres and track pads)
were then brush-painted with
Lifecolor UA 734 Worn Black.
It was decided not to weather
the lower hull at this point;
instead, this would be done
once the rest of the model had
been completed, to prevent any
discrepancies in its appearance.
The wheels and suspension
were secured and the tracks
removed carefully from the
runner and neatened, ensuring
the paint wasn’t damaged.
The upper section had a slight
upwards angle towards the
sprocket, but helpfully, a jig
was provided to ensure correct
alignment, and ultimately
the tracks fitted well. They
were followed closely by the
attachment of the side skirts
and mudguards; of these just the
latter were troublesome, as the
rear unit wouldn’t fit until the

"tools and lights were
then painted with
various Vallejo Model
Colour acrylics"
corner was trimmed slightly, as
it fouled on the idler mount. A
few minor components were then
added, mostly lights and small
handles, after which the model
was ready for painting.
Egyptian attire
Of the four available colour
schemes, it was decided to opt
for the 3 RTR vehicle, T-24243,
deployed in North Africa during
1942. In preparation, the model
received several coats of Alclad
ALC-309 Black Primer and
Microfiller, airbrushed at low
pressure, as the base layer
for a variation on the ‘black
and white’ colour-modulation
technique. The next stage was to
add ALC-306 White Primer and
Microfiller; this was just sprayed
onto areas that would receive
most light, and where dust/sand
would damage the paintwork. As
this vehicle would mainly wear
a sandy-yellow tone, Tamiya’s
X-3 Royal Blue was applied over
the black areas and in streaks,
as this would complement the
lighter hues better than the
black. Heavily diluted A.MIG-061
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT
Light Stone and khaki green shades
were built gradually via thin layers of well-
diluted paint, airbrushed freehand. This
ensured the pre-shading remained visible.
BS 381c No.61 Light Stone was
then airbrushed in several very
thin, almost translucent coats;
this permitted colour density to
be built gradually, but allowed
the pre-shading to remain visible.
This wasn’t used to cover the
entire vehicle, but instead it was
focused on those areas to retain
the sandy-yellow hue.
Next, A.MIG-113 Khaki Green
No.3 was applied freehand in a
similar fashion, as the painting
guide indicated the camouflage
boundaries were soft-edged.
However, it was noticed this
colour was too brown, so several
drops of A.MIG-217 BS 381c
No.3 Dark Slate were added
and the new version sprayed
onto relevant areas. The final
camouflage shade was A.MIG-111
SCC 2 (British 1941-42 Service
Drab); this was diluted to a lesser
extent, and added as a single
layer due to it being a series
of irregular spots. Items such
as tools and lights were then
painted with various Vallejo
Model Colour acrylics, and the
model was sealed with ALC-600
Aqua Gloss prior to decaling.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 51
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
M3 GRANT

 When the masking was removed, a stark contrast was noted between the light stone  A solution of heavily diluted weathering pigments was applied to surfaces where crew members
hues on the upper and lower surfaces. would walk; this replicated the appearance of accumulated dust in gaps and around rivet heads.

(in the form of the respective pigment and UA 912 Southern

base colours) were added to
raised areas, such as rivets,
and armour plate/hatch edges.
Reference photos were studied to
determine how a tank would be
affected by the Egyptian weather
and envinronment, and these
indicated vehicles were coated
with a pale, almost white dust.
To represent this, Lifecolor’s
PG 113 Southern Europe Dust
Europe Dust acrylic were mixed,
and then diluted heavily with IPA.
While studying references, this
solution was brushed onto the
tank's upper surfaces where crew
would walk, and then removed
quickly, which left accumulations
in gaps and around rivet heads.
It was also applied to the tracks,
before being wiped from the
rubber pads.

 Rectification efforts started with oil dot streaking applied to all light stone
areas; most was then removed, but in other areas it was worked downwards,
which muted the underlying tone and created a dirty and rain-streaked surface.

Desert dust Deck with a separate

The markings were applied 3:2 blend of water
without issue, after which the and isopropyl alcohol
tank was sealed with another (IPA). The diluted
layer of gloss varnish. At this concoction was
point, it was realised there was then applied to
a strong contrast between the the whole hull,
upper and lower hull colours, and removed
so the sandy tones received quickly with a
Burnt Umber, Naples Yellow, cloth. For green-
Buff Titanium and Zinc White oil coloured sections and
dot streaking. This was worked the lower hull, slightly more
downwards, with excess removed XF-69 was added; less wash was
via kitchen towel. While this removed from these areas, which
enhanced the colour, it failed to harmonised it more closely with
unify the contrast. To remedy the upper surface.
this, a bespoke wash was created However, this meant the model
by mixing equal measures of was now slightly darker than
XF-69 NATO Black and XF-55 intended originally, so highlights

52 Airfix Model World

 The next stage was to add mud
effects, which involved 26.217
Desert Sand textured paint being
stippled onto the lower hull, inside
the running gear and around the
idler wheels. Once this had dried,
it was noted as being brighter
than expected, but was darkened
by misting heavily thinned UA
911 Eastern Europe Dust over the
lower portions of the model. To
complete the dust effects, 73.104
Light Sienna pigment was brushed
over the lower hull in a random
manner, before all was sealed with
ALC 313 Klear Kote Matte.

High-profile hottie
The M3 has been long overdue
an update, and modellers won’t
be disappointed by Takom’s
offering, which employs modern
moulding technology to produce
high-quality components. It
featured not just a plethora of
detail, but also several working
parts, and provided an accurate
representation of the type’s
distinctive profile. Despite a few
minor fit issues, Takom should be
commended for a thoroughly
 The same colour dots were applied to the upper surfaces, but this time
enjoyable kit. the aim was to create the appearance of lightened paint.

 Textured paint was dabbed on the lower hull and running gear/
suspension, to simulate spatters and build-ups of dried sand/mud.

 Prior to the final sealing coat of matt varnish, dust effects were
completed by misting heavily thinned UA 911 Eastern Europe Dust over
the lower surfaces, before Light Sienna pigments were added randomly.
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6

LIGHTNING
STRIKES TWICE Jen Wright ‘brings
the thunder’ to
Airfix’s re-released
1/72 Lightning F.6

 This engine set was supplied by CMK

(www.cmkkits.com). Item 7312 is an engine
set, nominally for the F.2A but designed
for the Airfix kit. Included is a resin engine
plug, engine bay sidewall detail, forward and
aft closure plates, an engine bay cover and

E
a bonus nose avionics bay.
nglish Electric’s
Lightning…surely an
aircraft that needs no
introduction, does it?
While hunting for inspiration to
form a suitable title for this article
I happened upon this quote: “No Change is good!
mortal eye has ever fully seen a When using aftermarket
flash of lightning, for no matter accessories with any build, it’s
how firmly we look, our eyes good practice to study all parts
are sure to be dazzled.” This thoroughly and formulate a plan.
comment by Berthold Auerbach If preferred, one could annotate
really sums up the nature of the the instructions here and there
aircraft, reeking as it does with for reminders, as the standard
raw power and the very essence construction sequence may need
of speed. For me, the Lightning to be altered to accommodate
was etched into consciousness the extra components. Either
from early years attending air way, consideration must be given
shows with family; memories of to the build routine to avoid
 Removal of the relevant area of the fuselage was required to fit CMK’s engine set. The
noisy arrowheads ripping the
panel line used can be seen on the unmodified fuselage part. A razor saw was used to
skies asunder before disappearing English Electric Lightning F.6
MODEL SPEC

deepen the engraving progressively, until it was possible to flex the panel free.
vertically into the heavens are not By: Airfix
easily forgotten.
Stock Code: A05042A
Despite the enthusiasm held
for the real aircraft, this was Scale: 1/72
the first time I’d built the newer Price: £20.99
Airfix rendition, and as this
Available from: www.airfix.com
tooling was built from the box
in F.2A guise on its AMW debut
(in March 2014 issue), the editor
and I agreed a suitable suite
of embellishments would add
interest. These involved products
from BarracudaCast and CMK.

54 Airfix Model World


 On the outside, a strange uneven sink mark was found at the junction of these panel  Having smoothed the intake interior, the radar bullet was assembled and filled with
lines (arrowed), but Tamiya basic putty proved ideal to neaten the shallow recess. Note also fishing weights before assembly. Rivet detail was added, and the upper pitot was snipped off
the separate gun panels around the nose were fitted at this early stage. to be replaced later with fine wire.
slip-ups at any point. For this
‘CAST’ THE SCENE project, the first port of call was
to modify the kit fuselage halves
Barracuda Studios, run by Roy Sutherland, offers a full array of aftermarket resin
to incorporate the CMK engine
sets for Airfix’s 1/72 Lightning. The cockpit set (BR72212) featured a completely
set, and its attendant bonus
new tub, detailed Martin-Baker ejection seat, an instrument panel and coaming, avionics bay. The engine bay was
and small parts for the inside of the canopy. BR72209 dealt with the landing gear opened along the kit panel lines,
and featured an entirely new and much improved nose undercarriage leg and as was the ‘elephant’s ear’ door
wheel, along with a pair of beautiful mainwheels, while BR72210 provided a pair of behind the cockpit. A razor saw
exhaust nozzles with super-detailed afterburner petals. Last came a pair of missile was used for the main engine
sets, BR72214 and BR72215, for Firestreak and Red Top missiles respectively. These panels, while the smaller door
were more detailed and finely cast renditions of the missile armament carried by was removed with drill bits and
the Lightning, complete with decal sheets. www.barracudacals.com files. As well as eradicating the
unwanted panels, time was spent
removing ejector pin marks where
they might possibly interfere with
the fit of internal parts. Once all
the panels were removed and
fuselage clean-up was complete,
test-fitting began in earnest. It
was obvious immediately that
the engine bay would provide no
issues, so attention moved to the
cockpit, air intake and avionics
bay ‘package’. In isolation, none
of the components caused an
issue – the work on the ejector
pins meant the intake trunking
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6
fitted well, as did the avionics bay.
Barracuda’s cockpit also fitted
with minimal trimming, as per
the included instructions. The
fun began when all three were
positioned at the same time,
although one should bear in mind
these parts were never designed
to fit together. In the end it took
substantial trimming of all three
assemblies at the point where
they met, to get everything to
blend comfortably.
With fitting work completed
construction of the intake area
could begin; minor sanding
removed any ejector pin marks
and unevenness from visible
areas of the trunking itself. Airfix
did a great job of replicating
the bullet-shaped housing for
the Ferranti radar, which was
assembled without issue and
filled with small fishing weights.
Rivet and panel detail was
also added
for extra
detail.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 55
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6

Cockpit comparisons in both the kit and the resin set,

KIT COLOUR SCHEMES Construction of the resin cockpit
was virtually non-existent, since
This re-released edition of Airfix’s F.6 has a similarly great decal sheet to the
it was mostly moulded in one
original. Featuring full stencil detail, even including fuel tank, weapon and cockpit
part. Being produced in cream
decals, the main options are the following two RAF aircraft:
resin made it hard to appreciate
• XS903/AM, 5 Squadron, Binbrook, 1984
the detail until primer was
• XA921/Q, 56 Squadron Armament Practice Camp, Akrotiri, Cyprus and Luqa,
applied, whereby it revealed itself
Malta, June 1974
breathtakingly. This really was
an example of aftermarket resin
at its very best. In the past it was
common for resin parts to be
difficult to fit, be cast badly, or to
be broken upon receipt. None of
those issues occurred here, so once
the fettling was completed it was
straight into painting. I will admit
that I thought Lightning cockpits
were black, but it turns out later
examples were grey. That being so,
I used my own custom Dark Sea
Grey mix, which compared well
with reference photos…if maybe
a touch dark. Detail painting was
limited to accentuating a few areas
in black and adding colour to a few
switches. Although decals were
provided for the instrument panels
they were not used as I felt they
were a little stark and over-scaled.
Dark blue-black wash provided
shadow which, when combined
with sympathetic dry-brushing,
highlighted the moulding to a
pleasing level. Painting of the seat
was carried out to match reference
images as far as possible, with
the biggest hurdle being the
tiny size of the parts. It may be
worth noting here that for those
who don’t wish to invest the time
(or cash) on the full cockpit set,
Barracuda also offers a twin pack
of these delightful ejection seats
on their own.
A weighty issue
One ongoing concern was that of
nose weight. The kit instructions
suggested 4g would suffice. Here
though, we were adding a resin
engine and exhausts behind the
main undercarriage. For this
reason, weight was crammed into
the nose area in every possible

After painting the internal areas with

aluminium, the various dielectric
panels shown in references were
accentuated with a mix of black and
brown paint. The added fastener and
panel detail was seen much more
easily after paint had been added.

 There really was no comparison between the kit cockpit and the resin replacement. The
former would be fine for many modellers, and with a closed canopy would look reasonable
with just seatbelts added.

56 Airfix Model World


One is immediately struck
by the orange wiring in
the avionics bay; quite a
rare sight on aircraft! This
was copied faithfully from
references and certainly
served to add colour.
orifice, bearing in mind weight
further forward is weight that’s
more useful. Both the radome
and radar housing bullet were
filled with small fishing weights,
while more of the same were
crammed in underneath the
intake once it was fitted, along
with Plasticine wherever it could
be inserted. Having added the
intake and resin avionics bay at
the front of the fuselage, it was
decided to accentuate the rear
end by adding a proper auxiliary
power unit exhaust. After cutting
out the shallow recess of the
kit representation, a piece of
aluminium tubing was squashed
slightly into an oval shape to
match, and then glued into
position from behind. To allow
clearance for the tube, a little
notch was cut into the exhaust
fitting plate. At the same time,
the tailplane mounting rods were
replaced with brass rod, with
matching brass tubes let into
the rear fuselage. With all the
modifications completed, the
fuselage halves could be mated.
The cockpit tub itself was not
glued into position, as there was
little to no play once the fuselage
halves were together, and the
tiny amount of ‘wiggle’ remaining
ensured a better fuselage join.
Once together, the fuselage seams
required minimal attention, with a
commendable fit given the amount
of modification carried out.
Premature priming?
With the fuselage together and
the seams dealt with, the major
parts were primed. Has she finally
gone mad I hear you whisper?
Well no, is the short answer. I
primed the fuselage and wings
while they were still separate,
simply because they are so much
easier to sand while apart. As with
any natural metal finish, careful
surface preparation is vital. This
first primer coat involved Tamiya
Fine Grey Primer straight from
the aerosol, and once hardened
this was abraded thoroughly with
800-grade Wet and Dry paper and
water. The combination of priming
and sanding levelled the tiny
surface imperfections, textures
and errant scratches from
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6
 A new APU exhaust was added from oval-profiled aluminium tube, along with brass
mounting hardware for the horizontal stabilators. The soft kit plastic was far from an ideal
mounting solution for these!
 The tight clearances between the parts are obvious, just before joining the fuselage
parts. Note the extra lead weights peeping from behind the avionics bay, and the pleasing
fit of Barracuda’s cockpit.
sanding around the seams. While and scribing. Undercarriage
giving the primer time to dry, components, wheels, doors, flaps
time was spent on many smaller and fuel tanks were all readied for
components. A completely new paint at this time.
refuelling probe was constructed Assembly of the main airframe
via brass tube, with a turned parts went without issue, but one
aluminium probe head from wing root did require minor filling,
Master Model (AM-72-018) and while the other was perfect.
parts carved from the original kit With that done, the
part. Similar attention was given windscreen was
to the main pitot probe (Master added, masked
Model AM-72-060 turned brass and the join
pitot), while the kit arrestor hook smoothed
was improved with simple carving with
www.airfixmodelworld.com 57
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6

 The new Barracuda exhausts drop-fitted

This overall view shows the resin engine bay in position, in place perfectly. Work was carried out
and the relationship between the new APU exhaust and around each exhaust with a scriber to make
the jet pipe mounting plate. Extra Plasticine was packed them appear more like separate parts, as
around the cockpit to combat possible tailsitting. on the real airframe.

 As with the resin cockpit, CMK’s engine

didn’t seem to fully match reference
photos. Colours were selected to tally
with said references, with the golden heat
shields towards the rear end really lifting
the overall look. The smutty engine bay
door was replicated via soot- coloured
pigment powder.

The fuselage join itself was excellent,

but filler was needed around the intake
ring, the aft cockpit seam and around
the new engine bay end plates. Having
added the airbrakes, filler was used
there too as the join was a little wide
compared to the rest of the panel lines.

Mr. Surfacer. The final task before Metallica in miniature use the AK Interactive Xtreme was avoided, since reference
painting was to add the front Trying to replicate natural metal Metal range of enamel-based photos didn’t really reveal this.
of the belly fuel tank. This had finishes in a small scale is never metal finishes. After years of Presumably, the constant polishing
been left until last to give options easy. The essential preparation Alclad use, these paints were a and cleaning performed by the
should there takes much time and effort, plus revelation, being much easier to groundcrew harmonised the finish
be a need to most of the better finishes are employ, more forgiving and less somewhat. Once the Aluminium
add extra nose lacquer-based. One of the main likely to etch the plastic. In this was applied and dried, Tamiya X-22
weight. As it reasons for the dual coats of case AK478 White Aluminium Clear sealed it for decaling. It’s an
happened there primer here, was to isolate the and AK479 Aluminium were used, unfortunate reality that the use
wasn’t, so the plastic parts from this relatively with a little Alclad ALC107 Chrome of clear layers on metallic finishes
tank was added, aggressive type of paint, as the applied to the nose ring. The decreases their realism, step by
and the seams soft Airfix plastic tends to react usual tactic of painting all sorts of step; however, decals require clear
dealt with. to it. Recently, I’ve started to panels in slightly different shades coats underneath, over the applied

58 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6

markings or both.
Speaking of decals, the kit
sheet was used for this build
and mention should be made
regarding its comprehensiveness.
Given my latent tendencies toward
stencil dismissal, there was an
urge to neglect the application
of many, but it must be said the
model looks good with them,
and it didn’t take long in the
end with a methodical
approach…and crossing
them off as I went. The
decals had a somewhat

matt appearance on the sheet but

were not overly thick and settled
perfectly with Mr. Mark Setter
alone. DACO Products’ Strong
solution was used on the fuselage
roundels where they went over the
forward part of the cable ducts.
At this point I was thankful for
that slight thickness, as the decals
conformed beautifully without
stretching out of shape. After
a suitable period, more Tamiya
X-22 Clear levelled the finish and
blended the decals.
Whether to weather…
At some time or another, we all
succumb to modelling habits. Each
build has a certain flow, an order, if
you will; we build, we apply paint,
and then we weather it before
a matt coat and finish. My own
mental image of the Lightning
includes a certain amount of
grime; certainly, the aircraft
remembered from childhood had
a definite patina. In this case,
though, period photos of the
aircraft in question, and some
of its squadron mates, showed
precisely the opposite. The aircraft
were positively gleaming, with a
finish befitting what was the

 The new refuelling probe fashioned from brass tube was far superior to the oval-shaped  Kit undercarriage parts (in grey) compared with the resin replacements. The new nose
original and incorporated the kink at the end, missing from the kit part. Improvements to leg was particularly spectacular in its level of detail. Barracuda’s mainwheels were not
the arrestor hook and fuel tank front were achieved by carving and thinning the styrene. keyed like the originals, which meant the kit wheel axles had to be pared to fit.

 Having attached the instrument panel coaming, gluing of the windscreen was carried  A last-minute weight and balance check, with Blu Tack and tape to hold everything
out with Gator’s Grip acrylic adhesive, to avoid any damage from glue creep due to the together. The belly tank is not in place yet as weight could have been added to the rear of
proximity of the interior parts. the intake bulkhead, if necessary.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 59
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
LIGHTNING F.6
REFERENCES
Uncovering the English Electric
Lightning, by Danny Coremans and
Peter Gordts (DACO), ISBN: 978-90-
8198-901-5
Flight Craft 11 English Electric
Lightning, by Martin Derry and Neil
Robinson (Pen & Sword), ISBN: 978-
147389-0558
On Target Profile 13 English Electric
Lightning in Worldwide Service,
by Andy Donovan and Peter Scott
(Aviation Workshop), ISBN: 978-1-904-
64328-9
Lightning Squadrons of the Royal Air
Force, by Richard Ward (Ad Hoc),
ISBN: 978-0-94695-841-2
A second coat of Tamiya Fine Grey
primer, this time applied by airbrush
for a thinner layer and smoother finish.
This was again sanded with Wet and Dry
before any colour was applied.
60 Airfix Model World
tip of the RAF spear at the time.
This said, I decided not to weather
at all, with just a subtle panel line
wash added to define the surface
detail. AMMO-MIG A.MIG-075
Stone Grey panel line wash was
used for this, in a simple apply-
and-wipe method.
All that remained was to begin
the final assembly of the many
small parts and accessories. As
is my wont, I had assembled,
prepared and test-fitted everything
as I went along so this stage held
no nasty surprises.
The main undercarriage legs
went in first; these sported a
featureless and weak-looking
location point, but when combined
with the retraction strut, they
slotted into alignment
beautifully and became
sturdy. This was beneficial
because the model
was quite heavy with
all that resin and
nose weight.
Following this,
the Barracuda nose leg fitted undergo maintenance with live
straight into the kit mounts, and armament loaded, so my models
undercarriage positioning was don’t either! Finally, tiny triangular
aerials were cut from spare photo-
finalised with various doors. Once
the model sat on its legs, it was etched brass and added as per
time to the tackle the cockpit references, along with the two wire
area and fuel tank. The seat had aerials on the spine panel.
been left aside to avoid damage
during handling or masking, but Up, up and away!
was fixed in place, along with the Having seen so many
open canopy. Next were the over- excellent builds of
wing fuel tanks, which I wouldn’t this kit in its various
normally fit because they look forms, I had high
a little odd to me. They were hopes for an
only really used for ferry flights, enjoyable
which is exactly how the aircraft project
got to Cyprus and Malta. The when this
reason no missiles were fitted is build was
because of the open engine and
access panels. Real aircraft do not
 Aluminium was applied via AK Interactive enamel-based metallic paint. Aluminium and
White Aluminium were used, but panel effects were minimal as references showed little
mismatch in the finish.
 The kit decal sheet was every bit
as comprehensive as we’ve come to
expect from Airfix. Although rather
matt in appearance on the backing
sheet, the decals worked well with
Mr. Hobby solvents.

suggested by the editor. I was not  AMMO-MIG Stone Grey panel line wash accentuated the surface detail.
disappointed, as the kit lived up After being applied in the usual way by brush, the excess was buffed away
to every expectation. Airfix did gently with a clean, soft cloth. Further weathering was eschewed due to the
a fantastic job of capturing well-kept nature of the real aircraft.
the feel of the real aircraft,
from its predatory power to the
weighty ‘sit’ on the ground. The kit
combines a sensible level of detail
with trouble-free assembly,
despite its relatively
complex nature.
Taking the kit to
the next level with
the Barracuda sets was a
great choice, as these were of such
high quality and so easy to use,
it’s impossible not to recommend
them. A thoroughly enjoyable
project and one which, I hope,
I have time to repeat soon.

This final assembly photo is suitably busy

as it so often is with jet models. All these
parts were prepared, test-fitted, painted
and weathered alongside the main model
for continuity of finish…and to avoid
unwelcome surprises on final attachment.
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2

Transatlantic
Luxury

quartet of stabilisers fitted to the

the portholes were represented
by small indentations, but to
improve their appearance they
were opened with a 0.5mm micro-
drill. Several other windows were
In a change from his usual warships, also drilled/opened, including
those around the lower deck at
Andy Davies tackles Revell’s Queen the stern and several on the sides
lower hull, these being fabricated
from a length of 2mm Contrail
plastic strut, which had the correct
aerodynamic shape. The propellers
were painted with Mission Models
MMM-003 Faded Aluminium and
fitted to the propulsion pods, once
the hull had been painted.
Ocean Liner Queen Mary 2
MODEL SPEC

Mary 2…and has a bundle of fun in of the bridge tower. A noticeable

error concerned the shape of
By: Revell
the process the two forward upright sections Stock Code: 05808

R
evell has provided us
with no fewer than three
Queen Mary 2 ocean liner
kits since 2004, in 1/400,
1/700 and the diminutive 1/1200
offering seen here.
Interestingly, the tooling is also
available as part of a special Revell
‘Cunard Line’ gift set along with
the Queen Elizabeth 2. The model
comprised four white styrene
runners with 45 crisply moulded
parts. Its hull was provided as
a single-piece assembly, which
displayed good detail that included
viewing windows, portholes,
loading doors, stabilizer recesses
and the six circular bow-thruster
doors. While the three rows of
viewing windows were hollow,
of the bridge tower, where they Scale: 1/1200
transitioned to the sides of the
foredeck superstructure. These Price: £9.99
areas should be curved and not Available from: www.revell.de/en
stepped. To correct this, small
triangular parts were fabricated
from 1mm plastic card and blended
into the bridge and foredeck
sides. The only additional parts
to be fitted to the hull were the
four unusual propulsion pods and

The hull was provided as a single-piece

item that featured excellent surface
detail. To aid rigidity, the interior
included side-bracing and four bulkheads.

62 Airfix Model World


Super structure
Surface detail was excellent given
the scale, and cabin windows,
swimming pools, the sliding pool
roof and superstructure parts
all displayed pleasing engraved
features; while basic, they were
shaped correctly. The only
exceptions, understandably, were
the ship’s railings… represented by
 While Revell’s decals were well printed, certain items were too short and failed to adhere
easily to the model.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2
thick plastic ‘walls’, which needed Railings were depicted as solid walls,
replacing with scale photo-etched which more experienced modellers
(PE) brass parts. Removal of these will want to replace with PE.
by scalpel began at the upper and There were many such walls,
lower foredecks and proceeded and these were removed
with the upper decks, swimming with a fresh scalpel
pools and stern decks. This allowed blade and small
flat file.
the latter to be painted separately,
avoiding complex masking that
would have been tricky on a model
of this size. Several items that
needed modifying included the
oversimplified foredeck cranes,
the two rear exhaust uptakes for
the galley, and the incinerating All portholes and viewing
windows were opened
plant mounted on the rear deck
with a 0.5mm micro-drill.
superstructure. The uptake pipes
(stacks) were too short, so they
were lengthened via 0.5mm brass
tubing, while the two bow cranes
were reduced in size and taller
upright towers fabricated from
1mm plastic rod, carved to shape
with a scalpel. Photographs also
revealed a spare black anchor
fitted to the foredeck between the
cranes, and this was added from  The home-made plastic card deck sections could be fitted following removal of the solid
‘walls’, which represented the ship’s railings. These were first measured, cut to shape and
then painted in Tamiya Wooden Deck Tan.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 63
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2

Besides the portholes being opened,

the stern hull orifices were also
drilled and filed to shape.

 The upright portions of the bridge sides were stepped (incorrect) rather than curved.  The plastic card deck sections, painted and ready to be fitted to the existing upper
Here a triangular piece of 1mm card has been added to form a sloped part. This would later decks. With the moulded ‘walls’ representing the ships railings removed, the painted card
be shaped to represent the sweep of the real thing. deck parts could be fitted flush.

All stateroom windows, balconies, portholes and viewing

windows received a pin wash of Abteilung502 Starship
Filth, diluted with ABT-112 Matt Effect Thinner.

a leftover item found in my ever-
useful ship spares bin.
The mast was poor, due to the
limitations of injection moulding
in this scale and was replaced by
a more accurate representation,
fashioned from 5mm plastic rod.
The mast’s complex radar arrays
and access ladders were added via
spare PE parts. The four satellite
communication domes had
pronounced seam lines running
around them and at least two were
misshapen. These were replaced
by small ball-bearings mounted on
brass rods and painted gloss white.
The lower front superstructure
below the bridge, which houses
the library, gymnasium and state
rooms, featured lightly indented
windows, which did not take oil
washes well. These were drilled
and opened, then shaped with a
square-nosed file, while the central
windows, which were too close
together to drill accurately, were
portrayed with individual pieces of
black Solartex film.
upper superstructure sidewalls over the moulded parts, in a either hand-brushing or masking/
and fitted extremely well. The similar fashion to commercially airbrushing. With the plastic card
roofs of the lifeboats were painted available wooden decks. This was decks trimmed to shape and
bright orange for obvious reasons, done by measuring the dimensions primed with Alclad ALC-302
adding a welcome splash of colour. with a tiny, flexible brass ruler Grey Primer and Microfiller,
Tamiya X-6 Orange was used and creating paper templates. It a topcoat of XF-78 Wooden
here, followed by a detail wash resulted in neater demarcations
of thinned Abeilung502 ABT025 between the deck edges and
Warm Red. The long black windows superstructure sidewalls, than
and upper hatches of the four main could have been achieved by
lifeboats were portrayed by strips
of black Solartrim.
It was decided that, rather
than painting the wooden
decks directly, sections of
0.5mm plastic card would
be cut to shape and fitted

Orange alert
Lifeboats and their davits were
moulded as solid pieces, resulting
in a rather basic representation
of the real craft. These items
located into the bases of the

64 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2

Lifeboats and rescue launches all

 Hull painting began with the application of the lighter red section on the lower hull… required bright orange roofs, in this
Lifecolor UA 648 proved a good match. Aizu 2.0mm tape masked the lower section in instance portrayed by Tamiya X-6.
preparation for the darker hull shade.

The underside of the hull was painted The wide, black central band was
in a darker red-brown protective airbrushed XF-69 NATO Black. To ease
paint, emulated here by Mr.Hobby H47. painting of the funnel, the single-piece
Masking for this was tricky. item was split into two with a razor saw.

Deck Tan was applied. Wilder LS03 Regal colours

Medium Yellow oil paint, thinned
with White spirit, was brush-
painted over the surfaces to better
represent slight variations in the
wood planking – and give depth to
the base colour. Three decals were
applied to the helicopter landing
deck, including the ‘Low Hover’
concentric warning circles, which
were dominated by carrier film;
Aqua Gloss was applied over these
sections, and the decals laid over
a coat of Johnson’s Klear to avoid
silvering. Mr.Hobby H-72 Dark Earth
was used to paint the foredeck
beneath the bridge superstructure
and the stern’s lower swimming
pool deck, as these areas were
noticeably darker than the main
decks. The final items added to the
decks were sun loungers. These
Painting the hull sides began
by priming the entire assembly
with ALC-306 White Primer and
Microfiller, followed by light sanding
to ensure a smooth, blemish-free
surface. Gloss White was applied
to the upper reaches and once
dry, these areas were masked with
Aizu 2.0mm tape. The first colour
was the brighter hull red that ran
between the waterline and the
main black upper shade. This was
airbrushed freehand with Lifecolor
Imperial Japan Navy WWII UA 648
Antifouling Hull Red (deemed a
good match). The vessel's lower
side hues comprised a medium
hull red and a darker red-brown,

Useful aftermarket were fabricated from small lengths

of 0.4mm Aizu masking tape,
Clydeside-Flotilla provided replacement 1/1200 scale railings that added painted in batches with XF-23 Light
much to the finished model. These were fitted to the upper and lower foredecks,
Blue, XF-10 Flat Brown and XF-20
Medium Grey and positioned in
helicopter landing area, main deck superstructure roofs (such as the rear air-
accordance with reference images.
conditioning plant), swimming pool surrounds, bridge viewing area and stern deck
The kit featured four light poles
edges. This diminutive set even includes covered railings, appropriate for the guarded
fitted to the stern lower swimming
stern area. All PE parts were fixed into position with Gator’s Grip Thin Blend PVA glue.
pool deck and the former were
oversized, so replacements were  A 0.5mm micro-drill helped to open
made from flat pinheads, cut to the windows along the front of the bridge
length and fitted into 0.5mm holes superstructure; these were later shaped
drilled into the deck. with a square-ended file.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 65
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2
Attachment of the plastic card
decks was achieved via Gator’s
Grip PVA, as any surplus glue
could be removed easily with
a damp cotton bud, leaving no
damage to the surfaces.
 Many windows were missing from the kit and these were added with various widths of
Solartex film. The rear lower deck was a noticeably darker colour than the rest of the tan-
hued decks, so was painted H-72 Dark Earth.
and following masking, the darker
shade of H47 Red Brown was
painted. The demarcation line
followed the lower half of the
bow ‘bulb’, the undersides and
all four propulsion pods. After
masking the upper white and
lower hull red areas, XF-69 NATO
Black was applied along the wide
centre section. Selected areas
were masked and a lighter mix of
the base NATO Black and XF-66
Light Grey were applied to add
66 Airfix Model World
interest to the uniform black.
Technically speaking, there was an
extremely thin white line that ran
the length of the hull between the
black and hull red, but no material
thin enough could be found to
represent this accurately 1/1200
scale! Two light coats of ALC-600
Aqua Gloss were applied to the hull
prior to the application of the bow
and stern decals, followed by MMA-
005 Semi-Gloss Clear Coat, applied
to seal the finish.
The finished funnel waits to be positioned on the
deck superstructure. It was preferable to remove
the locating tabs first, to ensure a good fit.
Returning to the upper deck
superstructure, this was also
airbrushed with gloss white,
followed by a further coat of Aqua
Gloss. The myriad state room
windows received detail washes
of Ultimate Modelling Products’
Ultimate Weathering Wash, Dark
Dirt and ABT-510 Starship Filth
to enhance the recessed detail.
Reference images showed the
lower rows of viewing windows
on the upper hull sides had white
interiors, so strips of white plastic
card were glued into position
along the inner surfaces prior to
gluing the decks into place. The
same applied to the rear windows
in the stern section, except in this
case the interior was painted XF-1
Flat Black. and unfortunately, the
The funnel provided something instructions show them
of a challenge as the single-piece fitted in the wrong place
unit needed a multi-colour paint (reference photos were used
scheme. Outer faces of the ‘wings’ in correcting this).
were painted H316 Gloss White, It was noted the rear of the
the funnel cowls H327 Red and red funnel cowl had a white
funnel ‘core’ AMMO-MIG A.MIG- box assembly fitted behind the
032 Satin Black. Lengths of Aizu stacks, and this houses cameras
0.4mm tape masked the intricate to monitor the exhausts from
shape, while the black stripes the incinerators, which discharge
surrounding the red funnel cowls from the two aft vents. The box
were re-created with more Solartex was manufactured with a section
film, as the kit decals were too thin of 2mm plastic card. Wilder LS06

“What started out as a very basic
build turned into a somewhat
complex project”
Medium Rust was
dry-brushed over the
tops of the funnel stacks,
followed by an application of MIG
Productions’ PO23 Black Smoke
pigment powder. Two air horns
were then acquired from the
spares bin and fitted to both sides
of the funnel.
The three black stripe windows
fitted either side of the bridge
were included as decals, however,
these were too short and refused
to adhere to the parts, even with
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
QUEEN MARY 2
pose the model on a wonderful
bespoke hardwood base from
Oakwood Studios.
H311 Grey was used to emulate
this. Final detailing involved the Bon voyage
addition of signal masts, radio What started out as a very basic
antennas along the bridge roof build turned into a somewhat
and radar antennas on the mast complex project, but this was the
the judicious use of Mr. and stern. Bow, foredeck and stern fun of it. Revell provided a great
Mark Softer decal solution. masts were also added. A small base kit upon which to work,
Self-adhesive black Solartex plinth stand was included, and this with an accurate shape and a
was employed yet again, cut to was sprayed with XF-85 Rubber reasonable amount of detail given
the appropriate size/length and Black. Two nameplate decals the scale. It’s highly recommended
applied with fine tweezers and a were applied next and the whole to all modellers interested in these
cocktail stick. The Queen Mary unit was varnished with Missions majestic ships, especially given
2’s upper and lower foredecks Models’ MMA-005 Semi-Gloss the affordable price and
were both painted light grey, so Clear Coat. The final act was to general availability.
Materials
at a glance
Clydeside-Flotilla:
www.clydeside-flotilla.com
Oakwood Studios wooden bases:
www.oakwood-studios.co.uk
Lifecolor paints: www.airbrushes.com
Tamiya paints: www.hobbyco.net
 Starship Filth was used to detail-wash the rear angled screens and large viewing windows
Abteilung502 oil paints:
at the rear of the ship. The ribbed detail within these screens was well moulded.
www.abteilung502.com
Ultimate Modelling Products: The upper and lower parts painted
www.umpretail.com and ready for assembly. Fortunately,
everything clipped into place
Gator’s Grip glue:
flawlessly, with no need for glue.
www.gatorsmask.com
AMMO-MIG: www.migjimenez.com
Wilder Weathering oils:
www.airbrushes.com
Solartrim self-adhesive film:
www.solarfilm.co.uk
Mission Models Paints:
www.missionmodelsus.com
Mr. Hobby: www.albionhobbies.com
www.airfixmodelworld.com 67
 IN FOCUS
QUEEN MARY 2
Monarchic
Genesis
Dr Stephen Payne describes what inspired him to design the
majestic Queen Mary 2 passenger liner…and how it was built
F
rom watching the BBC’s
Blue Peter as a very young
boy, I knew that when I grew
up I wanted to design and
build a great passenger ship to
rival Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth of
1940, which had featured on that
childrens' programme.
Several years later, I watched
Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth 2
(QE2) being launched on grainy
black and white television on
September 20, 1967 and I was
fortunate that in June 1969 my
family visited Southampton during
a family holiday to Boscombe,
which included a tour of the QE2,
one month into her illustrious
career. Three years later in January
 Dr Stephen Payne, designer of the Queen Mary 2 liner, proudly wears his blue and gold 1972, the former Queen Elizabeth,
Blue Peter badges! (All photos, Stephen Payne Collection unless stated otherwise) renamed Seawise University,
68 Airfix Model World
was destroyed (allegedly) by
arsonists in Hong Kong Harbour
while being converted into a
combination cruise ship/floating
university. Blue Peter showed
graphic images of the ship in its
death throes and followed the
report with a full-length feature
in the 1972 Blue Peter Annual –
which I received for Christmas
that year. Extolling the virtues
of Queen Elizabeth, the article
branded the ship, “a superliner,
and nothing like her would ever
be built again.” At that time, I was
learning how to write letters at
school, and we were advised the
most important missive to master
was that of the complaint…as to
complain effectively could result
in judged wrongs being righted.
For homework, we were tasked
with writing such a letter, so
naturally, I directed mine towards
Blue Peter and I advised them I
was determined to prove them
wrong, in that when I grew up and
became a naval architect, I was
going to design and build a much
greater passenger ship than Queen
Elizabeth. I posted the letter and
hoped for a reply with a Gold Blue
Peter badge…the programme’s
highest award, but inevitably I
received a lowly Blue badge with a
note saying the team had enjoyed
my letter and my ideas, but that I
shouldn’t be disappointed if they
were not realised!
 IN FOCUS
QUEEN MARY 2

 The graceful curve of the forward superstructure is evident here…as is its sheer height!
 The sleek bow of Queen Mary 2. Modellers should note the many colours that will need to
be applied to Revell’s styrene kit. (Photo: Cunard)

The great funnel, with

public observation deck
in the foreground.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 69
 IN FOCUS
QUEEN MARY 2
Fortuitous purchase
During May 1997, I was sailing
across the Atlantic as a passenger
aboard QE2 from New York to
Southampton, when there was the
unexpected announcement that
the company for whom I worked
as a naval architect, Carnival
Corporation, was to acquire
Cunard, and that a study was to
be instigated to assess whether
it would be economically viable
to replace the ageing QE2 with
a new transatlantic liner. I was
contacted by my office on the
satellite telephone and advised
that I would lead the study called
Project Queen Mary. My brief,
basically, was to design a ship
that could emulate the success of
QE2, sailing transatlantic voyages
between May and December
each year, while reverting to a
cruising role between January
and April. The big issue was the
Atlantic routing required a ‘true
liner’, and not just a cruise ship;
the liner aspect would require
more power, strength, range and
internal attractions than a cruise
ship, all packaged within a hull
and superstructure shaped and
70 Airfix Model World
optimised for the Atlantic, rather
than maximising revenue. My brief
also made it clear that my design
had to provide the equivalent
return on investment as Carnival’s
conventional cruise ships – or quite
simply the ship would never be
built and QE2 would be the last
Atlantic liner. With estimates that
the ‘liner’ attributes would add up
to 40% to the cost, clearly this was
a serious challenge.
I started by analysing the design
of QE2 which, at the time of
her introduction in 1969, was
revolutionary in almost every
aspect; certainly, in comparison
with Queen Mary (1936) and Queen
Elizabeth (1940). Many design
and Cunard product features
continued to work well, even after
nearly 30 years and therefore
could be repeated, but the cruise
industry had led the way in
streamlining baggage distribution,
stores loading and other aspects
to improve efficiency. I decided
these improvements should all be
incorporated into the new design
unless they would distort markedly
 Highly polished spare propeller blades are stored on the open forward deck. They’re the ‘transatlantic experience’,
referred to as the ‘Commodore’s Cuff Links’. which was after all the ship’s raison
Open-air swimming pools and deck loungers
ensure fun and relaxation aplenty during
fair weather. (Photo: Cunard)

d’être. To offset the 40% escalator,
the vessel’s revenue potential
had to be improved radically, and
this was achieved by increasing
dramatically the proportion of
balcony (higher revenue) cabins.
There was of course a major issue
here, in that a North Atlantic
crossing at the whim of 98ft (30m)
waves and swells is not congruous
to open balconies!
The cabins had to be elevated
sufficiently so they would achieve
at least a spirited degree of
immunity from such seas. This
was achieved by placing the public
rooms low down in the hull rather
than at the top as QE2 had done,
and by making the two main public
room decks significantly higher
than normal; 14½ ft (4.5m) instead
of the normal 11½ ft (3.5m). This
allowed even the lowest passenger
cabin deck to have balconies and,
incidentally, provided the spatial
grandeur within the public space
decks to accommodate truly
spectacular public rooms, to rival
those on the great Ships of State
from the 1930s, such as Queen
Mary and the celebrated French
SS Normandie.
Doing the maths
To maximise return on investment
further, I played the trump card
of size. As a passenger ship gets
bigger, its cost/benefit ratio
improves as the relative price of
each passenger cabin on board
reduces. This is true for both
the building and operation of
the ship. To take the maximum
benefit of this, the ship’s size
could be increased within the
parameters of length (the
turning basin in Southampton
and available pier length in New
York), height (available clearance
under the Verrazano Narrows
Bridge at the approach to New
York Harbour) and draught – the
underwater depth (water depth at
Southampton and New York); ship’s
 Queen Mary 2’s mast unit, with exhaust ducts to the rear, which ensure the Red Ensign
always flutters. The dome positioned behind is one of two covers for the Nera Saturn
satellite communications antennas.
 Not too shabby! One’s jaw must drop on seeing the splendour of Queen Mary 2’s Britannia
Restaurant for the first time. (Photo: Cunard)
 Feeding thousands of passengers is a real challenge, but it’s enabled by well-appointed
galleys and an army of chefs.
beam, or width as it is known, was
not a problem. I maximised length
and height but kept the draught
the same as QE2, so the new
ship could access Southampton
and New York at any tide state.
Passenger ships are measured in
size by volume and the gross ton is
a volumetric, not a weight unit. The
old Queen Elizabeth was 81,000
IN FOCUS
QUEEN MARY 2
gross tons, QE2 was originally
65,000 gross tons and Project
Queen Mary was estimated at
150,000 gross tons.
By using a steel hull and a light
aluminium superstructure, QE2’s
design had enabled one more deck
to be built on the ship than if it
had been built completely of steel.
Although the added volume was
essential to her earning potential,
it did come at a cost, especially in
the ship’s later years. The problem
was, the aluminium became very
brittle as the ship bent and twisted
crossing the Atlantic in rough
weather and quite serious cracking
occurred, which required extensive
maintenance and repairs. With the
hope my new vessel would last
for 40 years without extensive
structural repairs, I decided it
should be built entirely from steel.
For power, I opted for podded
propulsion, rather than
conventional shaft lines. Four
huge pods would be required,
each containing a 21.5MW electric
motor driving a stainless steel
four-bladed propeller. Each pod
assembly weighed 320 tons; the
two forward pods would be fixed to
provide either forward or reverse
thrust, while the aft pair would be
steerable to manoeuvre the ship…
no rudder needed! By using pods,
we achieved a propulsive efficiency
gain of approximately 7% over
shaft lines, potential vibration
was reduced significantly, and we
were able to dispense with costly
side thrusters at the stern as the
two aft pods could be used in this
capacity. The main machinery
www.airfixmodelworld.com 71
 IN FOCUS
QUEEN MARY 2
would be based on a power station
plant and comprise four huge
medium speed diesels and two
gas turbines, aggregating around
120MW – enough power for a city
of 200,000 inhabitants; 85MW
would be utilised for propulsion
and 16MW for the ‘hotel’ load
(lighting, air-conditioning, galleys
etc), the balance being losses.
On diesels alone, the ship would
achieve roughly 23kts in calm
conditions while all-up with all
engines in operation she would
achieve around 29.5kts.
Winning tender
The layout design and base
specification were submitted to
five leading European shipyards.
In the final analysis of price
and delivery time, Chantiers de
L’Atlantique (CAT) at St Nazaire,
France and Harland & Wolff,
Belfast, Northern Ireland were
well matched, but Harland needed
government support in securing
finance whereas the French yard
did not. In the event, Harland
backed out when promised help
wasn’t forthcoming and the ship
was ultimately contracted with CAT
on November 6, 2000 and named
Queen Mary 2.
The first steel was cut just over
one year later on January 16, 2002
and the ship was laid down by
joining the first two construction
blocks in the St Nazaire building
dock on July 4 that year. By March
21, 2003, 98 blocks weighing up
to 600 tonnes each had been
installed, in total 50,000 tonnes
of steel and 8,000 tonnes of
equipment had been brought
together and the ship floated
out of the building dock to the
72 Airfix Model World
 One gets a sense of scale in this view of the funnel, while under construction at St
Nazaire, France.  The four swivelling propulsion pods in place under the huge stern.
outfitting quay, where the interiors
were installed. After successful sea
trials in September and November
2003, the ship was delivered on
December 23. After naming by
Queen Mary 2’s lower part of the ship’s funnel is readied to be hoisted onboard.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on
January 8, Queen Mary 2 entered
service on January 10 as the
largest passenger ship the world
had ever seen. Her all-up cost was
approximately US $1 billion, and
it was predicted she would break
even in under seven years’ service.
Although now surpassed in size
by several cruise ships (including
the gargantuan Symphony of the
Seas), since the withdrawal of
Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2008, Queen
Mary 2 is the only true ocean liner
in service. As such, she is the most
‘capable’ passenger ship in the
world and continues to turn heads
wherever she travels. During an
Atlantic crossing in 2008, a storm
that came out of nowhere had the
ship travelling at 24kts towards
New York with 140mph winds and
mountainous seas. As ever, the
ship took this in her stride and
her deck officers mused that the
radar plots had shown all the other
ships on the Atlantic were either
hove-to or had diverted away from
the weather. When asked: “How
can you do that?”, the officers
take great pride in saying: “This is
Queen Mary 2…what else would
you expect?!”
Having alerted Blue Peter I’d
finally “designed and built my
ship”, after some initial scepticism
as to whether the youth of today
would be interested, they agreed
to film me on board on the day
of the maiden voyage, where I
was presented with a Gold Blue
Peter Badge by Konnie Huc.
Recently I decided to research
when that original programme
about the Queen Elizabeth had
been screened and was amazed
that it was on May 23, 1965. I was
therefore just five years old when I
exclaimed that ambition; such was
the power of television and
Blue Peter!
 ATLAS CHEETAH E

HPK072113 SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE

QUALITY ACCESSORIES AND KITS - NAVAL & AIRCRAFT

Online Mail order hobby shop

Bicester, Oxon U.K.
Stores.ebay.co.uk/Oxonians
User Name : Heepdrutt Scale Aircraft Conversions
White Metal & Resin Aircraft Parts Since 1990

Please visit our website:-

www.oxoniansplasticfantastic.com
Email :- info@oxoniansplasticfantastic.com
We are not just on Ebay we now have a new website up and running new items and ranges will be added regularly.
Anything you cannot find just email us we can get most current items in stock.

Over 650 sets (and counting) from 1/18 to 1/144!

scaleaircraftconversions.com
WHEN YOU TAKE OUT A 2 YEAR
OR DIRECT DEBIT SUBSCRIPTION TO

557/18

ONLINE PHONE POST

UK 01780 480404 COMPLETE THE FORM AND POST TO:
www.airfixmodelworld.com OVERSEAS +44 1780 480404 Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd,
FAX UK 01780 757812 OVERSEAS +44 1780 757812 PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincs,
PE9 1NA, United Kingdom

3 EASY WAYS TO ORDER ...

 CHOOSE FROM MAKE HUGE SAVINGS! when you pay by easy Direct Debit – just £10.50 every quarter
or £39.99 annually PLUS FREE GIFT
1/72 Tomahawk Mk.IIB kit Free gift is only available on Direct Debit with a minimum 2 year subscription.

 YES, I would like to subscribe to Airfix Model World

PAYER’S DETAILS
Title First name Surname
Address

Postcode Country
Curtiss’ Tomahawk cemented its
Email address
reputation with the RAF in North Africa
Please send gift card  Gift choice: Diamond File Set  1/72 Curtiss Tomahawk kit 
and the famous American Volunteer Group.
 We would like to keep you informed by email about Key Publishing's future offers and new product launches. Please
Tomahawk procurement enabled the RAF/ tick this box to let us know that you are happy for us to do this. Don't forget, you can change your contact preferences
Commonwealth to field decent at any time by logging into your account or by using the unsubscribe links which you will find on all our emails.
numbers of aircraft on various RRP
fronts, via 16 different squadrons. £6.99
DELIVERY DETAILS IF DIFFERENT
 The recipient is under 16.

Title First name Surname

Modelcraft Address
Diamond
File Set Postcode Country
Achieve precise Email address
and accurate
results with
SPECIAL OFFER PLEASE TICK

this 5 Pack Mini 12 ISSUES 24 ISSUES FOR THE PRICE BE

OFFESRT
Diamond File Set. FOR THE PRICE OF 10 OF 19 PLUS FREE GIFT !
This fantastic set is UK 12 issues  £45.99 24 issues  £84.99

ideal for intricate Europe 12 issues  £56.99 24 issues  £99.99

filing, especially USA 12 issues  $72.99 24 issues  $128.99

on small plastic RRP Rest of the World 12 issues  £59.99 24 issues  £104.99

model projects.
£10.00
PAYMENT DETAILS

FREE
I enclose a cheque for £/$ ................................. made payable to Key Publishing Ltd
Please debit my Mastercard  Visa  for £/$ ...............

Expiry date Security Code (3 digit code on reverse of card)

OFFER CLOSE DATE: 31 AUGUST 2018 PLEASE QUOTE: AMW0818

M A G A Z I N E S Signature ....................................................................................................................................................Today’s date ..................................................

FIVE FREE INSTRUCTION TO YOUR BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT

2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
452/18
Please tick: UK Direct Debit Quarterly £10.50 Annually £39.99

TWO FREE
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION
6 5 8 9 6 0

AMERICAN READERS
Readers in the USA may place orders by telephone
toll-free 800-428-3003 or by writing to
Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific Ave,
Ste 500, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2983.
Alternatively, order online at Direct Debit UK only. If paying by Direct Debit please send in form. Payments are accepted by Direct Debit, cheque, Postal Order, Credit Card and
www.imsnews.com/airfixmodelworld US Dollar check. Payments by credit or debit card will be shown on your statement as Key Publishing Ltd. Key Publishing will hold your details to process
and fulfil your subscription order. Gift subject to change. Any alternative gift will be of equal or higher value. Please note: Free gift is only available on
quoting/entering code AMW0818 Direct Debit with a minimum 2 year subscription. Should you cancel your subscription earlier then an invoice will be raised for the full price of the gift.
 ON THE SHELF
BOOKS
GERMANY’S DEFINITIVE TANK
The Panzer IV
By: Anthony Tucker-Jones
ISBN: 978-1-47385-675-2
Price: £14.99 Format: 190 x 246mm
Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Described here as ‘Hitler’s Rock’,
the Panzer IV was arguably the
German Army’s universal constant
throughout World War Two, and this
busy photographic compilation (all
of which are black and white) charts
the type’s service in all its guises.
TURNING THE NIPPON TIDE
Imphal 1944
By: Hemant Singh Katoch
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2015-0
Price: £14.99 Format: 184 x 249mm
Web: www.ospreypublishing.com
Imphal, and its strategically
important valley, was arguably
the turning point in the Burma
Campaign, with the Imperial
Japanese Army defeated
comprehensively (but at a cost)
by Allied forces. Like most events
in the Far East, it has received
comparatively little attention, but
SEND IN YOUR PRODUCTS FOR US TO REVIEW: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, Units 1-4 Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XP, UK
76 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
126 pages
The first five chapters address
tank variants, starting with short-
barrelled Ausf.A-Cs, then Ausf.D-Fs
(as the main production versions),
before the long-barrelled 75mm
gun on the interim F2. Attention
then shifts to the two sub-types that
became the backbone of German
armoured units, the Ausf.G and
H, after which the changes that
resulted in the final simplified Ausf.J,
are outlined. Panzer IV howitzer,
anti-tank and anti-aircraft derivatives
are scrutinised in a single chapter,
along with a bridge-laying variant.
Consequently, the main combat
histories (North Africa, Western
Europe, Eastern Front) are brief, but
as with previous sections, these have
plenty of period photos. It’s not all
monochrome, however, with 15 pages
of colour profiles covering Ausf.D,
Ausf.E, Ausf.F2 and Ausf.G variants,
although several seem to suffer
from poor tonal reproduction. For
modellers just getting into armour
subjects, this is a splendid reference,
offering good value and a broad
range of Pz.Kpfw.IV sub-types. SF
96 pages
Osprey’s slim volume does much
to correct this. Author Hemant
Singh Katoch sets the scene
brilliantly, outlining the strategic
arena, and introducing readers to
key commanders. The situation
for each of the main Japanese
lines of advance is then described
succinctly, buttressed by lavish
3D representations of the main
battlefields by Peter Dennis.
Period photographs and digital
artwork do much to capture the
ferocity of the fighting at key
points, and comparisons with the
same locations in the present day
are sobering. The campaign’s four
main phases (Japanese invasion,
attritional fighting, British
breakout and Japanese defeat)
are then treated equally; while the
focus is on ground operations, the
supporting role by Allied air forces
isn’t neglected. With complete air
superiority, surrounded/cut-off
British units could be resupplied
and supported by airstrikes;
combined with tactics developed
by General Officer Commanding
General ‘Bill’ Slim, it contributed
much to the eventual victory. SF
DELECTABLE DELTA UNPEELED
108 pages
Mirage 2000 Under the Skin
By: Ioannis Lekkas and Ilias Gkonis
ISBN: 978-618-83360-0-1
Price: €30 Format: 240 x 220mm
Web: www.eagleaviation.gr
‘Designed by modellers for
modellers’ is the mantra on the
front of all of Eagle Aviation’s
Under the Skin books..and it
shows. If one is contemplating a
Mirage 2000 build in any scale,
this superb book is an absolute
must as the authors’ deep
understanding of a modeller’s intakes, canopies, antennas, grilles/
desires in terms of detail is fully vents and even weaponry. The
evident. All shot with startling latter includes MICA EM/IR, R-550
clarity, the plethora of walk-round Magic 2, Exocet and Scalp-EG
photos reveals seemingly every missiles, along with views of French
facet of this beautiful aircraft Air Force munitions, such as GBU-
(courtesy of a Hellenic Air Force 22, -24 and -49 LGBs, ASMP and
airframe), inside and out. Cockpits ATLIS II, PDLCT and Damocles
are opened and studied carefully, targeting pods. With several
along with various airframe panels, images of whole aircraft from
and the lens also peers into the different user air arms, to show the
undercarriage bays, and shows luscious lines and camouflage, this
the nose with and without radar. A is a classy study of a much-loved
complete engine is also captured, jet. Perfect if building Kinetic/
as are exterior features such as air Italeri/Airfix/Heller kits. CC
‘WINNIE’S’ ARMOURED NAMESAKE 64 pages
Tank Craft 4: Churchill Tanks
By: Dennis Oliver
ISBN: 978-15-26710-88-8
Price: £14.99 Format: A4
Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Conceived initially as an Infantry
Tank shortly after the outbreak of
World War Two, the Churchill would
eventually fulfil close-support, anti-
tank and various engineer/auxiliary
roles, with crews appreciating its
heavier armour over the Sherman’s.
This Tank Craft volume provides
a pleasing mix of British Army
organization, unit operational
histories, model showcase/
kitography, technical/variant
details, camouflage and markings. by unit organisation diagrams and
The latter section is arguably the hierarchies; perhaps the real gem is
highlight, comprising ten pages of the complete line-up of 4th Battalion,
full-colour profiles, and describes Coldstream Guards, on June 6,
20 tanks in detail, indicating where 1944, which features individual tank
kit manufacturers may have erred names, vehicle types and squadron
with their markings. All narratives commanders. As with other books in
are complemented by good-quality this series, the showcase/kitography
black and white photographs, and sections offer a concise round-up of
while there isn’t a walk-round, there available products, and builds by four
are sufficient close-ups to satisfy all noted armour modellers are included.
but the most ardent super-detailer… Several photos display poor depth-of
likewise, there is much inspiration for field, which is a shame, as the models
diorama fans. Extra value is provided are superb. SF

HORN OF AFRICA AGGRESSION
Ethiopian-Eritrean Wars Volume 1
By: Adrien Fontanellaz, Tom Cooper
ISBN: 978-1-912390-29-8
Price: £16.95
Format: A4
Web: www.casematepublishing.co.uk
Few countries have been subject
to so much strife as Ethiopia, and
for such extended periods. There
was Italy’s expansionist policy,
which prompted the country to
invade Ethiopia in 1935, and after
the Italians had been defeated
by the British in World War Two,
TANK ANTHOLOGY
T-34 on the Battlefield 2
By: Neil Stokes
ISBN: 978-615-5583-11-7
Price: £25.99
Format: 301 x 217mm
Web: www.panzerwrecks.com
Portraying T-34s in service,
during combat, captured,
damaged, abandoned or
destroyed, Neil Stokes’ second
collection of period photographs
is just as astounding as the first.
As before, text/captions are in
English and Hungarian, and these
offer an abundance of additional
information, helping readers to
identify the various sub-types of
this Soviet Union World War Two
64 pages
Emperor Hailie Selassie’s return to
Ethiopia was dogged by rebellion.
Selassie was eventually overthrown
and executed secretly in 1974, by
mutineers from the Armed Forces,
Police and Territorial Army, but
peace was still a rare commodity
in the following years. Further
problems came with the insurrection
by Eritrea, and this paved the way
for war from the mid-1970s to
1991. The subject is a rich vein of
inspiration for modellers, whether
one’s focus is on military vehicles or
aircraft. This fastidiously researched
softback offers fascinating text
(which includes the influence of the
USSR in the region), supported by
revealing and useful period imagery,
maps, tables and excellent colour
profiles. Represented among the
latter are aircraft types such as the
T-28D, T-33A, F-86F, F-5A, MiG-21
and L-39 Albatros; armour artwork
involves the M60, M41 Walker
Bulldog, T-55, M113 and BTR-60.
The authors manage to explain
a complex subject with concise
narrative, covering the period 1961-
1988, and based on what we see
here, the second volume should be
just as engaging. CC
110 pages
stalwart. What impresses most
is the author’s diligence with the
captions, perhaps commenting
on how tracks have gouged a
road edge, or the presence of
empty/non-standard mounting
brackets for equipment, all
of which will aid modellers in
producing an accurate replica.
There doesn’t appear to be any
particular order to the photos,
and this adds to the enjoyment,
as one doesn’t know what gem
will be revealed at the turn
of a page. Diorama builders
will be in tank-heaven, with
numerous examples just crying
out to be depicted in scale form
(including one being recovered
by an Sd.Kfz.10); several will
be challenging, whereas some,
such as examples abandoned
in an unsuccessful river fording
attempt, have an almost comical
quality. This pictorial anthology
is ideal for any modeller
interested in Soviet armoured
vehicles, but would be equally of
use for a historian, such is the
level of detail. SF
ON THE SHELF
BOOKS
IFS, BUTS AND MAYBES
208 pages
Paper Panzer
By: Emanuel Morales (Ed)
EAN: 8436564926999
Price: €29.90 Format: A4
Web: www.ak-interactive.com
As Allied troops overran German
tank factories, they discovered
a wealth of experimental
armour designs; some had been
cancelled, but others remained
under development to the last.
Collectively, these projects are
now known as ‘Paper Panzers’, or
‘Panzer ‘46’, to which modellers
have added ‘what-ifs’…just
letting the imagination loose. AK may be disappointed slightly, as
Interactive’s whopping 208-page this element is touched on just
publication provides an insight lightly. Instead, each subject is
into both sub-genres, along with used as a masterclass in painting
period photos of real prototypes, and weathering techniques.
before whetting readers’ appetites While much will be familiar to
with 36 colour profiles, tagging seasoned modellers, the Grille
each as paper panzer, prototype 17, built with Trumpeter’s 1/35
or what-if. The remainder of kit, offers a superb tutorial in
the volume is then concerned painting authentic steel plates.
with 12 stunning builds by noted Note, several conversions from
armour modellers, such as the Paper Panzer Productions (www.
radar-equipped E-50 anti-aircraft paperpanzer.com) are utilised,
rangefinder, 30.5cm L/16 auf although this isn’t always made
Sfl. Bär or Ardelt-Rheinmetall clear. That aside, this is the
Waffenträger. Those hoping for perfect motivation to grab some
step-by-step assembly guides old kits and experiment! SF
THE FLYING PALM TREE 188 pages
Westland Wessex 1958 onwards
(all models)
By: Lee Howard
ISBN: 978-1-78521-117-1
Price: £25 Format: 216 x 277mm
Web: www.haynes.com
Helicopters always seem to get a
raw deal in comparison to aircraft
in the reference book arena. So,
it’s most pleasing to see this new
Owners’ Workshop Manual on the
much-loved Wessex. Many Haynes
works focus on the ‘live’ aspect of,
say, a warbird/restored machine
for the ‘Anatomy’ coverage, but as
no flying Wessex was available, the the under-restoration airframes,
author chose to feature airframes and modellers will find the content
currently being returned to flight at particularly useful if undertaking
Crewkerne, Somerset (XT671 and builds of Italeri, Matchbox, Revell,
XT771). The usual historical content Fly or Mark I kits. Royal Navy and
is present, via examinations of the RAF machines are covered in detail,
type’s predecessors, the Wessex’s but those flown by other operators
entry into service and subsequent are also present, such as the Royal
operational roles (including service Australian Navy, Ghana, Uruguay,
in Borneo and the Falklands, the Iraq and civilian airframes. Personal
latter exemplified by the famous accounts from Cdr Ian Stanley RN,
XP142 ‘Humphrey’). One gets an Sqn Ldr Peter Bell RAF and others
excellent appreciation of the type, bring an enjoyable human element
via period photos, and close-ups of and much colour. CC
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 77
 ON THE SHELF
BOOKS
BULLET WITH WINGS
Bell X-1
By: Peter E Davies
ISBN: 978-1-4728-1464-7
Price: £12.99
Format: 185 x 248mm
Web: www.ospreypublishing.com
The quest to break the sound
barrier during the late 1940s was
one of those projects that couldn’t
happen in today’s safety-conscious
culture. It culminated in US Air Force
Captain Chuck Yeager becoming
the first person to fly faster than
GERMAN TORP' SPECIALISTS
Schnellboot Type S-38 and S-100
By: Carlo Cestra
ISBN: 978-83-65437-71-6
Price: £25.95
Format: A4
Web: casematepublishing.co.uk
Kagero’s Super Drawings series
now includes the versatile Type
S-38 and S-100 Schnellboot
(Fast Boat) and offers its usual
combination of stunning digital
3D imagery and a fold-out scale
plans insert. After a concise
introduction to these capable
78 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
80 pages
the speed of sound, in Bell’s X-1
experimental rocket-propelled
aircraft, on October 14, 1947. Yet
the path to this momentous flight
was far from smooth, as chronicled
by Peter Davies’ gripping narrative.
The origins of the US programme
are described in depth, noting the
influence of German and British input
to the X-1’s design, before exploring
the test-flights leading to Yeager’s
achievement. There’s an analysis of
flights by later X-1 variants, which
increased the maximum speed to
Mach 2.44, and the type’s legacy,
which is evident even today in
designs such as the F/A-18 Hornet.
However, it’s in the anecdotes
where this book excels; such as the
British providing all its early work on
supersonic flight (arguably handing
the US the lead in this area), or
Yeager piloting that historic sortie
with two broken ribs! The colour
profiles and cutaways should provide
modellers with inspiration galore (for
Special Hobby, Eduard and Tamiya
offerings), and the period photos
(all black and white) add delicious
helpings of nostalgia. SF
90 pages
naval vessels, and the chief
characteristics of the S-Boot,
which were known as ‘E-Boats’ by
the Allies, the content shifts to
the publisher’s signature digital
artwork. This is split equally
between the S-38 and S-100,
and every aspect of each type
is covered, from the basic hull
and superstructure, to offensive/
defensive armament. There is
slight artistic licence with the
former, as the S-38 is depicted
with depth-charges and the S-100
with mines, but both could carry
either munition, and on many
patrols carried neither. The detail
is astounding, from cabling to
the binoculars and open/closed
latches on torpedo reloads; even
the most ardent scratch-builder
will surely be satisfied. However,
the pièce de résistance is the
double-sided insert for 1/75 scale
plans, with the S-38 on one side
and S-100 on the other…these
are worth the price alone, despite
the odd ratio chosen. Close-ups
of the types' weapons are in 1/50,
with the S-100’s RZA5 Targeting
Computer shown in 1/25 for
greater clarity. SF
BATTLING ‘BIG MAMIE’
28 pages
The Battleship USS Massachusetts
By: Witold Koszela
ISBN: 978-83-65437-58-7
Price: £18.10 Format: A4
Web: casematepublishers.co.uk
Ship modellers should appreciate
this ‘Top Drawings’ volume, which
caters for South Dakota-class
battleship USS Massachusetts
BB-59, nicknamed ‘Big Mamie’by
its crews. Regardless of whether
one has a 1/350 (Trumpeter),
1/700 (Trumpeter/Pit-Road) or
1/720 (Revell) kit, this softback
provides a wealth of information.
The main diagrams (including
two 400 x 592mm double-sided ship’s decks and superstructure
foldout inserts), depict the vessel is covered in depth, although it
as it appeared in 1944, and are would be beneficial if a location
1/400 scale; insets, close-ups of guide were provided, as it’s
superstructure sections, and the confusing occasionally as to which
main and secondary armament part of the ship is portrayed.
are in 1/200. For specific items, While the choice of scales is
such as quadruple 40mm Bofors, understandable from a conversion
Mk.37/38 Gun Fire Control System standpoint, for modellers it will
rangefinders/radars, the chosen mean constant measuring and
format is 1/100, with smaller conversion, and would perhaps
equipment (notably the 20mm have been more useful at 1/350.
Oerlikons) at 1/50…the ship’s Nonetheless, this is a welcome
spotter aircraft are depicted by addition, and covers a vessel not
1/72 drawings. Every aspect of the featured regularly in literature. SF
FARMERS AND FISHBEDS 72 pages
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-19P & PM,
MiG-21F-13
By: Lechosław Musiałkowski
ISBN: 978-83-65958-06-8
Price: £15 Format: A4
Web: www.mmpbooks.biz
Timed to coincide with the centenary
of Polish Aviation, this slim, but
enlightening volume considers that
nation’s first two supersonic fighters.
Perhaps surprisingly, a common
theme is the lack of trust displayed
by the Soviet Union towards Poland
(despite it being in the Warsaw Pact),
notably after the Poznań labour
riots of 1956; this was exacerbated
by Polish refusal to accept older operated the MiG-19S. The types
types they deemed irrelevant are treated equally; more space is
(and may have contributed their given to the MiG-19 as two variants
being denied a licence to produce are covered, but each is split
MiG-21F-13s). Part history and part between an overview of the type’s
colours and markings, Stratus’ service history (accompanied by
narrative describes how Poland high-quality period photos) and a
came to operate the MiG-19P and series of full-colour profiles, again
PM (NATO codenames Farmer-B backed by supplementary imagery.
and -M) and MiG-21F-13 Fishbed-C, There aren’t any walk-rounds, but
which introduced supersonic flight there is sufficient coverage of these
and all-missile-armed platforms to fighters to satisfy the needs of most
the air force. It also sets the record modellers, especially when combined
straight as to whether Poland with the informative captions. SF
 BINDERS
Build Better Models!
JUST
£8.50

K
• Learn to build and share • The bi-monthly IPMS/USA
eep your Airfix Model World collection in your skills Journal magazine
pristine condition with these stylish binders.
Embossed with the magazine logo, each • 200 active local chapters
binder will hold up to 12 editions of your • Local model contests
favourite magazine. • The IPMS/USA website
with product reviews,
H OW TO O R D E R galleries, and discussion
forums
ONLINE
IPMS/USA
www.keypublishing.com/shop
OR
PHONE
UK 01780 480404 | Overseas +44 1780 480404 By Modelers, For Modelers
www.ipmsusa.org
582/17

*FREE 2nd Class P&P on UK and BFPO orders. Overseas charges apply. Postage charges may vary depending on total order value

NEW Twelfth in
series AIRFRAME &
MINIATURE
“The best all-in-one books
of a single type around…”
The Spitfire is probably the No.12
most popular aircraft
modelling subject around: The Supermarine

Spitfire
this latest title goes some
way towards unpicking the
bewildering choice of variants
and schemes available

Technical information, Part 1

camouflage and markings (Merlin-powered)
Walkaround images, technical
diagrams and wartime photos
Colour side views and four-views
by Richard Caruana
3D isometric views of all variants
by Wojciech Sankowski
Specially commissioned full kit builds
by Richard A. Franks
by L Jekl, SA Evans & D Zamarbide
240 pages packed with vital information that
A full set of fold-out
1/48th scale plans no active aviation modeller should be without

Order your copy today for only £19.95! +p&p

www.valiant-wings.co.uk
+44 (0)1234 273434 AVAILABLE
JULY
valiant-wings@btconnect.com

vwp_am12_ad_amw_jun18_180x130.indd 1 31/05/2018 12:13:11

 ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
THREE-WINGED DEMON
Fokker Dr.I
By: Eduard
Item no: 7039 Price: €14.95
Web: www.eduard.com
Eduard’s 1/72 20-year-old Fokker
Dr.I makes a welcome return,
providing interior/exterior
embellishments via a photo-etched
metal fret, in addition to the
two styrene runners and a self-
adhesive wheel mask. The parts
feature crisply moulded detail
KNIGHTS OF STEALTH
F-35 Lightning II (B Version) US
Marine
By: Hasegawa
Item no: 01576 Price: £29.99
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
Hasegawa’s F-35B is a newly
tooled offering, sharing just
three of its nine runners with the
previous A-variant, and those are
for the stand, cockpit and pilot.
The remaining parts are moulded
superbly, with the standout being
the lower fuselage, which has
integrally moulded wheel wells
and shaft-driven lift-fan exhaust.
Airframe stealth coatings are
represented as a combination
80 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/72
and delicate scalloping to emulate
fabric-covered surfaces. The five
schemes are:
• 450/17, Lt J Jacobs, Jasta 7,
Rumbeke, Belgium, March 1918
• 545/17, Lt H Weiss, Jasta 11, Cappy,
France, April 1918
• 425/17, Rittm Manfred von
Richtofen, JG 1, France, March 1918
• 404/17, Hptm A Ritter von
Tutschek, JG 2, France, Feb 1918
• 454/17, Lt Lothar von Richtofen,
Jasta 11, France, March 1918
1/72
of finely engraved lines and
decals. Options include raised/
lowered undercarriage, flaps,
slats, manoeuvring thrusters and
exhaust nozzle, and open/closed
canopy and lift fan intakes/exhaust;
note it doesn’t have open weapons
bays or stores. For those wanting
to make an RAF aircraft, this is
currently the only player in town
(but needs aftermarket decals).
Two schemes are offered:
• 169164/01/VK, VMFA-121 ‘Green
Knights’, USMC, Iwakuni, Japan,
2017
• 168732/01/CF, VMFA-211 ‘Wake
Island Avengers’, Yuma, Arizona,
2016
DASSAULT EXOTICA
Mirage F.1EQ/ED
By: Special Hobby
Item no: SH72386 Price: €18.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Special Hobby’s new-tool Mirage
F.1 has fresh decals and parts.
The latter include the vertical tail
with fillet and ‘Irakien’ centreline
fuel tank, while resin components
include a fuselage pylon, refuelling
probe tip and Exocet missile. This
kit’s focus is on aircraft from the
Middle East and North Africa,
hence the new markings, but
most of the styrene is the same
CANNON-ARMED KROKODIL
Mi-24P Hind
By: Zvezda
Item no: 7315 Price: £19.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Mil’s Mi-24, nicknamed Krokodil
(crocodile) by its crews, has been
the subject of many kits, but
Zvezda’s are the best 1/72 options.
It has updated its earlier offering
to produce the -24P Hind-F variant,
which replaced the nose gun with
a fuselage-mounted twin-barrelled
1/72
as before; fine panel lines and
pleasing moulding abound. There
are heaps of weapons, but not all
are appropriate for this boxing
(great for spares though!). The
camouflage is varied, and the
decals are printed beautifully.
Here are the schemes:
• F.1EQ, 4014, 79 Sqn, Iraqi AF,
Wahda AB, 1981-82
• F.1EQ, 4577, 81 Sqn, Iraqi AF,
Qayyarah AB, 1985
• F.1EQ-6, 3-6211, 102 TFS, Iranian
AF, 2011-present
• F.1ED, 502, Libyan People’s AF/
Free Libyan AF, Malta, 2011-12
1/72
cannon. Compared to previous
releases, there’s a re-profiled nose,
sensors and armament, a highly
detailed cockpit and cabin, complete
engines and transmission, and open/
closed engine panels, canopies and
main cabin door.
• RF-93546/Yellow 20, 344th CCT,
Torzhok, 2014
• RF-91072/Blue 20, Privolzhsky,
Astrakhan, May 2015
• RF-91832/Yellow 34, Khmeimim
AB, Syria, 2016

ILMAVOIMAT GUSTAVS
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 ‘Finnish
Air Force Aces Combo’
By: Hasegawa
Item no: 02259 Price: £39.99
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
Hasegawa is second-to-none when
it comes to getting the most from
its moulds, such as its 1992 Bf 109G-
6, which is presented here as a
twin-kit Finnish Air Force set. Unlike
earlier such products (which offered
multiples of each variant), there are
parts for just a single early and late
airframe, the latter characterised by
an enlarged vertical tail and refined
BARGAIN INTERCEPTOR
Su-27 Flanker
By: Italeri
Item no: 1413 Price: £19.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Italeri’s ageing Flanker has been
surpassed by more modern
offerings, but if one is prepared
to forgive the raised panel lines
and soft detail, it’s a great entry-
level kit. It comprises two styrene
runners (plus a small frame for
transparencies) and offers basic
detail, from the sparse cockpit
with rudimentary three-piece K-36
1/72
canopy. Exterior detail is engraved,
and the cockpit is acceptable, with
decals for the instrument panel.
One advantage of combo sets is the
number of spares, and there are
underwing gun pods, tropical filters
and canopies. It’s disappointing just
two schemes are supplied (both for
1/LeLv 34 airframes), although there
is full airframe stencilling, plus full
and censored Swastikas (to comply
with legal requirements):
• MT-451/White 0, WO EI
Juutilainen, June 1944
• MT-423/White 3, SSGt Hemmo
Leino, June 1944
1/72
ejection seat, to just six AA-10
missiles. By comparison, the
undercarriage is comprehensive,
and even provides a mudguard for
the nosewheel. The decal sheet is
the highlight, offering markings for
three airframes and full stencilling/
data placards for a single aircraft:
• Su-27, Blue 36, 9th GvIAP,
Kilpyavr, Russian Air Force, 2001
• Su-27SK/J-11, Yellow 11230,
Chinese PLAAF, Takhli, Thailand,
2015
• Su-27SK, Red 6002, 370th Air
Div, Phù Cát, Vietnam, 2015
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Heinkel He 111H-6
By: Minicraft
Item no: 14721 Price: £19.99
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
Minicraft’s He 111 is a re-boxed
Crown kit, and appears unchanged
from its initial incarnation
(other than new decals), which
raises questions as to its cost,
when compared to recent 1/72
releases. Its interior is basic,
with a single-piece cockpit
and a similarly rudimentary
gondola, while exterior detail is
SHORT TAKE-OFF UTILITY
Dornier Do 27/CASA C-127
By: Special Hobby
Item no: SH72327 Price: £15.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Special Hobby’s Do 27 is a treasure,
offering well-moulded parts for
three versions on five styrene
runners (including one clear), and a
small PE fret. Depending on which
scheme (and therefore variant) is
chosen, there are alternative seating
arrangements, instrument panels,
tailwheels, exhausts, undercarriage,
vertical fin tips and aerial fits…a
ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
1/144
represented as fine raised panel
lines. The He 111’s characteristic
(and extensive) nose glazing is a
three-piece assembly. There are
reasonable Jumo 211 nacelles
and undercarriage, although
the mainwheel legs lack the
characteristic ‘x’ cross-brace.
Options include raised/lowered
landing gear, stationary/in-flight
props. The three schemes are:
• 1H+FK, 2./KG 26, Italy, Dec 1942
• 5J+GN, KG 4, winter 1942-43
• G1+EM, KG 55, summer-autumn
1940
1/72
decision on which to build must be
taken at the outset. Generic options
are limited to open/closed crew and
passenger doors. although much will
be visible regardless, thanks to the
crystal-clear glazing. The sumptuous
Cartograf decal sheet supplies
markings for three machines:
• Do 27A-1, WNr 232/55+84, WaSLw
30, West German AF, Penzing, 1977
• Do 27J-1, OL-D11/OT-AMJ, Belgian
Army, 1970s
• CASA C-127, L9-4/408-1, Spanish
AF, Laâyoune/El Aaiǔn, Spanish
Sahara, 1970
www.airfixmodelworld.com 81
 ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
AGEING SWEDISH THUNDERBOLT
Saab JA 37 / AJ 37 Viggen
By: Italeri
Item no: 2785 Price: £24.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Esci’s Viggen was the only 1/48
option for decades, until Tarangus'
new kit, and the former is re-boxed
here with new decals. While Italeri
states one can build AJ and JA
37s (ground attack and air defence
respectively), remedial work is
vital for an accurate replica of the
latter. This includes a fuselage plug
(13cm on the real aircraft) in front
of the wing leading edge, and an
extra under-wing elevon actuator.
However, the extended vertical
NORDIC MUD-MOVER
Do 17Z-2 WWII Finnish Bomber
By: ICM
Item no: 48246 Price: £27.99
Web: www.icm.com.ua
This appears to be a straight
re-release of ICM’s generally
superb German Do 17Z-2, but with
Finnish Air Force markings (via
segmented Swastikas) and the
appropriate codes/unit badges.
Superb value for money is on offer,
as besides the fine engraving, one
gets a feast of interior detail: a
82 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/48
fin top is present, and the decals
provide different instrument panels.
Raised lines litter the airframe, the
detail is basic, and air-to-air missiles
and rocket pods are supplied.
The decals are splendid and cater
for low-vis grey, bare-metal and
splinter, although the fourth livery
information seems in error:
• JA 37Di, 37442/52, F 4, Fröson/
Östersund, 2004
• JA 37Di, 37402/02, F 21, Luleå,
June 2004 (Midnight Sun scheme)
• AJ 37, SE-DXN/52, Swedish AF
Historic Flight, 2017 (actually an
AJS 37)
• JA 37Di, 37442/57, F 4, Frösön/
Östersund, 2004
1/48
busy cockpit (with machine guns),
an interior fuel tank, fully loaded
bomb bay and busy undercarriage
bays. The multi-part radial engines
are a treat and come with finely
rendered exhaust units, and
there are separate flying control
surfaces. Decals for two aircraft
are provided, one being in the
indigenous Finnish green and
black over RLM 65, while the other
sports winter whitewash.
• DN-53, 3/LeLv 46, February 1942
• DN-57, 2/LeLv 46, autumn 1942
JET BEAUTY RETURNS
Hawker Hunter FGA.9
By: Revell
Item no: 03908 Price: £19.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Re-released under Revell’s ‘British
Legends 1918-2018’ series, this
Hunter is most welcome as it’s
the best-ever 1/72 styrene option.
Detail abounds, from the finely
moulded cockpit instrumentation
and decent seat, to the excellent
undercarriage bays and two-part
‘office’ glazing. Correctly for
the ‘9’, two sizes of underwing
fuel tanks are supplied, as are
BUDGET FLYING FLAT-IRON
Gloster Javelin F(AW) Mk.9
By: Mister Craft
Item no: 040444 Price: £8.99
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
At first glance, this seems to be a
‘tweaked’ FROG kit, but is a re-boxed
ZTS Plastyk/Chematic product,
which features engraved panel lines
of dubious accuracy, but overall
the shape appears fairly accurate.
Arguably, this is either for novices
or a super-detailing expert, as while
it’s a simple build, turning it into
an accurate model will take much
work. The parts are supplied on four
1/72
SNEB rocket pods. A pleasing
feature is that of gun-muzzle
blast deflectors, and ‘Sabrina’ link
collectors are also provided. The
sub-type’s para-brake housing is
rendered well and left over from
the original release are Maverick
missiles for the Swiss Air Force
version; great for spares, as the
two schemes for camouflaged
aircraft in this box are both RAF.
The liveries are:
• XJ642/L, 54 Sqn, West
Raynham, June 1968
• XE654/LJ, 8 Sqn, Khormaksar,
Aden, early 1963
1/72
styrene runners, with a separate
single-piece canopy, and are best
described as ‘chunky’. Either a Mk.7
or Mk.9 can be built, but a ‘false rear’
to the fuselage must be removed
for the former. Unfortunately, the
decals suffered from poor colour
boundaries; also, the instructions
provide inaccurate details for the
three options, which are actually:
• XH897, A&AEE Boscombe Down,
September 1970
• XH898/GHB, 228 OCU, RAF
Leuchars, Fife, 1966
• XH834/Z, 29 Sqn, RAF Leuchars,
Fife, 1961
 ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
CEDARS ON STEEL
Tiran 4 Late Type
By: MiniArt
Item no: 37041 Price: £43.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
Having dazzled modellers with its
full-interior Tiran 4 Late Type (see
News, June 2018), MiniArt has
released the ‘basic’ version, which
contains ‘merely’ 79 crisply moulded
styrene runners and a busy photo-
etched brass fret. Differences with
the early variant include armoured
convoy lights, re-arranged equipment
on the hull, plus additional external
stowage baskets and machine guns
ANZIO TROOP SUPPORT
Wespe ‘Italian Front’
By: Tamiya
Item no: 35358 Price: £32.50
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Despite its wartime prevalence,
there have been relatively few
kits of the German Wespe (wasp)
self-propelled artillery gun, with
Tamiya’s arguably being the
best. Well, it just got better, as
it’s been re-released with three
extra runners and new decals to
portray machines assigned to
Italian-based Wehrmacht units
during 1944. The original figures
84 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/35
(.50 and .30 cal weapons) on the
turret, and re-positioned jerrycans
and radio antennas. To cater for the
varied markings, early and late styles
of roadwheel are included; all four
schemes are associated with South
Lebanese Army units:
• IDF Training unit (for Lebanese
tankers), Negev Desert, early 1980s
• 157626, South Lebanese Army,
1980s
• Operation Peace for Galilee, South
Lebanese Army, June-September
1982
• White 30, South Lebanese Army,
1980s
1/35
have been supplanted by four new
personnel, providing a full fighting
compartment crew. Link-and-
length tracks, with integral sag on
the upper sections, replace the
vinyl items, and there’s an MG 34
and ammunition for the interior,
plus new drive wheels. Curiously,
no changes were required to the
remaining original parts; even
the side walls had the necessary
attachment points. There are two
colour schemes:
• White 11, 26th Pz.Div., Cisterna di
Latina, near Anzio, Italy 1944
• 29th Pz.Gr.Div., Italy, 1944
BRINGING THE MOTION LOTION
M978 Fuel Servicing Truck
By: Italeri
Item no: 6554 Price: £44.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Italeri’s re-released M978 is
tweaked to replace the styrene
wheels with plastic hubs and vinyl
tyres (which feature convincing
tread and sidewall detail);
otherwise it’s the same as before,
with crisply moulded features.
The chassis and suspension are
well detailed, and there’s a full
powerpack and transmission,
with well-appointed differential
housings. While the cab appears
ANTI-AIRCRAFT GOES MOBILE
M727 MIM-23 Tracked Guided
Missile Carrier
By: Dragon Item no: 3583
Price: £69.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net
Dragon has followed its basic M192
MIM-23 HAWK launcher (3580)
with the short-lived M727 tracked
version. It mixes six runners for
the missiles and launch rails,
with eight frames for the vehicle,
including four dedicated to the NEO
Tracks, which feature individual
track pads along with the link-
and-length configuration. The
1/35
relatively simple, that’s due to
the bland appearance of the
real vehicle. Exterior fittings are
more than acceptable, although
many components do suffer
from prominent mould seams.
Unfortunately, the lack of tinted
windshields remains unaddressed,
but this should be simple to
correct with clear colours. The two
schemes cater for unidentified
vehicles deployed to Saudi Arabi
during Desert Shield/Storm in
1991, one in overall Desert Sand
and the other in NATO Green/
Brown/Black camouflage, with full
stencilling and warning markings.
1/35
modified M548 is excellent, with the
protective cab/engine blast plate
replicated accurately (although the
powerplant isn’t provided), and the
launcher mount appears to match
reference photos. The interior is well
appointed, with a full complement
of driver’s controls, and reflects the
spartan nature of the real machine.
Two schemes are offered, both for
overall Olive Drab vehicles, with
white or dark green missiles; note
the date given for both (1960) is
incorrect, as M727s were in US Army
service between 1969 and 1971.

INSTRUMENT OF BLITZKRIEG
Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.B w/Crew
By: MiniArt
Item no: 35221 Price: £43.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
Germany’s Panzer III is a popular
subject, but surprisingly, there are
few kits of early versions. MiniArt
filled the breach with its 2014 Ausf.B
(and subsequent variants), and
has re-released the former with its
German Tank Crew set (35191). There
are 54 styrene runners (49 for the
tank, including individual-link tracks),
plus a separate upper hull, turret and
SUPER-VALUE RECCE
P 204(f) with German Armoured
Vehicle Crew
By: ICM Item no: 35382
Price: £27.99 Web: www.icm.com.ua
When it comes to offering
modellers value for money and
an instant vignette, ICM is hard
to beat; its combined Panhard
204 and crew is almost £5
cheaper than the separate items.
It’s the most accurate kit of the
type in 1/35 scale, and provides
a complete interior, with both
driving positions, a powerplant and
transmission, ammunition stowage
1/35
‘dustbin’ cupola, and a photo-etched
brass fret. The suspension replicates
the type’s twin-bogie leaf-springs
faithfully, and the turret has a fighting
platform, crew seats, full-length main
gun/breech and co-axial MG 34s.
There are five pre- and early war
examples to choose from:
• White 234, Poland, 1939
• Yellow Ⅱ01, Poland, September 1939
• White 231, Chomutov, Sudetes,
Czechoslovakia, October 1938
• White 222, 1 Pz.Abt, 1 Pz.Regt., 1
Pz.Div., Poland, 1939
• Poland, 1939
1/35
and a busy turret. The four figures,
which are available separately
comprise a commander, gunner
and two drivers; three are relaxing
on/around the vehicle, while the
fourth is returning with a jerrycan
of fuel; all poses are excellent,
with crisp detail on the faces and
tunics. Four schemes are included:
• White WH, France, 1940
• 92 Pz.Aufk.Abt., 20 Pz.Div.,
Belorussia, July 1941
• German Police Force, Central
Russia, September 1941
• 37th Pz.Aufk.Abt., 7 Pz.Div.,
Moscow, December 1941
SIX-WHEELED RESCUER
British Scammell Pioneer SV/2S
Recovery Tractor
By: Thunder Model
Item no: 35201 Price: £44.99
Web: www.pocketbond.co.uk
It’s hard to believe that until
recently, 1/35 Scammell Pioneers
were just available in resin, but
modellers are now spoilt for
choice. Thunder Model’s latest
iteration is the Recovery Tractor,
comprising 12 styrene runners,
three photo-etched brass/copper
frets and lengths of thread. A
fully detailed engine, transmission
GREAT WAR TRIKE
Holt 75 Artillery Tractor
By: Roden
Item no: 812 Price: £54.99
Web: www.pocketbond.co.uk
Until recently, there wasn’t a kit of
this widely used tricycle-configured
World War One heavy tractor, but
thankfully Roden has addressed
this with its newly tooled offering.
It comprises 12 styrene runners
(including four for the snap-fit
individual-link workable tracks), and
while there are occasional heavy
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 85
ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
1/35
and suspension is supplied, along
with a delightful cab, which even
includes butt-stands for the crew’s
personal weapons. There are four
liveries, three for the same vehicle,
in British, German and Soviet
service, including one in Caunter-
scheme camouflage:
• H4782603, 7th Armd Div, North
Africa, 1942
• H4782603, Afrika Korps, North
Africa, 1942
• H4782603/H-8-97-25, Soviet
Army, Eastern Front, 1944
• H4782322, CIABG, Bde Heavy
Workshop, Dunkerque, 1944
1/35
seams and minor flash, these should
be easy to remove. The detail is
superb, with an intricate castor-style
front wheel, caterpillar transmission
and a complete engine. Our sample
suffered from a sink mark on
the single-piece roof section, but
otherwise the mould quality was
more than adequate for a limited-run
offering. Markings are supplied for
two tractors:
• White 23, US Expeditionary Forces
in Europe, 1918
• 30579, British Army, 1917
 ON THE SHELF
AUTO KITS
TOUR DE CORSE ‘RAY’
Opel Manta 400 GR.B
By: Belkits
Item no: BEL008 Price: £49.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Car modellers have been champing
at the bit for a 1/24 rally Opel
Manta, and Belkits’ offering doesn’t
disappoint, approaching the subject
in the firm’s usual comprehensive
manner. The packed box contains
eight styrene runners (including
clear, vinyl and chrome-plated
frames), separate bodyshell, two
photo-etched metal frets, four vinyl
tyres, self-adhesive masks for the
CLASSIC UNDER REPAIR
Model T 1911 with American
Mechanics
By: ICM
Item no: 24010 Price: £27.99
Web: www.icm.com.ua
ICM’s latest Ford Model T package
is superb value, offering the yet
un-modelled 1911 version with the
firm’s American Mechanics figure
set (24009) as an instant vignette,
and at a price lower than the
separate kits. Runner D is supplied
sans chrome-plating, which allows
86 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/24
glazing and lengths of fabric and
steel rod (for the seatbelts and aerial
respectively). Either a left- or right-
hand drive vehicle can be built, and
the cockpit is detailed magnificently,
even including the exposed air-
conditioning hoses. There’s also an
option for a night race machine,
with a spotlight cluster for the front.
The single livery is for World Rally
Championship Opel Euro Team
car #3, driven by Frenchman Guy
Fréquelin during the 1984 Tour de
Corse, with the company’s black/
blue/yellow stripes and chevrons
supplied as decals.
1/24
parts to be neatened without
damaging the overall finish.
There are seven styrene runners
(including one clear) and four
solid white vinyl tyres, providing
a well-appointed engine, accurate
representation of the driver’s
position and leather-style seats.
The all-female engineering team
is portrayed as if working on the
engine (despite the closed covers).
The figures are moulded crisply,
with separate legs, arms, hands,
heads and hair.
EMERGENCY RESPONDER
Iveco Magirus DLK26-12 Fire
Ladder truck
By: Italeri
Item no: 3784 Price: £57.50
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Italeri’s Magirus fire ladder truck
is more than 30 years old, yet
the styrene components belie
their age, with crisp features
and minimal flash. Most of the
11 runners do exhibit heavy
mould seams though, which will
require neatening, but overall the
impression is positive. With the
well-detailed chassis components
derived from its panel-van
BEGINNERS’ SPORTS CAR
2017 Ford GT
By: Revell
Item no: 07678 Price: £29.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Revell’s ‘easy-click’ kits are ideal
for novice modellers, as they are
pre-painted and require no glue for
assembly, yet (as with its Porsche
Diesel Junior tractor), offer plenty
of potential for experienced builders
to exploit. There are five partial
runners, plus separate glazing,
body shell, interior, dashboard and
floorpan, two metal axles and four
1/24
Magirus, everything else is
specific to this particular version,
notably the 18-piece powerplant,
busy cab and of course the fire-
fighting equipment, stowage and
extendable ladder. There aren’t
many options though, being
limited to just the latter, which
can be rotated and extended.
However, this is a splendid (and
colourful) subject…it’s surprising
more fire tenders aren’t available.
No painting or markings guide is
supplied, especially as there are
four liveries (German, Austrian,
Italian and Swiss) and the decals
aren’t always identified by number.
1/24
vinyl low-profile tyres, providing a
total of 27 pieces. Its snap-together
format hasn’t affected the parts
quality or detailing; the former is
excellent, with minimal seams to
neaten, and certain items, such as
seats and dashboard (with decal
dials and displays), would arguably
be worthy of far more complex
kits. There’s a choice of markings,
either waterslide decals or self-
adhesive stickers, depending on the
modeller's skill; between the two
there are 11 options for registration
plates, along with logos and trim.
 ISSUES
Complete your collection
with our range of back issues.
*P&P free on all UK + BFPO orders. Overseas charges apply.

6000 m2
6 & 7 Oct. 2018
Bellekouter Hall
AFFLIGEM- BELGIUM
Sat. 10-18h. - Sun. 10-17h.

ONLY
£4.60
• I nt er n ation al exhibiti on
• P la s tic models & figures
• Cont es t & w orks hops
• Club s tan ds , s wap tabl es
• Hob b y s hops & more...

www.plasticandsteel.com
info@plasticandsteel.be TO ORDER
VISIT
FREE
Exit 19a
IPMS
ADMISSION www.keypublishing.com/shop

OR

CALL
UK: 01780 480404
Overseas: +44 1780 480404
578/17
 ON THE SHELF
MARITIME KITS
UNDER-SEA HUNTER
Das U-Boat VIIc U-617
By: Mister Craft
Item no: 042905
Price: £8.99
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
Mister Craft offers a great range of
entry-level kits, including this lovely
U-Boat, which is a re-boxed Heller
offering. There are four runners
of well-moulded parts, with raised
detail; for most modellers this
shouldn’t be an issue, but purists
may wish to drill and file the free-
flooding holes to shape. Two small
decal sheets supply the necessary
pennants and hull numbers, but
despite a mention in the instructions,
no nameplates are supplied for the
three-piece stand. Interestingly,
RUSSIAN 'BOOMER'
Yury Dolgorukiy
By: Zvezda
Item no: 9061 Price: £24.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Zvezda’s Yury Dolgorukiy is its
second Dolgorukiy-class ballistic
missile submarine (known in US
parlance as a ‘boomer’) and the
fifth kit of the type in the scale
(the others are from Bronco and
Hobby Boss). It comprises four
styrene runners, and features
a combination of fine raised
and engraved detail, with just
minor sink marks noted on the
hull. Options included stowed/
deployed diving vanes and
auxiliary thrusters, open/closed
88 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/400
either a Type VIIC or VIIC/41 (no
88mm gun fitted to the latter) can
be built, with accurate anti-aircraft
weapons fits for each, but all
markings options are for the former
(note U-858 was actually a Type IX,
and U-5051 was a midget sub):
• U-617, Mediterranean Sea, 1942-43
• P01, HMS Graf (captured U-570),
North Sea, 1941-44
• U-858 (US hull N42), New York,
1946
• G-7/S-01 (ex U-573), Spanish Navy,
Mediterranean, 1943-60
• S-609 Millé (ex U-471/G-339),
French Navy, 1946-59
• S-81 (ex U-5051), Soviet Navy,
1946-57
• KNM Kya (ex U-926), Norwegian
Navy, 1946-55
1/350
torpedo loading bay and two
missile hatches (the latter with
launch tubes and examples of
RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missiles).
Surprisingly, the cigar-shaped
hull is relatively complex, with
four bulkheads and five outer
components, plus pivots for the
rudder, diving and rear horizontal
fins (it cannot be built as a
waterline vessel from the box).
The decal sheet supplies the hull
number, waterline and warning
stencils, white cheat-line (in
eight segments), name plate for
Zvezda’s standard three-piece
‘seascape’ stand and even the
vessel’s launch insignia, which was
painted on the sonar dome.
THIRD OF FOUR
IJN Battlecruiser Kirishima
(1915)
By: Kajika
Item no: KM70004
Price: US $39
Web: www.flyhawkmodel.com
Kajika’s fourth waterline Kongo-
class battlecruiser kit depicts
the third in class, IJN Kirishima,
as it appeared shortly after it
entered service with the Imperial
Japanese Navy, and before it was
modified into a battleship. As
with its other offerings, the parts
quality is exquisite, with delicate
engraved detail, incredibly fine
gun barrels, anti-torpedo net
booms and funnel pipes, and
hollowed muzzles for the main
MINE-SWEEPING FLOWER
HMS BUTTERCUP
By: Revell
Item no: 05158
Price: £39.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Modellers were wowed by Revell’s
1/144 new-tooled Flower-class
corvette (see News, August 2016),
and it has obliged with changed
parts to create HMS Buttercup.
Runner H has been modified to
supply a three-piece radar cage,
and Runners K and L replace
Runners G and J respectively,
providing changes to the
superstructure and equipment fit,
notably the bow-mounted acoustic
1/700
armament. What impresses most
is the thought that’s gone into
the component design, with the
funnel piping, whalers and three-
piece motor boats notable for
their refinement…the latter are a
surprising testament to modern
styrene moulding, as they rival
resin alternatives. Modellers
seeking further embellishment
need look no further than
Kajika’s photo-etched brass
set (KM71023), wooden deck
(KM71024) and painting mask
(KM71025). The single colour
scheme depicts the vessel as
it appeared in 1915, with dark
grey (probably Sasebo Grey)
uppersurfaces and natural wood-
coloured decking.
1/144
hammer and stern minesweeping
winch. A length of black thread
completes the package (for rigging
and railings), although modellers
may wish to replace this with
aftermarket products. Note there
is limited photographic evidence
to confirm the vessel actually
carried an acoustic hammer. The
single scheme portrays the ship in
Western Approaches camouflage,
when it served as part of the
Free Belgian section of the Royal
Navy (1941-44), which highlights
one omission…Buttercup had two
jackstands (just one is supplied) at
the stern, as both Belgian and RN
ensigns were flown.
 EC-121 WARNING STAR
1
/72

The last kits in stock! AAL7011

Kit contains resin engins,flaps,tail surfaces,photoetched sheet and decals.

Buy direct on www.modelchoice.net

In our case it’s trust. Because

Airfix Model World is
independently verified by
ABC, our advertisers know
they are getting the exposure
they’ve been promised.

Our circulation is 13,149

for the period January to
December 2017.

ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.

To advertise, call Sarah Jarman

on 01780 755131 or
email sarah.jarman@keypublishing.com
 ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
COMBAT SCOOTERS
Israeli Skyhawks
By: Armycast
Item no: ACD48023 Price: €15.50
Web: www.armycast.cz
This is another dazzling collection
from Armycast, offering great
value with 25 schemes for the
A-4 Skyhawk in Israeli service,
mixing a trainer-liveried TA-4J with
camouflaged A-4E/F/H/N and TA-4F/
J/H airframes. There are sufficient
numerals to enable any Israeli A-4
to be portrayed, and the package
is completed with gorgeous ‘Flying
UNCOMMON GUSTAVS
Bf 109G-6s
By: EagleCals
Item no: EC48172
Price: US $18.50
Web: www.eagle-editions.com
With recent releases of Bf 109G-
6s by Tamiya and Eduard, plus
Hasegawa’s enduring offerings,
90 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/48
Tigers’ tail artwork and several
styles of airframe stencilling and
warning signs. Notably the artwork
indicates which aircraft (including
two-seaters) were
fitted with an
extended exhaust
nozzle, along with
various aerial
configurations. This
is also available in
1/72 (ACD 72023)
and includes:
• A-4E, 899, 140
Squadron ‘The
Golden Eagle’,
mid-1970s
• A-4F, 611, 147
Squadron ‘The
Battering Ram’,
mid-1980s
• A-4H, 69, 115 Squadron ‘The
Flying Dragons’, 1969
• A-4N, 102/332, 102 Squadron ‘The
Flying Tigers’, 2014
• TA-4F, 566, Flight School Unit,
October 1973
• TA-4J, 703, 109 Squadron ‘The
Valley’, 1974
• TA-4H, 547, Flight School Unit,
mid-1980s
1/48
the type has arguably never
been more popular. For those
seeking less-common liveries,
EagleCals’ aftermarket product
is ideal, combining unusual
camouflage combinations
with comprehensive notes and
guidance. The splendid decals
are in full register, with sharp
colour boundaries — and the
resolution is such that the
text is readable on all but
the tiniest data placards.
There are sufficient stencils
for a single airframe, and
the Swastikas are supplied
as two-piece items, to
cater for international
sensitivities. The four
schemes are:
• Red 7, Xavier Neumeier,
2./JG 302, Jüterbog,
February 1944
• Blue 17, 12./JG 2,
Beaumont le Roger,
France, 1943
• White 3, I./JG 300 ‘Wilde
Sau’, Bonn-Hangelar,
March-April 1944
• White 11, 7./JG 54, spring
1944
SOVIET RADIALS
1/48
Lavochkin La-5FN Part 1
By: Foxbot
Item no: 48-023
Price: £9.99
Web: www.foxbot.co.ua
Five camouflaged late- and
post-war airframes are
supplied on Foxbot’s first
instalment of quarter-scale
La-5FN markings, and these
would be ideal for kits by
Zvezda (re-boxed by Eduard
and KP) or Bilek. While the
decal finish is matt, the
carrier film is satin, which
should reduce silvering,
but the colour density and
register is excellent; even
the white areas shouldn’t
suffer from bleed-through
of underlying tones. Metallic winter 1944
tints are well rendered, notably on • White 30, Capt AV Lobanov, 41st
the ‘peoples’ funded’ machine, and Guards Ftr Regt, 8th Guards Ftr
there are two styles of national Div, Poland, summer 1944
insignia and various airframe • White 34, Lt RN Beketov, 721st
stencils. The choices are: Ftr Regt, 286th Ftr Div, Belarus,
• White 25, Capt GN Urvachev, summer 1944
34th Ftr Regt, 317th Air Defence • Unknown ‘Built by funds
Ftr Div, Moscow, winter 1945 collected by the population of
• Silver 05, North-western sector, Buryatia’
PATRIOTIC VIPERS 1/48
F-16C Thunderbirds airframes are equipped with Pratt &
By: Two Bobs Whitney powerplants, which limits
Item no: 48-260 the kits available, namely Hasegawa
Price: US $24 and Kinetic for F-16D Block 52s, plus
Web: www.twobobs.net Tamiya’s for the respective C-variant.
Currently, there isn’t a 1/48 Block 15,
It might state just F-16Cs on the but it should be possible to back-date
cover, but Two Bobs’ lovely offering a Block 25/32 airframe (Academy,
provides four sheets of markings Hasegawa or Tamiya).
for any of the eight-jet
Thunderbirds display
team as it appeared
at the Heart of Texas
Airshow, on March 18-19,
2017. There are bonus
markings for #10 (known
as ‘Warbird’), which was
involved in a trial to go
from display to combat
configuration in less than
72 hours, although this
was a Block 15 airframe
(the others are Block
52 C/Ds). Sufficient
team livery is supplied
for one aircraft, with
alternative F-16 customer
flag configurations for
the team and Warbird
aircraft, and all air- and
groundcrew names
are provided. Note, the

IN HOG HEAVEN
A-10A Thunderbolt II
By: Milspec
Item no: 72-013 Price: US $10
Web: www.milspecdecals.com
POLISH PONIES
303 Squadron North American
Mustang
By: Model Maker Decals
Item no: D72102 Price: €7.50
Web: www.modelmaker.com.pl
North American’s P-51D/K is
well-served with kit releases,
so there are many possibilities
available via ModelMaker’s
wonderful selection of late-war
303 (Polish) Squadron Mustangs.
It covers the unit’s code change
(from RF to PD) and offers
natural metal and camouflaged
machines, and those equipped
with Aeroproducts and Hamilton
1/72
Builders of A-10s should seriously
consider this delightful package
from MILSPEC, which supplies full
markings, stencils and insignia for a
single US Air Force Reserve
‘Warthog’, in European 1
‘lizard’ camouflage. This
particular airframe was
adorned with full-colour
hog’s head nose artwork
around the gun muzzle, and
is reproduced beautifully
in decal form. Note, the
formation 'slime' lights are
optional as these were fitted
just to Low-Altitude Safety
and Target Enhancement
airframes. As 79-0147 wasn't
upgraded by 1988, these can
either be spares or used to
depict a modified aircraft
(antennas must be scratch-
built). The carrier film is
glossy, which should minimise
silvering, and appears very
thin. This sheet is also
available in 1/48 (48-013)
and 1/32 (32-013) scales; the
specified airframe is:
• 79-0147, 917th TFW,
Barksdale AFB, 1988
1/72
Standard
propellers. There
are enough
stencils and
national insignia
to cater for a
single aircraft,
although there
are extra Polish
flags. These
markings are
also available in
1/48 (D48102)
and give the
following eight airframe choices:
• Mustang IV (P-51K), KH770/
PD-Y, Sept 1945-Nov 1946
• Mustang IV (P-51K), KH735/
PD-W, Fg Off Borysa Runca
• Mustang IV (P-51D), KH663/
PD-L, Nov 1945-Nov 1946
• Mustang IV (P-51K), KM226/
PD-G, May-Nov 1946
• Mustang IV (P-51K), KM112/
PD-D, Sqn Ldr W Lokuciewski,
Feb-Nov 1946
• KH663, RF-M, Sept 15, 1945
• KH825/RF-C, Miroslav
Szelestowski, Nov 13, 1945
• KH855/RF-A, Fg Off Julian
Krok, April 28, 1945
ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
AGGRESSIVE BRISTOLS
1/48
Bristol Beaufighter
TF.Mk.X
By: Xtradecal
Item no: X48188
Price: £7.99
Web: www.hannnants.co.uk
Revell’s new 1/48
Beaufighter (see News,
this issue) was always
going to encourage
aftermarket decal activity,
and Xtradecal is the
first company to oblige
with this useful sheet,
although the markings
could also be employed
on Tamiya’s Mk.X kit. The
mix of aircraft is enticing,
as there are two Coastal
Command machines, a
Burma-based asset in
Dark Green and Dark
Earth, and a post-war
thimble-nosed Beau’
flown during Operation Firedog, • TF.X, RD816/OB-D, 45 Sqn,
in Malaya. All decals appear in Tengah, Singapore, 1949
register, with rich colour density. • TF.X, LZ293/MB-T, 236 Sqn,
The choices are: North Coates, 1944
• TF.X, RD427/EO-O, 404 (RCAF) • Mk.X, RD515/Q, 22 Sqn, Burma,
Sqn, Dallachy, Scotland, 1945 late 1944
JET BOMBER BLISS 1/72
English Electric Canberra B.2 • WD980, 617 Sqn, Binbrook, 1954
Collection • WH640, 109 Sqn, Hemswell,
By: Xtradecal January 1953
Item no: X72301 Price: £7.99 • WH655, 249 Sqn, Akrotiri, Cyprus,
Web: www.hannants.co.uk 1958
• WJ608, Swifter Flight, El Adem,
The new Canberras from S&M Libya, 1959
Models have filled a long-standing • WK116/Q, 100 Sqn, RAF West
gap in the market. Anyone seeking Raynham, 1973
alternative colour
schemes need look
no further than this
array from Hannants’
own brand, which
provides varied liveries
(camouflage, High
Speed Silver, etc) and
well-printed decals for
the B.2 sub-type. The
aircraft represented
span from 1953-1973,
but while the squadron,
serials and one set of
national insignia are
offered, one must source
stencils/walkways from
elsewhere. Here are the
options in detail:
• WD999, 9 Sqn,
Binbrook (Queen’s
Coronation Flypast),
July 1953
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 91
 ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
WHITE PROTECTORS
Balkan Peacekeepers Part 6
By: Star Decals
Item no: 35-C 1066 Price: US $8
Web: www.star-decals.net
The sixth in Star Decals’ Balkan
Peacekeepers collection deals
with British FV430-series vehicles,
deployed on UN Protection Force
duties between 1992-95. There’s a
varied assortment of basic FV432
FRENCH RECCE SPECIAL
By: Syhart Decal
Item no: 72-095 Price: €9
Web: www.syhartdecal.fr
Mirage IVP no.59/CF is
represented splendidly here;
the jet was painted in 2005
to mark 41 years of Mirage IV
service with the French Air
Force (its only operator), and the
retirement of the type. Several
special schemes have adorned
92 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/35
Mk.2s and Mk.2/1s, plus a mortar
carrier, Peak turret-equipped
machine and even an FV436
command and control variant.
All are clad in UN white
camouflage, and there are
notes on weapons (usually
a 7.62mm GPMG) and
when there was insufficient
photographic evidence to
confirm the appearance
of all four sides. The seven
vehicle choices are:
• FV432 Mk.2, Black 34C,
Cheshire Regt, Sarajevo
Airport, 1992-93
• FV432 Mk.2 (with Peak
turret), Black 34, (poss)
Cheshire Regt, 1992-93
• FV436 Mk.2/1, 32 Armd
Eng Regt, Central Bosnia
• FV432 Mk.2, (prob)
35 Armd Eng Regt,
Tomislavgrad, 1992-93
• FV432 Mk.2 (with 81mm
mortar), Black 13D,
Coldstream Guards,
Tomislavgrad, 1993-94
• FV432 Mk.2, no vehicle markings
• FV432 Mk.2/1, Black 12C, Stari
Vitez, May 1994
1/72
the ‘IV’ over the years, but this
is one of the best (and most
colourful), with its camera film
strip design, ‘337 000 hours’
legends, ‘Gascogne’ and FF196
underwing artwork, and large
swathes of blue, yellow and red.
The yellow chevrons under the
aircraft come in decal form, but
it will be difficult to guarantee
opacity with these alone.
Thoughtfully, though, Syhart
also supplies self-adhesive vinyl
masks, so one can render these
fields with paint. A stunning set
for anyone with old Heller kits.
MORE GALLIC HULKS
1/72
Free French Forces Sherman Div, 1944
tanks vol.3 • M4A4 ‘Austerlitz’, 4th Sqn, 2nd
By: Toro Model African Chasseurs, 1st (French)
Item no: 72D35 Price: €4 Armd Div, 1944,
Web: www.toro-model.com.pl • M4A2 ‘Provence’, 12th
Chasseurs d’Afrique, 2nd
We covered
Volume 2 of this
useful series in
last month’s issue
and here’s the
third instalment,
again packed with
various subjects.
Anyone wishing
to portray the
iconic Sherman
in 1/72 scale has
plenty of fine
options here,
if a non-US or
British scheme is desired. Seven (French) Armd Div, June 1944
choices are provided, with all • M4A2 ‘Montcalm’, 5th African
tanks wearing Olive Drab overall… Chasseurs, 1st AD, 1945
but the decals themselves do lend • M4A2 ‘Davout’, 2nd Cuirassiers,
dashes of colour via the vehicle 1st AD, 1945
names, unit/formation badges, • M4A2 ‘Chemin Des Dames’,
insignia and the like. The vehicles, 501st Combat Tanks Regt, 2nd
all French-located machines, are: AD, 1944
• M4A1(76) ‘St Malo’, 4th Sqn, 2nd • M4A2 ‘France’, 5th African
Cuirassiers, 1st (French) Armd Chasseurs, 1st AD, 1945
MEDIUM-WEIGHT MUSCLE 1/72
Martin B-26 Marauder Collection • Marauder Mk.I, FK375/D ‘Dominion
By: Xtradecal Revenge’, 14 Sqn RAF, Egypt, 1942
Item no: X72300 Price: £7.99 • B-26B-50-MA, 42-95987/71-S ‘Yo-
Web: www.hannants.co.uk Yo Champ’, 497th BS, 344th BG,
France
Xtradecal’s new batch of Marauder • Marauder Mk.III, ‘H’, 30 Sqn SAAF,
markings is timed with the re-release Italy, 1944
of the old Airfix offering; while the • B-26B-55-MA, 42-96131/YA-P
two schemes provided with the ‘Perkatory II’, 555th BS, 386th BG,
latter are good, it’s useful to have Great Dunmow, 1944
alternatives. Here, one
is treated to American,
South African, French
and British B-26 schemes,
all with different
camouflage/bare-metal
finishes. There’s plenty
of nose art too, for extra
colour and character. The
seven liveries comprise:
• B-26C-15-MO, 41-34946/
YA-L ‘The Yankee
Guerrilla’, 555th BS,
386th BG, Boxted,
August 1944
• Marauder Mk.II,
FB441/G, 21 Sqn SAAF,
Italy, 1944
• B-26C, 42-107652/03,
GBM 1/19 ‘Gascogne’,
Armée de l’Air Française,
Sardinia, 1944
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE WITH HINTS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Welcome to the re-printed
Scale Modelling – Step-by-Step …
whether you are a total novice,
returning to the hobby after a long
lay-off, or an experienced modeller.

While flexibility and experimentation

form a large part of building scale
models, there are some standards
that are set in stone and many
construction, painting and airbrushing
methods are featured here. Primarily,
though, this instructional 100-page
publication is aimed at beginners
who, if they choose to stick with
it, will have entered a fascinating
and fun arena in which to develop
their creativity. On these pages we
also endeavour to welcome lapsed
modellers back to the fold and to
help update their skills. Enjoy, and get
building!
and much more!

Subsc
riber
call fo s
your £ r
1.
discou 00
nt!

ORDER DIRECT
*Free 2nd class P&P on all

PLUS FREE P&P * UK & BFPO orders. Overseas

charges apply.

078/18

Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404
www.keypublishing.com/shop OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404
Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm
 ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
STORAGE SPACE 1/35
The Old Barn
Item number: 35256
Price: €45.76
Web: www.realityinscale.com
Reality in Scale is new to these
pages, but the firm is known for its
highly detailed diorama accessories
and buildings. Its latest complete –
or at least not ruined – building The
Old Barn exhibits high standards,
with five grey and five off-white
resin pieces with details on both
sides, making up the plate base,
three walls, one storey, ceiling and
the door, ladder/stair and hatch. A
small metal lattice and a piece of
clear plastic are included to produce
a two-storey barn in somewhat
need of repair, making it even more
interesting. Details include cables
and plugs, temporarily repaired and
worn wood, and stone walls.
GIVE IT A WASH
Washable Mud/Earth/Mud
By: AMMO-MIG
Item no: A.MIG-107/108/109
Price: €2.30
Web: www.migjimenez.com
AMMO-MIG’s range of ‘washable’
tones seem to allow more
flexibility than most, with
application as a filter, streaking
effect or basic wash. The very
fine pigment allows for a smooth
finish, and it can be sprayed or
brush-painted, which enables a
variety of effects to be created.
These latest hues (Earth, Mud
and Rust), can be combined with
other shades, permitting almost
infinite variety.
94 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
HOTH
1/144
WALKER
UPGRADE
AT-AT
By: Green Strawberry
Item no: 03117 Price: US $19.24
Web: www.greenstrawberry.cz
Few cinematic entrances have
been as dramatic as that of the
Imperial All-Terrain Armored
Transport (AT-AT) in Empire
Strikes Back. With Bandai’s
excellent 1/144 offering, at last
there is a truly accurate kit. But
it still has shortcomings, and this
update supplies items too fine to
render faithfully in styrene, such
as the rear baffle plates, upper
hull exhaust grilles, interior
fittings on external panels,
secondary blaster armour and
cockpit details.
GRAZING 1/35
BOUNDARIES
Meadow Fence A
By: Matho Models
Item no: 35061 Price: €12.95
Web: www.mathomodels.com
Here’s yet another well-considered
diorama accessory from Matho, in
the shape of two sections of photo-
etched brass chain-link fence and
two lengths of wooden dowel. The
latter provides sufficient material for
up to nine posts, with the outer items
also having reinforcing cross-bars.
This makes for a delightful addition
to a scene, whether it’s for keeping
animals in a pen, a storage area
boundary, or the edge of a military
marshalling area.
GUNS, GUNS 1/35
AND MISSILES!
Modern Light Weapons Set
By: Italeri
Item no: 6421 Price: £7.75
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Italeri has re-released its Modern
Weapons Set, but the age is telling,
notably in the soft detail, yet for
value it’s hard to beat. There are
three examples each of M60, AK-47,
Uzi, Sterling, M-16, G3A3, FN-FAL/
SLR, two Browning .50 cal heavy
machine guns, and single BGM-71
TOW and MILAN anti-tank missile
launchers. There are 20 pistols, with
four of each type, these being M1911,
Walther P1, Beretta 92, Luger P08
and Tokarev TT-33.
1/350
CARRIER
COMMS
Essex-Class Whip Antennae
By: SSN Modellbau
Item no: F35012 Price: €15.50
Web: www.ssnmodellbau.de
These brass items replace
the styrene whip antennas in
Trumpeter’s 1/350 Essex-class
carrier kits. Each comprises
seven parts and, while fiddly to
work with, especially the main
mount component, the result
is far superior to the styrene
alternatives. Note, just one PE
fret is shown in the photo, but
two are supplied to mount all ten
whip antennas.
AIRBRUSH 1/48
FILMS
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6
Canopy Mask
By: MH Models
Item no: X48031 Price: €3
Web: www.mhmodels.cz
These self-adhesive masks are
for Tamiya’s 1/48 Bf 109G-6,
and cater for the heavily framed
style of canopy. It replicates
the kit product in its entirety,
albeit with pre-cut items and the
use of a vinyl-based material,
which will ease application, and
there are covers for the interior
armoured glazing.
BRASS 1/32
BROWNINGS
B-25 Gunship
Barrels
By: Profimodeller
Item no: 32194
Price: €38.54
Web: www.profimodeller.com
While there have been many
advances in styrene moulding, it
can’t yet reproduce the definition
provided by turned brass. This is
exemplified by Profimodeller’s
splendid .50 cal and 75mm cannon
set for Hong Kong Models’ 1/32
B-25H, which comprises four sets
of two-piece barrels to cater for the
turret, nose and blister guns, and a
single item for the cannon. All barrels
feature hollow muzzles, while the
perforated sleeves are designed to fit
snugly around the latter.

BOMB RACKS 1/72
AND FINS
B-25C/D Bomb Bay
By: Eduard
Item no: 72667 Price: €18.95
Web: www.eduard.com
The quality of Airfix’s new 1/72
B-25 is highlighted by how few
improvements are required in the
bomb bay. Eduard’s PE, though,
mainly embellishes the kit’s moulded
detail. Changes are limited to bay
door inners, extra fittings on the
sidewalls, plus exterior panels, with
the most notable difference being
the forward bulkhead, which receives
a new facing and equipment boxes.
One other improvement is the
provision of bomb fins, which are far
thinner than the styrene versions.
1/72
NAVY
REFUELLING
F-4B/J/N/S Phantom II IFR Probe
By: CMK
Item no: Q72310 Price: €3.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Intended for Hasegawa’s post-
1990 1/72 US Navy Phantoms,
this neat four-piece resin
refuelling probe depicts a fully
extended unit. It comprises a
bay, actuator arm and two-part
probe. The detail is superb,
notably on the probe and
retraction assembly, although
the latter will require careful
removal of flash.
NEW EMIL
1/24
PANELS
Messerschmitt Bf 109E
By: Airscale
Item no: PE24 MES Price: £11.95
Web: www.airscale.co.uk
Comprising four PE components
(upper and lower instrument
panel halves plus backing plates),
two decals and an acetate sheet
(for the dial glazing), this is
a quick and easy upgrade for
Airfix’s ageing Bf 109E ‘superkit’.
The kit's moulded relief must be
removed before the upgrade's
attachment, although one must
scratch-build various levers
and switches. Thanks to the
comprehensive instructions,
this upgrade should be possible
for most modellers, and an ideal
introduction to PE accessories.
MITCHELL INS 1/72
AND OUTS
B-25C/D
By: Eduard
Item no: 73628 Price: €18.75
Web: www.eduard.com
Eduard has gone to town with its
interior and exterior enhancements
for Airfix’s new B-25C/D, supplying
them on photo-etched (PE) pre-
painted metal and plain brass
frets. The engines receive ignition
cables, while the cockpit benefits
from new control column handles,
throttles, an instrument panel, and
seats/harnesses. Other areas aren’t
neglected, and the bomb-aimer’s
compartment is graced with Norden
bomb sight accoutrements, and
ammunition boxes and feeds, while
the fuselage sidewalls are filled with
equipment and stowage. Best of all,
there are two highly detailed access
ladders for the underside.
ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
CARTONS 1/35
SIMPLIFIED
1/72
FOR ALL PAINTING
Zlin Z-50M Paint Masks
By: Brengun
Item no: BRL72123 Price: €5.74
Web: www.brengun.cz
Designed for Brengun’s 1/72 Zlin
Z-50M (BRP 72022), these pre-
cut masks cater for the complex
first prototype scheme, and
provide positive and negative
Cardboard Boxes Generic covers. This means modellers
By: Matho Models can paint the airframe either
Item no: 35058 Price: €6.95 beige or red overall, before
Web: www.mathomodels.com applying the relevant sections
in preparation for the second
colour. Regardless, this product
It’s a common lament that 1/35
will ease painting considerably.
vehicle kits lack stowage, so it’s
equally pleasing to see companies,
such as Matho, fill this gap admirably.
Its A5 sheet supplies sufficient ‘flat-
packs’ for 28 logo-free cardboard
boxes (20 brown and eight white) in
three different sizes. Each will need
to be separated from the main sheet
(the cut lines are heavier than the
fold lines), and then bent into shape,
with PVA used to attach the flaps.
STUNNING
1/48
FIGHTER
‘OFFICE’
PYRAMIDAL 1/35
STOPPERS
Dragon’s Teeth Tank Traps
By: Hauler
Item no: HLU35096 Price: €16.36
Web: www.hauler.cz
Hauler’s Dragons’ Teeth would be
ideal for any Normandy or Siegfried
Line diorama, and comprise eight
superb cast resin items. There are
two examples of each, and these
include both new and increasingly
BAC Lightning F.2/F.2A/F.3/F.6
worn pyramidal blocks, with varying
By: CMK
amounts of chips and gouges on
Item no: 4350 Price: €12
the top and sides. Those wanting to
Web: www.cmkkits.com
portray partially exposed ‘teeth’ will
need to add a base, as these depict
Good as Airfix’s 1/48 Lightnings
just the above-ground section.
are, the cockpits could be
improved, and CMK’s great-value
offering is designed as a drop-in
replacement for the tub, ejection
seat, control column, and canopy
actuator fairing and coaming
(the latter with the radar sight
cast integrally). To facilitate the
multiple variants, there are four
instrument panels, each with an
associated acetate film for the
dial detail.
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 95
 ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
ORIENTAL GAS 1/32
Japanese Refueling Cart
By: Brengun
Item no: BRL32029 Price: €13.73
Web: www.brengun.cz
Modellers seeking inspiration
for large-scale Japanese aircraft
dioramas will find plenty from this
neat resin refuelling cart. There are
14 finely cast components, with nine
for the hand cart, four for the fuel
pump and a single-piece barrel. Vinyl
tube must be sourced to connect
the nozzle to the pump. While the
instructions are clear generally, the
axle (part 5) isn’t labelled; otherwise
this will be a simple build once the
casting seams and minor flash
residue are neatened.
1/48
GLIDE BOMBS
AGM-154A/C Block I
By: Eduard
Item no: 648383 Price: €11.25
Web: www.eduard.com
Eduard's 1/48 AGM-154 Joint
Stand-Off Weapons (JSOWs)
supply enough superbly cast
resin components for two
stores, each comprising 12 parts,
including tail fins and separate
wings…the latter can be posed
stowed or deployed. A full set of
stencil decals is supplied, along
with extra mounting lugs. As
both versions utilise an identical
body, either the baseline -A
(cluster munition warhead) or
unitary variant -C (penetrator
warhead) can be built, and these
are ideal for F/A-18, F-16, F-35
and JAS 39 projects.
96 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
AMERICAN
1/24 or
1/25
TAGS
License Plate Frames 1
By: Highlight Model Studio
Item no: HME-022 Price: €7
Web: highlightmodelstudio.com
For those unfamiliar with
Highlight Model Studio, it's a
sub-brand of Riemu Design,
and produces top-notch auto
accessories in PE and resin. This
PE set supplies six pressed-
metal plate holders; enough for
three vehicles, with two each
bearing ‘California’, ‘Cal Looker’
and ‘Aircooler’ logos. The actual
generic registrations are printed
on high-quality paper.
UNDERWING 1/72
PROTECTOR
Sycomor – Chaff/Flare Dispenser
for Mirage F.1
By: CMK
Item no: Q72312 Price: €3.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
While Special Hobby’s Mirage F.1s are
generously equipped with underwing
stores, it would be impractical
to include every item, so CMK’s
Sycomor chaff/flare dispenser (fitted
to export F.1s) is most welcome. The
pod has been replicated faithfully,
including the four dispenser tubes
and central rear blanking plate. It
comes as a single-piece cast resin
item, complete with associated
pylon, which makes it an easy
addition to the port-outer hardpoint.
QUICK AMMO 1/48
CHANGE
Spandau 08/15 Extended Loading
Handle
By: GasPatch Models
Item no: 48066 Price: €7
Web: www.gaspatchmodels.com
GasPatch has released a pair of well-
detailed 1/48 late-World War One
Spandau 08/15 machine guns. Each
weapon comprises three beautifully
cast resin pieces, with the main body
encompassing backplate, breech,
cooling jacket and the characteristic
extended handle for the Klingstrom
device on the right-hand side of the
gun (for single-handed ammunition
reloading while airborne). No
preparation is required, and the
components slot together smoothly.
1/76
BETTER
SCOUTS
Daimler Dingo Detail Set
By: Dan Taylor Modelworks
Item no: C-76134 Price: £6
Web: dantaylormodelworks.com
Designed to fit the out-of-
production Matchbox/Revell
Dingo Mk.IIs, this resin and
PE brass upgrade reworks the
kit’s basic interior and adds
equipment to the exterior.
Despite the scout’s diminutive
size in 1/76 scale, there are notes
on how to improve its accuracy
and (if one has the S-Model 1/72
Dingo), guidance on back-dating
it to a Mk.Ia version. This is an
excellent package, which will
transform an ageing kit very well.
EINDECKER
1/32
BULLETS
Fokker E.II/E.III (Early)
Ammunition Feed
By: Master Model
Item no: AM-32-105 Price: £5.70
Web: www.master-model.pl
There’s very little to be improved
on Wingnut Wings’ Fokker E.II/E.
IIIs, but Master Model has
targeted one minor shortfall,
namely the LMG 08 Spandau
machine gun ammunition feed.
Its resin and photo-etched brass
ensemble improves the weapon’s
appearance considerably,
offering a two-piece (resin/
PE) feed chute, plus two small
sections of ammunition belt,
one with and one without bullets
(these representing ready-to-fire
rounds and empty cartridges
respectively).
FITTER PANELS 1/48
Su-17/Su-22
By: Yahu
Item no: YML4802 Price: £5.99
Web: yahumodels.siemianowice.com
To complement its pre-assembled
range of pre-painted photo-etched
metal instrument panels, Yahu has
started releasing ‘Ikea’ versions…
some assembly required! This set is
designed for Kitty Hawk’s Su-17M3/
M4, and replaces the styrene
instrument panel and side consoles
in their entirety. The latter have
sidewall detail, which must be bent
into position, and the combination
of photo-quality detail and layered
relief will make a huge difference to
the finished cockpit.
 MODEL MART
CLASSIFIEDS
BOOKS MODEL SHOP
CHURCH STREET MODELS
Airfix & Revell kits: 1/72 Tanks & Planes, 1/48 Planes, Ships – various
Cars- 1/24, 1/25 & 1/32. Paint- enamel & acrylic, weathering powders,
washes, glues, Plastruct, balsa wood, scenery, abrasives & tools.
10A Church Street, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 7QE, 01256 358060
Mail Order Welcome
Mon-Sat 09.30-17.30. Closed Tues.

Trains4U.com 27 St. David’s Square, Fengate,

Peterborough, PE1 5QA
Open Tues-Fri 9:30-5:00,Sat 9:00-5:00,Sunday 10:30–3:30, closed Monday
Massive Range of Plastic Kits, Tamiya Radio Controlled Cars, Paints, Glues & more

BOOKS
Tel: 01733 895989 e-mail: Trains4U@BTConnect.com
Buying & Selling Kits?
NAMEPLATES & ETCHING
CALL ON
01932 840766 (pm only) | Email: collectakit@hotmail.com

DECALS

ONLINE MODEL SHOP

Yenmodels_pub_90x30_PRESS-April2018_PASTES-PIGMENTS.pdf 1 04-05-18

DIORAMA ACCESSORIES

WWW.YENMODELS.BE
SCALE MODELLING ACCESSORIES

YENMODELS

MJW MODELS
WOODEN ACCESSORIES URBAN ACCESSORIES WORKSHOP ACCESSORIES PLASTER-CAST FOLIAGE & SCENERY PASTES & PIGMENTS
ONLINE MODEL SHOP
• Aircraft kits, accessories and paints
• Quick Despatch • Low Prices
E-BOOKS & CD-ROMs MODEL SHOP Email: mjwmodels@fjandmw.plus.com
www.mjwmodels.co.uk

Scale Publications R&R Hobbies WANTED To advertise please

Large selection of
Kit buildup E-books
MODEL KITS, PAINTS, TOOLS contact:
Reference E-books
Aircraft CD-ROMs & SCENICS Unmade or already built, Hollie Keeling
Tony Weddel Art Prints 3, Shoppers Walk, Swansea SA1 3AY any quantity, especially large hollie.keeling@keypublishing.com
open 10 - 4 Mon - Sat collections, also diecast models & or
also in Porthcawl books. Will collect nationwide
Email: tennexican@gmail.com tel 01792 468749 and pay best cash price. Elizabeth Ridge
scalepublications.freeyellow.com www.randrhobbies.co.uk elizabeth.ridge@keypublishing.com
Please call 01202-976974
MODEL SHOP or 07901-890461 Thank you
01780 755131
Over 11,000 products
in stock covering
all aspects of model Take a look at our ABC
- THE MODELLERS MODEL SHOP - making. certificate. It shows our
Contact us on: Great after sales
circulation has been
3-5 Brockwell Rd, Birmingham B44 9PF support. independently verified to
0121 360 4521 industry agreed standards. So
From ready to go
Email: info@mikes-models.co.uk kits, to materials for our advertisers know they’re
your hobby or
www.mikes-models.co.uk anything in between. getting what they paid for.

ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.

Bringing Models and
To advertise, call Sarah Jarman on
Accessories to You 01780 755131 or
email sarah.jarman@keypublishing.com
www.models2u.co.uk Large range of models,
Phone: 01543 433999 figures, tools and
models2u accessories

Based in the Midlands since 2001 with worldwide shipping available

ARCHIVE TREASURES
F-104 STARFIGHTER
L
ooking resplendent as they
fly over San Francisco’s
Bay Bridge in the late
1950s, this brace of
F-104A Starfighters hails from
Air Defense Command’s 337th
Fighter Interceptor Squadron,
then stationed at Westover Air
Force Base, Massachusetts.
The type’s service with this unit
was brief, due to its short range,
which hampered the mission
NEXT ISSUE ON SALE AUGUST 2, 2018*
98 Airfix Model World
of defending the Continental
United States. Regardless, F-104s
equipped squadrons/wings
across Tactical Air Command,
Air Defense Command, the Air
National Guard, Air Proving
Ground Command and even
NASA. The Starfighter soon
acquired unflattering nicknames
such as Widow Maker, Flying
Coffin and Jinx Jet, because of
burgeoning accident rates in
*UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.
the West German Air Force and
Navy (Marineflieger). Germany
lost approximately 270 of its
900-plus Starfighters, but those
figures were lower than some
other NATO F-104 users. Besides
Germany and the US, F-104s
were also operated by Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, Greece, Italy,
Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands,
Norway, Pakistan, Spain,
Taiwan and Turkey.
 The International Plastic Modellers Society was established in the United Kingdom over 50 years ago
with the aim of promoting and supporting the hobby of plastic modelling and has developed into a
truly global ‘model club’ with some 65 international bodies. Why not join us?
Some of the benefits of IPMS (UK) Membership
More than 100 local and virtual Branches throughout the United Kingdom • Over 95 Special Interest Groups covering
a multitude of subjects • Free entry to Scale ModelWorld ~ the World’s greatest model show • Access to an active
Technical Advisory Service • Access to a Society Decal Bank and Instruction Sheet Library • A high quality, full colour
Magazine six times per year • IPMS (UK) Online Forum ~ keep in touch • Exclusive discounts with modelling retailers

magazine
Written by Modellers for Modellers
Issue 1 2017
January ~ February
magazine
Written by Modellers for Modellers
Issue 2 2017
March ~ April

Seven-engined Stratojet Hispano Suiza H6C

Defiant by Day and by Night A Honey of a Stuart in Tunisia
Armstrong Whitworth AW.16 in China Catching up with a French Corsair

magazine
Written by Modellers for Modellers
Issue 4 2017
July ~ August

• Flywheel 2017
• Walrus Walkround
• Achtung Messerspit!

magazine
Written by Modellers for Modellers
Issue 3 2017
May ~ June
magazine
Written by Modellers for Modellers
Issue 5 2016
September ~ October

Full Steam Ahead Rest In Peace Peter Elley

A Rolls in the (Iraqi) Desert
XC-99 ~ A Transport Marvel of its Day IPMS Founder 1933 ~ 2016

magazine magazine magazine

Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2015

Issue 2 Mar/Apr 2015

Issue 1 Jan/Feb 2015

Written by Written by Written by

Modellers Modellers Modellers
for Modelle for Modelle for Modelle
rs rs rs

50 Years of the
50 Years of the IPMS Magazine
IPMS Magazine

50 Years of
the IPMS
Magazine
6 Nov/Dec 2015 IPMSmagazine

2 Mar/Apr 2015 IPMSmagazine

1 Jan/Feb 2015 IPMSmagazine

Zeppelin! Kathy’s Kyle Reese

Ried Model Show
Takom’s All New Chieftain A Traveller’s Tale Airfix’s Blenheim Analysed
Scale ModelWorld 2015 Special Issue Keski-Suomen Ilmailumuseon Super(marine) Spitfire Vb in 1/48th
1

magazine magazine magazine magazine

Issue 3 May/Jun 2015

Issue 4 Jul/Aug 2015

Issue No.5 • 2014
Issue No.6 • 2014

Written by Written by Written by Written by

Modellers Modellers Modellers Modellers
for Modelle for Modelle for Modelle for Modelle
rs rs rs rs

50 Years of
50 Years of
the IPMS
the IPMS
Magazine
Magazine
3 May/Jun 2015 IPMSmagazine

4 Jul/Aug 2015 IPMSmagazine

06•2014 IPMSmagazine

05•2014 IPMSmagazine

No Fotografía! Uruguayan Museums Nosferatu

Special Issue
A Tale of Two Rumplers 1932 Ford Pro-street Pickup Yeovilton Air Day Report
2014 Trumpeter’s Less Than Perfect Storm New Airfix 1/48 Bedford MWD Built A Guide To Model Photography
1

1
1

TheMagazine062014.indd 1 Tuesday16/12/2014 19:30 TheMagazine042015.indd 1 Friday14/08/2015 15:01

IPMS(UK)
For an Information Pack, including a FREE sample magazine, please
send 3 First Class stamps to the Membership Secretary: Cliff Bassett
West Barn Duken Lane Wootton Bridgnorth Shropshire WV15 6EA
Email membership@ipmsuk.org or visit ipmsuk.org/membership/ to join online