Model Airplane International - Issue 175 (February 2020)

ALL THE INFORMATION YOU’LL EVER NEED LL THE INFORMATION YOU’LL EVER NEED 4 BUILDS
A
NEW INSIDE
TO CREATE THE BEST AIRCRAFT MODELS NEW

1:32 KIT BUILD






GET THE BEST FROM ET THE BEST FROM ET THE BEST FROM
G G
THE SPECTACULAR,
THE SPECTACULAR, HE SPECTACULAR,
T
FOR SUBSCRIBERS W
WINGNUT WINGS 1:32 INGNUT WINGS 1:32
WINGNUT WINGS 1:32
DETAILS INSIDE
HALBERSTADT CL.II.
HALBERSTADT CL.II.ALBERSTADT CL.II.
H





www.modelairplaneinternational.com
February 2020
£
£4.75 / Issue 175
£4.75 / Issue 1754.75 / Issue 175
1
1:144 KIT BUILD:144 KIT BUILD
TWELVE
LABOURS
OR MORE

LET’S BUILD
MINICRAFT’S
1:144 C-130
HERCULES…
TWICE












1:32 KIT BUILD


STORMBIRD









JUST HOW GOOD IS REVELL’S 1:32 MESSERSCHMITT ME262? LET’S TAKE A LOOK SHALL WE..?





KIT PREVIEW WE TAKE A LOOK AT REVELL’S SPECTACULAR IT’S SHOWTIME! IPMS SCALE
1:48 ROCKWELL B-1B LANCER MODEL WORLD

1:48 KIT BUILD


RIDDLE ME THIS: WHAT COLOURS
DOOLEYBIRD SHOULD OUR AIRFIX 1:48 MUSTANG BE? 9 771747 504069



How to contact us:
Contents Tel: 01525 222573

Model Airplane International. Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, England
VOLUME 14. ISSUE 175. FEBRUARY 2020 VOL.14 ISS.175 FEBRUARY 2020
Editorial:
Editor: Spencer Pollard
REGULARS P34 DOOLEYBIRD [email protected]
Publisher: Alan Harman
Mike Williams builds the Airfi x 1:48 P-51D Mustang,
P04 - IN THIS ISSUE fi nishing it in one of WWII’s most controversial Group Editor: Marcus Nicholls
Administration Manager: Hannah McLaurie
P06 - COMMENT colour schemes… Offi ce Manager: Paula Gray
P08 - NEWSLINE Advertising Manager: Richard Andrews
P78 - EVENTS DIARY [email protected]
P79 - CONTACT DETAILS P42 KIT PREVIEW
P81 - NEXT ISSUE We take a look at Revell’s spectacular 1:48 Art:
P82 - FINAL THOUGHTS… Rockwell B-1B Lancer. Editorial Design: Peter Hutchinson
Advertising Design: Peter Hutchinson & Alex Hall
REVIEWS P46 STORMBIRD
Ivan Jensen Taylor builds the brand-new Revell Advertisement and circulation:
P12 KIT BOX 1:32 Messerschmitt Me262. Model Airplane International, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
Which models will you be building over the coming Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX.
months? P56 IN DETAIL Tel: 01525 222573
E-mail: [email protected]
The Editor photographs two of the world’s best-
P18 THE AFTERMARKET preserved Me262s… Distribution:
Add-on details that will improve your next build.
Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue,
P54 WOOD ’N’ WINGS London, EC1A 9PT.
P20 TRANSFER LIST Tel: 020 7429 4000
Choices, choices - which decals will you chose to Haris Ali takes a detailed look at the spectacular,
build something different? Wingnut Wings, 1:32 Halberstadt Cl.II. Newstrade:
Select Publisher Services, 3 East Avenue,
P24 IN PRINT P70 IT’S SHOWTIME! Bournemouth, BH3 7BW.
New additions to your library’s shelves. Alan Firbank brings us the highlights from this Tel: 01202 586848 E-mail: [email protected]
year’s IPMS Scale Model World, focussing this time
FEATURES around on the club stands and new releases from Subscriptions:
Model Airplane International, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
the world’s kit manufacturers. Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Tel: 01525 222573
P26 TWELVE LABOURS OR MORE
Rates: UK £47, Eire and Europe £59,
Huw Morgan builds Minicraft’s 1:144 C-130 Worldwide Air £72.
Hercules…twice. Website: www.modelairplaneinternational.com

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22






























Model Airplane International is published monthly by Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Entire Contents © 2020
Doolittle Media, Reproduction in part or whole of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While
due care is taken to ensure the content of Model Airplane International is accurate, the publishers and printers cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.
Advertisements are accepted for publication in Model Airplane International only upon Doolittle Media’s standard terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which
are available from the advertising sales department of MAI.
Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 3

IN THIS ISSUE...N THIS ISSUE...N THIS ISSUE...
I I









Welcome to the February issue of your favourite
aircraft modelling magazine!
s this is being written, we are Several years ago, Alan Price created
only a few days away from a cluster of articles on the Battle of Britain
Christmas, so it seems a bit and the aircraft that took part. Since those
odd to be thinking too much builds were published, many of the kits
A about the year ahead, but as that featured have been replaced by newer
this is essentially the first issue of 2020, products, so we thought it would be fun
our thoughts inevitably turn to not only to create a new collection around many
what’s in this issue, but perhaps further of those newer tools. We also thought
down the line and what we have planned that it would be an idea to do the same
Written by for you over the coming months. thing where possible in two scales, 1:72
Creating a magazine such as this is and 1:48, so that modellers who may only
Spencer Pollard always something of a juggling act. From build within one or other scale, could fi nd
month to month we rely of what comes in something to enjoy and then possibly
from the world’s manufacturers and what follow as the collection of model aircraft
we can then have built in a timely fashion. developed throughout 2020. Alan has
Often that means that planning is more now completed his fi rst feature based
a week to week process, rather than a around the Tamiya Spitfi re Mk.I and that
month to month one, but even so, we can will be seen in the next issue. Though the
occasionally try and offer a series of articles original series was monthly, this one will
that span a longer period of time than the be bi-monthly we think, so that will give
four weeks between issues. you a little more time between each one

























































4 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





IN THIS ISSUE 175.indd 2

should you decide to replicate the builds for your own if this early fi ghter to a tee. Ivan Jensen Taylor is the
collection. We certainly hope that you enjoy it as it man in the saddle this month, offering a detailed step
develops. by step look at the kit and how to build and paint it.
Along similar lines, we are hoping to publish issues His feature begins on page 46.
that contain small collections of similar models. When Alongside Ivan’s ‘262, we also have Haris Ali’s
Nigel Poole announced that he was building Kinetic’s spectacular take on the Wingnut Wings Halberstadt
1:48 F-104G Starfi ghter, I was reminded of my TF- Cl.II. Some time in the making, this build is as close
104 and then when Revell’s delicate 1:72 kit arrived, to perfect as we have seen for a long time, the
it seemed sensible to wrap them all up together to incredibly complex fi nish of the original testing the
offer a small collection of different kits in one issue author’s skills to the limit, but boy, did he nail it! Haris
of the magazine. All being well, those models will tells the story of his build in this issue, with his feature
feature in the March issue and we hope that they will beginning on page 60.
be the fi rst of a number of similar groups over the Alongside our two 1:32 kit builds, we also have
coming months. What those groups will be is hard to a couple of smaller, less complex for you to enjoy,
list at this point, but one may well be the F-14 Tomcat Huw Morgan’s wonderful dual build of the Minicraft
given that so many new kits are due to be released of C-130 Hercules family and then Mike Williams
it over the next few months! reacquaintance with the Airfi x 1:48 P-51D Mustang.
The Messerschmitt Me 262 is one of the world’s Both of these features show that careful construction
most famous aircraft, so it comes as no surprise and fi nishing can result in attractive models for your
to see it replicated so often by the world’s kit collection, even if as seen here, the kits are built from
manufacturers. This month we take a look at the the box!
latest kit to appear, that being in 1:32 from Revell.
Following on from their wonderful two-seat night- This then is the February issue of Model Airplane
fi ghter, their depiction of the A-1/A-2 fi ghter bomber is International. We hope that you enjoy it and that
every bit as impressive, capturing the gorgeous lines we see you next month. ■
































































IN THIS ISSUE 175.indd 3 07/01/2020 12:03

VERTICAL




REALITY




Jonathan Mock revisits why old kits still have a place in the market.


he recent reissue of the opposite bed making the then saw at the local model shows of some other corrections and
the old 1:32 Harrier recently-new 1:32 Revell kit, and in Wokingham Town Hall. It improvements. The icing on the
GR.1 by Revell took I had pangs of jealously, shortly remained out of reach and then cake in that issue was a double-
me rather by surprise followed by pangs of throbbing out of sight as it was dropped, page spread of 1:72 four-view GA
T – for some reason its pain from my repaired hand. Of reissued and dropped again, drawings (again by Pat) showing
announcement went under my course, I tried to impress upon before I fi nally managed to bag a stores, pylons, camoufl age,
radar, which is rather odd given my parents that if ever there was second hand, original issue of the stencilling, you name it – in fact
that the Harrier is one of my a situation that necessitated me kit in the late 1990s, along with they remain the go-to reference
favourite subjects, even if I’ve having such a luxury then it was the November 1973 issue of Scale drawings nearly 50 years on.
not built as many as I would now! But money was tight and so Models in which the Pat Lloyd and Looking back on the kit now,
have liked over the years. I had to spend a couple of days the editorial team examined the and in comparison to Airfi x’s
The Revell kit is indelibly etched seeing this model being slowly kit, building two models – one in mammoth 1:24 GR.1 released
in my memory for the simple built while I lay immobile with my the RAF scheme and the other in about the same time, Revell’s
reason that when I was about plaster-cast arm in a sling – talk USMC markings. Harrier is very simplifi ed and
fi ve-years-old I managed to fall about mental torture! What was a subsequent even crude in places, and in
while carrying a glass milk bottle, The bookend of that revelation – or “Revellation” – many respects it shows perhaps
severing the tendons in my right unfortunate accident was it was from that article was that the kit the advantages the Airfi x team
hand and was rushed to hospital actually modelling - along with wasn’t quite a true GR.1 but at Haldane Place had in their
where I underwent surgery. Upon drawing and learning to play the actually depicted a very late cooperation with Hawker Siddeley
waking up in the ward, the fi rst guitar - that formed a great part P.1127 (RAF) hybrid with the at the time. Certainly the decal
thing I saw was a young lad in of my recuperation, as I had to slightly narrower fairing in- sheet was very basic, a refl ection
recover the mobility and dexterity between the intake and the “cold” of an era before late great Dick
I’d taken for granted. nozzle. The article dealt with how Ward’s infl uence started to be felt.
But that Revell Harrier stuck to fi x this – putty and modelling Given this less than glowing
with me, along with their 1:32 skills of course – as well as impression, one would be left
Mirage III, as a kit I frequently beautifully illustrated page by Pat wondering about the wisdom





































6 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

‘Europe’s Number One Model Shops’
www.hannants.co.uk


















INJECTION MOULDED KITS FOR THE
EXPERIENCED MODELLER









MACHGP106
1:72 - Vickers VC-10 K2 RAF camouflaged £81.99








MACHGP107
of reissuing the kit in 2019 are all within the scope of so that’s one I look forward to 1:72 - Vickers VC-10 K2 RAF grey low viz £81.99
when things have moved on anyone with a modicum of as inspiration to get my own
considerably since it was fi rst skills, detailing the cockpit done.
released. Well for starters and ejection seat may take Writing this piece I’ve
the decal sheet is much a bit more talent but then we been dipping back into that
improved and contains the all have to start somewhere, old November 1973 issue of
kind of levels of completeness even if it’s just adding some scale models and marvelling
and accuracy that has come seat straps, switches etc… As at the get-up-and-go attitude
to be expected in modern with any kind of scratchbuilt of the writers, the beautiful
years. Secondly, and perhaps the stuff, the sense of writing and illustrating of what MACHGP108
more pertinently, is that it satisfaction is enormous and was – is – needed to be 1:72 - Vickers VC-10 BOAC ‘The Queen Of The Skies’ £81.99
still remains the only 1:32 kit the confi dence to push ones done and the modelling skills
of a fi rst-generation Harrier skills isn’t something that can in building two examples of ALSO AVAILABLE
of any variant. Amazing as be bought off-the-shelf. the kit to a press deadline.
it may seem given the glut And it also points back to In many ways the article MACHGP064
of 1:32 kits in recent years a topic previously mentioned remains timeless because it is 1:72 - Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy RAF
and the number of new in these pages, that of the as relevant as we move into Midde East £53.99
Harrier models that have relevance of old kits when the 2020s are it was when it
emerged in 1:72 and 1:48, they remain the only choice. was written nearly fi fty years
the Revell kit is still the only Modellers can mash away at previously in the early 1970s. MACHGP065
choice for anyone wishing to keyboards at the unfairness If you grew up in an era 1:72 - Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy RAF £53.99
make a GR.1/AV-8B as well than there is no modern where these kinds of kits
as the springboard for any alternative, sit on their hands were the norm – even the MACHGP066
conversions to the GR.3, Sea and do nothing or – if they pinnacle – then I don’t think it 1:72 - Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy
Harrier and two-seat variants. really want a 1:32 Harrier in hurts to sometimes go back Decals BEA £53.99
In that regard, as aged their collection – roll up their and reacquaint yourself with
as the Revell 1:32 Harrier sleeves and make the best of projects that may require a MACHGP099
kit is, it still has a relevance what is out there. It’s idealism little more than simply shake- 1:72 - de Havilland Comet 4C Dan-Air £59.99
in today’s market place of vs pragmatism. and-make. I’ve often believed
highly detailed and accurate For my part I am delighted in the old adage that in MACHGP100
model kits. Anyone wishing to see the kit return and order to know where we are 1:72 - de Havilland Comet 4C RAF £59.99
to bring the Revell Harrier up will be adding a copy to my going, we sometimes need
to a more modern standard collection, especially given to remember where we have MACHGP097
is going to have their work the updated decal sheet. come from. 1:72 - Bristol Britannia British Eagle £59.99
cut out correcting and Whether I actually get around
detailing the kit. No doubt the to making it at some stage is “Guide the future by the
aftermarket sector will release another matter, although the past - Long ago, the mould
some upgrade parts for it, but editor has made noises about was cast” N. Peart.
is that an impediment to some bringing his magic to the
old fashioned do-it-yourself model the same way he did See you next time. ■ H.G.Hannant Ltd,
modelling? Things like sway with his mammoth 1:24 Airfi x Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 3LZ, England.
braces, aerials, intake doors Harrier two-seat conversion, Open from 09.00 to 17.30 Monday to Saturday.
Phone: 00 44 (0)1502 517444 (8 lines) 0845 130 72 48 local rate
from UK phones only (NOT mobiles)
Fax: 00 44 (0)1502 500521 E-Mail: [email protected]

This month’s round-up of all that’s new in the world of aircraft modelling...


THE AIRBRUSH COMPANY
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STRAIGHT OUT OF THE IWATA VAULT, THE HP-TH2 GRAVITY FEED
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capability and performance. The TH2’s unique H6 head system cleaning, or you may purchase our Iwata Nozzle Wrench to easily remove or
easily atomises a wide variety of spray medium including candy tighten your airbrush nozzle without fear of damaging it. Also supplied is Iwata
blends and metallic paints and the built-in Micro Air Control (MAC) Lube, which is used to lubricate the head needle and main lever mechanism.
T Valve enables dynamic, incremental control of airflow without Iwata Hi-Line Series doesn’t just change air pressure instantly - it changes the way
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The HP-TH2 includes a colossal 5 oz/150 ml centre post fl uid cup with lid, Who sprays with the Iwata HP-TH2? Makers and creators who want…
the largest of any Iwata airbrush, ideal for mixing large amounts of color with
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trigger, the TH2 is built to spray all day. Round-pattern and fan-pattern air caps ● MAC valve and preset handle features.
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effects can be achieved using the MAC valve. Once you pop on the fan cap and ● To spray a wide variety of specialty paints.
open the MAC valve all the way up, you’ll be blown away by the coverage and ● Large scale spraying.
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The Iwata TH2 is part of the Iwata Vault, a curated collection of limited release For more information on this new airbrush please visit The Airbrush Company
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8 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





NEWSLINE 175.indd 2 07/01/2020 12:05

ACADEMY MODELS
pocketbond.co.uk

WHIRLYBIRDS AND A COLD WAR WARRIOR, READY TO BATTLE FOR YOUR ATTENTION…
Advance notice of forthcoming new releases have been sent in my our friends at Pocketbond. All are reissues from MRC and Accurate Miniatures tools, except the
F-14A which is a new tool. All are expected January/February 2020. The list of new items is as follows:

1:35 US ARMY UH-1C FROG (HUEY) - EX MRC 1:35 USMC AH-1W NTS UPDATE (SUPER 1:35 US ARMY OH-58D BLACK DEATH -
TOOL - PKAY12112 COBRA SPECIAL) - AY12116 PKAY12131















1:72 USN F-14A VF-143 PUKIN’ DOGS - PKAY12563
New tooling. Includes drop tanks and air-to-air weaponry, variable geometry wings can be built fully extended or
closed, Cartograf markings for VF-143 ‘Pukin’ Dogs’ on board USS America 1976 & VF-51 ‘Screaming Eagles’
on board USS Carl Vinson 1983.



1:48 USMC SBD-1 PEARL HARBOR - PKAY12331
Ex-Accurate Miniatures tooling. Detailed cockpit and landing gear. Assemble with dive fl aps closed
or open. Markings for (1) SBD-1 2-MB-2 of VMSB-232 Red Devils, MCAS Ewa Mooring Mast
Field, Territory of Hawaii, 7 Dec 1941; (2) SBD-1 132-B-4 of VMSB-132 Crying Red Asses, MCAS
Quantico, Virginia USA late 1941. Mask tape for clear parts & photo-etch parts included.






































Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 9

TRUMPETER
pocketbond.co.uk

The next batch of new releases announced by Trumpeter, expected as this magazine goes to press. The two H-34 helicopters were tooled by Trumpeter and originally
released by MRC in their Gallery Models range. That arrangement has expired so the H-34s will be added to the Trumpeter catalogue. The two new releases are as
follows:
1:48 H-34 US MARINES (EX-GALLERY) - PKTM02881 1:48 H-34 US NAVY RESCUE (EX-GALLERY) - PKTM02882
























HK MODELS
pocketbond.co.uk
B-17G FLYING FORTRESS EARLY PRODUCTION

For a long long time, a state of the art model kit of the B-17 Flying Fortress in 1:48th scale
has been high on modellers’ wish lists. Enter Hong Kong Models with the brand new 1:48
B-17G, their fi rst quarter scale kit. The new “Fort” will feature the same ease of assembly,
fi ne surface and interior detail, clever engineering, great markings and fantastic box art as
HKM’s larger 1:32 scale kits. With a wingspan of approx 66 cm (26 in) the 1:48 Fortress is
a large model. Details:
● New tooling.
● L: 474mm, W: 658mm.
● Total parts 254.
● Markings for 2 USAF aircraft:
Option 1: B-17G-15BO ‘Queenie’, s/n 42-31353, LG-Q, 322d BS / 91st BG,
Bassingbourn (Cambs) UK, Spring 1944.
Option 2: B-17G-40-VE ‘American Beauty’, s/n 42-98008, 2S-G, 834th BS / 486th BG,
Sudbury (Suffolk) UK, late Summer 1944
Delivery expected at time of going to press.
























10 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020



KIT BOX










1:72




AIRFIX

www.airfi x.com




BRISTOL BLENHEIM MK.I
Airfi x/Materials: IM/Kit No. A04016/Availability: All Good Model Shops/Price: £18.99
reviously released in 2014, a nicely rendered cockpit, engines, and ensures a solid join. All control The decal sheet also remains
Airfix’s 1:72 Bristol Blenhe- weighted wheels and bomb bay. surfaces are fully positional, along with unchanged from the original
im Mk.I is back. I originally Surface detail is comprised of fi nely the trailing edge fl aps. release. Allowing you to build either
built this kit upon its initial engraved panel lines over the airframe, The only diffi cult part of this kit is a Romanian aircraft of Escadilla
P release and recall it to be whilst the control surfaces feature the way the nose/cockpit section is 4 Recunoastere, Forcele Aeriene
a really enjoyable model. The short- raised details to refl ect the fabric separate from the main fuselage, along Romane (Romanian Air Force)
nosed Mk. I Blenheim is probably nature of their construction. As with with the expansive cockpit glazing, operating from Brasov, Transylvania
the lesser known variant with most most of Airfi x’s newer releases there making fi tment tricky, especially with in 1939, or the aircraft of Squadron
people being more acquainted with is no rivet detail to speak of, but if the tight tolerances regarding fi tment Leader Stewart King Scarf, in which he
the longer nosed Mk.III & IV. Which you are that way inclined it wouldn’t of parts. But if you take a careful, won the Victoria Cross whilst serving in
is odd seeing as this variant also be a diffi cult task to add it, using your pragmatic approach to it, you will be Malaysia in December 1941. As with all
participated in the Battle of Britain. preferred method. rewarded with a very neat join. The new Airfi x releases, they are perfectly
For a 1:72 scale kit the parts count The engines are depicted well, dorsal turret glazing, like the cockpit in register and of high quality. Likewise
is quite high at 142 parts, spread over with the option to display the cooling glazing is wonderfully thin and clear, with the instructions, being of the new
six sprues. The plastic used in this fl aps in either the open or closed complete with the option to display the format, easy to follow and featuring
release seems to superior to that used position. The complex nature of the turret fully raised or retracted. full-colour profi les for each aircraft.
in the initial release I built, being much undercarriage has also been well- If I were to criticise anything it would As an added bonus, Airfi x have also
harder with fi ne details much sharper captured. With single-piece upper and be the ordnance provided, as the supplied with this release a small tube
than before. lower wing pieces the issue of getting details are really soft compared to the of glue, four pots of acrylic paint and a
Detail throughout is quite high with the correct dihedral is easily solved rest of the kit. paint brush.











































12 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

VERDICT

I was surprised that this kit had been dropped from the Airix range as it’s pretty much the only game in town when it comes to the Mk.I Bristol Blenheim, so
to see it back in the catalogue is very welcome. Construction is pretty much vice-free, but I recommend that you have a few models under your belt before
attempting it, as that glazing and nose itment can be challenging. But as I initially said, I really enjoyed building the original release of this kit and would
recommend it. (Nigel Poole)

Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 13

KIT BOX










1:48




AIRFIX

www.airfi x.com




N
NORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANGORTH AMERICAN P-51D MUSTANG
Airfi x/Materials: IM/Kit No. A05138/Availability: All Good Model Shops/Price: £20.99

irfix have finally seen fit to bestow upon and two different versions of windscreen. Stores wise
us a non-filleted variant of the vener- you get a pair of triple Bazooka tubes, two 500-pound
able P-51D Mustang. We always knew bombs, along with both the paper and metallic ver-
it would be coming at some point, due sions of the wing mounted drop tanks. The only thing
A to the breakdown of parts from when that is missing that I can see, which would have to
their new tool Mustang was released in 2017. This be sourced elsewhere is a non-cuffed propeller and
now opens up further possibilities with regards to decals.
markings options, of which the P-51 Mustang was There really nice engineering decisions to aid
never short. construction and detail, such as weighted tyres,
When the D variant of the Mustang was introduced fully posable fl ight surfaces and nicely rendered
it featured an all new teardrop canopy and a cut- harness detail on the pilot’s seat. There are one or
down rear fuselage. When we say cut-down it was two ejection pin markings that will need dealing with.
literally that, with the rear fuselage frames being cut The most prominent of which are on the cockpit
lower down and shaped to match the new canopy sidewalls. But they don’t run over any details and will
whilst also being smoothly faired into the tail section. be very easy to deal with. Should you wish to pose
When issued to combat units however, stability is- the aircraft in fl ight, wheels up, one-piece undercar-
sues were discovered. Which in turn led to the fi tting riage doors are also provided, as well as individual
of a fi llet which ran down the spine of the fuselage doors for when the undercarriage is deployed, easing
fairing into the tail. This was fi tted in the fi eld at a unit fi tment no end and yes there is a pilot.
level and taken up as a modifi cation on the produc- Looking at the surface detail on the fuselage, it is
tion line. also nicely done with fi ne recessed panels lines and
This latest release is built upon a solid foundation, fastenings. I would have liked to have seen more
using the P-51D Mustang kit released from Airfi x in rivet detail on the fuselage to compliment the panel
2017, which has been well received by modellers lines, but that’s a personal preference and not a criti-
all over the globe. With a well-appointed cockpit, cism. Panel lines and rivets on Mustang wings are a
undercarriage bay and surface detail. There’s not a fi ercely argued topic and one I’m not knowledgeable
lot to dislike with this offering from Airfi x, coming with enough to engage in, but as per the fuselage, what’s
the fi ve sprues from the original issue and one newer there is done well.
sprue depicting the earlier style tail section, wireless The decal sheet is extremely well done, incor-
tray and wireless that sits atop the large fuel tank to porating a vast array of stencils, instrument dials,
the rear of the pilot. national markings and invasion stripes, as well as
Having the fi ve original issue sprues means you two eye catching schemes for the well known yellow
can build from this boxing nearly every variant of the nosed ‘Lou IV’ and the blue nosed ‘Cripes A’Mighty
tear drop style Mustang. As you also receive two ver- 3rd’. To wraps things up we have the now familiar,
sions of the fi lleted style tail section, 2 styles of tyres, new style instruction sheet. Which is easy to follow
2 exhaust versions 3, different versions of canopy and features a full colour paint guide.
















VERDICT

It’s inevitable that this kit will be compared to the latest Eduard offering, but to do so is like comparing apples and oranges. This kit is squarely aimed at the
mid-level builder, with ease of construction taking precedence, along with the lower price point making it more accessible to the younger builder, whereas the
Eduard kit has a higher price point, along with a far more complex construction. This kit is a great rendition of the early P-51 D Mustang and I for one would
highly recommend it. (Nigel Poole)

14 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





KIT BOX 175.indd 14 07/01/2020 12:16

1:48




ITALERI

www.italeri.com




F/A-18 E SUPER HORNET/A-18 E SUPER HORNET
F
Italeri/Materials IM/ Kit No 2791/ Price £34.99/ Availability: All good Model Shops.



























efore we delve into the main body of switches. The ejection seat continues in the same the cross section of the canopy is incorrect being fl at
the review, I think we need to consider vein, comprising only three pieces. sided instead of having the continual curve from sill
the age of this kit. Originally released in Both undercarriage bays feature adequate detail to sill.
2001, making it a whopping nineteen in the form of pipework and rib details, with large, Looking at the decal sheet, you are met with what
B years old as this review goes to print. In positive fi tment points for the gear legs that ensure I believe is the highlight of the kit. Beautifully printed,
its day it was a good kit, the question therefore is, correct fi tment and strength. The tyres and hubs glossy, rich in colour and perfectly in register, it allows
has it stood the test of time. however, are for want of a better description, toy-like. you to replicate 3 different airframes. These being :
Coming in sturdy top opening box, upon opening The axle of the gear leg passes through the hub
you are met with six sprues including the clear one. and is then secured by a cap. Which will allow the ● U.S Navy VFA-137 ‘Kestrels” with a dark grey
Moulded in a medium grey plastic, I couldn’t fi nd any wheels to spin. The intake trunking and the engine spine.
sink marks, nor ejection pin marks that will cause compressor faces are reproduced along with the ● U.S Navy VFA-195 ‘Dambusters’ with a green
concern, and all the sprues were free from fl ash. engine exhausts, the latter being quite basic. spine
Surface detail is very well done, featuring Construction of the main airframe deviates from ● U.S Navy VFA—14 ‘Tophatters’ with a red spine.
fi nely engraved details and raised features where convention, with the lower portion of the wings
appropriate, which are all comparable to those found moulded integrally of the fuselage - as are the All schemes depict the Commander Air groups
on much more modern kits. The smaller, fi ner parts, horizontal stabilisers in their entirety (which will aircraft. The only caveat I have with the decals, is that
such as the boarding ladder which extends from ensure the correct anhedral of these major parts). the feel a little on the thick side.
the LERX are delicately moulded with sharp details, There is no option to have the wings folded, or deploy The aircraft is well catered for ordnance wise,
but strangely the control stick, is at best, a vague the fl aps and leading-edge extensions, the control AIM-9L, AIM-120, AGM-88, GBU-12D/B and ATM-
representation. surfaces being integrally moulded into the vertical 84A all being supplied, along with an extensive set of
The main focal point for any aircraft is the cockpit. stabilisers. decals to apply.
Unfortunately, there’s not a lot to see here with no Both the canopy and windscreen are extremely Finally, whilst the main construction guide is in
raised details present at all on either of the side clear and free from distortion, with no central black and white, it is easy to read and uncluttered,
consoles, or instrument panel. However, you do seam running through either, as found with other with the paint guide being in colour, clearly showing
get decals to represent the various instruments and manufacturers. However, there’s a negative to this: the relevant decal locations.

VERDICT

Having taken some time to have a really good look over the kit, I found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. What I can see is an easy to construct kit, with some nice
engineering touches to assist the novice builder. With that ease though, there is a trade off in detail, as seen in the cockpit. Yet the surface detail across the rest
of the airframe is sublime, easily rivalling todays best. So how has it aged? Not badly, all things considered. (Nigel Poole)



Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 15

KIT BOX








1:72

REVELL

www.revell.de




MH-47E CHINOOK
Revell/Materials IM/ Kit No 03876-0379/Price £17.99/Availability: All good Model Shops.

his is a kit that has been with us in one to the U.S. Army version in the instructions, but there
guise or another since 1995, when it was are also a number of RAF airframes which have also
first released by Italeri as the ACH-47A undergone this modifi cation.
Gunship variant. In the years since, The canopy and nose section have been retooled
T it’s been released in various different into a signal piece, with the much larger nose
boxings by several different manufactures, now modelled, which houses the larger and more
each time, portraying a different version, by the advanced radar/navigation equipment now employed.
introduction of new decals and parts. This version The canopy is very clear, but also very thick with
is probably the most interesting of all the boxings heavily defi ned framing.
available, but also the most difficult. Being the later variant of Chinook, it now features
With the 209 parts spread over two original sprues two mini guns for defensive purposes, mounted
and two newer sprues, it is clear that the kit has stood in both the port and starboard front doors. Those
the test of time well, with both the old and new sprues supplied are slightly soft on detail, but easily
employing both engraved and raised surface detail. recognisable.
The newer sprue containing the additional parts to There are some prominent sick marks on the rotor
make this version are more refi ned in relation to the heads, which may prove to be a little tricky to repair,
engraved details, but not overly so. as they span areas rich in detail. Since the 1980s, the
Looking at the cockpit, it is adequate for the scale Chinook was fi tted with composite style rotor blades
and for what you will be able to see once the canopy which are depicted in the kit.
is in place. The seats have nicely moulded harnesses I’m not sure who the decals are produced by,
and both cyclics, rudder pedals and control stick are only stating they are made in Italy. These feature a
all included, with the raised details on the instrument lot of stencil data, along with walkway markings and
panel being from the original moulds, they depict the national insignia. My set had the red very slightly out
early analogue style instruments. Which will need of register on the RAF fi n fl ashes, but this can be
to be removed so that the decal featuring the newer easily dealt with by trimming the decal when you cut it
digital display instruments can be applied. from the sheet.
Incorporated into the fl ight deck fl oor is the fl oor Revell supplies their new style, full colour
of the cargo area, which runs the full length of the instruction sheet, which for the most part is easy to
fuselage and a quarter way up each fuselage wall, follow. The confusion starts when they start jumping
blanking off the interior of the cavernous sponsons from the U.S Army variant and that of the RAF - which
from view. it does quite often - as there are a lot of differences
This version of the Chinook features enlarged between the two types, with regards to window styles,
sponsons, which nearly double the range of the antenna fi t and defensive suites. I would recommend
chinook. The smaller sponsons however, are moulded taking a marker pen to the instructions and crossing
integrally to the rest of the airframe and instead of out the options you don’t need. Interestingly enough,
retooling the fuselage, Revell expect you to cut them the instructions show you to fi t the air to air refuelling
out. Before replacing them with the enlarged versions probe to both the U.S and RAF version, but from the
from the new tooled sprue. I can see this catching research I did, I could fi nd no RAF versions fi tted with
out a lot of modellers, so the utmost of care will be it, so as always, check your references. Paints are
needed in order to get a good fi t in such a prominent specifi ed from the Revell range and as usual offer no
area. This modifi cation is only shown being applicable alternatives.















VERDICT


Looking at the kit, I’m surprised it’s now 25 years old. But like some Hollywood actors and actresses, it’s managed to stay the course, albeit with a bit of help
from additional plastic. It would be a fairly straightforward kit if it wasn’t for the surgery required on the sponsons. But to fi t them does give you a much more
visibly interesting variant, especially with the extensive antenna fi ts and electronics suites. Whilst the kit may now over two decades old, it’s still the best
available in this scale. (Nigel Poole)


16 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

Time Takes It's Toll




by Dennis Lee Gerber



The effects of

Wind and Rain on
Vintage Aircraft


"Time Takes It's Toll" is not just another Aviation
photo book. Most books show shiny refurbished
examples housed in indoor museums. This
book features hundreds of photos of aircraft
that have been parked outside for years out in
the elements exposed to the hot sun, wind and
rain. They take on a character and beautiful
patina that is stunningly amazing in all their
faded glory. This book also features some one
off examples of aircraft that are the last ones
is in existence. It includes propeller and jet
engine aircraft and some vintage helicopters.
Aircraft enthusiasts and modellers alike will
enjoy "Time Takes It's Toll", a very unique book
with some truly amazing photographs along
with descriptions of each aircraft.

358 pages and thousands of amazing photos





Purchase at pocketmags: Just
https://pocketmags.com/modellers-reference-library-magazine £13.99

































Your purchase can be read on any of the following platforms Requires: iPad and iPhone devices running iOS 10.0 or above, Android should be:
Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or above , Kindle Fire (Gen 3) or above, Windows 8 tablets,
Windows 8.1 Phones, and PC and Macs with a html5 compatible browser.

THE AFTERMARKET





A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST ACCESSORIES, DETAILING SETS AND ADD-ONS THAT YOU
WILL BE USING TO IMPROVE YOUR AIRCRAFT MODELS.



BARRACUDA STUDIOS

barracudacals.com


BR24271 RAF GROUNDCREW ASSEMBLING ROCKET 1:24
Designed For: Universal
Material: Resin
Price Guide: $43.95
This set of crew igures represent two RAF Armourers assembling a 3” rocket as itted to Typhoons, Mosquitos,
Beauighters and other RAF aircraft during WWII. They are stunningly detailed and artfully posed by Vince
Chmielewski. They have been completely designed in CAD, and the detail must be seen in person to be fully
appreciated. The set consists of two crewman, a 3” rocket with 60 lb. HE warhead, 2 mounting clips and a small
sheet of decals for the rocket stencils. To be posed alongside your Typhoon or Mosquito, or as a standalone
vignette.






BR32262 MOSQUITO WWII RADIO UPGRADE SET 1:32


Designed For: Tamiya superdetailed British T1154 (transmitter) color, illustrated instruction that includes a
Material: Resin/Decal and R1155 (receiver) radios with separately wiring diagram. For your 1:32nd scale WWII
Price Guide: $9.95 moulded knobs for ease of painting, and full era Mosquito or can be displayed on a bench
stencil, placard and dial decals. Electrical in a diorama setting. Suitable for many British
This set consists of a pair of accurate, connectors are also supplied along with full WWII multi-place aircraft.




















BR32394 TA 152H MAINWHEELS 1:32

Designed For: Zoukei-Mura/PCM
Material: Resin
Price Guide: $8.95

This set consists of new resin mainwheels for Ta-152H and some later production Ta-152Cs. They
feature detailed tires with ine tire beading, logo and data, and accurate hub detail with mounting
points for the front hub brake cable, which is supplied as ine black wire. A big and easy detail upgrade
for your Zoukei-Mura or PCM Ta-152 kits. Designed by Gunnar Jansson.








18 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





THE AFTERMARKET 175.indd 2 08/01/2020 09:15

1:32 1:32 1:32


BR32409 LANCAS- BR32410 LANCASTER BR32411 LANCASTER
TER MAINWHEELS - MAINWHEELS - BLOCK WWII RADIO UPGRADE
SMOOTH TYRE TREAD SET

Designed For: HK Models Designed For: HK Models Designed For: Tamiya
Material: Resin Material: Resin Material: Resin/Decal
Price Guide: $17.50 Price Guide: $17.50 Price Guide: $9.95

This set contains accurate resin mainwheels This set contains accurate resin mainwheels This set consists of a pair of accurate,
with staggered block tires, detailed This set with staggered block tires, detailed hubs, superdetailed British T1154 (transmitter)
contains accurate resin mainwheels with and ine tire beading. Block tread tires were and R1155 (receiver) radios with separately
smooth tires, detailed hubs, and ine tire common among post war Lancasters. They are moUlded knobs for ease of painting, and full
beading. Smooth tires were itted to the not appropriate for wartime aircraft, unless you stencil, placard and dial decals. Electrical
almost all Lancasters during WWII. This set just like the look better. This set also corrects connectors are also supplied along with full
also corrects some noticeable errors with some noticeable errors with the HK models color, illustrated instruction that includes a
the HK models wheels, which are wrong in wheels, which are wrong in cross section and wiring diagram. For your 1/32nd scale WWII era
cross section and the hubs are lacking both the hubs are lacking both depth and detail. An Lancaster or can be displayed on a bench in a
depth and detail. An easy and very noticeable easy and very noticeable upgrade for the 1:32 diorama setting. Suitable for many British WWII
upgrade for the 1:32 HK Models kits. Designed HK Models kits. Designed by Mike Swinburne. multi-place aircraft. Designed by Kerry Carlyle.
by Mike Swinburne.
















1:48 1:48 1:72

BR48406 HAWKER BR48395 TA 152H BR72415 LANCASTER
HUNTER MAIN AND MAINWHEELS MAINWHEELS - BLOCK
NOSEWHEELS TREAD

Designed For: Airix Designed For: Trimaster/Dragon/Zoukei-Mura Designed For: Revell/Airix/Hasegawa
Material: Resin Material: Resin Material: Resin
Price Guide: $7.95 Price Guide: $6.95 Price Guide: $6.95
This set consists of new resin main and This set consists of new resin mainwheels This set contains accurate resin mainwheels
nosewheels, featuring accurate hub detail and for Ta-152H and some later production Ta- with smooth tires, detailed hubs, and ine tire
tires with detailed data and circumferential 152Cs. They feature detailed tires with ine beading. Block tread tires were common among
tread pattern. The nosewheel is correctly tire beading, logo and data, and accurate hub post war Lancasters. They are not appropriate
spoked, unlike the Airix kit part. A quick and detail with moulded in front hub brake cables. A for wartime aircraft, unless you just like the look
easy upgrade for your Airix Hunters. Can be big and easy detail upgrade for your Trimaster, better. An easy and very noticeable upgrade for
it to the Academy kit with some modiication of Dragon or Zoukei-Mura Ta-152 kits. Designed the new tool Airix Lancaster kits, but can also
the kit struts. Designed by Gerry Mos. by Gunnar Jansson. be it to the Revell, Hasegawa and other 1:72
Lancaster kits. Designed by Mike Swinburne.



















Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 19

TRANSFER LIST












XTRADECAL

www.hannants.co.uk



LOCKHEED F-104 STARFIGHTER COLLECTION PT.3
(SHEET NO. X48210)
Seven more sets of marking for Starfi ghter at Grosetto in 1989. The camoufl age is a
but not lifted from the 1:72 schemes listed pattern of Dark Green and Dark Grey on the
above. upper surfaces with Aluminium lacquer paint
● F-104G 62-12250/4301 with the Republic on the undersides.
of China Air Force, Taiwan in the early 1990s. ● F-104G 24+54 with the German Air Force
This is an attractive scheme made up of in 1985. This Starfi ghter is from the time
Light and Dark Compass Grey with a large when a dark wraparound camoufl age of Dark
cartoon wolf’s head on the tail fi n. Green and Medium Green was used.
● F-104G D-8331 with the Royal ● CF-104 104733 with the Canadian Armed
Netherlands Air Force at Volkel in 1983. This Forces at Baden-Solellingen in Germany in
Starfi ghter carried a camoufl age scheme of 1964. The fi nish is overall Dark Green with
a splinter pattern of RAL7012 and RAL6014 White tip tanks and rudder.
on the upper surfaces with RAL7001 on the ● RF-104G EA+235 with the German Air
undersides. Force when based at Marville in France in
● F-104J 46-8648 with the Japanese 1966. A splinter pattern of RAL7012 and
Air Self Defence Force at Tsuiki in the late RAL6014 was applied to the upper surfaces
1970s. Most of the fuselage is natural metal with RAL7001 undersides. The Canadians
with Blue and Yellow tail markings. The had ‘zapped’ this Starfi ghter with a large
centre fuselage is painted bright Orange Canadian fl ag on the tail fi n.
and the wings White on the top and ADC As with the other sheets mentioned, all
Grey below. national markings are supplied for each
● F-104S 4-21 with the Italian Air Force aircraft.


EARLY RAF HARRIER GR.1/3 (SHEET NO. X48211)

You will fi nd a very few decal sheets for early Harriers but kits are like ‘hen’s teeth’. Kinetic are areas of the upper camoufl age were over-painted with temporary White distemper for cold climate
releasing a very welcome new kit of the GR.1 in the not too distant future then hopefully the dolphin- training.
nosed GR.3 not too long afterwards. As is often the case, Xtradecal are ahead of the new kit with a ● Harrier GR.1 XV787 ‘Red A’ with No. 1(F) Squadron at RAF Wittering in the early 1970s.
new sheet providing eight early Harriers. ● Harrier GR.3 XV793 ‘Yellow R’ with No. 3(F) Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in Germany in the 1970s.
All of the Harriers here have sharp noses and unless noted are all in the standard camoufl age ● Harrier GR.3 XV786 ‘Black E’ with No. IV(AC) Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in Germany in March 1975.
scheme of a pattern of Dark Sea Grey and dark Green on the upper surfaces and Light Aircraft Grey ● Harrier GR.3 XV802 ‘Black XX’ with No. 20(R) Squadron at RAF Wildenrath in Germany in June
undersides. We have roundels and fi n fl ashes to complete two Harriers. 1971.
● Harrier GR.1 XV753 ‘53’ with the Harrier OCU at RAF Wittering in 1970. ● Harrier GR.3 XV787 ‘Red 02’ ‘Hot to Trot’ (on the tail fi n) with No. 1(F) Squadron at RAF Belize in
● Harrier GR.1A XW745 ‘Blue 27’ with 233 OCU at RAF Woodford, August 1974. 1975. This Harrier sported an impressive shark’s mouth under the nose.
● Harrier GR.3 XV762 ‘Blue 44’ with 233 OCU at RAF Wittering in February 1975. The Dark Green





























20 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

RAF HARRIER GR.3 (SHEET NO. X48212)

Eleven GR.3 Harriers on this crowded sheet, all with the ‘dolphin’ Green areas of the upper camoufl age were overpainted with White Lt Jeff Glover from HMS Hermes during operations to liberate the
laser nose extension. The standard Dark Green/Dark Sea Grey/ distemper for Exercise ‘Cold Winter’ at Tromso in Norway in 1979. Falklands in May 1982.
Light Aircraft Grey scheme applies unless mentioned. ● Harrier GR.3 XV809 ‘AF’ with No. 3 Squadron during Exercise ● Harrier GR.3 XZ971 ‘G’ ‘Hod Carrier’ with 1473 Flight in Belize
● Harrier GR.3 XV787 ‘V’ with the 1453 Flight at RAF Port Stanley ‘Matchcoat’ in 1984. This Harrier was in an experimental in 1993.
on the Falklands in 1983. scheme of NATO Green on the upper surfaces with Lichen Green ● Harrier GR.3 XV760 ‘K’ with No. 3 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in
● Harrier GR.3 XW916 ‘CW’ with No. IV Squadron at RAF undersides. Germany in 1989. This Harrier carried the standard scheme plus a
Gutersloh in Germany in 1981. ● Harrier GR.3 XZ967 ‘D’ ‘Donatello’ with 1473 Flight in Belize temporary White tail fi n.
● Harrier GR.3 XV758 ‘V’ with No. 3 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in 1993. ● Harrier GR.3 XV738 ‘B’ with No. IV(AC) Squadron during
in Germany in 1989. The tail fi n had a temporary coat of Red/ ● Harrier GR.3 ZD668 ‘3E’ with No. 20(R) Squadron/233 OCU at Operation Matchcoat at RAF Gutersloh in 1984. An experimental
Orange paint. RAF Laarbruch in Germany, March 1993. scheme of overall Dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces with
● Harrier GR.3 XV778 ‘16’ with No. 1(F) Squadron. The Dark ● Harrier GR.3 XZ972 ‘33” with No. 1(F) Squadron as fl own by Flt Medium Sea Grey was applied to this Harrier.
























HAWKER HUNTER F.4 (SHEET NO. X48213)

Airfi x are due to release their new F.4 version of the 1:48 Hunter in the next
few weeks. Those looking to add one to their shopping list may fi nd this new
decal sheet very interesting. This sheet and a half provides markings for 12
Hunters and a set of RAF roundels and fi n fl ashes. All are in the same scheme
of a pattern of Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green on the upper surfaces with
Silver undersides and colourful squadron insignia.
● Hunter F.4 WV267 ‘R’ with No. 93 Squadron at RAF Jever in Germany in
1957.
● Hunter F.4 WT802 ‘P’ with No. 98 Squadron at RAF Jever in Germany in
1957.
● Hunter F.4 XE713 ‘E’ with No. 66 Squadron at RAF Acklington in 1959.
● Hunter FR.71A J-734 (ex-RAF XF317) with the Chilean Air Force in 1976.
The rudder was painted Blue, the necessary national markings are supplied
on the sheet.
● Hunter F.4 XF317 ‘U’ with B Flight, No. 67 Squadron at RAF Bruggen in
Germany in April 1957. This Hunter was fl own by veteran author and long time
IPMS member, Mike McEvoy.
● Hunter F.4 XE667 ‘Z’ with No. IV(AC) Squadron at RAF Geilenkirchen in
Germany in April 1956.
● Hunter F.4 WW663 ‘H’ with No. 14 Squadron at RAF Alhorn in Germany in
March 1957.
● Hunter F.4 WV973 ‘B’ with No. 20 Squadron at RAF Oldenburg in Germany
in 1957.
● Hunter F.4 WV255 ‘X’ with No. 26 Squadron at RAF Oldenburg in Germany
in 1958.
● Hunter F.4 XF313 ‘G’ with No. 76 Squadron at RAF Bruggen in Germany,
December 1956.
● Hunter F.4 WV268 ‘H’ with No. 74 (Tiger) Squadron at RAF Horsham St Faith
during Exercise Valiant in May 1957. Most of the tail fi n was painted White for
the exercise.
● Hunter F.4 WV314 ‘B’ with No. 92 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 1956.
Thanks to Hannants of Lowestoft for passing us their new Xtradecal sheets
for review. See their web site: Hannants.co.uk for details and availability. (Alan
Firbank)
Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 21

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IN PRINT








PEN & SWORD


www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
CAMEL PILOT SUPREME - CAPTAIN DV ARMSTRONG DFC
n By Anette Carson aircraft using wing warping, he type after operating under some
n Pen & Sword Books Ltd. fought through the Battle of the extreme conditions, was seen as
n ISBN 9781526752673 Somme as the sole survivor of his a valuable asset in the training
n Price £25.00 unit and with the squadron reduced of pilots. However, what set experts explanation for his untimely
to only ive men. After seven Armstrong apart from many was death. The author also does a very
part from brief months of ighting he returned to his amazing acrobatic abilities good job of explaining the Camel
references in my other the UK and in July 1917, on joining in the Camel which became in some detail, with explanatory
books relating to the No.44 Home Defence Squadron something of legend amongst constructional illustrations of
Sopwith Camel, I must encountered the Sopwith Camel for lying circles long after the war. the engine and airframe used
A admit not knowing a the irst time. Here he pioneered This very well researched book to support the text. To illustrate
great deal about D’Urban Victor new tactics for defending against by Anette Carson is beautifully put some of Armstrong’s remarkable
Armstrong, but this excellent book incoming Gotha bombers in the together, skilfully done considering feats there are excellent colour
by Annette Carson will certainly South East of England, then in that none of Armstrong’s logbooks illustrations provided by Lyn
help me appreciate the lying skills 1918 led the way in the developing or diaries survived and much has Williams, together with never
that made many hold him in such night lying tactics to support been drawn from the accounts before published photographs from
high regard. A native of Natal in ground troops on the western of contemporaries that new him. Armstrong’s own album.
South Africa, after becoming a front by lying intruder missions Reading through some of these This is clearly a labour of love
Lieutenant with the South African and further intercepting German accounts one begins to appreciate for Anette Carson, relected in this
Defence Force he joined the RFC bombers on night missions. His why his skills became legendary, very readable account that is as
in December 1915 and immediately ive victories, and distinguished pushing the Camel to the limit valuable to modellers as it is to
began lying lessons on reaching long service record earned him a during his stunting displays of those with more general aviation
England. After gaining 60 hours DFC. extreme low level acrobatic lying. interests. And it would be great to
lying experience he was assigned The Camel was a notoriously His unexpected death at the age see a model or two of Armstrong’s
to No.60 Squadron in 1916, tricky aircraft to ly, particularly in of 21 in a lying accident days after all-red “Doris”. Our thanks go to
equipped with Morane Saulnier the hands of the inexperienced the end of the war was inexplicable Pen and Sword books for the
monoplanes and parasols. leading to many fatalities, and to his comrades given the skills review sample. (Haris Ali)
An extremely competent pilot Armstrong, who had developed for which he was noted, and the
given the need for controlling these a considerable mastery of the inal section of the book gives one



KAGERO

www.kagero.pl
GLOSTER GLADIATOR, MK.I AND II (AND SEA GLADIATOR)

n By Adam Cotton and Marek Rys covered extremely thoroughly, particularly as the same graphic
n Published by Kagero as is the engine, cockpit, templates have been used but re-
n Guide Price €22.52 armament, undercarriage, and rendered for each. I would have
n ISBN 978-83-65437-86-0 well, everything really! Detailed preferred the colour elevations
n Softback, 216 pages, 210x297 mm photographs of the actual aircraft plus some detailed lined general
are of course helpful, but an arrangement drawings, but
here are plenty of approach such as this enables this may have been out of the
books out there on the elements to be studied in isolation scope of the authors intentions.
Gladiator, but none with a clarity that is extremely Another slight criticism is that
quite like this. This is helpful to any modeller wishing the renderings are a little on the
T one of a series of “3D for an intimate examination dark side, possibly a product
Editions” published by Kagero of the subject. The A4 format of aiming to illustrate natural
that strip down its subject to provides space for either two materials rather than painted
its bare components through colour images per page or one ones, though this greyness does
the use of some very smart whole one, for example when extend to the colour elevations
computer generated graphics. illustrating the Bristol Mercury and may be a result of the CAD
Approximately half of this rather IX engine. The cockpit study process. Lighter tones would
thick A4 book covers the historical is extremely impressive with certainly have aided the clarity
development of the aircraft absolutely nothing left to the of the very detailed images that
followed by its use in Europe imagination, and as nearly cover the constructional details
and North Africa, supported with as good as having the actual of the airframe. However, these
relevant photographic material. aircraft in front of you. There nitpicks aside, this is another
The text is detailed, thorough, are colour proiles of a range volume in a very innovative
well illustrated and as good a of aircraft at the inal section of series of books that cover the
primer as one would need if the book, some developed into subject in extraordinary detail
coming to the type for the irst three quarter views from above. and is well worth the investment
time. The second half is devoted Whilst “traditional” colour plan for those interested in modelling
to a thorough analysis of the and side elevations are provided the Gladiator. Timely too, with
Gladiator’s airframe and internal for half a dozen or so examples the imminent release of ICM’s
structure, describing a wealth plus a few extras, three of them 1/32 kit, and as a great scale for
of detail that is well beyond are given the full 3D experience, adding that extra bit of detail, this
any typical walkaround of a something that doesn’t really add is the perfect supporting resource.
subject. The skeletal airframe is to an appreciation of the aircraft, (Haris Ali)



24 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

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KIT BUILD


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TWELVE













LABOURS












OR MORE...

















26 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

1:144






SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate


SPECIFICATION:
Minicraft Lockheed Hercules C-130J/C5 and C4
Kit No: 14700 and 14524B
Materials: IM,
Status: Reissue with updated parts
Availability: On Line Model Shops
Price Guide: £20 - £30

BEFORE STARTING:
Tamiya OF2 side cutters
#3 and #4 scalpels with #11,#23, and#25 blades
Deluxe Perfect Plastic fi ller
AK Interactive fi ller
Mr. Hobby Cement S
Loctite cyanoacrylate glue
Albion Alloys and Flory Models sanding boards
Abralon 600, 1000 and 3000 grit foam abrasive
Micromesh polishing cloths
Tamiya masking tape
Pacer Formula 560 canopy glue
Artists’ grey green and brown tone pastel chalks

PAINTS USED:
MRP Mr Paint:
MRP 230 Pale Roundel Blue
Mr. Hobby Aqueous:
H77 Tire Black
H70 RLM02
H302 Green FS34092
H320 Dark Green
H420 RLM80
GX 110 Gloss
GX 113 Flat

Alclad:
Aluminium
Steel
Jet Exhaust
Pale Burnt Metal
Halfords:
Grey Primer

Windsor and Newton oils:
Burnt Umber
Lamp Black
Titanium White














Do you want to build a here are many factors which markings. We were near the top of one of
model of the Hercules inspire modellers to build specific our local fells overlooking Derwent water
replicas, I confess that for me, and Bassenthwaite when 883 banked
but don’t really have the
it's mostly the look of a particular around Skiddaw and made a low pass along
space for one in 1:72 T aircraft, or the detail complexity of the lake; the Hercules was below us and I
or larger? How about a military vehicle. In the case of the C-130 swear the pilot waved...
Minicraft’s 1:144 kit with Hercules modelled here, it was the impact I fi nd it hard to get my head around the idea
of a few seconds in Cumbria, where I live, of the RAF celebrating 50 years of service of
its perfect mix of size when I encountered RAF Hercules C.5 the C-130, - this is surely a modern aircraft
and detail? ZH883 in its 50 years of service celebratory which routinely fl ies over my house ? - and


Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 27

KIT BUILD



is operated by 70 countries around the world moulded, although the engraved panel lines
? - not only is the 50 year anniversary bad are rather heavy for the scale, particularly
enough, the C-130 actually irst entered on the wings. Inevitably, when a number of
service with the USAF 63 years ago in 1956..... variants are catered for there are some minor
Demonstrating how valuable this aircraft has discrepancies in detailing, and some of the
become, over 2500 have been built in all sorts included detail and engraving needs to be
of variants, and have served in too many roles modiied. There's no attempt at a cockpit,
to list. Hercules would have been proud. despite the reasonable clarity of the glazing,
The RAF has operated a limited range of and barely any detail in the load space. If the
C-130 variants, primarily in the transport role, stretched -J-30 (RAF C.4) is to be built then
Box art for Minicraft’s C-130J-30...
although a small number of more specialist the stand-alone “super Hercules” kit (#14700)
types have seen short-term use. The most will be required, unless some adventurous
recent version in use is the modernised cutting and shutting is to be attempted.
C-130J (known as the C.5 in RAF service) Because of my confusion over the decals,
which has an improved avionics it allowing I ended up building two models in parallel - a
two-crew operations, a glass light deck and C.5 in the 50-year celebratory markings,
signiicantly, new engines derived from the (ZH883) virtually straight from the bagged
Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 driving Dowty R391 kit, and a C.4 with the long fuselage as
composite six-bladed scimitar propellers which a Special Forces airframe (ZH879 of 47
give extended range, increased payload and Squadron) in minimal markings, with the
...And the simplified, bagged version also used for this
feature. better short-ield capability. In order to satisfy add-on in-light refuelling probe often seen,
certain operational requirements, the RAF also and the rear fuselage blisters for the AN/
requested a stretched version (the C.4) based AAQ-24(V) Nemesis Directed Infra-red
on the C-130J-30 which is popular with Special Countermeasures (DIRCM) anti-IR missile
Forces due to is additional carrying capacity. system. Both airframes are in the overall BS
241 Dark Green colour with the darker green
In Miniature protective membrane on the underside and
Having seen ZH883 at such close quarters on sections of the front and rear fuselage.
I was impatient for the arrival of the planned According to the photographs I could ind, the
decal sheet from Caracal (CD144018) which Dark Green appears to have faded signiicantly
included three of the 50-year celebratory and patchily in service and most airframes
marking schemes. Knowing that I had a have different patterns of green over wing and
Minicraft C-130J in my stash, as soon as the fuselage walkways and control surfaces.
decals arrived I was all set up, except that
foolishly, I'd not connected that the Caracal Construction
decals are intended for the (short fuselage) This is a relatively straightforward kit to
C.5 and my kit was the stretched Dash 30 build, with only around 60 grey or white
(RAF C.4) (kit 14700) Fortunately, this dawning plastic and 3 clear parts each. Other than the
occurred just before Scale Model World 2019 aforementioned comment on the panel lines,
where I was fortunate enough to get hold of the parts are cleanly moulded and there are
a couple of the bagged Minicraft re-issues no signiicant alignment or it issues, provided
(#14524B) courtesy of Mel at S&M models. care is taken in gluing.
These packages are particularly useful in Given its coniguration, it's no surprise that
having both early and -J engines, three, four the build has strong similarities to a modern
and six-bladed propellers and both very early airliner kit; there's a simple one-piece nose
“Roman” and radar noses, thus allowing any wheel bay which doubles as a cockpit loor and
options from -A, through E/F, -K and -J to be a rudimentary load compartment loor which
built, given appropriate decals. ironically has some nice engraved detail which
The C-130J-30 kit includes decals for two USAF will be completely invisible even if the open
airframes. In The Box tail door option is chosen. With a couple of
The generic Minicraft kits are reasonably well bulkheads and the loor in place the fuselage



















Minicraft’s unboxed kit includes options for three, four and six-bladed airframes, and either radar or early “roman” noses, but no decals.


28 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

1:144








































The difference in length between the two Fuselage inserts allow different variants to be built from one common set of parts. Here you can see those additional parts and
variants is easy to see. the engraved lines within the fuselage half that help with the removal of the unwanted section.















In one of my models, the clear cockpit part had an unfortunate blemish. Luckily, the single lower side glazing of the -J meant that the There’s very little interior detail, only a blank cockpit floor and
flawed part would be covered up. an incongruously-detailed load floor.
can be completed, not forgetting the 10 I chose to add some nominal detail to the in, the it isn't too bad although on the C.5
grammes or so of nose weight.(I added 12 gm cockpit, salvaging some seats from my spares model with the older fuselage moulding, the
to the C.5 because of the shorter fuselage). box and scratchbuilding others, before making clear part appeared to be a little too wide,
There's nothing particularly tricky about the the instrument panels and centre consoles necessitating some sanding and re-polishing
fuselage joint, although experience on the irst from plasticard. The fuselage joint faces of the lower windows. No commercial masks
model led me to add some reinforcing strips to are relatively generous so gluing should be were available at the time of writing so I
the upper wing box joint which had sagged a trouble free although I did ind one or two scanned the original kit decals to include the
bit and necessitated some awkward places continued to show some optional blanking windows, re-sized them
illing. movement, with ghost seams appropriately and used them as patterns to cut
Before adding the persisting throughout the seventeen individual masks needed. For
large cockpit glazing the build and needing the -J that I was modelling the, the lower front
external superglue footwell window is covered over (as part of
reinforcement. the DIRSS system ?) and there's only a single
In the worst lower side window rather than the pair seen on
cases I ended the -A to -F so the raised framing for the latter
up gouging needs to be carefully scraped and sanded off.
out the
seams with Moving On...
a scraper The wing halves go together without drama,
and back although the very thin sections showed
illing with some warpage and distortion; I glued them
superglue. by clamping them to a steel rule to add
With all some support. The pre-existing holes for the
the seams external tanks can usefully be blocked off at
eventually this stage using short bits of plastic rod and
dealt with, the the turboprop exhausts can be improved by
glazing can be careful thinning with a knife and iles.
itted and blended Once happy with the separate fuselage

Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 29

KIT BUILD


I decided to add some notional
detail to the cockpit, since the
glazing is quite extensive. Seats
were sourced from the spares
box or scratchbuilt, as was the
instrument panel and console.


paper templates offered
a cleaner fi nish. It's
worth repeating that the
Minicraft transparency is
only correct for the early
airframes, the -J having only
single windows at the lower front
(the location occupied by the AN/AAR
electro-optical missile warning sensors) and
lower footwell positions.
Painting And Decals
I started painting with the usual primer coat,
in this case Ammo of MiG's One Shot Grey,
which builds well and dries to a smooth
fi nish. Inevitably this revealed some fl awed
joints which needed remediation – not a
simple job since some of the joints persisted
in re-appearing, even after fi lling. I don't
know if it was my poor technique, or that
the plastic didn't take to the Tamiya extra
thin cement I was using, but in a couple of
cases I ended up gouging out the joint with
and wings they can be brought together, the needs to be masked; at the time of writing a scraper and fi lling the resulting trench with
large shaped tabs on the wings proving useful there were no commercially-available sets thick superglue. Finally, when I could apply the
although not infallible in alignment, with some so I was obliged to revert to a sharp scalpel, colour coats, I used a mixture of Mr. Hobby
sanding and packing being necessary. The cutting the masks in-situ for the fi rst model, greens, ranging from lightened H420 for the
fi lling of the longitudinal seam had left the then going to the trouble of scanning, re-sizing protective membrane and some walkway
wing centre box section with a smooth plain and printing the glazing panels from the areas through mixes of H320 and H302 for
surface, so in both models, only the major original Minicraft decals and fi xing these over the control surfaces and H70(RLM02) for the
transverse joints were re-scribed, in line with a length of masking tape to act as patterns. faded base colour; selective masking allowed
the reference images I could fi nd. Both methods worked reasonably although me to emphasise certain panels and panel
Before painting, the complex cockpit glazing I did think that cutting the masks from the lines. For the special marking C5, I painted















The exhausts can be improved by careful thinning with a knife The pre-drilled holes in the lower wing for the external tanks need to be fi lled, since RAF machines were only rarely seen with them.
and fi les, and smoothing with Liquid Poly.















The very thin wing sections suffered from a bit of warping so I Each engine only needs four parts, and the fi t to the front of the nacelles is excellent.
supported them during gluing by clamping to a steel rule.


30 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





TWELVE LABOURS OR. ORE.indd 30

1:144
























I didn’t take quite enough care with alignment of the centre joint The underside seam need some work too, although the fit No aftermarket masking sets were available at the time of
on one model, the result needing some filler as a consequence. of the inserts at the front of the sponsons is quite good. writing so for one of the models masks were cut in situ using a
Some rescribing of the heavy panel lines will be needed for new scalpel blade.
consistency.














For the second airframe I took a different approach and cut The cockpit area was hand painted black to avoid the external Despite their depth and width, some of the panel lines were
masks by scanning the kit’s decals to use as templates. colour showing through. obliterated by sanding the joints, and in this case, the cockpit
windows. They were re-instated using Scotch Tape to guide
the scriber.

the entire in and rudder using Mr Paint MRP representing a -J airframe: the prominent
230 Pale Roundel blue to act as the base air scoop on the starboard forward fuselage
colour for the commemorative scheme decals. is missing and needs to be scratchbuilt; the
I went through several stages of highlighting/ windows on the para-drop doors are round
lowlighting using shades of the three main and not square, and the three round windows
greens, inishing with some spot application of in front of the sponson should have the centre
gloss ready for the decals. one raised above the line of the others. I ixed
At the decalling stage I realised that the the scoop and applied squares of decal to
short-fuselage kit has some inaccuracies in the para-drop doors, but ignored the minor




I scratchbuilt the refuelling probe using laminated plastic
strip for the housing and aluminium tube for the probe, all
based on various on-line photos

















The side blisters for the Nemesis DIRCM system were
formed from modified halves of 1:72 scale Russian
bombs (!) and plastic strip.
Throughout this build I was plagued with ghost
seams re-appearing after painting, despite several
cycles of filling. I found Ammo of MiG One Shot
primer to be excellent in terms of controllability and
build during the repair’s



Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 31





TWELVE LABOURS OR. ORE.indd 31 08/01/2020 09:36

KIT BUILD











of the stripes to better match the width left
after I'd painted the fi n. The tactical roundels
and smaller stencils went on oaky, although I
did make a mess of one of the door outlines
meaning that I had to do some last minute
sanding and paint repair.
In contrast to 883, ZH879's markings are
minimalist in the extreme, just some roundels
from an Xtradecal sheet (72-165) and black
serials and logos from a MiniArt (GEN004)
set. With the decals on I gave both airframes
several thin coats of Mr. Hobby GX113 fl at to
seal them and provide a base for weathering,
- not much weathering in fact since these are
pretty well-looked after airframes. Given the
prominence of the panel lines I chose not to
add any more emphasis through post shading,
The two airframes were deliberately fi nished in different paint patterns, refl ecting the variety seen in reference photos.
relying on the patchy greens to give some life.
I sprayed a thin black/brown mix behind the
misalignment of the other windows. didn't quite match up to the dimensions of exhausts but otherwise was content to use
For ZH883 the Caracal decals were easy the fi n decals, and the pale blue used by various pastel chalks around the undercarriage
to use, although I took the precaution of using Caracal proved rather darker than the MRP and to impart a few grime streaks.
plain water to place the large one-piece fi n Pale Roundel Blue, I carved out a curved Finishing just meant adding some blade
and rear fuselage stripe decals. The latter sliver from the front of the pale blue segment aerials from plastic strip. ■













































I used a collection of Mr. Hobby greens, unadulterated and mixed, for the airframe shades, and Mr Paint Pale Roundel Blue for the tail of ZH883.

32 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





08/01/2020 09:36

1:114





















I made a cock-up of putting on one of the fi ne decals for
the emergency escape doors, so had no alternative but to
sand the crumpled mess and re-paint the offending area.

































Whilst a decal was available on the Caracal sheet for the
fi n dielectric panel, I needed to paint it on the second
model, so used the Caracal decal as a template to cut
some masking.
















Some generic decal sheets were used to source markings
for ZH879, note the Fantasy Printshop white stripes used
for the propeller tips.


FINAL VERDICT

The Minicraft C-130 is probably the best in the scale, certainly easier to build, than the Welsh Models option, and
having better detail than the A-Model family. The kit isn’t without its faults however, the engraved detail being
distinctly heavy and the need to let inserts into the fuselage for some variants being a little tricky. Minicraft
are to be commended for offering the no-frills bagged option which includes parts for all the mainstream variants
although some work will be needed to maximise accuracy of any given airframe. Excellent, I’ve already bought two more
to do an early RAF C.1 in brown/tan and a very early Roman Nose -A.

Issue 175- www.modelairplaneinternational.com 33

KIT BUILD


BUILT AND WRITTEN BY MIKE WILLIAMS




DOOLEYBIRD











We build the his is of course the Airfi x 1:48 Mustang was (probably like a lot of modellers of a certain age)
Airfi x 1:48 P-51D reissued in its third incarnation featuring instantly transported back to the modelling of my
the UK and commonwealth Mk.IV, youth and the 1:72 Matchbox release of the P-51D
Mustang, fi nishing sometimes referred to as the P-51K. with the British “Dooleybird” aircraft on take-off. To
it in one of T In the box is the same kit as we have call it iconic maybe over egging it, but it certainly
WWII’s most previously seen with an added runner containing the struck a chord and this Airfi x box-art is almost
Aeroproducts uncuffed propeller along with alternative certainly a nod to those halcyon days of Matchbox/
controversial markings for a British and Australian aircraft. Frog/Airfi x kits we used to buy with our pocket
colour schemes… When I saw this kit announced with that box-art I money from the local newsagent!

























































34 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





DOOLEY BIRD.indd 34 08/01/2020 09:43

1:48






SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner


SPECIFICATION:
1:48 North American Mustang Mk.IV
Kit No. A05137
Materials: IM
smooth due to them being puttied, sanded and
DOOLEYBIRD in colour which causes some debate over vaunted laminar fl ow effect (reducing drag BEFORE STARTING:
Ironically, very few photographs exist of the
Availability: All Good Model Shops
aircraft depicted and especially none exist
painted with silver lacquer to achieve the much
Price: £20.99
the actual shade used along the aircraft’s
and turbulence over the wing thus improving
performance). As modellers we always seem
fuselage. Matchbox had it down as Blue,
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
to be asking for the most fi nely engraved panel
matching the spinner and cowl chequers,
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Quick setting
whereas modern theorists now believe it to be
lines, detailed riveting and hinges, shut lines
EMA Plastic Weld
etc., so it seemed counter intuitive to be fi lling
Yellow, matching the same shade as the wing
Tamiya masking Tape
leading edges. This is all of course speculation
based of interpretation of black and white
back. However, this is where work started. By
Wilder pointed tweezers
photos, but which is correct? Only you, the these all in with putty and sanding the wings Swann-Morton Scalpel No.3 handle with no.11 blades
Sponge sanders
examining references panel lines on the wings
modeller, can decide that, aided perhaps by were fi lled, making sure to not cover the panel Vallejo Plastic Putty
information supplied in kits such as this. lines for the ammunition and gun covers on the Micro drill and bits
Superglue
The plastic parts are as good as the original wings as well as the undercarriage and wing
Mr. Surfacer 500
release featuring a fi nely detailed cockpit, spar panels on the undersides. The fi rst round
Mr. Dissolved putty
engraved panel lines and rivet details with the of fi lling was achieved using Mr. Dissolved
overall moulding exuding the same fi nesse Putty applied carefully with a wooden AIRBRUSH:
as we have come to expect from Airfi x of late. toothpick, this being left overnight to fully cure
Iwata Revolution CR
Despite all that beautifully moulded engraved and harden whilst I continued with the usual Bartsharp 180
detail, on the real aeroplane the wings were starting point, the cockpit.
PAINTS USED:
Mr. Color Lacquers
Light Aircraft Grey
Tamiya Acrylics
Yellow Green
Flat Blue
Bare Metal Silver
Brass
Olive Drab
Alclad II
Exhaust Manifold
Magnesium
MiG Productions
Neutral Wash

KIT BUILD



The complete cockpit
and radiator assembly
is a substantial unit
that fi ts together
very neatly. Note the
painted moulded-in The stock cockpit is excellent as supplied, the decal
seatbelts here. supplied for the instrument panel is very neatly done and
fi ts perfectly.














The sides of the fuselage and the radiator assembly
needed some judicious sanding to enable a snug fi t
within the fuselage, luckily this section is hidden from
view on the fi nished model.
and radiator assembly were fi nished I fi tted
Interior Decorating them into the fuselage halves without glue on
Straight from the box, Airfi x supply a more than a dry-run to see how it would close up. I am
adequate cockpit with a detailed seat featuring glad that I did this as the sides of the cockpit
moulded-on seat belts. These really don’t look fl oor at the rear and the lower frame of the
too bad once painted, though I suspect a set radiator housing needed a fair amount of
of aftermarket or scratchbuilt seat belts will sanding to narrow the unit somewhat allowing
more than likely be the only modifi cation that the fuselage to close up around them properly.
some modellers will feel the need to add to lift No details were lost fortunately, but just be
the realism in the cockpit. The sidewall details aware that the tolerances are very tight and a
are neatly executed if a little chunky due to little help is required to ensure everything goes
the limitations of injection moulding. When in properly and fuselage closes without gaps,
The results of the masking and painting of the wheelbays
viewed through the small cockpit opening on top or bottom.
paid off, though this would still need weathering and
the completed model, they really will suffi ce. Before the fuselage halves were closed up
details touching in it looks far more interesting than an all
Everything was painted as per the instructions the tails need fi tting, Airfi x supply both early yellow-green bay.
and weathered with a wash and some unfi lleted and later, fi lleted tails. Make sure you
drybrushing. Below the cockpit fl oor fi ts the choose the correct one (later fi lleted) as they
radiator and oil cooler assembly as well as the are on the same runner and look very similar
housing for the tailwheel. These all fi t perfectly to one another. These need a little care to fi t
and look very convincing. The tailwheel leg due to Airfi x (correctly) depicting a port offset
has to go in at this stage and I was a little as per the real aeroplane.
concerned it may be damaged throughout the With the fuselage together, attention turned
rest of the build but it was robust enough to back to the wings and more notably, the
withstand my fi ngers and thumbs and survived undercarriage bay which has to be painted
intact - take care though! Once the cockpit and fi tted before the wings can be assembled,


In order to fi ll the wing panel line and rivet detail, Mr.
Dissolved putty was carefully applied to the offending
The fuselage did require a certain
amount of clamping while the liquid areas with a wooden toothpick. This needs a good 24
cement did its job. Care was taken to hours or more to cure.
not over tighten the clamps.












The Mr. Dissolved putty was sanded back, after which
a light coat of grey primer was sprayed on before being
polished with 1500 grit wet and dry paper used wet.

36 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





DOOLEY BIRD.indd 36 08/01/2020 09:43

1:48





























Before the wings are assembled the navigation lights have To save some tricky masking later, the surrounding area was With the wings assembled the leading edge gun inserts needed
to be painted and installed. These were simply brush painted sprayed dull silver before installing the navigation lights. a lot of help with Mr. Surfacer 500, before being gently sanded
with Tamiya clear colours and the back with Tamiya brass to fl ush with the rest of the wing.
represent the dull ‘switched off’ look.


forming as they do, an integral part of the wing
structure. A common misconception is that
the whole undercarriage bay of the Mustang
was painted in the ubiquitous Zinc Chromate,
The completed wings all fi lled, sanded and polished back.
The ailerons and fl aps would be left off to be painted that curious yellowish green shade, however
natural metal and installed after painting. it is believed to be more correct to depict it
featuring the main colour as painted aluminium
or bare metal with only the spar wall and ribs/
stringers painted in Zinc Chromate. To that
end I opted to make a lot of work for myself
by airbrushing the entire undercarriage bay
section with Mr. Color Super Metallic Chrome
Silver, before some inventive masking to allow
the aforementioned sections to be painted
Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green. It must be said
that despite the amount of work involved the
fi nished item looks very neat and far more
interesting than just painting the entire section
one shade. With the undercarriage bay
fi nished it just needed the formation lights to
be painted and fi tted to the inside of the lower
starboard wing before the wings could be
assembled.
The inserts along the leading edges for the


























The parts that make up the empennage are all equally detailed and fi t together perfectly. The Once the wings were installed, the lower leading edge/cowling piece was an easy drop fi t requiring
rudder and horizontal stabilisers are two parts each while the elevators are one-piece mouldings. nothing more than a drop of extra thin cement and a light sanding along the seams.


Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 37

KIT BUILD

























The one-piece gear doors are an effective way of masking off the undercarriage bays during the With the gunsight carefully attached, the thoughtfully designed windscreen section can be fi tted with
painting process, being a decent push fi t. normal extra thin cement. The join lines can be sanded fl ush with fear of damaging the clear sections.























Masking off the windscreen section was very straightforward given the well defi ned frame lines, In order to represent the blue and white chequer nose, it was fi rst airbrushed Flat White, including
simply burnish with a wooden toothpick and carefully trim with a new blade. the spinner…
gun ports left a lot to be desired as regards achieve the look I was after was always going piece of design and literally drops into place
fi t, needing a couple of rounds of fi lling and to need a bit of work. In hindsight I would before being secured with extra thin liquid
sanding using Mr. Surfacer 500 and 1500 have left it well alone and allowed the detail cement. The small air intake below the spinner
grit wet and dry paper to ensure a smooth Airfi x supply to shine through, though I would along with the radiator intake lip are easily
transition. This was followed by a few coats probably have always wondered “what if I had fi tted and sanded fl ush more or less fi nishing
of Alclad Micro Filler Primer to make sure done that…?”. up major assembly. The fl aps and ailerons
the previous work fi lling the panel lines was The wings, tailplanes and rudder, all were purposely left off as these would need
satisfactorily fi nished, suffi ce to say it needed attached to the fuselage without any issues painting natural metal and fi tted later on.
a little more work with some Mr. Surfacer 500 at all, the wings to fuselage being especially The gunsight was fi tted then the windscreen
and plenty of wet sanding. Did I make a rod for good and tight. The insert for the leading edge/ section over it before being carefully blended
my own back doing this? Maybe, however to undercarriage bay/lower cowl is a very clever with some gentle sanding before being

















Using the kit decals as a template, the white sections were The blue sections were simply airbrushed Tamiya XF-8 Flat Blue, The fi nished result, worth the effort? I think so!
carefully masked off… the spinner tip was masked using a circle template…

38 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





08/01/2020 09:44

1:48




The canopy was masked and Blue Tacked into place for
the Interior Green to be sprayed in place to replicate the
cockpit’s internal fi nish.



masked off
in readiness
for paint.
There are two
canopy sections
included in the
kit, one open and
one closed. The
one closed. The
closed unit was fi xed
in place with Blue Tack to
act as a mask for the cockpit
opening (after I had airbrushed the
US interior green for the insides of the cockpit
canopy sections).

Painting And Decals The yellow sections were sprayed
The markings for “Dooleybird” include a and masked off as well as the
blue and white chequerboard band around Olive Drab anti-glare panel. Using
the alternative canopy piece as a
the fuselage nose just aft of the propeller
mask for the cockpit orifi ce.
spinner, which are supplied as decals by
Airfi x. However, to my mind they were being a
little optimistic in thinking these would fi t and
conform properly around the complexity of the
compound curves around the nose. To that
end I opted to use the decals as templates
to cut my own masks (as seen in the
accompanying photos) after a base coat
of Mr. Hobby Flat White. The spinner
was also painted at the same time
to ensure continuity of the colours,
the blue being carefully airbrushed
on using Tamiya Flat Blue. The
spinner was masked using a circle The wings were airbrushed with AS-12
template as found in any art store. Silver decanted from the can with a few
The chequered nose was masked drops of Light Aircraft Grey to deaden
the silver shine for the painted doped
off so the yellow fuselage stripes and silver look.
leading edges of the wings and upper anti-
glare panel could be sprayed before
these too were masked off ready for
the overall metallic shades.
The wings were treated to a
silver lacquer painted look using
decanted Tamiya AS-12 Bare
decanted Tamiya AS-12 Bare
Metal Silver toned back with 5 or
6 drops of Mr. Color Light Aircraft
Grey which is just enough to kick
out the high shine metallic effect giving
a fi nish more akin to High Speed Silver.
With the wings masked off, the fuselage was
These were then masked up so the rest of
sprayed Flat Black before being polished with 8000
the airframe could be primed with a fl at black grit micro fi nishing cloth.
before being polished then airbrushed with
decanted AS-12 used neat for a super-tough,
super-smooth natural metal fi nish, the control
surfaces of the wings and the fl aps being
painted at the same time. What followed
after allowing time for all the paint to fully
dry out overnight, was a massive unmasking
session, that furnished me with a perfectly
painted model ready for decals. First though,
the surrounding areas around the exhausts
needed to be masked and painted using Alclad
Magnesium, the exhaust stubs being sprayed
Alclad Exhaust Manifold while I was at it. A
light sealing coat of acrylic gloss clear coat
was sprayed on before being allowed to dry
after which the decals were all applied without
any issues, settling nicely over the details and
rivets. Once dry, a second light gloss coat was

Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 39





DOOLEY BIRD.indd 39 08/01/2020 09:44

KIT BUILD








With everything painted, all the masking was removed to reveal
the fi nal paint scheme. Note the difference in fi nishes of the
silver fuselage and wings.
airbrushed on to seal them in ready for the
weathering and washes.
The fuselage and wings were treated to a
Neutral Wash from Mig productions to pick
out the panel lines and rivet details before
the rest of the wings and undercarriage were
weathered using a mix of Oilbrushers and
artist oils as well as a silver pencil and some
pigments to stain the wings and high wear
areas. The Oilbrushers come into their own
for the wheels and tyres, especially the “Dust”
shade on the rubber sections imparting a
very lifelike worn and dusty look to the tread
pattern. The tread pattern had to be reinstated
using a fi ne saw after the wheels had been
cleaned up after assembly; this was a
nuisance, but it was worth the effort when the weathered to match the rest of the aircraft process. The wheels were attached after fl at
details ‘popped’ when weathering them. before carefully being attached using either spots were added with a hard sanding board,
The propeller, spinner, wheel bay doors, thick superglue or standard extra thin cement they are moulded in by Airfi x but I wanted
undercarriage and canopy were also taking care not to damage the paint work in the them to appear more pronounced. They sit at






















The heat plates surrounding the exhausts were masked and airbrushed Alclad Magnesium. The decals all settled perfectly with a clear gloss coat before ad after their application. A panel line
wash was applied to the fuselage to start the weathering process…






















Artists oils, pre-made washes, a silver pencil and Oilbrushers were all employed to various degrees The undercarriage legs, doors and wheels were all painted and weathered with an Alclad Dark
to impart the weathered and worn look seen on the fi nished model. The cardboard helps the Liquid wash.
linseed oil leech out of the oil paint speeding up drying time.

40 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020





DOOLEY BIRD.indd 40 08/01/2020 09:44

1:48































To enhance the tyre tread details, Oilbrushers Dust was fi rst carefully applied around the The Oilbrusher Dust was gently worked into the tyre tread details with a brush moistened with
circumference of he tyre… white spirit leaving the oil pigment in the tread, imparting a worn look.


the correct angle when fi xed to the gear legs due to fouled the fi tment of the canopy in the open/slid back
the moulded in locating lugs however they do allow position. I had to trim the lower portion of the bracing
a little ‘wiggle room’ to get them seated perfectly. bar back and carefully sand away the inside of the
The open canopy section hit a small stumbling block lower canopy frame, all the while test-fi tting to ensure
when trying to fi t it in the shape of the bracing bar that it sat correctly. ■











































FINAL VERDICT

I am really pleased to fi nally have a modern state of the art kit tooling fi nished in one of my favourite schemes to
adorn the famous P-51 Mustang: “Dooleybird”. The kit is one of the fi nest new moulds from Airfi x and although there are
a few niggles and idiosyncrasies as I hope to have highlighted, it is a superb kit and can be enjoyed by modellers
of all skills. It certainly looks every inch the thoroughbred Mustang sitting on the shelves of my display cabinet
amongst my other 1:48 scale Warbirds.



Issue 175- www.modelairplaneinternational.com 41





DOOLEY BIRD.indd 41 08/01/2020 09:44

WE TAKE A DETAILED LOOK AT...



REVELL’S 1:48 ROCKWELL B-1B LANCER









REVELL / MATERIALS: IM, PE / KIT NO. / AVAILABILITY: ALL GOOD MODEL SHOPS, £88.95.













































f there is one kit that I would love to accurate and beautifully detailed. At the
build, but have not so far because time, the B-1 was lauded not only for its
of its sheer size, it’s Revell’s aston- size, but because it really was a stun-
ishing 1:48 Rockwell B-1B Lancer. ning package that replicated Rockwell’s
I Filling most of my workshop once impressive design with almost unseen
complete (I kid you not!), it’s a massive levels of detail, both inside and out. Over
kit of a huge aircraft, but boy oh boy the years, the kit has been re-released a
would I like to build one one day… number of times, and though the actual
First appearing during the summer of aircraft has changed to refl ect develop-
1983, Revell’s B-1B followed their 1:32 ments to the type’s equipment fi t, engines
F-15 and in so doing, showed the world and external details, Revell’s package
that Revell were capable of creating not has remained the same, so although still
only huge kits, but ones that were highly impressive, modellers keen to create an



42 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

1:48






















’S 1:48 ROCKWELL B-1B LANCERS 1:48 ROCKWELL B-1B LANCER
REVELL’























































accurate, in-service aircraft, will have to carry a fully-detailed cockpit interior, capacious highly-detailed model are there for all to see.
out additional work. weapons bays with internal racks and SRAM Work begins with the cockpit, both the pilots
Opening the box is still a bewildering experi- missiles, and then a fi ne set of undercarriage and the Defensive/Offensive Operators sta-
ence. The fuselage is simply enormous, being legs and wheels. Across the board and despite tions being replicated with both the original
so large that even within the suitcase-sized its age, the parts are well-moulded and though plastic parts and a full set of coloured etch
box the kit arrives in, it has to be broken down the panel lines are rather less subtle than from the Eduard sets offered in the box. The
into three sections: nose, mid-fuselage and the we would like in 2020, look to be acceptable, ACES II seats are nicely done, three plastic
tail. To give an idea its size, the mid section is especially once overcoated with a layer of parts detailed with etched straps, being the
larger than a 1:48 F-14 and that’s before you Gunship Gray. order of the day. Though decals are provided
add the nose and tail! Moving through the con- In terms of fi ner details, the kit still scores for the instrument panels, these features are
tents, you are then presented with the large, well and when that detail is embellished with also replicated with overlaid brass panels - it’s
though very simple wings (no separate control the additional Eduard etched frets that defi ne up to you how you choose to complete each
surfaces to break things up) engines, cockpit this ‘Platinum’ release, the possibilities for a one. Personally, I’d go for the etch…



Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 43

With the cockpit complete, the nose halves and not the later, petal-less variants found on an almost replaced set of crew access steps,
are joined and then work carried out to current Lancers. Though the nacelles feature a full set of new aerials and then a collection
complete the three weapons bays, their rotary intakes with deep tunnels and turbine faces, of vortex generators for the rear fuselage, fol-
launchers and 16 AGM-69 SRAM missiles. that’s about it, the complexity of the real thing lowed by a similar group of static dischargers
Detail within these bays is superb, lots of being almost entirely absent. You can deal for the tailplanes and fi n. All of the new parts
time being needed to complete even basic with this with some judicious scratchbuilding to will add gloss to the plastic parts supplied by
construction and painting; add detail and you elevate the levels of detail, or you could check Revell and will help to create a closer repre-
could be in for weeks of enjoyable work. out the Barracuda website where you will fi nd sentation of an in-service Lancer than perhaps
Having completed the internals, you can replacements for this part of the model, includ- possible from the basic kit.
bring together the huge airframe. The wings ing intakes and jet nozzles. Having dealt with the plastic and etched
are simple upper and lower halves, these The model is completed with a very fi ne set parts, you are faced with the Herculean task of
being trapped between the two mid-fuselage of undercarriage legs and wheels. Detail here painting the model in its overall Gunship Gray
halves. I’m not convinced by the simple peg is truly superb, bearing testament to the origi- fi nish. With such a huge model in front of you,
and socket joints for the wings, the idea being nal designer’s work and their ability to capture the task will not be an easy one, and I would
that they can swing should the need over- such intricate structures in miniature. Each certainly consider raiding Tamiya’s collection of
whelm you - but not together, as the bomb main leg for instance features around 25 parts AS sprays to fi nd their version of this colour -
bays preclude any form of connecting bar including the wheels which gives some indica- easier and quicker than trying to airbrush such
within the fuselage. I would perhaps fi x them tion of the intricacy that possible from their a large model. With the basecoat down, you
more permanently in place, feeling that each construction. Along with the legs, the bays are can then break up the colour as you see fi t, but
may be prone to drooping should you build as- fully-detailed, careful painting bringing out the be careful as these aircraft are often well-kept
is. Similar comments apply to the joining of the fi ner features moulded in situ. The only pos- and excessive weathering is often noticeable
three large fuselage sections, little more than sible point to be aware of is the need to keep by its absence. A well-printed decal sheet is
butt-joints being use to hold huge sections to- all of the wheels on the ground at the same supplied in the kit, as is a set of masks for the
gether. I admire Revell’s confi dence, but have time, misalignment being a defi nite possibility glazing - a more than welcome touch. The
to suggest the use of additional stiffeners/tabs if your construction is off. All in all though, the decals offer two different aircraft, a 9th Bomb
to ensure that nothing moves/breaks during undercarriage is a real highlight of this kit. Squadron jet from Dyess AFB, Texas and a
construction/display. Be warned. We’ve already mentioned the additional second from the 116th Bomb Wing, Robins
The airframe is completed by the construc- parts that are supplied as part of this release, AFB, Georgia. The decals are superb, being
tion of the underwing engine nacelles that both for the interior of the cockpit and then accurate, perfectly in register and sharply de-
carry the aircraft’s F101 engines. These are thanks to two much larger frets, the interior fi ned, the nose-art on the Dyess aircraft being
rather simplifi ed in the kit, the exhausts in of the undercarriage bays, undercarriage particularly pleasing… ■
particular being simple representations of the legs and then the exterior of the airframe and
original types fi tted to the prototype aircraft interior of the jet pipes. Highlights here include


FINAL VERDICT

It’s good to see this kit reappear. Time has been relatively kind to the parts supplied in the box, the
shape and overall levels of detail being more than acceptable. An in-service aircraft though will present
challenges and a certain degree of corrective surgery will be needed too create an accurate model. That
said, I can’t think of too many kits that are more impressive than this one in terms of sheer presence once
complete. If only I had the space to do so!
Thanks to Revell for the sample seen this month.




































44 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

E E
EW in theW in theW ‘ ‘
‘HOW TO BUILD...’ seriesHOW TO BUILD...’ seriesHOW TO BUILD...’




How to Build...
Available
TAMIYA’S 1:48 NOW
SUPERMARINE
SPITFIRE MK.I

When Tamiya released their 1:32 scale Spitfire
Mk.IXc in 2009, they set a new standard for plastic
model kits. As one of the most popular subjects in
the history of scale modelling, we should not be
surprised to find that Tamiya has now released an
all-new Spitfire kit in 1:48 scale.
Tamiya’s brand new 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.I
delivers innovative design, outstanding detail, an
accurate outline and crisp, subtle surface textures.
This model has nothing at all in common with their
1993 kit.
Between these covers, we provide an exhaustive
step-by-step illustrated guide to building
Tamiya’s 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.I straight from Only
the box plus tips on painting and weathering.
Plenty of inspiration is offered with two different £1 4.95
plus p&p
configurations plus a conversion to the Photo
Reconnaissance version with models by Brett
Green and Marcus Nicholls.
Also included are a walkaround of a surviving
Spitfire Mk.I, a
summary of other
Spitfire Mk.I model
kits available in
1:48 scale, a list of
available accessories
and decals plus a
catalogue of helpful
references.




ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details












FAX:AX:
F
✁ ✁
Tamiya Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I - Pre-order P&P: UK; £2.00
Europe; £4.00
World-Wide airmail; £6.00
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www.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.comwww.doolittlemedia.com

KIT BUILD


BUILT AND WRITTEN BY IVAN JENSEN TAYLOR


STORMBIRD

















We build the brand- he notorious Messerschmitt 262
new Revell 1:32 A1/A2 Schwalbe “Swallow” is
Messerschmitt Me262, without any doubt one of the
most iconic and historically
step by step
T significant aircraft of the Second

























































46 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

1:32








SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate/Advanced



SPECIFICATION:
STORMBIRD Available from: All good model shops
Revell Me262 A1/A2
Kit No: 03875
Materials: IM
Price Guide: £34.99
Availability: Revell kits are available at all good model
and toy shops
BEFORE STARTING:
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
EMA Model Supplies Plastic Weld
Zap Medium CA glue
Zap Kicker
Tamiya Masking Tape
Tamiya precision tweezers
Tamiya Sprue Cutters
World War. This beautiful bird was the effecting the result of the war. Fitted with Dspiae Single blade nippers
world’s first operational jet powered fighter four 30 mm auto cannons in the nose, this Dspiae drill bits and pin vice
aircraft but came too late in the war to aircraft would take no time in ripping Allied JLC razor saw
Mr Levelling Thinner
provide Germany with the air superiority it bombers to pieces, which ended up being
Lead weights
needed to stand any chance of scientifically one of the 262’s major roles during the war.
Mr Hobby Cement S
Plusmodel Lead Wire 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7
Microscale Industries Micro Set, Micro Sol
Walthers Solvaset
Daco Productions Strong decal solution
Gyro cutter
PAINTS USED:
MRP Paints
MRP-50 RLM02 Grau
MRP-04 RLM04 Gelb
MRP-70 RLM81 Braunviolett
MRP-71 RLM82 Hellgrun
MRP-66 RLM76 Lichtblau
Mr Surfacer 1500 Black
Mt Hobby Aqueous H416 RLM66
Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black
Andrea Acrylics
Mig Ammo Panel liner Dark Brown

ADDITIONAL PARTS USED:
HGW seat harnesses and canopy masks
Eduard Brassin wheels







This is the second release of Revell’s new
tool 262, the first being the 262 B1/U1 two-
seater Night fighter.
In The Box
Something that has been a gripe for a large
percentage of the modelling community is the
side opening boxes that Revell insist in putting
their kits in. Apart from the fact that the box
isn’t very structurally sound, making it prone to
being crushed very easily, it also doesn’t allow
easy storage for sprues and sub-assemblies
should you wish to have a break during your
project. Putting the box design aside, the box
artwork itself its beautiful and it certainly grabs
your attention, giving you that urge to build
the model inside. Typical of Revell, we have
sprues moulded in a hard, white plastic that
is unfortunately all put in one bag, with the

Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 47

Though only a small detail in
the grand scheme of things, I
KIT BUILD though that is was a detail that
I could not miss out. I am glad I
did this as I feel it really added
to those nice little details that
make a build stand out. The
wiring was all straightened
out before being manipulated
I have found that building as many
small sub-assemblies as possible and into place.
cleaning up parts well in advance to
painting them can really shorten the
overall length of the build process.






















Though this may seem like an excessive amount of weight to add to the nose
section, I wanted to be sure that there would be no chance that this model could be
a tail-sitter, and even with all this weight it only just balances out.



The completely assembled cockpit
ready to be painted.


clear parts in a separate bag. clear and concise instructions make this
All the parts are well-moulded build so much more enjoyable. Canopy
with no sink marks or mis-moulds, parts are crystal clear and fl awless, with
though many of the smaller parts such as the nice sharp framework; masking will be no
landing gear legs have quite a bit of burring, problem at all. My only worry when I went
which isn’t the biggest issue in the world but through the kit was the decals, they appeared
can become a little bit tedious when you have to be very thick and very fl at and I did have
to do more clean-up than building. What was concerns about how they would settle into the
a very welcome sight is the now standard surface detail.
instruction book which is set out much more After a thorough look through the kit, I was
clearly than the instructions of time gone by; very impressed with what I had and could
























Though not completely necessary to prime all the parts, I like to do it as a matter of consistency This is one of the very few times on this build when I did not use MRP paints. I had a nearly empty
and due to the fact that I would be handling this a lot. I primed all the parts using Mr. Surfacer 1500 bottle of Mr. Hobby Aqueous and I thought that I would use it up rather than buy a new bottle of
Black and Mr. Hobby Rapid Thinner. MRP. It is still a very good paint and the colour seems to be accurate, I have just found myself
enjoying lacquers more recently. I painted all the cockpit parts with an overall colour of RLM66.


48 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020

1:32







With all the small details painted, instrument decal
not wait to start it. The only extras I added applied, a drybrush and a wash, the cockpit was
to the kit were the HGW seat harnesses and done. I didn’t want to completely weather the cockpit
masking set, along with the Eduard BRASSIN up with pigments and oils too much as I wanted this
build to be rather clean so show the kit off.
wheel set.
The Build
Construction begins with the assembly of the
cockpit. With this being a larger scale model,
there is a lot more detail and parts that go
into the construction of the interior parts.
Rather than doing a bit of building, then a
bit of painting, I decided that I would try and
complete as many sub-assemblies as possible
before painting began. The front bulkhead,
seat, instrument panel and pilot's
controls were all removed
and cleaned-up before
painting. I thought that
the cockpit had a nice
level of detail but
could have perhaps
been spruced up a
little bit with some
lead wire, especially
behind the instrument The nose cannon assembly was
very simple, and the detail was
panel. I used my new
very nice for what was included
Dspiae pin vice and drill in the box. I thought adding some
bits to drill out the rear of the detailing in the form of wires
instrument panel bezels so that I could add really spruced things up and
added that nice little detail that
different sizes of Plusmodel lead wire. I used
was missing from the kit.
a mix of 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mm to create interest
and variation. To add a little more interest, I
twisted some of the wiring together to create Test-fi tting these two major internal parts before gluing was
very important. They both provide most of the internal strength
a braided appearance. The wiring was glued
and shape of the fuselage. A little bit of clean-up on both parts
in using Zap medium CA glue and Zap Kicker. was needed for the fuselage halves to fi t correctly.
Whilst I had the CA glue and kicker to hand,
I took time to add some much-needed
nose weight. This aircraft, with its two aircraft. I am not sure on how much weight I
fully-detailed engines was always added specifi cally, but I made sure I added
going to be a tailsitter and I would more than I thought necessary. I
not have any other opportunity went to my go to weight which
to add weight if I didn’t do it now. is air-rifl e ammunition. It’s
The front nose section that houses lead, so it’s easily pliable
the front landing gear and nose and weighs enough to
cannons has an abundance of counter the imbalance of the
space available for you to add the aircraft. With all the interior
necessary weight to balance out the parts prepped and ready


























With both the cannons, cockpit and wings fi tted, most of the construction was completed.



Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 49

KIT BUILD Adding lead wiring really did aid in bringing the engines
to life. Looking at all my references, there was too much
wiring and plumbing to ignore.

This side was originally the part I wanted to have on display of
the left-hand engine, but I soon discovered that I’d closed the
wrong engine with the left engine nacelle!















All the engine base paints painted with Alclad
metallics. I used some burnt and pale colours to show
a heat stained metal.
I was never happy with this fi nish and later
went back and tidied some of the wash up and
painted it with a cleaner approach.

Wrapped in its nacelle, one of
our 262’s engines is ready to be
fi xed in place.



















for paint, it was time to prime. My absolute my
favourite primer is Mr. Surfacer 1500 Black, brush up
this, mixed with the new Mr. Hobby Rapid with it then
thinner, provides a lovely fl at surface that is brushed most
extremely resilient. I also like to prime in black of the paint off onto a
as it can show any imperfections and provides paper tower until there was barely
a natural shadow for painting complex parts any paint left on the brush. This was then
and surfaces. brushed over the raised surfaces and edges,
With this aircraft being a late-war Luftwaffe to leave highlights on all the raised edges, this
jet, the cockpit was painted in RLM66 Black providing defi nition and volume.
Grey, my choice being Mr. Hobby Aqueous With the highlighting done in the cockpit, I
H416 as this is a specifi c match for this colour. went on the paint some of the buttons, dials
I mixed this paint with the Rapid Thinner also, and switches with Andrea acrylics. I wanted to
and I was just blown away by how this thinner also add some shadows as well as highlights,
performs, resulting in a lovely fl at surface that so I gave the cockpit a dark brown wash,
is dry in a much quicker timeframe than if I had this was just to add a little more dimension
thinned it with any other thinner. and depth to go along with the highlights I
Once I had left the cockpit a few hours created earlier with the drybrush technique.
to dry, I wanted to accentuate the details I used the included instrument panel decal
and edges of the cockpit. Going back to as painting instrument panels is still well
a tried and tested, old but gold technique: beyond my skill level and I was more than
drybrushing. Drybrushing is one of the easiest happy with the result. The decal is very clear This was one of the most important stages of the build.
yet overlooked techniques that a modeller can and settled beautifully on the details of the Checking for any surface imperfections and issues that
use to make details stand on a model. I took a instrument panel. On the other hand I was not would need to be polished out. I also found some panel
lines that needed to be scribed back in.
much lighter version of the base colour, loaded so impressed with the seat harnesses that are
50 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - February 2020