Friday, January 03, 2014

Airfix 1/72nd Hawker Typhoon Mk 1B

Another one bites the dust. I really enjoyed making this one. These new airfix kits are really good. The instructions are clear, the painting instructions are superb and the fit is top notch.

The aircraft modelled is that flown by Squadron Leader Basil Gerald "Stapme" Stapleton DFC, No. 247 (China-British) Squadron, No. 124 Wing, 2nd Tactical Airforce, Royal Air Force, Eindhoven, Netherlands, December 1944. (Pheww, what a mouthful). It seems that this model has the updated tail planes that were not fitted until after D-Day (at least that's what Colin Ovens tells me).



 

Here is a close up of the opened weapons bay.



A funny thing occurred to me at the Clacton club last night when I was talking about the paint used. To say that I have a "catholic" taste in paint is pretty accurate as I use whatever make I have that fits. Hence, the Ocean Grey is Xtracrylix, the RAF Dark Green is Lifecolor and the Medium Sea Grey underneath is Vallejo Model Air!

I have always said that the one thing I didn't enjoy was the decalling but it seems that, since retiring, I have got over this. The decal sheet is pretty impressive. It even includes the D-Day stripes and the yellow leading edges of the wings! 

Well onwards and up, as Tony Little used to say.

I am currently trying to get the Whitley painted. Now I have refurbished my Iwata TR0 with a new needle etc., I should be able to finish that. I have started on the Luftwaffe/Afrika Korps pilot, have cut all the resin moulding blocks off and given him a coat of Vallejo grey primer. 


The next aircraft I am planning on starting is the great little 1/144th Westland Wessex HAS 1.


I have checked and I have the required Oxford Blue and Red so it should be an easy build.

More soon.






2 comments:

The Mechanic AKA. Mick Lomax said...

Very nice David. Got this kit myself along with a few others of Airfix's new toolings. I agree, they have improved the quality their kit vastly and I hope they do the same with their older range.

Myself, I cannot wait until the 1/24th scale Typhoon is released later this year. That is definately on my shopping list!

Mick

Long Haired David said...

I have just bought a Monogram 1/48th Typhoon so that gives me three - 1/144th, 1/72nd and 1/48th. 1/32 and 1/24 - here I come!