NEW TOOL GASPATCH 1/48 M

Me 163B KOMET
April 2022
Issue 137

60
REVIEWS
INSIDE

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Spitf er
1/48
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Airfixa US mak
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PLUS PILOT FOCUS - DON GENTILE • 1/72 MIRAGE F.1EQ • 1/48 RUSSIAN T-55 MEDIUM TANK
Vc FIREFLY • 1/72 T-2E BUCKEYE • LATEST NEWS AND REVIEWS
1/35 BRITISH SHERMAN V

AHEAD INVADER WITH TEETH

£5.49

OF THE ICMʼs refurbished 1/48 B-26K

LEGION
04

1/16 Roman
Centurion
9 772045 120111

from ICM
KeyModelWorld.com
EDITOR’S DESK
M
odellers were all
set for the return of
the Nuremberg Toy
Fair after a year’s
absence, but a worsening of the
COVID-19 situation in Germany
has led to its last-minute
cancellation. As this is usually
the venue at which many brands
announce their new products,
it’s been encouraging to see
how well this disruption has
been managed, with schedules
premiered via social media and
online instead. Above all, the
hobby is evidently in very good
health, with new firms being
launched and a massive increase
in the number of aftermarket
accessories, plus the continuing
rise of 3D printing as a source
of both kits and extras. We’ll
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor: Stu Fone
Assistant Editor: John Fuller
Contributors this issue: Jay Blakemore,
Huw Morgan, Niklas Knutzén, Johan Augustsson,
Kev Baxter, Ben Davies, Malcolm V Lowe,
Joe Turner, Mike Williams
Editor at Large: Chris Clifford
Group Production Editor: David Taylor
Production Editors: Sally Hooton, Sue Rylance
Angharad Moran, Suzanne Roberts
Designer: Tom Bagley
EDITORIAL CONTACT
Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd,
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK.
Email: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
Tel: 01780 755131
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Head of Production: Janet Watkins
Head of Design: Steve Donovan
Head of Advertising Sales: Brodie Baxter
Head of Operations & E-commerce: Karen Bean
Head of Content Management: Finbarr O’Reilly
Chief Content & Commercial Officer: Mark Elliott
Group CEO: Adrian Cox
KeyModelWorld.com
WELCOME TO ISSUE 137
be bringing all of this to your
attention both here in the
magazine in our news and
review sections and on the
Key Model World website,
www.keymodelworld.com, which
continues to expand apace.
It’s always great when an
aircraft kit can be linked to a
famous aviator, and this month
we feature Airfix’s 1/48 Spitfire
Mk.Vb in the markings of US
Army Air Force ace Don Gentile,
which is accompanied by a
profile of this well-known pilot.
We’re also benefiting from the
ADVERTISING TEAM
Advertising Sales Executive: Victoria Simmonds
Advertising Sales Executive: James Belding
Advertising Production Manager: Debi McGowan
Advertising Production/Design: Becky Antoniades
SUBMISSIONS
We will gladly accept and review for publication
any, products, articles, letters, photographs
or other contributions. We cannot guarantee
publication nor, regrettably, return items sent to
us or be responsible for their loss. We will try and
reply where possible. Any letters are assumed
suitable for publication unless we are otherwise
notified. All items submitted for publication
are subject to our terms and conditions. These
are regularly updated without prior notice and
are freely available from Key Publishing Ltd or
downloadable from www.keypublishing.com.
Printed by: Acorn Web Offset Ltd,
Normanton, UK.
Distributed by:
Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP
Tel: 020 7429 4000.
post-COVID rush of releases,
with new toolings from GasPatch
– in the form of its gorgeous 1/48
Me 163 – and ICM’s 1/48 B-26K
Counter Invader. There’s also a
return of figure painting to AMW,
with ICM’s 1/16 Roman Centurion
being showcased. The increasing
variety in scales for armour
modellers is also covered, with
a Rye Field Model 1/35 Sherman
Airfix Model World, ISSN 2045-1202
(USPS 4440), is published monthly by
Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 300, Stamford,
Lincolnshire, PE9 1NA, UK.
The US annual subscription price is $72.99.
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airfixworldmag
Firefly joined by Tamiya’s 1/48
T-55; both builds include bases
and a wealth of handy tips.
I hope you enjoy the issue… and
happy modelling!
Stu Fone, Editor
stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of
any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly
recommended to take their own precautions
before parting with any information or item of
value, including, but not limited to, money,
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in response to any advertisements within this
publication. The entire contents of Airfix Model
World is © Copyright 2022.
No part of it can be reproduced in any form or
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prior permission of the publisher.
Publisher: Mark Elliott.
“AIRFIX’’ is a registered trade mark of Hornby
Hobbies Limited and is used under licence.
To find a stockist near you, visit
keypublishing.com/storefinder
The average sale for the period
Jan – Dec 2020 was 14,879 print
and digital copies monthly.
Airfix Model World 3
CONTENTS

REGULARS
06 News
The latest happenings in the
world of plastic modelling,
including an in-depth
preview of Italeri’s 1/12
Lancia Delta HF Integrale,
Eduard’s 1/48 Zlín Z-226
Trener and an all-new 1/72
Bugatti 100 racer from
78
Special Hobby

14 Free Model!
Subscribe to Airfix Model
World and claim your free
1/72 Airfix Supermarine
Spitfire Mk.Vc model kit

REVIEWS:
ON THE SHELF
90 Books
92 Aircraft
94 Military
96 Auto
97 Figures
70
98 Decals
102 Accessories
106 Recent Releases

114 Display Case

AMW readers reveal
how getting up close
and personal with the
subject matter can make
a modelling project
exceptionally engaging

38

58

4 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 CONTENTS | What’s inside?

FEATURES
16 Basic Build – Bat Out of Hell
GasPatch Models has given modellers a rocket in the form of a
1/48 Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet, built here by Jay Blakemore

24 Your Airfix – Bristol Superfreighter

In a return of our reader feature for Airfix build projects, Bob
Newberry explains how recreating his first-ever flight involved a
venerable old tooling and a colour scheme conundrum

26 Intermediate Build – On the Wrong Track

Situating RyeField Model’s recent 1/35 Sherman Firefly tank on
a custom backdrop leads modeller Huw Morgan to hit the buffers
in a scale rail scene

32 Basic Build – Dazzling Mirage

Niklas Knutzén is impressed with Special Hobby’s 1/72 Dassault
Mirage F.1EQ, which receives a stunning Islamic Republic of Iran
livery in this build feature

38 Figure Build – Ahead of the Legion

As part of its increasing range of large-scale figures, ICM has
produced a 1/16 Roman Centurion, the perfect subject for Johan
Augustsson to continue his painting alchemy journey

44 Out and About – Hidden Treasures

Tucked away in East Anglia, the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre
played host to a scale model show in February 2022, which
Stu Fone discovered was full of delights

48 Basic Build – Bye Bye Buckeye

26 Wolfpack Design’s 1/72 North American T-2 Buckeye had lurked

in Kev Baxter’s stash for some time, until he was inspired by
photographing the type and set about a modelling recreation

56 In Focus – Hellenic Photoshoot

Kev Baxter presents a selection of photos depicting one of the
Hellenic Air Force’s last T-2 Buckeyes, which encouraged his
build feature and provides valuable modelling reference

58 Basic Build – American Eagle

Airfix’s latest 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb has ‘crossed the pond’ with a
US Army Air Force scheme. Ben Davies builds this quarter-scale
offering as an ace’s mount in an out-of-the-box project

66 In Focus – Buckeye Don

Having started his World War Two ‘career’ with the RAF, American
pilot Dominic ‘Don’ Gentile went on to become one of his
country’s best-known pilots, as Malcolm V Lowe explains

70 Basic Build – Snowy Serb

Joe Turner reveals how he constructed a quarter-scale scene
including Tamiya’s 1/48 T-55 medium tank as its centrepiece and
convincingly snowy surroundings

78 Intermediate Build – Invader with Teeth

For its sixth 1/48 Douglas Invader iteration, ICM has produced
newly tooled components to recreate the B-26K Counter Invader,
which Mike Williams constructs with a few aftermarket additions

Your favourite magazine

anywhere, anytime
16 Find us on your native app store or visit
www.pocketmags.com/airfix-model-world-magazine

Airfix Model World 5

NEWS
EDUARD’S BOHEMIAN TRAINER
CZECH FIRM Eduard has turned to
an indigenous aircraft subject for
its latest 1/48 Limited Edition, Dual
Combo release – and it’s particularly
colourful trainer.
The Zlín Z-226 Trener is a two-seat
training, aerobatic and glider tug
aircraft and could be described as a
Czech Chipmunk. It was developed
from the Z-26, designed and built
originally in Czechoslovakia from the
1940s, by the company Moravan.
Eduard has embraced the type,
by offering a limited-edition dual-
combo package (11152), brimming
with enough parts for two whole
airframes, photo-etched (PE)
metal details for both, tape masks
and markings for 11 schemes. It’s
SUPREME SCHNEIDER RACER
HUNGARIAN RESIN kit and
aftermarket company SBS Model
has produced a Macchi M.33
Schneider Trophy flying boat in
1/72, and it’s a little gem.
Running from 1913 to 1931,
the Schneider Trophy race
encouraged rapid aircraft and
engine innovation. Thankfully,
The more recent kits from SBS Model fit like a glove, and benefit from
excellent detail. Here are the single-piece mainplane (top) and main fuselage.
The latter has integrally cast features in the cockpit, but there’s more to add
6 Airfix Model World
great to see such effort going
into what many would consider a
niche subject, but it’s nonetheless
interesting, colourful, and a neat
modelling opportunity for those
who favour civilian aircraft.
Four styrene runners provide
parts for a well-appointed cockpit
(including detailed floor, alternative
control columns, PE rudder
pedals), plus various ‘office’ items,
depending on the selected colour
schemes. Eduard really has done
its homework here, to the extent
that even alternative rear cockpit
decking bulkheads are supplied.
Other pleasing features include
separate ailerons, and a choice of
engine cowlings and propellers.
many have been produced in kit
form, with the latest being SBS
Model’s recent resin and photo-
etched (PE) brass product: a 1/72
Macchi M.33 (#SBS7207). Thanks to
modern design methods, the parts fit
is superb (if the casting blocks have
been removed neatly), making it
ideal for a first mixed-media project.
Aircraft from the Czech Republic,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary and
Slovakia can all be represented.
Eduard is already offering another
Trener boxing as a ProfiPACK
release, with different markings for
Z-226MS airframes. The dual combo
costs £36 and is available direct
from Eduard: www.eduard.com
Hot on the heels of the main kit
comes a whole host of aftermarket
extras for its new 1/48 Zlín Z-226
Trener. For starters, there’s set
648679, which provides crisply
cast replacement resin mainwheels
and a tailwheel for £3.69. Simply
remove them from the casting
blocks, neaten, and they’re ready for
painting. Tape masks are included.
The detail is exquisite – from the
convincing rib and aileron linkage
depiction on the one-piece wing
to a finely rendered engine ‘pod’.
There’s also a one-piece main
fuselage, to which the empennage
and wing attach.
Fine detail is cast integrally with the
cockpit section, but this is enlivened
by other components, including the
seat, side panels, rudder pedals,
a control column and instrument
panel. The seat has separate
harnesses provided on the small PE
fret, while the instrument panel is
made more convincing via dials on a
clear acetate sheet.
Thoughtfully, different radiator
set-ups are supplied for the two
airframes that can be portrayed
– this being achieved by using
different PE endplates on the resin
Lamblin-type radiator. Tape masks
are supplied for the glazing, and
Meanwhile, FE1219 (£4.96) is a
photo-etched (PE) metal fret of pre-
painted harnesses for both seats,
and a full set of canopy and wheel
masks comes via item EX805.
For additional cockpit detail, there
are two options: the LööK Set
644120 (£6.38) offers pre-coloured,
3D-printed instrument panels, along
with the PE seatbelts from FE1219.
Alternatively, you can plump for
the Space package 3DL48045
(£6.38), which provides the same
PE seatbelts, but also 3D textured
decals, to replicate the instrument
panels, sidewall map holders and
wing fuel filler caps.
Finally, extra stencils are afforded
by the decal sheet D48092 (£2.69).
Other mediums employed are
photo-etched brass, cast metal,
clear acetate and tape masks
decals emulate the Italian green,
red and white stripes on the
horizontal and vertical stabilisers.
Race numbers for airframes
MM48 and MM49 – flown at the
Baltimore, USA heat in 1925 – are
also provided. The 1/72 M.33 retails
for €40 and is available direct from
www.sbsmodel.com
KeyModelWorld.com

GROUNDWORK AND GLUE
AMMO BY Mig
Jimenez has released
interesting new
sundries with kit
assembly and scenic
modelling in mind.
If you have ideas for
dioramas bubbling
away in your brain,
AMMO’s new groundwork
mediums could further fuel your
inspiration. Part of the Vignettes
Acrylic range, these textured
pastes help to replicate different
forms of terra firma, and have
wide and varied applications,
due to the products available.
The fresh items sent to Airfix
Model World comprised:
• A.MIG-2150 Vignettes Acrylic
DESIGN AHEAD OF ITS TIME
MODELLERS OF racing aircraft
will be delighted with the just-
released styrene and resin
1/72 Bugatti 100P from
Special Hobby.
Futuristic-looking for its
time, and arguably one of the
coolest designs ever, Bugatti’s
100P racer has been served
poorly in 1/72 scale. Just a
basic, limited-run effort by
Sharkit was produced in the
mid 1990s, so the new product
from Czech company Special
Hobby is the first modern,
mass-market tooling – and it’s
a class act.
The type’s relatively small
size is reflected by the mere
10cm length of the kit’s main
fuselage (minus tail and
spinner), and the fairly low
parts count. Fine engraving
WHIRLYBIRD’S FINAL LANDING LATEST LEGS
JANUARY 2022 saw the closure
of a modelling stalwart, in the
form of South Yorkshire-based
Whirlybird Models.
The firm had indicated its
intention late last year, with the
announcement that co-founder
Roger Evans had decided
to retire, followed by a joint
declaration by Roger and
Dave Evans that they were
both stepping back from the
hobby. They stated that: “We
KeyModelWorld.com
MUD Arid Dry Ground
• A.MIG-2153 Vignettes Acrylic
MUD Turned Earth Ground
• A.MIG-2156 Vignettes Acrylic
SAND Sand Ground
All are priced at €3.50, come
in 100ml bottles and provide
a natural and realistic texture
to depict sand/soil in different
states, making them an ideal
option for a variety of types of
scenic modelling.
and rivets are present, and
there’s plenty of finesse on
smaller components such as the
wheels, instrument panel and
initial propeller gear housing.
Extra refinement comes
courtesy of undercarriage bays,
exhausts and tail leading-edge
cooling inserts – all cast crisply
are looking for a buyer, so if you
fancy taking over Whirlybird,
please get in contact with us, as
we would love to see the range
continue to be available.”
Whirlybird provided an eclectic
mix of subjects, usually in the
form of multi-media offerings,
along with a broad range of
conversion and upgrade sets,
and it’s to be hoped that another
company will take over the firm’s
product range.
NEWS | Latest updates
Meanwhile, AMMO-
MIG’s glue is rather
novel. Night Blue
(A.MIG-2045) and Red
Magma (A.MIG-2046)
Cements are, funnily
enough, deep blue and
blood red, respectively.
While this may not seem
significant at first, the colour
will be helpful in that, once dry,
it can reveal exactly where the
cement has been applied, and
highlight joins or other areas that
need sanding – no colour left,
neat surface. The in-the-lid brush
is beautifully thin for accurate
application. These are €3.95
each. All items are available at
www.migjimenez.com
in resin. However, there’s
plenty to see behind those
propellers, as the initial drive
area is represented – just as
well, because the glazing is
impressively clear. The Bugatti
100P (SH 72457) costs €15.80
and is available direct from:
www.specialhobby.eu
YET MORE products have
been added to Scale Aircraft
Conversion’s white-metal
landing-gear range:
• 48410 Yak-9TD (Modelsvit)
• 48411 XA2D-1 Skyshark –
including wing folds
(Clear Prop)
• 48408 A6M2 Zero (Eduard)
• 48409 OV-10A/D Bronco
(ICM)
NEWS
NEW-TOOL LANCIA DELTA INTEGRALE
The large white body
shell is an impressive
piece of moulding,
and the flared wheel
arches look good
ITALERI HAS become the only
manufacturer to release a styrene
kit of the Lancia Delta Integrale in
1/12 scale… a move sure to please
legions of race car fans.
Just as Airfix has its 1/24 Superkits,
Italeri occasionally takes the plunge
and produces an all-new large-scale
car. Its latest effort is a true legend
of rally competition – the Lancia
Delta HF Integrale. The company
8 Airfix Model World
The brake discs are good as they
are, but could always be drilled
through for extra authenticity
One of the final acts of assembly
involves the front grille/headlamp unit.
Photo-etched metal pieces and plastic
mesh raise the detail levels here
had already issued a 1/24 version
(a re-boxing of Protar’s kit), but this
example is all new, and will keep any
car modeller busy for ages.
There are large runners in white,
dove grey, black, dull metallic and
chrome styrene, but there are also
two huge decal sheets (one carrying
race/sponsor markings, the other a
wealth of Kevlar weave shapes), and
a bag of vinyl and rubber tubing (for
Much life is injected into the
excellent seats, courtesy of various
Kevlar weave decals, also provided
The dashboard will
look superb once it has
had PE parts attached
and decals applied
the electrical and fuel lines), plastic and this refinement includes
mesh, metal springs, small nuts and individual glazing over the dial
bolts and lengths of finely woven markings. A full roll cage is provided,
and realistic-looking red material for in the form of two large side pieces
the seatbelts. and individual rods plus a V-post to
Rounding out the contents are join them together.
rubber Michelin tyres, and a large Arguably one of the most complex
array of photo-etched (PE) metal elements in the kit will be the fabric
details (including instrument seat harnesses, as these must first
surrounds for the dash, a petrol be cut into lengths and then looped
cap and surround, windscreen through PE buckles. Well-detailed
wiper blades, sun visors, small door cards, interior panels and a
grilles, bonnet clips and mudguard convincing roof blower unit are all
brackets). But it’s all dominated by included, with decals enlivening that
the large white body shell, which last component.
depicts the Integrale’s shape well,
featuring the trademark flared
wheel arches, but also benefits from
smaller but well-executed details
such as door locks and window
trim. The only negative aspect is the
large and prominent mould stub that
sits in the roof vent orifice and will
require careful removal.
The cockpit is a faithful replica, with
styrene, PE and decals combined to
make a miniature of the dashboard,
KeyModelWorld.com
 NEWS | Latest updates

Another item deserving of praise

is the runner providing the glazing
– the quality in general is pleasing
with barely any distortion, which
is impressive for such large clear
components… and the appropriate
line patterns are present on the
headlamp lenses.
This attention to detail extends
to the underside, notably on the
brakes, with well-rendered discs
featuring circular indents for the
cooling holes. These could easily
be filled with a black wash to impart
further depth, or simply drilled
through for greater realism.
Italeri provides an impressive
engine – almost a mini-kit
in itself – which even has MORE ONL
W
IN

individual spark plugs.

VIE

Italeri’s moulding of the floor pan is

E

The radiator also looks splendid, both on top and underneath

good, with an effective
m
Ke y

moulded mesh plus Occelli, respectively. The tyres. The more colourful selection templates on the instructions to set
co

M
o d e or ld .
separate fan unit. lW latter pair won the event, is printed sharply and rich in tone, the outlines.
The kit portrays the two while the former came third. with the Martini light blue/dark blue There may be a stumbling block
vehicles entered in the 1990 Monte Italeri’s decals are impressive; trim sections looking particularly for some modellers – the price of
Carlo Rally, in Martini livery, #1 and large fields of Kevlar weave are good. The gloss carrier film is £229.99, but it is for a stunning
#7, driven by Miki Biasion/Tiziano present on one sheet; there are admirably thin. Red portions of the replica of this famous rally car. For
Siviero and Didier Auriol/Bernard also white Michelin legends for the trim are to be painted, using paper details, visit: www.hobbyco.net

Italeri’s attempt at the wheels is also respectable, with their hexagonal nuts
being moulded in situ

Slick tyres with Michelin branding are provided in rubber form

For extra realism, items such as rubber and vinyl tubing, copper wire and metal
suspension springs are provided. Note the vivid red seatbelt material

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 9

NEWS
IMPRESSIVE DUAL WILDCAT PACKAGE
MODELLERS WHO have enjoyed
Arma Hobby’s recent single 1/72
boxings of Grumman F4F-4, FM-1
and FM-2 Wildcats can now opt
for a stunning deluxe dual-kit set
(70050) holding both FM variants.
Having done its homework
well, Arma correctly renders the
structural differences with each
kit, each sporting altered vertical
tails, wings, engines and cowlings.
As with all this firm’s Wildcats,
the moulding is to super-fine
standards, but the refinement is
boosted further with the aid of
three photo-etched brass frets
featuring instrument panels, engine
ignition cabling, seat harnesses
and other items. There are three
styrene runners for each kit, with
one providing crystal-clear glazing
INVENTIVE METAL PAINTING WITH LIFECOLOR
ITALIAN PAINT brand Lifecolor
now offers two interesting sets
enabling figure painters to
realistically emulate metallic tones
with solid matt shades.
Rather than employing
traditional metallics, the idea is
to use standard matt colours in
complementing hues to impart the
materials’ reflectivity and depth,
both ‘warm’ and ‘cold’. The NMM
10 Airfix Model World
for the canopy. Pleasingly, two
excellent laser-cut wooden carrier
deck display bases are included,
portraying different areas of a US
Navy flight deck, but note that
just the American liveries would
be applicable; British equivalents
had armoured decks, which looked
rather different. That said, building
a Fleet Air Arm Wildcat is possible
due to the inclusion of decals for
three British airframes.
The excellent selection of
schemes features:
• FM-1, S-31, VC-33, USS Nassau,
California, September 6, 1943
• Wildcat V, JV579/F That Old
Thing, 846 Naval Air Squadron,
HMS Trumpeter/Eglington airfield
• FM-1, 7, VC-6, USS Core, North
Atlantic, December 16, 1943
(Non Metallic Metal) Set 1 Gold
provides six shades: UA 7007 Solaris
Yellow, UA 7008 Ocre Sandstorm,
UA 7009 Pure Green Oxide, UA 7010
Revel Brown, UA 7011 Dark Code, UA
7012 Poison Black. In the NMM Set
2 Steel, there are: UA7013 Blinding
Moon, UA 7014 Riding Sky, UA 7015
Thunder Vibe, UA 7016 Phantom
Blue, UA 7017 Ambient Mass, UA
7018 Revenge Black.
LifeColor worked with noted figure
painter Alessandro Gobbi to create
these hues with the intention of
them being applied roughly, then
blended so the finish appears to
reflect directional light and be
affected by the surrounding colours.
It might sound complicated, but
actually makes sense when you read
• Wildcat V, JV439/C9-N, Sub Lt
Griffiths, 733 Naval Air Squadron,
Trincomalee, Ceylon, 1945
• FM-2, 6 Hot Lips, VC-99, USS
Hoggatt Bay, Pacific theatre,
July 1945
• FM-2, D6 Judy, VC-14, USS
Hoggatt Bay, Philippines,
November 22, 1944
• FM-2, 4, VC-13, USS Tripoli,
Atlantic (near Cape Verde),
March 1944
• Wildcat VI, JV752/320 9, Sqn Ldr
Janusz Żurakowski, Aeroplane
Lifecolor’s ‘how-to’ PDF (available
on the NMM product pages at
The Airbrush Company, www.
airbrushes.com) and is arguably
easier than using ‘proper’ metallics
to gain the same effect. The paints
are also suitable for giving life to
metal armour or decorative items
worn by historical subjects such as
knights and ancient Greek figures.
Each set costs £14.99.
and Armament Experimental
Establishment, Boscombe Down,
UK, February 14, 1945
Decal register appears to be
good, and besides instrument
panel dials and stencils, there
are also seat strap decals if you
wish to use them on their own, or
overlaid on the PE harnesses. Vinyl
paint masks for both kits are also
supplied, making this set great
value for money at €37.
It’s available direct from Arma
Hobby: www.armahobby.com
CLUB SCENE
AMENDMENT
INCORRECT INFORMATION
was provided in last month’s
Club Scene for the Coventry and
Warwickshire IPMS Branch (p.12).
We apologise for this error; its
details are:
Where: Midland Air Museum,
Rowley Road, Baginton,
Coventry CV3 4FR
When: First/third Friday of each
month from 7pm-9.30pm, plus the
fifth Friday in a five-week month
Social Media: Facebook –
Coventry and Warwickshire
IPMS Model Club
Web: https://coventryand
warwickipms.weebly.com/
Contact: Paul Redfern
(club secretary) at:
cwipms2019@gmail.com
KeyModelWorld.com

HARRIER AFTERMARKET SETS
FOUR NEW improvement sets
from Czech firm Brengun are
a boon for anyone building
Hasegawa’s US Marine Corps
AV-8B in 1/72 scale.
There are four packages, all
featuring superbly cast resin parts,
with greater refinement than the
styrene components:
BRL72182 (€10.02) provides new
‘furniture’ for the cockpit, in the
shape of resin sidewalls, consoles
and alternative instrument
panels – one configured for the
AV-8B(NA) and radar-equipped
‘Plus’ variants, and another for the
early AV-8B. Additionally, there is
a small but busy photo-etched (PE)
metal fret carrying seat harnesses,
rudder pedals, a head-up display
frame, seat firing handle, antennas
and other items. A small acetate
sheet with pre-printed outlines for
KeyModelWorld.com
the HUD glass is also provided.
BRL72183 (€8.30) is a simple
affair, comprising four single-piece
drop-in replacement jet exhaust
nozzles, with better details and
very thin inner vanes.
BRL72184 (€6.96) offers an
AV-8B(NA) night-attack nose unit
with the forward-looking infrared
fairing on top, making it handy for
conversion if your kit has the plain
early or radar nose.
BRL72185 (€7.82) provides a
set of replacement resin wheels.
The mainwheels are single-piece
items, while the nosewheel has
a separate lower undercarriage
leg section and bay door. The
outrigger wheels feature integrally
cast ‘yoke’ structures and there
are new PE oleo scissor parts.
All are available from Brengun
direct: www.brengun.cz
GLOBAL TRANSPORTS
TWO RECENT book releases from
Key Publishing put the spotlight
onto transport aircraft, with
one examining their role in the
RAF and the other focusing on
Lockheed’s C-141 Starlifter.
Modern Military Aircraft Series,
Vol 6: RAF Transport Aircraft
charts the history of RAF logistics
in its 96 pages. With more than
130 photographs, this book
describes the evolution of the
aircraft that provided the airlift
capacity for Britain’s armed forces
wherever they served, from
modest origins with BE.2c and
Vickers Victoria to the current fleet
of C-16 Globemasters.
The second book is the ninth in
the Historic Military Aircraft Series
KILMARNOCK STATION
COMMUNITY VILLAGE
WORK AT Kilmarnock station
continues with the Kilmarnock
Station Railway Heritage trust
helping those in the community
improve their physical and mental
health wellbeing.
In addition to providing
counselling, the trust has
established a Breaking Bread
project where individuals can learn
new baking skills and socialise
NEWS | Latest updates
and features the Lockheed C-141
Starlifter. During the second half
of the 1960s, this four-engined
transport quickly became a
commonplace visitor worldwide,
and remained in service for four
decades. This 96-page volume
contains more than 170 images,
backed by detailed information
from the people who flew,
maintained and supported the
type, making it an ideal reference
for enthusiasts and modelers.
Both titles retail for £15.99 and
are available direct via www.shop.
keypublishing or by calling +44
(0)1780 480404.
A special discount is available
to subscribers of Key Publishing
magazine titles.
with others from their community
in a fully equipped training bakery.
For further information please visit
www.ksrht.org.
Other community projects are
going well, with the Station Gamers
scale model shop (open Tues-
Fri 10am-4pm and Sat 10am-2pm)
proving a valued addition to the
town. The trust is working with
AMMO MIG (www.migjimenez.com)
to provide fundraising opportunities
to assist not only those affected
by mental health issues through
counselling but also supporting
the fight against cancer. A portion
of funds raised through the sale of
AMMO MIG products in the Station
Gamers shop will go towards
helping both causes.
Airfix Model World 11
SHOW GUIDE

SHOW GUIDE Model Display

Model Competition
Aircraft Display
Military Display
Refreshments
Free Parking

KEY
Trade Stands Automotive Display Make ‘N’ Paint
At-a-glance model show calendar
Poole Vikings Scale Model
Exhibition
Date: April 23
Hosts: IPMS Dorset and Poole
Vikings Model Club
Address: IPMS Dorset and Poole
Vikings Model Club,
Parkstone Grammar
School, Sopers Lane,
Poole BH17 7EP
Times: 10am-4pm
Prices: TBC
Email: jez_thomson@yahoo.
co.uk
Web: www.poolevikingsblog.
wordpress.com

March 10 Yeovil Model Show May 8 Model Kraft 2022

Hosts: Ken Bugler Hosts: Milton Keynes Scale
5 Aldingbourne Modelex Address: Westfield Academy, 1 RAF Kenley Aerojumble Model Club
Hosts: Aldingbourne Modellers IPMS Stiby Road, Yeovil Hosts: Dave Sutton Address: Marshall Arena, Arena MK,
Address: Aldingbourne Community BA21 3EP Address: Portcullis RAFA Club, Kenley Stadium Way, Milton Keynes
Sports Centre, Olivers Meadow, Times: 10am-4pm Aerodrome, Victor Beamish MK1 1ST
Westergate, Chichester, Prices: Adults £5, accompanied under Avenue, Caterham, Surrey Times: 10am-4pm
West Sussex PO20 3YA 16s £2.50, under 5s free CR3 5LT Prices: TBC, accompanied under
Times: 10am-4pm Email: yeovilmodelshow@gmail.com 16s free
Times: 9:30am-3pm
Prices: Adults £3, under 16s free Web: Yeovil Model Show Email: TBC
Prices: £2.50
Email: Aldingbournemodellers@gmail. (Facebook) Web: www.modelkraft.org.uk
Email: TBC - phone 07860 762277
com
Web: www.aviationantiques.co.uk
Web: Aldingbourne Modellers
(Facebook)
23 Moson Model Show XXIV 14-15 Scottish National Scale
Model Show
Hosts: Mosonmagyaróvár 7 Lancing Model Show
Hosts: Scottish National Scale Model
6 Sywell Book and Model Sale Modelling Club Hosts: Southdowns Model Group
Show Team
Address: Mosonmagyaróvár UFM Arena, Address: Lancing Parish Hall,
Hosts: Sywell Aviation Museum Address: Live Active Dewars Centre,
Városi Sportcsarnok 96 South Street, Lancing
Address: Sywell Aerodrome, Hall Farm, Glover Street, Perth PH2 0TH
Sywell, Northampton NN6 0BN Kapunicus utca 9200, BN15 8AJ
Times: Sat: 10am-5pm,
Times: 10am-2pm Mosonmagyaróvár, Times: 10am-4pm
Sun: 10am-4pm
Prices: Free Gorkij út 1, Hungary Prices: Free
Prices: Adults £10, concessions £5,
Email: sywellaviationmuseum@gmail. Times: TBC Email: info@lancingmodelshow.
16-17 year olds £2 per day,
com Prices: Free org.uk
accompanied under 16s free
Web: Sywell Aviation Museum Email: msz.kormospeter@gmail.com Web: Southdowns Model Group
Email: N/A
(Facebook) Web: www.mosonshow.hu (Facebook)
Web: www.scotnats.org

April 23 The British Model Soldier

Society's Annual Show
7-8 20ème Salon National de
la Maquette, du Modèle 22 IPMS Gloucester Model Show
Hosts: The British Model Soldier Réduit et Ferroviare Hosts: IPMS Gloucester
9 Welling Model Show
Hosts: Welling Model Club Society (BMSS) Hosts: SMMRC Normandie Address: Churchdown Community
Address: Falconwood Community Address: Reading Salvation Army, Address: Salle des Fêtes – 27390 Centre, Oarton Road,
Centre, The Green, Welling Anstey Road, Reading Montreuil-l'Argillé, France Churchdown, Gloucestershire
DA16 2PG RG1 7JR Times: Saturday 10am-6pm, GL3 2JH
Times: 10am-4:30pm Times: 10:30am-4pm Sunday 10am-5:30pm Prices: Adults £3.50, children and
Prices: Adults £3, juniors free Prices: £3, BMSS members £2 Prices: TBC senior citizens £1.50
Email: simon.day@me.com Email: N/A Email: smmrc@orange.fr Email: gundylunch@sky.com
Web: www.wellingmodelclub.org.uk Web: www.bmssonline.com Web: N/A Web: IPMS Gloucester (Facebook)

Please note, all events are subject to change, national government guidance and restrictions, which may result in short-notice postponement/cancellation. These events are collated from various
sources and are believed to be correct at the time of going to press – check with organisers prior to attendance. While the status of many events is uncertain, if you’re planning a model show for
2022, please email the details in the format shown to: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com. A full events listing is also available at: www.KeyModelWorld.com

12 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

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BASIC BUILD
BAT HELL
Jay Blakemore
discovers that building
GasPatch Model’s new
quarter-scale Komet is far
from being rocket science
GasPatch supplies a simple two-part
pilot’s seat; the harnesses are supplied
as PE components with convincing
buckle detail
GasPatch’s styrene runners contain a
multitude of delicately moulded parts,
especially those that form the landing
skid suspension arms (top right)
16 Airfix Model World
M
esserschmitt’s Me
163 Komet was and
remains an amazing
aircraft that holds a
unique place in aviation history:
it has the distinction of being
the only rocket-powered aircraft
ever to have entered service and
to have fought in combat, being
credited with 18 victories.
It attained an unofficial speed
record for a piloted aircraft
having attained 1,130km/h in
July 1944, which it held until
the arrival of the Me 262. Three
hundred Komets were built at
a time when German industry
was on its last legs due to
constant Allied air attack, and
by necessity production was
widely dispersed. Partly for this
reason, and despite the type
bearing the manufacturer’s
name, Messerschmitt didn’t build
any of the airframes, instead
they were assembled by Klemm
and later Junkers, which had
spare capacity once bomber
manufacture ceased.
The Me 163 was a dangerous
machine to fly, though, being
fuelled by a mixture of volatile
liquids: hydrazine hydrate and
methanol (designated C-Stoff),
which was mixed with oxygen-
rich exhaust from a second tank
containing hydrogen peroxide
(known as T-Stoff). This meant
the pilots had to fly encased
in protective flying suits made
of rubberised asbestos in case
they came into contact with
these corrosive liquids, which
were stored in tanks to the side
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Me 163B Komet

and behind them. Despite such

precautions, more Luftwaffe
pilots were killed in accidents
while piloting Komets than were
lost in action, with just eight
being claimed by Allied pilots.
The ratio of victories-to-losses
means the short-lived Me 163
was a successful interceptor.

Cigar-smoking parrots
Greek manufacturer GasPatch
Models has been in the business
of making aftermarket accessories
and kits since 2011. As might be
supposed, the company name
was inspired by the yellow-
coloured chemically impregnated
‘gas patches’ pasted to the wings
MODEL SPEC
Me 163B Komet
By: GasPatch Models
Stock Code: 48236
Scale: 1/48
Price: €36.00
Available from:
www.gaspatchmodels.com
The cockpit rear bulkhead
is moulded in clear styrene (to
accommodate two small triangular
windows) on to which PE structural
formers are attached
and fuselages of RAF aircraft
during early stages of World War
Two. The cigar-smoking parrot
logo that graces all the company’s
products is, on the other hand,
intended simply as a reminder to
us all that modelling is supposed
to be a fun pastime. Having had
plenty of enjoyment building
two of the company’s previous
The cockpit tub minus the seat
comprises 11 delicate styrene parts plus
PE footstraps for the pedals. The floor
panel was initially base-coated with
ALC-119 Airframe Aluminium
Luftwaffe releases (Hs 123-A1 and
B1), it came as a pleasant surprise
to the author when GasPatch
announced the imminent release
of an Me 163B Komet. Until now,
modellers wishing to build a
replica of this rocket-powered
interceptor were restricted to the
1990s-vintage Trimaster kit, which
has, over the intervening years,
This was oversprayed with an RLM
66 Schwartzgrau enamel mix, which
was removed partially from the floor
to replicate wear. Dry-brushing added
interest to the otherwise flat tones
been re-packaged and released
by Dragon, Hasegawa and
Revell. By all accounts, it’s a fairly
accurate kit, though it does lack
cockpit refinement and suffers
from a misshapen nose.
Fit as a flea
This 21st century offering
was presented in a brightly

“Gaspatch Models has

once again done itself
proud and produced a
faultless kit ”

A piece of wire was used to replace the delicate styrene piping broken Five separate, tiny components make up the port sidewall detail. GasPatch
during removal from its frame; also visible are the installed tail pipe and upper includes a handy interior painting guide that utilises just RLM (Reich Luft
fuselage decking Ministerium) designations

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 17

BASIC BUILD
External detail comprises delicately recessed panel lines, while the gun bay
sidewalls feature raised ridges and open ammunition feeder chutes
illustrated hinge-top box typical
of the company’s products. The
117 parts were spread across four
pale grey styrene runners while a
single clear frame contained six
thinly-moulded and crystal-clear
Separately moulded ailerons and
flaps should be inserted prior to
the wings being cemented, while
the under-wing airbrakes are
supplied as PE parts
18 Airfix Model World
transparencies. There was also a
pair of 3D-printed resin jigs, plus
two additional resin components,
a large decal sheet featuring
six scheme options, a photo-
etched (PE) brass fret and a set
Small leading-edge inserts should be installed prior to the wings being closed.
Also visible here are the spent ammunition chute openings for the cannon
of pre-cut vinyl canopy masks.
Styrene components featured a
matt surface texture with razor-
sharp engraving and ruler-straight
panel lines. Raised detail was
restrained, while options included
posable canopy, ammunition
compartment access hatches with
well-appointed interiors, wing-
mounted PE flaps and landing
skid. Two types of tail wheel,
both in retracted and extended
configurations, were provided,
while the wheeled dolly came
with a choice of weighted or
unweighted tyres.
First-class seat
Construction naturally began with
the diminutive cockpit, though
lack of space did not mean a
paucity of detail. Immediately
there were PE elements to
incorporate, with two metal
structural components fitted on
to the clear styrene bulkhead and
a four-part harness to bend into
shape. Straps for the foot pedals
were also included on the PE fret,
as were an assortment of tiny
levers for the side consoles
and instrument panel.
The latter item is moulded
beautifully and features raised
clock bezels – for which decals
are supplied, though these
required several applications
of decal softener before they
settled completely into the
circular recesses. Several multi-
part components require fitting
to the cockpit sides, while finely
moulded pipes snake from the
rear bulkhead and require a
delicate touch during clean-up.
As mentioned, the rear panel
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Me 163B Komet

is moulded in
clear styrene to
“The 117
accommodate the small parts were
rear-facing triangular windows spread
situated either side of the pilot’s
across four
seat. Before any painting could
begin, therefore, these required pale grey
masking. Unfortunately, just styrene
two such masks were included runners”
on the sheet provided, and
as both sides of the bulkhead
required paint, duplicate
items were duly created. The
instructions are particularly
noteworthy, being illustrated
clearly in colour with detailed
painting guides for all areas
including the cockpit.
Using photographs as
reference and inspiration,
painting began by treating the
small floor section with Alclad’s
ALC-302 Grey Primer in

KOMET
SCHEMES
GasPatch supplies markings for six late and
post-war machines, offering modellers a superb
variety of markings and liveries:
• Wk.Nr 191916/Yellow 26, JG 400, Brandis, April 1945
• Wk.Nr 191659/Yellow 15, JG 400, 1945
The upper fuselage joint proved quite poor along its length, with a noticeable • White 14, JG 400, Brandis, February 1945
trench that required filling. A coat of primer was also deemed necessary, with • Wk.Nr 191477, EJG 2, spring 1945
wet sanding utilised to finally level the ridges • Wk.Nr 310061/Yellow 13/Air Ministry 203, French Air Force, 1946
• VF 241, RAE Farnborough, April 1945

Despite resin jigs being supplied to align the cannon (here seen in position
and appearing a lighter grey than the surrounding styrene), the port assembly
proved troublesome, to the extent it hampered wing fit

The cannon were painted in-situ, while lengths of stretched runner material,
pre-sprayed with a pale yellow tone, were used to replicate wiring

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 19

BASIC BUILD
“Two wonderfully detailed
MK 108 cannon are included,
each comprising five parts”
preparation for a coat of ALC-119
With the ailerons
and flaps in place, Airframe Aluminium. This was
the Me 163 took sealed with an application of
on its familiar ALC-312 Klear Kote Satin, and
bat-like appearance.
The PE airbrakes was allowed to dry before the
fitted perfectly and entire cockpit was sprayed in
required just a spot dark grey enamel. A soft brush
of cyanoacrylate
(CA) to secure them
dampened with white spirit was
then used to remove most of
the grey from the floor panel to
reveal the metallic layer beneath.
The same method was used
to remove paint from the edges
and centres of the foot pedals to
replicate wear.
It should be noted that on the
real aircraft the raised sidewalls
were fashioned from wood,
as were much of the wing
surfaces, making reference
pictures particularly useful during
weathering. Grey areas were
dry-brushed with lighter mixes of
the original tone to pick out the
subtle raised details and give a
Separate and delicately moulded
leading-edge flaps are included, plus
a PE exhaust nozzle that must be
rolled into shape. Household masking
tape has been used to cover the
open cannon bay prior to painting
20 Airfix Model World
worn look to all painted surfaces.
The internal skid bay was treated
similarly after the insertion of the
bay roof.
Going batty
Further sub-assemblies are
required prior to the fuselage
halves being closed, and these
include a three-part tail pipe
and an upper fuselage section
housing the ammunition trays for
the wing-mounted cannon.
GasPatch suggests that the
landing skid be inserted at
this point, but because this
comprises five very delicate
tubular components, it was felt
better to attach it at the end of
the build to prevent damage,
which dry-fitting suggested
would be possible.
Two wonderfully detailed MK
108 cannon are included, each
comprising five parts along with
A strip of foam was
utilised to mask the
pre-painted landing
skid bay prior to a
dark brown enamel
basecoat. Marble-effect
airbrushing of an RLM
76 Light Blue tone
would remain partially
visible beneath a
translucent final coat of
the same colour
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Me 163B Komet

Painting cylindrical items such as nose cones is always a problem. In this

instance Maketar curved ‘nose cone’ masks (MMS016K) were used, which made
the job simpler

The same marbling technique was used on the upper fuselage, though the
wings were masked at their roots to prevent overspray

a section of linked ammunition. transparent armoured panel and

Having painted and weathered the small triangular windows to
them using the metallic the rear of the cockpit were also
weathering method already catered for.
described, they were positioned
either side of the fuselage using Chaotic camouflage
the resin jigs provided for correct With the cockpit and cannon bay
alignment. Additional wiring was masked, painting began with an
then fabricated from stretched overall dark brown enamel base
runner material. layer, which I long ago dubbed as
The Me 163’s swept-back wings a ‘shadow coat’. This name aptly
were split horizontally, with describes the weathering effects
separate elevators and flaps that that can be created by utilising
slotted between them, while such a dark base in conjunction
underside flaps were provided as with a marbled ‘middle coat’. Hard-edge masking was adopted
PE components. The latter items In this instance a blend of RLM to create a neat finish on the upper
wings. Tape was utilised for the
could be posed open using the 76 (mixed from Humbrol and roots, while cut paper masks were
styrene actuating arms included. Colourcoats enamels) was used felt more appropriate for the splinter
Unfortunately, when it was time to form a disorderly pattern of camouflage. Tonal variations have
to fit the assembled wings, the shapes on the been created using pale mixes of the
original green and brown shades
starboard gun seemed to foul, undersides
despite the jig having been
used. After several unsuccessful
attempts to reposition it, the
decision was taken to close that
particular gun bay and consign
the unused cannon and fittings
to the spares box.
The landing dolly was simplicity
itself, comprising a single-piece
axle and wheels, while the
delicate tailwheel was made
slightly more complicated by the
addition of tiny PE brake arms.
Internal and external masks were
provided for the crystal-clear
canopy, while both sides of the

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 21

BASIC BUILD

Patience and control are key requirements for creating a dense mottle, as With the decals added, final assembly and weathering could take place, with
applied to Klem-built airframes, with a Hansa 381 airbrush used for this project the result being an eye-catching rendering of the Komet

that would remain partially visible
beneath a topcoat of the same
pale blue/grey. The instructions
were followed with respect to the
upper surface colours, with areas
of an RLM 82 Dunkelgrün blend
(also mixed from enamels) being
sprayed freehand. Torn paper
masks were then utilised to create
a hard-edged splinter pattern
– cut paper producing a slightly
less severe or ‘stepped’ edge to
the demarcation line than masking
tape. Finally, an airbrushed layer
of RLM 81 Braunviolett enamel
was added.
Klem-built machines, such as
‘White 14’, wore a dense mottle
pattern over the fuselage, and
replicating this type of camouflage
is particularly challenging, much
more so than the ‘spotted’
applications more commonly
associated with late-war
Luftwaffe fighters. When creating
any ‘in-scale’ mottling with an
airbrush it is necessary to keep
the nozzle close to the surface
being painted, but such a dense
pattern necessitates maximum
and constant control of the lever
(trigger) and paint flow.
For such a task I usually rely on
the attributes of my Hansa 381
airbrush (www.harder-airbrush.eu),
which is equipped with a double-
function lever that releases both
paint and air with a single, subtle
rearward movement. This allows
more control over the airflow
than a single-action airbrush,
but is easier to manipulate over
long periods of time than is usual
for most double-action types. It
is still imperative, though, that
both air pressure and paint-mix
are combined perfectly to make
a successful application of such
dense and chaotic mottle patterns
– it’s well worth practising on
scrap styrene beforehand.
For those looking for something
different, two of the six scheme
options on offer feature captured
airframes; one in French markings
and the other an RAF example
with yellow-painted undersides.
Perfect parasite
Where you find one flea you’ll
usually find others, and whereas
that would normally be a
nuisance, having more than one of
these perfect parasites would be
very welcome indeed! GasPatch
Models has once again done itself
proud and produced a faultless
kit in the shape of this iconic and
oft-overlooked rocket interceptor.
I look forward with anticipation
to its next release, but in the
meantime, pass me another
Me 163B Komet!
MATERIALS
AT A GLANCE
Alclad (www.alclad2.com)
ALC-119 Airframe Aluminium
ALC-302 Grey Primer
ALC-312 Klear Kote Satin
Maketar Masks
(https://shop.maketar.com)
MMS016K Nose Cone Masking Kit
Humbrol paints
(www.humbrol.com)
Various
Colourcoats paints
(www.sovereignhobbies.com)
Various

“Klem-built
machines,
such as ‘White
14’, wore a
dense mottle
pattern over
the fuselage”

22 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 Ava ila b le fro m yo ur
Pla stic Mo de l Kits Ba c hm a nn sto c kist

NEWING
L
TOO

1947 PD-3751 Silverside Bus “Greyhound Lines” PKROD816

Iconic intercity bus created in the mid-1930s by Yellow Coach
for one of the largest US coach companies, Greyhound
Lines. The bus was a revolution in automotive construction;
corrugated aluminium and plastic materials were widely used
in its build. Special attention was paid to maximum comfort
for passengers.
Following the construction of a wide network of highways
during the Great Depression, rail passenger traffic almost
stopped due to its inability to compete with high speed road
transport. Mass production was undertaken at the Pontiac West
Assembly plant in Michigan, where General Motors built pick-
Detailed exterior ups and trucks. Door closed or open with boarding step options
Once the United States entered World War II the mass
transportation of military recruits presented a major challenge.
The solution was to use Greyhound buses. As early as 1942
they carried more than 130 million passengers, both military
and civilian, an impressive figure accounting for almost half the
country’s population. Silversides continued in passenger traffic
in the US after the war.
Detailed new tooling plastic kit includes:
• Box art poster
• Photo-etch ‘Greyhound’ for raised profile effect

Detailed dashboard and driver controls Detailed engine compartment closed or open options

Detailed interior Choice of markings for 9 buses Photo etch grilles

For more information on our products and to find your nearest stockist visit www.bachmann.co.uk
M o d e l • C o lle c t • C re a t e
YOUR AIRFIX
Y UR AIRFIX
I
took my very first flight on
August 11, 1965, from Lydd
Airfield in Kent to Le Touquet
in France (see inset photo). The
aircraft concerned was a Bristol
Superfrieghter in the livery of
British United Air Ferries, which had
recently changed from the iconic
Silver City Airways.
Since then, I have always had a
special interest in the aircraft type
and always wanted to model it. The
24 Airfix Model World
Bob Newberry explains his
longstanding interest in the Bristol
Superfreighter, and why he was
compelled to modify Airfix’s
vintage 1/72 kit of the type
venerable Airfix kit, dating back to
the 1950s, is still the only option for
the long-nose Superfreighter, so I
decided to see what I could do with
it – I've made quite a few changes.
An old Magna Models Mk.31
conversion kit proved invaluable (if
expensive) by providing detailed
parts such as a vac-form canopy,
engine nacelles and upgraded
undercarriage. The window
arrangement was corrected and
panel lines inscribed, while seating out to be a real headache was the
and steps were scratch-built actual detail of the livery. You
as I wanted to display the may think the Luftwaffe
passenger cabin open. in 1944 is controversial
Clearly, the colour – try British United
scheme was always Air Ferries circa
going to be very 1965! Sources
time-consuming quote a mixture
and copious of bare metal and
amounts of masking light grey, but telling
tape were required. the difference on a
However, what turned black-and-white photo
is next to impossible. Even
colour photos invariably taken from a
distance were not much better.
Nonetheless, at the end of the day
I think I have captured the spirit of
the original and for that I am
pleased with the model.
Feature YOUR Model!
If you’ve completed an Airfix kit and
would like to feature the model in
AMW, send 150-200 words telling
us about the project and what was
involved, plus 6-8 high-quality
(1MB or larger) photos of the model
on a white background. Remember,
non-Airfix projects can feature in
Display Case (p 114). Please email
your submissions to the editor:
stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
KeyModelWorld.com
Aviation & Military Book Centre
Military & Civil Aviation – Military Weapons & Equipment – Naval Vessels

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INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ON THE WRONG
TRACK
Huw Morgan goes off the rails to give RyeField Model’s
1/35 Sherman Firefly a decidedly different setting...
A
lthough it was
undoubtedly a key
factor in turning the
war against the Axis,
the Sherman tank’s primary
weaknesses were its relatively
thin armour, and its 75mm gun in
an offensive tank-vs-tank role, as
it fired a barely adequate armour-
piercing round.
At the time, work was progressing
in Britain to investigate the
possibility of fitting a more
powerful gun into the M4’s turret.
26 Airfix Model World
Superb detail was
perhaps best exemplified
by the quality of the
moulding, featuring
terrific texture and crisp
casting numbers
Such an armament was the long-
barrelled 3in (76.2mm) 17-pounder,
developed from a wheeled anti-
tank weapon, which had proved
highly successful. Fitting
the large gun into a small
turret was a challenge,
with significant
modifications being
necessary to the
mounting, mantlet,
recoil system and
turret interior.
However, the resulting tank –
named Firefly – proved itself easily
the only Allied vehicle capable
of taking on the best
German armour
(including
Construction of
the three-piece
‘nose’ was pretty
conventional,
although the highly
detailed final
drive units would
largely be hidden
Panthers and Tigers) at anything
approaching equal terms. By the
time of the D-Day invasion, the
British Army had approximately
one Firefly per troop of three
tanks, but such was the respect
with which German tankers
regarded them, they were targeted
specifically for early attack.
Almost all Fireflies were built onto
M4A4 chassis – the type supplied
to the British by the Americans.
It differed from other Shermans
in being powered by the bizarre
Chrysler multibank engine –
essentially five six-cylinder car
engines mated on a common
crankcase. The size of the engine
necessitated a lengthened hull,
re-spaced bogies and a new
engine deck to accommodate the
revised cooling system.
KeyModelWorld.com
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Sherman Vc Firefly

MODEL SPEC “RyeField’s kit of the

British Sherman Vc Firefly
Firefly is a recent tooling
By: RyeField Model dating from 2019”
Stock Code: 5038
Scale: 1/35
Price: £46.99
Available from:
www.ryefield-model.com

Scaled-down
Sherman
RyeField’s kit of the Firefly is a
recent tooling dating from 2019.
Apparently, it is not based on any
other version and is, therefore,
rather purist in its approach. That
said, there are numerous unused
parts hinting at future options.
It’s rather comprehensive, with
superb external detail, including
terrific texture and
casting numbers on the hull,
separate hatches, photo-etched
(PE) metal enhancement for the
fine detail and the inclusion of
excellent individual-link tracks,
which require just a modicum of
care to be made workable.
There are optional drive
sprockets and the model can be
built with or without side skirts or
Houseboat camouflage mountings
(the latter being a system where a
canvas structure was erected over
the tank to make it appear similar
to a commercial truck). The single
biggest downside of the kit is that
there is no interior included,

Alternative towing bars are offered, with the typical British leaf spring version
being chosen. It was detailed with neat bolt heads moulded onto runner frames
Considerable detail on the lower rear panel included the tow bar, plus a neat
representation of the smoke flare discharger

At the hull ‘bow’, PE was provided for the headlight guards. This was shaped Each of the six suspension bogies comprised 19 individual parts, including two
with the aid of a handy kit-supplied former stainless steel springs. With care, they could be made fully articulated

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 27

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

The external parts of the …although, the

gun appeared excellent… internals were very
sparse, with no
attempt at a gun
breech, despite
the crisp co-axial
machine gun

despite the posable hatches – it’s

all a bit odd. For example, there’s
a really neat co-axial machine gun
in the mantlet, but no attempt at a
main weapon breech.

Sticking it together
Construction began with the
hull, made from a floor, side and
rear panels (detailed with
separate access doors),
the final drive units and
transmission housing.
Drive hubs were located
via poly caps, to enable
them to rotate and make
fitting the tracks easier. The final
units gave an early indication
of the level of detail and quality
of engineering (which might
be expected) but, as with the
interior, the degree of detailing is
inconsistent. What is represented
appears terrific but some features
are missing – though, for the final “RyeField Model’s 1/35 Sherman Firefly is
drive units, these omissions were undoubtedly an excellent model of the type”
invisible once built.

Moulded turret At the back of the hull, the

detail was superb, rear plate was further adorned
yet further with the idler housings; an
enhanced with
PE additions. excellent plastic and PE
Stowage was smoke-candle dispenser;
also added to tow hooks, and one of
the sides, prior
to painting two designs of British
draw-bar, detailed with
bolt heads shaved
from a neat, specific
section of the
surrounding
runner. The area
could then be
finished with the
rather complex
hot-air and

28 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


Building the tracks is fairly complicated, but was helped by kit-supplied
jigs – each run was built from 14 segments, each comprising six links
exhaust deflector, the sides of
which need modifying if the skirts
are to be omitted.
The next steps in the instructions
were the assembly of the six
suspension bogies and fitting the
tracks. While the latter was left until
slightly later, the bogies were built
but not fitted to the hull, pending a
decision on how the model would
be displayed. The units themselves
are marvellous, each consisting
of 19 parts, including two tiny
springs, the whole lot assembling
into a fully workable, articulated
component – this opened
interesting possibilities for display.
However, attention must be paid
to parts clean-up and handed
components to get the full effect.
The tracks complement
the bogies
in being
KeyModelWorld.com
quite intricate constructions, for
which multi-part jigs are provided.
Each link comprised separate
upper and lower pad halves, which
sandwiched individual two-pin end
connectors – the extra pin serving
to connect to the next link. In all,
each track included 83 of these
units. While it sounds daunting,
connectors are provided in groups
of seven, and the clever jigs made
assembly straightforward, once a
rhythm was established.
The tracks were painted before
assembly, using a home-made mix
of Tamiya XF-64 Red Brown and
INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Sherman Vc Firefly
Approximately 100g of lead was added to the inside of the hull, to give it some
scale weight and to help with the subsequent terrain-following pose
XF-1 Flat Black (www.hobbyco.net).
In anticipation of a potential use
of the track/bogie articulation in a
final display, a 100g chunk of lead
was added to the hull, to give the
bogies an appropriate ‘sit’.
The upper hull was built with lots
of plastic and PE detail – the two
front hatches were each provided
with clear styrene periscopes and
internal fittings, plus both hatches
could be posed open (unlike
the absent co-driver’s example).
However, the gaping void inside
the hull didn't encourage the
undertaking of such work.
All the
periscopes
were treated by
painting the glass areas
with a mix of X-23 Clear Blue
and X-25 Clear Green before
masking for the Olive Drab final
colour. All pioneer tools were also
added at this stage, together with
the M4A4’s characteristic humped
engine deck. The upper hull was
completed by adding the tail
plate, complete with stowage box,
Houseboat mountings and brass
mounting strips where the side
skirts would normally fit.
Building the turret followed a
similar route to the upper deck,
with lots of styrene and PE, and a
difficult choice to be made about
the deployment of the loader’s
and commander’s hatches. In the
event, the former was left closed,
despite there being very attractive
detail in the counterweight system,
and the commander’s hatch was
opened to accept a figure.
Firefly in the field
Painting models of Allied tanks is
ostensibly simple, at least for the
European theatre where Olive
Drab was the ubiquitous colour
and no complicated camouflage
masking is needed. Inevitably,
however, the effects of weather,
wear and close brushes with
disaster tended to damage the
paintwork quickly and such was
the pace of advance after June
1944 that re-painting was low
on anyone’s to-do list.
After treatment with
Halfords’ automotive grey
primer from an aerosol, the
first move was to spray
the forward part of the
underside of the gun
barrel with white. Next
was masking this with
a wavy section of
tape, to represent
the attempt at
reducing the
visibility of
Airfix Model World 29
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
the long gun, as commonly seen
on the Firefly in the field.
A base coat of SCC 15 Olive Drab
was applied to the whole model,
using Mr. Paint’s MRP-349 (www.
mrpaint.sk), which sprays easily
and dries quickly to a smooth, hard
finish. A series of streaks were
then added, using the base tone
lightened progressively with MRP-
121 Middle Stone.
The finish produced by Mr. Paint
products is sufficiently gloss to
take an oil wash – in this case,
diluted Burnt Umber was applied
as a pin wash to bolt heads,
panel joins and weld beads. This
was followed by stippled ‘mud’
mixed from pastel chalk and
Vallejo weathering binder (www.
creativemodels.co.uk), plus a
spray of general muddy dirt to the
suspension and lower hull with
a variant of the black-brown mix
used for the tracks.
30 Airfix Model World
The hull and turret were
first painted with Olive Drab
and given initial streaking,
using the base paint
lightened with Mid Stone
The penultimate stage in finishing
was to add some further streaks
using dots of brown, green and tan
oil paint blended with a fine brush
dampened with white spirit, before
gently dry-brushing the raised
detail with a pale buff mix.
Detailing up
Stowage was added to the turret
side and rear deck during the
build, and this was hand-painted
with Vallejo khaki and green
tones. A pair of jerrycans was
also built from RyeField’s
accessory runner, to go in
the rear stowage bin. The
kit includes a length of
thread to use as a tow
rope, but a better
representation was
made by twisting
together
strands of
copper wire.
The figure used to occupy the
open commander’s hatch was
taken from MiniArt’s 35121 British
Tank Crew Winter Uniform (www.
miniart-models.com), which has
the team wearing padded overalls.
Given the need to pose the figure
to fit the hatch covers and the
presence of the .50 cal machine
gun, the arms and torso joints
were pinned, so they could
be arranged appropriately
before gluing. Overalls were
painted with buff; the hood
and gloves received field
grey, then the whole
figure was given a
substantial wash of
Umber oil paint and
dry-brushed with
MiniArt’s crew
figure had its
arms and torso
pinned, enabling
manipulation of the
final pose to be
fixed before gluing
slightly dark-tinted white. Pastel
chalk was used to add dirt to the
knees and cuffs, plus a five-o'clock
shadow to the face.
Building a baseboard
From quite early on in the
project, displaying the model on
an unusual base had appealed.
Inspired by an old photo from an
ancient Osprey book, the idea of
the tank crossing a railway line
would play to the strengths of
the flexible suspension. The
underpinning of the base
was a A4-sized piece of
thin ply (which would
fit into a commercially
available
picture
KeyModelWorld.com
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Sherman Vc Firefly

frame), onto which several other

layers of ply were added and
shaped to represent a raised
railway track bed.
Having covered the whole thing
in household filler, an underlying
mix of green and brown acrylic
paint was applied as a base,
before starting to fix various
grades of railway ballast, sand
and foliage. The track itself was
taken from MiniArt’s 35568 set,
which included an attractively
detailed buffer stop – this was The base was planned to centre on a semi-disused rail siding, for
built to add visual interest, while which MiniArt’s set was ideal. It included a neat representation of a
bufferstop, made from welded and bolted lengths of old rail
spare sleepers and rail were also
added. Most of the foliage came
from several sets by Belgian
company JoeFix (www.jfx-shop.
com), but alternatives are available
elsewhere to complete the scene.

End of the line

RyeField Model’s 1/35 Sherman
Firefly is undoubtedly an excellent
model of the type, although given
the options available in the build
it falls slightly short by offering
no useful interior – perhaps one
is on the way. External detail The underpinning of the base was a series of 3mm and 4mm ply
and the quality of the moulding profiles, to represent the raised track bed and ramps for crossing
is exemplary, though, and
regardless of the gripes a terrific
model can be built.
The articulated suspension and
tracks might at first sight appear an
over complication, but in fact, just
patience is required since RyeField
has made the construction
itself as painless as possible.
Certainly the working nature of the
‘undercarriage’ makes posing the
model on the most challenging of
terrain very easy. Excellent
and well recommended.
These elements were covered in household filler, painted with
basic acrylic colours and given a ballast foundation

Once built, the track was cut to fit the base – the rails having
been painted with Dark Iron and the sleepers given several washes
of oil paint over a grey base

KeyModelWorld.com
BASIC BUILD
DAZZLING
MIRAGE
Niklas Knutzén builds Special
Hobby’s re-issued 1/72 Mirage
F.1EQ straight from the box as
an Islamic Republic of Iran
Air Force machine
D
assault’s Mirage F.1 is
a French-built fighter/
attack aircraft, with
the type's first being in
December 1966.
Despite initial development
issues, including the loss of
the first prototype, the type
entered service with the French
Air Force in 1973; powered by
a single SNECMA Atar turbojet
The all-black cockpit was
dry-brushed with a dark grey
shade, then a few buttons
were picked out in red and
yellow, and the instrument
bezels in white
32 Airfix Model World
engine, it is capable of Mach 2
speeds. Several variants were
developed over the years, with
some bespoke to specific export
customers and the Mirage F.1
came to serve with no fewer than
13 air forces over the world. These
included 24 Iraqi Air Force F.1BQ
and EQ machines that were flown
across the border to neighbouring
Iran during Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm in 1991 and
were subsequently pressed into
service by Tehran. Most of these
airframes are now based at Chah
Bahar on Iran’s southeast coast,
where at least 12 (including a
trainer) are flown by the Islamic
Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).
Although four countries still
operate the Mirage F.1, most
of them have been replaced
by more modern fighters, with
several examples now being used
in the aggressor role by private
companies in the US.
In the box
Using a standard top opening
box, Special Hobby’s Mirage
F.1EQ provides parts spread
across nine styrene runners, an
extra frame for transparent items,
a small bag of resin components
specific to the EQ airframe, and
a comprehensive decal sheet. All
parts are moulded crisply with
no flash being present; surface
detail is recessed and looks
convincing, with fine panel lines.
Clear parts are relatively thin and
free of distortion.
Generic runners provide various
styles of drop tank, plus Matra
Magic I, II and Super 530 air-
to-air missiles. An Exocet anti-
shipping missile with its pylon
is provided for by the new resin
components. Special Hobby’s
instructions come in standard full-
colour booklet format, with steps
appearing clear and simple at
first glance.
Darkened office
Almost all aircraft builds start with
the cockpit, this one being no
exception. The tub and instrument
panel comprise seven pieces,
including a head-up display
(HUD). Similarly, the ejection seat
is another four-part ensemble,
although it is brought together at
a later stage in the instructions.
No seatbelts are provided, but
these are easily made from thin
masking tape. Most Mirage F.1
cockpits are black, which makes
creating an interesting interior
KeyModelWorld.com

The exhaust is made up of three parts, with sufficient detail straight from the
box. A few different metallic shades and light post shading with a metal blue
will do the job
MODEL SPEC
Dassault Mirage F.1EQ/ED
By: Special Hobby
Scale: 1/72
Stock code: SH 72386
Price: £16.80
Available from:
www.specialhobby.eu
somewhat challenging, with dry-
brushing plus detail painting of
various buttons/switches in red or
yellow. That said, not much will be
visible through a closed canopy,
but this was one of those cockpits
where aftermarket pre-painted
photo-etched brass accessories
would make a huge difference.
Note, numbers for Parts H7
and H14 (HUD screen and
projector respectively) have been
transposed in the instructions.
The cockpit was painted with Mr.
Paint MRP-077 NATO Black (www.
KeyModelWorld.com
mrpaint.sk), and then dry-brushed
with dark grey. The instrument
panel dials were treated with
white to add further interest to
the interior – note that decals are
supplied for just the main panel,
but not side consoles.
As already mentioned, the HUD
comprises two clear parts, and
the projector lens was masked
before the rest of this item
received NATO Black. Once this
had dried, the tape was removed
and the lens hand-painted with
Tamiya X-25 Clear green (www.
BASIC BUILD | Mirage F.1EQ
hobbyco.net). Chrome was then
added to the bottom side, making
a convincing representation of the
reflector unit.
Emerging airframe
With the cockpit finished, I
brought my attention to the jet
exhaust, which comprises three
pieces, with neatly moulded
detail. The turbine and exhaust
pipe received various metallic
shades from Mr. Paint, but the
nozzle wasn’t attached at this
stage, to ease the painting
“All parts are moulded crisply
with no flash being present”
The air refuelling
probe was replaced
by one in resin,
included in the box.
Take care though,
as this installation is
quite brittle
With the help of a few clamps,
the fuselage went together quite
well. A sanding stick resolved an
issue with the upper seam, while
one session of filling and sanding
was enough for the bottom
later. Next it was time to mate
the cockpit and exhaust sub-
assemblies with the fuselage,
which presented no real problem.
As with most short-run-type kits,
this left a slight seam to deal with,
both on top and bottom, as the
fit was rather good and just a
minor filling/sanding session was
needed to rectify the seam.
After the fuselage was brought
together, the airbrake sections
and air intakes were attached.
At this point the modeller must
select the correct radome for
Airfix Model World 33
BASIC BUILD
No remedial work
was required after the
primer, so a dark pre-
shade was airbrushed
freehand onto the
panel lines and into
corners/joins
the airframe being built which
for the Iranian machine meant
Parts 59 and 61, with the styrene
refuelling probe tip replaced by
Special hobby’s resin alternative.
Next up were the wings, along
with the vertical stabilisers; the
Iranian option required a ‘cut and
paste’ session for the latter to
achieve the correct configuration.
While sounding difficult, this was
straightforward as the instructions
are very clear on how to proceed.
The horizontal stabilisers were
omitted at this stage to ease
painting, but the ventral fins (Parts
47 and 48) were attached.
Odds and ends
Wheel bays and landing gear
were the next areas to be tackled,
and the latter were arguably the
sole disappointment with this
kit, as the parts seemed to lack
the finesse present on the rest
of the model. Notably there was
heavy flash and rather crude
detail. Nevertheless,
34 Airfix Model World
Careful masking and the
use of transparent green
produced a convincing
HUD projector lens, with
a silver base added to
emulate the reflector
the parts were removed from the
runners, tidied and the painted
as per the instructions – be
aware, though, there are two
pieces labelled as 56 on the
diagram, but these should be
56 and 54. The last construction
stages covered the ejection
seat and canopy and these were
assembled in accordance with
Special Hobby’s guide, although
reference photos helped with the
seat. While this wasn’t the final
step in the instructions (Step 11
is devoted to weaponry), all my
reference photos showed this
particular aircraft to be devoid of
underwing/fuselage stores.
Two things to take extra care
of during the build are the
nose pitot, and the refuelling
probe; the former had
Assembly of the main
components was
straightforward, with just
the air intakes left to install
at this stage, after which
primer would be applied
The initial MRP-364
Light Grey tone was
built gradually on the
underside and selected
areas of the upper
surfaces, so that the
pre-shade was just
visible beneath
almost broken free of the radome for separate painting and easier
during transit, so was removed handling… I lost count of how
intentionally to be attached at the many times this was knocked off
end. Similarly, the latter was also the model.
brittle, and in hindsight it would
have been better if supplied as Maritime scheme
a separate part, instead of being With construction completed,
moulded with one half of the it was time to turn attention to
radome. This would have allowed adding a colour scheme; this
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Mirage F.1EQ

is always the best part of a

project for me, as I’ve always “The turbine
enjoyed how the model is and exhaust
enlivened by painting. Of the four pipe received
camouflage schemes offered,
all were interesting, but in the
various
end, it was the pale livery on the metallic
IRIAF option that caught the eye, shades”
with light grey undersides and
pale blue upper surfaces. Special
Hobby supplies FS 595a colour
references, which were matched
with products from the Mr. Paint
range, namely MRP-364 Light
Grey and MRP-240 Air Superiority
Blue, respectively. First, the
canopy frames received black to
represent the interior colour, after
which the airframe was treated
with MRP-084 Fine Surface Primer
Grey; once dry a pre-shade
with MRP-077 NATO Black was
airbrushed along panel lines.
Next came the camouflage
tones; while the MRP-364 Light
Grey presented no issues, the
blue was considered too light,
and didn’t match available shade was created to provide itself was painted MRP-008 MRP-048 was airbrushed,
reference photos. A bespoke mix a sun-faded appearance. Duraluminium, the hubs with this time in preparation
was therefore made by adding With the main colours dried, MRP-146 Dark Aluminum and the for a wash and weathering. The
a darker blue tone to the MRP- the undercarriage bays were rubber sections received MRP-173 landing gear was treated the
240 Air Superiority Blue until it masked and the interiors Tyre. Oleos on the landing gear same way at this stage, with a
appeared correct to my eye. A sprayed with MRP-081 Anodized legs where then hand-painted coat of MRP-048 readying them
post shade with a lighter blue Aluminum. The landing gear with chrome. After being left to for the addition of grime.
dry thoroughly, the model was With all the major painting
White Tack sausages varnished with MRP-048 Super finished, it was time to paint the
were employed to set the
Clear Gloss and then set aside smaller items, such as dielectric
camouflage and upper/
lower demarcations, with for 48 hours. panels and radar-warning
tape filling any voids Decaling proceeded smoothly receiver antennas in various
and I was positively surprised by colours as per the instructions
the quality of the markings, which – all were masked and then
adhered well to the model and sprayed. Weathering started with
Daco’s Decal Setting Medium a homemade mix of dry pastel
solution (www.dacoproducts.com) chalks, tap water and a drop of
was used to help them conform to dish-washing soap. Once satisfied
the airframe curves and recessed with the panels, dry pastels and
detail. Once these had dried and Tamiya weathering sets were
any excess residue wiped with employed to add dirt and grime
a damp cloth, another coat of in exposed areas, mostly on

A similar approach
was followed with the
modified MRP-240 Air
KIT SCHEMES
Superiority Blue mix, with Special Hobby’s decal sheet includes four options, all with different camouflage
a hint of white added to types, so this kit will appeal to many aircraft builders. All items appeared to be
create a sun-faded effect in register, with many stencils in different colours depending on which paint
in the centre of panels scheme was selected. Choices are:
• Mirage F.1EQ, 4014, 79 Sqn, Wahda Air Base, Iraqi Air Force, September 1981-
June 1982
• Mirage F.1EQ-5, 4577, 81 Sqn, Qayyarah Air Base, Iraqi Air Force, June 1985
• Mirage F.1EQ-6, 3-6211, 102 Tactical Fighter Sqn, 10 Tactical Air Base,
Chabahar/Konarak, IRIAF, 2011
• Mirage F.1ED, 502, Libyan People’s Air Force/Free Libyan Air Force, Luqa,
Malta International Airport, 2011
• Mirage F.1ED, 508, Libyan People’s Air Force/Free Libyan Air Force, Luqa,
Malta International Airport, 2011

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 35

BASIC BUILD
Tape was then used to mask
areas such as the radome
and anti-glare panel, both of
which received matt black
A gloss varnish sealed
all previous work while
providing a smooth surface
for the decals, which went
on with little trouble
the belly and beneath the engine.
I also added paint chipping on
the wing and stabiliser leading
edges, plus around panels on top
of the fuselage with aluminium
paint – replicating a combination
of in-flight and maintenance wear
and tear on the airframe. With
the weathering done, everything
was sealed under two coats of
MRP-125 Super Clear Semigloss
varnish, to give it a more realistic
36 Airfix Model World
sheen as opposed to an overall
matt appearance.
Finishing touches
All major elements completed,
it was time to unmask the clear
parts, after which all the smaller
items, such as landing gear, pitot
tubes, ejections seat and the
exhaust nozzle, were added.
Most of these went on without
too much of a problem, but
“All in all, I was very impressed
by the quality of this kit”
Detail painting was focused
on the various airframe aerials,
radar-warning receiver antennas
and anti-collision light. Red lines
on the rear fuselage and air
intake ‘lips’ were masked and
painted instead of using decals
Underside markings mainly
comprised small stencils;
after a further gloss varnish,
this area received light
weathering, plus oil streaks
from the engine
when the undercarriage doors
were attached closed (as per
reference photos) it became
very noticeable that they were
designed to be fitted purely
in the open position. With a
little persuasion and fettling, a
way was found to attach these
securely, but if I were to build
another Special Hobby Mirage
F.1, I would definitely try to add
them during the construction
phase (so any fit issues could be
resolved via filler and sanding)
and try to find a way to add the
landing gear at the end.
Delightful Mirage
All in all, I was very impressed by
the quality of this kit. The only
real drawbacks for me were the
landing gear, which didn’t really
match the standard of the rest
of the kit, and the moulded-on
nose pitot and refuelling probe,
which would have been better as
separate parts.
The undercarriage doors also
caused minor problems, but that
arguably is down to deviating
from the instructions, rather than
the parts themselves.
Special Hobby’s instructions
are clear and precise, and there
were four interesting paint
schemes included. I would
recommend this kit to almost
any builder, as I consider it to be
straightforward, even with the
few add-on resin pieces
and modifications
needed, depending
on which version
you choose. Just take
your time to plan the build
in advance, and note which
steps are for your version.
KeyModelWorld.com
KIT KRAZY
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FIGURE BUILD

A
s the Roman Empire
and its military MODEL SPEC
structure is so well Roman Centurion (1 Century)
documented and can By: ICM
be easily accessed elsewhere, Stock Code: 16302
just a short citation should Scale: 1/16
suffice as introduction: Price: £21.80
“The centurion in the infantry is Available from:
chosen for his size, strength and www.hannants.co.uk
dexterity in throwing his missile
weapons and for his skill in the
use of his sword and shield, in
short for his expertness in all the
exercises. He is to be vigilant,
temperate, active and readier to
execute the orders he receives
than to talk; strict in exercising
and keeping up proper
discipline among his soldiers,
in obliging them to appear
clean and well-dressed and to
have their weapons constantly
rubbed and bright.”
— Vegetius, De Re Militari

Pax Romana ring mail or hardened leather

Opening the box, 46 grey and
three black styrene parts were
found to make up the figure and a
display plinth, along with a single-
sheet assembly and painting
guide, plus a poster of the box art.
According to the instructions, this
Roman Centurion kit was based
on a 1st century accoutrement,
but research suggested the scale
armour present on the kit was not
common at that time; rather plate,
armour seems to have been
preferred. The parts detail was
very crisp, with fine facial features
and well-rendered ornaments. A
few details were missing when
compared to the images of
both recreated equipment and
museum objects: chin straps on
the helmet and a carrying sling
for the shield was added from
copper thread and metal sheet
respectively. Note, straps for

AHEAD
First, the plinth was
assembled, on to which
the main body – legs,
torso, head and scale
armour parts – were glued,
to ensure a steady mount

OF THE
for the figure. The helmet
was assembled but not
attached at this point,
while the shield, scabbard,
dagger and pouch were
later painted separately

LEGION
ICM has released several historical
and fictional figures in 1/16 scale lately,
and this time Johan Augustsson
‘splashes some paint’ on its new
Roman Centurion

38 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 FIGURE BUILD | Roman Centurion

holding the helmet crest plume

were omitted, as the latter seems
to have been of more ceremonial
use and was removed before
going into battle.
For this modeller, painting
figures is not a sequenced
process but more of going
back and forth to get volumes,
structures, nuances, highlights
and shadows as natural as
possible, using several different
techniques for acrylic painting.
These include mapping, layering,
glazing, wet blending and on
this figure non-metallic metal
(NMM). A brief description
of these methods is in Tonal
tweaks (overleaf), but for a more
elaborate explanation, refer to
the ICM 1/16 Wight build in AMW
Issue 130, September 2021.
It was decided to paint the
figure in sub-assemblies as some
sections would be hard or
impossible to reach if all The plinth and body The non-metallic metal technique Next additions were Sky Grey,
were primed with Citadel (NMM) was chosen to represent Lendanis Grey, Amath Blue, Flat
parts were combined Chaos Black (www. the polished surfaces on the leg Brown and Golden Olive to reflect
from the start. The gamesworkshop.com), armour, scale shirt and helmet, and the sky and surroundings – these
book Figure Painting and to facilitate a later the gladius and shield buckle, were a mix of Vallejo, Citadel and
directed light source, following Mr Kanaev’s examples in the Scale 75 tones. Note that some
Techniques: FAQ by Liquitex Titanium White aforementioned book. The process areas were corrected later, as the
Kirill Kanaev (www. ink was airbrushed from started with mapping via Black, Basalt result was constantly scrutinised
ak-interactive.com) was above left; this was repeated Grey and Malefic Flesh (grey green) and tweaked to achieve the
of essential value in on the arms and shield over the white primer desired effect
making this Roman
warrior to “When the
look as mapped areas
realistic as were set,
possible.
the blending
could begin”

When the mapped areas were set,
the blending could begin. This can be
achieved via stippling with mixes of
the paints used for mapping, but in this
case where a shiny polished finish was
called for, a very fine brush was used
to paint thin lines using diluted paint –
always from light to darker areas
Next came the stripped leather
‘skirt’ (known as pteruges) and other
details, base-painted with a mix of
Black Leather and Brown Leather
and gradually highlighted with
Orange Leather and Iroko using a
combination of stippling and wet-
blending methods

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 39

FIGURE BUILD

All gold/brass parts including

the fringes were highlighted with a
combination of Flat Yellow, Tan Yellow,
Ice Yellow and finally Flat White tone,
again using the NMM theories as a
guide. The face and legs (and later the
arms) were then mapped with Brown
Sand, Dark Flesh and Flat Flesh to
create structure and shadows

The face was enhanced further

with glazes of Royal Purple, Orange
Brown and Salmon Rose. The eyes
were painted after all skin tones were
finished – remember, the whites are
never ‘white’, so Flat Flesh was used,
highlighted with glazes of White. The
irises were painted Chocolate Brown
with black pupils, and finally the ‘shine’
added with pure White; later the eyes
received Tamiya X-22 Clear varnish

The hands were cut by the knuckles

to form a more convincing and natural
grip around the gladius (short sword)
hilt (called a capulus by Romans) and
shield handle; next, these elements
were glued to the hands. Any gaps
were filled and re-sculpted using Magic
Sculp and a rubber-tipped brush to
ensure a smooth join
Edge highlights were created
via Iroko and Birch, and scratches
were added using these colours
and Black Leather for shadows.
The tunic and scarf were painted
with Dark Vermillion, using Scarlett
with a hint of Sunny Skin Tone
for the highlights; creases
were enhanced with Kimera
Violet. In this image, the
sandals have been base-
painted with Leather Brown;
gold/brass plates on the
belt and the chest buckles
received Flat Brown

When the filler had cured, the arms were pinned for priming – using the same
Chaos Black and Liquitex Titanium White ink method as the body – before being
attached to the figure and painted to match the previously described tones

40 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 FIGURE BUILD | Roman Centurion

“The parts
detail was
very crisp,
with fine facial
features and
well-rendered
ornaments”

Some cloth structure was added It was back to the NMM approach
by mixing Scarlett and Deck Tan and for the wrist bracelets and gladius,
adding small dots on the brighter areas also adding the red reflections from
of the tunic and scarf. Several thin the shield and tunic to the blade and
washes of Inktense Green, Black and greaves (protective armour plates for
Violet were added to accentuate the the legs). While at first these appeared
armour scales better, and lining effects stark, subsequent blending would
were achieved using Flat Black mixed reduce the contrast
with Inktense Green
The groundwork was kept simple;
The helmet crest was finished using AK Interactive fine sand, grass turfs,
the same gold/brass NMM method, sea grass ball straws and crushed
but with more browns for the copper leaves (from Mother Nature) fixed with
tones. Black Red, Dark Vermillion and diluted wood glue. When this had
Scarlet, with extra dark shades from dried, the turfs were dry-brushed with
Kimera Violet was used for the plume, brown-yellow acrylics and then the
plus fine stippling on the top with Tan whole base was saturated with AK 012
Yellow added to the Scarlet Streaking Grime from AK Interactive

TONAL TWEAKS
There are various techniques employed by figure painters to recreate shading
and highlights on both skin and fabric surfaces with acrylics:
Wet palette – a means of preventing the paint from drying out too quickly
Layering/glazing – diluted paint or tinted water respectively, applied as a filter
to vary shades
Stippling – adding colour in a dabbing/dotting movement with a paintbrush
that is almost dry
Wet blending – merging two areas of paint while still wet via a zig-zag motion
with the brush
Non-metallic metal (NMM) – creating metal effects without using metal-based
paints, instead using the sheen and colour of ordinary shades

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 41

FIGURE BUILD
After adding the carrying strap, the
shield was first primed as per the rest
of the figure, then airbrushed with
Tamiya XF-7 Flat Red on both sides.
Next came coats of Dark Vermillion
and Scarlett on the brighter side
(left and top), and Black Red and
English Brown on the darker areas
(right and bottom). This approach
was then mirrored on the reverse.
Transitions were achieved using wet
blending and stippling – with a large
make-up brush – which resulted in a
convincing, mottled surface
Tan Yellow, Flat Yellow and Ice
Yellow were selected for the shield
pattern, trying to follow the recessed
lines as closely as possible. This
engraved design was very shallow
and the primer plus base layers had
effectively filled most of them, making
this assignment quite challenging. As
an afterthought, masking this pattern
would have been a better method!
An idea to trace the recesses with
a dark green felt pen was utilised but
turned out to be not very precise.
Several areas needed repainting two
or three times, and the lining recipe
was used instead – despite all this
effort a fully symmetrical pattern was
not achieved. Scratches were painted
with light browns and enhanced with
German Camo Black Brown centres.
The shield edges, buckle and the
blade sheaths were painted as per
other metal/leather items, with a
wooden handle on the knife; the straps
were painted after attachment
42 Airfix Model World
“This was an
interesting
project that
took much
longer than
anticipated”
Sheen without metal
A short memory slip resulted in no
image of the painting of the pouch,
but it was done in the same way as
other leather items, but with Black
Leather and highlights from Walnut
and Birch, to create a more greyish
tone. It was designed to fit partly
hanging over the Gladius sheath,
and therefore just one strap was
supplied for this detail.
This work brought the project
into the home stretch by adding
all loose parts with cyanoacrylate
adhesive and generally touching
up the paintwork as required.
Finishing touches included
strands of hair on the underarms,
Abteilung 502 Abt035 Buff oil
wash dusting and speckling of
the shield and lower parts of
the figure.
This was an interesting project
that took much longer than
anticipated – around 120 hobby
hours. The NMM effects took most
effort, an important reminder that
even with experience one should
not rush a paint job like this. The
figure was definitely a step in the
right direction by ICM, with good
details and moulding throughout.
There were some omissions here
and there, and the helmet was
considered to be slightly on the
large side, but all in all this was
great value for the money!
MATERIALS
AT A GLANCE
Those paints not mentioned in the
text or captions were just used
to tint the main colours and were
omitted for ease of reading.
Vallejo (www.creativemodels.co.uk)
70.918 Ivory
70.951 White
70. 989 Sky grey
70.986 Deck Tan
70.869 Basalt grey
70.950 Black
70.857 Golden Olive
70.871 Leather Brown
70.821 English Uniform
70.822 German Camo Black Brown
70.984 Flat Brown
70.887 Brown Violet
70.872 Chocolate Brown
70.812 Violet Red
70.859 Black Red
70.817 Scarlet
70.947 Dark Vermillion
70.845 Sunny Skin Tone
70.858 Ice Yellow
70.953 Flat Yellow
70.912 Tan Yellow
70.810 Royal Purple
70.981 Orange Brown
70.876 Brown Sand
70.855 Flat Flesh
70.835 Salmon Rose
70.927 Dark Flesh
74.012 Malefic Flesh
Scale75 (www.scale75.com)
SC-80 Inktense Wood
SC-81 Inktense Chestnut
SC-79 Inktense Black
SC-82 Inktense Violet
SC-84 Inktense Green
SFG Amath Blue
SFG32 Lendanis Grey
SC25 Birch
SC26 Sandal Wood
SC27 Iroko
SC28 Orange Leather
SC29 Walnut
SC31 Brown Leather
SC32 Black Leather
KeyModelWorld.com
 ICM
CATALOGUE
2022

Landing light
Cockpit panels
Flickering exhaust
Original soundtrack
Wings & Tail navigation lights
Anti-collision lights

Time
to Jet !
OUT AND ABOUT

ICM’s 1/48 B-26K Counter Invader is an

impressive kit, and Graham Matthews’ superb
build featured a hand-painted camouflage
scheme, after an earlier spraying
attempt didn’t produce the
desired results

HIDDEN
TREASURES
treasure trove of models on
display. When combined with
the merchandise available from
traders and the centre itself,
plus the superb and informative
heritage room exhibits, this is

T
here’s something about
the atmosphere at small
shows that makes it feel
almost like an extended
family gathering: the bonhomie
and banter, all of which makes for
a lively event.
This was very much the case
at the RAF Sculthorpe Heritage
Centre show, which was rather
out of the way (even sat-navs
weren’t sure where to go!), but
once inside there was a veritable
West Norfolk IPMS member Alan Morris based this seascape on a wartime
photo, by depicting a Tamiya/Skywave 1/700 O-type destroyer kit as HMS
Offa as it dropped a pattern of depth-charges
definitely one to keep in the
diary, despite it being just the
second show held at this venue.
The layout was well-spaced,
giving punters plenty of room
to navigate the various stands
and tables, with drinks and cake
available for those who needed a
bit of extra energy!
Stu Fone
View More Online
www.KeyModelWorld.com

Fenland & Spalding’s Dave Newman added Fruilmodel tracks and a metal This lovely Clear Prop 1/48 Hawk H-75N was built by Mildenhall’s Nigel
barrel to his Dragon 1/35 Jagdpanzer IV L70, before hand-painting the Williams as a Thailand-based machine, with carefully weathered surfaces
ambush ’dots’ on to an airbrushed camouflage complimenting the perfectly applied decals

44 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


Membership of the Airfix Club has its benefits, such as this limited edition,
display scheme offering of the Hawk T.1 and Tucano T.1, finished here by
Wisbech IPMS modeller Darren Bowers
And now for something a little
different: Tim Gidney added a desert-
style camouflage to his Hasegawa 1/20
Maschinenkrieger MK44 and left the
‘canopy’ open to display the detailed
and well-painted interior
KeyModelWorld.com
OUT AND ABOUT | RAF Sculthorpe Heritage Centre
Riich.Models’ products aren’t often seen at shows, so it was great to see Tim
Gidney’s splendid 1/35 Skoda Radschlepper, one of several excellent builds on
the IPMS Norfolk table, being notable for its convincing weathered patina
Nigel Denchfield modified his
Skywave 1/700 Type 42 Batch 3
destroyer to portray HMS Gloucester
as it appeared in 1991 when
deployed in support of maritime
operations off the coast of Iraq
The IPMS Spaceflight SIG put on a superb display including this beautifully finished Space Shuttle with external tank and
solid rocket boosters in launch configuration, finishing it as the third orbiter built, Discovery
REMEMBERING
THE PAST
The RAF Sculthorpe Heritage
Centre is part of the Military Aviation
Heritage Network (www.mahn.org.
uk). It documents the history of this
former RAF base, which was used
by the US Air Force for strategic and
tactical aviation, including B/RB-45
Tornados and detachments of B-36
Peacemakers, until 1992. At one time
more than 10,000 personnel were
based at Sculthorpe, making it the
largest USAF station in Europe, and
the centre is open every first Sunday
of the month between February
and November from 11am-4pm and
entry is free. Further details are at:
Colin Short provided a suitable World War One reloading scene for his 1/35 www.rafsculthorpeheritagecentre.
M3 200mm howitzer, adding figures, spent casings and showing how the gun’s org or via its Facebook page: RAF
recoil spade was secured by lifting the cobblestones Sculthorpe Heritage Centre
Airfix Model World 45
 YOUR ONLINE
MODELLING

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Christopher
dise
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the world
hat unlock
of modellin
Graham
s
g!

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SCALE

Featuring
DESTINATION
Coming this month

BRAND-NEW KITS FOR 2022

We highlight forthcoming products from Revell, Trumpeter,
Takom and Academy and Airfix’s new-tool 1/43 sports cars.

ONLINE KIT REVIEWS

Our latest review coverage includes items such as Platz’s
1/144 F6F-3K Hellcat, the Special Hobby 1/72 Bugatti 100
racer, Italeri’s new 1/12 Lancia DeltaHf Integrale rally car,
the 1/72 MiG-25PU by ICM

BUILD ARTICLES
Get the lowdown on Airfix’s 1/72 new-tool
Sherman Firefly Vc, the same-scale Star Wars
B-Wing Starfighter by Bandai, Revell’s 1/32
Hawker Tempest Mk.V and many more.

ACCESSORIES
Stay current with all the latest aftermarket accessories, decals and
books, including sets of markings for the Dassault Rafale fighter
and an excellent hardback reference on the T-34 tank.

058/22
BASIC BUILD

Inspired by an air-to-air photoshoot in

Greece, Kev Baxter dug into his kit
stash for a Wolfpack Design 1/72 North
American T-2E Buckeye to build

BYE BYE

BUCKEYE
N
orth American’s T-2
Buckeye was operated
predominantly in its
native US, where it was
used to provide advanced training
for the United States Navy (USN),
introducing a generation of naval
aviators to ‘the boat’ for the first
time in their careers.
Known variously as the ‘attack
guppy’ and ‘trusty tubbyjet’ in
US service, Venezuela operated
12 of the T-2D version, and the
only other export customer was
Greece, which accepted 40
airframes in 1972. Almost 50
years later, the Hellenic Air Force
(HAF) is the sole service user
of this venerable trainer, which
is due to be retired in 2022.
As such, the T-2E (an export
version of the US T-2C) was a
prime target at the Athens Flying
Week in September 2021 (see
Hellenic Photo-shoot p56). It was
the experience of being in the
presence of this workmanlike
and, frankly, beautifully shabby
aircraft soldiering on without any
great fanfare that prompted me to
be thankful I’d acquired the USN
version of Wolfpack Design’s 1/72
kit on a whim at a model show.
Furthermore, it was lucky that a
set of used decals had become
available from a fellow model

Wolfpack’s inclusion of a third fuselage piece

was a clever way of maintaining the Buckeye’s
compound curves in the moulding process
while still keeping assembly simple

The air intakes were somewhat

drag-inducing in their stock state,
therefore some refinement was
necessary, with the edges thinned a
little for a better appearance

48 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 BASIC BUILD | T-2 Buckeye

club member and especially so Using the cockpit masks

in HAF livery. If ever a modeller’s provided in the kit would have
partner needed convincing that been far easier – had it been
realised they were there!
an expansive stash of kits is not
just an unnecessary/extravagant
(delete as appropriate) luxury, this
happenstance alone should be
proof enough, as you never know
when inspiration may strike.

Tubbyjet ‘office’
The build proved refreshingly
straightforward and comparatively
swift; such is this kit’s quality. It A small amount of fettling with a
was decided there was enough sharp knife was required to ensure the
canopy fit snugly to the fuselage
detail inherent in the parts that
little extra enhancement was All credit to Wolfpack, very little filling and sanding was required,
required, and the kit would MODEL SPEC with all major components fitting together snugly
simply provide a 3D canvas on T-2C Buckeye ‘US Navy’
which to imprint the type’s By: Wolfpack Design
ageing and sun-scorched Stock Code: WP10005
character. Unsurprisingly, Scale: 1/72
construction began Price: US$30
with the cockpit tub, Available from:
with instrument panel www.wolfpack-d.com
and side console detail
provided by decals. Ejection
seats benefited from masking
tape seatbelts plus safety pins
for the fuse wire-fashioned firing
handles. A rear bulkhead sported
the turbine blades for the twin
General Electric J-85s, with
attached jet-pipes that rendered
this detail all but invisible. the compound curves of the
With the cockpit tub and engine ‘pods’ as a third fuselage
rear bulkhead in place, the piece to prevent difficulties in
fuselage halves could be closed. the moulding process. This part
Wolfpack provided the flat slotted neatly into its niche along
underside between existing engine panel lines and

required just a modicum

of sanding to blend with
the rest of the airframe. The air
intakes were separate parts and
“There was benefitted from minor thinning of
the plastic around the openings,
enough detail which was achieved using a
inherent in round file, a No.15 curved scalpel
the parts that blade and a round sanding stick
(equally, a small piece
little extra of abrasive
enhancement
was required”

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 49

BASIC BUILD
A marked step
was present on
the wing root join.
However, this was
adjusted so only
the underside was
affected, where it
would be out of
general view
paper could be wrapped around a
paintbrush handle to achieve the
same result).
Dry-fitting the canopy revealed
minor fouling against internal
parts – preventing it from closing
properly – so a small amount of
fettling was needed to portray the
glazing in the shut position. The
rear section was attached first
and the windscreen was then slid
back on to it so no gaps occurred.
However, fit was such that there
was no need for concern. The
A white undercoat provided a
suitable base for the red paint inside
the flaps, although a subsequent
check against reference photos
revealed this was erroneous for
Greek airframes
50 Airfix Model World
canopy was then masked to
prevent damage or overspray.
Despite the ease by which the
latter task was achieved, with the
aid of a cocktail stick and new
scalpel blade, it was realised later
that using the kit coverings would
have been far simpler.
Tricky wings
Fuselage scoop intakes came
as separate items, but despite
this, the parts still
showed a degree of
A pleasing tone
of FS 36622
was achieved
through
careful use of
a modulated
undercoat,
with the
pre-shading just
visible through
the subsequent
paint layers
shrinkage due to their depth. This
was treated with filler, after which
a layer of Halford’s Grey Primer
highlighted those fuselage areas
that required remedial action.
However, the joint lines were
barely visible and a quick pass
with a sanding stick saw this task
completed in little time.
The wings were a different
matter, though – there is a flange
cover on the upper root surface
and this was used as the datum
for the join with the fuselage,
but there was quite a
marked ‘step’ on the
lower surfaces if the
top was aligned
correctly. It was
decided that rather than
partake in tedious
filling and
KeyModelWorld.com

“There will be
one day when a
flash of inspiration
strikes to spark
another project”
sanding in an unseen area, this
flaw was acceptable with just a
perfunctory amount of filler. This
seam line would not show on the
completed model unless the most
diligent of inspections was carried
out using a mirror and a torch.
The tailplanes required the
merest swipe of filler to treat the
seam; unfortunately (spoiler alert),
it would be the liquid cement
used that would spoil the party
later. Flaps come separately
with the option to fit them in the
lowered position, but photos
indicated these were generally
retracted when the aircraft was on
the ground. That said, and with a
nod to artistic licence rather than
pedantic realism, a slight leak in
this aircraft’s hydraulic system
had allowed the surfaces to droop
slightly and just enough to require
their internal upper surfaces to be
painted red… which turned out to
be the wrong colour. Unlike their
US cousins, it appears the internal
surfaces of the Greek jets’ flaps
were painted the same as the
undersides; albeit with an equally
dirty patina.
Picking a scheme
During the recent photo-shoot
trip, an airframe was noted at
Kalamata Air Base with a special
KeyModelWorld.com
BASIC BUILD | T-2 Buckeye
white primer. Hataka’s
Red Line NATO Cold War,
Modern Hellenic Air Force Vol
1 paint set (HTK-AS68) was
selected to provide the basic
camouflage tones (www.hataka-
hobby.com). The undersides
received HTK-A039 Camouflage
Grey FS 36622, but after looking
at real Buckeyes, the colour
chosen could have been
anything from Appliance
White to Dark Soot. A coat
of HTK-A012 Dark Tan
FS 30219 followed. At
this point, painting was
interrupted when it
was realised a more
scheme to mark the type’s 40th
anniversary in Hellenic service
during 2012, but it was without
seats. As Greek firm Procal
Decals (www.procaldecals.gr)
offers these colours in 1/72 scale
(OD017), it was decided this
would be a striking way to depict
the model. A speedy response
from the company resulted in
the markings arriving within
a fortnight. Unfortunately, the
prominent ‘T-2E’ text along the
starboard side of the fin was
omitted on the example sent
and trying to replicate this text
convincingly was beyond the wit
of this modeller, so this otherwise
handsome set of decals was The aftermarket decal sheet received from Greece was missing some vital text
for the special scheme; therefore, TwoBobs’ sheet 72-090 provided the basis for
consigned to the spares (this
the markings
mistake has since been corrected
by Procal). Fortunately, by mixing
the serials from this sheet and
another from TwoBobs (www.
twobobs.net) – 72-090 Colorful
Buckeyes – an aircraft we had
photographed air-to-air could
be replicated by altering the tail
codes slightly.
A coat of Halford’s black
primer was laid over the grey,
followed by marbling with white
to provide a variegated contrast
for the upper layers. The over/ It is never too late to change; a A section of clear runner was
better tail anti-collision light was inserted, before being shaped and
under rudder and tip-tanks were created during the painting process by polished using progressively
prepared with a separate coat of first removing the solid plastic item finer-grade sanding sticks
Airfix Model World 51
BASIC BUILD

“Wolfpack Designs is to be applauded

for creating yet another little gem”

convincing anti-collision light for

the fin could be made without
much effort. Therefore, minor
surgery was undertaken on the
airframe and the interestingly
shaped light was carved and
polished from a piece of clear
runner and inlaid into the fin.

Challenges of spraying
An attempt was made to apply
the next tone, HTK-A021 Medium
Green FS 34102 freehand but,
despite experimenting with
both air pressure and paint
consistency, it was found the
paint dried almost instantly

on the nozzle. This clogged the

air flow, created considerable
spattering and prevented a tight
line being sprayed, even after
cleaning the needle valve almost
constantly with a cotton bud.
Note, this issue occurred for all
colours, not just the Medium
An attempt was made Green. It must be said, the latest
to freehand the colour
demarcations, but lacquer-based paints seem to flow
spraying problems much better through an airbrush,
meant Blu Tack Light sanding with a very fine-grade dry just as quickly as acrylics
sausages were the abrasive stick replicated wear
way ahead eventually and provided a suitable base for and smell better too (safety first
subsequent polishing though – wear a respirator). The
old dodge of using Blu Tack
worms for a soft demarcation was
fallen back on and, after much
effort, a suitable tonal boundary
achieved. This process was then
repeated as the final HTK-016
Dark Green FS 34079 had been
applied, after which weathering
could start.
It was noted that while jets
may have been delivered in the
South East Asian scheme, over
many years of service, use of
Judicious use of T-cut ensured swapped parts, overspray after
that varnishing was minimised and a
mirror-like finish was achieved while
maintenance plus weathering
preserving surface detail caused the original colours to be
anything but ‘standard’. Indeed, it
Witness marks on the forced-
panelling masks revealed the difficulty was this aspect that proved such
in getting the paint to flow correctly an enticing lure for this project.

52 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


However, before the really fun
stuff could begin, the decals were
applied. Rather than risk losing
surface detail by applying a coat
of gloss varnish, it was decided
the paint was robust enough to
accept a light polishing to achieve
the glossy surface necessary
to prevent silvering. Moreover,
nothing replicates wear and tear
better than wear and tear, so
fine-grade abrasive sticks,
Micro-Mesh cloths and T-cut were
used to good effect to distress
and polish the paint subtly.
TwoBobs’ decals were printed
on what appeared to be quite
thick carrier film, so were slightly
stiff – notably on any compound
curves – but responded well to
treatments of Micro Set and then
Micro Sol. With this in mind, it
was decided to slice through the
tip-tank stripes and apply just
the red portions. Accordingly,
the tanks were marked carefully
in readiness, although it was
discovered both upper and lower
decals were required to match
the curves, so a join line was
unavoidable. Care was taken not
KeyModelWorld.com
The over-sized tip-tank decals were
cut and positioned with reference to
pre-determined marks
While not all ills were cured on the
tip-tank decals, Micro Set and Micro
Sol helped the markings to conform
better with the compound curves
to seal the tip-tank decals fully
onto the adjacent camouflage
paint so that once they had dried
sufficiently, any excess could be
trimmed to follow the demarcation
line. A further application of
Micro Sol was used to help them
conform properly at the edges
and along the tanks’ compound
curves. In spite of
this effort,
BASIC BUILD | T-2 Buckeye
several minor imperfections
still had to be sanded lightly
and touched up with paint. In
retrospect, it might have been
easier to try to reproduce the red/
orange shade and spray the tanks
and the rudders instead of using
the decals.
Left in the sun
While the decals were
settling and drying, the
intervening time was used
to finish detail tasks, such as
scraping mould seams from
the landing gear and painting
the wheels. It was decided to
freehand paint the striping on
the rather delicate arrester
hook, and the correct number of
stripes was added more by luck
than judgement. Sometimes,
old skills with a ‘hairy stick’ just
need dusting off to save time
Airfix Model World 53
BASIC BUILD
Once dry, the tip-tank decals were
trimmed to the demarcation lines of
the camouflage with a sharp blade
– again a steady hand was vital
Various complementary pastels were employed to provide contrast to the paint
finish and replicate a sun-bleached surface
54 Airfix Model World
Rather by luck than judgement, a
‘hairy stick’ saved time and masking
on the delicate arrester hook, with the
correct number of bands added
masking and spraying. Several
lengthy modelling sessions with
no interruptions were set aside
to get into the groove of the
weathering. First, the underside
was completed with a mixture
of oils and pastels to achieve
the grubby look of this old
workhorse. It was self-evident
the Greek technicians were far
more intent on function over form
and less concerned than some
air forces about the cleanliness
of their charges. However,
trying to replicate this cosmetic
engineering ennui was great fun.
Moreover, having referenced the
upper surfaces on the jet when
it was airborne, the fabulous
smörgåsbord of weathering
opportunities was a delightful
challenge, the real jet having
displayed several noticeable fuel
stains, with many panels known to
leak copiously.
It was during this phase of
proceedings the starboard
tailplane fell off – a result of poor
handling. Clearly too much fun
was being had and a spanner
needed to be thrown into the
works to ensure a suitable level
of frustration! Thankfully, it was
easily re-attached.
But a veritable
pipe-wrench
was hurled when the heavy
reference book I was using
slipped and crushed the
delicate retraction jacks for the
undercarriage doors. A sense of
humour was maintained though,
as the pieces were cobbled back
together without too much fuss,
plus a modicum of bending
and glueing.
Small and/or delicate parts were
all that remained to attach, such
as replacing the lost or missing
pitot and angle-of-attack probes,
respectively. It was decided to
overlook the additional details of
engine blanks and ‘remove before
flight’ tags as the former had
disbarred a similar model from
its class in a major competition;
not that these considerations
should have had any impact
on modelling for fun. However,
in this case, for completeness,
these items may now be
addressed, following November
2021’s Scale ModelWorld event.
A signature base
was fashioned from
MDF and iron-on
veneer and the
confirmed tail-
sitter pinned firmly
to complete the build.
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | T-2 Buckeye

Reflections
This project confirmed that we
modellers accumulate kits and
accessories in which we have a
passing interest because, even
if we don’t have an immediate
use for it, there will be one day
when a flash of inspiration strikes
to spark another project. While
some stashes may have grown to
the point where it’s not possible
to build everything, their purpose
does ensure that when inspiration
does strike, the desired kits/parts We could only have so much
fun before work needed to be
are available without a frantic repeated – the most notable
internet search. incident being when one of the
Wolfpack Designs is to be horizontal stabilisers broke
applauded for creating yet Attempting not to stab
another little gem with its 1/72 oneself when adding final
T-2 Buckeye – why it decided details was key to maintaining
a sense of humour – here, a
to indulge modellers with this vent is being drilled
subject is unknown, but it was a
joy to build from start to finish.
It was also a privilege to fly
alongside this old campaigner
and witness the devotion of
the clean-rag, dirty aeroplane
engineers, who strive constantly
to keep them flying.
More importantly, this project
proved that despite our better
halves rolling their eyes at us
when we bring yet more plastic
from a show, we aren’t quite as
daft as they think, because Nothing replicates wear and tear like wear and tear; a sanding
one day, one day… stick was used to distress the decals on the wing walkways

The completed underside was somewhat restrained and

much dryer compared with the real airframe. Note the
wheels were flattened and drilled for pinning to the base

KeyModelWorld.com
IN FOCUS

In September 2021,
Kev Baxter visited
Greece with the
Aviation PhotoCrew
for the Athens
Flying Week, which
featured one of
the last operational
T-2 Buckeyes

HELLENIC S
ince 2008, the Aviation
PhotoCrew has been
hiring a Short SC7
Skyvan, flown with
the ramp open and a group of
aviation enthusiasts on board,

PHOTO SHOOT
to capture images that most
ground-bound photographers
could only dream of taking.
A postponed trip to Greece
North American T-2E Buckeye 160064 of 363 Mira. The sun-scorched, Vietnam-era to see the Hellenic Air Force’s
camouflage could be seen to good effect, together with the aircraft’s active leaks last F-4Es also yielded an ideal

This jet showed that myriad Greek airmen over the decades had offered Brand-new RBF tags did little to enhance the decidedly tired look of the jet on
evidence for dark panel washes being de rigueur on military machines display at the Athens Flying Week airshow

56 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 IN FOCUS | T-2 Buckeye

A close-up shot of the starboard tip-tank at the Athens Flying Week Airshow,
Tanagra AB, showed the colours of 363 MEA, the last unit flying the Buckeye

Underwing detail of an aircraft Close-up scrutiny of this jet’s nose,

undergoing hydraulic fault diagnosis, with the intake blank inserted – note
with a focus on the main undercarriage how the handle strap dangles loosely
opportunity to see
another retiring airframe
– the T-2 Buckeye. Based at
Kalamata, the T-2s of the 363rd
Air Training Squadron continued
to provide advanced training
to the fast-jet pilots at the time in addition to planned air-to-
of writing. The bonus of an air and airshow events. Any
extended ground stop meant readers interested in such
there was an opportunity (within trips will find further details on
security constraints) to see Aviation PhotoCrew at:
aircraft undergoing maintenance www.aviation-photocrew.com

Here’s a thought: if a modeller was to display a model with a gloss roundel on Although unconfirmed, it was surmised that early BuAir-numbered T-2Cs seen
matt camouflage, how many adverse comments would this attract from ‘experts’? were attrition replacements for Greek T-2Es and drawn from retired USN stock

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 57

BASIC BUILD

Ben Davies takes on

Airfix’s re-issued 1/48
Spitfire Mk.Vb in this
out-of-the-box build to
replicate an airframe flown
by ace Don Gentile

S
upermarine’s Spitfire,
arguably one of World
War Two’s most iconic
designs, was flown
in every theatre of operations
by pilots from more than 20
different nations.
It garnered legendary
status in the UK and
Commonwealth after its
public success during
the Battle of Britain,
and was one of just
a handful of foreign-
built aircraft operated
by the US Army Air
Force (USAAF). The
aircraft equipped
units in England and
the Mediterranean and was
much loved among the pilots.
Before the US officially
entered the war,
volunteer pilots
formed three Eagle
Squadrons under

Once pinned, the

undercarriage legs MODEL SPEC
were secured to
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb
the main wing spar,
which prevented By: Airfix
poor joins and Stock Code: A05125A
misalignment, while Scale: 1/48
also providing Price: £26.49
greater strength Available from: uk.airfix.com

Airfix supplies the main

undercarriage legs as two-piece items,
which means there is a weak join
where they meet – both parts were
drilled in readiness for a length of
brass rod

58 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 BASIC BUILD | Spitfire Mk.Vb

In a deviation from the instructions,

the cockpit interior was built as a
series of sub-assemblies, as this
would ease subsequent painting

Airfix’s 30-piece cockpit provides a great level of detail straight from

the box, and the moulded features could be further accentuated by items, presented on six runners.
dry-brushing once painted The Cartograf-printed decal
sheet covers markings for two
Spitfires, the first being a 133
(Eagle) Squadron machine from
RAF Biggin Hill, the second is
Don Gentile’s aircraft of the 336th
Fighter Squadron, based at RAF
Deben. It was the latter option
that was chosen for this build.

Knowing the problem

Having built several versions
of this kit, it’s known
there are a

Once the various internal items

had received their colours,
the result was a more than
acceptable replica of the
Spitfire’s cockpit
RAF control,
before being
transferred to
the USAAF
in September 1942, and these
units retained the Spitfire, at
least initially.
Airfix originally tooled its 1/48
Spitfire Mk.I/V in 2014; this
recent Mk.Vb offering is the
sixth boxing containing these
parts and focuses on American-
flown airframes. It comprises 126
styrene parts plus 17 transparent

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 59

BASIC BUILD

Adding the instrument panel decal was a quick and easy way to add more
realism to the cockpit – just make sure everything is aligned correctly

…by sanding the top curves of
the instrument panel and bulkhead,
with the inner face of the fuel tank
cover thinned with the aid of a
modelling chisel
A test fit of the armoured fuel tank cover revealed a large gap all the way
around; after some head-scratching it was decided to remedy this… revealed these weren’t present
The initial wing to fuselage join was not a good fit, with large gaps on either on Eagle Squadron Mk.Vb
side and a noticeable step between the parts, solution was near at hand, though… machines, so a scalpel was used
to remove them, with the affected
areas then sanded and polished
using various grades of Flory
Model sanding sticks (www.
florymodels.co.uk).

few ‘gotchas’ that require extra
attention to avoid awkward fits
and problems later. The first
concerns the wing section: Airfix
has split the undercarriage legs
into upper and lower pieces, the
top half of which is attached to
the main spar. If not positioned
correctly this can cause a
weak join when attaching the
bottom section later along
with misalignment. Here, these
items were drilled and pinned
with brass rods for more robust
undercarriage legs, which were
then secured to the spar and the
rest of the wing assembled as per
the instructions.
Second, whichever Spitfire Airfix
measured when researching the
kit was fitted with extra ‘ribs’
on the upper wing surface; this
was a late-war modification to
add strength for carrying bombs
(most post-war/restored machines
were similarly upgraded). A
quick check of reference photos
Out-of-the-box office
Attention then moved to the
cockpit, which comprises 30
parts and offers a good level
of detail straight from the box.
Airfix suggests it is built as a tub
prior to sandwiching between
the fuselage halves, but to aid
painting, the sidewalls were
attached to the airframe interior
instead. Bulkheads, instrument
panel, control stick, rudder
pedals and seats were then built
as sub-assemblies. A hand drill
was used to open framework
lightening holes to enhance
their appearance, along with
the cannon barrels and exhaust

“To aid painting the sidewalls were

attached to the airframe interior”

60 Airfix Model World

 BASIC BUILD | Spitfire Mk.Vb

joined. An elastic band and a

mostly
rectified by
trimming the two large
locating tabs on the bottom of
the fuselage. With this resolved,
these sub-assemblies were finally
cork were used to hold this wing
at the correct dihedral while the
glue set. Any remaining gaps
along the wing roots were
filled with Mr. Hobby
Dissolved Putty (www.
albionhobbies.com)
and allowed to dry for 24
hours. Rather than sanding
the join, Revell 39005 Airbrush
Cleaner (www.revell.de/en) and a
cotton bud were used to dissolve
the excess material; unlike
normal cellulose thinners this
fluid doesn’t attack the styrene,
making it a neater method

… as it was identified that a locating Revell Spray Gun Cleaner and a

stacks. Tamiya XF-71 Cockpit
Green (www.hobbyco.net) was
used for the base RAF Interior
Green and this was sprayed in
two thin coats. Once dry, fine
detail was painted using various
Vallejo Model Color (www.
creativemodels.co.uk) shades.
Airfix’s instrument panel decal
was then applied, with DACO’s
Medium decal solution (www.
dacoproducts.com) employed
to help the marking conform to
the raised bezels. A coat of matt
varnish unified the finish, before
drops of Micro Kristal Klear (www.
microscale.com) emulated the
dial glass. The only aftermarket
item added was
Eduard’s pre-painted
49006 Seatbelts RAF
WWII Fighters (www.
eduard.com). Last, all cockpit
parts were weathered lightly with
a wash of Tamiya’s Black Panel
Liner, followed by dry-brushing
with a lightened version of the
base colour.
Fettle and fettle again
With the cockpit painted and
installed, it was time to bring
the fuselage halves together.
A mixture of Revell Contacta
tab on the fuselage was fouling cotton bud were used to dissolve
(39604) (www.revell.de/en) the wing components, so this was excess filler from the wing root as this
and Tamiya Extra Thin (www. shortened accordingly solution doesn’t damage the styrene
hobbyco.net) was used to bond
the parts. Care will be needed to
ensure all pieces align correctly
and click into their respective
slots. Plenty of pegs and clamps
were used to ensure nothing
moved while the glue took hold;
once removed, the resulting fit
was good and required very
little clean-up. Another known
problem area with this kit is the
fuel tank cover, which comes
as a separate component and
incorporates the locating slot for
the windscreen, allowing it to be Dench Packing Foam is an ideal mask for intake and open cockpits, rather
provided in several forms. An than the sometimes complicated job of using tape
initial test fit revealed it sat 3mm
proud of the fuselage, so the
tops of the instrument panel and
bulkheads were sanded and the
inside of the cover thinned using
a modelling chisel. After several
re-checks, sufficient material was
removed to prevent fouling and
to achieve a good join.
Trimming time
If there’s a perennial issue with
Spitfire kits, it’s the wing/fuselage
join – an initial test revealed large
gaps on each side, with a notable A watercolour pencil is perfect for marking out the camouflage pattern when
step between the parts – this was spraying freehand and prevents painting the wrong area

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 61

BASIC BUILD
Spraying the AK Real Color shades in a tight random pattern before ‘blocking
in’ the colour with a more diluted layer meant the pre-shading and painting
stages were combined
that requires next to no tidying.
The last major steps of assembly
involved installing the tailplanes,
rudder, tailwheel, cannon barrels,
oil cooler and radiators. Before
the latter were glued, the
inside and radiator faces
were painted with
Model Master 1781
A compass cutter and the decal sheet were used to make a mask to help
represent the overpainted RAF markings, before airbrushing the area with the
base colour
62 Airfix Model World
Aluminium and pin-washed with
Tamiya Panel Liner.
Preparatory work
The final step before prepping
the model for primer was to
mask and install the canopy and
windshield. Tamiya tape was
employed for this task, along
with a sharp No.11 blade to score
around the frames, after which
the front and rear items were
secured with Krystal Klear.
The centre section was masked
on the inside and set aside for
painting and installation later,
along with the open cockpit door.
Foam sponge was used to mask
the open cockpit and the inside
of the radiators and oil cooler.
AK Interactive’s Black Primer
(AK00758) (www.ak-interactive.
com) was then sprayed in two
thin coats over the whole
model. Once dry, the
model was wet-polished
with Albion Alloy’s 12,000-grade
polishing sponges; several areas
required further attention using
Mr. Surfacer 1000; once
rectified the areas were
re-primed and polished and
the model was ready for
its camouflage.
Reused paintwork
Both schemes in the box require
standard day-fighter camouflage.
AK’s Real Color products were
used for the RAF Dark Green
(RC286), Ocean Grey (RC288)
and Medium Sea Grey (RC289).
Starting on the underside with
the Medium Sea Grey, the paint
was diluted 60% with Mr. Hobby
Self Leveling thinner and applied
in two thin coats. The first was
airbrushed in tight random
patterns close to the model to
create a mottle effect; the
second (using a more
diluted and
slightly lightened version of the
base colour) was sprayed more
evenly to blend in the previous
layer and ‘block’ the colour.
This process was repeated with
the topside camouflage colours
– the pattern was airbrushed
free-hand with the help of a
0.15mm needle in a Harder &
Steenbeck Infinity Airbrush
(www.harder-airbrush.eu).
Once dry, the model received
a light wet polish with the
12,000-grade sanding pads. The
next task was to replicate the
overpainted RAF markings from
when the aircraft transferred into
the USAAF. Using a compass
cutter, a measurement was
taken from the RAF upper wing
roundels on the decal sheet,
before being used to cut a mask
from tape. The stencil was placed
in the correct location and AK
Interactive’s RAF Dark Green
sprayed with a thicker mix than
used on the main camouflage to
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Spitfire Mk.Vb

“Any remaining
gaps along the wing
roots were filled
with Mr. Hobby
Dissolved Putty”

give the impression of a repaint.
Although Airfix provides a decal,
this process was repeated for
the smaller underwing roundel,
this time using Medium Sea
Grey. Other smaller details were
painted at this point, including
the yellow leading-edge strips
and the red fabric gun muzzle
covers. The final step before
decaling was to apply a gloss
coat using Mr. Hobby GX100
Super Gloss, diluted 70:30 with
Self Leveling thinner; this had
a final 12,000-grade wet polish
once dry.
Disputed scheme
Decaling started with the
national and unit markings.
Airfix’s Cartograf decals were
easy to use and were aided
with the use of Micro Set and
Sol solutions (www.microscale.
com), settling into the engraved
detail very well. A scalpel blade
was run along the recessed lines
followed by more Micro Sol to
ensure any weathering products
would take to the panels. There
is some debate regarding the
correct serial number for Don
Gentile; there are very few

The Cartograf-printed decals performed brilliantly and responded well to the

setting solutions, settling into the engraved panel lines easily

A further layer of varnish was

applied to protect the decals and
prepare the airframe for weathering;
references indicated the aircraft
exteriors were generally quite clean,
although the underside would stain
quickly due to fuel/fluid leaks
Flory Models Grime wash was the
base weathering layer, recreating a
worn appearance noted in reference
photos. The excess was removed using
a moist piece of kitchen towel

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 63

BASIC BUILD
Recreating the prominent oil streaking on the belly involved more Flory Models
Grime and Dark Dirt wash; once dry these harsh streaks would be blended via a
water-dampened flat brush
photo references of his aircraft
and none that clearly show the
serial number. This build was to
be out of the box, so with the
lack of evidence to rule out the
other options, the serial number
supplied was used. Once the
national markings were put on
and allowed to set for a day, the
stencil decals were applied using
the same technique. These were
allowed to fully dry, then the
model had a protective coat of
varnish to prepare for weathering.
Used, not abused
The few photos of this aircraft
and others in the same unit
revealed the finish was rather
worn. Weathering started by
“Light chipping was
added via a silver
watercolour pencil in
various places over
the airframe”
64 Airfix Model World
treating the model with Flory
Models’ Grime Wash. Once
dry, any excess was removed
using a slightly moistened piece
of kitchen roll, taking care to
remove the wash in the direction
of the airflow where possible.
A cotton bud was used to
access hard to reach and fiddly
areas. Once satisfied, further
staining on to the undersides,
using a combination of Flory’s
Grime and Dark Dirt washes,
was applied using a fine brush,
focusing on the oil streaking
that regularly forms
on the aircraft’s
belly. These were
left for several
hours before
Light chipping effects were added to areas of high traffic, such as the wing
walkways and where panels would regularly be removed, with the aid of a
metallic watercolour pencil
a dampened flat brush was
employed to blend the streaks.
Next, light chipping was added
via a silver watercolour pencil in
various places over the airframe.
A final touch was to add exhaust
stains using a diluted red-brown
mixture. The undercarriage legs,
main wheels and tailwheel were
then painted before everything
was sealed with a coat of Albion
Alloys’ Klear Flat.
Final assembly involved the
unmasking of the canopies
and adding details such as the
main canopy section, pitot tube,
exhaust stacks and propeller. The
last items added were the two
aerial wires to the rear fuselage
using elastic thread; once
secured with superglue they
were painted with 1412 Buffing
Dark Anodonic Gray.
Great value addition
On its initial release in 2014, the
Airfix 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/V kit was
far better than the mid-90s’
Tamiya releases. Even after
more recent products from
other manufacturers it’s still
competitive, particularly with
regard to price. Despite its
shortfalls, all the modeller needs
is knowledge of the issues
with Airfix’s Spitfire; combined
with a little work and patience
it can be built into a superb
representation of this classic
British aviation design.
KeyModelWorld.com
PILOT FOCUS

BUCKEYE DON One of the United States Army Air Forces’ top fighter pilots of
World War Two, Don Gentile started his combat career with
the RAF. Malcolm V Lowe tells the flying ace’s story
successfully soloed, he owned
and flew his own light aircraft.
The commencement of World
War Two in September 1939 was
a call to arms for many young
men, such as Gentile, who
wanted to join the fight against
Nazi Germany. At that time, he
was 18, but the US stayed out
of the war as a combatant until
December 1941. Gentile tried
to join the US Army Air Corps
(USAAC), which was transformed
during the summer of 1941
into the US Army Air Force(s)
(USAAF). However, the US
authorities required potential
pilots to have undergone two
years of college education, which
Gentile had not achieved.
The only alternative was to do
what a growing number of US
citizens were attempting, which
was to join the RAF instead.
Although officially neutral, the
The big P-47 Thunderbolt replaced Spitfires in the 4th FG. Gentile flew, among
others, Donnie Boy, generally regarded to be P-47D-5-RE 42-8659/VF-T. The two US usually – but not always –
‘kill’ markings refer to his claims in Spitfires (All images: Malcolm V Lowe Collection) turned a ‘blind eye’ to Americans
volunteering for service with the
RAF, which did not require the
two years of college training as
an entrance qualification.
Gentile joined the RAF during
September 1940 through
recruitment in the US, and
subsequently underwent pilot
training in Canada. He was duly
transported to Britain, having
successfully gained his ‘wings’.
The considerable number of
American pilots crossing the
Atlantic had resulted in the
creation, within the RAF’s
structure, of three fighter units
specifically for the US volunteers.
Referred to as the ‘Eagle
Squadrons’, they were 71, 121 and
133 Squadrons.
Although employed initially
as an instructor, Gentile was
ultimately posted to 133 (Eagle)
Squadron. This was operational
on the Spitfire Vb and was
eventually based at RAF Biggin
Hill in Kent. During his time with

A
significant number of
US fighter pilots who
achieved fame and
high scores in aerial
conflict during World War Two
initially flew combat as members
of (or affiliated to) the RAF.
This was true of Dominic
Salvatore ‘Don’ Gentile, who
rose to become one of the best-
known and highest-profile US
aviators of the Allied nations
during and after the conflict.
He was born on December
6, 1920, in Piqua, Ohio. His
parents were Italian immigrants
who moved to the US prior to
World War One. During his early
years, Gentile developed a
love of aviation, resulting in his
building many model aircraft.
But he wanted to fly the real
thing. Eventually, he was able to Don Gentile’s famous P-51B-5-NA Mustang, 43-6913/VF-T named Shangri-La, featured in many publicity photographs.
take flying lessons and, having Gentile was sent home after crashing Shangri-La at Debden in front of visiting press reporters during April 1944

66 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 PILOT FOCUS | Don Gentile

One of the most famous pairings of

fighter pilots in the USAAF was Don
Gentile with John Godfrey (left). Gentile’s
colourful Mustang Shangri-La with the
4th FG’s distinctive red nose
was the backdrop for this
posed photograph

the unit, he flew more than one

Spitfire, and became sufficiently
proficient on the type that he
started what was to become an
impressive and high-scoring list
of air combat victories.

Fighting proficiency
Gentile’s first claims came during
Operation Jubilee, the ill-fated
Dieppe raid of August 1942. His
squadron was one of several that
provided air cover for the Allied
amphibious attack, and he was
credited with a Focke-Wulf Fw
190 fighter and a twin-engined
Junkers Ju 88. At that time, his
rank was Pilot Officer.
A major change took place
with the fortunes of the US
fliers in the Eagle Squadrons
later in 1942, when these units
were officially transferred to the
USAAF and became the three
combat squadrons within the
nascent 4th Fighter Group (FG).
Gentile’s 133 (Eagle) Squadron
became the 336th Fighter
Squadron that September, and a
new airfield was chosen for the
unit’s activities. This was RAF
Debden in Essex, which duly
became synonymous with the
4th FG. Indeed, the group has

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 67

PILOT FOCUS
The first type Gentile flew in
combat was the Spitfire, both
with 133 (Eagle) Squadron and
later as a member of the 4th FG.
Buckeye-Don was one of several
examples of the type that he flew
68 Airfix Model World
been referred to forever after as
the ‘Debden Eagles’.
Gentile’s new rank as a
member of the USAAF was
Second Lieutenant, upgraded to
First Lieutenant in January 1943.
His experience of flying Spitfires
was invaluable to the fledgling
unit, the 4th FG continuing
initially to fly the type. However,
the Spitfires were replaced in
March/April 1943 by the larger
and more-heavily armed P-47
Thunderbolt. Gentile flew
several different Thunderbolts
during their period of use by
the 4th FG, and achieved his
first aerial victory in the type (an
Fw 190) on January 5, 1944. By
then, he had been promoted to
the rank of Captain.
The P-47 was unpopular with
many of the 4th FG’s pilots,
and the unit’s commanding
officer from January 1, 1944 –
Don Blakeslee – was keen to
have the group re-equipped as
soon as possible with the North
American P-51 Mustang. The first
P-51Bs for the 4th FG arrived at
Debden in February 1944, and
the unit became operational
on the type late that month.
The Mustang was a popular
warplane among the Debden
Eagles’ pilots, and one of this
aircraft’s greatest exponents
was Don Gentile.
Mustang excellence
His first aerial victory while
flying a P-51 came on March 3
– the victim being identified as
a Dornier Do 217. Thereafter,
he scored regularly, including a
triple (plus a half share) of Bf 109
fighters on March 8. The latter
were Gentile’s first claims while
flying his famous P-51B Mustang
43-6913/VF-T named ‘Shangri-
La’, which was his personal
‘mount’ until the end of his tour
of duty. Approximately half of
his eventual aerial victories were
achieved during the month of
March 1944.
On April 8, he scored another
triple. By that time, he was
established as a personality
within the ranks of US fliers in
Britain. Much photographed by
the press, he was bestowed
(together with his CO, Col Don
Blakeslee) the Distinguished
Gentile featured in many
posed press photographs.
In this scene, (second from
right) he was apparently
‘helping’ the groundcrew
to rearm his Mustang
Shangri-La at Debden
KeyModelWorld.com

Service Cross (DSC) during a
ceremony at Debden on April 11.
The Supreme Allied Commander
in Europe, General Eisenhower,
pinned the award on the two
celebrated pilots.
At one stage, Gentile was
lauded in the press as being
the leading US ‘ace’ of the war,
and he was one of several pilots
who were involved in the totally
unofficial competition to exceed
Eddie Rickenbacker's World War
One record of 26 aerial victories.
Gentile’s official tour ended
on April 13. That day, he flew
on a bomber escort mission
and was awaited keenly by
the press at Debden for his
return. Unfortunately, things
did not go well. Successfully
arriving back from the mission,
Gentile attempted to impress
the assembled crowds with
some hazardous low-level flying.
He duly misjudged his height
above the ground over the
somewhat undulating Debden
airfield surface. His propellers
dug an impressive series of
chop marks in the turf, and
he ended up making a crash
landing in a farmer’s field not
far from the airfield’s boundary.
Although he was largely unhurt,
his beloved Shangri-La was a
total write-off. The 4th FG’s CO,
Col Don Blakeslee had a rule
that any pilot, no matter who
he was, would be sent home
permanently if causing a mishap
such as this.
Gentile’s total aerial victories
score is accepted to be 21.833
(‘.833’ refers to claims shared
with other pilots), together with
six ground ‘kills’. The latter were
achieved during hazardous
attacks on Luftwaffe airfields
while returning from bomber
KeyModelWorld.com
The forlorn remains of Gentile’s
famous Mustang Shangri-La, following
his crash at Debden on April 13, 1944.
Needless to say, the aircraft was a
write-off, but Gentile survived
None other than General Eisenhower
visited RAF Debden on April 11, 1944,
to bestow the Distinguished Service
Cross (DSC) awards on Capt Don
Gentile and his commanding officer,
Col Don Blakeslee (right)
PILOT FOCUS | Don Gentile
escort duties – a tendency that
would grow in importance as the
war progressed.
For a significant period of his
time in combat, Gentile often
flew with Lt (later Capt) John
T Godfrey, who sometimes
acted as his wingman. This
pairing proved to be especially
successful, and Godfrey himself
amassed a considerable share
of aerial victories. His war ended
when he became a PoW in
August 1944, with the officially
recognised score of 16.333
in the air plus 12.666 ground
strafing victories.
Stateside career
Having returned to the US,
following his unfortunate
accident at Debden, Gentile
was therefore not present in the
frontline for the large air battles
that took place later in 1944 and
early 1945. If he had been, it is
interesting to speculate what
his eventual tally of air-to-air
victories could have risen to.
During the considerable
amount of publicity and fund-
raising work that Gentile carried
out in the US after his arrival
there, a late-model Mustang
was painted in mock Shangri-
La markings beside which he
was frequently photographed.
Instead of it being painted in
camouflage colours, it was a
gleaming natural-metal machine,
with altered markings including
a checkerboard of small red
and white checks encircling its
forward fuselage, and a slight
name change to Shangrila.
Promoted to Major in January
1946, Gentile transferred into
the newly created US Air
Force (USAF) in late 1947. He
continued to fly but, sadly,
this led to a tragic ending.
On January 28, 1951, he was
one of the two occupants in a
Lockheed T-33A that crashed
near Forestville, Maryland –
both were killed. Gentile was
buried with full military honours
at the Saint Joseph Cemetery
in Lockbourne, Ohio. In 1995,
he was inducted into the US
National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Gentile wrote an
autobiography, as recounted to
author and war correspondent
Ira Wolfert, entitled One-Man
Airforce (first published 1944).
In more recent years, the
book Two-Man Air Force was
written by US historian Philip
Kaplan, extolling the successful
relationship between Gentile
and Godfrey – one of the most
famous pairings of fighter
pilots in the USAAF.
After returning to the
US, Gentile was often
photographed alongside a
late-production Mustang with
markings that resembled
those of Shangri-La
Airfix Model World 69
BASIC BUILD
SNOWY SERB
The lower hull came as a single piece with all the details moulded beautifully
– a metal ballast block was included to give the finished model greater heft
across the world, continuing to
serve past the Cold War, and is
still operational in many conflicts
today. As the T-55 became more
outdated, many upgrades were
made, including field-made
upgrades by militias and rebel
groups ranging from simple
sandbag armour to anti-rocket-
propelled grenade cages created
from lengths of spare rebar.
Building the beast
Tamiya’s T-55 is a fairly simple kit,
comprising five styrene runners, a
short length of string and a metal
Joe Turner opts for a small-scale weight for the lower hull.
The parts were up to the firm’s
Bosnian conflict diorama, with Tamiya’s usual high standards with crisp
1/48 T-55 acting as the centrepiece moulding and clever engineering
to ensure minimal clean-up.
T
he T-55 tank was and went on to become the Work started on the lower hull
developed in the late most produced tank in history. section, which featured integrally
1940s as the Soviet As time progressed the type moulded suspension arms that
Union’s main battle tank was adopted by many armies fitted perfectly. The metal bar
70 Airfix Model World
weight was then attached to
the bottom although it seemed
to serve no purpose other than
to give the model greater heft.
The wheels were next and went
together well, although clean-
up was required to remove
a prominent seam along the
centres. A degree of damage
was added to the rubber of
several wheels with a hobby
knife, plus the tread pattern on
the sides was worn down with a
file to add further realism. Note,
there is a locating tab at the
bottom of the central wheel. This
must not be removed. Tracks
MODEL SPEC
Russian T-55 Medium Tank
By: Tamiya
Stock code: 32598
Scale: 1/48
Price: £21.99
Available from: www.hobbyco.net
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Russian T-55 Medium Tank

“Tamiya’s T-55 is a fairly simple kit,

comprising five styrene runners”

were supplied added without any problems.

in link-and-length
format and these
required tidying due to the
presence of several ejector
pin marks on the inner faces.
Each side was assembled by
lining up all the pieces dry and
then running liquid cement along
the seams; after five minutes
drying, they were then attached
to the running gear, which had
been added temporarily to the
lower hull. The guiding tab on
the central wheel was used to
align the tracks. For this build,
a new method was tried which
involved gluing the wheels to
the track assembly and keeping
these separate from the rest of
the vehicle to simplify painting.
Attention then turned to the
upper hull, which featured neat,
but arguably simplistic, detail.
The front track guards were
thinned using a rotary tool
and then damage was
added with a pair of flat
tweezers for a more convincing
appearance. The next step was
adding fixtures to the main track
guard sections, which consisted
of storage boxes and fuel tanks.
These were all well detailed
and had no fit issues. With this
completed, the turret became
the next focus; this component
featured cast texture on the
exterior, and all detail fixtures
were well engineered and were
Particular highlights were the
realistic dust cover and night-
vision lights. The barrel came as
a single-piece item, removing
the potential issue of an
unsightly seam along its length.
Similarly, the pintle-mounted
DShK anti-aircraft gun was well
replicated and could be posed
as desired. The kit also featured
a simple commander figure
that could be placed into the
optionally open hatch.
Upgrade time
Tamiya’s 1/48 T-55 is fairly small
and simple enough that it

The upper hull had most of the detail moulded integrally. Damage was added
to the front sections of the track guards for a more realistic appearance

Tamiya’s single-piece upper turret featured an accurate shape and well-

replicated cast texture on the exterior surfaces

While simple to assemble, the wheels received damage to the rubber sections, Given the small scale, the anti-aircraft gun was well replicated and could be
representing wear from general use, giving them a more ‘lived-in’ appearance posed in a number of different positions

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 71

BASIC BUILD

“Basic weld
detail was
improved
by adding
texture via a
needle tip”

could be made in a weekend,
but this scale meant that several
details were omitted (due to
moulding limitations) and could
be improved.
Furthermore, the intention
was to recreate a tank from
the Bosnian conflict, which
means some modifications and
additions were needed. First
was the removal of the rear fuel
drums. This was fairly simple
and just required filing of the
associated locating tab. Turret
grab handles were replaced
with brass wire and the spare
ammo boxes and barrel-cleaning
set were omitted, which meant
the corresponding holes must
be filled. Following this the
cast texture was improved
using a thin layer of Mr. Hobby
Mr. Surfacer 500 (www.
albionhobbies.com), which was
stippled with an old brush. A
similar technique was used to
add a rolled-steel texture to
the front armour plate, which
was previously missing. The
next additions were the omitted
fuel lines for the track guard-
mounted tanks. These were

Fuel lines from the external tanks were omitted from the kit, so they were
made using a thin piece of brass wire and using a reference photo as a guide
The turret was improved with wire grab handles plus a stippled application of
Mr. Surfacer to improve the cast texture, while weld lines were re-worked for a
more realistic look

Link-and-length tracks were built with

the running gear to form a separate
assembly, this would help with painting
and handling of the model

The completed turret benefited from

a single-piece barrel, which removed
the risk of a seam line along its length

72 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 BASIC BUILD | Russian T-55 Medium Tank

fashioned from brass wire bent

Additional armour and stowage
carefully into the correct shape, were made by combining several
which although small, made for reference photos. The armour
a noticeable improvement. was made from a mixture of
spare parts, resin accessories
Basic weld detail was improved and homemade items
by adding texture via a needle
tip after softening the surface
with liquid cement. Missing
weld beads were added by
using thin strips of stretched
runner, adding texture in the
same way. Flame-cut marks on
armour edges were added with
a sharp hobby knife. With this
the tank itself was complete,
but additional armour and
stowage had to be created. This
was achieved by combining
references from several actual
vehicles from the wars in
Yugoslavia. The main vehicle
used for inspiration was one
that had spare tyres and wheels
hung on the front of the turret
as additional armour. Suitable
items were sourced from spares
boxes and positioned as per
the photo, being secured with
cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive. A black primer set
the foundation for
Next came the ammo crates and upcoming steps, which
boxes, which were simulated could be quite rough
with resin items, again sourced on the surface - a dark
rusty colour was mixed
from the spares box, with thin
to act as a basecoat
string used to ‘tie’ the parts

down to the model using handles

and hooks.
The last additions to the hull
were sandbags and tarpaulins.
These were made using Milliput
MIL012 Superfine White (www.
milliput.com): tarpaulins are made
by rolling the putty into a thin
layer and cutting square shapes,
before being attached to the

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 73

BASIC BUILD
A simple commander figure was
included, wearing an early Soviet-style
tanker uniform and helmet, although
it could easily represent a tanker from
different countries
model and using a rubber brush
to shape it and make it conform
to the hull. Sandbags were
made by rolling a small ball and
then flattening it slowly until it
was the right shape.
Further visual interest was
added by different shaped and
sized sandbags as many would
74 Airfix Model World
The first colour was simulating JNA Green, which was subsequently chipped to
reveal areas of wear and tear
A ‘field applied’ camouflage pattern was
then airbrushed freehand, recreating a
messy sprayed on appearance; this
would be chipped quite aggressively
have come from non-military
sources. In a notable example
from this time, a tank was
armoured using old mail bags
filled with sand, so several of
the bags were made to imitate
this. Once the sandbags were
on the surface and had started
to dry, seams were added via
hobby knife tip; one of the turret
bags was opened as if damaged
by a bullet or shrapnel. A final
modification was replacing the
kit tow cables with more realistic
metal alternatives made by
wrapping wires together.
Homemade paint job
Tamiya offered a single colour
scheme for Cold War-era Soviet
tanks, but this wouldn’t be
used. The intention was to paint
this tank as a Bosnian Serb/
VRS (Vojska Republike Srpske)
machine during the Bosnian war
in early 1995, being a former
Yugoslavian Army vehicle with
a field camouflage applied by
a local militia. Furthermore, this
tank would be very weather
worn, so hairspray chipping
would be employed. The first
step was priming and AMMO-
MIG’s A.MIG-2023 Black Primer
(www.migjimenez.com) was used
to coat the entire model. The first
chipping layer was a dark rusty
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Russian T-55 Medium Tank

red colour, employing Tamiya

All accessories were then hand
XF-9 Hull Red (www.hobbyco. painted with a brush and acrylic
net). This was then mixed with colours, recreating stowage
XF-3 Yellow and sprayed in a tones from reference photos
mottled pattern to add variety
to the surface. A layer of AK
Interactive Worn Effects Fluid
was then applied.
The base colour would be JNA
Green – the standard colour of
Yugoslavian vehicles – and this
was simulated with a 3:1:1 blend
of XF-22 RLM Grey, XF-62 Olive
Drab and XF-76 Grey Green.
Immediately after drying, the
chipping fluid was activated
using water. A toothpick and old
brush were used to add wear
to the surface, concentrating
on areas that would be subject “This would be a
to frequent use or heat. After great entry model
sealing with matt varnish,
another layer of chipping fluid
for a beginner ”
was airbrushed. The next

colours were applied in random

‘blobs’ at low pressure for a
‘sprayed on’ look as if applied
in the field. The real colours
would have been made from
whatever paint was available,
including civilian paints, and the
chosen colours were all Tamiya
products: XF-3 Yellow, XF-19
Sky Grey, XF-52 Flat Earth and
XF-69 NATO Black. These were
sealed with another layer of matt
varnish. Acrylic paints were then Grime, grease, grass were placed near higher areas the excess being removed with
employed for detail painting, Before further ageing/wear and and centre of panels, while darker white spirt. Following this, focus
with photo references used to tear effects could be applied, shades were focused on corners turned to the chips created
determine the relevant shades. a filter must be applied to tone and edges to add a degree of earlier. AMMO-MIG’s A.MIG-
Once completed, the entire down the bright camouflage. This shading. A pin wash was made 1204 Streaking Rust Effects was
model was sealed with two was done using an oil dot filter from diluted black oil paint and used to add rusty stains to the
coats of A.MIG-2054 Ultra-matt comprising white, black, yellow applied around detail and panel horizontal chips and streaks to
Varnish, ready for weathering. and green colours. Lighter tones lines to add further contrast, chips on vertical surfaces

The first layer of mud was that replicating dried deposits and included grass
and real earth mixed in for a textured appearance

A fresh wet mud was made darker with black pigments and enamel-based Wet Grime and dirt was then added, with oil paints flicked onto the model to blend
Effects for an authentic look the details with the rest of the tank

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 75

BASIC BUILD
caused by moisture, enhancing
the chipping effects.
For the tracks, a rusty surface
was created by painting them in
a suitable brown hue, followed
by a treatment with A.MIG-
1002 Tracks Wash. Areas that
would be ‘cleaned’ by friction
were painted with a steel acrylic
colour. With all these completed,
mud could be applied to the
vehicle. The first layer was made
by mixing A.MIG-1702 Turned
Earth with static grass to create
a layer of dried deposits. This
was stippled onto areas where
mud would collect, such as the
lower hull and tracks. A thinned
version of this was then flicked
onto the same locations to
create mud splashes. Next came
a damp mud effect, which was
created using A.MIG-1752 Loose
Ground and was applied over
the more concentrated areas of
76 Airfix Model World
A simple base was made from
foam, and a tree was added
using wires as a framework;
next plaster rocks and static
grass were secured
the previous accumulations. As
per the initial treatment, this was
flicked over the lower hull and
running gear.
The final layer was a fresh,
wet mud, made by mixing the
previous product with black
pigment and A.MIG-2015 Wet
Effects Fluid. This was focused
on the areas most likely to
receive fresh mud, such as the
tracks and edges of the lower
hull. On the upper hull the
finishing touches were to add
grease and fuel stains; a custom
effect was
made by
combining
Wet Effects
Fluid with
black oil paint
and adding it
around the areas where this
might accumulate: filler caps
and moving parts. No attempt
was made to blend this with the
surrounding colours, which left
a hard-edged demarcation. The
last step was adding snow to the
tank: see Let it snow for details.
Final thoughts
The world of 1/48 scale has been
limited to aircraft modelers for
a long time, but recently armour
manufacturers have started
producing kits in
this scale. While
Tamiya’s T-55 is
quite basic and
The base was painted with
the same mud shades as the
model to ensure harmony
lacks the full detail of its 1/35
counterparts, its small size means
it can be made in a weekend
and finished in an equally short
period if desired. This would
be a great entry model for a
beginner or more experienced
modeller looking to
try something a
bit smaller.
KeyModelWorld.com
 BASIC BUILD | Russian T-55 Medium Tank

LET IT SNOW
The model would be set during winter in the mountains of Bosnia, which means that snow is an inevitability.
A small vignette base was made from foam, to simulate a rural road to help set the scene. Groundwork was
created with acrylic mud textures and plaster rocks were added to break up the sides, while a small tree was
fashioned from a wire armature with Milliput used to build the shape and add a bark texture. Static grass was
applied and the whole base was primed black with details painted using acrylics.
Mudded areas were then treated with the same mixture as on the model for continuity; once this was
completed it was time to create the snow. Two primary mixes were used, the first made from Vallejo 26.230
Still Water (www.creativemodels.co.uk) and Aurea Domus C-02-A Compliments (no longer in production),
which creates a greyer ‘sludge’ effect. This was applied to the scene edges and centre of the road. As it was
drying, boot prints were added with a 1/48 figure. The main snow effect was created by mixing the Still Water
with Deluxe Materials BD-26 Shovelled Snow (www.deluxematerials.co.uk). This was built up in several layers,
paying attention to how it was applied to the grass, and creating larger accumulations on flat surfaces. This
thicker snow effect was ‘dry-brushed’ onto the lower hull, tracks and running gear, to simulate hard snow
thrown up by the tracks. On the upper surfaces, some areas then received small build-ups of snow, with Wet
Effects Fluid placed around them to imitate water from melted ice.

KeyModelWorld.com
INTERMEDIATE BUILD

ICM has followed the real development

of the Douglas B-26 Invader with a
refurbished B-26K version in 1/48,
built here by Mike Williams

P
erhaps best known
for its back-and-forth
changing A- and B-26
designations, the
Douglas Invader was a twin-
engined bomber/attack aircraft
that served from World War Two
into the Vietnam conflict period
and beyond.
In South East Asia, the type's
role moved toward a counter-
insurgency profile – this was one
of several factors that involved
the US Air Force commissioning
the On Mark Engineering

INVADER
WITH TEETH
Internals were painted with C351 US Interior
Green for the lower half, after which the cockpit
interiors were masked and painted XF-63
German Grey to represent a ‘scale’ black
MODEL SPEC
B-26K Counter Invader
By: ICM
Stock Code: 48279
Scale: 1/48
Price: £52.99
Available from: www.hannants.co.uk

78 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


Company to remanufacture
existing airframes to B-26K (later
known as A-26A) standard. This
was a significant refurbishment,
featuring upgraded engines,
propellers and brakes plus
remanufactured wings with
tip-mounted fuel tanks.
It’s a somewhat similar story
in styrene: this is the sixth
incarnation of ICM’s
1/48 Douglas
B-26 Invader
“This is the
sixth incarnation
of ICM’s 1/48 Douglas
B-26 Invader”
A kit decal for the instrument panel fitted
perfectly, then varnish simulated glass.
A standard B-26 set was cannibalised for
cockpit embellishments, while silver pencil
‘scratches’ simulated wear on all elements
KeyModelWorld.com
INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Douglas B-26K Counter Invader
MIG Productions’ P222 Neutral Wash was used to coat the whole interior liberally. After leaving it for an hour to dry,
excess was removed via cotton bud, imparting a dusty and worn appearance
and thus far, the most heavily
modified version in comparison
with the earlier World War Two
and Korean War bomber kits.
Inside the box, there was a
brand new fuselage, completely
fresh set of wings (with four
hardpoints on the undersides
and the wingtip tanks), distinct
cowlings, propellers, nose section
and weaponry. In fact, the last
of these were also available
separately from ICM (as 48046
US Aviation Armament), so
complemented the conventional
bombs supplied in the kit.
Clear parts were also very
different compared with
ICM’s other B-26 kits,
as befitting the Counter Invader.
A thorough examination of the
construction sequence would be
recommended as there was a
fair amount of parts not for use in
this kit (including wings, cowlings
and propellers) only relevant
to the early machines. These
were marked clearly in red on
the runner layout plan. However,
there was a considerable
amount of plastic in the box so
familiarisation was key.
Beginning differently
The fuselage and associated
internal detail needed care as the
Counter Invader had a distinct
cockpit layout with dual-control
columns, an enlarged instrument
panel plus an extra seat next to
the pilot’s. These parts were all
on the new frames, but earlier
Invader parts were also included,
so care needed to be taken
during selection. The same rule
applied to the rear observer’s
cockpit, as this also differed
Along with the cockpit units, four bombs and racks required assembly and
painting. Ditto the one-piece nosewheel bay doors and bulkheads – these
were decorated in the same manner as the internal sections
significantly – it was to become
a common theme throughout,
but it became easier to work
out which runners were new or
relative to this version as the
build progressed.
At the time of building and
writing, there were no dedicated
detail sets for the Counter
Invader, so instead, some
common parts on an earlier
B-26A photo-etched (PE) metal
set from Eduard (www.eduard.
com) were employed where
applicable, along with some
generic pre-coloured seatbelts.
Contrary to the instructions,
the cockpit interior was not US
Interior Green on the -K, but
black; note the nosewheel and
bomb bay internals were green.
Careful painting ensured each
interior section of the fuselage
received the correct shade: Mr.
Color C351 US Interior Green
(www.albionhobbies.com) before
being masked for the cockpit
sections to be painted
Airfix Model World 79
INTERMEDIATE BUILD

With the internal subsections tacked in position with superglue, the wing The nose gun section was made from four parts, with delicacy required to
spar units and the fuselage could be closed. This took care to ensure correct align the top sections. Solid guns were drilled carefully, but would subsequently
alignment, especially the central spar, which fitted one way round be replaced with brass items

XF-63 German Grey (www. detail suitably ‘dirtied up’. The worked beautifully, settling Inside out
hobbyco.net) for a ‘scale black’ PE pieces that could be used well over the instrument panel Before the fuselage could be
effect ('straight’ black could hide were then attached, followed by details. When thoroughly dry, it closed, there were bombs and
much of the detail). The cockpit a finishing coat of matt varnish to too was matt varnished before their respective racks to be
sub-assemblies were painted tie all the finishes together each dial face was carefully assembled and painted plus a
at the same time to ensure and add uniformity. picked out with a drop of Glue couple of large wing spar units
continuity. It can be The instrument panel ‘n’ Glaze white glue (www. that required decoration as they
difficult to add is worthy of particular deluxematerials.com), which would either be seen through the
interest to mention as the cured crystal clear, imparting a canopies or via the opened bomb
a black supplied decal glassy shine. doors. The nose undercarriage
cockpit,
but with
the canopies being clear
and rather large, time spent
making the interior sections look
good was time well spent. MIG
Productions’ enamel-based P222
Neutral Wash (www.ak-interactive.
com) was applied to the whole
interior. The product has proved
itself useful time and again on
many projects over the years, as
it is a great colour for imparting a
dirty, dusty and worn appearance.
It was simply brushed liberally
onto the surfaces, allowed to
dry (until it looks matt) then can
polished or ‘scrubbed back’ with
cotton buds and/or kitchen
paper to remove excess,
leaving the moulded

“Nose undercarriage doors were

cleverly moulded in situ with the sidewalls”

80 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


A couple of panel lines needed to be reinstated after sanding to blend the
nose section into the fuselage. Tamiya vinyl tape for curves acted as a guide
while scribing gently
doors were cleverly moulded in
situ with the sidewalls, which had
to be painted and installed at this
point. Some might find this odd
and fear damaging the gear doors
throughout the rest of the build,
but they worked well in practice
and would save the perennial
headache of trying to attach
the covers last thing, risking
misalignment or having very little
attachment-point surface. Their
structural integrity remained
intact throughout the build, along
with the main gear doors which
were similarly attached before
the nacelles were assembled.
The internal units were all
dry-fitted before committing to
glue – this ensured clarity for
positioning; as the photos attest,
there was a lot to fit inside... Wing
spars seemed to
attach slightly
sloppily but
became more rigid
once they were inside both
fuselage halves and would
become very useful later in the
build. With the airframe
together, all seams
KeyModelWorld.com
INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Douglas B-26K Counter Invader
Tailplanes featured separate
elevators and were moulded
cleverly to ensure the correct
dihedral angle. Note the
separate rudder
were dealt with and tidied and
attention then turned to the nose
unit and the guns.
Counter Invaders had eight .50
cal machine guns in the nose and
as supplied, the kit parts were
moulded with no hollowed tips; as
such, they were drilled carefully
but still appeared unsatisfactory.
Though there will surely be
replacements coming from some
of the aftermarket companies,
a set of P-47 Thunderbolt gun
barrels were sourced from Dry-fitting showed either the roof was too narrow or the fuselage excessively
wide, leaving a gap between the sections
Master Model (AM-48-002
– www.master-model.pl) – this
company seems to perform works
of art in brass. While the parts
were a suitable enhancement,
working out a satisfactory
method to secure them within
the nose section took some head
scratching and thinking ‘outside
the box’. In the end, a lump
of Milliput epoxy putty (www.
milliput.com) was pressed into the
inside of the nose unit, allowing
the brass barrels to be inserted
The body was squeezed gently and held together with masking tape – this
– when cured, they were secured helped eliminate the step so liquid cement could be brushed into the join
with slow-setting superglue.
The nose section was actually Eduard’s pre-cut masks fitted the rear
section perfectly, though the cockpit
the only part of this build to put canopy was different from the A-26B so
up any kind of fight as regards fit. had to be covered with hand-cut tape
The accompanying photos show
how it needed attention
Airfix Model World 81
INTERMEDIATE BUILD

with superglue-based filler and

some re-scribing to make the
joins between the two-part
nose section and the rest of the
fuselage positive.
However, one benefit of the
separate unit was the ability
to allow much-needed
nose weight to be
fixed, which would
be a lot more difficult to
disguise on the earlier glazed- the separate elevators. The
Featuring a tricycle
nose Invaders. Finishing the rudder was accurate too, being
undercarriage, the
Invader was always fuselage assembly, there were a slighter wider unit than fitted to
going to be in danger of a couple of panels or inserts to earlier Invaders.
tail-sitting – hence, steel be fitted to both the upper and Excellent fit and finesse were
shot was secured in the
nose void with superglue lower surfaces, which required carried through when the wings
care and attention to ensure were put together, each of the
they fitted correctly. The former control surfaces being separate
was slightly narrower than the from the flight surface itself. Inner
fuselage, so a length of masking and outer flaps were two-part
tape was used to gently pull sections, while the ailerons were
the gap closed and allow the beautiful one-piece mouldings.
top section to align with the A common issue with the control
fuselage while the glue cured. surfaces being additional
The underside panel needed parts to wings is the lack
attention with solvent putty. of locating slots or
tabs to create
Telling the tail a secure
The empennage all fitted with no
issues, with the correct tailplane
Master Model’s gun barrels were inserted carefully into a Milliput plug placed dihedral being achieved via
inside the nose – they were then secured with superglue clever design from ICM; also
worthy of note were

The sum of parts for each engine was nothing but impressive; including two
banks of cylinders, pushrods plus a full exhaust manifold and pipework

A jig was supplied to ensure Black lacquer acted

each exhaust outlet was as a primer and base
aligned – the instructions coat for same colour
highlight not to cement undersides. Wings
this singular item, so it was fitted so well they could
prised away carefully for use be kept separate until
on the other engine the last moment

82 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


fit – not here; ICM has ensured
everything fits positively with no
loose attachments at all. Wingtip
tanks were assembled similarly
and fitted with no problems.
As previously alluded to, the
wing spars would prove very
With black areas
masked, upper
camouflage was
airbrushed freehand
with ICM’s B-26K-specific
paint set. Cowlings and
wings were push-fitted to
ensure pattern continuity
KeyModelWorld.com
INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Douglas B-26K Counter Invader
“The internal units were all dry-fitted
before committing to glue”
useful in ensuring
a great wing-to-
fuselage fit. So
much so in fact, that the wings
were left off until much later in
the build as they could simply be
slid into the correct position via
the spars, even after painting and
finishing. Engine nacelles were
well moulded with sidewall panels
plus front and rear bulkheads.
The main undercarriage doors
– as mentioned, featuring
associated side panels – joined
perfectly and
looked great. When
it came to offering the
nacelles to their respective
wings, everything was
foolproof; being
handed and each
being configured for
just one wing, so they
could not be installed
incorrectly. This attention
to detail and fit to aid the
modeller became a common
theme throughout this build,
most notably with the engines
and cowlings.
Each power unit was built from
22 parts, including two banks
of cylinders, pushrods and
gear reduction housings with
separate (and small) magnetos.
These certainly required care to
assemble, ensuring everything
lined up correctly – the
instructions were crystal clear
here so adherence to them was
paramount. ICM included an
assembly jig to allow the exhaust
outlets to be positioned correctly,
though each engine must be
so fitted individually as just one
alignment tool is included. My
guess is that if two were supplied
it may be confused as a kit part
and unintentionally installed with
glue, thus ruining the model.
The engines were a super-
detailer’s dream, offering a great
starting point to which all
The undersides of the wings
and fuselage had their black
surfaces distressed with
XF-63 German Grey and a
spatter mask followed by
selective post-shading with
various dirty shades
Airfix Model World 83
INTERMEDIATE BUILD

EX685 pre-cut masks were used
for the rear canopy and good
old-fashioned hand-cut covers
were employed for the cockpit
parts. The final components were
now added before painting could
begin; aerials and antennas,
cowling-cooling flaps and
under-wing hard points were
all fitted with ease. So were the
one-piece closed bomb bay
doors, though these were held
in place with Blu Tack to act as a
mask for the interior – the open
doors were painted separately to
be fitted later.
Green, Dark Green and Tan on
the upper surfaces. ICM has
recently started manufacturing its
own water-based acrylic paints
and packaging them together
in sets recommended for their
models. Its B-26K set (item
3007) was used on this build and
comprised 1072 US Dark Green,
1058 Tan Earth, 1069 Extra Dark
Green, 1002 Black, 1024 Silver
and 2002 Satin Varnish.

Flory Models’ clay-based washes carefully as the attachment points Tri-tone

were applied then left to dry – they
were then polished with kitchen
paper, which was just abrasive
enough to remove excess, leaving
detail highlighted
were quite close to the clear
panes, but they fitted perfectly
and featured exceptional clarity
– making the time taken detailing
the interior well spent. Eduard’s
When it came to painting, all four
schemes offered featured black
undersides with the standard
South East Asia (SEA) disruptive
camouflage patterns of Mid

manner of wiring
and pipework
could be added.
A dry-fit showed the cowlings
and propellers could be left as
a push/friction fit allowing the
engines to be displayed in all their
glory if so wished. This would also
help when it came to painting
as it allowed each cowling to be
fitted temporarily for continuity
of the camouflage pattern.
The clear parts for the canopies
were removed from their runners

Prominent exhaust
stains were airbrushed
carefully with black,
grey and buff shades
– note the cowlings
being removed

“Each power unit was built from

22 parts, including two banks of cylinders”

84 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


The chosen stores options were assembled and primed with Mr
Color’s C92 Semi-Gloss Black lacquer
It can be a bit of a worry using
new, untried paints on your
latest build, lest they don’t
work well or the colours don’t
appear quite right, so testing was
undertaken in order to determine
which thinners would work and
appropriate ratios needed for
airbrushing. After an hour or so, it
was decided that acrylic thinners
seemed best as these had less
surface tension than water; all
three camouflage colours were
then tested on an old ‘paint mule’
kit – the colours looked spot-on.
As the model would have a black
underside, a primer coat of black
lacquer was airbrushed over the
entire model, serving as a black
base pre-shade, to highlight any
blemishes prior to the paint
job proper, and
give a tough
finish due to
the lacquer’s
KeyModelWorld.com
INTERMEDIATE BUILD | Douglas B-26K Counter Invader
Several underwing stores and racks had a natural metal finish, so these
received a variety of aluminium shades to provide suitable tonal variation...
characteristics. Undersides had varnishes and weathering would The decals were few but very
their surfaces ‘broken up’ via mute and help to blend the hues strong and thin, though previous
post-shading with various grey together, lessening the effects. experience with ICM decals
and brown colours plus a spatter After a coat of clear gloss has shown that they require
template mask. A less-is-more lacquer to protect the paintwork, plenty of water to position, as
approach was needed on this clay weathering washes were they have a tendency to grab
finishing technique as it could be added to highlight the panel and stick otherwise. Once in
very easy to overdo the effect. lines. Flory Models’ Dark Dirt and position, and with the application
The areas to remain black, Gray (www.florymodels.org) were of a little softening solution,
including the leading de-icing used on the upper and lower they settled wonderfully into
boots, were then masked in surfaces, respectively, being the surface detail and rivets.
readiness for the three-tone easy to use and clean with water Once thoroughly dry, they
SEA camouflage. if the results weren’t satisfactory. were polished gently with an
ICM’s paints were diluted
by approximately 30% with
Hataka blue line acrylic thinners
(www.hataka-hobby.com) and
sprayed at 20psi through a
0.5mm-needled Iwata Revolution
CR airbrush.
This allowed freehand
spraying a tight yet soft-edged
demarcation between the
colours with just a couple of
touch-ups needed. These three
colours were then post-shaded
with lightened versions of the
same shades, but from the Mr.
Hobby Aqueous range (www.
albionhobbies.com) giving an
attractive contrast and breaking
up the surface with minimal ... ditto the green-toned munitions
effort. It did look a bit stark
in contrast, but subsequent
With decals and weathering applied, the stores looked the part and so were
set aside for being attached later
Airfix Model World 85
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
Undercarriage legs were
assembled, painted silver and
given a coat of X-19 Smoke,
imparting a suitably grimy,
used look to them. The same
was done for the pleasingly
separate wheel hubs
old piece of cotton cloth lightly
moistened with water to remove
any residue of decal solvent
whilse also burnishing them
further over the raised details on
the wing walkways.
Assembly line
With the main airframe painting
and decaling all finished,
attention turned to the engines,
underwing stores and landing
gear. The powerplants and
undercarriage legs were simply
airbrushed aluminium then given
a generous coat of Tamiya X-19
Smoke via brush as this imparted
a pleasingly oily appearance as
it flowed in and around
the detailing.
86 Airfix Model World
Gear-reduction housings for the
engines were sprayed Neutral
Grey before receiving a wash of
diluted Payne’s Grey oil paint.
Main struts had their wheel
attachment points drilled and
pinned with brass tubing as the
spindles were nowhere near
substantial enough as supplied.
The mainwheel hubs were
separate from the tyres, which
made painting much easier.
Care needed to be taken when
attaching the undercarriage legs
into their respective recesses
within the nacelles though, as
they were a very tight fit. The
underwing stores were simple
enough to paint, decal and finish
by just following the instructions.
The massive blunt-tipped, paddle-type propellers were
painted and decaled before receiving chipping and
The biggest issue is choosing just
what to sling under the wings as
there was so much choice!
It was then just a matter of
spraying the prominent exhaust
staining followed by a finishing
sealing satin varnish, then fixing
everything together. The wings
were slid into place along the
aforementioned spars, which
were liberally coated with Tamiya
cement to ensure a strong bond.
The canopies were unmasked
and aerial wires added before the
wheels were fitted and the model
could be called finished.
Final thoughts
This 1/48 B-26K was quite an
involved build with a few small
scratches via dry-brushed silver paint
anomalies along the way – for
example, fuselage panel fit, nose
guns and lack of locating pins for
the wheels. For the most part,
though, the engineering was
excellent with a couple of really
exceptional areas such as the
wing-to-fuselage joins.
ICM’s kit features nothing to
trouble an experienced modeller,
although a beginner may find it a
little overwhelming.
The finished model captures
the pugnacious look of the
‘Invader with teeth’ and fills a
hole in the Vietnam-era 1/48 kit
collection. The specific paints
were also excellent and a worthy
addition the package – well
done ICM!
“The finished
model captures the
pugnacious look of the
‘Invader with teeth’”
KeyModelWorld.com
Build Better Models!

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ON THE SHELF
MAKE A SCENE
Creating a Military Modelling
Diorama
By: Terry Booker
ISBN: 978-1-78500-904-4
Price: £19.99 Pages: 176
Format: 189 x 246mm
Web: www.crowood.com
If an aspect of modelling could
be likened to art, then arguably
diorama making is the closest,
whether it’s an interpretation of a
photo, or a completely imagined
scene. As might be expected, there
are many approaches and the
author provides one that’s perhaps
unfamiliar to scale modellers. Here,
the hints and guidance are from the
perspective of a railway enthusiast
(which the author acknowledges
is his main hobby background). He
even observes that a rail layout
(scenic or otherwise) is in effect
a series of linked dioramas and
he brings those skillsets to bear
as he poses models (both old
and reclaimed from storage) and
figures. From a scale modelling
perspective, the techniques –
many of which are used for railway
projects – may seem unusual (such
as leaving the bases on figures and
using paper lattices to recreate
groundwork), but it’s obvious
from the outset that the author is
a firm fan of the hobby. There’s a
progression from simple scenes
to more complex arrangements,
including those dictated by
available space – the idea of a ‘shelf
diorama’ is superb – and employing
cardboard boxes as surrounds
means this book is suitable for
any beginner, regardless of the
available budget. SF

FLOATS, FLIGHTS AND FRIGHTS

COOL TRAINERS
Teach for the Sky – British Training
Aircraft since 1945
By: James Jackson
ISBN: 978-1-90210-966-4
Price: £29.95 Pages: 272
Format: 219 x 305mm
Web: www.crecy.co.uk
A cleverly titled hardback
published by Crécy’s long-time
imprint Hikoki offers a wealth of
detail for any modeller building
British trainers. Teach for the Sky
– British Training Aircraft since
1945 explores the various types
(fixed and rotary wing) employed
in post-war Britain for military
pilot instruction. These are often
attractive machines, mostly to
ensure high visibility in their role,
and this weighty 272-page tome
provides a wealth of reference
and engaging read. Chapters cover
imagery of the myriad airframes
initial flying competitions and
flown by the RAF, Fleet Air
the inaugural Jacques Schneider
Arm and Army Air Corps, and
competition, World War One and
the visuals are supported by
post-war developments of the
informative text split into 13
titular trophy – these cover 1919-
chapters. Subjects such as the
22, 1923-26, 1927-29 and the
re-equipment of service flight
last-ever running, in 1931. A final
schools after World War Two, the
section essentially boils down to
introduction of turboprop and
the Supermarine Spitfire, whose
jets are all examined, with more
designer RJ Mitchell also penned
specific narrative addressing
the firm’s trophy-winning seaplanes.
the highly successful Hawker
While covering all the relevant
Siddeley/BAe Hawk family. With
information, the text is concise and
so many trainers investigated,
hence feels bright and easy to read,
modelling inspiration is rife; the
with the detail of individual pilots
Miles Magister, Percival Prentice,
and races notably engaging.
legendary DHC Chipmunk, Jet
Period photos – in some cases
Provost and Piston Provost are
The Schneider Trophy Air Races century-old captures – are
just some of the bespoke types
By: Jerry Murland Pages: 186 included, though they can depict
shown photographically.
ISBN: 978-1-52677-001-1 the individual or aircraft at a
There are also lovely views
Price: £19.99 Format: 183 x 255mm different time, location or event to
of versions with their roots in
Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk that mentioned in the narrative.
fighter airframes, such as two-
Furthermore, as it’s not a specific
seat Meteors, Vampires, Hunters,
Many modellers and aviation reference guide, the book is limited
Javelins and the like. The chapter
enthusiasts are big fans of to one or two shots of each type.
on rotary-wing machines is
Schneider Trophy aircraft – AMW’s Nonetheless, these are supremely
particularly pleasing, with its
editorial staff are no exception, attractive machines, and modellers
coverage of the Hiller, Dragonfly,
so this Pen & Sword history of will surely pore over the more
Sycamore, Whirlwind and more
the competition was very hotly detailed views of the aircraft
modern helicopters. Besides
anticipated in our office. themselves for the reference these
the many quality photos, a large
The book serves to chart provide. General views of scenes
number of factory drawings add
aeronautical developments and the competition also provide
to the mix, highlighting structural
between 1909 and the mid-late healthy diorama inspiration.
shapes, nuances and differences
1930s, with a definite focus on the Given the subject matter, it’s not
between variants. Ultimately, this
competition, seaplanes, racing and a must-have for every modeller.
is a useful, handsome book for
individual flying achievement. However, those with an interest or
any modeller who relishes history
Initially, the story can feel simplified wishing to learn more about the
and background information plus
with laboured points, but the Schneider Trophy will thoroughly
images, and is superb value. CC
narrative develops into an intriguing enjoy this book. JF

90 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


BARRELS AND MYSTERIES
Early Jet Fighters 1944-1954:
The Soviet Union and Europe
By: Leo Marriott Pages: 144
ISBN: 978-1-52675-393-9
Price: £14.99 Format: 190 x 245mm
Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Following a book covering British
and American jet aircraft in the
decade after World War Two, this
photographic study of several
European countries’ efforts (plus a
few outside of this continent) is a
UNSUNG MARITIME HEROES
British Naval Trawlers and Drifters
in Two World Wars
By: Steve R Dunn
ISBN: 978-1-5267-9486-4
Price: £35 Pages: 208
Format: 252 x 296mm
Web: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
When it comes to the Royal Navy
during the two World Wars, all
attention goes to warships, yet
the most numerous vessels were
converted fishing boats, and these
varied types are described in this
fourth volume dedicated to the
drawings and plans of renowned
draughtsman John Lambert. This
KeyModelWorld.com
worthy successor. Specific chapters
are dedicated to the aviation
industries of Germany, the Soviet
Union, France and Sweden, with a
final section tying up loose ends in
Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Italy,
Japan and Argentina. This means
there are superb reference shots of
types as diverse as the well-known
Me 262, He 162, Tunnan, Draken,
MiG-15 and -17 and Mystère, plus
prototyped ideas and unfamiliar
jets. With such a breadth of subject
matter, there’s arguably less for
the super-detailer than in other
references, but there are views of
engine installations, undercarriage
fits and the odd technical diagram
to aid modelling efforts. Instead, the
book’s real asset is its tonal study;
natural/polished metal finishes
suggest a second ‘silver wings’ era,
yet the variation between panels
adds welcome light and shade.
There are also some odd-looking
aircraft in the selection, but some
sleek and attractive types, too –
ample inspiration and reference for
unusual model builds. JF
disparity is also apparent in terms
of model kits (there are few and in
unusual scales), which makes this
collection even more invaluable
for scratch-building projects as
numerous scale drawings are
included. There are two main
sections: the first provides a
detailed examination of the role
and employment of trawlers during
both World Wars (as minesweepers
and anti-submarine pickets),
backed by a comprehensive set
of period photos. The second is
arguably of most use to modellers,
as it contains scale plans for at
least eight trawler classes plus a
series of close-ups for equipment
and armament. This last category
is helpfully split between defensive
and offensive systems, and
includes depth-charge projectors
and several gun calibres – for
converted trawlers these were
often just bolted to steel plating
placed on the deck. In providing
modellers with a gold mine of
information on this poorly covered
subject, this book is essential
reading for those interested in
Royal Navy-operated trawlers. SF
ON THE SHELF | Books
BUMPER LATE MUSTANGS
Airframe & Miniature No 18: The
North American P-51D/K Mustang
By: Richard A Franks
ISBN: 978-1-912932-23-8
Price: £24.95
Pages: 272 Format: A4
Web: www.valiant-wings.co.uk
Having already explored early
Mustang variants in its Airframe &
Miniature series, publisher Valiant
Wings now focuses on the P-51D/K
and other late airframes (including
P-51H and XP-51F/G/J). The book
seemingly explores every facet
of the late Mustangs… evolution,
photo-recce variants, trainers, photos also helps in model
foreign production, Cavalier finishing and, on that front, author
conversions and more. Camouflage Richard Franks seems to have left
and markings are also addressed, no stone unturned in describing
and a great many colour profiles the huge array of kits, accessories
and plan views give much food for and decals. When it comes to
thought. Useful features such as actual modelling, there are various
a stencil markings guide, surface splendid build projects, featuring
preparation and paint diagram (the the Airfix and Tamiya 1/72 P-51D
P-51 was a patchwork of different kits, the former’s 1/48 ‘D’, Eduard’s
metallic shades), and the extensive 1/48 P-51D, and a more unusual
isometric renderings highlighting item in the form of Halberd
the different variants, all combine to Models’ mix of Eduard 1/48 parts
educate on the Mustang family. The and conversion components for a
superb selection of 250-plus Cavalier F-51D. CC
ARMOURED RETRIEVER
Sherman Tank, Vol. 6: M32- and the American-operated machines,
M74-Series Sherman-based images are often Korean War
Recovery Vehicles shots. The views allow for study
By: David Doyle Pages: 112 of the myriad fixtures and fittings,
ISBN: 978-0-7643-6234-7 in-service modifications or omissions
Price: US$19.99 plus damage, weathering and wear
Format: 235 x 235mm apparent, while several general
Web: www.schifferbooks.com views and photos of recovery
operations would make for ideal
In what appears to be its final diorama reference or inspiration.
Legends of Warfare book devoted Schiffer’s Sherman books are
to the M4 Sherman (five preceding impressive; despite this volume’s
publications have tackled various esoteric subject matter meaning
sub-types), Schiffer has opted it’s arguably less useful than the
to examine recovery vehicles – rest of the series, it’s another highly
sometimes known as wreckers recommended reference. JF
– based on the tank. An overall
introduction plus those in each
dedicated section state the
reasons for such tracked armoured
retrievers, plus the details as to
what the designations mean and
why various base tanks and engine
types were selected. However, the
pages are predominantly adorned
with period photos of the T5/M32/
T14, M74 and British-used Sherman
Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV)
– note, particularly in the case of
Airfix Model World 91
ON THE SHELF
MACHINE-GUNNED MESSERSCHMITTS
The difference between these kits
is the choice of schemes, for World
War Two or Spanish Civil War-era
aircraft, respectively – the former
are splinter-schemed, while the
latter sport RLM 02 Grau over
RLM 65 Hellblau:
Lightly-Armed Emil:
• Red 16, Obleutnant Fritz Losigkeit,
2./JG 26, Werl, Germany, 1940
• Wk. Nr. 1986, << +, Hauptmann,
Hannes Trautloft, Stab III./JG 51, St
Omer, France, July-August 1940
• Yellow 14 + –, 6.(J)/Trägergruppe
186, winter 1939-40
• <¹– + –, Oberst Gerd von Massow,
JG 2, Schleissheim, Germany,
winter 1939-40
J/88 Legion Condor:
• 6-123, Oberleutnant Hans Scholler-
Haldy, 3. J/88, Barcienes, Toledo,
Spain, March 1939
• 6-121, Leutnant Karl-Wolfgang
Redlich, 2. J/88, La Senia, León,
Spain, 1938-39
• 6-119, Hauptmann Siebelt Reents,
1. J/88, La Senia, León, Spain,
winter 1938-39

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 ‘Lightly- unchanged from previous iterations,

Armed Emil’ and Messerschmitt Bf
109E-1 ‘J/88 Legion Condor’
By: Special Hobby Scale: 1/72
Item nos: SH72454 and SH72459
Price: €14.80 each
Web: www.specialhobby.eu
As part of its range of newly tooled
1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 109Es,
Special Hobby has released a pair
of kits depicting the first ‘Emil’ sub-
type – the 7.92mm MG 17 machine
gun-armed E-1. Parts are mostly
being held across three runners
– numerous components are
suggested as not for use – though
there’s no distinction between
these items or the construction
sequence in either.
The finesse and detail noted from
the initial releases are retained, with
a wealth of options, including open/
closed canopy, displayable engine
and fuselage armament, posable
flaps and an optional hand-operated
starting crank.

PROSPERO’S MAGIC
SHRUNKEN BOOSTED TONKA

Tornado ASSTA 3.1 of these include representations of

By: Revell Scale: 1/72
Item no: 03842 Price: £29.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Small-scale builders who rued
Revell’s decision to release a
Tornado Avionics System Software
Tornado in Ada (ASSTA) 3.1 variant
in 1/48 will rejoice at the firm’s
downsized 1/72 version. A newly
tooled runner has been added to
the firm’s well-regarded Tonka –
this frame (Runner Z) contains new
cockpit displays, a Litening pod and
revised vertical stabilisers. The last
Tempest Mk.V Series 2 Van Lierde, 3 Sqn, 150 Wg,
German radar warning receivers,
By: Eduard Scale: 1/48 Newchurch, Kent, Jun 1944
which feature far crisper detail than
Item no: 82122 Price: £25.28 • JN803/SA-D486 (RNZAF) Sqn, 122
the RAF-styled parts from previous
Web: www.eduard.com Wg, B.80 Volkel, the Netherlands,
iterations. Flash is also present
Oct 1944
across the six older runners but
Here’s what appears to be a • NV944/JF-E, Flt Lt P Clostermann,
should pose few issues.
straightforward re-issue of Eduard’s 3 Sqn, B.112 Hopsten, Germany,
The markings schemes are
1/48 Hawker Tempest Mk.V Series Apr 1945
unchanged from the 1/48 kit:
2 ProfiPACK. This includes seven • NV944/JF-E Le Grand Charles, Sqn
• 99+77, ASSTA 3.1 Demonstrator,
styrene runners, pre-coloured Ldr P Clostermann, 3 Sqn, B.152
Wehrtechnische Dienststelle
photo-etched steel parts and a pre- Fassberg, Germany, Jun 1945
(WTD – technical testing facility)
cut mask set, forming a superb • NV708/JCB Zipp XII, Wg Cdr JC
61, Manching, Germany, July 2015
package for modelling the type. Button DSO DFC, 123 Wg, RAF
• 45+85, Taktisches
None of the six markings schemes Wunstorf, Germany, 1946-47
Luftwaffengeschwader 33, Büchel
have been amended in this iteration: • EJ865/W2-Y/?, 80 Sqn, 123 Wg,
AB, Germany, June 2014
• JN862/JF-Z, Flt Lt Remy ‘Mony’ RAF Wunstorf, Germany, Oct 1947

92 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 ON THE SHELF | Aircraft kits

SNAKE WITH CREW STORM’S BREWING

Panavia Tornado F.3 – while exterior detail is in the

AH-1G Cobra with Vietnam War US
Helicopter Pilots
By: ICM Scale: 1/32
Item no: 32062 Price: £59.90
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM has combined its newly tooled
1/32 AH-1G Cobra with a figure
set – US Helicopter Pilots Vietnam
War (32114). This addition comes
on two styrene runners and offers
parts for three figures: two crew
and a mechanic, perched on the
Cobra’s stub-wing. These are well
posed and moulded beautifully, as
is the helicopter, which is the firm’s
late-production offering (32061)
and comes with underwing M35
Armament Subsystem. There are
seven runners for the AH-1G, with a
wonderfully printed decal sheet.
Markings options are unchanged:
• 68-17074/074 the Gladiator, C Tp,
16th Cav, Can Tho, January 1972
• 68-15031 Pandora’s Box, 238th
AWC, Vietnam, 1971
• 68-15012 #1 Du Me Mi, F Tp, 4th
Cav, Phu Bai, 1972
By: Airfix Scale: 1/72
Item no: A55301 Price: £24.49
Web: www.airfix.com
Airfix’s 1/72 Tornado F.3 starter set
seems to fall into a gap between
the firm’s Vintage Classics and
regular kit range, especially in
the current format. Parts are
unchanged from the original
1989 release, and the moulds are
showing their age – with flash
and heavy seam lines present
form of raised panel lines. The
interiors are basic, including plain
representations of the instrument
panels, but pilot figures are
supplied and the intakes have
convincing edges. This will build
into a fairly accurate representation
and is ideal for beginners, with
Humbrol acrylic paints, a tube of
Poly Cement and two brushes.
There is a single scheme:
• ZE734/JU, 111 Sqn, RAF Leuchars,
2010

ITALIAN CENTAUR
GETTING THE HUMP

Sopwith F.1 Camel (BR.1) gorgeously detailed cockpit, plus

By: Eduard Scale: 1/48
Item no: 82171 Price: £16.53
Web: www.eduard.com
Having dazzled modellers with
the limited-edition Camel & Co,
Eduard has followed this with a
ProfiPACK offering of the Bentley
Rotary-powered Camel F.1, as used
predominantly by the Royal Naval
Air Service. Basic parts content
is unchanged, with four styrene
runners, pre-painted, photo-etched
metal fret and a windscreen/wheel
mask set. This means there’s a
Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario refinement, and the crisply moulded
accurate renderings of the Lewis
By: Special Hobby Scale: 1/48 instrument panel benefits from a
gun armament, powerplant and
Item no: SH48206 Price: €26.30 well-printed decal. Undercarriage
fabric-covered wings.
Web: www.specialhobby.eu bays are similarly well appointed.
There are five markings options:
The four schemes are:
• B6420, Flt Cdr RP Minifie, 1(N)
It’s a quick return for Special • MM.0923xx/362-8, 362a
Sqn, RNAS, Téteghem, 1918
Hobby’s delightful 1/48 Re.2005, Squadriglia, 22° Gruppo, Littoria,
• B6390, Flt Cdr Raymond
with all the contents as per the June 1943
Collishaw, Seaplane Defence Sqn,
original release. There are five • MM.092351/362-2, 362a
RNAS, December 1917
styrene runners, including a small Squadriglia, 22° Gruppo, Capua,
• B7270, Capt Arthur R Brown, 9(N)
frame for the one-piece canopy. summer 1943
Sqn, RNAS, Bertangles, 1918
Locating pins are absent from larger • MM092352/4, Reparto Aereo
• B3781, Flt SLt Aubrey Ellwood,
components, so care will be needed Collegamenti, Milian-Bresso,
3(N) Sqn, RNAS, Saint-Pol, 1917
for alignment, but interior and March 1944
• B6398, Maj Ernest L Foot, RAF
exterior detail is excellent. Separate • MM.096109, Lonate Pozzolo,
Gosport, October 1918
cockpit sidewalls are bursting with October 1943

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 93

ON THE SHELF

EXPANSION PACKS
any changes to the parts (both
comprise three runners), though
there are no painting instructions,
and a set of generic emblems is
supplied as waterslide decals and
self-adhesive stickers in both.
Most of the motifs are vastly over-
scale and bear little historical
accuracy, but this reflects the level
of customisation and decoration
available in the videogame. As
such, these appear an attractive
means of engaging a World of
Tanks fan into the hobby – there’s
enough of the construction
challenge to allure a complete
novice without the restraints of
too much historical accuracy and
overly complicated construction.
They’re the ideal stepping-
stone for such an audience –
plus experienced modellers may
welcome the return of several
older Revell toolings.

Cromwell Mk.IV and SU-100 and 1/35 – and each contains

By: Revell Scale: 1/72
Item nos: 03504 and 03507
Price: €23.49 each
Web: www.revell.de/en
Revell is arguably pioneering the
art of model kit and videogame
linkups, as here’s a new range of
armour subjects under the World
of Tanks label. There are several
subjects in this line – in both 1/72
the kit plus a set of bonus codes
for use in the PC version of the
massively multiplayer online game.
Here we have a 1/72 Cromwell
Mk.IV British tank and a Soviet
SU-100 tank-destroyer – the
former is a re-issued 2001 tooling,
while the latter is labelled as an
‘easy-click’ kit, which bewrays
its lineage as a Zvezda snap-
fit offering. Neither features

GERMAN 4X4 STAFF TRIO

with the Kfz.4, which complements
the basic components with
three new frames (including a
Zwillingsockel 36 gun mount –
available separately as 35714) that
transforms the rear of the vehicle for
the anti-aircraft-gun configuration.
Neat touches abound – whether
it’s the jerrycans and associated
racks or the inclusion of spare
barrel canisters and ammunition
box stowage for the MG 34s.
Meanwhile, the Zwillingsockel’s
pantograph-style sighting system
is replicated faithfully. All but one
of the colour schemes depict
standard dunkelgrau (dark grey)
machines, with the exception being
a North Africa-deployed Kfz.2 in
dunkelgelb (dark yellow).

WWII Wehrmacht Parts and markings are unchanged

le.gl.Einheitz-Pkw
By: ICM Scale: 1/35
Item no: DS3513 Price: £65.80
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
The latest of ICM’s current diorama
sets provides one of the best
value-for-money packages on
the market, combining three staff
vehicles (Kfz.1, 2 and 4) plus a twin
MG 34 mounting for just 60% of the
separate kits’ total cost. It’s a true
tour de force for fans of these small
utility vehicles, and includes radio
car and anti-aircraft variants, with
all the necessary equipment.
from the individual offerings, with
five styrene runners (including the
frame for transparent parts) common
to all three. All benefit from a fully
detailed interior, including personal
weapons for the crew (Kar 98k rifles),
plus a superb replica of the types’
4-cylinder engine. The Kfz.1 has
just these basic items to replicate
a standard staff vehicle, while the
Kfz.2 command/radio car adds a new
Runner E to provide replacement
side panels, retractable roof and
the necessary communications
boxes and antennas. A more
comprehensive update is supplied

94 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 ON THE SHELF | Military kits

NEXT-LEVEL TANK LEND-LEASE LOADER

T-55 Czechoslovak Production and builds into a highly accurate

with KMT-5M
By: MiniArt Scale: 1/35
Item no: 37092 Price: £64.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
MiniArt has raised what modellers
expect from an armour kit, such as
this T-55 with mine roller, offering
91 styrene runners, plus two brass
chains and a photo-etched brass
fret, yet this is just a ‘basic’ offering,
without a full interior. That said,
it offers more detail than other
manufacturers, for a similar price,
PEOPLE’S ARMOUR
replica. Even the smallest item is
rendered faithfully, and there’s the
bonus of complete main and coaxial
guns, plus internal turret fittings
and a pintle-mounted DShK heavy
machine gun. The KMT-5M mine
rollers are also well detailed, with
actuator arms and restraint chains.
Three markings schemes complete
this comprehensive package:
• White 6035, Egyptian Ground
Forces, 1967-73
• Lebanese Army, 2000s
• Syrian Army, 2000s
G7117 with WWII Soviet Drivers
By: ICM Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35594 Price: £39.80
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
Deciding to produce a newly
tooled Chevrolet G7100-series
truck in 1/35 was a smart move
by ICM, as there are numerous
sub-types and users to depict;
here, the firm has provided
Soviet figures, as the Red Army
utilised the vehicles.
Compared with the initial release,
there’s an additional frame for
the truck’s canvas cover – this
appears to be the same as 2022’s
US version – plus the two frames
for the firm’s 35643 drivers.
Engine, transmission and driving
compartment areas appear highly
detailed, while the two seated
figures – which can both be
configured as if they are holding
the steering wheel – will also
add welcome visual interest to
the model. Construction options
include covered/uncovered
cargo bay and an open/closed
windscreen. A minimal decal
sheet is included for a pair of
markings options:
• P-7-47-57, Red Army, East
Germany, spring 1945
• USA 3437777, Lend-Lease
consignment, 1944

Chinese Volunteer T-34/85
By: Dragon Scale: 1/72
Item no: 7668 Price: £23.50
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Released as part of Dragon’s Armor
Pro range, this is a welcome return
of the firm’s late-model T-34/85.
There are just two styrene runners,
plus a separate lower hull, single-
length vinyl tracks, individual road,
drive and idler wheels, plus a small
photo-etched brass fret for the new
front mudguards. The moulding is
to Dragon’s usual high standards,
A SIMPLE ROMANCE
British Infantry Tank ‘Valentine II’ are no decals supplied. Detail is
By: Zvezda Scale: 1/100 fair but not exceptional – though
Item no: 6280 Price: £4.99 the real Valentine featured a fairly
Web: www.hobbyco.net spartan appearance, modellers
could use paint to accentuate the
With the slightly odd scale, and moulded relief, or add super-detailer
Art of Tactic labelling, Zvezda’s scratch-build additions.
newly tooled Valentine tank is The low price and simplicity mean
clearly aimed at wargamers but these Zvezda kits are a great
could be a quick and easy project purchase for any modeller to have
and new components include
for a dedicated modeller or even a fun exploring the possibilities.
a glacis ‘beak’ and an accurate
beginner’s first project.
rendering of a late-model turret.
Just 13 parts are held
Characteristic side-mounted fuel
on a pair of runners
drums are included, as are spare
and one is an optional
track links on the glacis, while the
flag – the instructions
turret hatches can be posed open,
fill just an A5 page and
although, there is no interior detail
comprise four assembly
or commander figure.
stages. Further
Three schemes are provided:
simplicity is supplied by
• PLA T-34/85, China
tan-coloured styrene,
• White 312, 109th Tk Regt, 105th Tk
meaning painting could
Bde, North Korean People’s Army
be avoided if a desert-
• White 215, Korean War People’s
theatre appearance is
Heroes
acceptable, and there

KeyModelWorld.com Airfix Model World 95

ON THE SHELF

CONSTRUCTABLE CAMPER FRUITS OF LABOUR

VW T2 Camper self-adhesive stickers. A wealth

By: Revell Scale: 1/24
Item no: 07676 Price: £36.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Following its 1/24 easy-click VW
Type 2 Microbus, Revell’s newly
tooled parts form an enticing
campervan package. It comprises an
impressive 13 pre-coloured runners,
a separate bodyshell and five vinyl
tyres, with various trim, licence plate
options, VW and Westfalia badges
supplied as waterslide decals and
RESCUE VIGNETTE
of construction choices includes
posable doors, an open/closed
canvas top and US/European-style
fittings. However, items appear a
darker beige than on the box art,
plus the sheer volume of styrene
crammed into the box resulted in
damage to AMW’s parts set. While
this is an attractive and alluring
package, the issues apparent in this
sample suggest some modellers
may struggle with it, despite the
simplified construction.
NEAT POLICE VAN
Fruit Delivery Van Typ 170V
Lieferwagen
By: MiniArt Scale: 1/35
Item no: 38044 Price: £36.99
Web: www.miniart-models.com
Here’s MiniArt’s bold ninth take on
its 1/35 Mercedes-Benz Type 170V,
depicting a 1940s-50s delivery
van with a trio of bright liveries.
There’s no change to the parts for
the vehicle (held on 11 runners and
a PE brass fret) but the firm’s 35628
Wooden Crates with Fruit has been
included to provide a suitable load
– these add seven frames to the
total. Detail is superb throughout,
from the well-appointed engine,
attractive driving compartment and
moulded produce. Schemes are:
• IK-155301, Deutiches Obst
(German Fruit), Schlesien
Province, Germany, early 1940s
• IA-320851, Esst Mehr Früchte,
Berlin, Germany, early 1940s
• AB70-4526, K, based on 1950s
advertising poster, American
Occupation Zone, Germany

Model T 1914 Fire Truck with Crew as if assessing a blaze, while

By: ICM Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35606 Price: £28.40
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM has continued its scaled-down
Model T kits with the arrival of a
1/35 1914 fire truck – in this boxing,
the vehicle is joined by a five-
figure (six, including the cat) crew
set. As with previous combination
sets, it’s cheaper than the separate
items, making it great value for
money. The four fire fighters are
posed convincingly – two standing
the second pair are rescuing a
Renault Estafette Gendarmerie and can be used with the printed
small child and a cat. Detail and
By: Heller Scale: 1/24 masking templates to ease painting.
moulding are first-class, notably
Item no: 80742 Price: €29.99 Otherwise, it’s unchanged, so there’s
the heavy overcoats. The vehicle
Web: www.glow2b.de a choice of a 1964 or 1973 version
is as per the firm’s other Model Ts,
(with gloss-black liveries), along
replicating the type’s structure/
Heller’s Gendarmerie van was with a complete chassis, detailed
shape faithfully, with tyres being
released at the same time as its engine, exhaust system and axle/
provided as styrene, rather than
Renault Estafette (see News, March steering units. The one-piece floor
vinyl (as in the 1/24 kits). There’s a
2022 issue) and shares many of the pan has integrally moulded wheel
fully detailed engine, although this
same parts. One major difference is arches and cab floor, two-part seats
will be hidden, but the fire-fighting
that the police version – which has with different support frames, driver
equipment is superb, incorporating
windows all around – has its side controls and a detailed dashboard.
a ladder, water tanks, hose,
panels moulded in clear styrene. Rubber tyres fit around convincing
extinguishers and sand buckets.
This is a much neater approach styrene wheel hubs.

96 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com


OUT IN THE COLD
Totenkopf Division Kharkiv 1943
By: MiniArt Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35397 Price: £13.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
MiniArt has chosen to up the ante
in terms of detail with its Totenkopf
Division Kharkiv 1943 figure set.
Here, resin heads are supplied
besides the great many styrene
body components (there are also
styrene heads), and the detail on
the former is certainly sharper than
the alternatives. The demeanour of
the troops’ faces is seemingly tired
and serious, although one example
has a hint of a lopsided smile.
All the soldiers (members of 3.
SS-Panzergrenadier Division
Totenkopf on the Eastern Front) are
moulded in slightly different sitting
positions, ideal for placement on
a tank. Winter gear is worn by all,
with reversible fleece-lined hooded
pullover smocks and quilted
trousers, and cold-weather boots.
Each subject wears an M1943
helmet and standard belt gear, but
the ammunition pouches differ
depending on the weapon carried.
Three have Model 1911 cartridge
pouches to accompany their K98k
rifles, while another has the longer
pouches associated with MP 40
magazines. The final soldier, with
HQ ON THE BLOWER
British Headquarters WWII
By: Zvezda Scale: 1/72
Item no: 6174 Price: £4.25
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Small-scale figure painters and
wargamers will enjoy Zvezda’s
newly tooled set of 1/72 British
Headquarters staff, which includes
four figures that can be attached
to individual bases or a combined
section to form a nifty vignette.
A cap-wearing officer is posed
as if pointing with his swagger
stick and holding a pipe in the
other hand, while the other three
soldiers all wear ‘battle bowler’
tin helmets. The trio comprise one
looking through binoculars and
KeyModelWorld.com
the most ‘punch’, is armed with an
MG 42 machine gun, which comes
with optional folded or deployed
bipods, a drum magazine and spare
barrel carrier, and a straight length
of cartridges. The machine-gunner
also wears a dedicated toolbox for
his weapon.
There is also a wealth of other
personal equipment here, including
entrenching tools, map cases with
pencil sleeves, Brotbeutel bags,
water bottles, gas-mask cannisters,
a flare pistol and Walther P38,
closed and open holsters,
bayonets, ammunition boxes,
an oil can and other items.
holding what appears to be a map,
another kneeling and holding the
receiver of a field telephone aloft,
while the final man is saluting
with a rifle on his shoulder.
Moulding is superb, though no
painting instructions are supplied,
so research will be required for
decorating the figures.
ON THE SHELF | Auto kits and figures
DRESS BLUES
Royal Marines Officer
By: ICM Scale: 1/16
Item no: 16012 Price: £23.80
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM has added to its ceremonial
figures with a splendid rendering
of a Royal Marines officer standing
at Slope Swords. All figure parts
come on a single runner, with the
sword, loop guard and scabbard
on a second frame. The firm’s well-
designed four-piece base is also
included. Cleverly, ICM has placed
the mould seams along the crease referred to as ‘dress Blues’. Several
lines on each trouser leg, while neat touches impress, such as the
the main body comes in halves, little finger positioned correctly
with separate pieces for the tunic behind the sword handle, the
lower panels at the front. When separate straps for the sword frog
combined, this gives a convincing (attached to the Sam Browne), plus
representation of a Royal Marines individual epaulettes (with pips for
Officer’s No.1A uniform, often an RM Lieutenant).
SWALLOW SERVICING
German He 162A Mechanics with that engineering ‘this doesn’t
By: CMK Scale: 1/72 look good’ expression, while the
Item no: F72372 Price: €8.30 second is a two-piece ensemble of
Web: www.cmkkits.com a crouching mechanic with one arm
separate, so it can be positioned on
Here’s a great addition for an an airframe.
airfield diorama involving Special
Hobby’s 1/72 He 162A – a pair
of Luftwaffe mechanics. Both
are sculpted and cast superbly,
capturing tunic creases, pocket
flaps and facial expressions even
in this small scale. One figure is
posed leaning forward slightly,
HOPEFUL DYSTOPIAN
The Last Bridge. Kit No 5. strapped to her back is clad in a
Nadezhda (Hope) hooded all-in-one with an integral
By: Master Box Scale: 1/24 backpack – modellers may wish to
Item no: MB24077 Price: £12.99 represent straps on this section.
Web: www.mbltd.info
Ukrainian figure specialist Master
Box’s ‘Post-apocalyptic’ series
comprises a five-kit storyline set
in a 1/24-scale dystopian world.
Nadezhda (the name is a Slavic form
of Nadia, meaning hope) is the final
figure in this ensemble, and depicts
a young woman carrying a child on
her back and an assault rifle in her
left hand. She wears a loose woollen
hat, a jacket with padded sections
at the shoulder, a scarf knotted
around her neck and hanging down
to her chest, tight-fitting trousers
and stylised heavy boots. The child
Airfix Model World 97
ON THE SHELF
FAR-FLUNG SHERMANS
PTO Sherman Tanks Vol.2
By: ToRo Model Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35D57 Price: €8.50
Web: www.toro-model.com.pl
The Sherman is a perennial favourite
with modellers; those looking for a
more attractive markings option than
a run-of-the-mill Olive Drab (OD)
example may find two recent sheets
from ToRo Model worth considering.
The firm’s decals feature thin,
gloss carrier film and the printing is
excellent, with all markings being in
register. Instructions are supplied
RARE ‘GOONEY BIRDS’
Unusual C-47s
By: Iliad Design Scale: 1/72
Item no: 72020 Price: US$12
Web: www.iliad-design.com
Always a source of interesting
aircraft liveries, Iliad Design now
offers a fascinating 1/72 selection
of unorthodox Douglas C-47
98 Airfix Model World
in black and white
form, with full-
colour versions
available on the
firm’s website.
Item 35D57, PTO
Sherman Tanks
Vol.2, offers
markings for
seven individual
US Shermans
employed in the
Pacific Theatre of
World War Two. While all wear OD
paint, they are enlivened by extra
camouflage colours, individual
names and in one case interesting
artwork… as it wears the equivalent
of nose art on an aircraft. They are:
• M4A1, 58 Lucky Tiger, 767th Tank
Battalion, Ebeye Island, Kwajalein
Atoll, February 1944
• M4A3(75)w, 53 Doris, 5th Marine
Tank Battalion, Iwo Jima,
March 1945
• M4A3, 40 COED, 4th Marine Tank
Battalion, Iwo Jima, 1945
• M4A2(75)w, 100541 GOLDBRICK
options. The first is a
Royal Canadian Air Force
Dakota Mk.III, 659, of
115 Air Transport Wing
while serving with the
United Nations in the
Sinai, circa 1960. Next
comes a very smart
civilian C-47B in natural
metal (coded 5884).
Operated by Carco Air
Service, this airframe was
used for transportation
of equipment to/from Los
Alamos to nuclear test
sites during 1955. The
more familiar military Olive
Drab and Neutral Gray
adorns the third option,
a C-53 flown by pilots of
Northeast Airlines, which
was used for survey and
ferry flights. A final Olive
Drab machine is C-47 348777,
marked on its fuselage sides for
the Military Air Attaché, American
Legation, Wellington, in late 1947.
Iliad’s instructions offer useful
colour notes, while the decals
are to this firm’s usual very high
standard, with thin gloss carrier film
and rich colour tones.
JR, 4th Marine Tank Battalion, • Sherman Mk.III, 23 BENGHAZI,
Tinian, 1944 41st Royal Tank Regiment,
• M4(75) Composite Hull, TROOPER, October 1942
775th Tank Battalion, Luzon, • Sherman Mk.II, T144958/4, 9th
Philippines, 1945 Armoured Brigade, October 1942
• M4A2, B31 BANZAI, 2nd Marine • Sherman Mk.II, 10th Hussars,
Tank Battalion, Saipan, 1944 October 1942
• M4(75) Composite Hull, 758 • Sherman Mk.II, T144924 IOWA/
COGNAC, 763rd Tank Battalion, COLORADO, Staffordshire
Okinawa, 1945 Yeomanry, November 1942
• Sherman Mk.II, T74435,
British Sherman Tanks at Alamein Staffordshire Yeomanry,
Vol.2 November 1942
By: ToRo Model Scale: 1/35 • Sherman Mk.III, unit unknown,
Item no: 35D58 Price: €8.50 October 1942
Web: www.toro-
model.com.pl
The focus shifts to
British machines
with set 35D58,
which provides
decals for six
vehicles, four of
which have
two-colour desert
camouflage. These
are as follows:
‘FEAR THE BONES’ SUPER BUGS
F/A-18 Super Hornet USN VFA-103 • 166620/200, USS Harry S Truman,
Jolly Rogers NAS Oceana, 2016
By: Double Xcellent Model • 166620/200, USS Dwight D
Scale: 1/72 Item no: 91-7133 Eisenhower, 2012
Price: US$18 • 166621/201, USS Dwight D
Web: https://dxmdecals.com Eisenhower, 2014
• 168889/201, USS Abraham
Decal specialist DXM has released Lincoln, 2017
a superb selection of 1/72 markings • 166615/205, USS Dwight D
for Hasegawa, Academy or Revell Eisenhower
F/A-18F Super Hornet kits. These • 166616/206/E, USS Dwight D
are intended for the offerings and Eisenhower
provide seven colour
schemes for airframes from
the US Navy’s VFA-103
‘Jolly Rogers’ as deployed
with Carrier Air Wing 7 (tail
code AG). Both low-vis
grey and more colourful
Commander Air Group jets
(denoted by Modex 200
codes) are represented.
The quality of DXM’s
printing is first rate – the
yellow portions on the
sheet having impressive
opacity. Full stencilling
and differently coloured
engine intake warning
chevrons are supplied.
The schemes are:
• 168493/200, USS
Abraham Lincoln, 2017
KeyModelWorld.com

BRITS IN THE GULF
RAF Op Telic
By: Air-Graphic Models Scale: 1/72
Item no: AIR72-020 Price: £23.50
Web: www.air-graphics.uk
This bumper offering from Air-
Graphics includes two A5-sized
decal sheets and supplies sufficient
markings for more than 50 RAF
airframes either involved or placed
on standby for Operation Telic
during 2003. Six major combat
types feature: Tornado GR.4/F.3,
Canberra PR.9, Harrier GR.7, Jaguar
CENTRAL EUROPEAN JEEPS
Jeeps of the Czechoslovak Army
By: H-Models Decals Scale: 1/35
Item no: HMDT 35045 Price: £14.50
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
Modellers seeking a slightly
different appearance for their
1/35 Willys Jeeps may wish to
consider H-Models’ limited-
edition Czechoslovakian decals,
which provide for four vehicles. All
markings are supplied on a small
sheet with minimal carrier film; they
KeyModelWorld.com
GR.3 and Nimrod MR.2P, although
note the Jags never actually
deployed as Turkey withheld
permission for Coalition forces to
operate from its territory. It appears
this decal set is based on the now
out-of-print Model Alliance On
Target Special #1, produced in
2003, so the information provided
isn’t fully up to date. For instance,
just three deployment locations
are given (Ali Al Salem [AAS] and
Ahmed al Jaber [AAJ] in Kuwait
plus Prince Sultan Air Base [PSAB]
in Saudi Arabia), but GR.7s and
PR.9s were also deployed to Azraq
in Jordan, with Tornado GR.4s
additionally based at Al Udeid in
Qatar, so modellers will need to
check references. Similarly, the
artwork depicts all Harriers with
65% LERX-equipped airframes,
yet ZG-series GR.7s were fitted
with the later 100% LERX. Perhaps
unsurprisingly, given the number of
schemes included, just the relevant
national insignia, aircraft serials,
codes and any nose artwork are
supplied, so modellers will have to
either use the kit items or source
aftermarket alternatives. All items
exhibit perfect register, with gloss
are printed crisply and
feature sharp tonal
boundaries though
paler areas may be
slightly translucent.
Bright unit markings
add a welcome dash of
colour to proceedings,
notably as all four
Jeeps are typical
Olive Drab machines.
Each of the quartet of
options was attached
to the Czechoslovak
Independent
Armoured Brigade, with further unit
information supplied:
• White 49911 Bozenka, Field Arty
Regt, Czechoslovakia, 1945
• M555066, HQ Bde, Dunkirk,
France, early 1945/Prague,
Czechoslovakia, late 1945
• M5537807, Polní Četnictvo
(military police), Prague,
Czechoslovakia, May 30, 1945
• M5538091/33840, HQ 2nd Armd
Regt, Prague, Czechoslovakia,
May 1945
ON THE SHELF | Decal sheets
carrier film and colour density is • Harrier GR.7, ZG504/75, 1(F)
excellent, notably on the white and Sqn, AAJ
yellow areas. Among the subjects • Harrier GR.7, ZD401/30, 3(F)
included are: Sqn, AAJ
• Canberra PR.9, XH169 Persian • Harrier GR.7, ZG859/91, IV(AC)
Princess, 39 Sqn, PSAB Sqn, AAJ
• Canberra PR.9, XH135, Azraq, • Harrier GR.7, ZD408/37, 20(R)
Jordan Sqn, AAJ
• Tornado GR.4, ZD715/AM Alarm • Harrier GR.7, ZG479/69
Maiden, 9(B) Sqn, AAS SAOEU, AAJ
• Tornado GR.4, ZG729/M Mean • Jaguar GR.3, XZ372/ED, 6 Sqn
One, 31 Sqn, AAS • Jaguar GR.3, XZ377/EG, 6 Sqn
• Tornado GR.4A, ZG711/O Oh Nell!, • Nimrod MR.2P, XV241/41
II(AC) Sqn, AAS Guernsey’s Girl II, Maritime
• Tornado GR.4A, ZG726/K Kylie, XIII Reconnaissance Wing, PSAB
Sqn, AAS
• Tornado GR.4, ZD715/BF Born
Fighter, 14 Sqn, AAS
• Tornado GR.4, ZA614/AJJ It’s Show
Time, 617 Sqn, AAS
• Tornado GR.4, ZG775/FB The
Macallan, 12(B) Sqn, AAS
• Tornado GR.4, ZG795/F
Glenfarclas, 15(R) Sqn, AAS
• Tornado F.3, ZE962/XC Deere 27/
Denis the Menace, 25 Sqn, PSAB
• Tornado F.3, ZE758/YI Caldwell 28/
Tremble, 11 Sqn, PSAB
• Tornado F.3, ZE737/YM Stanford-
Tuck 28/The Dodger, 43 Sqn, PSAB
• Tornado F.3, ZE968/XB Collishaw
60/Have it!, 111 Sqn, PSAB
CRASHES AND CRUISES
Potez 25 Europe and America • 42-68/White 4, 34th Sqn, 3rd Av
By: Azur-FRROM Scale: 1/72 Regt, Polish AF, Poznan, Poland
Item no: FR0X04 Price: €16.50 • 737/White 5, Escadrille 2/39 (1924-
Web: www.frrom.com 39) or 2nd Escadrille, GB I/39 (from
August 1939), French Mandate in
Intended for its own Potez 25 kits, Syria and Lebanon, Levant region
Azur-FRROM’s decals provide for a • 2221/V489/White 10, Aj-Chef
wealth of airframes. Along with the Mayadoux, Cne Pennès, Croisière
superbly printed markings, Noire (Black Cruise), November
the instructions detail which iteration 6-December 3, 1933
of the kit to use, any modifications • 2054/RF 22, Aéronautique Navale
or additional parts required, plus
further reference for the full set of
varied liveries:
• 1520/F-AJDX/F, Aéropostale,
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1929
• 1521/F-AJDY/F, Aéropostale
• 1522/F-AJDZ/F, Henri Guillaumet,
Aéropostale, June 13, 1930
• 2036/F-AJZS/F, Aéropostale
• 1521/F-AJDY/F, AI France
• B1-2/2, Uruguay
• B1-5/5, Uruguay, 1936
• White 8, Uruguay
• White 1, Uruguay, June 24, 1936
• White 3, Puerto Sastre,
Paraguay, 1933
• 4, Eleusis, Greece, April 1941
• 14, Larissa, Greece, mid-1930s
Airfix Model World 99
ON THE SHELF
FANCY JET TRAINERS
T-38 Heritage Schemes
By: Iliad Decals Scale: 1/48
Item no: 48039 Price: US$12
Web: www.iliad-design.com
Ever reliable for something
different and unusual, Iliad Design
has come up with the goods again,
offering quarter-scale decals for
multiple liveries for T-38C trainers.
WARHAWK PRECURSORS
Hawk 75 (P-36)
By: LPS Hobby Scale: 1/72
Item no: LPM-72-32 Price: £13.99
Email: lpsi1973@yahoo.com.br
Perfect for early-model P-36
kits in 1/72 – such as those by
AML, AZ, Aoshima, Monogram
and Heller – these LPS Hobby
markings cater for an early-war
French airframe and a Brazilian
aircraft later in World War Two.
Bright national insignia, squadron
motifs, airframe serials and wing
walkways are supplied – note
there are no stencils – with these
elements combining with the
French four-tone camouflage
100 Airfix Model World
Decal sheets
Five Talons with commemorative
ICELANDIC BEAUTIES
liveries are provided, being suitable
for use on 1/48 Trumpeter and
Wolfpack kits of this sub-type. The
markings are printed beautifully,
with perfect register and strong
tonal density, notably on the
considerable amounts of yellow,
while colour demarcations are
crisp and well defined. Some of the
airframes are fitted
with the ballast box
above the exhaust
nozzles. They are:
• CB/50FTS, 50th
Fg Trg Sqn,
Columbus AFB
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress perhaps the most impressive
(50th Pursuit Sqn)
RAF Mk.III element is the way over-painted
• EN/90/90FTS,
By: Kits-World Scale: 1/32 squadron/airframe letters have
90th FTS,
Item no: KW132119 Price: £10.20 been represented; the ‘2’ and ‘K’
Sheppard AFB
Web: www.kits-world.co.uk feature paler ‘I’ and ‘D’ characters
(90th Pursuit Gp,
as part of the same marking, with
China-Burma-India
Kits-World has produced several the appearance of these sections
theatre)
aftermarket decal sheets suitable being beneath the main letters.
• EN/469FTS,
for large-scale B-17 Flying Both aircraft feature Temperate
Sheppard AFB
Fortresses including Hong Kong Sea (Extra Dark Sea Grey/Dark
(Vietnam War
Models’ 1/32 offering – its RAF- Slate Grey) camouflage on upper
F-4 scheme)
themed sets include this pair of surfaces, with white undersides:
• 63-187/HT, 586th
meteorological reconnaissance • Mk.III, FA699/AD-C Keflavik
FTS, Holloman
airframes. While no stencils or Cutie, 251 (Met) Sqn, Reykjavic,
AFB (586th BG
national insignia are supplied, Iceland, late 1944
D-Day livery)
nose art is colourful and eye- • Mk.III, FA712/2-K/K Kittie, 220
• CB, 49th FTS,
catching, meaning these are (Met) Sqn, Reykjavic, Iceland,
Columbus AFB
enticing liveries. However, late 1944
(49th FS P-38
Lightnings)
MYRIAD MARKINGS
F-4B Stencils airbrake and undercarriage door
By: Eduard Scale: 1/48 interiors, with two styles of intake
and a red cowling on the South
Item no: D48094 warning triangles.
American Hawk to produce
Price: £5.60
striking schemes. Printing appears
Web: www.eduard.com
crisp, though there are slight
dark boundaries on the French
Modellers wanting to
roundels and rudder flash –
replace lost items from
otherwise, there are no register
Tamiya’s new F-4B or just
issues or tonal mismatches. Note
looking for stencils to
no exact paint references are
enhance their F-4Bs by
given for the liveries, so further
Hasegawa, Academy or
research may be required for
Esci/Ertl will find Eduard’s
either scheme:
two-sheet set very useful.
• Hawk 75A-2, 140/UO40/White 11,
Items are numbered from
l’Armée de l’Air, France,
S1-246 and P1-17, yet there
May 1940
are more than 300 in total,
• P-36A, FAB 10, Agrupamento
with several replicated
de Aviões de Adaptação, Base
in several positions on
Aérea de Fortaleza, Brazil, 1942
an airframe. A detailed
application guide will
aid modellers, but these
will take time to add,
due the sheer number of
decals. There are even
markings for pylons plus
KeyModelWorld.com
 NE
A TRIBUTE TO BRITAIN’S W
NUCLEAR SHIELD
V-Bombers recalls that

V
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VALIANT · VICTOR · VULCAN

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deterrent from the mid-
1950s through to the
introduction of the Royal
Navy’s Polaris submarines
in 1968. And even after
they relinquished their
nuclear roles, the Victor and
Vulcan served with great
distinction in conventional
roles as bombers, air-to-
air refuelling tankers and
reconnaissance platforms.
UP CLOSE
Famously, TO THE
just as their AIRCRAFT
Walkarounds of
retirement approached all three types
and the scrapman beckoned,
the last of the V-bombers were
hurriedly prepared for their first FALKLANDS
FINALE
real combat missions during the How Victors
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ON THE SHELF
DEFINITIVE DAIMLER
Messerschmitt Bf 109E Engine Set
By: CMK Scale: 1/72
Item no: 7455 Price: €14.50
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Released to enhance Special
Hobby’s 1/72 Bf 109Es (see p92
for its E-1s), this resin Daimler-Benz
DB 601 engine set from subsidiary
firm CMK is a superb option for
adding extra detail. It comprises 14
cast components – these include
a large main block piece, separate
bearers, exhausts, fuselage-
mounted MG 17 guns, firewall and
external cowling covers. A tropical
filter is also provided for E-7 Trop
BUG STORES
F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet Pylons
By: Brengun Scale: 1/48
Item no: BRL48138 Price: €12.21
Web: www.brengun.cz
This set of four SUU-63A/C wing
pylons and SUU-62A/A station
is ideal for those with 1/48 F/A-
18A+/A++/C/D projects, as they
replace the earlier SUU-63 and
SUU-62 versions often found in
most kits, and are suitable for late
C/D airframes plus upgraded F/A-
18As. Note, the centreline unit is
not to the same mod standard
as the wing pylons (which have
an aerodynamic fairing in front of
each sway brace), so might not be
applicable for a given airframe.
Otherwise, the casting and detail
is first-rate and these will make a
notable difference to any model.
A good reference for which
pylons are applicable for a given
BuNo can be found via: www.
flyingleathernecksdecals.com
102 Airfix Model World
kits – other North Africa-deployed
variants would also have employed
this unit, so check references.
Detail is exemplary, with the
external panels featuring beautifully
recessed rivets and panel lines.
The powerplant fittings are
equally impressive in their finesse;
exhaust outlets are hollow at the
tips, plus wiring and pipework are
convincing, despite being cast
integrally. Construction will involve
cutting several kit-supplied parts,
and no painting instructions are
provided in this aftermarket set, so
those from the base kit or research
must be used when decorating.
FLIGHT AND SIGHT
CONTROL
Ki-27 Nate Optical Illusion
Control Surfaces
By: Dead Design Model Scale: 1/72
By
no: SM72 040 Price: €5.45
Item no
Web: www.deaddesignmodels.com
Web
Designed for kits by Hasegawa
and Mania, these masks for 1/72
Nakajima Ki-27 Nates are slightly
unusual, in that they are ‘optical
illusion’ covers for the type’s control
surfaces. Essentially, these are
shaped to depict the ribbed sections
on the aircraft’s fabric-covered
rudder, ailerons and elevators,
enabling a darker or lighter hue to
simulate enhanced depth on the
model – particularly where limited
relief is present. In this case, the
instructions suggest sanding the
control surfaces, to ensure the most
accurate appearance, and more
detailed placement guidance is
supplied via the firm’s website.
HERE FOR RAPID
PERSUASION
Tin Advertising Signs, France
30s to 40s
By: Plus Model Scale: 1/35
Item no: 570 Price: €16.34
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
Plus Model’s photo-etched steel
signs are a quick and easy means of
simulating enamel or tin examples.
There are seven rectangular
portrait-arranged options, four
landscape (one is a letterbox-sized
sign), two square and two circular
signs. Companies advertised are
Michelin, Goodrich and Englebert
(all tyres), Bugatti, Renault and
Panhard (carmakers), plus there is
champagne, chocolate, electrical,
theatre and garage signage. All are
full-colour, and the metal material
means they can be bent/shaped,
with damage simulated easily.
EASY-FIT ’PIT
Bf 109G-2 through K-4 Seat
with Molded Belts
By: BarracudaCast Scale: 1/48
Item no: BR48372 Price: $8.95
Web: www.barracudacast.com
Modellers who are searching for a
straightforward yet transformative
upgrade for their late-war Eduard
1/48 Bf 109s need look no further
than this exquisite drop-in article
from Barracuda. Designed for
Bf 109G-2 through to Bf 109K-
4 variants, this single-piece item
provides a cockpit floor, rear
bulkhead and integrally cast seat
– the latter includes beautifully
rendered seatbelts. All that’s
needed before assembly/painting
is to remove the casting block.
SUPER BUG
BOOTS
F/A-18E Wheels
By: Eduard Scale: 1/48
Item no: 648701 Price: £4.16
Web: www.eduard.com
Here’s a great value-for-money
addition designed for Meng’s
recent F/A-18E Super Hornet.
These are direct replacements
for the kit items and feature far
superior detail to the styrene
alternatives. The nosewheels
come as single items, with
convincing hub and sidewall
detail, while the mainwheels
have separate inner hubs. These
latter pieces capture the Super
Hornet’s brakes with greater
refinement and are arguably
worth the price on their own.
PANZER/STUG
AMMUNITION
7.5cm Sprgr., Nbgr. & Pzgr. Patr.
Kw.K. 40 (Stu.K 40)
By: MiniArt Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35375 Price: £13.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
While intended for the firm’s own
range of Panzer IV and StuG III/
IV kits, this comprehensive set of
spare ammunition, spent cases,
stowage boxes and canisters will
be suitable for any 1/35 kit that
depicts a 7.5cm KwK/PaK 40 gun.
There are five styrene runners, with
three containing stowage-related
items (which can be posed open/
closed), plus spent cases, while the
remaining pair offer high-explosive,
smoke and training rounds. A busy
decal sheet supplies full stencilling
for both the ammunition and
canisters/crates.
KeyModelWorld.com

SPRUE ‘SNIPS’
Precision Cutter
By: Revell Scale: N/A
Item no: 39086 Price: €10.99
Web: www.revell.de/en
Revell’s new style of modelling
cutter features a more ergonomic
handle profile compared with its
older tool, yet the same accuracy
and crisp cuts are enabled via the
precise blades. The soft material
on the handles ensures use is
comfortable, so for those modellers
who separate parts from runners
in such a manner, this is an ideal
product – those who haven’t tried
using ‘snips’ before will also find this
set a worthy investment.
ATLANTIC
WATCHPOST
Tobruk Shelter
By: ToRo Model Scale: 1/48
Item no: 48A07 Price: €8
Web: www.toro-model.home/pl
Officially known as the Type 1699
shelter, the numerous octagonal-
topped concrete watch posts
employed along the Atlantic Wall
were nicknamed ‘Tobruk bunkers’
by the Allies. Polish manufacturer
ToRo Models has now released
a plaster-cast 1/48 offering that
comprises three parts (two of
which cater for the top ‘plate’ and
octagonal surround opening).
The interior has a well-replicated
entrance, with steps to the raised
gunnery platform. While the
parts will need tidying prior to
assembly, this will make for a
great inclusion in a diorama.
KeyModelWorld.com
BEAU BOOTS
Beaufighter Mk.VI/X/21
Mainwheels Late Disc Type/
Smooth Tyre
By: CMK Scale: 1/72
Item no: 7484 Price: €5
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Among several sets for Airfix’s
1/72 Beaufighter, CMK has these
resin mainwheels as a simple
substitution for the kit-supplied
parts. Each one-piece ‘boot’
features a late-style hub plus
smooth tyre tread pattern, though
raised sidewall features (including
Dunlop and pressure information
legends) and sharp brake section
detail ensure the appearance is
not plain. A weighted flat-spot is
also simulated at the base of each
tyre – this is where the casting
block is positioned, to facilitate
easy neatening.
MITCHELL RADIALS
B-25J Engines
By: Eduard Scale: 1/72
Item no: 672275 Price: £12.27
Web: www.eduard.com
There’s much to praise with
Hasegawa’s 1/72 Mitchells, but one
area arguably in need of refinement
concerns the engines, due to
limitations in styrene moulding
techniques. Step forward Eduard
with this lovely resin and photo-
etched brass (PE) replacement set,
with each powerplant comprising
two parts in the former material
and three in the latter to provide
stunning renderings of the cylinder
heads, pushrods, ignitor cables
and fuel lines.
ON THE SHELF | Accessories
OAR POWERED
30ft Gig
By: Black Cat Models Scale: 1/350
Item no: AC3500099a
Price: €7.46
Web: www.blackcatmodels.eu
The recent advent of 3D-printing
has been a boon for ship
modellers, such as these exquisite
resin 30ft Gigs (oar-powered
boats as would be found on most
Royal Navy battleships and heavy
cruisers during World War Two).
There are three of these Gigs in the
set, with finely replicated internal
structure and even representation
of the oarlocks. Instructions are
available on the firm’s website, but
note the printing ‘pips’ around the
stern will require careful removal
so as not to damage the delicate
rudder and tiller.
FULLBACK POINT
Su-34 (Fullback) Pitot Tube
By: Master Model Scale: 1/72
Item no: AM-72-128 Price: £2.80
Web: www.master-model.pl
Here’s a quick upgrade for any
1/72 Su-34 Fullback kit in the
form of a turned brass pitot –
not only is the diameter much
finer than is possible with
styrene alternatives, but it’s
much more robust. Preparation
is straightforward, requiring
removal of the kit component
followed by drilling a hole ready
for the aftermarket item.
HOOD OR CAP?
F-4B Fin Caps
By: Eduard Scale: 1/48
Item no: 648704 Price: £3.69
Web: www.eduard.com
Arguably, Eduard’s use of
3D-printing is of greater interest
than the parts it has produced
in this manner, as in this set of
tailfin ‘caps’ designed for Tamiya’s
quarter-scale F-4B. Contrary to
most early uses of the technology
or home-printed items, there
are no lineations or misaligned
print layers, while rivets are
engraved neatly and raised
features are captured sharply.
There’s a choice of two parts –
one cap with and one without a
‘hooded’ antenna receiver – but
both are high-quality and easy-
to-use, highlighting the quality of
Eduard’s production method.
FUNKSPÄHWAGEN
FURTHERING
Sd.Kfz. 263 (8-RAD)
By: Hauler Scale: 1/72
Item no: HLH72116 Price: €8.68
Web: www.hauler.cz
Hauler’s photo-etched brass
upgrade for Roden’s 1/72 Sd.Kfz.
263 8-RAD (eight-wheeled)
Schwerer Panzerspähwagen
(heavy armoured reconnaissance
vehicle) provides a wealth of
small detail adornments plus the
distinctive aerial array for this
Funkspähwagen (radio) sub-type.
Among the enhancements are a
new rear grille, separate tools, grab
handles, hatch hinges, light covers
and aerials. As most of these are
small units on the real vehicle, the
model versions are particularly
delicate and may be fiddly.
Airfix Model World 103
ON THE SHELF
SHOOTER’S
SIGHTING
A-26 Invader Gunner’s Position
By: CMK Scale: 1/48
Item no: 4432 Price: €14.50
Web: www.cmkkits.com/en
ICM’s A-26 Invader kits certainly
pack in the detail, but those seeking
further refinement may find CMK’s
all-resin gunner’s position product
useful. It’s intended as a drop-in
replacement for the styrene parts,
although, modellers will need to
trim the fuselage interior – as stated
in the instructions – to enable the
sidewall components to fit properly.
All parts are cast superbly, with
the advantage over the styrene
alternatives being the crispness of
the detail and inclusion of features
such as cabling, pipework and
oxygen cylinders.
PLUMBEOUS
PIPING
Lead Wire Round ø0.4mm
By: ASK Distribution Scale: N/A
Item no: 200-T0052 Price: €1.90
Web: www.artscale.eu
Here’s more lead wire from ASK
Distribution – a perfect means
of adding cabling, pipework or
hoses to a range of models in
any scale. This set features 28
pieces – each is 120mm in length
with a fully round profile at a
0.4mm diameter. The material
is malleable and workable,
but modellers should take
precautions, such as wearing
gloves, when using it, due to
the well-known poisonous
qualities of the metal.
104 Airfix Model World
DECK MOVER
Tugmaster Flight Deck Tractor
Royal Navy 1960s
By: Brengun Scale: 1/72
Item no: BRS72019 Price: €18.80
Web: www.brengun.cz
Diorama scenes replicating a
Royal Navy aircraft carrier deck
during the 1960s have become a
little easier, thanks to Brengun’s
splendid Tugmaster tractor. In
keeping with the firm’s other
accessories, it’s a mixed-media
offering, with the main structure
and wheels in resin, plus photo-
etched brass radiator plate,
dashboard, controls, towing hook
mount and other small items. The
detail is excellent throughout,
although, larger parts will require
careful removal from their casting
blocks. Markings are included for
an overall orange-yellow vehicle
on HMS Victorious in 1964.
MULTI-ROLE
ROCKETS
British Rocket Projectiles
RP-3 60lb SAP
By: Eduard Scale: 1/48
Item no: 648394 Price: £3.74
Web: www.eduard.com
No doubt intended to accompany its
excellent 1/48 Typhoon and Tempest
kits, this pack of eight 3in rocket
projectiles could easily be used on
same-scale Beaufighters, Mosquitos,
Hurricanes, Swordfish, Beauforts,
Hudsons, Fireflies, Sea Furies,
Hunters and Vampires. Each rocket
– with the larger 60lb semi-armour-
piercing warhead fitted – is supplied
as single-piece casting, onto which
are attached the clip-type ‘W’ and
‘Y-shaped’ mounting points, and
there’s even an ignition cable for
the motor included.
INSTRUMENTS
UPDATE
MiG-21MF SPACE
By: Eduard Scale: 1/72
Item no: 3DL72002 Price: £4.17
Web: www.eduard.com
Creating a convincing cockpit
interior can be challenging, so
Eduard’s 3D decals for its own
MiG-21MF kit are well worth
considering. The main panels are
supplied in this set, with items
such as the seat harness, firing
handle, plus rudder panels
provided as pre-printed,
photo-etched brass parts. Clear
guidance is also given regarding
how Eduard’s styrene should be
modified before the accessory
components are added.
INSTRUCTIVE
SCENE-SETTERS
Traffic Signs Israel
By: MiniArt Scale: 1/35
Item no: 35653 Price: £12.99
Web: www.miniart-models.com
Any 1/35 modern-era scene
set in Israel will be enhanced
with the addition of any road
sign from MiniArt’s accessory
set. This comprises six styrene
runners – these are a set of
two and four duplicated frames
– plus a large decal sheet
containing the motifs for the front
of each sign. Designs include
indicators for roundabouts,
speed limits, pedestrians and
camels crossing, give way, no
entry, and stop signs. Larger
panels feature three-language
text, suggesting the presence
of a country border and closed
military areas ahead.
STRONG STANCE
F-101B Voodoo
By: Plus Model Scale: 1/48
Item no: AL4091 Price: €7.26
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
Drop-in replacements for the
wheels supplied in any 1/48 F-101B
Voodoo kit, these cast parts from
Plus Model feature superb detail.
Mainhweels are both two-part
assemblies, with the braking face
hub supplied as a separate item –
note this will mean the outer hub
will have to be masked carefully.
A pair of nosewheels are one-
piece components. All items
feature crisp relief, plus an annular
tread pattern on the tyre faces.
Distinct parts for F-101A/C kits
are also available for the same
price as AL4090.
WHICH TOOLING?
Heinkel He 115
By: Brengun Scale: 1/72
Item no: BRL72210 Price: €11.85
Web: www.brengun.cz
Although Brengun’s photo-etched
upgrade is labelled as intended for
Revell’s 1/72 He 115 kit, this offers
little clarification, as the latter firm
has released two distinct toolings
of the type, which originated in
1976 with Matchbox and FROG.
Hence, studying the instructions was
required to confirm this is for the
latter, which has also appeared in
AMT and Tsukuda Hobby packaging.
Parts are held on a pair of frets,
and cater for the fuselage interior
via a pair of highly intricate sub-
assemblies, nose
bomb-aimer’s
position with
another section,
plus a crew-
entry ladder
behind the wing.
KeyModelWorld.com

FORTRESS
FOOTINGS
IA-58A Pucará Wheels
By: CMK Scale: 1/48
Item no: 4435 Price: €10
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Modellers wanting a quick boost
for their Kinetic Pucarás will
find CMK’s wheel set ideal. It
provides straightforward drop-in
replacements for the styrene parts,
with each wheel comprising three
components: a tyre, plus inner
and outer hub sections. Note, the
nosewheel is the item with a hollow
centre; mainwheels have a filled-
in ‘blank’. For the latter, the inner
pieces have a superb rendering
of the brakes – casting is first-rate
throughout and the detail appears
spot-on compared with references.
LASER
DESIGNATION
Sniper ATP
By: Eduard Scale: 1/72
Item no: 672141 Price: £3.74
Web: www.eduard.com
With the shift in modern air
warfare to precision-guided
munitions, targeting pods are
now de-rigueur on many aircraft,
and this set from Eduard provides
a single example of the Sniper
Advanced Targeting Pod, as
used on Harrier GR.9, B-1B,
F-15E, F-16C/MLU, CF-18 and
B-52 platforms. It comprises five
well-cast resin items (including
an adapter hardback and a
transparent sensor ‘window’) and
alternative rear plates as photo-
etched brass components. Full
stencilling is supplied as decals.
KeyModelWorld.com
HIGH-ALT GEAR
Ta 152H Mainwheels –
Smooth Tire
By: BarracudaCast Scale: 1/72
Item no: BR72396 Price: $5.95
Web: www.barracudacast.com
Those with Aoshima or Dragon
1/72 Ta 152s may find this set
from Barracuda most useful, as it
supplies replacement mainwheels
– a weak spot in many kits. In
typical fashion, there are clear
directions on how these items
are fitted and orientated, and the
detail is exquisite, with provision
for brake lines (the modeller will
need to scratch-build these), plus
the items feature raised piping
on the sidewalls and embossed
manufacturer legends.
BIPLANE
BRILLIANCE
U-2/Po-2VS
By: Eduard Scale: 1/72
Item no: 73711 Price: £8.37
Web: www.eduard.com
Having newly tooled a 1/72
Polikarpov U-2/Po-2 in 2012, it
was something of a surprise ICM
started afresh with a completely
new kit of the type in 2020 –
Eduard’s photo-etched upgrade
package is for the more recent
offering. This adds enhancement
to the cockpit with pre-coloured
instrument panels, seat harnesses
and rudder pedals, undecorated
internal framework, plus sidewall-
mounted fittings. External additions
range from engine wiring, control
wire mounts/pulleys, machine gun
elements and other small fittings.
ON THE SHELF | Accessories
REPTILIAN MISSILE
R-77/AA-12 Adder
By: GasPatch Models Scale: 1/32
Item no: 32244 Price: €18
Web: www.gaspatchmodels.com
Compared to just a few years ago,
it’s striking just how many weapons
systems are now available as
accessories, such as this stunning
pair of R-77/AA-12 Adder air-to-
air missiles, as used by MiG-29
Fulcrum, Su-27/30/35 Flanker and
Su-34 Fullback aircraft. GasPatch’s
exquisite 3D-printing techniques
mean the missile is captured
accurately. Of particular note are
the lattice grid fins, which are far
superior to any styrene or photo-
etched brass alternatives. The main
body comes as a single item, with
a hollow exhaust, onto which the
cruciform and grid fins are attached.
NAVAL PACE
35ft Fast Motor Boat
By: Black Cat Models Scale: 1/350
Item no: AC350099b
Price: €8.29
Web: www.blackcatmodels.eu
Here’s another set of 3D-printed
maritime accessories from Black
Cat Models, in the form of 1/350
35ft Fast Motor Boats. These
are wonderfully detailed for
the scale, with visible internal
fittings, roof handles and mounts,
plus extremely delicate window
frames. In the case of the latter,
it is recommended instructions
(available from the manufacturer’s
website) are studied carefully,
to avoid damaging them when
removing the similar-looking
print supports.
COVERED BOOTS
Ki 43 Wheels
By: Brengun Scale: 1/72
Item no: BRL72226 Price: €7.45
Web: www.brengun.cz
Comprising one resin and one
photo-etched brass piece (of
which there is a choice of two)
each, Brengun’s 1/72 Nakajima
Ki-43 Hayabusa wheels are
a useful upgrade, but one a
beginner may struggle to use.
The metal elements are hub
covers – strangely, these hide
neat spoke detail on the resin
units – and depict one- or two-
piece elements as fitted to the
real aircraft. Note each wheel is
handed, with a diagram in the
instructions showing the correct
arrangement, and minor flash will
require neatening.
FAST FLOORING
Floor Tiles
By: Plus Model Scale: 1/35
Item no: 571/572 Price: €3.63 each
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
Plus Model’s 1/35 floor tile sets
are available in a choice of colours
(black/white or red/white) and
comprise a pre-printed flat sheet
also featuring the manufacturer
and product information. As such,
modellers may wish to cut these
elements away before using the
chequerboard-patterned section
– the instructions also suggest
scoring the pattern to give a better
impression of individual tiles. Matt
varnish is also recommended to
mute the sheen for use in dioramas.
Airfix Model World 105
ON THE SHELF Recently released

BELKITS (www.hobbyco.net) ICM (www.hannants.co.uk) 35337 Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf.H SH 72294 Mirage F.1CG
BEL-017 Citroën C3 WRC Tour de Corse Nibelungenwerk Mid. Prod. August 1943
1/35
2018 35628 Wooden Creates with Fruit
35112 Sd.Kfz. 247 Ausf.B with MG 34
35354 OT-34-76 WWII Soviet 35393 Market Garden Netherlands 1944
Flamethrower Tank 35382 Tempo A400 Lieferwagen
DS3514 Battle of France spring 1940 35390 Allied Mine Detection Equipment
1/32
32116 USAAF Pilots (1944-1945) ‘Photo to PLANET MODELS
Remember’ (www.specialhobby.eu)
1/48 SH 72437 AW Meteor NF Mk.11 ‘RAF
BEL-018 Citroën C3 WRC Rally Finland 1/72 Squadrons’
2017 48101 Mistel S1 WWII German Composite MV126 15cm Tbtsk C/36 ‘WWII German
Training Aircraft Atlantic Wall Gun’
TAKOM (www.bachmann.co.uk)
BLITZ (By Takom) 1/350
(www.bachmann.co.uk) SCALE AIRCRAFT CONVERSIONS
(www.scaleaircraftconversions.com) 6004 Flak Tower I Berliner Zoo G Tower
8006 1/35 StuH. 42 & StuG. III Ausf.G Late
1/72 1/35
Production
72187 TBF/TBM Avenger (Hasegawa) 2147 15cm SK C/28 Guns

72184 SAAB J 32 Lansen (Tarangus/ 2138 GWS-30 Sea Dart & GWS-25
Special Hobby, Heller) Sea Wolf
48287 ‘Jig Dog’ JD-1D Invader 72189 UH-34D/J, HSS-1, Wessex HU.5,
HAS1/3 (Italeri/Revell) TAMIYA (www.hobbyco.net)
ITALERI (www.hobbyco.net) 72188 Avro Vulcan B.2 (Airfix) 1/48
1/72 1/48 32600 German Self-Propelled Heavy
48400 IA 58 Pucara (Kinetic) Anti-Tank Nashorn
1459 Jaguar GR.1/GR.2 RAF
48397 MV-22 Osprey (Hobby Boss) 1/32
CMK (www.cmkkits.com) 48399 Hurricane Mk.I/II (Hasegawa/ 32602 WWII Wehrmacht Infantry Set
1/72 Revell)
7475 F-18E Cockpit (Academy) 48401 F/A-18E/F, EA-18G (Meng) USTARS (www.bachmann.co.uk)
7483 Beaufighter Mk.VI/X/21 Mainwheels/
48403 de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 (Airfix) 1/48
Late Wheel Disk Hexagonal Pattern
(Airfix) No 006 Tiger I Early Production
48402 F-4B Phantom II (Tamiya)
1/48 48404 Avroo Lancaster B.I (Hong Kong)
1453 F4U-4 Corsair
4442 Tempest Bomb Racks & 500lb
48406 U-2/Po2 (ICM)
bombs 1/35
48405 F-14A Tomcat Launch (Tamiya)
4443 Tempest Bomb Racks & 1,000lb 6588 LAV-AT
bombs 48407 Sabre F.4 (Airfix)
1/24
1/32
3621 FIAT 131 Abarth
Dragon (www.hobbyco.net) 32159 Westland Whirlwind F.Mk.I (Special
3635 Willys Jeep MB Hobby)
1/72
1/9 32158 SB2C Helldiver (Infinity)
7682 PLA ZBL-09 IFV
Suzuki RG 500 XR27 Heron Team 1978 – 32160 AH-1G Cobra (Early) (ICM)
7683 PLA ZTL-11 Assault Vehicle
Barry Sheene
7684 PLA ZSL-10 APC 32161 P-40E/F/M/N Warhawk (Trumpeter)
ZVEZDA (www.hobbyco.net)
1/24
MINIART 1/350
(www.creativemodels.co.uk) 24012 Fokker DR.1 (Meng)
9044 Russian Nuclear-Powered
1/35 Icebreaker Project 22220 Arktika
35320 German Cargo Trailer SPECIAL ARMOUR
(www.specialhobby.eu)
35389 G7177 1.5t 4x4 Cargo Truck w/
Winch 1/35
35391 US Tank Crew SA 35008 Panzerbefehlswagen 35(t)
35643 Traffic Signs Yugoslavia 1990s
Ebbro (www.hobbyco.net) 38033 German Industrial Tractor D8511
1/24 Mod. 1936 with Cargo Trailer
25018 BRC 40 British Troop
1/144
Airbus A321ceo
1/100
6273 Armored Personnel Carrier M-3
SPECIAL HOBBY Scout Car with Machine Gun
(www.specialhobby.eu)
1/72
38025 Tempo E400 Hochlader Pritsche 1/72
6278 American Infantry 1941-1945
3-Wheel Truck SH 72162 Short Sunderland Mk.V
1/20 35335 StuG. III Ausf.G Feb 1943 Alkett ‘Fighting Commies in Europe and the 1/35
20027 Lotus 33 Coventry Climax FWMV Prod. Far East’ 3591 Russian Main Battle Tank T-80UD

106 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

Books MAIL ORDER
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www.keymodelworld.com 113
DISPLAY CASE

DISPLAY CASE
1
1 Special Hobby North American
Harvard Mk.II
Ian Moore’s build of Special Hobby’s
recent 1/72 Harvard was 58 years in
the making, beginning with Airfix’s
1/24 Harrier GR.1 and a B-17 during
the 1980s. From there, life as an RAF
officer led to an interest in aircraft
and aviation, plus an experience with
Australian Don Charlwood, who trained
to navigate Lancaster bombers on the
Harvard Mk.II. This inspired the build
Personal experience is project, which involved new weathering
a key element in this techniques including the salt-based
method on the propeller.
selection of readers’
modelling projects 2 Airfix World War One Male Tank
Re-released as part of Airfix’s Vintage
Classics range, the 1/72 World War One
Male tank formed a welcome Christmas
present for 17-year-old Matthew
Dawson. Constructed out-of-the-box
as HMLS Dragonfly during the Battle of
NEXT the Somme in September 1916, painting
MONTH was completed with Tamiya acrylics.
The next issue of Airfix
Model World (issue 138) 3 Tamiya Volkswagen Golf
will be on sale in UK First released in 1978, when Mk.I
shops on April 7 Golfs were still being produced,
Tamiya’s 1/24 racing depiction made
for a striking project completed by
Singaporean modeller Ewe Gen Lim.
Constructed from the box, the biggest
2 3 challenge was during painting, when
considerable masking was required to
set the striped livery.

4 Airfix Avro Vulcan

Essex-based modeller Matt West
worked as a volunteer as part of the
Vulcan Restoration Trust’s engineering
team, preserving Vulcan XL426 at
Southend Airport, so knew he was to
build Airfix’s newly tooled offering as
a replica of this airframe. First-hand
knowledge of the delta-winged bomber
ensured accuracy and formed an
engaging aspect of the project.

Feature YOUR Model!

If you’ve recently completed a model
you’re particularly proud of and
would like to showcase the build,
let AMW know! Send a high-quality
photo (1MB or larger) of the model
against a white background and tell
us about any aftermarket products
or special techniques involved. Up to
four per month will be included in the
magazine, with more featured online
at: www.keymodelworld.com. Please
4 email your submissions to the editor:
stuart.fone@keypublishing.com

114 Airfix Model World KeyModelWorld.com

 NEW
MOULD 1:72

Hawker Tem pest

Mk.V

A02109
Hawker Tempest Mk.V
One of the finest aeroplanes of the Second World
War, the Hawker Tempest V could trace its design
lineage back to the Hurricane fighters. The plane
entered Royal Air Force service in early 1944.
Although this was still a big aeroplane
for a single engined fighter, its
airframe was light and it was
powered by the massively
powerful 24 cylinder
Napier Sabre engine,
giving the new
fighter spectacular
performance.
Making its first
flight on 2nd September 1942, the Hawker
Tempest featured a newly designed laminar
flow wing, much thinner than the wing used on
its predecessor, allowing the new fighter to slip
through the air at incredible speed.

HAWKER TEMPEST Mk.V

Aircraft flown by Wing Commander Roland Prosper “Bee” Beamont, No. 150
Wing, Newchurch, Kent, England, June 1944.

HAWKER TEMPEST Mk.V

No.486 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Air Force Castle Camps,
Cambridgeshire, England, April 1944.

Length 144mm Width 174mm Total pieces 72

Airfix.com Start as you mean to finish

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