[Misc] Airfix/Revell etc. model kits.

Cowfold Seagull · Dec 4, 2019

When l was a kid l used to absolutely love building these. Principally 1/72 scale model military aircraft. Over the years though my collection has disappeared, many of them bheing broken playing mock dogfights with my friends.

Now l am older and have reached retirement, l'm thinking about building up another collection, this time though treating them as models and not as toys! Is any one else a fan?

MattBackHome · Dec 4, 2019

Thread title made me think of Alex Revell.

As you were.

Bozza · Dec 4, 2019

I'm pretty sure [MENTION=20]Publius Ovidius[/MENTION] has shared some model-making pictures in the past.

el punal · Dec 4, 2019

Cowfold Seagull said:
When l was a kid l used to absolutely love building these. Principally 1/72 scale model military aircraft. Over the years though my collection has disappeared, many of them bheing broken playing mock dogfights with my friends.

Now l am older and have reached retirement, l'm thinking about building up another collection, this time though treating them as models and not as toys! Is any one else a fan?

Yes, unfortunately many of the models that were made are now unavailable. Airfix used to produce a great variety ranging in size and price. So the smaller models like Spitfire, Hurricane, ME109 would sell for 2/- (10p). Next range - Mosquito, ME110 would go for 3/6 (17p) and then you would get the “biggies” like the Lancaster, Stirling, Sunderland etc. for 7/6 (35p). And, of course, many more models at varying prices - warships, tanks, cars, buildings, and then you would paint them using Humbrol paints according to the instructions.

As with all kids at that age the novelty would wear off. Many of the aircraft I built were destroyed by being attached to fireworks (rockets mainly) for their final flight! :down:

Jack Straw · Dec 4, 2019

el punal said:
Yes, unfortunately many of the models that were made are now unavailable. Airfix used to produce a great variety ranging in size and price. So the smaller models like Spitfire, Hurricane, ME109 would sell for 2/- (10p). Next range - Mosquito, ME110 would go for 3/6 (17p) and then you would get the “biggies” like the Lancaster, Stirling, Sunderland etc. for 7/6 (35p). And, of course, many more models at varying prices - warships, tanks, cars, buildings, and then you would paint them using Humbrol paints according to the instructions.

...and suspend the aeroplanes from your bedroom ceiling via the medium of cotton and drawing pins.

moggy · Dec 4, 2019

Yes I still make them but turn them into dioramas.
Here’s the last one I did. All scenery is hand made.

moggy · Dec 4, 2019

A few others.

the soldier by rupert brooke meaning

Wrong-Direction · Dec 4, 2019

I made a cracking D day diorama when I was a kid

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Spiros · Dec 4, 2019

el punal said:
Yes, unfortunately many of the models that were made are now unavailable. Airfix used to produce a great variety ranging in size and price. So the smaller models like Spitfire, Hurricane, ME109 would sell for 2/- (10p). Next range - Mosquito, ME110 would go for 3/6 (17p) and then you would get the “biggies” like the Lancaster, Stirling, Sunderland etc. for 7/6 (35p). And, of course, many more models at varying prices - warships, tanks, cars, buildings, and then you would paint them using Humbrol paints according to the instructions.

As with all kids at that age the novelty would wear off. Many of the aircraft I built were destroyed by being attached to fireworks (rockets mainly) for their final flight!

You can still get some good ones though. Only a couple of years ago my brother gave me a kit for a Sopwith Camel as something of a joke christmas present. To the wife's frustration and the kids puzzlement I then spent a bit of time every evening for about the next 6 weeks building the thing, even completing all the rigging on the wings with cotton and painting in the right humbrol colours. It looked amazing though now the decals have started to peal off a bit. I probably put more time and effort into that than the 40 or so that I made as kid added together.

There's a place next to Ford Station - The Engine Shed - which sells just about every Airfix and Revell kit going plus all the humbrol paints if you want to turn the clock back

METALMICKY · Dec 4, 2019

Jack Straw said:
...and suspend the aeroplanes from your bedroom ceiling via the medium of cotton and drawing pins.

Showing my age now but aside from on the ceiling I had a hideous pelmet over my bedroom window upon which you could park them.

Used to stick to 1/72 scale as did not have the patience for the bigger models. Tried to have a go at a B17 Flying Fortress but just way to fiddly with having to glue all the clear gun ports. Ended up in bits for months before big brother finished it but then my sister volunteered to paint and inexplicably painted it camouflage like a Spitfire!!!!!

grubbyhands · Dec 4, 2019

moggy said:
Yes I still make them but turn them into dioramas.
Here’s the last one I did. All scenery is hand made.

They're brilliant but I would urge you to check the tracking on the Minis' front wheels, heavy tyre wear imminent I fear!

Couldn't Be Hyypia · Dec 4, 2019

Two tyre tracks in front of the mini - and two behind. How did the mini get there?

And the owner seriously needs to look at their wiper blades.

PS It's bloody lovely.

el punal · Dec 4, 2019

moggy said:
Yes I still make them but turn them into dioramas.
Here’s the last one I did. All scenery is hand made.

That is brilliant! :bowdown:

Fungus · Dec 4, 2019

moggy said:
Yes I still make them but turn them into dioramas.
Here’s the last one I did. All scenery is hand made.

Ooh, I feel quite dizzy after watching it go round and round!

Good work, though.

Official Old Man · Dec 4, 2019

I saw Airfix models recently in Aldi. Thought to myself 'would kids today really sit and build these?'

Cotton Socks · Dec 4, 2019

Spiros said:
You can still get some good ones though. Only a couple of years ago my brother gave me a kit for a Sopwith Camel as something of a joke christmas present. To the wife's frustration and the kids puzzlement I then spent a bit of time every evening for about the next 6 weeks building the thing, even completing all the rigging on the wings with cotton and painting in the right humbrol colours. It looked amazing though now the decals have started to peal off a bit. I probably put more time and effort into that than the 40 or so that I made as kid added together.

There's a place next to Ford Station - The Engine Shed - which sells just about every Airfix and Revell kit going plus all the humbrol paints if you want to turn the clock back

I've spent a fortune in that shop on my kids it's actually called gaugemaster though.

Gary Leeds · Dec 4, 2019

moggy said:
A few others.

I hope im not the only one looking at this and having a German voice in my head saying "ver are your papers!!"

AmexRuislip · Dec 4, 2019

I remember the old Meccano shop in Henley on Thames, that had all the working models, they also used to sell Airfix type stuff.
A teenage boys dream back then

(Waiting for the impending innuendo comments)

Seagull kimchi · Dec 4, 2019

Anyone else make the models then stick fire crackers in them and launch them into garrisons of plastic soldiers and try to create carnage?

studio150 · Dec 4, 2019

Suggest you start with the Hellcat that pops up from 16:20 in this excellent James May series

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00030wh/james-mays-big-trouble-in-model-britain-episode-1

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[Misc] Airfix/Revell etc. model kits.

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