Airfix Model World 2011-01

MONTHLY FOR ALL SCALE MODELLERS MUST-HAVE SECOND ISSUE!
ISSUE 02
MILITARY BUILD
SOVIET SURVIVOR
The T-34 - Stalin's
warrior of the
Eastern Front
Bf 109E
ALL KITS, ALL CLASSES!
 Jaguar XKR GT3
 Diorama Part II
 Lunar Module
 60 Reviews
SPECIAL
Two builds, colour reference
feature, side profiles
JAN 2011 £3.99 CAN $10.99
SKILLS SCHOOL ADVANCED BUILD
Cockpit painting The Weichow Incident -
made easy Mitsubishi Claude
Airfix Cover UK.indd 1 18/11/2010 11:00

EDITORS DESK
WELCOME
Editorial
Editor: Glenn Sands
Assistant Editor: Chris Clifford
Group Editor in Chief: Paul Hamblin
Editor's Secetary: Julie Lawson
Regular Contributors
Ian Hartup, Neil Robinson, Lester Plaskitt,
Nick Tebbs and Peter Johnson
Design
Art Editor: Tom Bagley
Group Art Editor: Steve Donovan
Production
Sub Editor: James Forsyth
Production Manager: Janet Watkins
Advertising
Commercial Director: Ann Saundry
Group Manager: Brodie Baxter
Advertising Manager: James Beanland
Production Manager: Debi McGowan
Production Assistant: Lauren Clarke
Marketing
Marketing Manager: Martin Steele
Marketing Executive: Shaun Binnington
Marketing Assistant: Jessica Jagger
Subscriptions Manager: Roz Condé
Mail Order: Joan Harwin,
Liz Ward, Ann Petrie
Managing Director: Adrian Cox

Executive Chairman: Richard Cox
W
Key Publishing Ltd,
PO Box 100, Stamford, elcome to Airfix Model World! As I write this, it’s the Monday after the ‘big
Lincolnshire, PE9 1XQ, UK.
weekend’ — when modellers from around the world gathered for two days in what
Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP. can only be called the ‘best model club meet ever’. I’m talking about IPMS Scale
Tel: 020 7459 4000. Fax: 020 7429 4001.
Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne. Model World (SMW) 2010, and this year I had the opportunity to promote the
Printed in England (ISSN 1471-0587) magazine and meet plenty of our readers — a real pleasure.
It was great talking to lots of you with the same modelling interests as me, with conversations harking
Subscriptions back to long since closed model shops where we all looked longingly at the precious stock on the
Please refer to main advertisement
within the magazine. All applications stating shelves. Or to airshows at RAF bases that have now been turned into housing estates. Some of the
name, address, date to commence and
remittance to : sci-fi modellers left me gobsmacked and craving to build a spaceship using the wealth of knowledge
Subscriptions Department, Airfix Model World,
Key Publishing Ltd, P0 Box 300, they have about Boba Fett’s ‘Slave One’ from The Empire Strikes Back, and how modifications can be
Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK.
Telephone/24-hour answer machine: replicated in plastic card from scale plans to accurately match the model in the film. Two days simply
+44 (0) 1780 480404
Fax: +44 (0) 1780 757812. wasn’t enough to tap into their depth of knowledge.
E-Mail: subs@keypublishing.com
IPMS Scale Model World is also about spending that money you’ve saved all year round to buy the
Readers in the USA can place subscriptions by
visiting www.airfixmodelworld.com or by calling latest kits, books, decals and tools – and it’s about building and rejuvenating friendships that have
toll free 800-676-4049 or fax 757-428-6253
or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific lasted years. If there’s a model project you have in mind then there’s a fair chance someone at SMW
Ave, Ste 404, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-9828.
Postmaster: Send address corrections to Airfix has made something similar and will be only be too happy to pass on useful advice.
Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, PBIMS, 500
Route 46E, Clifton, NJ 07015-1800. As I looked through the crowded halls on Saturday afternoon, it was clear to me that the myth that
our hobby is anti-social or keeps many of us locked away alone for hours on end is simply that – a
The Editor is happy to receive contributions
to Airfix Model World. Please note that all myth. There was a constant buzz in the air as modellers chatted, met for the first time, reunited and
material sent to the Editor is forwarded at the
contributor’s own risk. While every care is taken exchanged tips and techniques.
with material, the publishers cannot be held
responsible for any loss or damage incured. All I’m already looking forward to the next SMW – but only after I’ve emptied my car of those must-have
material rates available on request. Submitted
material (especially illustrations) should have the kits, books, decals, resin sets, etched brass sets, tweezers sets, scalpels, brushes, paints…
contributors name and address clearly marked
and a stamped addressed envelope should be Glenn Sands
enclosed. All items submitted for publication are
subject to our terms and conditions. These are Editor
regularly updated without prior notice and are
freely available from www.keypublishing.com
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK.
UK Tel: 01780 755131 Fax: 01780 757261
Overseas Tel: +44 1780 755131
Fax: +44 1780 757261
E-Mail: airfixmodelworld@keypublishing.com
The entire contents of Airfix Model World is

© copyright, and no part of it may be
reproduced in any form or stored on any form
of retrieval system without the prior permission
of the publisher.
Airfix Model World

www.airfixmodelworld.com 03
03_editorial JF.indd 3 18/11/2010 12:31

CONTENTS
REGULARS 60 MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
06 News and
Show Scene
The latest happenings in the
world of modelling and a
comprehensive up-to-date
calendar or related events.
 COVER STORY
66 Skills School
– Advanced
Painting
Robin Carpenter continues his
series on brush painting, this time
sharing his techniques for painting
aircraft cockpits.
80 On the Shelf
Thirteen pages of reviews bring you
the latest kits, books and modelling
products that will be high on every
modeller’s wish list.
98 Cutting Mat
Chat
A final word from the ‘movers
and shakers’ within the
modelling industry.
24 BASIC BUILD
HAWKER HURRICANES
66 SKILLS SCHOOL
ADVANCED PAINTING
04 Airfix Model World

www.airfixmodelworld.com
04-05_contents JF.indd 4 18/11/2010 15:25

72 ADVANCED BUILD
MITSUBISHI CLAUDE
SPACE
LUNAR
DEPT. NAME
FEATURE
BUILD
MODULE
NAME 00
30
FEATURES
 COVER STORY
14 Review Build – Jaguar XKR GT3

The Big Cat is back! Well-known car modeller Ian Hartup shares his skills as he
builds Airfix’s sleek new Jag racer in its 2007 Apex livery.
20 Diorama – French Village House Part II

Nick Tebbs adds a bit of 'wilderness' to the mix as he continues his work on
MiniArt’s French Village cottage.
24 Basic Build – Hawker Hurricanes

Father and son Ian Grainger and Ethan build a pair of Airfix Hawker Hurricanes.
A young modeller receives some tips and guidance from an old hand.
30 Space Build – Apollo Lunar Module

REVIEW BUILD
14
Peter Johnson goes ‘one step beyond’ by updating Airfix’s venerable Lunar
JAGUAR XKR GT3 Module kit with the addition of foil, plastic card and a lot of patience.
 COVER STORY
38 Advance Build – Bf 109E-7 Trop.

In the first part of our Bf 109 Special, Chris Clifford gets hot under the collar
building Luftwaffe pilot Fw. Franz Elles Bf 109 Black 8 from 1./JG 27 in an eye-
catching Western Desert scheme during combat operations over Libya in 1941.
44 In Focus – Painted for Victory?

Peter Scott looks at the camouflage and markings applied to Bf 109Es during
the Battle of Britain. Profiles and a colour key explain all you need to know.
 COVER STORY
52 Basic Build – Bf 109E-4/N

Pro Modeller’s Philip Flory builds the Airfix 1/48 Bf 109E-4/N straight-from-the
box and uses some of his own washes and weathering products to achieve
the look of a Battle of Britain veteran.
 COVER STORY
60 Military Build – T-34 Model 76

Steve Palffy gets intimate, painting and detailing Dragon’s 1/35 T-34 Model 76
in an unusual Russian Army Eastern Front camouflage scheme.
 COVER STORY
72 Advance Build – Mitsubishi Claude

38 ADVANCED BUILD
Bf 109E-7 TROP. Inspired by a striking painting, Chris Clifford builds Classic Airframes Mitsubishi
A5M4 Claude to recall the day it attacked a British De Havilland airliner.
Airfix Model World

04-05_contents JF.indd 5 18/11/2010 15:27

NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
TELFORD TRIUMPHS AGAIN

Elsewhere in the halls were
several thousand models on
Branch and Special Interest Group
displays, alongside 130 trade
stands, several demonstration
areas and a 1:1 Spitfire drawing
steady crowds of admirers.
 Senior Best of Show winner

at Scale ModelWorld 2010 was
Aristidis Polyzos with this superb,  A worthy winner of a Sci-Fi/Fantasy
scratch-built Handley Page 0/400. Gold medal was Hannele Hentula.
'Guardian of the pumpkin patch'
SCALE MODELWORLD (SMW) attendance at this year’s show
 The Airfix Trophy was awarded
2010 was held over the weekend estimated to be 9,100, and Society
to Damien Piekarczyk for this very
of November 13-14, attracting membership also enjoyed a impressive Lightning F.2.
record numbers. The growth of this significant boost. (All Chris Ayre)
IPMS event continues unabated, The Competition attracted more
reflecting the increasing interest in than 1,000 models in 93 Classes
the hobby of scale modelling. and there were an additional 41
Firmly established at The trophies awarded. As ever, there
International Centre Telford, SMW were some breathtaking models on
fills all three exhibition halls – display and the 2010 Best of Show
perhaps it’s a good thing that the medal went to Aristidis Polyzos for
venue is in the process of building his sublime, scratch-built Handley
a fourth hall, although there are Page 0/400. Logan Harvey took
no current plans by IPMS (UK) the Junior title with a superb
to expand into the new space. example of the figure painter’s art,
That could change, considering a Soviet Tank Commander bust.
RECORD BREAKING SUCCESS AT SPITFIX
ON SATURDAY October 30, 2010, May Spitfire, row upon row of Peter Allen, the designer of painted artwork to computer-
hundreds of modellers travelled to modellers of all ages concentrated Airfix’s 1:12 Bentley Blower and generated imagery.
RAF Cosford to attempt a World their efforts to build as many 1:72 1:24 Harrier. Past and present As for the World Record,
Record. Organised by Arthur Airfix Spitfires as possible. Spitfix Airfix ‘nobility shared their it was broken – subject to
Ward of www.collectingfriends. was more than just a Record experience too, as Roy Cross, confirmation from Guinness. A
com, Spitfix 2010 was set to be an attempt; ‘the great and the good’ legendary kit box artist, talked photobook of Spitfix 2010 can
interesting day. Gathered together of modelling were there to talk with his successor Adam Tooby be downloaded free from: www.
in the presence of the James about their experiences, including about Airfix’s move from markwoodphotography.com/spitfix

06-07_news gs JF.indd 6 19/11/2010 13:56

NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
GOSHAWKS GO FOR GOLD 70TH ANNIVERSARY

– THE BATTLE OF
The US Navy's Aviation Centenary is being celebrated with a number of special paint TARANTO
schemes - the first out the paint shop were these two T-45C Goshawks. On the night of 10/11 November
1940 the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm
(FAA) carried out the first carrier-
launched air strike against an
enemy fleet. Twenty-one Swordfish
torpedo bombers from the aircraft
carrier Illustrious attacked the
Italian navy’s battle fleet at anchor
in the harbor of Taranto. Through
a barrage of anti-aircraft fire and
barrage balloons, the Royal Navy’s
Swordfish devastated the Italian
Fleet. Two Swordfish were shot
down. Two crews lost their lives
and two were captured and taken
prisoner by the Italians.
Admiral Cunningham,
 One of two T-45C Goshawks that have been painted in pre-World War II tactical colours. (USN/Lt Cdr Gabe Pincelli) Commander in Chief of the
Mediterranean fleet said the
attack “…had changed
the face of naval warfare
forever”. The success of
the attack marked the
beginning of the rise of
naval aviation, over the
big guns of battleships and
inspired the Japanese attack on the
American Fleet at Pearl Harbour.
To mark the 70th anniversary
of the Battle of Taranto, the FAA
Museum have updated their Taranto
Exhibition with a new audio visual
presentation and exhibits including
the wheel of HMS Illustrious and
two Distinguished Service Crosses
and other service medals of many
 The second T-45C centennial scheme wears different colours on its tail surfaces. (USN/Mass Comm Spec Casey Amdahl)
of the airmen who took part.
A PRE-CHRISTMAS
IMPRESSIVE INDEPENDENCE TREAT
Aircraft modellers looking to
stock-up on supplies ranging from
decal sheets, Airfix kits, and resin
accessories prior to their Christmas
holiday are advised to attend
Aviation Workshop's 2nd Annual
Open Day.
Staff will be on hand to advise
modellers on how to design their
own decals, through to using resin
parts. Members from IPMS Abingdon
will also be in attendance.
FOLLOWING IN the wake of its mould technology. Instead of using bustling with activity courtesy of 18
groundbreaking 1/350 scale old methods surrounding separate true-to-scale fighters, eight auxiliary
Scharnhorst kit, Dragon’s latest parts, the Independence boasts a vehicles and 18 tiny, but realistic
maritime release, the USS one-piece hull with undercuts and figures. The flight deck itself is
Independence, maintains the no gaps to fill. Modellers also have also in one piece, allowing suitable
company’s solid reputation for the choice of building their carrier texture to be rendered and there’s
serious detail. The impressively with a full hull or waterline version. also full deck-edge detail. For all finer
large kit makes widespread use The focus of a carrier is its busy refinements, several photo-etched
of its now widely respected slide- flight deck, and Dragon’s is indeed metal frets are included.
Airfix Model World

06-07_news gs JF.indd 7 19/11/2010 13:57

SHOW SCENE
DIARY DATES
Worldwide model 16 Meet at Dawn Unarmed: Captain Robert Hamilton’s account of

trench warfare and the Christmas Truce 1914. Lunchtime lecture
show calendar by Andrew Hamilton at the National Army Museum at Chelsea,
for 2010/2011 London. Presentation begins at 12:30pm. Free entry.
Tel: 020 7730 0717. www.national-army-museum.ac.uk
DECEMBER 2010 JANUARY 2011

5 Northern Military Expo, George Stephenson Hall, Newark County 27 Colonial Cousins talk by Phil Bonner, Branston Hall Hotel,
Showground, NG24 2NY. Tel: 01302 739000. Lincoln. Starts 7:30pm. Tel: 01529 414155.
Email: info@northernmilitaryexpo.co.uk Email: deborah_roberts@n-kesteven.gov.uk or
laura_meadows@n-kesteven.gov.uk
10 Modellers Traders' Fayre (4pm-9pm). The Conference Room,
Premier Inn, Starlow Road, Bathgate, EH48 1LQ. Traders present 28 North Kesteven Aviation day Tour. Go behind the scenes at two
will include The Aviation Book Centre, Cammett Ltd, Friendship of North Kesteven’s active air bases – RAF Waddington and RAF
Models, SB Models and many others. Digby. After morning refereshments at Brantson Hall Hotel, you
Throughout the event Cammett's Airbrush Surgery will be will be transported to Waddington for a tour of the station and a
offering advice, assistance and repairs. For details contact look at their newly opened Heritage Room. After lunch, you will
The Aviation Book Centre. Tel: 0845 260 4413. then travel to Digby for a talk about the station, a tour around
Email: sales@aviationbookcentre.com. the sector operations museum, finishing with afternoon tea
before returning to the hotel. Tel: 01529 414155.
11 Modellers Traders' Fayre (9am-5pm). The Conference Room,
Email: deborah_roberts@n-kesteven.gov.uk or
Premier Inn, Starlow Road, Bathgate, EH48 1LQ.
laura_meadows@n-kesteven.gov.uk
(See above entry for details.)
11 The Weird and Wonderful Wings of the Luftwaffe – book signing
by Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown and Spitfire Saga signing by FEBRUARY 2011
Rodney Scrase. The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Royal 6 Milton Keynes ModelKraft 2011. Stantonbury Leisure Centre,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1BS. Tel: 01892 539284 Milton Keynes, MK14 6BN. (More details to follow when available)
www.aviation-bookshop.com
19 Model Show 2011. The South West’s Biggest and Best Model
11 The Aviation Workshop 2nd Annual Open Day. Meet the editorial Show. Doors open 10:00am. Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS
team, decal designers and sales team. Special Christmas Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset, BA22 8HT. Tel: 01935 840565.
offers on a selective range of products including Pavla, Odds www.fleetairarm.com
& Ordnance, Airfix etc. How to design decals demonstration.
20 Huddersfield 2011. Hosted by IPMS Wakefield. The North’s
Model Design Company working with resin demonstration,
Premier Model Show, Huddersfield Sports Centre, Southgate,
Abingdon IPMS Model Display, airbrush demonstrations (subject
Huddersfield, HD1 1TW. Open 11:00am to 5:00pm. Model
to confirmation). Open 10:30am-4:00pm. The Watermill Studio,
traders, club displays and open competition. Tel: 07811 358355
Unit 13/14A, Home Farm, Ardington, Nr Wantage, Oxfordshire,
or 07879 466554. Email: huddersfieldshow@ukonline.co.uk
OX12 8PD. Tel: 01235 861614.
www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk
IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or
12 20% Discount off all new and second-hand books.
cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and
The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells,
was believed to be correct at the time of going to press.
Kent, TN1 1BS. Tel: 01892 539284
www.aviation-bookshop.com To advertise your event here email: editorial@airfixmodelworld.com
OUT & ABOUT REVIEW Valiant, and the new

F-86F Sabre — both in
FAAM’S AUTUMN MODEL SHOW, 23 OCTOBER 2010 1/72 with the new box
W
ith the English weather enthusiasts make the journey tops on display. Given the
on the turn and the to the Fleet Air Arm Museum’s reaction of those crowded
dark evenings creeping (FAAM) Autumn model show around the items, both look
in, a time when many people on October 23. Despite some set to be winners.
enter ‘hibernation’ for the winter, ferocious downpours during the As always at the Yeovilton show,
it was great to see so many day, the halls were buzzing with inspiration comes from both the
modellers deep in conversation aircraft exhibits and the models
over their latest project or on display and this show was Marketing
stocking-up on much needed no exception. There were more Executive of the
supplies of glue and paint than a few of the 1,700 visitors FAAM, met the needs of model
in preparation for the to the show, walking around makers with another excellent
winter’s modelling with models of Sea Harriers show, assembling 415 exhibitors,
projects. tucked under their arms, no a great achievement given that
While releases of new doubt suitably inspired by the the IPMS Nationals is only two
kits were thin on the two examples on display within weeks later. Well done to all the
ground, Airfix had museums collection. staff at the museum organising
test-shots of the Once again Tracy Ufnowski, another superb day.

08_diary.indd 8 18/11/2010 15:07

NEWS SPECIAL
NATO TIGER MEET 2010
 A French Air Force Mirage 2000C 80 '103-LI' from Escadron de Chasse 1/12 'Cambresis'
at base Aerienne 103 Cambrai, wore this dramatic scheme. (All photos by Joerg Stange)
 One of the most talked about paint  A Turkish Air Force F-16C Block 50
schemes of the meet was that seen on from Balikesir AB, shows off its fine-
this Mirage 2000D 668 '118-LG'. looking tiger-painted drop tanks.
TIGERS PROWL ON
THE
Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands hosted
Tiger Meet 2010 in early October.
Joerg Stange was there to
shoot the action

10-11_tigers gs JF.indd 10 17/11/2010 14:38

NEWS SPECIAL
NATO TIGER MEET 2010
 Luftwaffe Tornado ECR 46+29 from

Jagdbombergeschwader 32/321 Staffel at
Lechfeld, went for the 'digital' look.
 This menacing F-16D Block 50, of 192

Filo, Turkish Air Force, was the winner of the
Best Tiger Scheme.
T
he Royal Netherlands Air The global recession hit this
Force hosted NATO’s Tiger year’s meet, with four squadrons
Meet 2010 at Volkel ABF unable to attend due to shrinking
from October 4-15. This defence budgets and another
was the second two-week Tiger three absent due to operational
Meet and was a great success commitments.
again. The host squadron, an Despite these disappointments,
F-16AM/BM operator, had clearly Volkel’s flight lines were packed
taken onboard the good example with more than 50 aircraft,
set by their southern neighbour, including F-16s, Mirage 2000s,
31 Squadron of the Belgian Air Tornados and Saab 105s. Mil-
Force based at Kleine Brogel AB, 24V Hinds provided the rotary
which hosted last year’s event. element from 221 Squadron of
During eight days of flying, the Czech Republic, along
 Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16A J-055 from the host unit, 313 Squadron, is seen
715 missions were planned, and with AB212s of 21 Gruppo Italian here taxiing out for a sortie during the meet.
despite bad weather in the first Air Force.
week, 664 were actually flown, The event featured some of the
with each mission being graded most spectacular colour schemes
and combined with other ground of recent years and many aircraft
operations in preparation for the modellers will be hoping that
coveted Tiger Trophies that were those pictured here will find their
to be handed out at the end of way on to a decal sheet as soon
the exercise. as possible.
Silver Tiger Trophy 211th Tactical Squadron Czech Republic

TROPHIES
Silver Tiger Trophy 338 Skvadron Norway

Tiger Games winner 221 squadron Czech Republic
Best Skit Jet Trainer Squadron Austria
Best looking Uniform 21 Gruppo Italy  One of the two Czech Air Force JAS-39 Gripens from 211th Tactical Squadron,
Most fancy paint scheme 192 Filo Turkey Caslav AB, that recieved a special tiger themed paint scheme.
Airfix Model World

10-11_tigers gs JF.indd 11 17/11/2010 14:38

NEWS SPECIAL
AXALP 2010
Only in Switzerland can aviation enthusiasts hike

up the side of a mountain to watch their nations
aircraft participate in the annual Axalp air power
demonstration. Joreg Stange was one of the lucky
few who attended this year's event.
supersonic
 The Patrouille Suisse in its F-5E Tiger IIs flew a

modified display routine for the crowd.
 A single Eurocopter,
EC635, particpated in the
display. The type only entered
operational service in May.
 The Pilatus PC-21 Demonstrator A-105 executed several high-speed passes during
the event. Swiss AF examples now wear an overall red colour scheme.

12-13_axalp gsJF.indd 12 17/11/2010 14:43

NEWS SPECIAL
AXALP 2010
 A very smart
looking Agusta
Westland A109
K2 of the Swiss
Air Rescue unit
(REGA). Note
the large rescue
hoist mounted
above the
starboard door.
 Axalp marked the final appearance of the Alouette III, in Swiss

Air Force service, before retirement. To mark the occassion V-262
was painted in this special overall blue scheme.
 Swiss Air Force F/A-18C

Hornet Display pilot, Captain
Ralph 'Deasy' Knittel, from
Fliegerstaffel 17, Payerne Air
Base 'warms up' the snow-
covered valley with his
Hornet's afterburners.
(All photos Joerg Stange)
c in the alps  An F-5E Tiger II, from Fliegerstaffel 8,

dives in for its gun-run pass on the Axalp
Shooting Range. Note the open gun-ports
on the nose.
 An AS332 Super Puma from the Swiss AF's Display Team demonstrated a full 'flare-
pass' which had to be flown from the western approach due to low clouds in the area.
Airfix Model World

12-13_axalp gsJF.indd 13 18/11/2010 11:09

REVIEW buIld
THE
JAguAr xkr gt3 Apex rAcing
BIG CAT
RETURNS
Ian Hartup builds the sleek and sexy

racer that marked Jaguar’s return to
the racing circuit in 2007, in 1/32 scale

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 14 17/11/2010 14:47

REVIEW BUILD
JAGUAR XKR GT3 APEX RACING
S
 The floor is moulded in one part, complete  The suspension and floor are intelligently designed to create
with the rear deck. This allows the roll cage an easily aligned and constructed sub assembly.
to be built up using the floor as a simple jig The modular nature of these parts allows simple
and removed for painting. painting and easy final assembly.
 With the assembled roll cage removed from  Clean up of the rear of the stub-axles is essential to ensure
the floor, any defects are easily dealt with and the accurate alignment of the wheels. The horizontal seam found on
assembly can be painted easily using Mr Hobby Satin the rear of these parts can impart a degree or two of toe-in to the
White from its Acrylic paints range. wheels that is not present on the rear car unless dealt with.
J
aguar Cars has a long and prestigious FIA GT3 European the excellent MicroMesh pads, deal
illustrious history of racing in championship. The car utilises a with these easily.
the Sports Car classes at Le 475-bhp, 4.2-litre V8 supercharged
Mans and on the global race engine derived from the road cars Body Beautiful
scene. Drivers such as Moss and similar unit. While the interior of The basic construction follows a
Hawthorne, utilising nimble disc- the car had been heavily modified similar vein to that of the Aston.
braked cars like the C and D type to reflect the safety changes The wheels mount to neatly
racers, dominated Le Mans in the necessary to compete produced stub axles.
1950s. Later still, cars such as the in the sport, the These parts fitted
hugely dominant XJR-9 led the aluminium positively to the
way through the 1980s. However, bodywork "The floor of the  Airfix has used the same simple wheel
system in the Jaguar as in the recent Aston
in recent years the 'Big Cat' has of the road chassis. A
been absent from the sport. That car was front grill can prominent Martin and once again, a few big gaps are
changed in 2007, with the advent retained. mould evident on the rear faces of these parts. Apply
of the XKR GT3. The first
be represented by line runs
a little Mr Hobby Polyester two-part putty,
smooth with water and sand to shape.
The Jaguar XKR GT3 coupé production painting the horizontally
was developed by Apex car was across the
Racing for entry sold to blanking plate rear of these be added and the sub-assembly
into the Cambridge-
silver" parts. If this
is not removed,
left to dry. Once the cement has
based CBT dried thoroughly, give the whole
racing and that is it will result in the assembly a coat of Matt Black
the car Airfix chose wheels adopting an paint. The rear diffuser and front
to depict in this, its second odd toe in alignment. Use splitter can then be picked out in
new car kit of 2010, representing a scalpel blade to scrape and pare Satin Black.
the racer at its initial launch. down this defect. This improves the The front grill can be represented
Therefore it is not fully reflective of wheel alignment and the fit of the by painting the blanking plate
the car as raced, but that doesn’t axles immensely. With the axles Silver then overlaying it with
detract from this well-produced in place, the wheel arch liners can a nicely produced decal. Once
and fun-to-build kit. it's behind the bodywork, this is
As is the case with the Aston JAGUAR XKR GT3 surprisingly effective.
MODEL SPEC
Martin DBR9, reviewed in Issue APEX RACING The wheels were moulded with
1, this kit owes much to the Stock Code: A03410 the tyres and wheels together and
Scalextric car. This results in a require care in cleaning up the
Scale: 1/32
very pleasing and accurately prominent mould lines that run
moulded one-piece body Price: £9.99 around the middle of each. A little
shell. The moulding process time with a sanding stick removes
has left a few lines on the shell these. Airfix has produced the
but these are mostly restricted rear faces of the tyres as separate
to the A-pillars and the tops of the parts. The fit of these parts is not
wheel arches. A few passes with a good but some Mr Hobby Pro L 2
suitable sanding medium, such as part epoxy filler will hide the
Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 15 17/11/2010 14:48

REVIEW buIld
seams. This is a rapid drying, hand– The floor and roll cage are easily couple of prominent ejector pin pre-painted sub-assemblies
mixed, two-part filler that can be assembled and then ready for marks. These can be treated with make for rapid construction. The
sculpted in situ and smoothed with painting. Use the floor as a jig for putty, then sand level. Reinstate engineering of the chassis and
water. Once it has dried, sand it to a building the roll cage. Once built- the belts; using strips of pre- floor parts is excellent and create a
smooth-as-silk finish. up, paint both the floor and roll painted masking tape is the easiest rigid and aligned structure with the
The brake discs can be mounted cage Satin White to reflect the method. The real car is fitted with a minimum of fuss.
firmly to the inner faces of the interior of the real car, using Mr Sparco 6-point harness, in keeping The rear deck of the floor panel
wheels later in construction. Now Hobby Aqueous Acrylic. with FIA regulation. The buckles has provision for fitting the two
is the time to clean and paint and belt adjusters can be picked fuel hoses that run from the side
them! Mr Hobby’s new range of Interior Design out with silver paint using a fine glazing to the top of the fuel cell.
buffable metallic paints is ideal for The seat was produced in one brush and cocktail stick. These are, in reality, a corrugated
this kind of detail. Chrome Silver piece with moulded-on belt detail. Next it's time for the final flexible pipe and this is very
is recommended for the discs. This detail is sadly marred by a assembly of the chassis. The effectively depicted by the kit
 The dash and surround are produced in just two parts. Despite their
 After a suitable primer coat of Mr Surfacer 1000, give the body an overall
simplicity, they impart enough detail to be satisfying.
coat of metallic Dark Grey, using Porsche Slate Grey Metallic from the
Zero Paints range.
 The bodywork is beautifully produced in one piece. The few moulding
lines visible, on the arches and A-Posts, can be fixed with just
a few swipes of a sanding stick.

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 16 17/11/2010 14:48

REVIEW buIld
 Once again, the window surrounds are absent from this kit, so
follow the simple masking process outlined in our build of
the Aston Martin DBR9 from Issue 1.
 Paint the floor and roll cage Satin White before

assembling it and the dashboard.
 The livery of the car requires areas to

be painted White. This calls for careful
masking and a steady hand.
components. Location of these The bodywork is painted next. In the Booth with a 6000 MicroMesh pad
parts is cleverly handed to ensure Wash the shell with warm water, Once clean and dry, an appropriate removes any remaining surface
they are the right way around. Fit adding a dash of washing-up liquid. primer coat is required. There are imperfections.
is commendably good. They can be Most injection moulding machines many proprietary primers on the The XKR GT3 was painted for
painted with Mr Hobby Dark Iron employ a light spray of Silicone- market from ‘rattle can’ types such roll-out with an overall Metallic
buffable metallic. After this has based release agent to ensure that as Halford Grey to airbrushable Grey colour. The kit instructions
dried for a couple of hours a light the parts do not stick in the tool. micro filler types such as Alclad recommend Humbrol 53 Gunmetal.
rub with a soft cloth will impart a The Silicon material can interfere Grey and Zero Paints versions. A test spray suggested that that
realistic metallic sheen as seen in with the adhesion of many model Zero Paints Grey Microfiller have colour was not quite right and a
these pictures. With the fuel hoses paints. It is better, therefore, to been used on the review model. poor match to the kit decals. After
now mounted and aligned, chassis be safe and wash the body to This dries quickly to a slightly satin, a little consideration, Zero Paints
construction is complete. remove these. non-porous finish. A light sanding Porsche Slate Grey Metallic
Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 17 17/11/2010 14:48

REVIEW buIld
of the system used for masking

the windows of the Aston Martin
in Issue 1. Once the White has been
painted and the masking removed,
the bodywork can be put aside
for 24 hours to let the paint to dry
properly.
While the bodywork paint dries,
deal with the window masking and
painting. Airfix has not provided
any means of producing the black
window surrounds in the kit. As a
result, the onus of masking and
spraying these areas fall to you.
The dry bodywork requires a
good glosscoat before decaling can
begin. Again there are options to
choose from here, but for simplicity
and speed, a couple of brushed
coats of Johnson’s Klear does
the trick.
Adding the Cat

The kit decals are a bit ‘hit and
miss’. While in very good register
and commendably thin, they
suffer from the limitations of the
print process used, so they are
not opaque and the grey stripes
change colour quite noticeably
after application. The thinness of
the decals turn out to be a blessing
in disguise as they have a habit
of folding up on themselves. The
decals react well to Micro Set and
Sol and bed down into the detail.
The large jaguars on the rear
arches are a little oversized and
this can lead to a few alignment
problems. A useful hint is to line
up the nose and ears on the door
handle to match the side view in
 Airfix has chosen to represent the instrument panel with a simple (22d) was selected for the review
and yet surprisingly effective little decal. model. Zero Paints are a
basecoat system; this means
 The floor locates in a positive manner to the chassis plate
that they require a clear
and in doing so imparts rigidity to the whole assembly.
glosscoat before their full
colour becomes apparent,
and to seal them. After a
couple of even coats of the
chosen colour, the body is
ready for the trickiest part of
construction.
The livery of the real car featured
large areas of the body painted in
white with grey stripes. The white
areas needed to be painted. Zero
Paints Pure White was chosen to
spray these areas. The masking
can be quite tricky. Masks were
made for the roof, bonnet and
tailgate areas using a modification

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 18 17/11/2010 14:48

REVIEW buIld
 The rear lights are simply moulded in one piece and are a very
positive, if tight, fit. Painting the lights requires careful masking. The
Test fitting the rear spoiler shows that the fit is exemplary. The red areas can be painted with Alclad Transparent Red.
decal instructions are a little misleading in respect to the lower
wing element. The kit provides a one-piece decal that covers both  The big Jaguar decals on the rear wheel arches are tricky to locate
the upper section of the lower wing element and the rear deck and perhaps a little oversized. It is best to locate the nose of the big cat
AFTER the wing is fixed to the body. first, then line the rest up from that initial point.
the decal instructions, then the together. The fit of the bodywork Verdict a difficult colour to brush paint
rest will follow with little trouble. to the chassis is very positive Just like the Aston Martin effectively and this could seriously
After all the decals are in place and requires only a little coaxing we built in Issue 1, this is a deter the casual modeller.
and have dried overnight, another with a suitable tool (a small flat very pleasing kit, delightfully If these cars are aimed at the
coat of Klear can be applied to screwdriver comes in handy). Once engineered and well thought-out. more serious modeller, then the
seal them. The detail painting of assembled, it only needs a little However, Airfix seems unsure window surrounds should have
the body requires careful hand glue to hold them together. The about the direction it wants to been provided, or at least printed
painting — or some tricky masking wing mirrors are nicely engineered take with these kits. Are they masks. Many will see them as a
and spraying. Pick out the window to fit into recesses in the side a mass-market item, or are toy-like product if items such as
surrounds in Satin Black, and then glazing and the aerials fit really they aimed at the enthusiast these are omitted.
use Chrome Silver on the front well. The fit of the rear wing modeller? The Jag is an enjoyable build,
wing vent and garnish band on the is exemplary. If they are intended for the but lets down the ‘hardcore’
rear valance. Now your Jaguar wider market, then it would modellers with an ill thought-out
The addition of the glazing is complete, ready have been much better to have decal sheet. Sitting next to the
finishes the construction of the to take its place on provided all the white areas as Aston though, it’s still going to
bodywork. The bodywork and the grid with the decals and not require tricky make a pleasingly sleek double
chassis now need to be brought Aston Martin! masking and painting. White is racer display. ❚
Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 19 17/11/2010 14:49

DIORAMA
FRENCH VILLAGE HOUSE
T
PARO
TW
GRAND DESIGN
Nick Tebbs turns plant hunter before getting stuck into the painting on the
MiniArt French Village House project. Intrigued?
L
ast month we made
good progress with the
construction, which is now
complete, so it’s time to
explain the painting, weathering
and groundwork techniques.
This involves natural plant
materials, so you’ll need to get
out of the house to collect some
interesting ingredients. We’ll
also experiment with man-made
material, but authentic foliage
and flowers to add that quaint
country cottage feel.
 Branches can be recreated from real plant

root fibres, and attached with cyanoacrylate
directly onto the wall.This is done now for
two reasons: so glue marks are covered later
when painting the walls, and because cyano  Here the insides of the windows have been airbrushed with a mix of Green and Black
glue does not adhere well to painted surfaces. acrylic paint to give the impression of reflection, prior to addition of the curtains and glazing.

20-22_cottagept2 JF.indd 20 17/11/2010 14:51

DIORAMA
 The window frames and doors are attached to paper with double-sided tape, and
airbrushed with the same Red-Brown (mixed to the shade of your choice). Also visible
is some experimental mixing of Blue shades, in preparation for painting the frames and
doors. The final colour is up to you.
 This is probably the worst element of an otherwise excellent

kit; the guttering and down-pipes fit poorly, but you can fashion new
hangars from brass stock as I’ve done here.
 While the paint on the woodwork is drying, focus on the base. Try to plan your
general composition, drawing a plan if necessary, and use polystyrene packing to create  To weather the woodwork, apply water sparingly with
the ground levels you desire. The pathway to the front of the house is made from a a medium-sized brush, and sprinkle fine table salt on
different style of embossed plastic card, and attached with white glue. These features will the dampened areas. Don’t flood the parts; there should
eventually be blended into a stone-edged gravel path. Some plant life is also visible in just be enough water to dampen them. Let the salt dry fully
this shot. The majority of the groundwork and foliage will be made from natural materials, (overnight to be safe) before airbrushing the woodwork with your
but some artificial plants will also be used for further effect. chosen colour. Acrylic paint is best for this job thanks to its quick drying time.
 Viewed here are the basic composition of the base and some classic groundwork
materials: Polyfilla, PVA glue and dry grit. All these are mixed in a clean container to form
a paste, which is then applied to the polystyrene base. This provides the initial layer, to
which successive materials will be added. To give more realistic, earthy tones, neat Black
 There are many ways of building up groundwork, and here’s just one good one: rather
and Brown acrylic paint is added to the recipe and mixed thoroughly.
than trying to glue countless individual pieces together, it’s better to prefabricate clumps
of plant material. Simply walk out in the garden or along a country or urban path, and you
will find various species of moss. It may even be falling from your roof into the garden.
Mosses can be excellent for decorating countryside or woodland floors on dioramas. To
prepare this sometimes delicate material, make a small bath out of baking foil and place
the clump of moss inside it. Then, half-fill it with thinned
white glue, and a spot of washing up liquid (to help
break surface tension), and leave it to set for a few
days. Once it’s set, remove it from the foil and it
is ready to use. It can be broken into smaller
sections with irregular patterns to help fill
gaps in your groundwork.
 After collecting some root sections,

select the appropriate pieces for your
scene as these are excellent for imitating
fallen and rotten tree boughs. They can be
used untouched, or as painted, washed and
dry-brushed segments.
Airfix Model World


DIORAMA
 Once you have collected all your

materials, experiment with different
positions for the groundwork. A dry
run will help you get the right
composition. When you’re happy
with what goes where, spread out
some of the groundwork mixture and
set the moss clumps and tree sections
into its surface and let it dry.
 A lifelike scene will quickly materialise once

you’ve added more sections of moss and root stock.
You don’t necessarily have to ‘dig for victory’ when modelling. We used
THE ILLUSION OF PLANT LIFE

several artificial plant products, made by Fredericus Rex, available from SK
Miniatures. They are made from laser-cut paper and card stock, and are
extremely convincing. The products used were:
F – Rex Green Line GL-301 – Strips of wild flowers
F - Rex Green Line GL 015 – Green clumps of grass
F – Rex Green Line GL – 051 Dandelion and Plantain
F – Rex Green Line GL – 054 Butterbur
We also used Plus Model Silver Birch Leaves (no.284), available from
Creative Models.
www.skminiatures.co.uk
www.creativemodels.co.uk
A large tree also decorates our diorama, and this was completely scratch-
built from natural plant material. The tree trunk and boughs are sections
of plant root, while the branches are made from finer root fibres from wild
 Sprinkle a mixture of grit between the moss and tree sections, to add texture, and fix in plants, all of which can be found in the garden or in an allotment. This is
place with diluted PVA on a paint brush. an in-depth process, though, and will be covered in a later issue of AMW.
 The base coat has now been applied,

underneath the eaves, and around the
windows. The remaining bare wall was
filled in using an Ochre shade of enamel.
The windows are not properly attached at
this stage – they’re just being test-fitted.
 Returning to the house components,  The finished door and window frames.  The rose branches have been carefully
here the window frames and doors have After removing the salt, the Red primer shows painted with Indian Red oil paint. Green Plus
been fastened to paper with double-sided through to provide a worn appearance. The Model leaves, were attached with PVA. The
tape, and are being airbrushed in Blue next task is to stipple the surfaces with White flowers will be made of dried petals from a
acrylic after the salt has dried. acrylic, using an old paintbrush. common garden plant called Lady’s Mantle.
 Plus Model leaves are now being added, again with neat PVA, and it doesn’t take long
to build up the foliage. The curtains have also now been glued with slightly thinned PVA,
along with the windows.
 Airbrush the guttering with the same acrylic blue, after previously applied salt has In the next issue, we’ll complete the project, and explore the final groundwork
dried. After an appropriate drying period, gently wash away the salt using warm water and and weathering. Don’t miss it!
a paintbrush.


BASIC BUILD
HAWKER HURRICANE/SEA HURRICANE MkIIc
 Brush over a wash of Citadel ‘Badab

Black’, which is designed specifically for
the task. Add the instrument panel decal
— it’s good enough in this scale with the
canopy closed. Shame there isn’t a
gun sight included.
 Hand-paint the interior

parts with Xtracolor
 Use stretched sprue to add extra X10 Matt Aircraft
detail to the cockpit sidewalls. Interior Grey/Green.
 Add etched brass belts. These are

 Clamp the
best ‘annealed’, which is rapid heating
fuselage halves;
followed immediately by rapid cooling.
excess glue that
This enables you to curve the brass into
seeps out is very
shape more easily.
handy for instant gap
filling once sanded.
Hand-paint the interior

of the wheel wells with
 Paint the belts with Citadel Colour
Matt Aircraft Interior Grey/
‘Graveyard Earth’. Note the real
Green and wash them
Hurricane doesn’t have a cockpit floor,
IAN
like the cockpit.

just footboards.
LIke F
Ethan Grainger and his dad
Ian cook up a storm or two with
the 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane
and Sea Hurricane MkIIc
I
LIke S
t was no surprise when one Ethan began to enjoy building,
day my seven year-old son painting and playing with Games
Ethan became curious Workshop fantasy war gaming
about the activities being figures. Now nine years-old
carried out in our converted loft. in this 70th anniversary of
It had become a dedicated model the Battle of Britain, Ethan is
production facility after the arrival learning all about those epic
of his younger brother led to my days in school, from the media,
eviction from the (then) spare and from talking to Great Nanny
bedroom to make way for him. Rose, a World War II RAF veteran.

24-28_hurricanes JF.indd 24 17/11/2010 14:54

BASIC BUILD
 Very carefully cut and

remove the sections
of the fuselage as
indicated by the
instructions, so
the Sea Hurricane
parts can be
installed.  Make some seat belts from
masking tape and stick them on
the seat.
 Glue the cockpit parts, seat, control
column and instrument panel in place,
plus the main wheel well to the lower
wing. Paint them with Citadel Colour
Goblin Green.
 The two halves of the fuselage are a
tricky fit and need a lot of clamps to get
a good joint as the glue set.
 Clean up the parts so the arrestor
hook section can be glued in place.
 Build the two halves of the radiator

and then paint it Citadel Colour Chaos
Black with the insides in Mr Hobby
ETHAN
Acrylic H-74 Sky (Duck Egg Green),
plus more Goblin Green inside the
wheel wells.
E FATHER
brand new moulding (as opposed
to the Airfix MkI), so it was a
better prospect for a novice
builder. Thirdly, Ethan really liked
the mainly white colour scheme
of the Sea Hurricane and it came
with a superb full-colour guide.
Finally, it made a refreshing
change from the usual choice, a
E SON
So it was only a matter of time Spitfire kit!
before his imagination was raised
to fever pitch. It became clear HAWKER HURRICANE/
MODEL SPEC
that Ethan was ready to build his SEA HURRICANE MkIIc

first ‘proper’ model. Stock Code: A02096
The choice of the Airfix 1/72
Scale: 1/72
Hurricane MkIIc kit was an
easy one for several reasons. Price: £5.99
Firstly, while the MkIIc was not a
veteran of the Battle of Britain,
history shows that its previous
incarnation, the MkI, was the most
numerous allied fighter aircraft in
summer 1940. Secondly, it was a
Airfix Model World


BASIC BUILD
 All the main sub-assemblies are

fitted. Gently fit the radio mast (be very
careful cutting from the sprue). Tack-
assemble the spinner and back plate
and leave the blades on the sprue for
painting separately.
 Wet some kitchen roll and fit into

the wheel wells to protect them
during spraying.
 Fix a suitable hand hold to the spinner hole. Spray the whole
model with Halfords Automotive Grey Plastic Primer and airbrush the
panel lines with Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black.
Continue pre-shading the top
surface panel lines with Flat Black.
Plus pre-shade the spinner join line.
 Fill and sand the joint of the radiator, plus some of the
fuselage joins, using a combination of Tamiya Basic Putty
and Mr. Surfacer 1000.
 Airbrush the whole model with

Zero Paints (Hiroboy) Rubber
Black. This is paint designed for
automotive modelling and is similar
to Tamiya TS-82 Rubber Black, giving
a very dark grey finish more suitable
in this scale, plus allowing the pre-
shading to show through. This will
give a weathered operational look
IAN
to the model.


BASIC BUILD
 Fix all the main sub-assemblies together. Now it looks like a Hurricane! Be careful  Mask the canopy and fit it with some white glue. Then you can paint the frame
cutting the main tail rudder from the runners or you may end up with a chunk missing. with Goblin Green so it looks like it’s painted from the inside.
 Allow the kitchen roll to dry before

starting to paint.
 Use masking tape on the underside,

hand-paint the bottom of the wings Sky
(Duck Egg Green); two thin coats is best.
 Use white glue to stick a

temporary hand-hold into the
hole for the propeller and
spray the model with
Halfords Automotive White
Plastic Primer. Use tape
on the nose ready for the
camouflage. Hand-paint
Take the masking
the camouflage on the
tape off the nose
ETHAN
nose, with Xtracolor X5 RAF
and see if any white
Extra Dark Sea Grey and X25
needs a touch-up.
RAF Dark Slate Grey.
SAFETY TIP!
When removing or cutting

parts from the sprue always
have the blade facing away
from you.
Airfix Model World


BASIC BUILD
 Aeromaster decal sheet 72-134 ‘Hurricanes at War Part 1’

supplies the markings for lovely MkIIc serial number BE 500,
flown in 1942 by Squadron Leader Smallwood with his personal
marking under the port side of the canopy. Bed them in with
Micro-Sol, but watch out for some silvering, even
with a glossy paint base.
 Airbrush the main parts of the spinner with Tamiya XF-7 Flat.
 Add some radio wire with clear stretched sprue from the kit. Tail and
dorsal lights come from tiny card making jewels available from most
craft shops. The rear view mirror for the canopy is fitted from the same
IAN
etched brass set as the seat belts.
Dad's final thoughts basic kit parts were excellent and fitted pleased with our efforts. models ‘wheels up’. It would be nice if
The new Airfix Hurricane MkIIc kit was very well, building into what appears on During the build, memories flooded display stands could be reintroduced to
an excellent choice for both builders. first impression to be one of the most back of my first build with my father, encourage kit building by the younger
For Ethan it made an inspired change visually accurate models of this Aircraft. in 1979: an Airfix ‘Dogfight Double’ (next) generation.
from the more famous Spitfire and was The kits can be built with little trouble, 1/72 scale set of the Spitfire Mk IX and It seems things have come full circle
very easy for him to make straight from other than those minor mishaps one the Messerschmitt Me 110C. In those for the Grainger family, with Airfix
the box-supplied items. For me, it was would expect from a complete novice, days, all the aircraft kits came with producing new mouldings of aircraft,
an opportunity to use some markings and omissions by a more experienced clear stands so they could be displayed which the ‘bank of dad’ and ‘pocket
from the ‘to-do’ pile of decals to provide builder who should know better. in flight and thus make it easier for money’ have funded, at Ethan’s request,
a complete contrast of scheme. The Overall, both Ethan and I were younger ones to build (and play with) to carry on a proud family tradition. ❚
 Paint wheel hubs in Citadel Colour

Chain Mail and tyres with Chaos Black.
 Check those stripes under the wings.

Finally, airbrush some Matt Varnish over
the whole model to seal everything.
 Wipe the model over with Kleer floor polish, let it dry and decal
the model with markings for ‘Nicki’, No 835 Naval Air Squadron, HMS
Nairana, 1944 – straight from the box.
ETHAN
 Main spinner already in White Plastic Primer. Paint the prop blades
with Chaos Black and tips in Golden Yellow.


SPACE BUILD
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
THE EAGLE H
PETER JOHNSON UPDATES AIRFIX’S VENERABLE LUNAR MODULE KIT.
GET READY TO GO WALKING ON THE MOON…
I
t’s one giant step for modelling docking the LM to the Command/ Surgery must also be devoted bulkhead. After painting the new
kind again: it’s time to return to Service Module. Cut a rectangular to the centre rectangular hatch, hatch to match the rest of the
the moon. hole above the left side of the which is set too far back and stage, set it aside for detailing
The re-release of Airfix’s cabin, and bevel the edges. A should be flush with the vertical before attachment later.
previous Lunar Module adds a strip of Tamiya tape on the inside forward bulkhead below the A handrail runs along the left side
large vac-formed lunar surface blocks overspray if you windows. Remove the centre of the cabin’s centre structure,
base. Although the topography are airbrushing, but bump from the hatch which enabled astronauts to
doesn’t resemble the real extend the tape far with a grinding transfer from the LM to the
Tranquility Base, the extra enough to reach tool to ensure it Command Module if they couldn’t
size gives more space for the through the won’t impede dock. For strength, it’s best to drill
experiments and astronauts. Also hatch hole “MUCH OF later work. holes for the stanchions rather
included are 15 vinyl astronauts on top, so Fashion than glue them on the surface. You
THE MAJOR
and their gear, paint brushes, it can be a paper can make stanchions and railing
glue and paint. Pay careful removed
SURGERY
template from Evergreen plastic stock, glued
attention to the instructions, easily CONCERNS THE to perfect with Humbrol Liquid Poly as a
though, as 48 pieces are afterwards. FRONT CABIN the shape good alternative. With such a small
crammed into Step 4 alone, while The right PIECE” of the contact area, solvent-type cement
the vinyl astronaut figures each side of the bulkhead, provides the strongest bond. The
merit four separate stages. cabin is not and trace it handrail can be omitted until later,
round, but has a onto plastic but there’s no chance of damaging
Ascent Stage pronounced bulge sheet for the final the final finish if it’s installed early.
In keeping with NASA’s tight below the thruster piece. Cut the hatch Now the cabin modifications are
lunar landing deadline, LM quadrant. File plastic stock to the from thin sheet and glue onto the complete. Paint the empty interior
development proceeded briskly. shape of the bulge before bulkhead, and shim the assembly Black, mask the cabin windows and
For many space subjects, model attaching, as this is difficult with scrap plastic to position attach with quick-setting PVA glue,
companies used information from to do after attachment. it level with the forward cabin and the two halves of the cabin are
NASA that was outdated by the assembled. Build the four thruster
kit’s release, and the Airfix LM
was no exception. Much of the
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
MODEL SPEC
major surgery concerns the front

cabin, part 30. The triangular Stock Code: A50106
web on the left side of the cabin Scale: 1/72
is actually a circular strut, so it Price: £19.99
must be removed. Airfix’s plastic
is soft, so a razor saw, files and
sandpaper quicken the task. A
round strut will be added later, so
drill a hole and shape to locate
the outboard end of the strut.
A window was above the
Commander’s head, used while

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 30 17/11/2010 14:57

SPACE BUILD
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
HAS LANDED
 The bulged panel on the right side is carved and shaped from plastic stock, then
filed and sanded to its final shape. Do as much of the shaping as possible before
gluing the block to the cabin.
 This is the stock front cabin piece. The thin web on the right, the hatch, and the
contour of the left side will all be modified.
 Cut the web away as has been  The Commander’s rendezvous

done here, and later replace with window. Use Krystal Kleer to glaze the
Evergreen tubing. window at this stage.  Construct a new forward hatch from plastic card and mount flush with the front panels.
mounts, then attach and fair them Chrome BareMetal Foil will give a set for a few minutes, and continue Any loose edges or corners can
into the surrounding surfaces; as brighter look. applying glue and wrapping the foil be stuck down with a dab of PVA.
this is a very old kit, this is easier until the entire surface is covered. The entire process is quicker and
said than done. Care must be taken Fun with foil Trim and slit the foil as needed to easier than it sounds, but practice
to clean up all mating surfaces, In this build most of the Descent achieve a smooth covering. Using first on an old kit.
with frequent test fitting, to Stage is covered with metal foil, the sharpened riveting toothpick, In reality the gold foil was
achieve a good fit. Much filler and but the first foil is used on the trace around the edge of the tape actually an insulating material
scrap plastic are needed to achieve Ascent Stage thruster quadrants. to ensure that the foil is well stuck. called Kapton, of which several
an acceptable finish. Using the diagrams as a guide, After the glue has dried, use thicknesses were used, resulting
The Ascent Stage can be painted mask the area to be foiled, as if it a sharp blade to slice the foil in different shades. In the UK,
with Tamiya AS-12 spray lacquer was going to be painted. The edge along the edges of the tape, and there are many web-based shops
and Tamiya Flat Black can be used of the tape will provide a guideline carefully peel away the tape and selling foil (for wrapping sweets
to create the Black panels. The for cutting the foil, and ensures excess foil. Keep the knife handy and cakes) that can be used. Also,
pattern of these panels varied on glue does not stray onto the rest to cut any stubborn spots, because try the Hobbycraft chain of craft
each LM — so if you’re not depicting of the surface. The backside of foil never tears the way youexpect. stores (www.hobbycraft.co.uk).
the Eagle, consult references and the kit’s foil sheet is ideal for the
photos for the correct pattern. bare aluminium foil used on the
Gently scrape the black paint quadrants. Cut an oversized piece
from the edges and vertices of the for the first quadrant, and wrinkle
panels using a wooden toothpick, it by pressing it repeatedly against
leaving the aluminium structure a soft surface, such as a piece of
showing below. Rivets can be foam. Don’t worry about over-
created by twisting a sharpened wrinkling, as the wrinkles will be
toothpick to reveal the silver. This flattened during attachment.
takes practice to gain uniform Use fast-setting PVA to attach
circles, but it’s easy to touch up the foil. Spread a thin layer of PVA
the black and try again as needed. onto the first surface, and press  Handrail stanchions are drilled and solvent glued for strength, and the handrail is
added. Be careful not to bend or break the handrail as you handle the ascent stage.
Covering a few panels with the foil onto it. Allow the glue to
Airfix Model World

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 31 17/11/2010 14:58

SPACE BUILD
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
plume deflector shields moulded

on them. The deflectors are
actually mounted on the Descent
Stage, so these can be carefully
removed and set aside. Cleaning
up the mould seams on the nozzles
is painstaking, but necessary for
a good appearance. Paint the
outer nozzles with Tamiya Flat
 Use foil to simulate insulation Aluminum, and add a touch of
blankets. Where the foil doesn’t follow Black to the Flat Aluminum for the
panel edges, masking and trimming will inside surfaces, again to create
create sharp, straight lines. depth. The two antenna tripods on
top of the cabin were foil covered,
but on the model only the largest is
foiled. Use Evergreen plastic strip
and thin brass wire to replace the
kit’s over-scale T-bar docking guide,
and print a round docking target to
attach underneath the T-bar. The
vertical antenna strut aft of the
docking hatch also can be replaced
 The ascent stage is painted with Tamiya Bare-Metal Silver laquer spray.
with brass rod, with the original
Black panels regulated the temperature inside the module.
cone-shaped antenna on top.
Great care must be exercised in
In the US, Candyland Crafts Finer details the web, which was removed handling the completed Ascent
makes foil wrappers that closely Once painting and foiling earlier. Test fit the Ascent Stage Stage to avoid damaging its many
match the orange-gold Kapton. A are complete, add the small onto the Descent Stage to make protrusions. Because the hole in
packet of foil is inexpensive, and refinements, including thruster sure that the lower end of the strut the top provides a handy way to
will last even the most dedicated nozzles, antennae, and the new doesn’t interfere with the support hold the stage, leave the docking
space fan many years. Orange foil forward hatch. Use a section of under the cabin. Also, drill out cone off until the last moment.
is used around the hatch and on plastic rod to create the strut on the thruster nozzles to portray
the bottom of the ascent stage. the left side of the cabin, replacing depth. Four of the nozzles have Descent Stage
This section provided the Lunar
Module’s descent rocket engine,
landing gear, stowage for
experiments and later, the Lunar
Rover Vehicle. When the crew was
ready to lift off from the surface,
the Descent Stage served as its
launch pad.
This stage is unusual because
it is nearly totally covered with
various types of insulation foil.
We used three different shades
 Wrap the Orange foil around a brass

rod before slipping over the legs of the
V struts. Paint the ends and vertex of
the struts Aluminium.
 Descent stage parts and sub-

assemblies ready for final assembly.
The numbered tags correspond to the
leg assemblies.

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 32 17/11/2010 15:00

SPACE BUILD
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
 Each gear leg is covered with five  Foil was added to Eagle’s footpads
pieces of foil. The conical Black boots shortly before launch. Thin the edges of
can be formed around a pencil point, the pads first to represent their sheet
trimmed and attached before painting. metal construction.
 Plume deflector struts can be  Ensure that the deflector struts are
fashioned from brass wire, and inserted evenly spaced so that the ascent stage Gold, Aluminum and Orange foil are used to cover almost the entire descent stage.
into pre-drilled holes for strength. fits securely. Although painted here, even the black panels are actually foil insulation.
of foil: Airfix’s Gold foil, Orange around the engine nozzle silver. behind the thruster nozzles. Landing Gear Legs
candy wrapper foil, and the Silver Foil would be more accurate, but Finally, cut a vertical strut and Like the main chassis of the
back side of the Airfix foil. Thick once the nozzle is in place, it will be insert between the upper and Descent Stage, the landing gear
Kapton insulation is replicated by mostly hidden, so paint is simpler. lower struts. This strut will is almost totally foil- covered.
the Orange foil, and thin Kapton The thruster plume deflectors support the plume deflector, so For the Eagle’s legs and footpads
with Gold. earlier removed from the Ascent keep it as flush as possible with use Aluminum, Gold and Orange
Construction of the main chassis Stage must be properly mounted the other struts. foil, as well as black Pyromark
of the Descent Stage is simple, on the Descent Stage. Mark insulation. Each leg assembly has
comprising only top and bottom and drill some holes for the Foiled again! four pieces: the main leg, a cross
pieces. Before joining the parts, mounting struts now, to avoid Start applying the foil from the strut, V strut and a footpad. Foil
dry fit the landing gear legs damaging the finish later. Each bottom. The aluminium side of these individually, and assemble
into their holes and trim them deflector has three struts bent Airfix’s foil can be used for the the parts into complete legs
as needed. Dry fit the supports from 0.020in diameter brass rod. centre panel. Apply an oversized before attaching to the Descent
for the Ascent Stage and the The bottom and top struts have piece and after drying trim it by Stage. As with the rest of the LM,
porch. One panel of the stage locating pins so they’ll be strong running a sharp blade along the the legs are foiled differently.
has a distinctive bump, housing a enough to withstand handling. edges of the panel. Don’t use too Before foiling, paint the ends and
helium tank, which is missing. This While attaching the upper struts, much pressure, just enough to vertices of the struts Aluminium,
octagonal shape was fashioned place the Ascent Stage onto the keep the blade against the edge where the strut will show through.
from a piece of styrene sheet. Descent Stage, to insure that the you’re trimming, for a clean, The legs are foiled assembly line-
Paint the bowl-shaped area struts are correctly positioned precise cut. Any bits of loose foil style. First, cut out foil pieces for
can be tacked down with PVA all four main legs. Use a suitably
following trimming. The remainder sized brass rod to roll a tube of
of the bottom is covered with Aluminium, which you then slide
Orange foil. Use a piece for each over the leg. The lower Gold
side, bringing the foil around the section is wrapped by hand, and
corners and overlapping it slightly. the Orange inside section glued
With the crinkly appearance, the over the rest. Conical ‘boots’
joint will not be noticeable once covering the short struts at the
it’s glued down. Trim and glue the top of the legs were wrapped
edges as before. around a pencil point, glued,
Continue foiling the top of the trimmed and slid over the struts.
stage, and finally the side panels, Once dry, paint them Black and
which wrap slightly onto the top. set the legs aside. Use the same
Cut the foil away from the landing method to foil the V struts with
gear locating holes, and test-fit Orange foil.
the gears again, to ensure that The cross struts are more
there is no glue or foil obstructing complicated. Cut a piece of foil the
the fit. Once all the foil is applied, correct length for each section,
paint the remaining areas Black. and four times the width of the
The engine nozzle makes for a strut. Glue one edge along the
 The base is painted and shaded with a variety of greys. Darker areas show the handy stand, so paint and add it strut, wrap it around, and glue the
subsurface soil uncovered where the astronauts walked and worked. The Solar Wind now. The plume deflector struts outer edge. Remember, neatness
Experiment, flag, LRR and Passive Seismic Experiment are in position. Contact probes can be painted Silver, or left does not count, so let the wrinkles
protrude from the surface next to three of the four footpad depressions.
until later. fall where they may.
Airfix Model World

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 33 17/11/2010 15:00

REFERENCE ROUND-UP
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
 Apollo 11 LM Eagle flies

solo after separating from the
Command/Service Module. The
three probes extending from
the landing pads triggered the
Contact Light in the cockpit,
telling the astronauts the LM
was about to touch down.
(All NASA)
 Overall view of Tranquility Base. Buzz Aldrin is standing in the foreground, next to the
Passive Seismic Experiment. Beyond him are the Laser Ranging Retro-reflector, flag, TV  Aldrin stands next to the Solar Wind Experiment. The plume deflectors and texture
camera to the left, and Solar Wind Experiment to the right, behind the LM’s front leg. of the orange Kapton insulation show up well on the LM behind him.

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 34 17/11/2010 15:00

REFERENCE ROUND-UP
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
 View showing the right rear quadrant of Eagle. A plume deflector and its supports,  Apollo 14’s LM Antares, starting its descent to the Moon. The docking target,
the fairing for the helium tank, and details of the landing gear struts are visible. rendezvous window and EVA handrail added to our model are clearly visible.
 A fine rear view of

Eagle. Scratch-building the
open Modular Equipment
Storage Assembly (MESA)
compartment adds
considerable interest to
any LM model.
Airfix Model World

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 35 17/11/2010 15:01

SPACE BUILD
APOLLO LUNAR MODULE
Portions of the upper side of the Remove the flagstaff from part within a football field, that’s a large vac-formed base. With the front
struts are painted Black, leaving 90’s hand, as the flag is shown area in 1/72 scale. Airfix’s base is footpad in place, the other pads
the bare foil on the bottom sides. after setting up. To create the flag, not big enough to show the real are up to a radius away from their
Lastly, cover the footpads with slice the kit decal in half, and apply locations of the experiments, so depressions. Measuring from pad
Gold foil, and paint half of the the two pieces to opposite sides position them to balance out the to pad, and diagonally between
bottom black. of a piece of aluminium scene. Using photos and opposite pads, shows that it’s the
Assembling the gears is tricky, foil. Use a brass rod diagrams of the site, base that’s inaccurate, not the
but gets easier each time. The to create the flag the bent-up ends legs. There isn’t any way to adjust
cross and V struts are pressed pole, and PVA of the contact the depressions, so setting the LM
into their holes, and the main leg glue to secure “RIVETS probes can carefully, if unsteadily, into place
is positioned over them. Apply the flag to ARE CREATED be cut from will complete the project.
cyanoacrylate to the mating points the pole. BY TWISTING brass rod Airfix’s LM is no more perfect
on the main leg, let it harden, and Real A SHARPENED and glued than any other model, and the
remove the assembly. Add the Lunar soil, into holes mouldings show signs of lesser
TOOTHPICK
ladder to the front leg, along with Regolith, next to the technology and old age. We’re
the stowage tube for the flag, and has many
TO REVEAL
depressions unlikely to see another LM in 1/72,
touch up the joints as needed with different THE SILVER for the and don’t hold your breath for
the appropriate foil. Attach the leg shades PAINT” footpads. after-market sets. Nevertheless,
assemblies to the Descent Stage depending The Solar Wind an excellent replica can be
using cyanoacrylate, and glue the on the position Experiment and produced with some old-fashioned
footpads in place. The four plume and height of the flag can also be glued detailing, and careful foiling brings
deflectors are installed last, with sun. Photos of Tranquility into drilled holes, and the considerable life to the model.
the Ascent Stage in place to ensure Base show variations from light astronauts and experiments tacked There’s no shortage of reference
proper alignment. Thin the edges Beige and Silver-Grey to Charcoal. in place with PVA. material, so detailing can be added
of the deflectors with a file for a Gunship Grey spray is too dark, so The LM’s footpads fit perfectly to whatever degree suits your
more delicate appearance. brush the base with Tamiya XF-54 into the depressions on the original skills. As any fellow Real Space
Dark Sea Grey. Radially brushing round base plate. Unfortunately, modeller will say, it’s a spacecraft
Lunar Surface from the descent engine nozzle the same is not true for the new model, and that's always good! ❚
The Laser Ranging Retro-reflector gives the effect of exhaust blast
and Passive Seismic Experiment across the surface. Lighter Greys
Package are built according to dry-brushed over the surface in
the kit’s instructions. Cover part the same pattern, followed by
72 of the seismic experiment highlighting on the crater rims, add
with orange foil, and replace the realism. The sun was low on the
handle of part 84 with a brass rod. horizon behind the Lunar Module,
Apollo 11 did not use the S-band so highlight the rims appropriately.
Antenna, so it can be consigned Use Gunship Grey to stipple areas
to the spares box. The Solar Wind disturbed by astronauts, around
Composition was essentially a foil the LM and various experiments.
window shade, so you can replace Although the extent of Tranquility
the kit part with brass rod and foil. Base’s explorations would fit
Books:
REFERENCE MATERIAL
• Haynes Owners’ Workshop Manual: NASA Apollo 11

ISBN-13: 978-1844256839
• Space in Miniature SIM #7 Apollo Lunar Module
www.spaceinminiature.com/books/sim7.html
• The Apollo 11 Moon Landing (Specialty Press)
ISBN: 978-1-58007-148-2
Websites:
• This 1/24 scale scratch-built Eagle has excellent plans:
http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/LEM-24/index.htm
• NASA Images http://www.nasaimages.org
• Project Apollo Archive http://www.apolloarchive.com
• Apollo Lunar Surface Journal www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/
frame.html

30-36_lunarmod JF.indd 36 17/11/2010 15:02

ADVANCED BUILD
MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109E-7/TROP.
Chris Clifford builds and details esserschmitts

are like buses it
had long-range fire-power for
escape and evasion.
Airfix’s new 1/48 Messerschmitt seems… we don’t
see any for a
It fought in the vanguard of
German desert operations and
Bf 109E-7/Trop, an aircraft as while then two
arrive in quick succession! Airfix’s
made many aces, but like the
Allies’ pilots and machines, the
fierce as the searing conditions new Bf 109 kit comes hot on the ‘Trop’ endured some of the
tail of its other recent release, harshest combat conditions ever
it faced which offered early-war E-1, E-3 and experienced, such as blistering
E-4 markings. This time there are sun, rock-strewn runways and
still three variants supplied, but the even sandstorms.
difference is that the desert-worthy
E-7/Trop can be built. Markings are Construction
for ‘Black 8’ flown by Franz Elles, The cockpit detail is fair, with a
who recorded five victories before respectable instrument panel and
being shot down. After the war, sidewalls, but the rudder pedals
Elles joined the German Dilpomatic are less impressive and the oxygen
Service and became Ambassador regulator, a prominent feature
to Central Africa. of the Bf 109’s ‘office’, is too tall
The E-7/Trop was manufactured and skinny. Also, while the seat’s
purely for desert use, and aside moulded-on straps may satisfy
from the obvious difference, the beginners or younger modellers,
large tropical air filter, it was also the more experienced will want to
equipped with a racked rifle in the remove them and make their own,
rear fuselage so downed pilots or add etched metal replacements.

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 38 19/11/2010 14:55

ADVANCED BUILD
Before any further work can go

ahead, two ejector pin marks in
the cockpit must be filed away.
Once removed, a new oxygen
regulator is needed. A delve
into the spares box unearthed a
regulator from a Tamiya 1/48 E-7/
Trop kit, but lacking a convincing
hose – and there’s a handy
remedy for this. Acupuncture
needles have spiralled handles
which, when bent to shape and
painted, look just like rubber A Bf 109E-7 of JG 27 flies low along the coast of North Africa, during a staged photo-shoot for the
hosing. Obviously, though, they German wartime propaganda magazine ’Signal’. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)
are extremely sharp, so it’s a
case of adults-only for this task, The regulator also has a the starboard sidewall. place; these, and the pole elastic,
and even then, make sure you distinctive, spherical connecting Next up is the rudder pedal unit, require cyanoacrylate glue.
snip off the actual needle portion piece, ending in a circular collar. A which can also be improved. The The small electrical junction box
and discard it safely. These tiny micro-shot fishing weight, and spares box supplied a added to the bottom left-
handles also make good imitation a slice of Evergreen plastic tube Tamiya part, from hand corner of the
springs (such as those on some provide realistic replacements. which the pedals same sidewall,
undercarriage units, and the
fenders on Panzer IV tanks), and
You’ll need to enlarge the holes in
the casing with a drill for accuracy,
alone were
sliced and
“The top was made
from sections
because there are different sizes, as they are too small. Once the unit grafted onto and bottom of plastic
various scales can benefit. is complete, it can be attached to the Airfix
part after nose cowlings do card, and
the cables
removing
its pedals.
need some running
through the
Hydraulic filing for a cockpit floor
brake tubing
can be added,
better fit“ from Plus
Model soft
from rubber lead wire.
pole-fishing elastic The kit throttle
available in any good quadrant and further
anglers’ tackle shop (it comes in wiring and other detailing can be
varying thicknesses). Cut boot added at this stage, depending on
straps from lead foil and glue in how adventurous you feel, but
MESSERSCHMITT
MODEL SPEC
Bf109E-7/TROP.
Stock Code: A05122
Scale: 1/48
Price: £13.99
 Airfix’s Bf 109 E-7/Trop offers fair detail. It’s fine
for youngsters or beginners, but can be upgraded by
the more experienced modeller.
 The rudder pedals in the Airfix kit (left) are a little

small, so two more detailed pedals from a Tamiya unit
(right) were sliced off to replace them.
Airfix Model World

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 39 19/11/2010 14:55

advanced build
MesserschMitt Bf 109e-7/trOP.
good references are vital. Some a slot into the upper seat back to retraction wheel, next to the seat, it will only be prone to breakage
extra wiring and other details need accept the seat straps). Also, paint which are admirably fine but will during the rest of the building.
to be fitted (latch for the bulkhead the RLM 02 sections first and, after need careful removal from the A spinning prop wasn’t required
stowage bin, and structural drying, mask them while you paint runners. The instrument panel also either, so the prop pin was glued
supports flanking the seat) before the floor and panel. received two prominent, yellow- in too.
cockpit painting can begin. Add Black to the dials on the knobbed handles, home-made As with its previous Bf 109
This area requires two colours, instrument panel, and paint the from plastic card and micro-shot release, Airfix’s ‘Trop’ also has a
with the sidewalls, seat and rear remaining details the required fishing weights, while the seat moulded-on engine, which can
bulkhead receiving RLM 02 colours. For a worn look, dry-brush was fitted with etched-metal belts be displayed. It is a little under-
Grey-Green, and for the floor the cockpit floor with Aluminium to painted off-White. sized, being fine for beginners or
and instrument panel RLM 66 portray scuffed paint. Once the cockpit is complete, younger modellers, but those with
Dark Grey. To make life easier, do The remaining parts with which to attach it with the instrument panel more experience will opt to close it
not attach the seat but paint it dress the cockpit are the two sides to the fuselage, and fit the other off. If this is your choice, the engine
separately (but beforehand, cut of the undercarriage emergency half. Leave off the gun sight, as bearers are not required.
Another detailing task concerns
the spinner back plate, which in
reality has lightening holes drilled
around its inner circumference,
from the 12 o’clock position, round
to 8 o’ clock; a good reference
 The kit fuel tank is a decent replica, photo is required for getting this
but benefited from an etched-metal right. To add the holes, use a
retaining strap as seen on the real thing. compass to draw a circle on the
 An acupuncture needle was used back plate, then, mark the drill
 Rudder pedal boot straps were to make a more realistic oxygen hose points around the circle with an
made from thin wine bottle foil, and the on the regulator. They are very sharp,
indelible pen. Finally, drill them out
hydraulic tubing fashioned from pole obviously, so they should only be
handled by an adult. and tidy up the holes.
fishing elastic.
The wings can also be assembled
at this stage, but it’s apparent that
there is an ejector pin mark in each
wheel well. Remove this with a
grinding bit. One might as well also
remove the two chord-wise ribs
in the wells, as they only impede
removal of the pin marks. New
items are easily fashioned from
Evergreen plastic strip.
Don’t forget to drill out the
attachment holes for the belly tank
fairing/bomb rack. Also, the gun
ports can be added but the fit isn’t
perfect, so some filing and filler are
required here.
 The undercarriage legs can be Carry on assembling the parts
detailed by adding brake lines and their as per the instructions, including
 The Airfix cockpit fits well when offered to the fuselage half. Here it’s about to be steel retaining bands, made from soft the radiators, which should be
slotted in. lead wire and foil.
painted first before gluing them

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 40 19/11/2010 14:56

ADVANCED BUILD
 The cockpit has received its paint and

the instrument panel and seat have been
attached. Notice the yellow-knobbed
A wartime view of the cockpit of a Bf 109E-7 cockpit belonging handles made from plastic card and tiny
to Black 11, then serving in North Africa. (Peter W. Cohausz) fishing weights.
into their casings. Dry-brush out. Mark a hole in the muzzle’s the first two open, or closed, and Blue scheme, and some aircraft
them with silver to bring out the centre with a pin, and simply the latter in non-neutral positions. also received blotches of green
mesh detail. This also applies rotate a scalpel blade point in it — Fitting the slats and flaps in in the field, but all painting
for the under-nose radiator, but the result is great-looking guns. ‘buttoned-up’ guise simply requires was with Italian paints. These
remember to mask all mesh grilles The tails and rudder can also be the removal of several attachment may have differed in shade
with tape until after the airframe attached at this stage, along with pegs. The ailerons and rudder have across batches, and certainly
painting has been completed (if the wings to the fuselage, and the sharp trailing edges for welcome weren’t as tightly controlled as
airbrushing). The top and bottom tropical filter can also be fixed. It is authenticity. With assembly of all those stipulated by Germany’s
nose cowlings need some filing moulded in the closed position, but major components complete, it’s Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM).
for a better fit, but the top needs this is accurate for ground running time to address the painting. In 1942, proper RLM colours
more than the underside unit. — the choking North African dust began to be applied to Bf 109s,
Now the gun barrels can be fitted being its raison d’etre. A dusty coat with RLM 79 Sand over RLM 78
to the upper cowling before its Airfix also supplies separate flaps, Early on the in the Mediterranean Light Blue, and in some cases RLM
attachment, but for more realism, slats and flying control surfaces. campaign, Bf 109s based in Sicily 80 Green for mottling. A single
the muzzles need to be hollowed There is the alternative of having received a Sand-over-Light White Mediterranean Theatre
“dry-brush
the cockpit
floor with
Aluminium to
portray scuffed
paint“
Airfix Model World

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 41 19/11/2010 14:56

advanced build
band was generally applied to the

fuselage, and White sometimes
featured on the wingtips.
Firstly, the airframe was primed
with RLM 02 Grey-Green, in a nod
to Luftwaffe practice. It’s also a
good neutral colour for highlighting
blemishes or imperfections,
which should be addressed before
 A pre-shade was added after the
primer, to help promote a weathered  The last major painting step is to
moving on.
appearance.  Now the mottle is in place, after add the Mediterranean Theatre Next, a pre-shade was added
being airbrushed freehand. Small, identification band, in White. Mask along almost all panel lines.
circular movements were used to give the area properly to avoid overspray if Pre-shading is a contentious
the Green blotches a patchy finish. using an airbrush. technique, which is appropriate in
some instances, but not in others.
Here, a worn, weathered look was
desirable, so accentuating the
panel lines under the top colour
adds more variation in the finish.
With pre-shading complete,
the underside received a coat
of Xtracolour X409 RLM 78,
 The underside has received its coat
of RLM 78 Light Blue. Apply it so only a lightened with a spot of Pale
hint of the pre-shading shows through. Grey. The topside was covered
with X209 RLM 79 Sand, again
lightened for a bleached effect.
After a few hours’ drying, the RLM
80 Green mottle was airbrushed,
using Tamiya XF13 Japanese
Green. This was chosen for its
closeness to the RLM colour, but
also being matt, it was easier to
apply and dried more
quickly. When applying
 Our desert colour scheme develops the Green, airbrush the
with RLM 79 Sand, applied so one can  All markings are now in place. We used a mixture of after-market and spare
outline of each mottle,
only just see the pre-shaded panel lines. Hasegawa kit decals.
then in-fill with tiny circles

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 42 19/11/2010 14:56

advanced build
of the airbrush. This will give a

patchy, worn appearance.
After overnight drying, a coat
of gloss varnish sealed in the
paint and prepared the model
for decaling.
Markings
Airfix’s decals are not the best
thing about this model. The carrier
film is rather brittle and matt,
which can lead to silvering, even on
a glossy surface. Instead, I’ve used
a mixture of after-market wing
and fuselage Balkenkreuz, along
with spares from a Hasegawa
sheet offering the same scheme.
The ‘8’ numerals from the latter
have more vivid red trim than on
Airfix’s decals. Stencils came from
a dedicated Aeromaster Bf 109
stencil sheet, and all bedded down
well with setting solution. The
colourful I Gruppe Afrika badges,
and Swastikas, were also from the and spinner. Alternative spinner the aircraft and painted too.
Hasegawa sheet. The latter are not colours are offered, but having It’s now time to give the whole
supplied by Airfix, due to political studied colour photos of the actual model a final varnish coat, and
sensitivities that still surround aircraft, the red/white version was we added matt with a hint of
this symbol. Once all the decals chosen. The colour shots could satin (very few aircraft are dead last small
are dry, seal them in with another have been re-touched, so accuracy matt). After drying, other smaller detail is the
gloss coat, and again, after drying, is debatable, but it’s attractive details can be addressed. canopy restraining
run a Raw Umber wash into all the nonetheless. Don’t The undercarriage cable, which runs
panel lines, and remove the excess. forget to paint the and wheels can from the centre-top of the rear
This will really accentuate all the inner portion of “add be attached, glazed portion, to behind the
airframe detail.
Now it comes down to painting
the spinner back
plate Silver,
some paint along with
the glazed
head armour. Copper wire will also
suffice for this.
smaller parts, such as the prop as it is visible
through
chipping to parts,
fuel tank, Was it fun?
the prop the blades’ wing gun Definitely…Airfix’s new one-
openings.
The propellor
leading edges barrels
and gun
o-nines are, on average,
well-detailed — but extra
itself is painted with a silver sight. Now embellishment will pay dividends.
RLM 70 Black
Green, then matt- crayon“ the glazed
parts can be
Our Trop’s mottled pattern
presented an airbrushing
varnished. If you like, attached. challenge, but it looks great and
add some paint chipping On the real E-7/ every inch the desert warrior.
to the blades’ leading edges Trop, there is a fine control With research, though, other
with a silver crayon. cable which runs from the nose to sub-types can be made, and there
Other smaller components can the air filter door. Add this from are scores of decals sheets out
also now be painted, such as the fine copper wire and paint Metallic there so the imagination can run
windscreen and canopy, and pilot’s Grey. The wire can also be used to wild. Above all, these Bf 109s are
head armour. The aileron mass make the radio aerial, which runs excellent value, which is even
balances and pitot can be fixed to from the radio mast to the tail. The more reason to buy an armful. ❚
• Messerschmitt Me 109 –
ReFeRence MaTeRial
Monograph 49 (AJ Press)

ISBN: 83-86209-65-1
• Luftwaffe Fighter Aircraft in
Profile (Schiffer)
ISBN: 0-7643-0291-4
• Bf 109 Aces of North Africa
and the Mediterranean
(Osprey)
ISBN: 1-855324482
 Propellers become chipped after
constant use, with the blades’ leading • Jagdwaffe Vol. 3 Section
 After painting the spinner white, edges suffering the ravages of desert sand 3 – War Over The Desert
mask a one-third segment before and dust. Imitate this with Metallic crayon, (Classic Colours)
painting it red. in this case, a Derwent no.80 Silver. ISBN: 1-903223-22-9
Airfix Model World

38-43_m107trop JF.indd 43 19/11/2010 14:56

IN FOCUS
MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109E
Peter Scott explores the colour

schemes and markings applied to
Messerschmitt Bf 109Es in
the Battle of Britain
he release of the Airfix 1/48 A swastika, (hakenkreuz), also in

scale Messerschmitt Bf 109E black, bordered by a narrow white
has allowed us to model every
variant of this iconic Luftwaffe
outline that was then bordered
by a thin black outline, again laid
LUFTWAFFE COLOUR KEY
fighter that was used in the Battle down to specific proportions and
of Britain – straight from the box. dimensions for individual aircraft
There is already the choice of types, was applied on both sides of
three different aircraft on the kit’s the vertical flying surfaces, initially
RLM 02 Grau RLM 04 Gelb RLM 21 Weiss
excellent decal sheet, but in this placed centrally across the fin and
(grey-green) (yellow dark) (white)
feature we aim to describe the rudder, overlapping the hinge line
chronology and development of – this central position being a left-
the schemes and markings applied over from when the hakenkreuz
to the ‘Emil’ during the Battle. was placed on a white disk on a
Following the outbreak of war broad red (RLM 23 Rot) band, RLM 22 Schwarz RLM 23 Rot RLM 24 Dunkelblau
in September 1939, Luftwaffe which was discontinued in 1938. (black) (red) (dark blue)
camouflage schemes and markings
had gone through a transition Unit Colours
that included the introduction of Single-engined fighters, such as
new aircraft types such as the the Bf 109, carried numbers on the
Messerschmitt Bf 109, finished in fuselage sides, initially introduced RLM 25 Hellgrün RLM 26 Brun RLM 27 Gelb
the recently introduced two-tone on the Heinkel He 51 and Arado (light green) (brown) (yellow light)
green RLM 70 Schwarzgrün and Ar 68 biplanes in 1936. Individual
RLM 71 Dunkelgrün upper surface aircraft within the Staffel were
‘splinter’ scheme with RLM 65 marked with a numeral in the
Hellblau under surfaces from Staffel colour, often, but not
the outset. always, outlined in a contrasting RLM 65 Hellblau RLM 70 Schwarzgrün RLM 71 Dunkelgrün
colour. These numerals were (light blue-grey) (black-green) (dark green)
National markings consisted of
a narrow, white-bordered black generally placed immediately in
cross, (balkenkreuz), which was front of the fuselage cross (both
thinly outlined in black, laid sides), but occasionally were
down to specific proportions and carried on the engine cowling.
Mixed grey Mixed grey Mixed grey
dimensions for individual aircraft Each Staffel (Squadron) was (mid grey similar to (dark grey similar to (light grey similar to
types, applied above and below the numbered independently within RLM 74 Dunkelgrau) RLM 75 Mittelgrau) RLM 76 Hellgrau)
mainplanes and on the fuselage its Gruppe (Wing), as were the
sides of all operational aircraft. Gruppen within their Geschwader

44-49_109 in focus gs JF.indd 44 17/11/2010 15:24

IN FOCUS
(Group). The Staffel colours were

white for the first Staffeln within
each Gruppe — 1, 4 and 7 Staffeln;
initially red for the second Staffeln
within each Gruppe — 2, 5 and
8 Staffeln; but in mid-1940, an
anomaly, not only peculiar to
the Battle of Britain period but
apparent on occasions throughout
the war, was the frequent use of
black numerals, outlined in either Bf 109E-4, 'Yellow 8' of 3./JG 2, featuring the densely stippled mottle on the fuselage sides and the
white or red; and yellow for the modified fuselage cross, a peculiarity of this unit. (H. Ringlstetter/www.aviaticus.com)
third Staffeln within each Gruppe —
3, 6 and 9 Staffeln. Jagdgeschwader 3. In 1940, it a black equilateral triangle, ‘1’, although by July/August 1940
When written down, the Gruppe was rare for a Jagdgeschwader invariably outlined in white. The this practice was starting to be
number, (identified by Roman (Fighter Group) to field more reason for this is that LG 2 had the exception rather than the
numerals — I, II, III), wasn’t than three Staffeln within a previously been equipped with rule, as was the practice for the
normally mentioned, because Gruppe, or three Gruppen within Henschel Hs 123s in the Schlacht Staffelkapitän to carry a metal
the Staffel number, (identified a Geschwader. (ground attack) role in the Polish pennant from the aircraft’s radio
by Arabic numerals — 1, 2, 3), Other exceptions to the rules Campaign, and when the unit mast, (painted in the Staffel
indicated to which Gruppe the include the use of brown numerals, was re-equipped with Bf 109Es it colour) — another feature that
Staffel belonged. For example: for example by 6./JG 26, 3./JG retained the marking in front of declined during the course of the
9./JG 3 = 9 Staffel, of III Gruppe 51 and 3./LG 2, with light blue the fuselage cross, with the letter Battle of Britain.
and/or light grey numerals being in the Staffel colour, aft of the The different Gruppen within
used by 5./JG 53. It must also be cross. I Gruppe of LG 2 appear to a Geschwader were identified
added that the use of a single have retained the normal Staffel by a symbol aft of the fuselage
letter, (rather than a numeral), numeral system. Staffel numerals cross, invariably in the same
appears to have been confined rarely exceeded the numeral ‘16’ Staffel colour(s) as the numerals –
to 4, 5 and 6 Staffeln, (II Gruppe) — aircraft bearing higher numbers exceptions to this rule being where
of LG 2, (Lehrgeschwader 2; tended to indicate that they second Staffel aircraft had been
ostensibly an Operational Training belonged to a Training Staffel. re-marked with black numerals
Group, but in fact an extremely It was also not uncommon for and had the Gruppe symbol left
efficient specialist unit), who the Staffelkapitän to pilot the in the original red. These Gruppe
also marked their aircraft with aircraft marked with the numeral identification markings took
BF 109E-1, ‘RED 15’ OF 2./JG 77, BASED AT

JULIUSBURG-NORD, GERMANY, AUGUST 1939
 Two-tone green RLM 70 Schwarzgrün and RLM 71
Dunkelgrün upper surfaces in the original straight-edged
‘splinter’ pattern, with RLM 65 Hellblau undersides and
RLM 70 spinner. Red (RLM 23 Rot) numeral ‘15’ and ‘red
dot’ Gruppe marking, both thinly outlined in white. Note
the (early) central position of the swastika across the fin
and rudder.
BF 109E-4, ‘YELLOW 15’ OF 3./JG 1, BASED AT GUISE,

FRANCE, MAY 1940
 By the opening stages of the Battle of France the majority
of front-line Bf 109Es had been repainted in the ‘new’ RLM 71
Dunkelgrün and RLM Grau 02 upper surface scheme, either
on the production line or whilst in staffel service. The RLM 65
Hellblau under surfaces were also extended up the fuselage
sides and over the fin and rudder. Note the position of the
yellow (RLM Gelb 04) numeral ‘15’ thinly outlined in black on
the cowling, the RLM 70 spinner and the ‘command’ pennant BF 109E-1, ‘RED 11’ OF 2./JG 2,
on the radio mast. BASED AT BEAULIEU-EN-ARONNE,
FRANCE, MAY 1940
 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM Grau
02 upper surfaces in a soft-edged
semi-splinter pattern with RLM 65
Hellblau under surfaces extended high
up on the fuselage sides and over
the fin and rudder. Note the small,
narrow-bordered fuselage balkenkreuz,
‘Mickey Mouse’ emblem and the JG
2 ‘Red R in a shield’ badge under the
cockpit. RLM 70 spinner.
Inset: ‘Mickey Mouse’ personal
emblem.
Airfix Model World


IN FOCUS
these were almost certainly part of

both commanders’ interpretation
of their Geschwader Kommodore’s
Stab rank markings, rather than a
II Gruppe symbol, as both aircraft
were also marked with a single
chevron and horizontal bar in front
of the fuselage cross, instead of
the double-chevron and bar which
was the original pre-war marking
for a Geschwader Kommodore.
In the case of LG 2’s Stab (staff)
machines, they carried green
coloured letters aft of the cross,
Bf 109E-1, 'White 9' of 1./JG 52 sporting the unit's 'Running Boar' shield on the cowling and dense an example being Oberleutnant
mottle on the fuselage sides. (H. Ringlstetter/www.aviaticus.com)
Krafft’s green ‘D’ of Stab II/
(Schlacht)LG 2.
the form of a horizontal bar Stab rank, which actually varied Geschwaderstab (Group Staff)
(for II Gruppe); a vertical bar somewhat between units. However, aircraft were not allocated any A change of
or horizontal wavy line (for III not all Stab personnel were Gruppe identification markings camouflage colours
Gruppe); with I Gruppe bearing no actually pilots, and in such cases aft of the fuselage cross, as they At the end of 1939/beginning of
marking at all — the very absence where there was insufficient Stab were not directly attached to any 1940, the predominant colour
of such a marking itself identified personnel able to fly and create particular Gruppe, but some, such scheme for Luftwaffe fighters was
Gruppe. an effective combat formation, as JG 2 Geschwader Kommodore still the RLM 70 Schwarzgrün/RLM
Stabsschwarm, (Staff Flight) ‘normal’ Staffel pilots were picked Major Helmut Wick’s Bf 109E-4, 71 Dunkelgrün upper surfaces in
aircraft used a slightly different to fly with the Stabsschwarm — in (Werknummer 5344, in which the hard-edged splinter pattern
system of identification. The numeral-marked aircraft — (Oblt he lost his life on November 28, with RLM 65 Hellblau under
aircraft of staff pilots and fighter Wilhelm Frönhofer’s ‘Yellow 10’ of 1940), and JG 26 Geschwader surfaces — ideal camouflage
leaders carried distinctive Stab III/JG 26). Kommodore Major Adolph for aircraft dispersed within a
markings for quick identification. Both Gruppe and Geschwader Galland’s E-4, (Werknummer woodland background. However,
Chevron, bar and/or circle Stab markings were usually 5819), also used during October/ following the Polish Campaign field
markings were carried in front painted in black with white trim, November 1940, (see page 49) trials were undertaken to devise
of the fuselage cross instead of or white with black trim, but other were seen with a horizontal bar aft a camouflage scheme which was
numerals, to denote a particular colours have also been recorded. of their fuselage crosses. However, more suitable for concealment
BF 109E-4, ‘YELLOW 1’ OF 3./JG 2, BASED AT BEAUMONT-

LE-ROGER, FRANCE, FLOWN BY OBLT HANNS-JOBST
HAUENSCHILD, JULY/AUGUST 1940
 RLM 70 Schwarzgrün and RLM 71 Dunkelgrün upper
surfaces possibly in the original hard-edged splinter pattern
with RLM 65 Hellblau under surfaces extended high up on the
fuselage sides and over the fin and rudder, which have then
had a dense stipple of RLM 70/71 applied. Note the white of
the fuselage balkenkreuz has been reduced by expanding the
black of the outline.
Inset: 3./JG 2 Staffel’s ‘Horrido’ word on a pennant emblem.
BF 109E-1, ‘YELLOW 11’ OF 9./JG 26, BASED

AT CAFFIERS, FRANCE, FLOWN BY FW ARTUR
BEESE, AUGUST 1940
 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau
upper surfaces in a soft-edged splinter
pattern with RLM 65 Hellblau under surfaces
extended high up on the fuselage sides and
over the fin and rudder. Note the small size of the fuselage
balkenkreuz, numeral ‘11’ and III Gruppe vertical bar and
the red ‘Hollenhund’ (Hell hound), 9 Staffel emblem, under
the cockpit. This aircraft force landed in the sand dunes near
Calais on 24 August 1940.
Inset: JG 26’s black ‘Schlageter’ script ‘S’ on a white shield
emblem.
BF 109E-4, ‘YELLOW 3’ OF 9./JG 3, BASED AT DESVRES,
FRANCE, AUGUST 1940
 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces
in a soft-edged splinter pattern with RLM 65 Hellblau
under surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides
and over the fin and rudder. Note the yellow mainplane
and tailplane tips, and the yellow triangular segment at
the top of the rudder. 9 Staffel’s ‘seahorse shield’ was
positioned on the fuselage below the rear of the canopy.
The spinner was RLM 70 with a white tip.


IN FOCUS
for single (and twin) engined totally repainted in the new upper National insignia had also By the time of the opening stages
fighters in the air. As the Luftwaffe surface scheme in a simplified, gone through a change in late of the Battle of Britain proper,
confronted French and British generally soft-edged, camouflage 1939/early 1940. The fuselage in early July 1940, the RLM 70
aircraft over a winter landscape, pattern by their parent units. and underwing crosses Schwarzgrün/71 Dunkelgrün
it was found that the dark This mix of production line and (balkenkreuze) received wider upper surfaces were the exception
green upper surfaces actually ‘on unit’ painting methods white borders, and the swastika on most Bf 109Es and the RLM
compromised the aircraft. As a resulted in inevitable variations (hakenkreuz) was repositioned 71 Dunkelgrün/RLM 02 Grau
result of these trials two changes of the basic scheme. fully on to the fin from its upper surface scheme was firmly
were made to fighter camouflage. Of course none of these changes previous location centrally across established, albeit with minor
The first of these was to extend were effected overnight but the the fin and rudder hinge line. variations within the upper surface
the pale grey-blue RLM 65 scheme appears to have been camouflage patterns.
Hellblau under surface colour up in widespread use before the The opening stages of As a means of developing 'esprit
the fuselage sides on to a line 1940 ‘Blitzkrieg’ offensive, as the Battle of Britain de corps', aircraft were further
level with the canopy sill, (or even contemporary photographs taken While the new RLM 71 frequently embellished by both
higher) and entirely covering the in the rather cold, early spring, Dunkelgrün/RLM 02 Grau personal ‘artwork’ and unit
fin and rudder. The second change show. However, both the original upper surfaces and RLM 65 badges and, to a lesser extent by
was the replacement of RLM and the new styles continued in Hellblau fuselage sides and names. Not all the unit badges
70 Schwarzgrün (black-green) use until the fall of France in June under surfaces scheme for were identical, even within the
with RLM 02 Grau, a grey-green 1940, and by that stage some units fighters was apparently found same units, and even varied in
shade, on the upper surfaces of had found that the large areas of to be satisfactory during the colour between aircraft. As with
the mainplanes and tailplanes, light grey-blue Hellblau 65 was ‘Blitzkrieg Campaign’ through the unit badges, some of the
cowling top and fuselage spine. actually TOO conspicuous and that France and the Low Countries personal artwork had ‘history’ –
Spinners generally remained in a greater degree of camouflage during May and June 1940, it was for example having been carried
Schwarzgrün 70, or were partially was required and they therefore appreciated that problems with a on aircraft active in Spain with
or entirely, repainted in the Staffel applied soft spray-gun mottling, suitable camouflage finish might the Condor Legion.
or Gruppe colour(s). or rag-applied stippling, over the arise as operations across the Like all Luftwaffe aircraft, Bf 109s
These camouflage scheme fuselage sides in a mix of the basic English Channel increased, and were originally delivered from the
changes are thought to have RLM 70/71/02 camouflage colours. the unit-applied mottle/stipple factory bearing large letters on
been made on the production line, Some of the earlier applications applications mentioned earlier either side of the fuselage crosses.
together with a simplified, softer of RLM 65 paint up the fuselage became the norm. Different Known as ‘stamkennzeichen’,
demarcation, camouflage pattern, sides had also eroded sufficiently units adopted different styles these factory registration letters
sometime around the end of 1939/ for the original two-tone 70/71 and it is understood that these were generally over-painted or
beginning of 1940. Aircraft already Dark Greens to show through, were generally decided upon at removed prior to the application
in service appear to have been which had a similar effect. unit level. of Staffel numerals/letters
BF 109E-3, ‘BLACK 3’ OF 8./JG 53, BASED AT LA VILLIAZE,

GUERNSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS, AUGUST 1940
 Towards the end of July, all of JG 53’s Bf 109Es started
appearing with red bands around their cowlings, covering the
unit’s ‘Pik As’ (Ace of Spades) badge. This particular machine
was finished in RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper
surfaces in a soft-edged splinter pattern with RLM 65 Hellblau
under surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides and
over the fin and rudder. A densely misted mottle of RLM 71/02
has been applied over the fuselage sides. Note the narrow
bordered fuselage balkenkreuz, the red band around the
cowling and the red tip to the RLM 70 spinner.
BF 109E-4, ‘WHITE 3’ OF 7./JG 54, BASED AT GUINES-SUD,

FRANCE, LATE AUGUST 1940
 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces in
a soft-edged splinter pattern with RLM 65 Hellblau under
surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides and
over the fin and rudder. Note the white cowling sides and
underside and the small numeral ‘3’ on the forward fuselage
in front of the windscreen.
BF 109E-4, ‘YELLOW 2’ OF 9./JG 2, BASED AT LE HAVRE,

FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 1940
 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces in
surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides and over
the fin and rudder. A sparse mottle of RLM 71/02 has been
applied over the fuselage sides, fin and rudder. Note the
yellow spinner and cowling with 9 Staffel’s ‘Stechmücke’
(mosquito) emblem on the side, and JG 2’s ‘Richthofen R’
shield under the cockpit.
Airfix Model World


IN FOCUS
of Bf 109E wreckage from the There is also evidence that a few

Battle of Britain has revealed Bf 109Es were camouflaged in a
that combinations of grey paint very dark shade of grey and a dark
in shades very similar to, if not brown on their upper surfaces
the actual, RLM 74/75/76 colours – possibly RLM 66 Schwarzgrau
had been applied to several of the and RLM 61 Dunkelbraun, but how
aircraft involved. widespread this ‘grey and brown’
It is not definitely known when scheme was and how long it
the official RLM 74/75/76 ‘greys remained in use for is unknown.
scheme’ was actually introduced
Oblt Werner Bartels' Bf 109E-1, of JG 26's III Gruppe Stab Flight, on to the Bf 109E production Tactical markings
showing the Technical Officer's chevron and vertical bar marking line, (as the relevant L Dv 521 The liberal use of yellow, and to a
in front of the fuselage cross. (Peter Walter via Malcolm Lowe) paint chart is ‘missing’ — the somewhat lesser degree, white,
only surviving one relates to the paint — or temporary distemper
or Stab markings. Nevertheless, Apparently by mixing an previously mentioned November removable by washing off with
some continued to show through assortment of the available RLM 1941 edition), but there is a aviation fuel — as an aid to rapid
on some machines and aircraft 70 and RLM 71 Green shades and colour photo of a Bf 109E-7, still identification of friend from foe,
are reported to have flown RLM 02 Grau (a grey-green shade) with its factory codes in place, started to gain momentum during
operationally with these factory and RLM 66 Schwarzgrau (black- which was manufactured in mid- early-mid August 1940.
registration letters still visible. grey), good matches could be August 1940, and appears to Coloured propeller spinners on
made for RLM 74 Dunkelgrau (by be sporting a three-tone grey Bf 109Es (and Bf 110s) had been
Developing the mixing RLM 66 and 70 perhaps scheme, which would indicate recorded as early as July, (and
camouflage with a spot of white), RLM 75 that the RLM 74/75/76 ‘greys’ in some cases even earlier
As air combats got higher over Mittelgrau (by adding white to RLM scheme was being applied at during the Phoney War and the
the English countryside, a more 66) and even RLM 76 Lichtblau (by factory level at least, by then. Battle of France). But yellow,
suitable ‘high altitude’ scheme adding white to RLM 65). Obviously, this aircraft and the white or red spinners, or
was deemed necessary. It would The official RLM 74 Dunkelgrau/ others on the same production sometimes the full spinner, or
appear that as early as July/ RLM 75 Mittelgrau/RLM 76 line with it would probably not halved, or quartered, or even
August 1940, the Jagdwaffe Hellgrau combination has have been issued to front line just a segment, or bands of
had been experimenting with frequently been asserted not to units until late September/early colour, with the remainder of the
‘in the field mixed’ grey painted have been introduced before the October 1940, but it may prove spinner in the factory-applied
upper surface schemes. Even November 1941 edition of the that the RLM 74/75/76 scheme RLM 70 Schwarzgrün – these
one of Adolph Galland’s aircraft Luftwaffe’s L Dv 521/1 paint chart was being applied during the were all becoming increasingly
is reported as being so painted. was released, but examination Battle of Britain period. common variations.
BF 109E-4, ‘YELLOW 5’ OF 9./JG 54, BASED AT GUINES-SUD,

 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces in
surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides and over the
fin and rudder, over which cross-hatch streaks of RLM 71/02
have been applied, carefully masked around the numeral and
III Gruppe wavy line. No unit badges appear to have been
applied. Note the rearview mirror.
BF 109E-4, ‘WHITE 6’ OF 6./JG 27, BASED AT FIENNES,

 RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces in
surfaces extended high up on the fuselage sides and over
the fin and rudder, over which a light mottle
of RLM 71/02 has been applied. Note the
yellow cowling and rudder. II JG 27’s ‘Berlin
Bear’ shield was positioned on both sides of
the nose.
Inset: II JG 27’s ‘Berlin Bear’ coat of
arms emblem
BF 109E-4, OF STAB II/JG 54, BASED AT CAMAGNE -LES-

GUINES, FRANCE, SEPTEMBER 1940.
 An early ‘greys’ finished machine with two ‘mixed greys’ on the
upper surfaces. The RLM 65 Hellblau under surfaces have been
extended high up on the fuselage sides, over which a dense
mottle of the ‘mixed greys’ has been applied. Yellow cowling, (with
the top panel extending back to the windscreen), and rudder
with just a strip at the base in RLM 65. The RLM 70 spinner had
a white quarter and a green tip. The black chevron and bar were
bordered in white which was then outlined in black. II/JG 54’s
‘Lion of Aspern’ shield was carried just forward of the cockpit
section. Inset: II/JG 54’s ‘Lion of Aspern’ shield, inherited from the
Austrian-manned JG I./134 via I/JG 76 in mid-1940.


IN FOCUS
As the tempo of the Battle of every aircraft, and naturally, (which actually may simply altitude’ camouflage became
Britain increased, so did the plenty of anomalies arose. have just been a temporary required, so the percentage of
need to find a solution to rapid One particular unit, JG 53 identification marking introduced ‘grey’ finished Emils gradually
identification of friendly aircraft. ‘Pik As’ (Ace of Spades), painted by this innovative unit), at the increased. This eventually
The initial Luftwaffe solution, over its unit badge with a red end of September, when Göring resulted in the new standard
introduced in the middle of band encircling the entire cowling replaced many of the older fighter scheme of RLM 74
August, was to paint a triangular for a period between July and Geshwader Kommodore with Dunkelgrau/RLM 75,
segment on the top of the September 1940. It has been younger men, in JG 53’s instance Mittelgrau/RLM 76 Hellgrau
rudder in yellow. Then, wing and suggested that it was done by Oblt Günther von Maltzahn, recorded in the November 1941
tailplane tips were included. By following an order by Herman the famous ‘Pik As’ emblem edition of the Luftwaffe’s L Dv
the end of August, cowlings and Göring, the Head of the Luftwaffe, began to reappear. 521/1 paint chart.
entire rudders, as well as the due to some personal dislike Another anomaly related to However, it should not be
wing and tailplane tips were between the Reichsmarschall JG 53 was the overpainting of the construed that ALL Bf 109Es
commonly painted yellow or, and the unit’s then current swastika on the fins of several II were finished in ‘shades of grey’
less frequently, white — but Geschwader Kommodore, Hans- and III Gruppe aircraft around the by the end of the year, because
by no means were all of these Jürgen von Cramon-Taubadel. September to November 1940 the predominant ‘fighter scheme’
recognition features applied to Whatever the real reason, period. Whether this was related still appears to have been the
to the reintroduction of the ‘Pik standard RLM 71 Dunkelgrün/
As’ emblem, a political gesture, RLM Grau 02 scheme introduced
or merely the whims of individual at the beginning of 1940. ❚
pilots are not known.
For those interested in the subject,
The later stages of the readers are recommended to
Battle The Aviation Workshop’s recently
Although the RLM 71/02/65 published 172 page, On Target
scheme was still the predominant ‘The Battle of Britain’ 70th
finish throughout the Battle of Anniversary Special, which covers
Britain period, as the summer the camouflage schemes and
passed in to autumn, and autumn markings of all the combatants,
into winter, the air combats from the beginning of World War
A nosed-over Bf 109E obligingly showing the yellow (RLM Gelb 04) of late September and early Two, through to the Battle of
wing tips, cowling and rudder applied to many 'Emils' from mid- October began to reach heights Britain. Visit their website at:
August 1940. (H. Ringlstetter/www.aviaticus.com) in excess of 20,000ft (6,096m), www.theaviationworkshop.co.uk
and a more suitable ‘high
BF 109E-1, ‘WHITE 2’ OF 6./JG 52, BASED AT PEUPLINGUES,

FRANCE, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1940
 RLM 70 Schwarzgrün and RLM 71 Dunkelgrün upper
surfaces in the simplified softer-edged splinter pattern
variation with RLM 65 Hellblau under surfaces, that may have
been extended up the fuselage sides but which were covered
in a dense mottle of RLM 70/71 and possibly 02. Yellow
cowling and top two thirds of the rudder which fades out along
a feathered angled line. RLM 70 spinner. The white numeral
‘2’ was not outlined. Note 6./JG 52’s ‘winged eagle’ insignia
which took up most of the cowling.
All artwork by
The Aviation Workshop:
Model Alliance
BF 109E-1/B, W.NR 6313, ‘WHITE G’ OF 2./JG 27, BASED AT

CALAIS-MARCK, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 1940.
 A ‘grey’ finished machine, with two-tone ‘mixed grey’ upper
surfaces in a soft-edged splinter pattern. The RLM 65 Hellblau
under surfaces have been extended over the fuselage sides
and over the fin and rudder. The cowling was yellow, RLM 04
Gelb, as was the rudder and the spinner. This aircraft had only
recently been transferred from 4.(Schlacht)/LG 2 to 2./JG
27 and still retained many of its previous owner’s markings,
including a black ‘schlacht’ triangle and a white individual
aircraft letter. ‘White G’ had been retrofitted with the later BF 109E-4, ‘BLACK CHEVRON AND BARS’ OF STAB/JG 2,
heavier framed ‘square’ canopy, with head armour, and had a BASED AT BEAUMONT-LE-ROGER, FRANCE, NOVEMBER 1940.
bomb rack fitted.  RLM 71 Dunkelgrün and RLM 02 Grau upper surfaces in
surfaces and fuselage sides, over which a dense stipple of
RLM 71 has been applied. Pale yellow cowling and spinner,
which is thought to be the effect of RLM 04 Gelb being
applied thinly over the previously white painted cowling/
spinner. The black chevron and bars were outlined in white.
JG 2’s ‘Richthofen R’ shield was positioned under the
windscreen and 3./JG 2’s ‘Horrido’ pennant was carried on
the cowling side. Note the patch under the first horizontal bar
which has been painted over the previous numeral ‘2’.
Airfix Model World


 Major Adolf Galland, Geschwader Kommodore of
Stab JG 26, gets involved in a tree-top level chase in
his Bf 109E-4/N over southern England in August 1940.
50-51_centres JF.indd 50 18/11/2010 10:25

50-51_centres JF.indd 51 18/11/2010 10:25
BASIC BUILD
Philip Flory, owner of Pro Modeller modelling Accessories Company, builds

Airfix’s recently released Battle of Britain Bf 109E straight from the
box and explains how to achieve the look of a true ’battle-veteran’
hese days, with kits costing
around £30 for a 1/48 scale
model, it’s great that Airfix
has released a new tooled kit
for a very reasonable £15. I have
often said that there needs to be
a range of kits that modellers,
both new and experienced, can
quickly and easily put together
to give instant results instead
of fighting with a kit and then
disposing of it and going back to
the games console. I’m happy to  As is the norm, we start with the cockpit.  Once put together, a look at the cockpit side wall on the fuselage half shows three
say that Airfix has provided just While it’s a little basic for a new tooled ejector pin marks that need to be removed; a quick run over with the mini drill and fine
that in this model. 1/48, it does the job and fits together well. sanding stick soon takes care of that.

52-57_m109 JF.indd 52 18/11/2010 12:27

BASIC BUILD
 Then paint the instrument panel and other details Flat Black before drybrushing
everywhere with Tamiya XF-19 grey to bring out the details. It’s a shame there are no
decals for the instruments, but unless you are 1/48 scale yourself you’re not going
to notice that much anyway.
 Next give the whole lot a coat of Tamiya XF-22 and paint the
moulded in-seat harnesses buff.
 Picking out a few items with Flat Red, we next load up the airbrush with a heavily thinned
Flat Black, around 80% thinner to 20% black, and airbrush over the lot. By airbrushing it on
you get an even finish and do not run the risk of brushing through your other paint. It’s best to
leave it to totally dry off because the paint will soften with that much thinner over it.
MESSERSCHMITT Bf109E
MODEL SPEC
Stock Code: A05120

Scale: 1/48
Price: £13.99
 A little bit of Silver here and there for scuffs and

scrapes completes the cockpit.
Airfix Model World

52-57_m109 JF.indd 53 18/11/2010 12:28

BASIC BUILD
MesserschMitt Bf 109e
 The wing sections fit together perfectly.
 The fuselage halves have very large locator pins like the type you
find on the snap type kits, but a quick test fit shows these are spot-
on and make a perfect join.
 A quick tip when gluing with thin cement is to brush it on from the
bottom, as this will be drawn up into the join. Otherwise, if you do it from
the top and it gets a run, it has a habit of running through your fingers and
melting the plastic, leaving a finger print.
 Then glue the two halves together and install the wing section in place. This all
fits together very well, with not a sign of a gap or need for filler anywhere.
 Working through the sanding and polishing sticks, we take care of the seam lines and
re-scribe the panel line that was removed during the clean up.

52-57_m109 JF.indd 54 18/11/2010 12:28

BASIC BUILD
 We then mask up the clear parts take care here as only some of the frame work is
moulded in. Then fix it in place with Gator glue, along with the sight.
 To give the effect of the cockpit grey on the inside of the canopy framework spray
the outside.
 Then move onto the tail plane. This is where we find

the only error on the kit: a small misalignment in the
mould has made a small tab that needs to be removed
to make a good fit – easily done with a bit of sanding and
test fitting. Now apply a small amount of Mr Surfacer on some of the joins to make
sure nothing shows through, or use a bit of acrylic paint to do the same thing.
 Pre-shading is done with a 50/50 mix of

Flat Black. I find a rough job is better than
trying to achieve perfection, because it looks
more natural to have uneven lines rather
than a strict grid – so don’t worry if it is a
little rough around the edges.
 Starting with the underside RLM 65, make

a bit thinner than usual – mix up around
65% thinner so the pre-shading will show
through. That way we have more control and
can build up a few layers at a time.
Airfix Model World

52-57_m109 JF.indd 55 18/11/2010 12:28

BASIC BUILD
 Mottling has always been a worry for people, but by thinning the RLM 71 and
lowering the air pressure to around 15PSI, you can just relax and run it over
until you are happy. Remember: if it goes wrong, don’t panic – just respray with
the RLM 65 and have another go.
 Mask up the sides, spray on the RLM 02 freehand, just
overlapping the areas where the green will be. Add a drop of
white into the colour cup and then a few more drops of thinner,
and go around the centres of the panels lightening to break up
the paint work, then mask up the Grey ready for the RLM 71 to go
on and do the same with the centre of the panels again.
 Mask up the nose and then spray it with neat Tamiya XF-3 Yellow.
 Two coats of clear later, we’re ready to decal, and this

is where the only down side of the kit is: they are
very matt, and no amount of decal fixers would get  That said, they are all in register and good colour. After applying them, give another
them to conform to the model. coat of clear to protect the decals and stop the wash getting under the carrier film.

52-57_m109 JF.indd 56 18/11/2010 12:29

BASIC BUILD
 After allowing the Klear 24 hours to dry,

give the whole model a wash with the Promodellers
Dark Dirt wash. This is a safe, clay-based wash that
is easily removed with water.
 Leave it for 20 minutes  Add the spinner, guns, aerial and gear, and give the whole
to totally dry off, then model a coat of flat to dull it all down.
use a piece of lightly
moistened kitchen roll to  Unmask the windows and we’re almost there – the last few
remove the excess wash, touches are to add a few smoke stains for the exhausts and
using a circular motion guns. Use an airbrush of Flat Black at 25 PSI and gradually build
all over the model. This up the layers.
will leave the wash in the
panel lines and other recessed
areas bring it to life.
The whole build is available

FREE ONLINE TUTORIAL
to Airfix model World readers

to watch as a video, showing
every step of the build.
Visit www.promodeller.com
Simply click on the Airfix Logo
and Type:
User name: Airfix
Password: freebuild
It’s been a great build and

something I’ve been waiting
for a long time – if this is the
new Airfix then I can see many
happy new modellers coming
to the hobby!
Happy modelling, Phil
Airfix Model World

52-57_m109 JF.indd 57 18/11/2010 12:29

SUBSCRIBE
and
SAVE
Subscribe to and make great savings!
Published monthly, the new Airfix Model World magazine is your complete guide to the
world of scale modelling, making it essential reading for modellers with all levels of experience.
Focusing on model aircraft, Airfix Model World also features cars, ships, sci-fi and space, armour and
figures. Plus latest news, reviews, handy step-by-step tips and the chance to ‘Ask the Experts’
to improve your modelling skills!
Subscribers get:
• Up to 5 months subscription FREE
003/10
• PRIORITY DELIVERY – subscriber copies go first

• PRICE FREEZE – guaranteed no price rise during the term of your subscription
TELEPHONE: (UK) 01780 480404 COMPLETE THE FORM AND POST TO:
SUBSCRIBE AT:
www.airfixmodelworld.com
 (OVERSEAS) +44 1780 480404  Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 300,
Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.30pm Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1NA, United Kingdom
• Readers in the USA may place orders by telephone toll-free 800-676-4049 or fax 757-428-6253 or by writing to Airfix Model World, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 404, Virgi
• Alternatively, order online at www.imsnews.com/airfixmodelworld quoting/entering code AMW111
003 AMW subs.indd 2 18/11/2010 14:44

Make great savings when you pay by easy Direct Debit
JUST £8.99 EACH QUARTER

PAYER’S DETAILS DELIVERY DETAILS (IF DIFFERENT)
Title ........................ First name ................................................................ Title ........................ First name ................................................................
Surname ....................................................................................................... Surname .......................................................................................................
Address ....................................................................................................... Address .......................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................
Postcode ................................... Country ............................................... ........................................................................................................................
Email address Postcode .....................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................ Country .......................................................................................................

Please complete to receive news updates and offers from us by email.
BEST OFFER PLEASE SEND GIFT CARD 

12 issues for the price of 10 24 issues for the price of 19
PAYMENT METHODS
UK 12 issues  £39.90 24 issues  £75.00
I
Payments are accepted by Direct Debit,
MEMPMS
cheque, Postal Order, Credit Card, Giro
Europe 12 issues  59.00 24 issues  109.00 (account no 2147556) and US Dollar
check. Payments by credit or debit
BER
USA 12 issues  $65.00 24 issues  $121.00 card will be shown on your statement
as Key Publishing Ltd.
EX S!
Rest of the World 12 issues  £49.00 24 issues  £89.00 Key Publishing will hold your details
TRA
to process and fulfil your subscription
£5 O
order. Occasionally we may wish to
contact you to notify you of special
I enclose a cheque for £ ................................. made payable to Key Publishing Ltd offers on products or events. If you do
FF
not wish to receive this information
please tick here  or mention when
Please debit my Mastercard  Visa  Maestro (UK mainland only)  for £/€/$ ............................ calling.
Call
for
detail
s
Issue number* Expiry date 3 or 4 digit security number (last digits on reverse of card)
M M Y Y
*Maestro only
OFFER CLOSE DATE:
28 FEBRUARY 2011
PLUS!
Signature ...................................................................................... Today’s date .............................................................. PLEASE QUOTE: AMW111
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society

to pay by Direct Debit
FREE
Please fill in the form in ballpoint pen and send to Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, United Kingdom
Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Originator’s Identification Number
To: The Manager Bank/Building Society 6 5 8 9 6 0
MAGAZINES
Address Reference Number
Postcode
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society
Please pay Key Publishing Ltd Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction
5 FREE with every

subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this
• Name(s) of the Account Holder(s) Instruction may remain with Key Publishing Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically
to my Bank/Building Society
2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bank/Building Society account number

Signature(s)
• 2 FREE with every Date

003/10
Branch Sort Code
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account
✂
• This guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building • If an error is made by Key Publishing
The Societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme.
The efficiency and Security of the scheme is
Ltd or your Bank or Building Society,
you are guaranteed a full and
Direct Debit monitored and protected by your own bank or
building society.
immediate refund from your branch
of the amount paid.
OR FAX TO:
Guarantee

• If the amounts to be paid or the payment • You can cancel a Direct Debit at
0, (UK) 01780 757812 dates change Key Publishing Ltd will notify you any time by writing to your Bank or

10 working days in advance of your account being Building Society. Please also send a
(OVERSEAS) +44 1780 757812 This guarantee should be detached and retained by the Payer debited or otherwise agreed. copy of your letter to us.
e 404, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-9828 Direct Debit UK only

If paying by Direct Debit, please send in form
003 AMW subs.indd 3 18/11/2010 14:44

MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
S ov i e t
and a high level of craftsmanship
with this variant, not just in the
type of grab handles and bracket
employed, but with the overall
look and feel of the vehicle. Its
one-piece hull is accurately
represented, along with the 76mm
main gun.
s u rv ivo r
This kit is incredibly
straightforward, and no problems
were encountered at any stage of
our build. Granted, the tie-downs
and grab handle assemblies were
a little fiddly, but this could be said
of many armour kits, and they are
definitely worth the extra effort.
You get everything necessary in
b
uilt in 1942, the the box to produce a real show-
Steve Palffy Formochka was one of stopper, but on this kit, we also
ShowS how to the less common T-34

variations and had the
added a piece of photo-etched
brass runner below the front hull
bring Dragon’S unique feature of a pressed or
stamped steel plate turret, as
hatch as a splash guard, as well as
brass wire for the grab handle rods
1/35 PreSSeD well as spoked wheels and angled
waffle pattern track links.
and antennae wire. The styrene
items in the box are good, but
turret t-34 to Dragon has employed real finesse they can also be fashioned from
life, giving it the

acrylic Painting
anD weathering
treatment for a
realiStic finiSh

60-64_t34tank JF.indd 60 17/11/2010 15:08

MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
stretched sprue - it’s just that brass  Dragon’s excellent turret, including fine, photo-etched grab handle brackets; here though, brass wire is a
wire is easier and stronger. substitute for the plastic rod sections. The turret’s mantlet has a fine texture and cutting marks. Don’t forget to
leave a slight gap around the gun barrel/ mantlet for the gun to recoil, as on the real machine.
For added realism, you can add
a few scar to the front fenders,  The tracks are now fully fitted, and have the relatively uncommon angled waffle pattern, with
as we did, by gouging suitable characteristically chunky appearance. To fit the tracks, start first by assembling links into manageable
indentations with a sharp hobby lengths before adding to the model. Single links can then be used to wrap around the idlers and drive
knife and then sanding the sprockets. Care must be taken here, as they are only meant to be fitted one way. When viewed from the
edges smooth with sanding sticks. front, the angle pattern on the track links with guide teeth should resemble a V shape.
For the painting process, Vallejo
paints and finishing products
were used in order to reproduce
an interesting colour scheme,
with hand-painted numbers and a
weathered appearance.
 All wheels are now assembled and fitted. In this kit, a choice of
spoked wheels with rubber tires or steel rims is included. Also
of note are the well detailed individual track links,  Our model build is complete. The only addition is brass wire for antennae and grab
although these do have ejector pin marks, which handle rods. Construction is easy, and just a small amount of filler has been used on the
must be removed by filing or sanding. hull joint areas.
 Trees have always been a favourite

camouflage medium for tankers, and we
wanted to reproduce the method in 1/35.
These branches and foliage are from a
Kamizukuri paper plant kit (available from
Hobbylink Japan: www.hlj.com). Those
 After airbrushing black primer into the rear engine grills and turret interior, apply grey of you with infinite patience could make
primer to the entire model. entire trees from this stuff!
Airfix Model World

60-64_t34tank JF.indd 61 17/11/2010 15:04

MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
 To create the turret numbers, it’s easier to apply the

necessary White first to the relevant area. Wanting to depict
different numbers than those provided by the kit, numerals
were hand painted in Vallejo Liquid Mask.
 The inclusion of one or more figures always bring life to any armour build or diorama.
In this case, we used a resin World War Two Russian Tank Officer, from the excellent Alpine
Miniatures range (#35004). Alpine’s figures feature crisp detail and the poses are always
well considered and realistic. Using an airbrush, we primed the tank commander figure,
which after drying, received a coat of Iraqi Sand on its flesh areas.
Arguably the most effective tank design from World War Two, this iconic piece
T-34... THE LOW-DOWN
of Russian armour was produced in larger numbers than any other example
of tracked armour during that conflict. It also influenced the design of the
German Panther tank. The very modern (for that time) ideas of sloped armour
and Christie type suspension, wide track for higher speed and better weight
dispersal on soft ground were all trademarks of the Betushka (BT-fast tanks).  Airbrush the entire hull and turret Sand Yellow,
then cut out the masking and apply to the areas
The first T-34s encountered by the Panzerwaffe in 1941 were superior to their
that will remain Sand Yellow as part of the
own, (with only the 88mm flak being able to counter them effectively), with main camouflage.
the 37mm Pak ammo just bouncing off them. And even the 50mm Pak 38
had to be within 100m to penetrate its armour.
Initial T-34s were equipped with the L-11 gun, followed by the longer F-34
76.2mm weapon, but eventually 85mm guns were employed in larger turrets.
Several tank destroyers and self-propelled guns were also produced on the
same chassis, with much variation in turret and wheels, the latter including
steel and rubber-tired examples. As testimony to the ruggedness and longevity
of the type, some T-34 variants were used until the 1980s.
 Russian Green covers the entire

superstructure and wheels, and
can be applied by airbrush.
 Once all of the masking has been

removed, a few drips of white applied
near the numbers will simulate rough,
shoddy brushwork.

60-64_t34tank JF.indd 62 17/11/2010 15:04

MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
 After a light touch-up on the tracks

with Track Primer, apply a dusting of Sand
Yellow and White (mixed with a high
proportion of thinner), in a streaking,
clouding pattern to lessen the contrast
between the two camouflage colors. Then
add heavily thinned White as highlights to
all edges and upper surfaces.
 Next apply Bronze Green to the

antennae, Dark Rubber to the tires and
Black Grey on the machine guns, inside the
gun barrel, exhaust pipes and sight.
 Adding Track Primer to spare track links,

and Light Rust to the exhausts, adds more
realism.
 Apply Light Sienna pigments mixed sparingly with water to the lower hull, running
gear and tracks with a stiff brush, and once cured, remove some of this with a dry, stiff
brush. Tow cables and exhausts require a coat of Red Ocre and water to further progress
the weathering. Treating the turret, deck and fenders to a covering of mostly water with a
touch of Light Sienna will imitate dirt and dust. A little of this can also be flicked from a
stiff brush onto the fenders as mud splattering.
 A mix of Raw Umber and Flesh Tone portrays streaks of rust,

originating from chips and scratches on the tank’s surface.
Dry-brushing the tracks with steel will achieve an authentic  Apply Black Shade wash in streaks and stains, as well as by a pin-point
metallic sheen. application process in recessed areas and around any raised detail.
Airfix Model World

60-64_t34tank JF.indd 63 17/11/2010 15:05

MILITARY BUILD
T-34 MODEL 76
 After a coat of Matt Varnish by airbrush,

apply Black Shade wash around some
of the wheel hubs to create a
grease-stained look.
 Add Natural Iron Oxide to the exhausts

so they take on a well-used appearance,
which is fitting for such a battle-hardened
beast. Unless you plan to extend your
weathering campaign further, this is your
last step to an authentic looking T-34
from the bloody, bitter clashes on the
Eastern Front.
In short... definitely. This is another superb kit from Dragon, with its
IS IT WORTH IT?
excellent detail, texture on the pressed turret and angled waffle pattern
track links. The engine deck screen and ventilation system are a great
inclusion, along with finer touches such as tie-downs and grab handles
in photo-etched brass, tow cables with early and late-type ends, three
types of hull machine gun covers. There are also metal hinges and
latches for the stowage boxes. Depending on your experience, all these
embellishments can be used or placed in the spares box until you feel
more adept at tackling this medium. Highly recommended to World War
Two armour fans, and if you find it hard to decide on paint schemes it
even includes captured German markings!

60-64_t34tank JF.indd 64 17/11/2010 15:05

SKILLS SCHOOL
ADVANCED PAINTING
painting the
other office
M
ost cockpits, historic
Robin Carpenter or modern, are small
continues his confined spaces: of
course this means
painting tutorial, they get scraped, chipped and
frequently dirty. To get a cockpit
and explains looking life-like and well-used
how to make takes patience and a little bit
of thought.
the cockpit look Many modellers assume a
cockpit is too small to bother
rugged and with because it can hardly be
'lived-in' — after seen. This attitude can be self-
defeating and deprive you of
all, dogfighting is the one of the great joys of
modelling — so let’s take a look at
a dirty business... how we can change things.
An excellent way to start
enhancing the cockpit is with
the instruments and
equipment. There are
three techniques
employed
to improve
instrument
panels and  It’s sometimes easier to paint an instrument panel while still on
cockpit the runner. If this is too cumbersome, attach the panel with Blu-Tack to
a piece of stiff card.
equipment:

66-69_skillsschool JF.indd 66 18/11/2010 11:29

SKILLS SCHOOL
ADVANCED PAINTING
• Paint the moulded on details.

• Apply decals, usually supplied
on a decal sheet or as a
separate purchase.
• Buy an aftermarket
pre-coloured etch set.
For this article I’m using a 1/32
scale BF110 cockpit. However, if
you are dealing with a 1/72 scale
cockpit then the detail will be
much smaller and just painting
the instrument bezels and a little
dry brushing will be sufficient.
You can also mix any of the
techniques mentioned above to
achieve your target.
The first approach is to prime
all the areas required and apply  Coloured cabling and switch boxes all help add life to a drab cockpit. In the case of the Bf 110, its large canopy allows easy
viewing of all your hard work — all the more satisfying!
a base colour in keeping with
the required colour scheme, in
this case RLM 02 for the general which are brighter, more intense the instrument. Dry brushing, the Model instructions will require
cockpit areas and RLM 66 for the shades would be correct. final step, is achieved by using a cockpit equipment, such as radio
instrument panel. Whatever scale As this project is in 1/32 scale, light colour or aluminium. boxes, to be painted black. To
you are modelling, try painting some decals have been Load the brush with inject depth, paint the shadow
using a magnifying glass. You used for instrument a small amount areas black while making the
will be surprised how much more faces and some of paint and paint on upper surfaces slightly
accurate your painting becomes. have been then wipe lighter. Use Tyre Black or
Starting with the instrument
panel using a 4/0 or 5/0 fine
painted. The
fine point of a
“To inject off into a
tissue. Test
Anthracite as the lighter shades.
On real aircraft sunlight will fade
pointed brush, start painting the cocktail stick depth, paint a stroke upper surfaces and dust will also
instrument interior and bezel or similar onto a settle on these areas, making
using a black. Some of your instrument the shadow piece of them appear lighter.
instruments can be painted Tyre
Black or Anthracite to give a little
can also be
used to touch
areas black” card to see
if too much
Once the instruments are
painted, assemble any parts to go
contrast. in clock faces paint shows. on the cockpit side walls and paint
or bezels. The If it does, then the base colour as necessary,
Hitting the Books red light in the top wipe more from then paint in all the detailed
Next check your references to right hand corner of the brush onto the wiring. The Luftwaffe used colour
see if some of the bezels are the panel is a 1mm red lens tissue, then very lightly coordination for their electrical
coloured; red, blue, green and available from Little-cars.com, stroke the brush over any raised systems, which made replacement
yellow are common. Carefully which sells various sizes and surface on the panel. A small from battle damage quicker. The
touch in the appropriate colour, colours, ideal for varying scales. amount of paint will be left on instructions do not give colour
and if you make a mistake just Once the decals are dry, put raised surfaces. notations for the wiring detail
touch in with a little black again. a small drop of varnish Continue the so research is necessary. When
Try not to make the colours too or Kristal Klear over technique until you first painted they look too bright,
bright, especially on WW2 aircraft, them to simulate are satisfied with but they will tone down when the
although for modern aircraft, the glass front to the effect. weathering wash is applied.
 Acrylic or oil, it’s up to you… but either way, washes are great for accentuating  Wash is applied to all detailed areas. If it blooms too much, gently remove the
fine detail and achieving greater realism. excess with a paint brush dampened with thinner.
Airfix Model World


SKILLS SCHOOL
ADVANCED PAINTING
 The Bf 110 has a bunch of rack-mounted magazines in the rear compartment. First  …then dry-brush the magazines with Metallic, and paint the handles the colour of
paint them Matt Black… leather. Now they look like the real thing.
Metal finishes can be them, around the rear gunner’s clay-based, acrylic, water-based, cockpit. This product is available
problematic to paint, but Mr position, seats etc. Again, the oil-based or dye-based, so choose from model railway outlets and
Hobby has a good range of sharpness of a metal colour will a material you are comfortable comes as an aerosol, but when
‘metalisers’ that can be be toned down with the with and don’t be afraid of getting you need a small quantity you can
brushed on without wash afterwards; bear it wrong because you can easily decant some into the lid and apply
leaving brush in mind on the real start again. With most washes with a brush. The beauty of this
marks. This aircraft some you can also mix colours to get a product is that if you get it wrong
material is areas had specific shade. A dye-based wash, you can wash it all off again, and
very thin so “You can primer under Modelmates, has been applied you can smudge it or decrease its
two coats
are usually
highlight the the cockpit
colour so
to the illustrated strength after application.
necessary. raised detail with chips and

Leave to
dry for a little dry scrapes
will not
five to ten brushing” necessarily go
minutes then right through
buff up using to bare
a soft cloth or a metal.
stiff bristle brush. All To weather
the guns and ammunition and highlight areas, a
drums illustrated were coloured wash can be used. When
in this manner, using dark applying a wash, bear in
iron. The leather handles were mind there are many
touched in afterwards. types available and
you can even make
That Used Look your own. They can be
Metal scrapes and chips are
applied next. These can be
achieved using a piece of sponge
or scouring pad, but don’t overdo
it. Use the sponge as you would
for dry brushing and don’t
overload it and try it out on a
piece of card first. Try to keep the
scrape effect to logical areas of
wear and tear, for example, the
rudder pedals and just in front of

SKILLS SCHOOL
ADVANCED PAINTING
 This is great trick for simulating scuffed paint: sparingly apply some Metallic  Any area which experiences a lot of use, or movement from the crew, is eligible for
using a piece of scouring pad. paint chipping.
For deep recesses or raised are happy with your results you remainder for areas as required adds a little extra interest to
detail, load up a fine brush can highlight the raised detail — and remember, you can always pieces of equipment.
with some dye and carefully with a little dry brushing of repaint small areas over the top Now you've got a realistic
touch it onto the area required the base colour again. Where of your wash. cockpit that looks like it's had a
and then let capillary action there is a lot of raised detail Now that your cockpit is pilot and crew in it, working
do some of the work for you. you can use a larger brush and nearing completion, it's time to hard in the heat of the action. ❚
Once you've got the first coat the whole area with the dry fit the various components
application on, you can apply wash. Then, with another large and check everything is in place, In the next issue, we’ll
more or reduce what you have brush just dampened with water, not forgetting the seatbelts. look at building and
done as required. When you soak up the excess and use the Placing a few decal placards painting the engines
 If your cockpit has a lot of

equipment, it’s easy to make it all life-
like with washes, dry brushing, paint
chipping and careful painting.
Airfix Model World


Give a gift that lasts MONTHLY
EUROPE’S BEST GENERAL AVIATION MAGAZINE
www.todayspilot.com
Europe’s best general
aviation magazine is
essential reading for
pilots and would-be pilots
featuring surveys, in-depth
flight tests, training,
navigation, technical issues,
meteorology and aircraft
systems. Today’s Pilot is
the magazine for people
who fly!
SAVE OVER £17
MONTHLY
THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE MILITARY AVIATION MAGAZINE
www.airforcesmonthly.com
AirForces Monthly is the
world’s leading modern
military aviation magazine
featuring the world’s
air forces, their conflicts,
weaponry and exercises.
It includes the hottest
world news, superb
photography and in-depth
reporting.
SAVE OVER £10
MONTHLY
007/10
IF IT’S IN THE AIR, IT’S IN AVIATION NEWS
Save www.aviation-news.co.uk
£20 *
over Aviation News combines
the very best in
commercial, modern
military, general and
historic aviation in an
easy-to-read format.
MONTHLY Each issue includes news
and articles on everything
from airliners to jet fighters
and historic warbirds.
THE NEW MONTHLY FOR ALL SCALE MODELLERS
www.airfixmodelworld.com SAVE £2
Airfix Model World is your

complete guide to the world of BI-MONTHLY
scale modelling, making it
essential reading for modellers TODAY’S GATEWAYS TO THE WORLD
with all levels of experience. www.airportsworld.com
Focusing on model aircraft, it also
FREE
Airports of the World
features cars, ships, sci-fi, space, covers all the latest news
armour and figures. gift card and features on the global
airport scene. Reporting
*Based on a 2 year subscription.

with every subscription on airports large and small
around the world, it includes
articles on both major city
hubs and smaller regional
airports to leisure and low
A subscription to a magazine is easy to arrange cost airports.
and makes a thoughtful and unusual present SAVE OVER £4
007 AMW subs.indd 2 18/11/2010 16:50

s all year round MONTHLY Go to www.keypublishing.com/xmas10 or call UK: 01780 480404 • Overseas: +44 1780 480404
FOR THE BEST IN MODERN MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Monday to Friday 9:00am until 5:30pm/24 hour answer machine or complete the coupon below
and post to: Christmas Subscriptions, PO Box 300, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1NA, United Kingdom
www.airinternational.com or fax to UK: 01780 757812 • Overseas: +44 1780 757812
AIR International is
dedicated to the best
in modern military and Payer’s details Delivery details (if different)
commercial aviation.
It includes all the latest Title ......................... First name ........................................................................ Title ......................... First name .......................................................
news reports, exclusive
interviews, air exercise
reports, airline profiles Surname .............................................................................................................. Surname .............................................................................................
and much more!
Address ............................................................................................................... Address ..............................................................................................
SAVE OVER £9 ............................................................................................................................... ..............................................................................................................
Town ................................................................................................................... Town ...................................................................................................
MONTHLY Postcode .................................................... Postcode ....................................................
THE GLOBAL AIRLINE SCENE Country .............................................................................................................. Country ..............................................................................................

www.airlinerworld.com
Airliner World is Email address (Please complete to receive news updates and offers from us by email.)
the world’s favourite
commercial aviation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
magazine featuring the
latest news, reviews of Please send gift card 
airlines, airports, and
aircraft; details of new
leases, colour schemes, SUBSCRIPTION PRICE
Number
deliveries and airline Title Tick here Frequency
of issues
UK Europe USA R.O.W
preservation from around
the world. Airfix Model World Monthly 24 £75.00 €109.00 $121.00 £89.00

SAVE OVER £10 Airfix Model World  Monthly 12 £39.90 €59.00 $65.00 £49.00
AIR International  Monthly 12 £41.00 €61.00 $69.00 £51.00
AirForces Monthly  Monthly 12 £41.00 €61.00 $69.00 £51.00

MONTHLY Airliner World  Monthly 12 £41.00 €61.00 $69.00 £51.00
AT THE HEART OF AVIATION HERITAGE Airports of the World  Bi-monthly 6 £21.00 €31.00 $35.00 £26.00
www.flypast.com Aviation News  Monthly 12 £46.00 €74.00 $89.00 £74.00
Britain’s biggest selling
aviation magazine devoted FlyPast  Monthly 12 £41.00 €61.00 $69.00 £51.00
to aviation history and
heritage, FlyPast features PC Pilot  Bi-monthly 6 £24.95 €43.00 $42.00 £35.00
global news, restoration
Today’s Pilot  Monthly 12 £30.00 €57.00 $59.00 £47.00
projects, museum
collections, the current
airshow scene and superb *Savings shown are rounded to the next pound sterling. Credit and debit card payments taken on line will be taken in sterling. Payments by phone and post will
photography. be taken in Euros and USD if appropriate to country of payer.
I enclose a cheque/check for £ ........................... or US $........................... made payable to Key Publishing Ltd.
SAVE OVER £9 Please debit my Mastercard  Visa  Maestro (UK only)  for £ ...........................
BI-MONTHLY Issue number* Expiry date 3 or 4 digit security number (last digits on reverse of card)
THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE FLIGHT SIMULATION MAGAZINE M M Y Y

www.pcpilot.net (*Maestro only)
From the most detailed

instrument-only simulator Signature ...................................................................................................................... Today’s date ...................................................................................
to fast-paced combat sims
and everything in between,
PC Pilot is your one-stop Readers in USA may place orders by telephone toll-free 800-676-4049 or fax 757-428-6253
shop for Flight Simulation!
Each issue includes a or by writing to: Key Magazine Subscriptions, 3330 Pacific Ave, Ste 404, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-982
FREE CD, exclusive news
stories, in-depth features,
tutorials and reviews. PAYMENT METHODS
Payments are accepted by cheque, postal order, credit/debit card, Giro (account no 2147556) and US dollar check. Payments by credit or debit card will be shown
on your statement as Key Publishing Ltd. Key Publishing will hold your details to process and fulfil your subscription order. Occasionally we may wish to contact you
to notify you of special offers on products or events. If you do not wish to receive this information, please tick here  or mention when calling.
SAVE OVER £4
OFFER CLOSE DATE 28 FEBRUARY 2011 PLEASE QUOTE: XMAS10
007 AMW subs.indd 3 18/11/2010 16:50

ADVANCED BUILD
MITSUBISHI A5M4 CLAUDE
odellers can be Cockpit

inspired by many construction
things: books, Carefully use a razor saw
old newsreel to part the finely detailed
footage or even a fancy decal resin cockpit parts from
sheet. And among these sources, their casting plugs. For
a good piece of aviation art is cleaning up and test-fitting,
always going to be a winner. use tape to hold everything
Aircraft specialist Ronald Wong together, including the
has produced wonderful work, fuselage halves. On
including this recent painting installing the cockpit, it
entitled The Weichow Incident, becomes apparent that
depicting a pair of Japanese it will not fit without the
Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude fighters fuselage sides being
attacking a civilian De Havilland reduced from within, and
DH.86. How could I resist? the bulkhead and instrument
For this project, I chose panel also need filing.
Classic Airframes’ A5M4,
which, although out of
production, is
frequently
available
at shows
or through
second-
hand dealers.
Typical of limited-
run kits, it lacks locating
 One-sided fight: Ronald Wong’s print bristles with energy — pins, and much
and provides inspiration for an excellent building project. test-fitting is required.

72-78_claudeJF.indd 72 17/11/2010 15:20

ADVANCED BUILD
Considerable scraping Matt Black is a good cockpit shows the ‘office’ as being side panels being narrower than
of the inner fuselage, undercoat if the final colour is Interior Green, but with certain the fuselage, so again, careful
with a curved blade, is relatively light. Spraying the boxes and the control column in test-fitting is necessary. The best
necessary, and a rough top colour, (in this bare alloy, and machine method is to temporarily secure
file and abrasive paper case Humbrol 78 gun breeches, other the floor and rear bulkhead with
will reduce the resin on the Interior Green, components and Blu-Tack, then offer up the side
cockpit parts. The trick is to tinted with 28 instruments in panels and mark where they
remove the plastic/resin a Light Grey), Black. Paint should fit with a pencil. Glue
little at a time, with test-fitting at an angle these items the floor/bulkhead section to
in between, so you don’t of 80-85 accordingly, the port fuselage, and add the
remove too much. Once you degrees and after pre-thinned side panels before
have achieved the correct fit, will result drying, dry fixing the cockpit floor/bulkhead
wash the re-worked parts with in dark brush the assembly into the already glued-
water and an old toothbrush to undercuts black parts together fuselage.
remove sanding dust. Once dry for a shadow with metallic
they will be ready for priming. effect. The paint to show Bodywork and engine
Light Grey wear and tear. For Now you can turn your attention
lightens the Green extra life, apply an to adding the vertical tail, and
to portray oil wash of Raw Umber this demands judicious rubbing
bleaching from the to the bulkhead and cockpit, to down, before flooding the join
Oriental sun. imitate the build-up of grime. with Liquid Poly.
For cockpit Paint individual switches and With the fuselage temporarily
detail, an details with a fine brush, and set aside, now focus on the
internet add a drop of Johnson’s Klear or Claude’s finely-cast Kotobuki
search leads to a thinned PVA to each instrument powerplant. The reduction gear
useful publication… face to imitate glazing. housing and cylinder casings
Mechanic of World The instructions would have offer great detail, but once each
Aircraft No.16 — Mitsubishi you build the whole cockpit as a cylinder is cut from the block,
Type 96 Carrier Fighter, featuring separate sub-assembly, but this file a slight bevel around the
excellent colour artwork that can result in the cockpit floor and attachment points to ensure
Airfix Model World

72-78_claudeJF.indd 73 17/11/2010 15:18

ADVANCED BUILD
 Care must be taken with the engine  Airbrush Matt Black onto the cockpit
cowling. It comes in two halves, which parts to act as a primer, and to create a
unfortunately differ in size. shadowed effect.
cowling, which would then be lower sections, both with each

fixed to the fuselage. This other, and to the fuselage at the
will impede later work, upper wing roots. Also, when the
though, so ignore the one-piece lower wing is offered
plans and proceed to to the fuselage, it fits poorly at
the undercarriage. the leading and trailing edges, so
Although the kit plastic must be filed away. Once
wheels are short a good fit is achieved, the lower
 The kit’s resin parts add great detail but need careful separation and
cleaning-up before use.
on detail, it doesn’t wing can be attached with liquid
matter because they’re cement.
 To ensure a better fit, the fuselage sidewalls need paring down with shrouded by spats. With regard to test-fitting the
a curved blade before the cockpit can be added. There is a slight miss- upper wings, there is a chord-
match in the undercarriage wise strengthening plate above
a perfect fit. Now give the whole Apply a wash of Raw Umber oil halves, but it’s soon remedied and below which needs to be
unit a coat of suitable metallic, to the cylinders before painting with filing. It's best to defer aligned — but by doing this,
in this case, Xtracolour X500 the cylinder heads Black. The attachment of the wheels until sizeable gaps may appear at the
Duralumin does the job. two-piece cowling comes next later in the build, once the spats wing roots. Filler alone will leave
Extra detail can be added here and you must address the fact have been fixed and painted. weak joints and be susceptible to
if desired. Drill holes in the ring that the halves are of a slightly Returning to the fuselage, cracking, so instead, add strips
around the gear housing and different size. Once they are rub down any filled sections of plastic card cut to match the
corresponding cylinder heads to together, a half-round file and with various grades of Wet and profile of the aerofoil. Drop them
accept some ignition cables. Fine Wet and Dry paper will easily Dry, before turning to the wing into the gaps and flood the join
lead wire from Plus Model was deal with the problem. assembly and attachment. Dry with liquid cement. This will
my chosen medium, because it The kit instructions now direct fitting will reveal a poor match ensure strength, although they
is very soft and easy to shape. you to fit the engine into the between the upper and one-piece may still need a dash of filler.

72-78_claudeJF.indd 74 17/11/2010 15:18

advanced build
Mitsubishi A5M4 clAude
 The cockpit parts received a slightly  For further detail, cut seat belts from
lightened coat of Interior Green over the the foil found around the tops of some
Black primer. wine bottles.
 Belt holes can be added using a pin held by an X-acto knife handle.
It may take several attempts, but it's worth the extra effort.
 The cockpit parts, having received detail painting, weathering

and an oil wash.
 Close-up of the instrument panel. Add Johnson’s Klear or thinned PVA to
the instruments to portray glazing.
 The resin cockpit parts in situ, after much test-fitting, which is strongly
recommended.
The pre-assembled because the engine-bearing face

undercarriage spats still need of the fuselage must be filed
to be attached, but due to their down, along with the rear of the
slightly reduced size, the mating radial engine, to ensure a perfect
face ends up smaller than the fit. You’ll need to remove about a
raised attachment point on the millimetre from each, but test-fit
wing. For accurate placement, the components first.
measure the chord of the spats Now is also a good time to
and drill a small hole in the re-scribe lost panel line detail,
centre. Do the same with the and this can be done with a
raised portions on the wing, by purpose-made tool, or sharp
dressmaker’s pin placed in
an X-acto knife handle.
Now attach the

drilling a corresponding hole, undercarriage units. Superglue
then sand off the raised section. a short piece of steel rod
These holes are drilled to into each one to form
accommodate steel rod locating pins and
which will give the butt-joint insert the pins into  Use Plus Model fine lead wire to imitate ignition cabling before
greater strength, and ensure pre-drilled holes in detail painting, and add a wash.
accurate placement. the wing undersides.
The engine and cowling can Glue with Liquid Poly,  The resin engine with some of the cylinders already fitted.
now be attached, but take care and fill any gaps. Bevel the cylinder bottoms for a better fit.
Airfix Model World

72-78_claudeJF.indd 75 17/11/2010 15:19

advanced build
mitsubishi a5m4 claude
The colour scheme The coloured elements now

A Natural Metal finish demands need adding, such as the first
a very smooth undercoat, so part of the fuselage band in
after blocking off the engine and White, the Black engine cowling
cockpit with kitchen paper, spray and the red tail unit. Use
the model with a Matt Light Humbrol 60 Scarlet for the latter
Grey undercoat. To make this as it’s a good match, and for all
smoother, polish it with a pad the coloured sections, masking
made of kitchen towel, which is tape will ensure crisp lines.
 Once the wing is attached, its poor fit  Those offending wing root gaps, abrasive enough to bring on the Now the White diagonal bands
becomes even more apparent. viewed from the front before filling.
desired effect without digging on the vertical tail must be
 An undercarriage unit with home-made
into the paint. After masked, followed by
strengthening pin attached. polishing, apply the the red portions of
metal coat, and the two-colour
 There are some very prominent seams and for this build fuselage band.
gaps that need to be fixed — typical traits of Xtracolour’s Be sure to
a limited-run model. X142 press down
Aluminium firmly on
does the the edges
trick. of the
After masking
overnight tape to
drying, and prevent
for some extra paint creep.
shine, polish Deviation from
the paint with SNJ the kit scheme
powder and a soft cloth. poses the challenge of
Humbrol Modelcote Gloss applied creating new tail codes, and it’s
through an airbrush will seal it a fine time to attempt home-
all and only slightly degrade the made masks. There are various
shine. If anything, the lessening ways of doing this, but an easy
of the lustre is not entirely method exists if you have the
inaccurate, as oxidisation of book Flying Colours and a
aircraft metal occurs gradually as computer and printer. The book
the aircraft ages. has a colour profile of the same
76 airfix model World

72-78_claudeJF.indd 76 17/11/2010 15:19

ADVANCED BUILD
 The tails with their attaching pins fixed in place.
THE WEICHOW INCIDENT... WHAT HAPPENED?

 After priming, a coat of Xtracolour X142 Aluminium
was added, then polished with SNJ powder. After
sealing this with gloss varnish, the coloured
elements were masked and sprayed in stages.
During the months before World War Two, Imperial Airways flew a route
from Kai Tak, in Hong Kong, to Hanoi, French Indo-China.
The service was used by diplomats and on November 7, 1939, three
passengers boarded the airline’s De Havilland DH.86B. More commonly
known as the Express, it was, in essence, a four-engine Dragon Rapide
equipped to carry ten passengers, pilot and navigator/radio operator.
On this fateful flight, the pilot was Captain Joseph N. Wilson, assisted
by First Officer, Mr JF Raeburn. The Express (HB183/G-ADUE), named
‘Dardanus’, departed Kai Tak at 22.58 hrs GMT, carrying three passengers
and diplomatic mail. By 01.30 GMT, the aircraft was between seven and
aircraft, so scan the tail portion Don’t forget to fill in the circular ten miles south of Weichow Island, flying at 4,000ft, on a heading of 256
of the artwork and import the portion of both number nine degrees and in 30-mile visibility.
image into a Word document. digits with Scarlet. At that point, Raeburn had control while Wilson was updating the
This will allow you to tinker with navigation log, but the flight was violently interrupted by a loud rattling
the percentage size until it looks Decal fun and final and both crew members realised they were under attack. While Wilson
about right. Print the image and touches assumed control, Raeburn relayed an SOS, followed by the message: “We
glue it to some masking tape, Just a small number of the kit are being fired on from the air.”
on a cutting mat. When dry, decals will be used so this stage As Captain Wilson’s report states:“They attacked from behind and I could
carefully cut out the lettering is short, but you should find see tracer bullets ahead of me. From observation of the track of the bullets,
with a fresh scalpel that Classic Airframes’ decals the attackers were about the same height of 4,000ft. I then opened the
blade. It takes practice, but adhere perfectly with the use throttle fully, changed course to a southerly heading away from the island,
eventually you’ll master it. Apply of Micro Sol and Set. The upper and dived to increase the speed from the 156 miles ground speed at
your home-made masks to wing Hinomarus may need a which I’d been flying.”
the tail, and airbrush Matt White. little extra help from something
The pilot turned north and by this time the aircraft sank to just 50ft. Wilson
After a drying period, stronger, such as Daco extra-
manoeuvred the Express to evade further streams of tracer, and three
carefully remove the masks and strong decal fluid, to overcome
miles off Weichow Island, he ordered Raeburn to ditch the diplomatic bag.
examine the two small bumps on the
Wilson had to climb in order to avoid Weichow’s steep cliffs, but as he
your results. wings. After overnight drying,
did so, he could still see bullets splashing in the sea below. Minutes
If your a clear coat can be added to
later, Wilson landed on the island’s Japanese-held airfield, at 01.45
masking wasn’t seal in the decals and protect
GMT. Soldiers swarmed around the aircraft, and crew and passengers
tight and you’ve the airframe from the subtle
had creep, it can be wash to be added. were marched off. The crew was not allowed to examine the aircraft, but
addressed with brush- For Natural Metal or Silver Raeburn did notice that the port tyre was punctured, and the airframe and
painting or re-masking. aircraft, Raw Umber oil baggage were riddled with bullet holes.
Passengers and crew were confined to an off-airfield hut guarded by
troops, and were questioned by the camp commander. Shortly after noon
the following day, the captives were marched aboard a Japanese transport
aircraft, its destination being Canton, where it landed two hours later.
Commander Houda, Liasion for the Imperial Japanese Navy, spirited away
the passengers, but Wilson and Raeburn were instructed to follow Cdr
Houda’s interpreter, and it was the last the crew saw of the passengers.
Pilot and First Officer were kept at the official Residence in the city,
and experienced further interrogation. Despite being able to keep
each other’s company, the crew remained under armed guard, and
their pleas to make contact with the British Consul were ignored. On
Sunday, November 12, Wilson and Raeburn were handed a copy of the
previous Thursday’s Hong Kong newspaper, and were allowed to listen
to the 1.30pm radio news. The following day at 10am, Cdr Houda
accompanied the men to the Japanese Embassy, where they were
handed over to Mr Leonard Scopes of the British Consular Service, and Lt
Cdr Waite of HMS Moth. Two days later, both crew members returned as
passengers to Honk Kong, via Macao.
The whole incident was hushed-up, and then eclipsed by the subsequent
 The masks have been removed and any war between Germany and Great Britain. The matter was resolved
imperfections can be sorted with a small brush. to some degree, when in 1961 the Japanese Government paid an
undisclosed lump-sum to the UK for this and other acts of aggression.
 The home-made masks are now in place.
Airfix Model World

72-78_claudeJF.indd 77 17/11/2010 15:19

ADVANCED BUILD
paint, thinned to a very runny Make sure you drill a hole oil, excellent for the fishing line, keeping it taught.
consistency, is appropriate. Apply in the front panel of imitating leather. It can then be fixed with more
it sparingly to all panel lines, and the windscreen, The propeller cyano glue and accelerant for a
allow it to dry for 30 minutes to accept the still needs speedy result. Finally, give it a trim
before removing the excess with a gun sight. It’s assembling, with a new scalpel blade or nail
lint-free cloth. also better so clean up scissors.
For realism, wipe off the excess in to paint the the blades And with that, your handsome
the direction of the airflow, windscreen and fix Claude is finished! ❚
as any leaks would automatically separately them to
drift rearwards. before you the resin
Mushroom Model Publishing’s
REFERENCE MATERIAL
For a final varnish coat, apply attach it. prop-boss.
another layer of Humbrol’s Paint the All the book on the Claude is highly
Modelcote Gloss, and once dry, the pilot’s head prop parts recommended because it has
delicate items such as the resin pad on the rear require a coat a black and white photograph
arrestor hook, pitot tube and gun bulkhead with of Aluminium, and of ‘9-151’, the actual aircraft
sight can be added after painting. Burnt Sienna once they have dried, being built here. It was flown
you can then add the kit’s red by the ace Lt Motonari Suhoh,
warning stripe decals. who recorded a total of 11
Paint wingtip and upper mid-wing victories. Also, Green and
lights with Clear Red and Green, Swanborough’s Flying Colours
port and starboard respectively, shows a colour illustration of
and the engine exhausts Humbrol ’9-151’
98 Chocolate, which is just right • Mitsubishi A5M Claude,
for aging ‘pipes’. by Tadeusz Januszeswki,
Now you can slip the wheels into Mushroom Model Yellow
the spats, which leaves only the Series (Stratus) no.6107.
radio aerial to be created. Ours ISBN 83-917178-0-1
was fashioned from light breaking- • Flying Colours,
strain fishing line of around 1lb. by William Green and
Drill a tiny hole in the tail’s leading Gordon Swanborough
edge, and insert one end of the (Tiger Books International),
fishing line with a tiny drop of
ISBN 1-85501-097-6
cyanoacrylate. Make a very
small anchor point for
the mast from plastic
card, in which a small
 The aircraft looks fantastic once its coloured hole must be drilled,
bands and decals have been added. and attach it to
the trailing edge of
 Much of the kit decal sheet were relegated to the spares box in the mast. Paint the
this build, but some individual markings were be used and attachment point,
adapted for the chosen scheme. and thread through

72-78_claudeJF.indd 78 18/11/2010 11:06

ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT BOOKS
CREATING A STORM OVER EUROPE

during World WarTwo. The aircraft now seen fit to put these missions For both aviation buffs and World
provided close-air support into print. War Two historians, there’s plenty
to the British and Canadian Even if you already have books of drama here to pore over and
armies during the invasion on the 2nd TAF, you'll discover examine. And for modellers, yet
of northwest Europe. The 20 in these pages a wealth of new again Osprey has shown its knack
Typhoon squadrons in the 2nd material on the squadrons and for providing ideal inspirational
Tactical Allied Air Force (2nd TAF) the command structure of the reference material. It's definitely
strafed and bombed their way organisation. The bounty of new time to start building that next
across Europe, clearing a path for information comes courtesy of Typhoon model. GS
Allied armour and troops. The the hard work of author Chris
missions of the aircraft and pilots Thomas, who has unearthed new By: Chris Thomas
BOOK SPEC
who flew them have become sources. The fascinating account
ISBN: 978-1-84603-
legendary over the years. Often of Typhoon operations during the
scraping along at tree-top height Normandy landings are riveting 973-7
in the face of murderous AAA, or stuff, along with a gripping section Price: £12.99
Typhoon Wings of 2nd TAF chasing German supply trains into on ‘Cloak and Dagger Jobs’, Format: A5
1943-45 tunnels before destroying them, recalling pin-point attack missions
From: Osprey
The Typhoon was the RAF’s pilots faced danger at every turn. flown in the aircraft at the bidding
Publishing
heavyweight fighter-bomber It’s no wonder that Osprey has of Allied intelligence services.
A DOOMED DREAM?
TSR2 Britain’s Lost Cold War defences improved, the V-Force through to the limited number of
Strike Aircraft became ineffective. Without test flights, are presented here in
The RAF’s V-Force was the the ability to fly fast and low, an easy-to-read format.
backbone of Britain’s nuclear the V-Bombers would have There’s plenty of new material
deterrent and throughout succumbed to Soviet SAMs here as well, and the author has
the 1960s its very existence and their usefulness would done a great job of clearing up
promised any aggressor such undoubtedly expire. A new low- some of the urban myths that
a powerful and destructive level aircraft capable of flying at still surround the aircraft. Was
response that the United supersonic speeds was needed it really a groundbreaking strike
Kingdom remained invulnerable for the RAF, utilising break- aircraft? Or simply a flawed
to attack. But when the Soviet through technology of the day. concept from the outset that
Given such a highly charged was built in an effort to
By: Tim McLelland backdrop, it’s no wonder the demonstrate to the world that
BOOK SPEC
TSR2 story still provokes strong Britain could keep up with

ISBN: 978-1-906
emotions among aviation aerospace technology of the which severed as a radar test-
537-19-7 enthusiasts even today, given time — at all costs? bed for the programme. There’s
Price: £19.99 + (p/p) the failure of the aircraft to While it’s a shame that not more plenty here for both the aviation
Format: A4 enter operational service — pictures of the TSR2 exist, all historian and the modeller alike.
perhaps through no fault of its the classic images are here, plus If you are thinking of making an
From: keypublishing.
own. All of the highs and lows of some that haven't been seen Airfix TSR2 you’ll certainly need
com/shop
the development programme, elsewhere; check out Buccaneer, this work. GS
THE VERY BEST OF BRITISH

Britain’s Military Aircraft in was taken and, where possible, to make a Valetta covered in day-
Colour 1960-1970 Volume One the eventual fate of the aircraft. glo panels or a Canberra in the
This brand new publisher has Brilliant stuff. red and white training colours.
made a great start with its first Martin Derry certainly knows If British military aircraft from
title, a photographic montage what the reader wants — including the glory days are your area of
from the heyday of British rarely seen colour images of the interest, this will definitely hit the
airpower, the 1960-1970s, overall blue Hunter F.6 WW598, mark. Bring on volume two! GS
covering three specific types in which served with the Radar
service. Included in volume one Research Establishment. The By: Martin Derry
BOOK SPEC
are Hunters, Canberras, Valettas book is full of pictures like this,

ISBN: 978-0-955
and Vampire T1s from serving which make the reader pause and
4268-2-7
frontline squadrons through to think, ‘I’ve never seen that before
the various test establishments — might be a model possibility.’ Price: £12.95
that were located throughout In addition to the wealth of Format: A5
the UK. Each image is supplied images, there are four views of
From: Flight Recorder
with an extended caption listing each aircraft, supplying all the
Publications
the squadron, where the photo information a modeller will need

80-81_air books gs JF.indd 80 18/11/2010 10:27

ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT BOOKS
RUSSIA’S BATTLEFIELD TAXI

arms and has always attracted event of a World War Three, as the material out there, and what the
attention wherever it turns up. author explains. author has included is certainly
Having been in service since the The upgrades that have been stunning, but the subject is still
late 1960s, the type has been on made during the helicopter's 40 crying out for more information
the frontline in countless wars and year service are all described and, and images. Given the access the
border clashes around the world. where possible, backed-up with author had to operational units,
Russian aviation expert Alexander colour images, although some of this should have been possible.
Mladenov charts the entire history these are relatively small to be of Bu then, a dedicated Hind fan is
of this unique assault transport, any use. The combat reports are always going to want more! GS
which was steadily upgraded over excellent, and relatively detailed,
the years to cope with the ever- but they could have done with By: Alexander Mladenov
BOOK SPEC
increasing threats from AAA when being even more in-depth, with
ISBN: 978-1-84603
operating over a battlefield. extra space to be supplemented
Developed during the Cold War to with illustrations - perhaps with -953-9
counter the threat posed by NATO either a map or series of diagrams Price: £9.99
tank regiments and then deployed illustrating the battles. Format: A5
Mil Mi-24 Hind Gunship in West Germany, the Hinds would Overall this title would have been
From: Osprey
The Mi-24 Hind has no direct have operated in 'hunting packs' much better if it had been twice
Publishing
equivalent in the West’s air in wartime over Europe in the the size. There’s plenty of new
WONDER OF THE WIDOW MAKER

Italian Starfighters as the jet was dubbed, on the of those pilots and engineers
The F-104 Starfighter has a British airshow circuit — the involved with getting the F-104
legion of spotters who were later generations of fighter jets into operational service in Italy
left with a terrible gap in their just don’t have the charisma, many years ago, to those pilots
aviation enthusiast world when or howling engine noise of this who flew the last operational
the Italian Air Force finally 1950s classic. sortie in 2005.
retired its last F-104s. For many As a tribute to the Starfighters Plenty of images from private,
in the UK it meant the end of that served within the Italian company and official air force
seeing an airworthy ‘Zipper’ Air Force, David Cenciotto, sources are used to illustrate
well-known for his articles in the story and the author,
By: David Cenciotti Air Forces Monthly on Italy’s an accomplished air-to-air as the top choice to acquire
BOOK SPEC
military aviation scene, has photographer in his own right, on Italian F-104 operations.
ISBN: 978-88- published this heavyweight title includes some stunning shots This book gets the highest
96723-00-5 covering the entire operational of his own within the 200-plus recommendation possible, and
Price: €45 + (p/p) history of the F-104 within the pages here. hopefully the author will now
Format: A4 air arm. Published in a landscape Only rarely is a book seen as a turn his attention to other IAF
format so the pictures can be ‘benchmark’ to which all other types in service such as the
From: Aviator
printed just that bit bigger, relevant titles can be compared, Tornado — but this isn't a classic
Edizioni the author has interviewed all and this will no doubt be seen just yet. GS
SPOTLIGHT ON AXIS AVIATION

photographs gathers apace, and Anyone planning a build of the is portrayed with colour artwork and
it’s a good job too. These images Hs 126 (Vector makes a beauty in black and white photos.
are LIF’s stock-in-trade, and they 1/48) will delight in the following Arguably, though, the best part
continue to inspire and inform. images, showing the type in of this edition is the extended
Issue 17 opens with a humorous winter whitewash, and there’s coverage of the 5cm cannon-
pair of photos of an ingenious also a close-up of the rear crew toting Me 410s of ZG 26, with 12
field lavatory made from an member climbing aboard. pages devoted to the subject,
800lit drop tank. It may not The Tails page explores the kill which will have you reaching for
aircraft-related, but the diorama tally of Fw. Alfred Miksch of the 1/72 Fine Moulds kit. CC
possibilities prompt a smile. 8./JG 1, and in the Personal
The Fighters section then offers a Emblems chapter, the aircraft and By: Axel Urbanke
BOOK SPEC
superb collection of pictures of markings of Lt. Walter Köhne are

ISBN: 978-3-94
Bf 109Es, in flight, camouflaged on revealed, with a superb colour
1437-05-0
the ground and during a wheels- profile by Claes Sundin.
up engine run. Most fascinating A crash-landed Stuka from Price: £16.99
Luftwaffe im Focus No.17 is the photographic coverage of 2./St.G. 77 fills the Colour Photos Format: A4
(Luftfahrtverlag Start) a SC2500 heavy bomb, which spread, and following on, the
From: The Aviation &
The seemingly inexhaustible is pictured on a cradle with a Bf 110 D5+AA flown by the
Military Book Centre
supply of unpublished Luftwaffe Luftwaffe officer to lend scale. legendary night-fighter Helmut Lent
Airfix Model World

80-81_air books gs JF.indd 81 18/11/2010 10:27

ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT BOOKS
DANISH DELIGHT
What a refreshing change to see a In these pages you'll find Air Force. The images provide
book dedicated to an air arm that breathtaking shots of Danish modellers with ideal source
is often overlooked or only given F-100 Super Sabres, wearing that material and plenty of inspiration.
coverage of its F-16s. This is a grubby overall green camouflage. If you’re not already planning to
high-quality, 'coffee-table' photo- On page 55, marvel at an F-100F build a Danish F-104 Starfighter
spread publication illustrating with its engine removed — surely or an F-100 Super Sabre, or an
aircraft that have been used a perfect diorama idea for the Alouette III, you'll be making new
in operational service with the Trumpeter kit? plans after a look at this book. GS
Flyvevabnets (Danish Air Force). The text isn't neglected, though.
The authors state that this title A brief operational history is By: Alf Blume and
BOOK SPEC
is not intended to be a definitive given of each aircraft covered, Jan Jorgensen
history of the air arm, but rather detailing its entry into service and
ISBN: 978-87-99
a photographic record — and what completed with a breakdown of
3688-0-8
a record it is! Jan Jorgensen is where and with which squadron
well-known for his photographic the types are assigned. Price: £42.99
work in our sister publications Although the high price of the Format: A4
Flyvevabnet: Scenes from Danish Air Forces Monthly and Air book may put off some customers,
From: The Aviation
Military Aviation History International, and he doesn’t this is a 'one-stop shop' for visual
Bookshop
Nordic Airpower One disappoint here either. reference on the modern Danish
JAGUAR DE-CLAWED
Sepecat Jaguar Tactical aircraft was very much left And where are
Support and Maritime on the sidelines as far as the examples in
Strike Fighter good reference books were the old grey/green
Until the Gulf War of 1991, the concerned. At the end of the camouflage?
Sepecat Jaguar was very much RAF’s involvement in Operation This book doesn't
an unsung hero in the RAF, Granby, publishers clamoured seem to fall into
with the media and publishers to get books out on the Jaguar any category with
focused on the Tornado and and while some have since certainty. The
Harrier. The low-level strike become classics, others were profile artwork
best left on the shop shelf. is great, but the
By: Dave Windle and This new title by Pen-and-Sword text doesn’t deliver anything far better as a simple artwork
BOOK SPEC
Martin Bowman falls into the latter category. new about the aircraft in RAF compilation, with plenty of
It's true that the side profiles service — and the pictures, profiles, top views and perhaps
ISBN: 978184
are remarkable, the level of most of which have all been a list of squadrons and colour
884273
detail incorporated into the seen before, are all in black and references. Artist Dave Windle
Price: £19.99 artwork is stunning and it's white, and their reproduction has remarkable talent, and it’s
Format: A5 a good idea to include both could have been far better. This a shame that it was not used to
From: Pen and sides of the aircraft, but there is not really up to scratch at its full potential and matched by
Sword is disappointly no plan view to today’s prices. the accompanying material to
complete the chapter. This book would have been create an ideal package. GS
EXPLORE THE GIANT DELTA

Avro Vulcan 1952 Onwards (B2) along with the story of the current photographs of items such as
Owners’ Workshop Manual airshow darling’s genesis. Of the Seven-Store Carrier with
Anyone familiar with the progress course, the B.2’s record-breaking 1,000lb bombs, AGM-45 Shrike
of XH558’s resurgence will know missions during the Falklands and pre-Falklands trialled Martel
that actually owning and operating War feature, and rightly so, but are missing. There are, however,
the Vulcan is a Herculean task… the Vulcan enjoyed a long career several pictures of Blue Steel,
and the pages of this book only and its tanker, Maritime Radar Skybolt and Yellow Sun stores. CC
reinforce the issue. Packed Reconnaissance and nuclear roles
with superb photographs of are also explained. By: Price/Blackman/
BOOK SPEC
the airframe, and cockpit close- A Mike Badrocke cutaway and Edmondson
ups, it’s a boon for anyone original factory drawings top off
contemplating building the ‘Tin what will be a highly prized work, ISBN: 978-1-84425
Triangle’, and access to XH558’s particularly for anyone wanting -831-4
restoration has produced some to complete a more complex Price: £19.99
vital imagery. build with scratch-building and Format: A4
Aircrew perspectives are after-market parts. Sadly, though,
From: Haynes
included, describing exactly what in-depth imagery on the aircraft’s
Publishing
it’s like to fly and work in the beast, weapons is lacking. As it stands,

82-83_other books JF.indd 82 18/11/2010 11:34

ON THE SHELF
BOOKS & DVDS
AIRCRAFT MODELLER HANDBOOK

Static Model Manual Volume Two This second volume of the TIN POTTED
– Building and Painting Static Model Manual focuses on HISTORY
Modern Fighters Modern Fighters with in-depth Tracing the history
There’s an old saying that guides on building and finishing of the Avro’s ‘tin
‘you can never have too much the Academy’s 1/32 F/A-18C, triangle’ into just
reference material’, and this is Trumpeter’s 1/48 Su-15 Flagon 56 minutes takes
certainly true of modelling guides. and Academy’s 1/48 MiG-21 to some doing, and
There’s always a handy reference name just a few. What makes unfortunately this
tip or new technique that proves this title stand out from the rest DVD falls short in
this context. Chapters focus on
to be a real gem and will solve a is the remarkably easy to follow
specific sections of the Vulcan's
modelling problem that may have layout — not only on each page
career and the best one deals
kept you stalled for years. but in the chapter breakdown with the Skybolt programme
as well. Want to know how to in glorious colour. Not only do
By: Girolamo Lorusso
BOOK SPEC
polish canopies? Page 34 of The Italian publishers have a we see great close-ups of the
ISBN: 88-88711-34-8 the coloured coded section. It’s certain flair for delivering good, missiles, but also the pylons
Price: £16.99 brilliant and just what a modeller practical modelling guides and and the Vulcan in flight, carrying
needs to make the most of that this one doesn’t disappoint. To one underneath each wing. The
Format: A4
model bench piled high with kit rework an old marketing phrase, DVD is worth the price if only
From: Auriga Publishing parts, paints and an assortment ‘It does exactly what is says on for this footage, though it is not
International of instruction sheets. the cover.’ GS the ultimate guide to the classic
V-bomber.
THE MARANELLO MARVELS IN FLIGHT WITH

THE MOSQUITO
Ever wondered about
a more enlightened view by than satisfies. All those Ferrari
what it was like to
including accounts from factory, flourishes, such as badges,
sit in the cockpit of
design and styling house staff. grilles, wheels and styling
a Mosquito with flak
The company’s shift from front- are very clear and offer good flying past you and a
to mid-engined cars in the 1960s reference points. mission to complete?
and 1970s, and back to front- The only minor flaw is that fans Well, these days the
engined designs in the 1990s, is of the company’s thoroughbred closest you’ll come
also covered in detail. race vehicles will be disappointed is right here in the
It’s a beautiful photo-album with as only a handful appear, but if flying displays on this DVD. It's
substance, and is a revealing you like the road cars there is got plenty of footage from the
examination of Ferarri’s most much to excite and inspire. CC late 1980s, when the UK was
breathtaking marques. Names fortunate enough to have two
Ferrari Design – such as Pinin Farina, Ghia and ‘wooden wonders’ on the airshow
By: Glen Smale
BOOK SPEC
The Definitive Study Scaglietti are prominent, and circuit. For the ‘Mossie’ enthusiast
ISBN: 978- there’s not much here that you
Having produced what are their handiwork leaps from the
1844254873 won’t have seen before, but if
arguably some of the most page in glorious Rubino Rosso
you’re just getting to know De
beautiful sports cars ever, Ferrari and other equally attractive Price: £40
Havilland’s finest aircraft, you’d
has seen many books examining shades. For the car modeller, Format: A4 be wise to make this DVD your
its long career. But this work, by there is little going on ‘under the next buy.
From: Haynes
respected motoring journalist hood’, but in terms of finish and
Publishing
Glen Smale, seeks to portray external details, the book more PRO MODELLER DVD NO 19
TAMIYA 1/32 SPITFIRE MK.IX
With a running time of 210
NASA MACHINES UNRAVELLED minutes in seven parts, you'll be
dedicating some serious time to
Apollo 11 1969 (including Saturn V, inspiration, the history chapters this video build. It may be a new
CM-107, SM-107, LM-5) ably set the scene by describing concept for you if you're used
If you’re a budding space modeller, the project as a whole, giving to wading through reference
Haynes’ tome on the 1969 Apollo biographies of astronauts and books to complete your build,
programme will be useful. For other NASA notables. Then the but by the end of programme
you'll be ready to watch the
superlative Saturn V rocket is
entire show again. Philip Flory’s
By: Christopher Riley explained through good quality
easy going manner works a
BOOK SPEC
& Phil Dolling photographs, diagrams and text.

treat as he explains how to get
Command and Service Modules the very best from Tamiya’s kit
ISBN: 978-1-844 receive the same treatment, along using only those
25683-9 with the strange-looking Lunar items in the box,
Price: £19.99 Module. The LM is a complex beast, with easy to follow
Format: A4 with its angles and metres of techniques that
coloured foil, so further reference produce advanced
From: Haynes results.Thoroughly
material is invaluable. If Real Space
Publishing is your thing, buy this book. CC recommended.
Airfix Model World

82-83_other books JF.indd 83 18/11/2010 11:35

ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
METEORIC EARLY JET

AUSTRO-HUNGARIANS BI-PLANE
Gloster Meteor F.3

The Gloster Meteor seems to be a hot subject to model, with several
manufacturers releasing RAF post-war examples, and this first offering Albatross D.III Oeffag 153
from Dragon is a welcome, albeit expensive, addition. It's a significant This latest Albatross incarnation, accurate and well-made, depicts the
improvement over the Airfix kit. Moulded to the highest standards with D.III Oeffag 153, built by Oesterreichische Flugzeugfabrik AG, which
finely engraved lines, and a cockpit tub, which comprises nine separate had a new engine and armament. Eduard’s ProfiPACK release has five
parts, it’s clear that no expense has been spared. Separate flaps, a rudder brown sprues, plain and coloured etched-metal, masks, and decals:
and etched dive brakes add to the overall package. A stunning wartime RAF • 153.27, Georg Kenzian, Flik 55/J,
Meteor will result that won’t require any aftermarket additions. Pergine, Winter 1917 By: Eduard
PRODUCT SPEC
• 616 Sqn, Lubeck, 1945. • 153.52, Godwin Brumowski, Flik
By: Dragon Item no: 8241
PRODUCT SPEC
• 74 Sqn, Colerne, 1945. 41/J, Passarella, February 1918

• 616 Sqn, RAF Manston, 1945. Item no: 5044 • 153.137, Josef Novak, Flik 41/J, Scale: 1/48
• 616 Sqn, England, 1945. (overall Torresella, January 1918 Price: £20.99
Scale: 1/72
white) • 153.186, Flik 55/J, Pergine,
Price: £26.99 Available from:
• 257 Sqn, RAF Horsham St.Faith, May 1918
Eduard,
1947. Available from: • 153.140, Eugen Bonsch, Flik 51/J,
www.eduard.cz
• 500 Sqn, RAuxAF, West Mailing, Amerang, Ghirano, Spring 1918
1948. (high-speed silver) www.amerang.co.uk
‘DOUBLE UGLY?’ NOT SO THIS TIME

TRIUMPHANT TROP TWIN
F-4EJ Kai Phantom II

Another boxing of Hasegawa’s 1/72 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, which for
Bf 110E/E-2 Trop some may seem like a simple money making move, but many of us love
Continuing the success of its earlier Bf 110C/D, Airfix has now these Japanese Self-Defence Air Force (JSADF) special schemes. Using
issued the next variant in the series the Bf 110E in a Western Desert the standard Kai kit, which makes its way to UK stores occasionally or
scheme. Utilising the same basic moulds as before but with the can be obtained via internet hobby stores, the model still comes without
necessary parts for an E/E-2, this welcome release includes optional a suitable weapon load in the box, which is surprising considering the
tail sections with take account of the Luftwaffe practice of storing a relatively high price these kits have now reached. But it’s the decal
lift raft in the tail of the fuselage. sheet that is the focus for anybody
By: Airfix
PRODUCT SPEC
A great kit for 110 fans — bring on buying this package and this By: Hasegawa
PRODUCT SPEC
a night-fighter variant Item no: A03081 boxing doesn’t disappoint, with

Item no: 01919
please, Airfix! Scale: 1/72 the emphasis on the anniversary
• Bf 110E-2/Trop 8./ of 302 Sqn, which includes some Scale: 1/72
Price: £7.99
Zerstorergeschwader 26, North stunning detail on the intakes and Price: £24.33
Africa, 1941. Available from: a very angry looking shark’s mouth
Available from:
• Bf 110E 7./Zerstorergeschwader Airfix, on the nose.
Hobbylink Japan,
26, Derna, Libya, 1942. www.airfix.com • 302nd Squadron, 7th Air Wing,
www.hlj.com
JASDF, Hyakuri AB, Japan.

84-85_aircraft kits JF.indd 84 18/11/2010 15:29

ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
NAVY JUMP JET GETS A FANCY NEW

FIGHTERS WITH ITALIAN FLARE ANNIVERSARY TAIL
F-16A ADF Fighting Falcon Harrier GR Mk.9 'FAA 100th Anniversary'

First released in the late 1980s Hasegawa’s 1/72 F-16A Fighting Falcon Hasegawa has added a replacement LERX part and rebranded its
has been issued in a number of guises ever since. This latest release, previous GR.7 kit as a limited edition GR.9 — ironic, considering the much-
a double kit comprising two models is for a pair of F-16A Air Defence loved type’s impending retirement, which still has many people fuming.
Variants (ADFs) of the Italian Air Force in commemorative colour Still, let’s see this as a tribute. The box is full, with 12 grey sprues, one
schemes. Note that some ‘flash’ is now present on some of the small clear, and four poly caps. There are still only AIM-9 Sidewinders and tanks
items of the kit — but it’s nothing that can’t be cleaned off quickly. The to hang under the wings, but additional weapons are available, budget
specific modifications for the ADF are included on the sprues along allowing. New decals are also
By: Hasegawa
PRODUCT SPEC
with some rather neat replica included, and both options benefit
By: Hasegawa
PRODUCT SPEC
stick-on metal strengthening from coloured tails. They are: Item no: 09921
plates for the upper wing. The Item no: 01913 • ZD406, Royal Navy, Naval Strike Scale: 1/48
superb decal sheet includes Scale: 1/72 Wing, FAA 100th Anniversary ‘Fly
Price: £44.99
markings for: Navy’ markings, 2009
• 27th Stormo, 10th Gruppo, • ZD410, IV (AC) Squadron,
MM7249 (Red Scheme) Available from: Royal Air Force, squadron 95th Amerang,
• 37th Stormo, 18th Gruppo, Hobbylink Japan, Anniversary markings, 2007 www.amerang.co.uk
MM7240 (Black Scheme) www.hlj.com
GERMAN THINGS UNDER WINGS

GREEN WITH ENVY
F-15DJ Eagle
In contrast to the bland grey camouflage many F-15 operators use, the F-15DJs World War II German Aircraft Weapons
of the JASDF’s Aggressor Squadron have always been something special. This If your Luftwaffe kit armoury is lacking, Italeri’s new set has plenty
latest offering in 1/72 takes account of the new colour schemes introduced to to put on your pylons or in your bomb bays. A total of 13 weapons
the squadron in early 2010. While the basic kit remains unchanged in terms of are provided, along with two launch adapters and two sizes of fuel
content, the revised decal sheet now includes the new green scheme, sand/ tank (300lit and 900lit). Stores include AB70, 250 and 500 sub-
brown and white/black schemes. munitions dispensers, SC50, 250
By: Italeri
PRODUCT SPEC
Some careful mixing of paints will be By: Hasegawa ZAR and 500 iron bombs and the
PRODUCT SPEC
required to get the exact colours but heavier SC1000/1700 bombs. Item no: 2691
Item no: 01911
the result should be top notch. A great addition is the downward- Scale: 1/48
• Aggressor 32-8086 (two-tone green Scale: 1/72 firing WB81 gun pod. Also useful
Price: £9.99
over grey) Price: £21.29 are the load diagrams for Ju88A,
• Aggressor 92-8068 (sand/brown He111H, Ju87D, Hs129B, Fw190F Available from:
Available from:
over grey) and Me262. Full painting notes The Hobby Company,
Hobbylink Japan,
• Aggressor 32-8081 (black/white and decals supplied. www.hobbyco.net
www.hlj.com
over grey)
Airfix Model World

84-85_aircraft kits JF.indd 85 18/11/2010 15:30

ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
SOVIET SOLDIER TAKES COMMAND AN EARTH-MOVING BUILD?

WWII Russian Field Commander
Styrene figures have come a long way in terms of detail, and Tamiya’s 1/16
series offers good value. This Russian Field Commander strikes an animated
pose, while brandishing a drum-fed
sub-machine gun. All parts are on
a single grey sprue, and the figure
wears a leather pistol holster and
map case. Decals are offered for
rank insignia and medals, although
these are moulded on the uniform
anyway. One clever touch is the
provision of decals for the eyes…
which can be notoriously hard to
paint well.
News copy (light) By: Tamiya Japanese Navy Komatsu G40 Bulldozer
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: 36314 A great little vehicle in its own right, or as part of a Pacific diorama,
this nifty bulldozer makes an interesting subject. Vital during Japan’s
Scale: 1/16
World War Two island-hopping
Price: By: Tamiya
PRODUCT SPEC
£13.99 campaign, for creating makeshift
Available from: airfields and barracks, the Item no: 32565
The Hobby Company Komatsu G40 is represented Scale: 1/48
www.hobbyco.net here on two grey sprues, with
Price: £13.99
finely detailed wheels and tracks
(although these are moulded Available from:
together), hydraulic lines, driver The Hobby Company
HIGH CLASS HUMBER figure and metallic effect badges. www.hobbyco.net
ARMOURED CAR
THE ALLIED AIRCRAFT'S NEMESIS -
A HALF-TRACK WITH BITE
Humber Mk.IV
This all-resin kit of the diminutive armoured car packs in 87
parts, plus a one-piece chassis, and turret. Casting quality is
top-notch, with impressive detail, and thankfully the casting
plugs are slight for easy parting from the components. Full axle German sWS with 2cm Flakvierling
and suspension parts add realism, and the instructions are It seems there’s no end to German armour subjects and this release will
clear and concise, using photographs of an actual model and surely have fans of the genre grinning from ear-to-ear — it’s a lot of model
written commands. There are plenty of tools for a busy look, for your money. The Schwere Wehrmachtschlepper, with 2cm Flakvierling,
while there’s also the option of comes in grey plastic, with two sprues of individual track links, and another
open or closed turret hatches By: Sovereign eleven with the remaining parts, a chassis, and etched-brass fret.
PRODUCT SPEC
and driver’s visor. No decals are 2000 The latter’s fold-down wire mesh
included, but generic numbers, screen will add extra realism, By: Great Wall Hobby
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: S2KV017

unit badges and national and due to the obscurity of the
Scale: 1/35 Item no: L3525
insignia can all be found in subject (seemingly a one-off, with
the after-market arena. It’s Price: £42 little reference available) one’s Scale: 1/35
clearly not a beginner’s kit, imagination can run wild with colour Price: £39.99
Available from:
but will be an absorbing schemes. Great Wall suggests Panzer
Sovereign 2000 Available from:
challenge for experienced Yellow with Green and Red-Brown,
www.sovereign2000.uk.com The Airbrush Company
armour modellers. but obviously this is up to you.
www.airbrushes.com
A great military kit.

86-87_military kits JF.indd 86 18/11/2010 10:36

ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
MINI TROOPS FROM THE SKY

DARK CONTINENT DWELLING
British Paratroopers, WWII

Masterbox puts a lot of thought into its figures and this batch comes in some African House
well-considered poses. Entitled “Where’s that damn bridge? – Operation Now here’s something a bit different. This African House
Market Garden 1944”, this single-sprue set offers three Paras (one an could make the perfect centrepiece for a 1/72 Afrika
officer with map), and a European Korps diorama.
By: Italeri
PRODUCT SPEC
civilian with shotgun, cartridge belt By: Masterbox Moulded in brown plastic, on
PRODUCT SPEC
and rabbit that he’s just bagged. five sprues with a cobblestone Item no: 6139
Item no: MB3533
Weaponry includes Bren and Sten baseboard, the kit includes Scale: 1/72
guns, the latter being fitted with an Scale: 1/35 textured walls to imitate baked
Price: £26.50
under-barrel fore-grip. The troops Price: £6.50 mud, detailed doorways, inner
are also kitted out with packs, rope, archways, steps and a domed Available from:
Available from: The Hobby Company
shovels and magazine pouches, for a roof section. Anyone have any
Creative Models www.hobbyco.com
lively, combat-ready look…great for 1/72 camels?
ww.creativemodels.co.uk
vignettes or dioramas.
CONFESS YOUR SINS, MY ENEMY!

FALKLANDS WAR MARINE READY
FOR ACTION
British Marine - Attack Order
The Falklands War still endures as a modelling subject, and
perhaps always will, so this new figure should be well received.
In cream-coloured resin, the eleven main components are finely
cast and will need minimal clean-up. Pleasingly, the figure isn’t
over-sculpted, as happens with some on the market, with just the
right amount of folds in the clothing. On a separate resin base,
he is posed waiting for battle, leaning slightly forwards on his
SLR Rifle (with Trilux sight).
The figure also wears gaiters
over his boots and has a
weary expression; the helmet
is particularly good with its
scruffy camouflage netting. M7 Priest
White metal is used for the Armour fans have demanded a high-quality M7 Priest kit for years. Now,
rifle, sight, smoke grenade and Dragon brings us this superb mid-production machine, with ten grey
gloved hands. A quality replica, sprues and one clear, packed with highly detailed parts and a one-piece
sure to please figure fans. lower hull. There’s a very convincing gun with turned aluminium barrel,
DS flexible track, one-piece slide-moulded transmission cover,
a small etched-brass fret and three US Army decal options for olive
By: Victory
PRODUCT SPEC
drab vehicles:
Miniatures
• Co.A, 73rd Armored Field By: Dragon
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: 5186 Artillery Bn, 9th Armored

Item no: 6637
Scale: 120mm Division, Germany 1945
• Co.A, 231st Armored Field Scale: 1/35
Price: £28
Artillery Bn, 6th Armored Price: £49.99
Available from: Division, Germany 1944
Victory Miniatures Available from:
• Co. A, 399th Armored Field
www.victoryminiatures.co.uk The Hobby Company
Artillery Bn, 8th Armored
www.hobbyco.net
Division, Bohemia, 1945
Airfix Model World

86-87_military kits JF.indd 87 18/11/2010 10:37

ON THE SHELF
RESIN PARTS
BODY BUILDING BUCC’ ROLLS-ROYCE REVISION

Buccaneer S.2 (late) Airframe Correction Set Supermarine Spitfire IX (early Rolls-Royce converted)
This set allows you to correct the shape issues that are apparent For those seeking an early Spitfire IX, one of the examples that were
on the recently re-issued Airfix 1/72 Buccaneer S.2B kit. Freightdog converted by Rolls-Royce from Spitfire V airframes, this resin conversion
offer a complete nose replacement for kit part, which accurately will satisfy your needs. Comprising an entirely new front end, cannon
captures the ‘beak’ look outline of the nose cone often missed blisters, air scoop and long-range slipper tank, this set is well up to
on many Bucc’ kits. In addition, a new tailplane is provided which Freightdog’s usual high standards. Surface detail for the engine cowling
slots nicely into the kits fuselage, as do the two leading edge wing- is finely cast onto the mould, although you will have to use the kits
mounted bullet-shaped wind-band receivers. The kit’s in-flight exhausts, which will slot neatly into the nose casting. An extensive
refuelling probe can also be replaced with a more accurate scale instruction sheet, complete with stage diagrams, makes this a winner for
representation of the probe. Spitfire fans.
By: Freightdog By: Silver Cloud

PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: N/A Item no: N/A
Scale: 1/72 Scale: 1/72
Price: £6.50 Price: £5.00
Available from: Available from:
Freightdog Models Freightdog Models
www.freightdogmodels. www.freightdogmodels.
co.uk co.uk
AN ALL-WEATHER ‘WHAT IF’… COLD WAR WARRIOR

English Electric P.12 Canberra Interceptor Conversion Victor B.2 Bomber Conversion Set
Freightdog Models have taken a leap into the ‘What if’ world with this resin The Matchbox later Revell’s Handley Page Victor kit has been crying out
conversion set for the proposed English Electric P.12 Canberra all-weather for a conversion kit to allow modellers to convert the tanker option to
the B.2 bomber. This substantial three-part set includes a replacement
fighter. Though the real aircraft never made it off the company’s drawing
bomb-bay and wing-tips, which significantly alter the looks of the
board, this hasn’t stopped the official drawings
completed model. Thorough instructions, complete with illustrations,
and plans being made available to allow
guides you through the conversion process.
Freightdog to offer a Canberra that
is just that bit different.
By: Airframe
PRODUCT SPEC
By: Silver Cloud Extra Accessories

PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: N/A Item no: CS-151

Scale: 1/72 Scale: 1/72
Price: £7.00 Price: £14.00
Freightdog Models The Aviation Workshop,
www.freightdogmodels.co.uk www.aviationworkshop.co.uk
DEFINING THE DEFIANT CORRECT THOSE JET EXHAUSTS

Boulton Paul Defiant Nose Correction Avro Vulcan B.Mk.2 Olympus 201 engine tailpipes
Designed to correct the inaccurate Airfix Defiant and improve the This one's for Vulcan fans who wish to potray their Airfix kit with the
outline of this elderly kit, this simple two-piece set includes neatly longer and narrower Olympus 201 jet pipes. The pale resin parts demand
moulded exhausts already attached to the substantial nose section some surgery on the kit, but it’s straightforward and will ensure an
along with nose filter. A separate nose spinner is also included. Panel accurate build. They are particularly useful for the Airfix re-release with
detail is in situ, so this will require some careful painting to remain XH558 markings, as this airframe also has the 201 pipes rather than
visible. Removing the large pour block should present no problems those for the Olympus 301 engines. Full instructions are given, along with
and this set enables you to add a list of serial number batches that used the 201 format. These include all
an accurate Defiant to your airframes converted for MRR and tanker duties.
collection at a reasonable price.
By: Silver Cloud
PRODUCT SPEC
By: Valiant Model

PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: SCC7206

Wings
Scale: 1/72
Item no: Conversion Set 2
Price: £7.50
Scale: 1/72
Available from:
Price: £4.00 Freightdog Models
Available from: www.freightdogmodels.
valiant-wings@btconnect.com co.uk

88-89_resin etchedJF.indd 88 18/11/2010 11:32

ON THE SHELF
ETCHED SETS
SMALL SCALE SEA KING DELIGHTS

THE ROAR OF THE PANTHER
By: White Ensign

PRODUCT SPEC
If you’ve splashed out on Airfix’s

new 1/350 HMS Invincible, you’ll be Item no: PRO3526
glad of these replacement parts for Scale: 1/350 Suitable for the Dragon Panther G, Lion Roar’s new limited-edition
the included Sea King helicopters. upgrade/detail set leaves no stone unturned in terms of high
In pale resin, the parts include two Price: £3.99 detailing. Seven etched-brass frets, turned brass muzzle brake,
styles of radomes, inflated and Available from: turned aluminium barrel and a selection of plastic and metal rod
deflated AEW bags and White Ensign Models make up a bumper package. Much of the set’s content is to further
wheel sponsons. www.whiteensignmodels.com detail or replace the existing
By: Lion Roar
PRODUCT SPEC
kit parts, such as stowage bins,
tools, exhaust mounts, engine Item no: LAS35015
BUMPER INVINCIBLE DETAIL breathers, gun stowage collar, fire Scale: 1/35
PACKAGE extinguisher and barrel cleaning
Price: £34.99
rod tube. Even side skirt armour
is provided. If you have the Available from:
patience, this is a lot of metal for The Airbrush Company
your money. www.airbrushes.com
WWII USN TWIN BOFORS &

EARLY WAR AA GUNS
Any fan of 1/700 warships can
instantly improve their builds with
these dainty little etched-brass
anti-aircraft guns. Designed for
US naval ships, they’ll immediately
enliven anything from the USS North
Carolina to the USS Hornet aircraft
carrier. There are single-, twin- and
four-barrelled guns included, and the
detail in each is amazing, with larger
weapons featuring seats, gun sights,
platforms and railings. Be warned,
Two large etched-brass frets, one almost A4 in size, offer masses of though, the pieces are tiny, so shaky-
detail for Airfix’s 1/35 HMS Invincible. You’ll be going right through handed modellers need not apply!
the winter and into spring with
By: White Ensign
PRODUCT SPEC
this lot! One brass sheet holds By: Lion Roar

PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: PE35132 mostly railings, but the other has

Item no: R7074
Scale: 1/350 a wealth of replacement items
and extra detail for equipment Scale: 1/700
Price: £54.95
such as the various radar towers, Price: £5.99
Available from: bridge, funnels, CIWS platforms,
Available from:
White Ensign Models catwalk, floodlight gantry,
The Airbrush Company
www.whiteensignmodels.com lifeboats and much more.
www.airbrushes.com
Airfix Model World

88-89_resin etchedJF.indd 89 18/11/2010 11:41

ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
EXPORT SANDBOX FIGHTERS TWIN-BOOM DECAL BONANZA

on the kit sheet for stencilling. jets, one might expect that a
The instructions offer advice backdate set will soon be on its
on converting the kit to the MS way. Oh joy! Options include:
variant. Options are: • FAW.1 XJ476, Hawker-Siddeley
• MiG-23MS ‘4014’, 1023 Sqn, Dynamics, Hatfield, 1966
Libyan AF, early 1980s • FAW.1 XJ513, ‘Fred’s Five’
• MiG-23MS ‘6916’, 1050 Sqn, aerobatic team, 766 NAS,
Libyan AF, early 1980s RNAS Yeovilton, 1962
• MiG-23MF ‘0200’, squadron • FAW.1 XN649, 242/R, 890
unknown, Libyan AF, overhauled NAS, HMS Ark Royal,
in Ukraine, 2004-5 early 1962
• MiG-23MS ‘1449’, 39 Sqn, Iraqi • FAW.2(TT) XJ524, Flight
AF, early 1981 Refuelling Ltd, Hurn, 1983
• MiG-23MS ‘4012’, 39 Sqn, Iraqi • FAW.2 XN684, 124/E, 899
AF, early 1980s NAS, HMS Eagle, 1972
• MiG-23MS ‘4012/23103), 59 Sqn, D.3 XN652, Flight Refuelling
Iraqi AF, post-1988 Ltd, Hurn, 1980-84
• MiG-23MF ‘23167’, 39 Sqn, Iraqi • FAW.2 (TT) XS587, Flight
AF, 1980s Refuelling Ltd, Hurn, early
This is a great set of interesting 1980s, then RAE Llanbedr,
By: Linden Hill
PRODUCT SPEC
and unusual markings for the With Airfix’s 1/48 Sea Vixen until 1984
Trumpeter Flogger kit. Dubbed Item no: LHD32010 selling like hotcakes, modellers
Non-Aligned Floggers #1 - Early By: Model Alliance
PRODUCT SPEC
Scale: 1/32 will welcome this large new sheet
Arab MiG-23s, and designed for that covers FAW.1/ 2 variants Item no: MA- 48197
Price: $19.99
the MF and MS variants, the sets and 'oddities' of the mighty
Scale: 1/48
of markings for Libya and four for Available from: twin-boomer. Offering a mix of
Iraq, the latter with a colourful Linden Hill operational and non-standard Price: £15.00
unit insignia. You’ll have to rely www.lindenhillimports.com schemes, the scope is wide and Available from:
varied, but all are interesting in The Aviation Workshop
FINE FORTRESS QUARTET their own right. As three of the
choices are 'short-boomed' Mk.1
www.the aviation
workshop.co.uk
USAF GOMERS ARE GO!

Few colour schemes look as
good as those sported by
Aggressor aircraft, and the
original 'bogey', the F-5E Tiger
II, is well catered for here on
The choices are: this decal sheet. Five options
• B-17G-40-VE 'A Bit O’ Lace', are provided for Alconbury,
42-97976, 709BS/447BG, UK-based jets, while serving as
Rattlesden, Spring 1945 the 527th Aggressor Squadron/
• B-17F-60-BO 'Shamrock Tactical Fighter Training
Special', 42-29591, Aggressor Squadron. Port,
401BS/91BG, Bassingbourn, starboard and plan views adorn
Oct. 1943 the colour instructions, and
• B-17G-35-BO 'Superstitious each aircraft also has its own set
An all-black ‘G’ model is the Aloysius', 42-31982, of stencilling, which represents
highlight of this offering, the 322BS/91BG, Bassingbourn, excellent value.
first in a two-part B-17 special July 1944 The relevant aircraft are:
from Lifelike. The famous 'A Bit • B-17G-65-BO 'Tondolayo', • Black 32, 74-1532, New Blue
O’ Lace' is included, along with 406BS(H)/305BG, scheme: FS35414/ FS35190/
another ‘G’ in Olive Drab over Cheddington, Feb. 1945 FS35164
Neutral Grey and an ‘F’ in the • Red 34, 74-1534, Grape
By: Lifelike Decals
PRODUCT SPEC
same scheme. Five separate scheme: FS35414/ FS35109/

By: TwoBobs
PRODUCT SPEC
sheets cover the four aircraft, Item no: 72-014 FS35164/ FS35622
with the carrier film being glossy Item no: 48-217 • Black 35, 74-1535, Grape
Scale: 1/72
and very thin, and nose-art that Scale: 1/48 scheme (FS numbers as above)
Price: £12.99
is particularly well-rendered. Price: £10.80 • Red 44, 74-1544, ADC Gray
Lifelike provides a drawing Available from: scheme: FS16473
showing the correct window Hannants Available from: • Red 47, 74-1547, Old ghost
placement for any B-17 kit. www.hannants.co.uk www.twobobs.net scheme: FS35237/ FS36251/
www.hannants.co.uk FS36307/ FS35622

90_decal reviews JF.indd 90 18/11/2010 10:43

ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
PLENTY OF OXFORDSHIRE AARDVARKS COLD WAR COMBATANTS

Asia colours, over black GDR, 1976
undersides. We can’t list • MiG-23M 'Blue 2', 152nd IAP,
all 16 here, but here’s our PVO, Turkmenistan Military
Top Ten: District, USSR, 1978
• 68-0020, 'My Lucky • MiG-23M 'Blue 92', 5th
Blonde', 20th TFW Berlinskii GvIAP, Soviet Forces
Flagship, 1986 South, Hungary, 1989
• 68-0077, 'June Nite', • MiG-23MF 'Red 870', 18th IBAP,
77th TFS Flagship, 1986 Bulgarian AF, 1980s
• 68-0078, 'Whispering • MiG-23 MF 'Red 08', 1st Sqn,
Death', 77th TFS, 1987 47th FW, Hungarian AF, mid-
• 68-0077, 'Red Lady II', 1980s
77th TFS Flagship, 1988 • MiG-23MF 'Red 04', 'Stromfeld
• 68-0061, 'Big Dealer', Aurel' Home Defence FW,
77th TFS, 1988 Hunagarian AF, 1990
• 68-0020, 'The Chief', • MiG-23MF 'Red 222', 1st sqn,
20th TFW Flagship, 1989 Also aimed at owners of 57th Air Group, Romanian AF,
• 68-0049, 79th TFS NATO Trumpeter’s 1/32 Floggers, 1982
Tiger Meet, 1991 this two-sheet decal collection • MiG-23MF 'Red 117', 28th PLM,
A terrific, 16-strong collection • 68-0076, Operation Desert provides an interesting gathering Polish AF, 1989
of schemes for UH-coded F-111Es Storm, 1991 of jets from the Soviet Union, • MiG-23MF, 'Red 121', 28th
from Upper Heyford, offering • 68-0055, 'Heartbreaker', 55th Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania PLM, Polish AF, 1990
superb value. Eleven of the TFS Flagship, 1993 and Poland. Four aircraft wear
jets feature nose art, while • 68-0049, '77th Gambler’s Last WarPac Air Defence Grey, By: Linden Hill
PRODUCT SPEC
four sport Desert Storm bomb Deal', squadron retirement but more attractively, five
Item no: LHD32009
tallies. The earliest scheme scheme, 1993 options are in varying styles of
is from 1982, but aircraft camouflage and some display Scale: 1/32
up to 1993 are covered, and By: Afterburner Decals unit badges, which was rare until Price: $20.99
PRODUCT SPEC
include a colourful Tiger Meet after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Item no: 48-070 Available from:
participant. Full stencilling The options are:
Scale: 1/48 Linden Hill
for two airframes is provided, • MiG-23M 'Yellow 49', 787th
www.lindenhillimports.com
along with colour instructions, Price: £14.99 IAP, Soviet Forces in Germany,
stencil placement diagrams and
Available from:
useful Cold War/Desert Storm
weapons load charts. All aircraft
www.afterburnerdecals.com POST SOVIET SHUFFLE
www.hannants.co.uk
wear standard South-East Modellers can no longer
complain about lack of variety
regarding colour schemes, when
EVEN MORE AGGRESSIVE GOMERS fascinating sheets such as these
combinations rather than the for the Turkmenistan Air Force
blue hues (but all have their own become available. It may not be
stencilling). the best known air power, but
The choices are: the country does indeed have
• Red 49, 74-1549, ADC Gray an air arm, of course equipped
scheme (FS16473) with former Soviet types. On
• Red 56, 74-1556, Snake/ VNAF the instruction sheet there is
scheme (FS33531/ FS34258/ a potted explanation of the
FS30118/ FS35622 country’s standing within the
• Red 53, 741553, Snake scheme former Soviet Union, and its air
(FS33531/ FS34258/ FS30118) force’s details after the ‘fall of
• Blue 63, 74-1563, ADC Gray the wall’.
scheme (as above) The single sheet is of the usual
• Blue 59, 74-1559, ADC Gray Linden Hill quality, and includes
scheme (as above) markings for:
• Mi-24P Hind ‘Blue 22’
By: TwoBobs
PRODUCT SPEC

By: Linden Hill
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: 48-218 • MiG-29UB Fulcrum B ‘Red 61’

Scale: 1/48 Item no: LHD48022 • MiG-29UB Fulcrum B ‘Red 62’
This second instalment of decals Scale: 1/48 • MiG-29 9-13 Fulcrum C ‘Red 25’
Price: £10.80
from TwoBobs’ Alconbury Price: $17.99 • MiG-29 9-13 Fulcrum C ‘Red 27’
F-5E Aggressors collection Available from: • MiG-25PD Foxbat ‘Blue 25’
offers another five options, www.twobobs.net Available from: • Su-25 Frogfoot ‘Blue 14’
this time with earthier colour www.hannants.co.uk Linden Hill • Su-25UB Frogfoot ‘Blue 53’
www.lindenhillimports.com

92_decal reviews JF.indd 92 18/11/2010 10:49

ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
ROUND AND ACCURATE GET THAT FRENCH FIGHTER

ROUND WE GO DEFLATED FEELING
RUSSIAN TANK COVER-UP
COLOURS
This plastic turntable will make

life much easier when airbrushing Looking just like an alien's head,
anything from figures and armour this hollow resin casting actually
to aircraft and cars. It’s light, with represents the Royal Naval Sea
a 25cm diameter, and can be An excellent new paint set King’s swivelling radome, once
covered with paper or tissue to for fans of Soviet World War aircraft power has been cut and
keep it clean. If placed on paper Two armour, containing six the air escapes from the ‘bag’.
Here’s a simple array of die-
or card it doesn’t slip, but if being 22ml pots of acrylic: Dark Attachment is simple — just remove
cut masks for the Hobbyboss
used on a bare table it would Olive (FS34102), Dark Olive the casting tab, glue to the backing Rafale B twin-seater, to cover
benefit from some Blu-Tack to Variation (FS34096), 4BO plate and paint in the appropriate the canopy and wheels while
keep it still. Variation (FS34257), 4BG colour. It’s designed to fit the airbrushing/painting.
Light Khaki (FS34259), 6K6RP Hasegawa 1/48 kit, and a colour
By: Airbrush Company
PRODUCT SPEC
(FS30117) and 7K Green photo of the item is included in the By: Eduard
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: E-RPLATE Yellow (FS23578). Dilute with instructions to aid painting. Item no: CX267
Scale: N/A Lifecolor thinner or water.
By: Aviation Workshop Scale: N/A
PRODUCT SPEC

By: Lifecolor Item no: BCS-718
PRODUCT SPEC

Item no: CS23 Scale: 1/48
The Airbrush Company Eduard
Scale: N/A Price: £5.53
www.airbrushes.com www.eduard.cz
The Aviation Workshop,
SOLVE THOSE Available from:
The Airbrush Company www.aviationworkshop.co.uk CHOP, CHOP
COLOUR www.airbrushes.com
CONUNDRUMS PERFECT
REAL SMOOTH PIGMENTS
Pro Modellers' new range of If you are into modifying or

Lifecolour’s Master Mixer weathering pigments are an detailing your kits it's inevitable
set provides six re-useable effective source of help in the that at some point you will be
plastic pots with blank labels, Achieving that perfectly smooth weathering process. These using plastic card or balsa wood
three re-useable pipettes finish prior to or after painting is have some of the highest and precision cutting will be
and a Master Dropper, along now made easier with these two micron count on the market, required. This handy multi-angle
with six special test cards for new polishing pads. A large blue and with such fine quality, gullotine may be just what you
experimenting until you get the sanding sponge graded 100/180 some stunning effects can be need. The cutting handle is
desired shade. If you need to will allowyou to sort out an surface achieved. The pigments can mounted to a large toughened
store the mixed paint for later problems. The addition of a super be used either dry or wet — plastic base, along with two
use, the labels allow you to fine Green/White polishing sponge, and even as a paint. adjustable guides that allow any
write the date of mixing. completes the set. Amazing stuff. cut angle to be made.
By: Lifecolour By: Pro Modeller

PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
By: Pro Modeller By: Linic Products

PRODUCT SPEC
PRODUCT SPEC
Item no: LC-MX Item no: Pigments

Item no: Polishing Pads Item no: C6035
Scale: N/A Scale: N/A
Scale: N/A Scale: N/A
The Airbrush Company Pro Modeller,
Pro Modeller, Always Hobbies
www.airbrushes.com www.promodeller.com
www.promodeller.com www.alwayshobbies.com

94_Accessories JF.indd 94 18/11/2010 11:42

Aviation Specials
Airliner Classics
Brought to you by the industry-renowned Airliner World editorial team, the
new edition of Airliner Classics turns the clock back to once again bring you the
aircraft, airlines and airports from the classic years of aviation. 100-page special.
*UK and BFPO only, Overseas Surface £2.00, Overseas Airmail £4.50
Just £4.99 + FREE P&P*
New
Microsoft Flight Simulator – Guide to Airliners!
Produced by the makers of PC Pilot – The World’s Number 1 Flight Sim Magazine – this 100-page
volume is jam-packed full of informative and invaluable articles and features – for both newcomers
and seasoned veterans alike, who want to find out more about one of the most popular and exciting areas
of flight simulation!

New
Royal Air Force 2011
Produced by Key Publishing with articles written by RAF personnel and expert
military aviation journalists, this 132-page special magazine provides behind the
scenes insight into the aircraft, equipment and people of one of the world’s premier
air forces.
New
Ultimate Flight Tests 2011

Produced by the Today’s Pilot team (which, over the last ten years, has flown more than 200 different aircraft),
Ultimate Flight Tests 2011 includes some of the world’s greatest aeroplanes, all viewed from the pilot’s
perspective. Set over 196 high-quality pages featuring beautiful photography and expertly written by the
Today’s Pilot editorial team, Ultimate Flight Tests 2011 will appeal to both aviators and enthusiasts alike.
New
Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary

To mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the editorial team at FlyPast
have assembled ground-breaking material from renowned aviation historians and
writers to pay tribute to the ‘Few’. In this perfect-bound 132-page special publication
the epic struggle over the fields of England during the summer of 1940 is covered
in detail, using a barrage of illustrations, including specially commissioned artwork.
006/10

S
Order online at www.keypublishing.com/shop or

OU L OU ER
DI PE FOR IB
NT S’ R
R
 Call UK: 01780 480404 • Overseas: +44 1780 480 404

SC CIA Y
CA SC
B
S L
L
SU
586 Key specials.indd 1 18/11/2010 16:40

CUTTING MAT CHAT
WITH NEIL ROBINSON
Neil Robinson, modeller extraordinaire, explains the advantages of

one of his favourite building themes, the epic Battle of Britain
T
here can be very few year’s celebrations were literally they may be. It not only allows Most of the main combatant
people who will not have ‘The Few’. one to construct a representative aircraft can be built in all the
noticed the coverage It is good that we remember this selection of twelve or so different major popular scales – especially
during the summer and world-changing event in aircraft types (of the major in 1/72 and 1/48 and up to 1/32,
autumn of 2010 concerning the our history — the results of variants involved) linked to a and even 1/24 for a couple of the
70th Anniversary of the Battle their actions allow us to be common theme and thereby best known fighters – without
of Britain. It may well be the who we are today. So I make no create a cohesive display, but too many problems. For my sins,
last ‘decade celebration’ of this apology for the Battle of Britain also provides the opportunity to I invariably build in 1/48 scale
historic battle for freedom, so it being a favourite period in my use a variety of colour schemes and was fortunate enough to be
was right that so much attention modelling world. and marking finishes that can among some other like-minded
was paid to it. In another decade As a modelling subject generally, be applied, especially where the modellers in the IPMS (UK)
there will almost certainly be the Battle of Britain is an excellent Luftwaffe aircraft are concerned, Battle of Britain Special Interest
no surviving participants — the project for anyone, no matter to reflect the progression of Group, and built more than thirty
ones who were able to enjoy this how experienced in the hobby events during the Battle. models for the display at the
recent 2010 Scale Modelworld
show at Telford.
Building to theme might not
be everybody’s idea of ‘fun
modelling’, but it allows a direct
comparison of similar era aircraft
types and lends a focus to a
collection of models. And you’ll
find that once you have been
‘bitten’ by the theme bug, there
are literally dozens of themes
that can be tackled. If you haven’t
tried this approach before, the
Battle of Britain makes a worthy,
fascinating and fun subject to
start off with.
THE NEXT ISSUE IS ON SALE JANUARY 6*

www.airfixmodelworld.com *UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.
98_cutting mat chat JF.indd 98 18/11/2010 10:48

Airfix Model World 2011-01

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Airfix Model World 2011-01

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MONTHLY FOR ALL SCALE MODELLERS MUST-HAVE SECOND ISSUE!

Airfix Cover UK.indd 1 18/11/2010 11:00

Managing Director: Adrian Cox

The entire contents of Airfix Model World is

Airfix Model World

03_editorial JF.indd 3 18/11/2010 12:31

04 Airfix Model World

04-05_contents JF.indd 4 18/11/2010 15:25

14 Review Build – Jaguar XKR GT3

20 Diorama – French Village House Part II

24 Basic Build – Hawker Hurricanes

30 Space Build – Apollo Lunar Module

38 Advance Build – Bf 109E-7 Trop.

44 In Focus – Painted for Victory?

52 Basic Build – Bf 109E-4/N

60 Military Build – T-34 Model 76

72 Advance Build – Mitsubishi Claude

Airfix Model World

04-05_contents JF.indd 5 18/11/2010 15:27

TELFORD TRIUMPHS AGAIN

 Senior Best of Show winner

RECORD BREAKING SUCCESS AT SPITFIX

06 Airfix Model World

06-07_news gs JF.indd 6 19/11/2010 13:56

GOSHAWKS GO FOR GOLD 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Airfix Model World

06-07_news gs JF.indd 7 19/11/2010 13:57

Worldwide model 16 Meet at Dawn Unarmed: Captain Robert Hamilton’s account of

DECEMBER 2010 JANUARY 2011

OUT & ABOUT REVIEW Valiant, and the new

08 Airfix Model World

08_diary.indd 8 18/11/2010 15:07

10 Airfix Model World

10-11_tigers gs JF.indd 10 17/11/2010 14:38

 Luftwaffe Tornado ECR 46+29 from

 This menacing F-16D Block 50, of 192

Silver Tiger Trophy 211th Tactical Squadron Czech Republic

Silver Tiger Trophy 338 Skvadron Norway

Airfix Model World

10-11_tigers gs JF.indd 11 17/11/2010 14:38

Only in Switzerland can aviation enthusiasts hike

 The Patrouille Suisse in its F-5E Tiger IIs flew a

12 Airfix Model World

12-13_axalp gsJF.indd 12 17/11/2010 14:43

 Axalp marked the final appearance of the Alouette III, in Swiss

 Swiss Air Force F/A-18C

c in the alps  An F-5E Tiger II, from Fliegerstaffel 8,

Airfix Model World

12-13_axalp gsJF.indd 13 18/11/2010 11:09

Ian Hartup builds the sleek and sexy

14 Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 14 17/11/2010 14:47

Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 15 17/11/2010 14:48

16 Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 16 17/11/2010 14:48

 Paint the floor and roll cage Satin White before

 The livery of the car requires areas to

Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 17 17/11/2010 14:48

of the system used for masking

Adding the Cat

18 Airfix Model World

14-19_jaguar JF.indd 18 17/11/2010 14:48