Very clean build. I agree it is a nice kit, though I prefer to fit Rob Taurus vacu-formed canopies intended for other kits, as the Airfix canopy is just a tiny bit "coarse" looking, This makes a chore around the windscreen base, but there are now fume-less gel cyano glues... You did not mention the peculiar step (evident in the instructions) of shortening the fin to allow the broader rudder horn of the F. XVIII (the rudder is provided in the kit). An important XVIII distinction from the Mk XIV. Another F. XVIII distinction, omitted in the instructions, is that at least the outer narrow .303 machinegun panels should be filled, but they are replaced underneath by a somewhat similar looking series of narrow panels that are full length...
Re the nose decal. Could you instead mask the nose and paint it /all/ black or yellow, then mask the alternating stripes and paint them? [Edit oh you did mention painting it]
Enjoyed that Gary. Now my questions: 1: are you connected to aviation? 2: if not how on earth do you know so much about the actual planes? 3: if a part is a pest, do you ever just leave it out of the build? 4: how are you so familiar with the kits? 5: which brand do you prefer? You do appear to be a little of an Airfix ‘fan boy’!? I dont think anything’s wrong with that, I was bought up on Airfix. Went straight to them on my return. 6: in modelling terms how do describe yourself and why do Airfix know you well enough and presumably value you enough to invite you to their events? 7: does a person need to build your level of knowledge (and model minutes, mos6510 for example) to be a good builder rather an out the box assembler? No less than two sides of a4 paper please!! Lol 😊 Sorry I didn’t realise how much I had asked. Tell me to leave it out if you want, I won’t be offended. Bob England
Hi Bob, I'll try to answer them.... 1. No, other than being a huge enthusiast. I'm not employed in any capacity in aviation. 2. Having been a fan of aviation since I was very young. 3. I have done that in the past but only if it is entirely superfluous to what I'm trying to achieve. If I won't see it and it's not structural then its an optional extra in my book! 4. Just by building lots of them. 5. I do like Airfix because its a UK company and I've been making them since I was about 6. As a youngster anything else was exotic. They are very easy to get everywhere here, I use their online store (with my Club discount) and thanks to this channel I get on well with the team at Margate. But if they do something I don't like, I'll say so (and tell them as well). I have enjoyed some other kits though - Italeri is growing on me as a brand after making their Stirling, and I liked the precision of the Tamiya Austin 10hp van I made recently for myself. And Arma Hobby - their kits are really good and I'm looking forward to their 1/48 Hurricane. The current ICM kits seem very good too - the 1/48 Beaufort is amazing. 6. Enthusiastic amateur. I love making kits, simple as that. I don't have the patience or skills for competition level builds, but then neither do the vast majority of modellers. I hope I do things for fun and it comes across like that, because fun is what the hobby should be. Airfix got in touch simply because they saw my YT channel and I guess thought that I know what I'm talking about. We chat quite a lot, we have a laugh together and we share a passion for the hobby. Same as for most of the content creators they invite to these things. 7. A knowledge of, and love for, the subject will always make you a better builder than someone who doesn't have any feeling for the subject. That's the same in every creative endeavour. My dear wife was a brilliant documentary photographer because she had a passion for telling stories through photography and a strong empathy with her subjects. I love aviation, I love aeroplanes (and other things too), I love flying (but really don't like airports!!!) and I admire the technology and history behind their creation as well as the dedication, skill and often bravery of those who flew in them and who kept them going. And I've only scratched the surface of the hobby - just looking at the huge car modelling field, then fantasy, sci-fi, anime and gundam, there is so much out there! Think that's covered everything! Thanks for asking! Cheers! G
its the fuel tanks filler cap, not water/glycol tank ,there is a tank just in front of the engine which is coolant , obviously on your lit its hidden under the engine covers
It depends on the paint. Even with Vallejo Model Air (supposedly ready to go from the bottle), some I have to dilute with a few drops of thinners, while others (like the BS Dark Green) are thin enough already. A rule of thumb is that, if you can brush paint with it, you will need to thin it for airbrushing! I have been able to use Humbrol paints as well with thinners.
I feel your pain Harry! There are loads I want to get but each time I have to think - "will that be good for the channel?" Haven't made a kit just for the hell of it for a year now...
I feel ya Harry, between the Mondays and the builds, Gary has me putting in orders at my local shop even while I'm driving couple hundred miles away delivering trailers, LoL, even makes me wonder sometimes if any kits in them I might want to build 😂🤣
I think the earlier Merlins looked like the toff who says "retract that, sir, or I will give you the thrashing you deserve." The late Griffons look like the bloke who sighs, gets up slowly and says, very quietly, "you really shouldn't have done that." So much more menace.
I us3d to build some cheap ships and planes back when I could afford more on disability. Makes me want to pickup a Japanese kit! You have patience and detail attention sir.
I hope you can get to buying some kits soon - you can pick up the occasional bargain in charity shops and places like that. Model making is superb therapy - physically and mentally. Good luck to you Derrek.
Great build. I think I missed the step where you masked the yellow leading edges of wings before painting the camo scheme. I've not attempted this before!
Works like a charm and you can get a nice rich yellow without having to cover camouflage colours. I always try to do lightest bits first then mask them off.
Very nice Gary. I particularly liked the way you did the cockpit and instrument panel. It’s a lovely looking model when it’s finished but if I do one it will have to be the Indian version- that noseband on the RAF plane looks like too much of a faff!
You'd be right to do so - it was my first thought but I didn't want my wonderful subscribers to think I had chickened out. Also, not sure if the Indian ones were armed with rockets. Anyway, the black nose band on the Indian scheme comes as a decal - but I'd paint it were I building one!