Model making
Plastic kit modelling
I've been into making kit models since I was at school, though it's not something I do all that regularly. I might go a couple of years without doing anything. Still, here's some of my efforts.
This is from the 1/72 scale Tamiya kit.
Messerschmitt Bf109 G-10, late 1944
1/72 Revell kit
As of February 2004, I'm planning on doing one model for each of the various nations main fighter aircraft of World War 2.
The British Spitfire is done. To follow:
German................Messerschmit Bf 109G-10........................... done
American.............P51-D Mustang (purchased kit).................... under construction
March 2004
The Mustang is now done. I'm quite pleased with it.
1/72 Tamiya kit
Japanese..............Mitsubishi 'Zero'........................................... next up
This should be interesting. I got the kit from a toy collectors fair, it's by Hasegawa and seems to be quite old, including raised panel lines!!
I also got a PB-5Y Catalina at 1/72, simply because it was by Airfix and made in 1975.
Well, I never got round to making either of those kits! Or even pursuing the fighters of the nations idea. Instead I have turned to 1/48th scale. I much prefer this to the smaller kits, and my latest idea is to doaircraft of the RAF at this scale. I have Tamiya kits of a Sea Harrier and a Beaufighter. But the one I've started on is a Roden kit of the Sopwith 1and half Strutter. This is a nice kit. It comes with photoetched parts for some interior and exterior detailing. Also the main parts (wings and fuselage) have been done in clear plastic. Apparently the idea was to provide a better substrate for achieving a more authentic doped linen look, although I've seen a fair bit of advice that suggests just treating it as regular plastic is better.
My most recent efforts have been at 1/32nd scale. First off was the Trumpeter F4F-4 Wildcat.
I was very pleased with the end result on this. The kit was good to make and my first encounter with PE parts.
Next up was Tamiyas F15C. At 1/32 scale it is an awesome kit - I got mine in a model shop on Lexington Ave in New York, when I went on a trip with my wife there - WOW what a fantastic place. Anyway, back to the kit, it took me seven weeks, I didn't even bother counting the hours - though I guess it must run to the best part of 80-100 hours. This kit left me feeling a bit drained, but here it is:
I was pretty pleased with this too. My first shot at scratch building as well, in the form of seatbelts made from thin strips of fabric sticking plaster - painted they really can look good - at larger scale at least.
