1/72 Scale Re-discovered

For years I always thought of 1/72 scale as something other builders modelled in - I couldn't see what it had to offer me.  I prize accuracy and authenticity and felt the little models couldn't give me what I sought.

Lately though I've had good reason to reverse my views.  Tempted by a very attractive kit, I built an Italeri Wessex helicopter.  The quality of the mouldings and the detail were amazing and quite unexpected.  Since then I've got carried away and built Italeri's Whirlwind helicopter and their Kamov Ka 52 attack helicopter and  their Flying Banana.  There was no stopping me now.  From there I built Revell's Me 1099, Hasegawa's B-25J attack bomber and Revell's F-89 Scorpion.  All superb kits from which I obtained frankly thrilling results.  A lesson learned which just goes to prove that modellers can always expand their repertoire and reach new levels of enjoyment by keeping an open mind.

I'm still a big fan of 1/32 and 1/48 scale kits, but it seems that size is not, after all, everything.

Dedicated to our friends, Alan and Penny Haworth.

Your 'Festive Fancy'

Yes, they are nice cakes, but also it's a name for that terrific kit you've had your eye on.  This year don't be shy, show us what you got for Christmas.  I'll show you mine!  I want to thank everyone who supports my blog and to wish you a fabulous Christmas and a very plastic New Year.

 

"Take care, Will Robinson"

On yet another visit to the model emporium I noticed a litttle box sticking out from the science fiction shelf.  Since I'm currently building Moebius's Jupiter II, I suppose I had a subliminal eye out for 'Lost in Space' accoutrements.

This one turned out to be the robot from that long ago TV series, so, add to basket!  A straight forward build like this wouldn't disrupt the bigger projects I'm currently working on.  Besides, I can try out that new Alclad chrome finish that's burning a hole in my paint box.

As you can see from the photos it worked out well. The plastic was a bit on the thick side, which gives its age away.  Transparencies were surprisingly clear and part fit was great.  The robot is of diminutive size, requiring little commitment in the way of display.  I'm anxious to finish the ship and see him in context.

Hot jets

Isn't it funny - for years you don't see a single jet then three come along at once!

First is the superb new release from Airfix.  I do enjoy these cold war jets and the Javelin is well overdue.  The detail is good enough for any enthusiast, but there's still room for the odd update set  or two.

Next is the new Great Wall MiG 29.  The kit comes beautifully packaged; the upper wing/fuselage section is in its own box, and even the weapons are in a separate blister pack.  The detail is sumptuous, the transparencies flawless and the decals look fabulous. The fit of some of the parts is not without problems but they are not insurmountable.  The two engines are superb, although again the parts don't always want to meet smoothly but there's only one winner.  The cockpit looks good, but will look even better with a colour etched replacement.

Finally, and by complete contrast is this Heller kit.  The Mirage IV is the subject of this kit, and is the victim of some dodgy 1970's technology. Thick chunky plastic, raised and scant detail throughout might put some modellers off.  But this is the only kit available in 1/48 scale and I believe it will build up into something rather special.  Also, it will be nearly a foot and a half long!  I have the Neomega cockpit set, resin afterburner cans and new landing gear.  This will become a classic model of a beautiful classic aeroplane.

More to follow in due course.

Day of the Tentacle

It's always good to have a bit of variation from the norm.  I've been enjoying a slight change of direction in my own personal building, and when this kit from Pegasus first appeared, my boyhood tv memories came right back and I knew I had to have the squid and its prey......

When I started to root in the box, I realised that even though it was a good kit, it could be better.  The thing I needed to bring it to life was a lighting set.  I had a surf around, knowing that there is always someone somewhere making just what you want, no matter how obscure or arcane. VoodooFX are often the go-to guys for this, and sure enough, they offer the perfect set for illuminating my tentacle-tangled Nautilus.  I send off for it, and after a short wait the set duly arrives, amid much excitement from a grown man.  And that's when the build comes to an abrupt halt.  Circuit boards, resistors, lights and diagrams - I am all at sea.  Not for the first time, I have over-reached.  Rescue comes in the form of good friend,  model-retailer and all-round genius Mr John Guiver, who comes round to solder, drill and fix. Between us we get the lighting set integrated and John adds a bonus sound effect - sonar blips.  Yes, I know it wasn't strictly invented then but hey, this is my fantasy model, and I like the way it sounds.

Construction forges ahead, revealing stunning surface detail and not just on the sub.  The squid and its rocky base are resin and look superb. The photo-etched parts - braces, hand rails and hand grips - are easier to fit than they look.  The whole kit is a joy to build and paint.  Other Nautilus builders have chosen different colour schemes but I an enamoured with my blue squid and mineral-glinting rocks.  At £50 it's a terrific kit (though lighting was extra of course), and I was lucky to have such a helpful collaborator.  This one is definitely not for sale....

Here's that two squid I owe you....

With so many projects at different stages of completion, I thought it would be interesting to look at a few right here.

First is the new Nautilus from Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  The kit is from Pegasus and features photo etched parts and a giant squid cast in resin.  Extra features are the lights and sound on this collaborative build. At this stage it's hard to know whether there are more tentacles inside or out....   Fantastic!  More on it soon.

Next up is Airfix's new Lancaster, with its odd fuselage/wing assembly and warped fuselage.  I like it though. I decided to deviate from the hallowed path of brown/green/black camo and take the road less travelled, with this unusual but colorful Canadian scheme.  There is still plenty of work to do on it.  Ten minutes here, ten minutes there....

Third is Italeri's new Hurricane in 1/48.  Although it has plenty to commend it - it has an engine and some photo etched parts and it's cheaper than Hasegawa's -  the fit of the main parts is ponderous to say the least.  The wings will be anhedral if you don't lean on them a bit!  I'll finish it soon, and it will look like a Hurricane should.

Academy's awesome CH-53 in 1/48 scale is terrific.  It's a big complex piece that I've been working on (and off) for ages. It's slowly but surely coming together.  Eduard's finest cockpit is installed and an excellent set of decals is waiting in the wings as it were.  Next, exhaust stains.

Finally, the new Tupolev Tu-2 in 1/48 scale from the new Chinese company Xuntong Model.  Even at this early stage of construction you can tell it's a bit of quality.  Lovely interior, great engines - you get two.  Are those bombs or pontoons from a drilling platform?  Really unusual and certainly memorable.

More on these soon.

My Wife Calls Them Vanity Projects

In the last few weeks I completed these two pieces.  I'm really enjoying 1/72 scale in a way I never thought I would.  The detail seems much improved from what I remember, and it's been great fun.  It's meant that the kits have needed minimal aftermarket enhancements - always good.   Less has seemed like much more, although I have put in as much effort as a 1/48 model requires.  Very satisfying and highly recommended.