EXCLUSIVE!

FIRST LOOK AT AIRFIX’S 1 /48 HUNTER

Dec 2018
Issue 97

60+
REVIEWS
INSIDE

EXCLUSIVE

HIGH-class
PLUS
• 1/72 Bristol Sycamore
• 75mm Sun Tzu figure
• 1/48 Alpha Jet A
• Show reports
HUNTER
We showcase Airfix’s all-new 1/48 F.6

ALTERED £4.60
HISTORY
1/72 V1-E75
Missile
Launcher

AVENGER ASSEMBLED
1/48 TBM-3 from Academy

es, it’s that time again
Y folks, when modellers
from around the
globe prepare to
EDITORIAL
Editor: Stu Fone
Editor-at-large: Chris Clifford
Group Editor: Stuart Qualtrough
Contributors to this issue:
Duncan Cooke, Mark Attrill, Jay Blakemore,
Mike Grant, Malcolm V Lowe, Andy Davies,
Chris Jones, Massimo Santarossa
Designer: Tom Bagley
Chief Designer: Steve Donovan
EDITORIAL CONTACT
Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd,
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK
Email: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Tel: +44 (0)1780 480404
Fax: +44 (0)1780 757812
Email: orders@keypublishing.com
ADVERTISING AND MANAGEMENT
Commercial Director: Ann Saundry
Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter
Advertising Manager: Sarah Jarman
Advertising Sales Executive: Elizabeth Ridge
Advertising Production Manager: Debi McGowan
WELCOME TO ISSUE 97
undertake the annual pilgrimage
to Telford for the UK Nationals.
This year holds particular
resonance for many modellers,
with significant anniversaries;
it’s 100 years since the end
of World War One, there’s
the formation of the Royal
Air Force and Royal Aircraft
Establishment, plus (as
highlighted in this month’s
Archive Treasures) the
centenary of the Czech Air Arm.
Fittingly, there will be model-
based tributes to most (if not all)
of these at the show. The two-
minute silence on Remembrance
Sunday, which commemorates
the Armistice signing on
MARKETING
Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele
Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington
Event Coordinator: Julie Lawson
Production Manager: Janet Watkins
GROUP CEO AND PUBLISHER
Adrian Cox
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.
Airfix Model World is published monthly by
Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford,
Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK. Tel: 01780 755131.
facebook.com/airfixmodelworld
www.airfixmodelworld.com
November 11, 1918, also serves
as a poignant reminder of the
sacrifices made then and since
by British and Commonwealth
armed forces personnel.
Why should this be important
to modellers? Well, many
builds tend to have a military
theme, being of both historical
and general interest. Perhaps
it’s not such a surprise, then,
this month’s issue leads with
Airfix’s delightful newly tooled
1/48 Hawker Hunter. There’s
also much inspiration with the
legendary tactician and military
philosopher Sun Tzu, reproduced
in resin form by RP Models, and
enlivened by Jay Blakemore
Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne
Printed in England (ISSN 2045-1202).
Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd,
2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP
Tel: 020 7429 4000.
Airfix Model World is distributed in the USA
by UKP Worldwide, 3390 Rand Road, South
Plainfield, NJ 07080. Periodicals postage paid
at South Plainfield, NJ.
Readers in USA can place subscriptions by
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Postmaster: Send address corrections to
Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, C/O 3390
Rand Road, South Plainfield NJ 07080.
The entire contents of Airfix Model World is ©
2018 and no part of it may be reproduced in any
form or stored on any form of retrieval system
without the prior permission of the publisher.
EDITOR'S DESK
WELCOME
Like us
Visit us
using enamel, rather than oil or
acrylic paints.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s
a strikingly attired Alpha Jet in
anniversary colours, a Grumman
TBM-3 Avenger, and a brightly
painted search and rescue
Bristol Sycamore from Mike
Grant. Here’s hoping for a very
successful Telford, where no
doubt we’ll all spend more than
we planned!
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,
manuscripts, photographs or personal
information in response to any advertisements
within this publication.
“AIRFIX’’ is a registered trade mark of Hornby
Hobbies Limited and is used under licence.
The average sale for the period Jan – Dec 2017
was 13,149 print and digital copies monthly.
To find a stockist near you,
visit airfixmodelworld.com
www.airfixmodelworld.com 3
 CONTENTS
WHAT'S INSIDE?

A subscription to

makes a great gift

this Christmas.
See pages 76-77.

REGULARS
06 News
The latest happenings in the world
of plastic modelling.

10 Show Scene
At-a-glance model show calendar.

76 Give the gift

that lasts all year!

34
A subscription to AMW makes a
great gift this Christmas.

78 On the Shelf
Thirteen pages of reviews highlight
the latest modelling and reference
products from around the world.

98 Archive
Treasures
There’s a more modern look to his
month’s photographic selection, with
a commemoratively painted Czech
JAS 39C Gripen.

68 44

4 Airfix Model World

 CONTENTS
WHAT'S INSIDE?

12

FEATURES
12 Intermediate Build – Dazzling Farewell
Duncan Cooke tackles Wingman Model’s Alpha Jet package, completing the
two-seat trainer in a striking three-tone anniversary livery.

20 In Focus – Franco-German Tutor

60 The background and operational history of the Franco-German Alpha Jet is

explored by Mark Attrill.

24 Out and About – Hornbeach Hoedown

IPMS Fenland and Spalding’s annual show always offers a friendly and likeable
atmosphere, as Editor Stu Fone discovers.

26 Figure Build – Art of War

Jay Blakemore encounters a military tactics legend, courtesy of RP Models’
incredibly lifelike 75mm Sun Tzu.

34 Intermediate Build – Early Whirly

S&M Models’ 1/72 Bristol Sycamore receives a West German search-and-
rescue scheme from Mike Grant.

40 In Focus – Rotary-wing Pioneer

Malcolm V Lowe describes the history and operational service of the RAF’s
first helicopter.

44 Out and About – Cave of Wonders

The Euro Miniatures Expo was a treasure trove of figures, vignettes and
armour, as Stu Fone found out when popping down to Folkestone.

50 Exclusive Build – Camm's Masterpiece

Andy Davies discovers the delights of Airfix's newly tooled 1/48 Hunter F.6.

58 Out and About – Sizzling St Ives

The aisles were buzzing at IPMS Brampton’s busy and well-organised event,
with a convivial and welcoming atmosphere.

26 60 Intermediate Build – Avenger Assembled

Academy’s 1/48 TBM-3 Avenger torpedo bomber is the subject of Chris
Jones’s enjoyable build project, which also has a family connection.

68 Intermediate Build – History, with a Twist

Massimo Santarossa indulges in a ‘counter-factual’ self-propelled missile
launcher with Modelcollect’s delightful 1/72 V-1 and E75 combination.

Your favourite magazine is available digitally.

You can also find us on:

Search ‘Airfix Model World’

www.airfixmodelworld.com 5
 NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
BREAKING
BOMBERS AND SAILS
DECEMBER’S RELEASES from
Airfix are a mixture of new and
old, with the RAF variant of the
B-25 and the return of vintage
ship kits representing arguably
Britain's golden age of sailing.
The first has Airfix’s delightful
Mitchell in RAF markings
(A06018); the parts are
unchanged, but there’s a new
decal sheet featuring FL212/EV-W
‘Nulli Secundus’, 180 Squadron,
RAF Dunsfold 1943 and FV923/
SM-E, 305 (Polish) Squadron, RAF
Lasham, 1943. This kit is expected
in late November/early December
2018 and is priced at £24.99.
Man the rigging! It’s a trip back in
time for the next three subjects,
DELECTABLE DELTA RE-BOXED
FANS OF large-scale aircraft
may be pleased to know
that Italeri’s original 1/32
Mirage IIIE/R has been
re-packaged by Revell,
with new markings.
Kit 03919 offers
6 View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
NEWS
with Golden Hind (A09258V),
HMS Victory (A09252V) and
Cutty Sark (A09253V). These
are unchanged from their earlier
iterations, so expect to see vac-
formed sails, pre-strung shrouds
(commonly called ratlines) and
the old-style open runners. All are
expected in December 2018, and
will retail at £32.99, but note they
are not to the same scale, being
1/72, 1/180 and 1/130 respectively.
More details of these and other
releases are at www.airfix.com
the same styrene runners,
enabling representation of the
‘Echo’ airframe, as well as the
reconnaissance-nosed RD and
Australian O model. A build of
Italeri’s same-scale and similar
IIIC featured in the March 2016
issue of AMW, and it showed
this tooling can look stunning
when completed. Besides
reasonable panel line and rivet
engraving, there’s a wealth of
moulded cabling/piping in the
undercarriage bays and on the
rear cockpit bulkhead section.
Raised and recessed detail
adorns the instrument panel
and side consoles, the
Martin-Baker
seat is a fair
rendering and,
for those who like this
kind of addition, there’s
a fully detailed Atar engine that
can be displayed on the supplied
maintenance trolley.
CHOPPING
AND FILING
MODEL MANUFACTURER Revell has
boosted its own range of tools and
equipment with cutting mats and a
needle file set.
The latter (39077) comprises
six items, offering a basic flat
rectangular file, plus tapered
circular, square, triangular, flat
and a dual-purpose tapered flat/
hemispherical tool. All feature
knurled handles for easy grip, and
the set is priced at €5.99.
Its self-healing cutting mats come
in A4 (39056) and A3 (39057)
sizes, with pre-printed 2cm grid,
angled lines at 30°, 45° and 60°,
and metric and imperial measuring
bars along the left-hand side and
bottom. They are coloured to match
Revell’s usual box-tops, with a
bright blue tone, and all markings
are white. The smaller mat costs
€6.99, while the larger item is
€11.49. Visit www.revell.de/en for
more information.
The recce nose comes with a
full camera array, although the
format only allows for this area
to be posed ‘buttoned up’. An
extensive stores selection caters
for all three versions rather well,
with the choice of Martel, R530,
R550 and Sidewinder missiles,
PHIMAT, Barracuda and Barax
countermeasures pods, 500 lit
and 1,300 lit fuel tanks and JL 100
fuel/rocket combinations.
A dazzling French Air Force
‘special’ can be replicated in the
form of 1993’s ‘3-XT’, the EC 3/3
‘Ardennes’ 50th anniversary
aircraft with large wild boar
artwork, while the RD is 33-TI of
ER 3/33 ‘Moselle’, in standard
NATO camouflage. The third
option is the RAAF’s ‘A3-49’
of 3 Squadron at Butterworth,
Malaysia, in 1983, sporting low-vis
grey paint but with full-colour unit
markings and roundels.
www.revell.de/en
 SMALLER-SCALE FOXBAT
ICM DAZZLED modellers with
its 1/48 MiG-25s and looks set
to do the same in 1/72 scale,
based on this initial release,
which represents the RBT
reconnaissance variant.
It comprises seven styrene
runners (with one for the
two-piece canopy and camera
lenses), and unsurprisingly, the
parts breakdown mirrors that
of its larger cousin, offering
the prospect of several recce/
bomber/fighter versions to
come. The exterior detail is undercarriage and convincing kit (side numbers 25105 and 499
exquisite, with finely engraved jet pipes. There’s a small error respectively). This is easily the
panel lines, commendably thin on the markings guide as Red best (and most accurate) MiG-25
leading and trailing edges to 16 is listed twice; the second in the scale, and at just £22.99 is
flying surfaces, while the interior option should be Red 72, but brilliant value. For more details
boasts a well-appointed cockpit, the overseas choices (Libya and visit: www.icm.com.ua or
full-length intakes, accurate Iraq) are the same as in the 1/48 www.hannants.co.uk

CHIEF ON TWO WHEELS

DESPITE SERVING with
Allied forces during World
War Two, there aren’t many
Indian 741 kits, so Thunder
Models’ 1/35 offering has
been well received.
Its US Military Motorcycle
(35003) is the first in a
series (also including civilian
boxings), and comprises
four styrene runners, photo-
etched brass (chain and
wheel spokes) and wire for
the speedo and brake cables.
It’s obvious from the outset
that Thunder has put much to the optional hooded/slit their striking red/cream and
thought into the design, headlamps. Markings are green/yellow schemes will
from the simple, yet clever supplied for an Olive Drab entail considerable masking.
spokes jig, finely detailed US Army machine, plus Further details are available
brake and clutch pedals, two civilian bikes, although at: www.pocketbond.co.uk

LEOPARD REFERENCE
ARMOUR SPECIALIST
Tankograd has released
four bookazines via the UK
distributor Bookworld, which
focus on the German Leopard
2A5 Main Battle Tank (MBT).
Two are dedicated
specials covering the
type’s Development,
Technology and Active
Service, and each contains
64 pages. Part 1 (5075) has
mostly photos of the MBT
on exercise and operations,
while Part 2 features more
technical data, with 1/35 scale
drawings and a comprehensive
walk-round. Militär Fahrzeug’s
4-2018 issue provides a 6-page
treatise on urban-camouflaged
Leopards, with photos of all
sides (including the upper
surfaces), notes on colours
used, and a 1/35 scale profile
of the scheme, which echoes
that worn by British Chieftains
in Berlin. Last, but by no means
least, Panzer Manöver
03 focuses on Leopard
2A5s involved in urban
combat training with
plenty of high-quality
colour photos. Any or
all of these are ideal
for modellers building a
Bundeswehr Leopard. Visit
www.bookworldws.co.uk for
more details.
 NEWS BULLETIN
LATEST UPDATES
WORLD WAR KITS
WINGNUT WINGS’ has fans of
World War One and Two subjects
in raptures with the recent
announcement of newly tooled 1/32
Lancasters and Halberstadt C1.IIs.
The latter, which was a successful
escort fighter and infantry support
aircraft operated by German forces,
will be available in Early (32049)
and Late (32062) versions, with
five markings schemes for each.
They will comprise more than 190
high-quality injection-moulded
parts, offering three choices of
powerplant, and optional radio,
CONVINCING SKIN TONES
PAINTING BARE faces and
arms can be challenging,
which makes Lifecolor’s
Quick Flesh Shadowing
set (LP07) a boon for keen
figure painters.
It comprises six 22ml
bottles, and includes five
washes (Ochre, Light
Red, Red Umber, Green
Shadow and Grey Shadow)
8 View more news online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
generator, gun rings, propellers and
armament. These are expected to be
available from December 2018, and
will retail at approximately US $129.
However, it’s the World War Two
subject that has caused most
excitement, in the form of the Avro
Lancaster, and two versions are
scheduled to be released in 2019, the
B.I/III (32043) and B.III ‘Dambusters’
(32044). To date, more than eight
years of research has gone into
these kits, and the results (as seen
in the CAD images) bear witness
to this, with realistic stressed-skin
surfaces, overlapping panels and
raised rivets. For those unwilling to
wait until next year, there will be an
assembled test-shot on the Wingnut
stand at IPMS Scale ModelWorld,
Telford on November 10 and 11. The
retail price is yet to be confirmed,
but Wingnut is doing everything
in its power to keep it as low as
possible, with an aim to position
it in the same bracket as ‘The
Duellists’ Felixstowe F.2a and Hansa-
Brandenburg W.29 boxing.
Further details are available at:
www.wingnutwings.com
and a ‘free’ Remover. This
product is designed to be
used with Lifecolor’s Flash
Paint collection (CS13), and
instructions are available
on The Airbrush Company’s
website; a separate pdf
guide is available from
www.astromodel.it. More
details can be found at
www.airbrushes.com
TURRETED
FIGHTER
VALIANT WINGS’ fifth
Airframe Detail is devoted
to Boulton-Paul’s ungainly
Defiant and offers 98 pages
packed with information,
photographs and diagrams of
this late-1930s design.
The now-familiar format
supplies a detailed
background on the Defiant’s
inception and development,
including the various
test-beds used to prove
the concept of a turreted
fighter, before discussing its
operational service, notably
during the Dunkirk evacuation
and Battle of Britain. Although
the entire series is intended
for modellers, the technical
section is arguably the
most useful, with numerous
extracts from pilot and
maintenance manuals to
augment close-up photos of
the RAF Museum’s Defiant.
Colours and markings then
follow offering comprehensive
guidance on serial and roundel
placements, before 1/48 scale
drawings lead the reader into
the kit chapter, which features
Steve Evans’ step-by-step
build of Airfix’s quarter-scale
Defiant. A kit, decal and
accessory listing completes
this excellent publication,
along with a record of every
squadron to operate the
type. This is an essential
reference for modellers
building offerings from Airfix,
Trumpeter, Classic Airframes
or MPM, regardless of scale.
See www.valiant-wings.co.uk
for more details.
 TWIN-TAILED BEAU
MODELLERS WANTING to build
non-standard Beaufighter
variants should consider
AlleyCat Models' new resin
conversion for a prototype
twin-tailed machine.
This seldom-discussed
configuration was considered
as a solution to the Mk.I’s
poor stability, but rejected in
favour of canted horizontal
stabilisers and a dorsal
fillet. AlleyCat’s Twin Tail
Beaufighter (AC72048C)
contains all necessary parts
to re-work Airfix’s TF.X into
an earlier machine, including hubs, undercarriage doors for the single airframe R2268.
new engine cowlings and and the new tail section, plus Visit www.alleycatmodels.co.uk
exhausts, spinners, wheel serials and prototype markings for more information.

MULTI-MEDIA MASTERPIECE
STARLING MODELS’ River-
class Frigate is the first kit of
the type in any scale, and it’s
an absolute gem, providing
an accurate replica of this
anti-submarine convoy
escort ship.
HMS Nadder (STK03) is
a resin and photo-etched
(PE) brass ensemble, with
more than 80 finely cast stowage racks. Most of the fittings, breakwater and even
components, plus turned superstructure is supplied recesses underneath the aft
brass barrels, mast and as just two components, gun mount to depict open
cross tree, and a decal but these are bursting hatches. This is definitely
sheet that enables any of with detail, from wafer- a project for experienced
the River-class vessels to thin splinter walls, support builders, but the result will
be built. There’s a plethora stanchions under the bridge be a stunning replica, and
of riches to savour, with wings, and even bridge Starling Models is to be
PE railings, bridge-wing fittings, all cast integrally. applauded for tackling this
supports, ladders, liferaft However, the highlight must worthy subject. Further
bases, depth charge racks, be the single-piece full information is at www.
gun shields, boat davits and hull, which includes deck starling-models.co.uk

ABRASIVE PANELS
ARGUABLY, MODELLERS can to conduct most sanding tasks.
never have enough sanding To ease identification, they are
equipment, so these colour-coded, with white,
semi-rigid offerings yellow, orange and black
from Ultimate backing respectively. Unlike
Modelling Products are modern abrasive paper, which
welcome additions. degrades quickly, these are
Each pack comprises three designed as long-lasting items,
60 x 11.5cm ‘panels’ with and can be washed to remove
the abrasive material any residue. These packs
mounted on one side are available at £5.69
of a 40-thou (1mm) each, and there is also a
styrene backing sheet. multi-pack (£6.69), which
Currently, 240-, 400-, contains one panel of
800- and 1,200-grades each sanding grade. More
are available, and these details are available at:
should enable modellers www.umpretail.com
 SHOW SCENE
DIARY DATES

SHOW SCENE
At-a-glance model show calendar
E MODEL DISPLAY
) MODEL COMPETITION
J TRADE STANDS
AIRCRAFT DISPLAY
MILITARY DISPLAY
AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY
 REFRESHMENTS
FREE PARKING
MAKE ‘N’ PAINT

Bolton IPMS
Scale Model
Show 2019
Date: January 20
Hosts: Bolton IPMS
Address: The Premier Suite,
Macron Stadium, De
Havilland Way, Bolton
BL6 6SF
s hows on Times: 10am-4pm
re Prices: Adults £4, OAPs £3,
lin
Mo

children £2
Email: hawksig@gmail.com
Web: www.ipmsbolton.co.uk

9 North Surrey Military Modelling 16-17 Tank Museum Model Expo

December Group Open Day Hosts: The Tank Museum
March
15-16 The Model Show 2018 Hosts: North Surrey Military Modelling Address: The Tank Museum, 2 Aldingbourne Modelex
Group Bovington, Dorset Hosts: Aldingbourne Modellers IPMS
Hosts: The Friends of the Model Show
Address: Poynton Leisure Centre, Yew Tree Address: Banstead Community Hall, BH20 6JG Address: Aldingbourne Community
Lane, Poynton, Cheshire, SK12 1PU Park Road, Banstead, Surrey, Times: Sat 10am-5pm Sports Centre, Olivers Meadow,
Times: Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm SM7 3AJ Sun 10am-5pm Westergate, Chichester, West
Prices: Adults £7.50, military concession Times: 10am-4pm Prices: Adult £13 Sussex, PO20 3YA
£6, under-16s free Prices: TBC Times: TBC
children £7.50
E-mail: enquiries@themodelshow.co.uk E-mail: membership@nsmmg.org.uk Prices: TBC
under-5s free
Web: www.themodelshow.co.uk Web: www.nsmmg.org.uk E-mail: Aldingbournemodellers@gmail.com
E-mail: info@tankmuseum.org
Web: www.tankmuseum.org Web: Aldingbourne Modellers (Facebook)

January 2019 10 Halifax/Huddersfield Show 2019

Hosts: IPMS Wakefield and District 3 East Of England Model Show
23 On Track Military Modelling
6 Croydon Airport Aviation & Address: North Bridge Leisure Centre, Show 2019
Model Collectors Show 2019 North Bridge Street, Halifax, Hosts: Peterborough Scale Model Club
Hosts: On Track Shows
Hosts: Aviation Antiques (Dave Sutton) HX3 6TE Address: Queen Catherine Academy,
Address: The Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone,
Address: Hallmark Hotel, Purley Way, Times: TBC Mountsteven Avenue, Walton,
Kent, CT20 2DZ
Croydon Surrey CR9 4LT Prices: Adults £4, concessions and PE4 6HX
Times: 10am-5pm
Times: 10.30am-3.30pm IPMS £3 Times: 10am-4pm
E-mail: huddersfieldshow@gmail.com Prices: TBC
Prices: TBC Prices: Adults £3, under-15s free
E-mail: davidsutton16@aol.com Web: www.huddersfieldscalemodel E-mail: on.track@live.co.uk
E-mail: peterboroughscalemodelclub-
Web: N/A show.co.uk Web: www.ontrackshow.co.uk show@outlook.com
Web: www.peterboroughscalemodels.
co.uk
16-17 Hamburger Tactica 2019
February 16-17 16th Model Show
Hosts: Hamburger Tactica
Hosts: L’Association des Maquettistes
2-3 26th Fêlés du modélisme du Montpellierain Address: Bürgerhaus Wilhelmsburg, 16 Fantazmagoria 2018
Hosts: Les Fêlés Address: Salle Bleue, Avenue de l’Abbé Mengestrasse 20, 21107 Hosts: Film & TV Model Club
Address: Salle SambrExpo, rue JF Kennedy Brocardi, 34250 Palavas les Flots, Hamburg, Germany Address: Oak Leaf Sports Complex,
150/1, 6250 Auseai-Presles France Times: Sat 10am-7pm Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham,
(Roselies), Belgium Times: Sat 9.30am-7pm, Sun 9am-6pm Sun 9am-4pm DL5 6QZ
Times: Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm Prices: Adults €6, concessions €3, Prices: Sat €7, Sun €5 Times: 10am-4.30pm
Prices: Free under-10s free under-10s free Prices: Adults £2, under-14s 50p
E-mail: expo@lesfeles.be E-mail: amm34000@aol.com E-mail: tactica@hamburger-tactica.de E-mail: ah.ftvmc@gmail.com
Web: www.lesfeles.be Web: www.amm34.com Web: www.hamburger-tactica.de Web: Fantazmagoria 2018 (Facebook)

IMPORTANT: It is worth noting that ALL events are subject to change or cancellation. This information has been collated from a variety of sources and was believed to be correct at
the time of going to press. To advertise your event here, email: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com

10 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A

Dazzling Farewell
Wingman Models’ superb
1/48 Alpha Jet A receives
a colourful Luftwaffe
display livery, courtesy of
Duncan Cooke

assault/Dornier’s nippy produced; an inexpensive trainer between 1992 and 1999, with the seats, instrument panels and

D Alpha Jet trainer and

ground-attack aircraft
was developed in
response to French and West
German requirements for Fouga
CM.170 Magister and Fiat G.91
replacements respectively.
A collaborative approach was
agreed, with two distinct versions
for the French and a close-air
support platform to address
West German needs. The full
production version reached
squadrons in late 1978, with West
Germany obtaining 173 aircraft.
Its service was destined to be
relatively short, and the type
was retired from the Luftwaffe
final tranche of 25 Alpha Jets
sold to Thailand for a reported
US$27,000 each.
Climbing aboard
Wingman’s re-boxing of
Kinetic’s 2013 Alpha Jet A/E
(#48043) added a full resin
cockpit (including ejection
bulkheads) to the basic styrene,
plus a replacement nose and
main undercarriage wheels.
Furthermore, an additional
casting of alternative tail cones
and other surface detail was
included, but wasn’t referenced
in the instructions. Confusingly,
cockpit sidewalls illustrated in

 Further refinement was added to the ‘office’ courtesy of the PE brass fret, which supplied a
head-up display frame, ejection seat firing handles, and canopy handles and mirrors.
 Wingman’s resin ejection seats were an excellent addition to the basic Kinetic kit, and
supplied a convincing replica of the type’s Stencel SIIIs.

12 Airfix Model World


the latter weren’t present in the
box. A small photo-etch (PE)
brass fret added predominantly
ejection seat and canopy detail,
while Master Model’s turned-
brass pitot and angle-of-attack
probes were supplied, along
with a pre-cut canopy and
wheel mask set. Careful study
of the instructions was required
to ensure all the additional
elements were incorporated at
the appropriate build stage.
Chocks away
Construction began with tidying
the multiple resin elements.
Ejection seats were removed
from their casting blocks,
cleaned and remounted on spare
lengths of sprue; this made
handling during assembly and
painting much easier. Other
 Wingman’s crisply cast resin extras replaced much of the kit’s cockpit parts and added
plenty of interest to the finished model.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A
 Humbrol’s 196 Light Grey (right) was suggested as the cockpit base colour, but this was
too light when compared to references, so it was substituted with 128 US Medium Grey (left).
MODEL SPEC
Dornier Alpha Jet A
‘Anniversary Alpha Jets’
By: Wingman Models
Stock Code: WMK48009
Scale: 1/48
Price: €55.00
Available from:
elements, such as instrument
www.wingmanmodels.com
panels and finer details, were
left in situ for the same reason.
Once the initial clean-up was
completed, a fine coat of Mr.
Surfacer 1200, diluted with Mr.
Color Leveling Thinner, was
applied — this highlighted any
areas requiring more attention.
Where practicable, PE detail was  The ejection seats were removed from their casting blocks and mounted on lengths of
applied before a final airbrushing runner for easier handling; PE components were added after an initial Mr. Surfacer 1200 primer.
with Mr. Surfacer 1200, which
served as an overall primer.
Wingman’s limited painting
guide suggested Humbrol 196
Light Grey as the cockpit base
colour, but this appeared too
light when compared to available
references, therefore 128 US
Medium Grey was substituted
accordingly. Similarly, 47 Sea
Blue was suggested for the
Stencel SIII ejection seats,
 The resin ejection seat rails were masked, and the structural elements received a 2:1 mix
of 47 Sea Blue Gloss and 14 French Blue Gloss.
 Airscale’s Modern Cockpit Instruments (AS48 HAC) were added to the instrument panels
in place of the kit decals, as the former came as individual items.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 13
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A
 Unfortunately, the fit of several separate access panels was
questionable, and careful trimming, filling and re-scribing
was required to blend them into the fuselage curves.
 Careful brush-painting of the Stencel SIII ejection seats was followed by an A.MIG-1602
Deep Grey PLW for a convincing representation.
 The dry-fitted cockpit sub-assembly highlighted the excellent fit and detail supplied by but this again was far too
Wingman’s resin components, and the overall effect was very pleasing. light, so it was mixed in a 2:1
ratio with 14 French Blue for
a more representative shade.
Varying tones of grey, with a
small amount of blue and dark
green added, covered the seat
cushions. Final brush-painted
detailing of the straps and hoses
completed the job. A coat of
Johnsons’ Klear gave the gloss
acrylic base required for an
AMMO-MIG A.MIG-1602 Deep
Grey Panel Line Wash (PLW), with
just a final dry-brushing required
to pick out the finer detail. Two
light airbrushed applications
of Vallejo 28.518 Matt Acrylic
Varnish muted the overall finish.
‘School room’
 Kinetic’s busy fuselage included full-length intakes, plus a separate nose cone (which Wingman provided detailed resin
allowed either French or German versions to be built); here they have been neatened and replacements for the front and
labelled prior to test-assembly. rear instrument panels. As part
14 Airfix Model World
of the ‘donor’ kit, a two-stage
decal provided the relevant
dials and switches. However,
the resin panels (unlike the
styrene alternatives) featured
raised surface detail, so use of
the decals as complete items
wasn’t an effective option.
Rather than risk damaging
the markings irretrievably as
the sole ‘kit-supplied’ option,
Airscale’s AS48HAC Modern
Cockpit Instruments were
preferred, as these were all pre-
cut and presented in various
sizes. Applied on a coat of Klear
and encouraged to settle with
Microscale Micro Sol, these
dials worked well. Sealed with a
further coat of Klear, A.MIG-1602
Deep Grey PLW added further
tonal interest, as did detailing
various switches with touches
of red, yellow and black. Once

 The styrene undercarriage components were well moulded and provided a detailed
representation, although a careful clean-up was needed to remove the seams (right) prior
to priming (left).
everything was muted with matt
varnish, the glass dial covers
received Microscale Kristal
Clear to provide a convincing
appearance. After these were
added to the cockpit tub (along
with the ejection seats), the
completed sub-assembly was
offered into the fuselage halves
for dry-fitting.
Coming together
Fuselage mating was
straightforward, with raised
locating guides providing for
accurate positioning of the
resin cockpit. Kinetic’s ‘donor’
plastic featured several access
panels that were added as
separate pieces; the fit of these
was questionable and careful
trimming, filling and re-scribing
was required to blend them into
the subtly moulded panel detail.
It would seem more logical to
have these moulded integrally
with fuselage halves — although
this would reduce the parts count
by six, it would provide a more
consistent finish.
The two-part intakes were
joined and finished with a wipe
of Mr. Surfacer 500, before
being primed and base-coated
with Humbrol 34 Matt White
enamel. Building the intakes at
this point, prior to being added
to the fuselage halves, made
for easier and neater masking
on the final paint scheme. Note,
both inlets required careful
alignment to ensure they created
a neat join line with the fuselage
halves, this was achieved via a
small amount of modelling clay
sandwiched between the two
items…it was then compressed
until a ‘best fit’ was achieved. It
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A
 The undercarriage bay provided an
excellent spreader and allowed a clamp
to be applied centrally, which ensured the
correct fuselage width and alignment.
Kit liveries
Wingman offered three decal
schemes within its ‘Anniversary Alpha
Jets’ boxing; one celebrating 25
years of Jagdbombergeschwader 43
(Fighter-Bomber Wing – JaBoG) and
subsequently held everything in
two marking the disbanding of Alpha
position until the glue dried; in
Jet A squadrons:
this case Tamiya’s quick-setting
• 40+80, JaBoG 43, Oldenburg,
Liquid Cement. Once the intake
September 1993
panel covers were attached, a
• 40+44, JaBoG 43, Oldenburg,
final application of Mr. Surfacer
November 1984
500 along the resultant joints
• 41+09, JaBoG 49, Fürstenfeldbruck,
completed the assembly.
Mating the fuselage halves and March 1994
resin cockpit wasn’t the ominous
task often associated with such
combinations. The undercarriage
bay provided an excellent
‘spreader’ and allowed a clamp
to be applied centrally — this
ensured the correct width and
alignment was maintained while
the glue dried. The resultant
fuselage seam was neat and
required just small amounts of
Squadron’s White Putty, which
was smoothed with a blade
dipped in Mr. Color Leveling
Thinner. Small gaps around
www.airfixmodelworld.com 15
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A
Kinetic’s engineering was such
that the fuselage seam was
neat, with small gaps around
the cockpit more a result of
moulding issues than fit.
the cockpit were more a result of
moulding/casting issues than fit
and were addressed easily with a
repeat of the above process.
The open end of the cockpit
tub was sealed with a small
piece of 15-thou (0.3mm) plastic
card; this also served to neaten
the nosewheel bay, and created
a small space just behind the
nose cone, into which Ultimate
 As the selected anniversary scheme airframe featured no external pylons, the locating
holes were filled from the inside, prior to the wing halves being mated.
The open-ended cockpit tub
was sealed with a small piece
of styrene, which tidied the
nosewheel bay and created a
space for Ultimate Materials’
Liquid Gravity product.
16 Airfix Model World
Materials Liquid Gravity was
added to provide front-end
weight to prevent the model
from being a tail-sitter. A study
of reference material ensured
the fuselage underside lumps
and bumps were positioned
correctly and proportioned. Two
small corrections were made by
removing oversized moulded
features and replacing them with
0.5mm brass rod, after which the
underside tray was secured.
Sturdy airfoils
Wing assembly was a two-part
process, as these comprised
upper and lower surfaces, with
the addition of separate flaps
and actuators, which permitted
these to be in the raised/
lowered position. The sections
required minor treatment
with a medium-grade sanding
stick, just to ensure the correct
thickness was achieved and thus
avoid the potential for a step
between the mainplane surface
and the ailerons. It’s also worth
remembering the Anniversary required for a good overall fit.
Scheme Alpha Jets featured Small amounts of Mr. Surfacer
no external pylons, so their 500 served to neaten and
mounting points must be filled discrepancies in the seams. The
from the inside, before the wings same can be said of the single-
surfaces were joined. This gave piece horizontal stabilisers,
the best overall finish, as the which married snugly with the
area to be sanded was minimised fuselage and required minimal
and the surrounding moulded correction. There was a hint
detail protected. of a greater challenge with
Large location pins provided the vertical fin though, as the
more than adequate anchorage instructions noted ‘some
for the wings/fuselage join, sanding required’, but it
and just slight adjustment was discovered the
of the flaps’ inner edges was best solution was
A small length of strip styrene served
as a reinforcement for the separate
nosewheel doors, which were best
joined before adding to the fuselage.
 Two small corrections were made to the fuselage underside lumps and bumps by
removing the oversized moulded items and replacing them with lengths of 0.5mm brass rod.

to remove a small
portion from the top
of the tail segment moulded
integrally into the fuselage
halves. This allowed the vertical
fin to sit closer to the main
airframe…just remember to hold
the assembly upright while the
glue dried!
Gearing up
Kinetic’s undercarriage
components were well moulded
and provided a detailed
representation, especially when
matched to the replacement
resin wheels. Unfortunately, the
Alpha Jet has a minimal amount
of the undercarriage structure
showing, even when parked, as
the main bay doors are closed
unless the gear is extending/
retracting. Herein lay a
challenge; the instructions didn’t
show these items in their correct
position. For example, the rear
nosewheel door (Part C35) was
omitted altogether. Furthermore,
the forward nosewheel doors
were best joined together
before fitting; a small length
of styrene rod was bonded to
the inner join as reinforcement,
to ensure this item remained
sufficiently rigid to handle during
dry-fitting.
For completeness, the
undercarriage and associated
bays were painted with Alclad
II ALC-101 Aluminium and ALC-
107 Chrome shades. Tamiya’s
XF-85 Rubber Black was then
applied to the wheels, after
the hubs were masked via the
self-adhesive templates. An
application of Klear, followed by
 Exhaust nozzles were sprayed with
Alclad II paints; ALC-104 Pale Burnt
Metal served as a base layer, before
it was over sprayed with ALC-121
Burnt Iron and ALC-113
Jet Exhaust.
a black panel wash, completed
the landing gear. Lastly, a more
natural sheen was achieved by
lightly coating the undercarriage
selectively with matt varnish,
which muted the aluminium
finish. Note, the undercarriage
assemblies must be installed
before the fuselage ‘under-plate’
and most of the undercarriage
doors were fixed in their correct
closed position.
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A
Smart livery
Gaps and blemishes were treated
with filler and then sanded; panel
lines removed during this process
were reinstated by re-scribing,
before an initial primer of
thinned Mr. Surfacer 1200 was
applied. This was then sanded
back almost to the bare styrene,
any remaining inconsistencies
addressed, before a final
airbrushed primer layer. Once
this dried, it was wet-polished
with 2,000-grade Wet and Dry to
eliminate any lingering surface
flaws. As the base tone of the
selected Alpha Jet, 40+80 in
its Jagdbombergeschwader 43
Anniversary Scheme, was
After all blemishes and seams were
treated with filler and sanded, an initial
primer was applied, and fine-grade
abrasive paper used to smooth the
finish; in a move sure to tempt fate, the
exhausts, angle-of-attack and pitots were
added prior to the final primer coat.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 17
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
ALPHA JET A

lift associated with unmasking

Light pre-shading was airbrushed
onto panel lines, before Humbrol’s enamels, and therefore the
matt white was sprayed onto the amount of re-masking and touch-
lower airframe surfaces and fuselage up work required.
sides; once dry, this was masked in
preparation for the other colours. Shields and crosses
A final treatment with 2,000-
grade Wet and Dry was followed
by several light coats of Klear,
prior to application of the decals.
These were thin and in good
register, but large areas of carrier
film were present. While this
aided alignment, such as with
the badges on the vertical fin,
wherever possible it was trimmed
to a minimum. In the case of
the intake rims it was far easier
to mask and paint these areas,
white, pre-shading (with Tamiya’s was prepared, comprising a main fuselage and wing upper rather than use the markings.
XF-69 NATO Black) was kept to 4:1 mix of 154 Insignia Yellow surfaces. Each was prepared, For some reason, the decals
minimum, merely being sufficient and 34 White. For ease of airbrushed and neatened before struggled to adhere and settle
to provide variance and interest application, the yellow masking moving to the next. While more into the surface detail…even with
to the finished paintwork. It was was divided into sections; the time-consuming, this method liberal application of Microscale
decided to use Humbrol enamels nose and cockpit, and the minimised the inevitable paint Sol. Gentle encouragement
for the finished colour scheme as
these were the colours identified
in the instructions and could be
thinned sufficiently to give thin,
yet even coats, thus preserving
the kit’s moulded surface detail.
The undersides received 34
White on the underside, plus
overlapping areas of the colour
scheme on the aircraft sides.
After inspection and a further
wet sanding session with 2,000-
grade Wet and Dry abrasive
paper, the masking began. This
started with the main fuselage

blue; the kit instructions For ease of application, the

suggested a 1:3 mix of 14 French masking was divided into
Blue and 109 WW1 Blue, but it sections; the nose and cockpit,
proved to be the wrong tone and the main fuselage and
and darker than on reference wing upper surfaces.
photos. Instead, it was changed
to a 1:3 blend of 47 Sea Blue
and 109 WW1 Blue, with a hint of
white. Several light coats were
applied and then allowed to dry
for 24 hours, after which the
detailed masking for the yellow
was undertaken.
Again, the suggested yellow
shade, 154 Insignia Yellow Matt,
didn’t match references, so
a further custom concoction

18 Airfix Model World

  Initial unmasking with a sanded cocktail stick was
revealed the final colour required to ensure the decals
scheme for the first time, conformed to the airframe.
but closer inspection
After sealing with further light
revealed several areas
of overspray, which were coats of Klear, the panel lines
remasked and airbrushed were defined via A.MIG-1602
accordingly. Deep Grey PLW. This was dark
enough to enhance the surface
details, but still sufficiently subtle
not to detract from the finished
livery. A final coat of 26.652 Satin
Varnish sealed everything, after
which the remaining finer details
were added, such as the wheels,
undercarriage and navigation
lights, undercarriage doors and
canopies (the latter complete
with PE mirrors and handles).

Light-attack legend
Wingman’s Alpha Jet, with its
extra resin and PE, built into
a fine representation of this
References trainer/ground-attack aircraft.
Careful study of the somewhat
ADJP 005: The Aircraft of the German Armed Forces – Alpha Jet A – limited instructions and access
Teil 1, by Bernd & Frank Vetter (AirDOC), ISBN: 978-3-935687-76-8 to good reference material
ADJP 008: The Aircraft of the German Armed Forces – Alpha Jet A – was required to ensure smooth
Teil 2, by Bernd & Frank Vetter (AirDOC), ISBN: 978-3-935687-71-1 construction and with limited
options for 1/48 Alpha Jets, this
Britmodeller: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/
is great addition to any
topic/234978148-dassault-dornier-alpha-jet/
modeller’s collection.

Wingman’s decals were thin and featured

perfect register — after a sealing layer
of Johnson’s Klear, A.MIG-1602 Deep
Grey PLW provided suitable definition to
the finely engraved panel lines.
 IN FOCUS
ALPHA JET
Franco-German Tutor
Mark Attrill focuses on the Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha
Jet, a European advanced jet trainer and light-attack aircraft
n the early 1960s, the priority
I for British and French
manufacturers was the
development of advanced
combat aircraft.
At that time, jet trainers had
evolved largely from existing
fighter types, such as the de
Havilland Vampire, Gloster
Meteor and Hawker Hunter.
The two nations established
a collaborative programme to
develop a new generation of
instructional aircraft, which could
also be used in a light-attack role.
However, conflicting concepts
and specifications ultimately
delivered a more complicated
design than originally envisaged,
namely the SEPECAT Jaguar, but
this was too costly and complex
for the intended trainer market.
20 Airfix Model World
Convergent interests
France was keen to tap into West
Germany’s newly resurgent
aviation industry, which had
finally recovered from its World
War Two demise, and reduce
the latter’s dependency on
US-manufactured products.
The UK’s early announcement
to withdraw and pursue
development of a dedicated
advanced jet trainer with attack
capabilities, which became
the Hawk, accelerated French
desires to collaborate with West
Germany. After protracted
discussions, the two nations
committed to an initial purchase
of 200 aircraft each to serve
two distinctly different roles.
France required a jet trainer to
replace its ageing T-33 and
Fouga Magister airframes, while
West Germany (which obtained
most of its military flying training
requirements through a bilateral
arrangement with the US), was in
need of a new close-air-support
(CAS) platform to replace its Fiat
G.91s. Three groups of European
manufacturers subsequently
produced proposals to meet the
Franco-German requirement
and in July 1970, the Dassault-
Breguet-Dornier design was
declared the winner.
Into production
Each prime contractor built
two prototypes and Dassault’s
(which had subsumed Breguet
in the early 1970s) first aircraft
conducted a maiden flight from
Istres, Marseille in October 1973.
The first German prototype
followed with an initial flight in
January 1974 and by the end of
the year all four initial airframes
were involved heavily in the
flight-test programme utilising
the different equipment fits
optimised for each variant.
From the beginning, the
Alpha Jet design philosophy
incorporated a simple airframe
around two jet engines
and a conventional flight-
control system. Its design
accommodated requirements
for rapid turnaround times, with
minimal need for ground support
equipment, a pressurised single-
point refuelling system and
The Alpha Jet used by the former
aerobatic team ‘Asas de Portugal’, and
these two examples were photographed
during a training flight prior to the
formation’s deactivation in 2010.
 IN FOCUS
ALPHA JET

simple cockpit entry/egress

regimes, all deemed important
factors for efficient flight
training and CAS missions. The
type’s original avionics were
austere by nature, all designed
to keep costs down as France
constantly eyed the potentially
lucrative export market for a jet
trainer and attack aircraft. Later
upgrade programmes would
focus on incorporating ‘glass’
cockpits and more advanced
avionics packages. From the
outset, though, the German ‘A’
(for Appui Tactique – Tactical
Strike) model was markedly
A French Air Force Alpha Jet operated by the École d’Aviation de Chasse 00.314, based at BA 705 Tours. (All Luigino Caliaro unless stated)
different to the French ‘E’ (for
École - School) variant and was
fitted with a more extensive tanks, AIM-9 Sidewinder/Matra Early service further effort to boost the type’s
weapons-aiming system, Magic air-to-air missiles, 68mm The first French production export potential, the French Air
enhanced fuel and brake systems rocket pods and Belouga or Alpha Jet E flew in late 1978 and Force’s aerobatic demonstration
and Stencel ejection seats in BL755 cluster bomb units. initial deliveries commenced team, Patrouille de France was
place of the trainer’s Martin- Early interest in the E-variant shortly afterwards, with the also re-equipped with the Alpha
Baker units. Both versions were from both Belgium and Egypt type formally introduced into Jets, having previously flown
wired for five hardpoints; the eventually led to further joint service with the Armée de l’Air Fouga’s Magister.
centreline was usually occupied manufacturing arrangements, in 1979. As planned, it replaced As planned, the West German
by a 27mm Mauser BK-27 (A) with SABCA in Belgium the T-33 Shooting Star and Luftwaffe used the Alpha Jet A
or 30mm DEFA (E) cannon producing major components Fouga Magister in the advanced in the light-attack role; the first
pod, though the latter was for the aircraft. Both countries jet trainer role, plus the ageing production aircraft completed its
rarely carried by Armée de l’Air ultimately performed final Dassault Mirage IVa as a weapons maiden flight in April 1978, with
examples. The four wing pylons assembly domestically for training platform. Just 176 deliveries commencing in March
could be used to carry a wide those aircraft operated by their aircraft were delivered by 1985, 1979. Most of the Luftwaffe’s 175
variety of stores including drop respective air arms. down from the original 200. In a aircraft were operated in the

Portuguese AF Alpha Jet of

Escuadra 103 ‘Caracóis’ at Beja
AFB in two-tone camouflage; the
nation’s aircraft were retired
officially on January 13, 2018,
after 25 years of service.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 21
 IN FOCUS
ALPHA JET
Patrouille de France Alpha Jets received
a special scheme for the 2017 season,
commemorating 100 years since the US
entered World War One. (Key Collection)
light-attack/CAS role, replacing
the Fiat G.91R3/4 fleet. Under
a bilateral arrangement with
Portugal, several aircraft were
also based in Beja for weapons
training, to take advantage of
the favourable climatic and
environmental conditions.
Despite stiff competition from
other European types, such as
the Aero L-39/59 Albatros, BAe
Hawk and Aermacchi MB-339,
Dassault-Dornier’s Alpha Jet
experienced modest success,
with 500-plus aircraft produced
ultimately for domestic and
overseas orders. Belgium was
one of the first to show interest,
given the common need to
replace its ageing Fouga Magister
fleet and the potential industrial
cooperation between that
nation’s SABCA and the Franco-
German consortium. An order
for 33 Alpha Jet 1B aircraft was
placed in 1973, with deliveries
taking place between 1978-80.
The largest export order came
from Egypt, which announced an
initial order for 30 Alpha Jet MS1
aircraft in 1978, with 26 examples
ultimately being assembled
locally, where they replaced the
22 Airfix Model World
Aero L-29 Delphin and MiG-15UTI
Midget as advanced trainers. A
second order for an additional 15
Alpha Jet MS2 aircraft followed
shortly afterwards. This variant
was based on the proposed Alpha
Jet Nouvelle Generation Appui/
Alpha Jets wore many special schemes during their Armée de L’Aire service; this EC7
airframe was painted to commemorate 30 years of the SEPECAT Jaguar. (Mark Attrill)
Ecole model, which featured
an advanced navigation/attack
system, laser-rangefinder and
HUD and replaced the last of
Egypt’s remaining MiG-17 Frescos.
France’s post-colonial influence
also allowed it to secure modest
sales from several African
countries still within its sphere of
interest; Cameroon, Ivory Coast,
Morocco and Togo all placed
orders for the E-variant, primarily
for use in the light-attack or
counter-insurgency (COIN) roles.
In time Qatar, as a long-term
purveyor of French military
aviation products, and Nigeria
also joined the list of those
nations operating the aircraft.
Operational service
During the height of the Cold
War, the West German Luftwaffe
operated the Alpha Jet A as a
highly effective light-attack/CAS
aircraft, which would have been
used extensively in the event of
conflict between NATO and the
Warsaw Pact. A modest upgrade
package was started shortly after
the last examples had entered
service, such was its value to the
Luftwaffe, although an ambitious
improved combat efficiency
programme was ultimately
cancelled towards the end of the
Cold War.
Further afield, the Moroccan
and Nigerian Air Forces made
extensive use of their Alpha

The oposite side of the Alpha Jet on the facing page, revealing a sharkmouth unde the nose and Jaguar patch on the tail. (Mark Attrill)
Jet fleets in regional conflicts.
In 1979, the former’s 24 Alpha
Jet Es were organised into two
squadrons, conducting training
and the COIN role respectively.
They were used extensively
against the Polisario Front during
the Western Sahara War (1975-
1991), with at least one recorded
loss in 1985.
Nigeria has also used its Alpha
Jets in combat operations,
with its aircraft deployed in
the early 1990s, in support of
Economic Community of West
African States’ Monitoring
Group operations during the
Liberian Civil War. More than
3,000 missions were conducted
against opposition HQs, convoys,
shipping, roads and airfields.
Despite these successes, the
Alpha Jet fleet then entered
a hiatus, before the Nigerian
This Portuguese Alpha Jet A, 15250, from 301 Squadron, received striking Jaguar artwork for the 2001 NATO TIger Meet, held at Kleine Brogel , Belgium. (Mark Attrill)
Air Force took steps in 2013 to
return the aircraft to service in
response to an urgent need for
COIN-capable assets, to counter
the Boko Haram terrorist/
insurgency group. At least half of
the original fleet was reportedly
reintroduced to the front line,
and have undertaken a wide
variety of combat operations.
A second life
To prolong the type’s operational
life as a jet trainer, both
Belgium and France upgraded
their Alpha Jet Es. The former
completed an in-service
improvement programme on a
large percentage of its fleet in
the early 2000s to deliver the
1B+ configuration, with a new
inertial navigation system, GPS
receiver and head-up display, to
ready its pilots for the F-16AM.
After a prolonged period, the
Armée de l’Air adopted a similar
systems upgrade in 2009, with a
number of its E models receiving
‘glass’ cockpits to improve
compatability with the Dassault
Rafale and Mirage 2000.
In contrast, by 1992 the German
Luftwaffe was keen to phase
out most of its Alpha Jet A fleet
as part of a comprehensive
drawdown of convential forces
in Europe. A total of 45 aircraft
were retained initially for
lead-in fighter training, but
Portugal received 50 in 1993
to replace its ageing T-38 Talon
and Fiat G.91R3/4 fleets. Two
squadrons were equipped with
the type and during its early
service OGMA, the Portuguese
defence contractor, upgraded
the navigation, electronic
countermeasures and defensive
IN FOCUS
ALPHA JET
aids suites. In 1997, the Força
Aérea Portuguesa (FAP)
(inspired by the Patrouilie
de France), reformed its own
aerobatic display team ‘Asas
de Portugal’, with Alpha Jets
displayed at air shows until its
disbandment in 2010. After 25
years of valuable service, the
FAP retired the last of its Alpha
Jets in January 2018.
Twenty-five ex-Luftwaffe
aircraft were also sold to
Thailand, replacing the Rockwell
OV-10A Bronco in the COIN and
border-patrol roles, and the
British Defence Evaluation and
Research Agency, operated by
QinetiQ, obtained 12 for support
roles such as chase aircraft,
and target facilitation and
work on the test-pilot training
programme, to relieve its hard-
pressed BAe Hawk fleet.
Bright future
More than 20 ex-Luftwaffe
aircraft also found their way onto
the civilian market. The type’s
largest operator is the Top Aces
divison of Canadian aviation
specialist Discovery Air Defence,
which purchased 16 aircraft
and now delivers contracted
adversary and hostile threat
simulation to several military
clients. Several aircraft were
purchased by private individuals
or companies, such as the ‘Flying
Bulls’ in Austria, all attracted by
the Alpha Jet’s low operating and
maintenance costs, which means
this stylish type will grace
the skies for years to come.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 23
 OUT AND ABOUT
IPMS FENLAND & SPALDING

wares into the ‘Wings and Things’

Holbeach Hoedown
venue it seemed rather apt!
Admittedly I’m not sure what
music it would have been set to,
but it summed up this sociable
 Nigel Fletcher's gathering perfectly; indeed, the
superb Kit Form camaraderie between the clubs
Services 1/24 FV432 and special interest groups is one
Mortar Carrier of the aspects I enjoy about this
featured amazing event. The layout was tweaked
detail both inside this year, and it made for a more
and outside, and was spacious feel to the main rooms,
deservedly awarded
allowing plenty of room for
Best in Show.
visitors to browse the displays
and traders’ stands.
The club held an open
competition (if it’s on the table
it’s included), and this year’s
senior Best-in-Show was awarded
to West Suffolk Modeller Nigel
Fletcher, for his Kit Form Services
1/24 FV 432 Mortar Carrier.
The junior prize went to IPMS
Belvoir’s Jack Tinkler, for his
airbrushed Airfix 1/48 P-40B
Warhawk. Next year’s show is
already being planned, and it’s
one on my list to attend

I
t might seem strange to already. Stu Fone
compare a model show to folk
dancing, but after watching VIEW MORE ONLINE
modellers manoeuvring their www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Meticulous painting and scratch-built figures were the standout items on George Cate's
L'Arsenal 1/350 Flower-class corvette, with the base adding a further touch of class.

 The flawless finish on this Revell 1/24 '58 Chevy Gasser Corvette was one of many fine
exhibits on the IPMS (UK) Car and Motorcycle Special Interest Group stand.

 North Norfolk modeller Gary Welsh matched the tones on his Polar LIghts 1/1000 USS  Jack Tinkles' Airfix 1/48 P-40B Warhawk featured his first-ever attempt at airbrushing,
Enterprise and SS Botany Bay with the original TV models, now on display in the Smithsonian. and was the Junior Best in Show. (All photos Stu Fone)

24 Airfix Model World

 QUALI TY
FROME MODEL CENTRE

86
M OD ELLI N G

19
ce
sin
PROD UCTS

ed
Service and quality the way it should be

ish
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ta
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We are one of t he largest independent fam ily run m odel shop in t he
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of Som erset . We offer our cust om ers probably t he largest , m ost
diverse range of m odelling product s under one roof wit h very helpful
and friendly service second t o none.
We have m any years of experience in t he m odel t rade and we offer
free solid advice on all t he ranges we st ock ( which is in t he region of
40,000 lines) not t o m ent ion t he count less num ber of goodies t hat
are available and which we are m ore t han happy t o order for you,
if we had t he space we would st ock t hem all!
So if you’re new t o t he m odelling hobby, an int erm ediat e or a
vet eran m odeller we will have som et hing t o wet your appet it e.

FROM E M OD EL CEN TRE FR EE

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Em ail: sales@from e- m odel- cent re.com

w w w .fr om e m ode lce nt r e .com

 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

the

art of

war
Jay Blakemore masters RP
Models’ new limited-edition
75mm Sun Tzu release to
bring a legendary Chinese
general to life

S
un Tzu was a general,
military strategist and
philosopher who, according
to tradition, lived in China
from 544-496 BC. He was credited
with the authorship of The Art
of War, a military treatise on the
philosophy of tactics and warfare
that is still considered by
many to be the greatest
work of its kind ever
written. Indeed, it’s taught
and studied at military
academies to this day, and
influenced many of
history’s greatest
military

26 Airfix Model World

 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

Although few in number, all the resin components

displayed exquisite detail; the horse featured
integrally moulded saddlery and tack, with
convincingly wrought quilting and fabric effects.

The leg-less falcon impressed

with its delicately cast flight
feathers, though there was
an amount of flash to remove.
A casting fault meant that
the hooked bill required
reconstructing with Milliput.

 The horse comprised just four parts, with the major joins being either hidden beneath
the quilted saddle or disguised by the breast girth strap. Small amounts of filler were
required to hide the seams completely.
 Unlike the figures, which were cast in soft, smooth resin, the sizable base was created
with a harder, roughly textured material. An outcrop of jagged rocks formed a slightly
elevated background, although it wasn’t used during the build.

tacticians. He was actually born when it came to assembly. The guidance on assembly. portrayed wonderfully; the fine
Sun Wu and was known by those contents were packed diligently The casting quality was evident detail on the segmented armour
outside his family by the name in zip-lock bags, and protected immediately upon removing and circular shield was notable
Changqing; the honorific suffix of with bubble wrap and air-filled the components, and the figure for its refinement and the latter
‘Tzu’ was bestowed later in his life cushioning. Needless to say, comprised ten body parts item featured an embossed
and identified him as ‘Master’ Sun. there were no breakages on (including a second, severed, head) writhing dragon.
the example received. Also and 12 pieces of equipment, all The general’s horse consisted
Boxing clever included was an A4-information rendered perfectly in smooth, grey of four body parts, with integrally
The latest limited-edition resin sheet with a short biography on resin. Facial expressions of both cast saddlery and tack. As
release in RP Models’ ‘Generals Sun Tzu, but no recognisable the general and his victim were impressive as the detail on
and Commanders’ series arrived
packaged in a sturdy top-opening
box emblazoned with a glossy
maroon-tinted photograph of the
completed figure which, although
striking, proved of little value
MODEL SPEC

Sun Tzu
By: RP Models
Stock Code: RPM-75-12-0003
Scale: 75mm
Price: £70
Available from: www.rpmodels.pt

 Featuring very few components, the Sun Tzu figure required minimal assembly, and construction was aided by way of the chunky socket
joins. The hands, right arm and head weren’t attached until after painting.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 27
 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

rather than a break. As noted,
Alclad’s Grey Primer and Microfiller ensured a smooth surface
for the firm’s metallic lacquers; a mix of Chrome and Brass
the falcon’s delicate legs were
provided a pale golden colour for the saddlery. part of the general’s arm and this
contained an integral mounting
rod for the raptor’s body; further
testament to the quality of
production, and without which the
bird would certainly have broken
during assembly. Three fragile
arrows, a feathered plume and a
curling length of twisted-rope rein
demanded careful handling, unlike
the large, rock-strewn base, which
was supplied as a tough, textured
resin component.
Precious metal
Removing the parts from their
casting blocks and washing them
this and the rider was, it was the outspread flight feathers were in warm soapy water proved
falcon that really stood out. Cast paper-thin and perfectly formed, a more protracted task than
as a single-piece item (apart from as were the delicately serrated building the model, as the limited
the legs, which cleverly were cast rows of feathers that ringed the number of parts meant basic
as part of the general’s arm), the hollow leg-sockets. Only the bird’s assembly of both horse and
raptor was a perfect example bill was deficient, in that it was rider was straightforward and
of just how advanced the art of missing the characteristic hook, accomplished quickly. Filler was
resin production has become. The which seemed to be a casting fault required to disguise pronounced
gaps along the major joins, such
as those edging the rider’s waist-
band and the horse’s girth and
neck-straps. Initially, Sun Tzu was
only built partially — his head, right
arm and all equipment were dealt
with separately.
These were drilled and mounted
on individual lengths of metal
rod to facilitate painting, which
began with a generous coat of
Alclad ALC-302 Grey Primer and
Microfiller on all components.
This versatile and quick-drying
lacquer-based product worked
well on resin, and though intended
primarily for use with the firm’s
own products, provided the
perfect surface for most paint
types, including the enamels used
here. Designed to provide a deep
lustre for its metallic lacquers,
Alclad’s ALC-305 Gloss Black Base
Primer was then applied to the
general’s armour and the horse’s
saddlery/tack, onto which the
metallic lacquers were added in

Humbrol masking fluid protected the metallic harness

parts, which allowed for an overall airbrushed basecoat to
be applied, providing a dark brown surface upon which to
blend increasingly lighter flesh tones.

 The basic shadows and highlights were formed and then left to dry. These continued to
receive attention throughout the build, with increasingly lighter shades added and blended
until the desired tones were achieved.

 In all, eight individual colours were used to create the horse’s skin tones, some of which
can be seen here. They were applied directly onto the model and blended to create soft
shadows and highlights.

28 Airfix Model World

 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

 All the basic colours have been applied to the horse, with several previous colour
combinations having been rejected. Further shadows and highlights were added using various
mixes of black, pale blue and purple hues.
 Humbrol’s Maskol was used throughout the painting process to protect primed areas from
metallic overspray, such as with the general’s helmet. The purple-tinted masking fluid was
removed with a pair of pointed tweezers, with care taken not to damage the primed surface.

two stages. First, ALC-107 Chrome sufficiently to the cloak’s folds, so create the second. in place, this was oversprayed
was airbrushed, followed by ALC- a duplicate was fashioned from The upper surface of the cloak with dark blue. Once dry, the tape
109 Brass, the intention being to normal household masking tape, was pre-painted with homemade was removed, and the dragon’s
create a sense of ambiguity as using the original template to dark-yellow and with the mask twisting image revealed. At this
to the exact nature of the metal
being replicated.
A patina of age was then affected
by removing some of the brass
layer to reveal brighter areas
underneath. This was achieved
once the lacquered layers had
hardened, by ‘scrubbing’ the
metallic areas away with a worn,
stiff paint brush, dampened
with white spirit, until the brass
paint had deteriorated. It was
particularly effective on raised
details, such as the serpent
design on the shield and the
links connecting the individual
body armour plates. Care must
be taken when attempting this
technique, however, so as not to
overdo it and remove the metallic
finish entirety. If this does happen,
then a re-spray will of course be
required. The aging process was
enhanced further with washes
of Humbrol 120 Light Green and
black enamels.

Dragons by design
I decided the prominent but
featureless cloak would benefit
from an example of classically
inspired artwork, to which end a
writhing Chinese dragon, similar
to that on the embossed shield,
was sourced from the internet.
Duplicating such a complex design
in miniature was never going to
be straightforward, especially with
the cloak’s undulating surface, and
so a scale image was produced
on a home printer, the outline of
which was traced initially onto
a piece of low-tack artists’
masking film. Unfortunately,
this wouldn’t adhere

www.airfixmodelworld.com 29
 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU
Sun Tzu’s falcon was easily the highlight,
with wafer-thin primary feathers and a
convincing pose. It was joined to the arm
via integrally cast metal rods, which fitted
holes in the otherwise fragile legs.
early stage, the intention was to
replicate the source design in its
entirety, including a panel of black-
and gold-striped
hatching, wave forms and
pools, and to this end the
bottom edge of the cloak was
masked painstakingly and
black stripes applied. This idea
was later dropped in favour of
a simplified design, which it was
felt would have more immediate
impact. In fact, there would be
many changes made
to both the overall
30 Airfix Model World
The figure was similarly
simple to construct, with
upper/lower torso halves,
and separate limbs. Gaps
were treated with Milliput,
which was shaped while
still wet; once dry it
received Alclad primer.
colour pallet and the designs
applied to the general’s uniform
and his mount’s accoutrements
before the project was concluded.
The dragon’s features were
developed over several sessions,
beginning with a basic coloured
‘sketch’. When dry, the design was
over-painted, using an assortment
of enamels, which were mixed
directly onto the cloak’s surface to
flesh out the beast’s body.
Light and shade
Enamels can be used in much the
same way as oils, as their extended
drying times allow for subtle
blending to be performed directly
on the model’s primed surface.
Paints used
Humbrol
63 Sand
94 Brown Yellow
225 Middle Stone
148 Radome Tan
186 Brown
113 Rust
72 Khaki Drill
61 Flesh
104 Oxford Blue
65 Aircraft Blue
131 Mid Green
42 Violet
130 White
24 Trainer Yellow
60 Scarlet
85 Coal Black
Colourcoats
ACUS28 True Blue
ACRN31 WW2 Oxford Blue
ACD10 KLu Lim. Whisky Four Jungle Green
ACRN10 Dark Earth

 Gloss black paint was then airbrushed
onto the armour sections, after the rest of
the figure was masked with tape.
The most effective method is to
use the paint sparingly, applying
it in minimal quantities to a small
area at a time, to prevent a muddy
confusion of colours. However, the
blending process only works while
the enamels remain malleable, and
once they begin to harden they
should be left to dry fully and the
process continued with fresh paint
in a different spot. Continuing to
work on an area where the paint
has already begun to cure will
simply cause it to shift and so spoil
any blending.
Thereafter, over-painting can
only be performed once the initial
shades have dried thoroughly.
In this way, several layers can
be built-up. Utilising these
characteristics, it’s also possible
 The black areas then received a metallic
finish, which comprised an initial layer of
Alclad’s Chrome…
to correct mistakes; if the base
enamels have been allowed to
harden, then newer paint can
be ‘washed off’ while still soft,
using the appropriate thinner or
white spirit applied with a soft
brush. Employing this method,
it was possible to remove those
unwanted designs that had
been applied to the cloak – as
mentioned previously – without
damaging the garment’s base-
shades or the dragon design.
The individual sub-assemblies
were painted in this fashion, and
both the clothing and skin-tones
benefited from the blending
process. With the painting all but
finished, the components were
brought together so further
highlights and shadows could be
Once the red/brown mix
used to paint the leather
armour and belts was dry,
darker washes were added
to create shadows. Clearly
visible are the general’s
boots, with their Alclad
Chrome base coat.
…followed by Brass. Once dry, this
was scrubbed to remove the upper coat,
revealing the brighter underlying hue.
added. A combination of white,
light blue and lilac hues colours
created lighter tones, which
were applied to those areas of
the figure, horse and saddlery
it was felt would catch the light,
based on an environment strongly
influenced by the underlying snow
and perceived wintry overcast.
In this way the once disparate
assemblies received a more
uniform appearance. Finally,
darker shades were added
beneath such items as the flapping
cloak, slung shield and rider’s
legs, where they would naturally
cast shadows and so affect those
colours around them. These
tonal changes were applied after
attaching the model to its base,
therefore keeping handling to a
FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU
 A dark brown wash then emphasised
the individual plates — the leather portion
received a brown basecoat at this stage.
minimum. A turntable was utilised
during this process to rotate the
entire structure and provide better
access to otherwise difficult-to-
reach sections.
Rocky road
Though the rock-strewn resin base
provided was perfectly adequate, it
was felt something more dramatic
was desirable. An expedition to a
nearby landscaped supermarket
car park, therefore, provided a
bag full of slate chips, which would
be mounted on a cheap medium-
density fibre board (MDF) base, to
form a raised plinth for the figure.
A low-cost, routed MDF base
was procured from an internet
auction site and this was coated
with an aerosol enamel primer.
Focus then shifted to
the tunic, with the blue
tone formed from a
blend of Humbrol and
Colourcoats enamels.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 31
 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

 A suitable dragon design to compliment

that on the embossed shield was sourced
from the internet; originally it was intended
to copy the design in its entirety, but the
small cloak quickly appeared over-busy and
the design was simplified.

 Initially, the cloak received a dark yellow

enamel basecoat, applied by airbrush, over
which a dragon-shaped mask (cut from
household masking tape) was secured
centrally. The grey primer remains visible
on the cloak’s upper portion.

Next, a coat of dark blue was

applied. Originally, it was
intended the cloak would
feature a design along
the hem also, and with
the masking tape
removed, both yellow
areas are visible.

The base was extremely rough,
especially on the routed edges, so
layers of primer/filler were built
over several sessions, with each
dry coat wet-sanded until smooth.
Once the desired surface had
been achieved, a generous coat
of Humbrol’s gloss black enamel
was applied by airbrush and
allowed to dry thoroughly over
several days before being masked
with tissue paper and household
decorator’s tape to protect them.
Next, the slate chips were
manoeuvred repeatedly, until a
pleasing arrangement had been
formulated. They were then
secured to the base via a hot-
glue gun.
An internal core, carved from
a block of balsa wood, was then
inserted into the hollow centre of
the arrangement to strengthen
the structure and to create a
foundation for the groundwork.
This was created with Milliput,
which was manipulated into
shape with wooden sculpting
tools. Additional rocks were also
sculpted from the malleable
modelling material to bridge gaps
between the mis-matched slates to
make the entire structure appear
like a natural rocky outcrop.
Before the Milliput had hardened
completely, the triangular lugs
extending from the horse’s hooves
were pressed into the soft material
and removed immediately to
leave indents, into which the
completed figure would later be
fixed permanently. To emphasise
the movement of the horse,
snow-sprays were created via a
few stiff, nylon bristles cut from
an old paint brush and inserted
into the Milliput. These were
formed into fan-like structures
emanating from the hooves
and onto which randomly torn
fragments of partially dry Milliput
were secured to represent flung

 Black diagonal stripes were created with thin strips of masking tape, although these  The dragon’s features were ‘sketched’ in the appropriate colours and a filigree/wave
would eventually be removed eventually and the area overpainted. pattern added to the black stripes.

32 Airfix Model World

 FIGURE BUILD
SUN TZU

 The snow, which was sculpted from Milliput, was painted initially with pale blue enamel
and overpainted in white, leaving the darker colour visible in places to create shadows. A
final sprinkling of crushed glass added a frosty sparkle.

 Natural slate shards were placed on a turned MDF base, until a pleasing arrangement was
found. A hot glue-gun was then used to secure them, and a balsa wood plug inserted to add
structural strength.

particles of snow. primary requirement when

Colouring began with the building a figure such as this is
scratch-built rocks, which were imagination, and the hard work
brush-painted using a combination lies not within the construction,
of dark greys, browns and black but within the painting.
enamels to match their natural Twenty individual shades were
slate surroundings. The snowy used on this model, and these
areas were painted initially in a were either Humbrol (www.
very pale blue mix, oversprayed humbrol.com) or Colourcoats
with pure white. When the (www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk)
enamels had dried, water-thinned enamels (see panel). Few if any of
PVA glue was used to secure a these tones were used straight
scattering of crushed glass to the from the tin, but were applied
surface. Such products are readily to the model as described
available from a variety of scenic previously and blended to create
accessory suppliers and added a a harmonious mix of light
frosty sparkle to replicate snow. and dark to bring life to this
beautifully produced resin
All a quiver masterpiece. It will be very
RP Models’ Sun Tzu offers interesting to see other
few difficulties with regards modellers’ interpretations
to assembly, though the lack of Sun Tzu in the not-
of instructions did mean the too-distant future.
positioning of components was
left very much to the builders’
imagination. This could lead to
mistakes, and in this instance,
when looking at digital pre-
production images of the figure
(after construction the model
was completed), it was noticed
the arrow-filled quiver was
actually fitted upside-down and
consequently back to front. With
a figure such as Sun Tzu, whose
appearance and costume
can only be surmised, such
‘mistakes’ are insignificant
as long as the model
looks ‘right’. Indeed,
the modeller’s

www.airfixmodelworld.com 33
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE
WHIRLY
Mike Grant branches out and builds
S&M’s 1/72 Bristol Sycamore helicopter
ccording to the company
A website, this is the first 1/72
injection-moulded kit of the
Sycamore ever produced.
 Minor scuff marks were present on the clear parts, but these disappeared when the
glazing was dipped in Johnson’s Pledge/Future Klear.
34 Airfix Model World
EARLY
Vague memories of having seen
a Glencoe effort in the same
scale led to a web search; sure
enough, the model existed but
was in fact 1/65 and of dubious
accuracy. There have been vac-
form and resin items, but S&M’s
claim stands up. It’s a somewhat
surprising statistic given the
Sycamore’s significance: it was
only the second helicopter to
enter service with the RAF
(1953) and was involved in
several military conflicts, as well
as enjoying export and civilian
success.
Impressive contents
S&M’s kit comprised three
styrene runners (two grey and
one clear), a small decal sheet
and colour painting instructions.
The parts featured very fine
 Fine detail on the rotor head included rivets on the blade attachment plates; note the
thin attachment points.
moulded detail, so much so
that a couple of the smaller
components were broken on the
frame. A slight pebbly texture
was evident in several areas,
although this would be more
problematic on a high-gloss
finish – the texture virtually
disappeared after being painted
and varnished. Typical of the
kit’s short-run nature, there
were no location pins, nor parts
numbering on the runners,
although they were identified
clearly on the instruction sheet.
Unsurprisingly the construction
sequence began with the
Sycamore’s cabin, most of
which was visible through the

 Unfortunately, there were sink marks
present on both seats — these were filled
and the texture then re-scribed.
extensive glazing. Two significant
sink-marks in the forward
seats were filled and then the
cushion texture re-scribed,
before they were painted, and
seat belts added from strips of
painted ParaFilm. Buckles were
cut from various Eduard pre-
painted photo-etched (PE) metal
MODEL SPEC
Bristol Type 171 Sycamore
By: S&M Models
Stock Code: SMK72-37
Scale: 1/72
Price: £19.99
Available from: S&M Models
www.sandmmodels.co.uk
Typical of many short-run kits, the runner
attachment points were situated on the
mating surfaces and needed sanding
before the parts could
be attached.
 Three sheets of stretched Parafilm
were laminated, sliced into strips
and then sprayed XF-78 Wooden
Deck Tan on both sides, to create
flexible seat harnesses.
harness sets. The canvas rear
seats appeared convincing but
lacked the restraining cables, so
these were replicated with heat-
stretched runner. Somewhere
along the way I mislaid the
instrument panel fairing (part
20) so a new item was made from
styrene sheet. S&M provided a
decal for the instrument panel
itself, which settled neatly into
the circular recesses with just a
touch of solvent.
Crew ‘goldfish bowl’
Although not mentioned in
the instructions, it was felt the
finished Sycamore would likely
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE
 The instrument panel housing went
missing during the build, and was replaced
with a section of styrene sheet.
Similarly, the rear cabin
canvas seats benefited
from scratch-built stays
(replicated with stretched
sprue) in addition to the
Parafilm lap-restraints.
be a tail-sitter, so lead fishing
weights were crushed flat with
pliers and glued below the
cabin floor. It was then time to
assemble the fuselage halves
and install the completed cabin
assembly; the fit was excellent
and belied the kit’s short-run
status.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 35
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE

The entire forward fuselage
was clear, comprising four parts,
and required the modeller to
mask individual windows – a
much more convincing approach
than installing separate window
pieces into apertures. These
components went together well,
with Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
applied sparingly along the
mating edges. Having decided
on the kit’s German Search and
Rescue (SAR) option, it was
necessary to tint the upper
cabin windows via Tamiya
X-26 Clear Orange, airbrushed
in several thin layers. Next,
the glazing was masked with
ParaFilm, then the dark grey
interior colour was sprayed over
the entire forward fuselage.
Luminescent hue
Day-Glo colours can be difficult
to airbrush, requiring many
coats to achieve solid coverage.
As my supply of Mr. Hobby 173
Fluorescent Orange lacquer was
low, I took a different approach;
after several applications of
Tamiya White Primer, the hi-vis
areas were airbrushed with
‘regular’ orange, in this case
Mr. Hobby 59. Once the desired
opacity had been achieved, it
required just a few final light

 Lead fishing weights were crushed with pliers to fit the available space and glued below
the cabin floor, to prevent the finished model from tail-sitting.

 Upper cabin windows had an orange anti-glare tint, replicated here with X-26 Clear
Orange, airbrushed in several thin coats.
 The windows were masked with Parafilm, although cutting
the shapes freehand with a scalpel caused
a degree of angst.

Four clear parts created the forward

fuselage section; fortunately, the fit was
excellent and the glazing sections allowed
all the extra interior detail to be visible.

36 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE

Once masked, the clear

areas were airbrushed dark
grey to replicate interior framing,
while the remaining fuselage received
white primer, followed by several coats  Random patches of light yellow were sprayed on the hi-vis areas, to simulate fading.
of Mr. Hobby 59 as the orange base
for the subsequent fluorescent paint.  Thinned black oil paint served as a panel line wash, and was flowed into the recesses
around the many integrally moulded grilles.

Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green, diluted

with the firm’s Lacquer Thinner, was
chosen for the main airframe colour.

The panel lines and grille areas

Helicopter choices were also accentuated in the
same way, and Testors’ lacquer-
based 1160 Dullcote was applied
to produce the final matt finish.
It was decided to replace the
flimsy plastic undercarriage

This was the ‘German and Belgian’ release (it’s also available in ‘British and
Australian’ and ‘Civil’ boxings), and included the following markings options:
• Sycamore Mk. 52, WE+543, MFG 5, Kiel, Germany, 1963
• Sycamore HR.14B, B-2/OT-ZKB, Belgian Air Force, Kamina (Congo), 1964

layers of the Day-Glo hue.

Random patches of light yellow struts with sections of brass
followed to simulate fading, tubing, because of the added
before the hi-res panels were nose weight and the bulk of the
Sycamore’s cabin, using the kit
parts to determine the correct
lengths. Additional detail, such
as navigation lights, was added
masked and the remaining at the same time, referencing
airframe received Dark Green. photos from the excellent
S&M’s decals were thin and Primeportal (www.primeportal.
opaque, but suffered from net) website.
mis-registration of the
white, most evident on Whirling blades
the Luftwaffe crosses The main rotor is a focal point of
and codes. They any helicopter model, and S&M
conformed well to the did a good job of replicating
model’s surface, with the busy hub assembly.
a minimum of setting Obviously, a degree of
solvent. Tamiya’s X-22 simplification was
Gloss Clear was applied to necessary, but
seal the decals and, light it appeared
weathering effects were convincing
applied with oils. enough

www.airfixmodelworld.com 37
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE

Rotor tips were sprayed

XF-3 Flat Yellow; note the
added slight curvature
added to the blades by
flexing them repeatedly
between finger and thumb.  A section of brass tubing was sunk into the rotor housing, to enable the rotor to be
detached for transport and/or easier handling.

 The rotor attachments were quite fragile  It’s rare for rotor stencils to be suplied,
and inevitably, I snapped one. A section so S&M is to be applauded here. Their Smaller diameter rod was then glued
of brass tube, glued into pre-drilled holes, appearance seemed stark, though, so they to the rotor, which enabled it to be
resolved this problem. were over-sprayed with diluted black. dropped into place and spin freely.

 Dots of oil paint were applied

to the blades and dragged with
a thinner-moistened brush to
create streaks.

A slight bend was applied

to each of the three blades by
when painted and after a wash gently and repeatedly flexing
of oily brown to emphasise the them between thumb and
detail. A section of brass tubing forefinger, and then securing
was glued into the rotor housing, them to the rotor head.
while a narrower diameter brass Unfortunately, I failed to notice
rod replaced the main shaft; I had the blades fitted upside
this enabled the rotor assembly down – a basic, schoolboy error
to spin freely, as well as being that effectively resulted in my
removable, which enabled easier gluing them on back-to-front.
transportation and storage. The fault was entirely mine, and

38 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
BRISTOL SYCAMORE

the kit instructions clearly show
the correct configuration. There
really was no other option but
to remove the blades, strip the
paint, curve them the opposite
way, re-paint and re-attach.
Hopefully my embarrassing
mistake will serve as a cautionary
reminder to carefully check
before attaching the blades.
With the final details added
– the neatly detailed winch,
foot holds, tail rotor and a pair
of windscreen wipers from
Hauler’s photo-etched set
(HLR87110) – the finished model
looked every inch Bristol’s
classic helicopter design.
Deciduous delight
Although a short-run kit, S&M’s
Sycamore was a straightforward
build and well-detailed, the
window areas being particularly
well executed. Care was needed
in removing some of the smaller
parts from the sprues due to
their fine moulding, but by the
same token their finesse added
to the overall realism of the
model. Comparison with photos
of the real aircraft showed
plenty of scope for additional
detailing, but even straight from
the box, it was a kit without
vices. Watch out for those
rotor blades though...

 Several fragile components were prone
to snapping while being detached from
the runners. Leaving part of the runner
attached alleviated the problem.
 A slip of the hand while brush-painting the pitot tube led to this smear on the
Sycamore’s nose; the area was primed and re-painted.
 It was only while photographing the model I realized I’d attached the rotor blades upside
down! Remedial work was required to correct the error.

Items were then neatened

with sanding sticks, although
in this particular case the
undercarriage legs were
ultimately replaced with
brass tubing.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 39
 IN FOCUS
BRISTOL SYCAMORE

 Civil-operated Type 171-series

helicopters were given many tasks. This
Australian National Airways example,
VH-INO, is seen here carrying a large
magnetometer as an underslung load
for locating mineral ore deposits.
(Key Collection)

Rotary-wing

Bristol’s Sycamore was Britain’s first major series-production

helicopter. Malcolm V Lowe tells the story of this important
Pioneer D
evelopment of successful,
viable helicopter designs
made significant progress
during the 1940s. Several
type’s military and civil operations early rotary types were in
production before the end of
World War Two, but this was just
the start of the growing use of this
type of aircraft that mushroomed
across the world during the post-
war years. In Britain, the Bristol
Aeroplane Company became
one of the main early pioneers
of viable production helicopter
designs, the first major example
of which was the company’s long-
running Type 171. Known almost
universally by its military name
of Sycamore, this pioneering
helicopter had a varied and
virtually world-wide service life, in
both civil and military colours.

Pioneering work
Bristol was one of several
British companies that became
involved in early helicopter
 The very first Bristol Type 171 was Mk.1 VL958, which made its maiden flight during July 1947. Subsequent production machines were built development and production.
by Bristol at Filton, and later at Oldmixon (Weston-super-Mare). (Malcolm V Lowe Collection) During the latter stages of World

40 Airfix Model World


 The Royal Australian Navy operated several examples of the Type 171/Sycamore family. This example, XD654/909, was a Sycamore HR.51,
and was photographed operating remotely in Tasmania to carry a section of heavy concrete pipe. (Key Collection)
War Two a separate division was
established within the company,
with development work principally
carried out near Bristol at Filton.
Significant to the company’s
ambitions in the developing world
of the helicopter was the hiring of
an important Austrian rotorcraft
pioneer. He was Raoul Hafner, and
the seriousness with which Bristol
considered the future of rotary-
wing flight saw much pioneering
work undertaken at Filton. A
major outdoor test rig was set up
there to aid helicopter main rotor
performance development.
Bristol’s design team set about
meeting a Ministry of Supply
requirement, Specification E.20/45,
which led to a helicopter format
that was assigned the company
designation Type 171. Hafner
and his team chose what was by
then becoming established as a
‘standard’ design layout, featuring
a single horizontal main rotor,
above the machine’s fuselage, and
a separate vertical tail rotor, with a
tricycle undercarriage.
The design and manufacture of
two initial prototypes proceeded
slowly. These earliest examples
were known as the Type 171 Mk.1,
and were each powered by a
single engine, the 450hp Pratt
& Whitney Wasp Junior nine-
cylinder radial engine. Bearing
the British military serial number
VL958, the first of these made
its maiden flight on July 27, 1947,
with test pilot Alan Henry Marsh
at the controls, accompanied by
IN FOCUS
BRISTOL SYCAMORE
Eric Swiss – the latter subsequently
became the Type 171 programme’s
chief test pilot. A second example,
VL 963 (afterwards G-ALOU), flew
in early 1948.
The two-seat Mk.1 was a very
basic machine, but the type’s
successful initial flights allowed
the granting of a Certificate of
Airworthiness during the first half
of 1949 – the first awarded to a
British helicopter design. However,
as Bristol’s design team became
more experienced, the Type 171
began to mature. The subsequent
Mk.2 had a vertical crankshaft,
thus simplifying the connection to
the main rotor (Mk.1 examples had
a horizontal crankshaft, needing
a more complicated mechanical
drive system), and was important
in introducing the Alvis Leonides
nine-cylinder radial engine to
the Type 171 programme – all
subsequent machines had variants
of this powerplant. The Mk.2 was
a four-seater and was associated
with Specification E.34/46; the
single example, VW905/G-AJGU,
first flew during September 1949.
Maturing design
Continuing development led to
the Mk.3, which was the first
version to be built in numbers, and
therefore became the first British-
designed helicopter to enter series
production. Manufactured in both
civil and military guise, it featured
a redesigned fuselage/cabin area
and a more compact Leonides
engine layout; this allowed for
a better arrangement of the
various engine accessories. Two
Mk.3A with a specially-modified
cabin (containing extra baggage
 The Sycamore HC.10 was evaluated for ambulance duties, carrying two stretchers. In capacity) were operated by
these early machines the pilot sat on the left. The medical orderly’s swivel seat was on the British European Airways (BEA)
right, with Perspex blisters giving sufficient width for the two stretchers. (Key Collection) on freight and passenger
 During the later years of their RAF service, several Sycamores wore very smart colour schemes. XG544 was celebrated as the last
Sycamore in RAF service, with 32 Squadron during 1972, and was later preserved. (Key Collection)
www.airfixmodelworld.com 41
 IN FOCUS
BRISTOL SYCAMORE
British European Airways (BEA)
operated two civil Type 171 Mk.3A
examples, having previously also
flown early Mk.3 G-ALSR. The
Mk.3A G-AMWG is seen here in
full BEA livery. (Key Collection)
flights within Britain, registered
G-AMWG and G-AMWH. Several
examples were also built for British
military appraisal. They included
the Sycamore HC.10 ambulance
conversion for British Army
assessment; the HC.11 for possible
Army communications work; and
the HR.12 for RAF search and
rescue (SAR)/air-sea rescue/anti-
submarine duties, evaluated by
Coastal Command.
Further development work
on the Type 171 layout during
the early 1950s resulted in the
Mk.4, which became the main
production model for RAF service.
It differed from its predecessors
in having a redesigned, taller
landing gear, which gave more
ground clearance. The main
cabin was again altered, with four
 A number of Type 171 helicopters were employed on sales tours and demonstrations. This example, CF-HVX, made a ferry flight in stages
from Winnipeg, Canada, and is illustrated here in Mexico City, outside the Ministry of Communications building. (Key Collection)
42 Airfix Model World
entrance doors and seating for
five (including two crew), and the
type had an increased maximum
take-off weight. By this stage, the
pilot’s position had been relocated
to the right-hand seat rather than
the left in previous marks. For SAR
duties it could be equipped with an
external hydraulic winch/hoist. Like
the previous Mk.3, various cabin
layouts were possible, including
a reconfigured arrangement to
allow two stretchers to be carried.
In British military service the Mk.4
was designated the Sycamore
HR.14, and data from Bristol’s own
production lists suggests that more
than 80 were built or intended to
be completed as this sub-type. Two
HR.13 were also manufactured, as a
SAR hybrid with a mix of Mk.3 and
Mk.4 features.
The Sycamore HR.14’s three-
bladed main rotor diameter was
48ft 7in (14.81m), with seating for
three passengers (additional to the
two crew); or two stretchers and
an attendant with a single pilot.
According to Bristol’s technical
description for this variant, power
was provided by a single Alvis
Leonides LE.23 HM-series (civil
524/1, military Mk.173-series)
radial piston engine of 545/550hp
take-off power at 3,200 rpm. This
gave a theoretical economical
cruising speed of 93mph
(150km/h) at 2,000ft (610m),
although operating conditions and
temperatures played a large part
in the helicopter’s performance
capabilities. Maximum take-off
weight was 5,600lb (2,540kg), with
a potential endurance of 3½ hours
– these figures again depending
on operating conditions, and the
number of occupants.
Important service
The Sycamore HR.14 was used for
a variety of roles by the RAF, chief
among these being SAR, liaison,
observation and transport. It could
also be used for training, although
its effectiveness for this task was
limited. The type entered service
for SAR duties in the spring of
1953 with 275 Squadron at RAF
Linton-on-Ouse, this unit also
employing the HR.13.
During the 1950s and early 1960s,
several RAF Sycamores were
employed for military operations
in former British colonies, such as
Malaya (194 Squadron). They were
also used for anti-terrorist work on
the island of Cyprus, and during
the protracted problems in and
around Aden.
The Sycamore was ‘officially’
retired from RAF service during
late 1971, although 32 Squadron
continued to use the type on light
transport and communications
tasks into 1972.
Overseas success
Several foreign military
services flew the Sycamore. A
significant overseas operator
was West Germany, which used
the Sycamore Mk.52 (a Mk.4
derivative). It’s often claimed
these helicopters were flown by
the army of West Germany, but
this is untrue. Sycamores served
instead with the West German
naval air arm (Marineflieger)
and, more numerously, the air
force (Luftwaffe). Altogether 50
examples were delivered from 1957
to 1959, and were used principally
for transport, air-sea rescue and
ambulance duties.
Other significant military export
customers included Australia and
Belgium. In addition, a variety of
civil Type 171 helicopters flew with
operators virtually world-wide.
One of the many countries in
which these basic machines were
employed was Australia, where
the type proved the usefulness
of civil helicopter operations and
held the line until much better
and more powerful designs came
into service.
Operating problems
Although the Sycamore was
a ground-breaking helicopter,
it suffered from the inevitable
teething problems not just of a
new type, but also of the new
breed of technology, of which
it was a pioneer. According to
those who operated and flew the
type, difficulties encountered
with the Sycamore included
ground resonance, and the often
discovered need to make engine
changes even before the expiry
of the planned service life of the
powerplant. Indeed, the whole
Type 171 family was generally
regarded as being under-powered,
which hampered the helicopter’s
effectiveness. Serious problems
were also encountered with
the Sycamore’s wooden main
rotor blades. Operations in the
challenging climates of Malaya
(with the RAF) and the Belgian
Congo (with Belgian forces)
resulted in the rotor blades’ glue
becoming compromised, causing
several accidents; sadly, some
of these were fatal. Indeed, the
Sycamore generally did not have
a good military safely record, with
a significant number being lost or
seriously damaged in a variety of
accidents resulting from a diversity
of causes.
In total, just short of 180
Sycamore/Type 171 helicopters
were built, with known production
listings suggesting 178 were
actually completed. It appears
that two additional unfinished
airframes were used in a planned
development of the Sycamore, the
Bristol Type 203. This would have
been a larger turboprop-powered
derivative; some sources claim
it would have seated up to 11 in
a potential civil configuration.
However, this planned
development was not built. Instead
Bristol concentrated its attention
fully on the successful creation
and production of the much larger
twin-engine tandem-rotor Type 173  One of three Sycamore
Belvedere, which served with the HR.50 that were handed
RAF in small numbers. During the over to the Australians
major rationalisation of Britain’s during January 1953
aircraft industry in the late 1950s aboard HMAS Vengeance
and early 1960s, which saw many in the English Channel
amalgamations and changes of off Weymouth, Dorset
for Royal Australian Navy
ownership, Bristol’s helicopter
service. The helicopter is
division merged with Westland of being taken below into the
Yeovil, which led to the formation aircraft carrier’s hangar
of the famous company on the lift from the flight
Westland Helicopters. deck. (Key Collection)
 OUT AND ABOUT
EURO MINIATURE EXPO
Cave of Wonders
ntering the main
E competition room at the
Leas Cliff Hall venue in
Folkestone felt much as
Aladdin did when searching for
the genie’s lamp; at every turn
was a treasure to behold, but not
to touch!
It may be just the second
Euro Miniature Expo, but it has
cemented itself firmly in the
modelling calendar, both in terms
of being a ‘must attend’ event
for figure and armour modellers
and the quality of exhibits on
show. While the majority were
as to be expected, there were
(shock, horror) even a few wingy
airplane things, but all shared
one characteristic…the skill by
which they had been built.
Judging must have been
challenging, and it was
illuminating to listen hear
 Inspiration can come
from many sources, and Bill
Horan’s was a painting by
Richard Caton Woodville,
and his joint Best-in-Show
‘All that was left of them’
depicted the remnants
of C Squadron,
17th Lancers at
Modderfontein
during the Boer
War. The scratch-
built poses are
faithful to the
original scene.
44 Airfix Model World
 Meticulous attention to detail on
the tunic and face made Antonio Pate’s
rendering of Tartar Miniatures 1/9
Capitano Lanzichenecco stand out from
surrounding entries.
discussions on light direction
and colour tones, alongside
debates on historical accuracy
and whether an effect was
convincing. In the end, and after
much deliberation, joint winners
were announced for the Senior
Best in Show, in the form of Bill
Horan’s ‘All that was left of them’
and Mike Blank’s touching ‘The
Last Farewell’.
Although there was much
to savour, perhaps the most
heartening element was the
considerable presence of junior
modellers’ entries, many of which
would have put seniors to shame,
 One can almost feel the chill wind and
such was their innate quality. soldier’s fatigue, such is the realism on the
Next year’s show will be held on face of Andrea Tessarini’s Russian Veteran.
May 11-12, so mark it in the diary
and pop down to the south coast,
where yet more wonders will
undoubtedly be in waiting.
Stu Fone
 It’s always enjoyable to see
figures ‘with character’ and
Peter Bell’s Broken Toad ‘Rage’
bust had plenty on show, from
the convincing snarl to the
varied tones on the coat.
 Unfortunately, the scale of this Albert
Ball VC vignette wasn’t stated, but Eduard
Sage is to be commended for this simple,
yet effective composition.
 OUT AND ABOUT
EURO MINIATURE EXPO

 Mike Blank’s touching ‘The  Nuts Planet’s 1/10 Yi

Last Farewell’ portrays French Sun Sin Korean Naval
Queen Marie Antoinette in her Commander bust is
final moments after the French an incredible piece
Revolution, and the composition of sculpting, but
and careful choice of tones when combined with
deservedly resulted in Michael Volquarts’
this being declared joint finishing, the
Best-In Show. (Thomas/ result is jaw-
Adrian Hopwood) dropping.

 Neil Kishaw added a rich

metallic sheen and convincing
facial expression to his Bustorys
1/9 Mongol Tumen bust. (All photos
Stu Fone unless stated)

 This jacketed dog bust by

Hans van der Does was titled
‘Dave’ and caught the eye,
due to the realistic eyes and
shading around the muzzle.

 This scene of Frenchmen in a boat in Crimea has it all, water,

movement and superbly rendered figures by Francesco Terlizzi.

 It was a
 It was hard to definite ‘hats
determine the off’ to Riccardo
best angle for Ciaccio for the
Paulo Carrelo’s intricate painting
superbly painted involved on his
RP Models Alfonso d’Este
Carthagnian figure, as well
War Elephant with as the heraldic
Mahout, such was the symbology on
richness of detail. the flag.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 45
 OUT AND ABOUT
EURO MINIATURE EXPO

 A combined entry from Ruiz Fernandez and Luis Angel,

the intricate camouflage pattern on the uniform was
balanced by convincing facial features and a seemingly
weightless eagle alighting on the gloved hand.

m ore onl
w i

Vie

ne
 While the front of David J Mitchell’s ‘Coeur-de-Lion’ was breath-taking, due to the
combination of skin tones and convincing chainmail, the shield was equally impressive.

 Ben Curry’s ‘Sail Away’

wasn’t the largest exhibit  Another contribution from Ruiz Fernandez and Luis Angel, their ‘Bombarda
on the tables, but the high- en el asedio de Cefalonia, Ano 1500’ looked amazingly realistic.
quality painting and pose
drew much attention.

 Massimo Ruggeri
demonstrated incredible
hand-painting skills with
the tournament livery on
his Henry de Courance, with
the fleurs de lis notable for
their quality.

 Young Miniatures’ 1/10 SAS crew

figures are superb canvases on which
to work, and John Strachan’s ‘David’s
Originals’ featured convincing faded
clothing and weather-beaten faces.

46 Airfix Model World

 1:4 8
HAW KER SEA FURY
FB.11

A0 6 10 5
HAW KER SEA FURY FB.11
• Wings folded or unfolded
• Undercarriage can be posed up or down
• Optional rockets, bombs and drop tanks
• Moveable propeller
• Canopy open or closed

HAWKER SEA FURY FB.11

No.801 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Glory, Korean War, 1952.

HAWKER SEA FURY FB.11

Aircraft restored in the markings of 802 Naval Air Squadron,
Royal Naval Air Station Eglinton, Northern Ireland,1948.
Operated by Royal Naval Historic Flight, Royal Naval Air Station
Yeovilton, Somerset, England, 2017.

Length 231mm Width 244mm Pieces 123

Airix.com Color Chart

Available Now!
and all good retail stockists
Official Product
 EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6

A truly accurate
1/48 Hunter has
long been overdue;
Andy Davies
opens Airfix’s
newly tooled
offering and dives
inside one of the
year’s most highly
anticipated kits

Camm’s School, part of the Central Fighter

Establishment (CFE), circa 1963.

awker’s versatile Hunter
flexibility, then it’s truly great and
Hunter’s lair
In time-honoured tradition,
assembly began with the cockpit.
Here Airfix provided a decent
representation of the busy interior,
designed by Sir Sydney Camm,

H must rank as one of the most

iconic aircraft designs in
aviation history. If greatness
in a combat aircraft equates with
outstanding service longevity and
one of the classic aircraft of all
time. It’s aesthetically beautiful
and a thoroughbred in every
sense of the word. This was hardly
surprising given the aircraft was
whose other masterpieces for
Hawker included the venerable
Hurricane, Sea Fury and Harrier.

In the bag
As is the usual practice with
pre-production kits, Airfix’s
Hunter arrived in a large plastic
bag, without a box or
decals, although as a welcome
bonus no less than three frames
of clear parts were included.
The kit comprised three grey
styrene runners, containing 107
parts, one frame holding nine
clear components, an instruction
booklet, and decal and painting
guides. Due to the lack of markings,
it was decided to use Xtradecal’s
X48189 Hawker Hunter F.6 Pt1 (see though it’s guaranteed aftermarket
panel), which featured the editor’s companies will augment the plastic
choice, F.6 XG204. This colourful with highly detailed photo-etched
 With two tailcone styles, the option to build an F.6A variant ‘out of the box’ was a scheme was used by several brass and resin replacement sets.
welcome bonus. The inclusion of these parts prompted thoughts of an inevitable FGA.9. aircraft of the Day Fighter Combat Due to the lack of kit decals (which

50 Airfix Model World

 EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6

Mk.2H ejection seat was finely

will include an item for the
instrument panel), the dials were
represented by Airscale items,
specifically set AS48 AJET, Early
Allied Jets. These were highly
accurate, duplicated for value and
came complete with a description
of each dial’s function, allowing an
accurately configured cockpit to be
completed in no time.
The four-piece Martin-Baker
moulded, and the inner seat
padding came in two different
styles, one with moulded seatbelts
and the other plain, allowing
the modeller to detail the item
themselves. For this build, the
former was chosen, though the
moulded seatbelts were removed,
and replacements fabricated from
lead foil and blue Jammy Dog
tape. Also added was a pre-painted
seat pull-handle from Eduard’s
 Cockpit tub detail was adequate, although aftermarket companies will undoubtedly
dedicated product, ED49740. Early improve on the styrene. Note, the circular feature in the centre of the floor wasn’t an
all-black cockpits were often drab ejection pin mark, rather it was the base of the nose-wheel location point.
affairs, so to enliven the parts,
several shades of black were
employed, including Mr. Paint’s
MRP-173 Tyre Rubber, MRP-077
NATO Black, MRP-171 Super Matt

KIT SCHEMES
As this was a test-shot, no decals were ready, but the production release will feature
the following three schemes, which include a 1958 Battle of Britain display aircraft:
• XE597, 63 Squadron, RAF Waterbeach, UK, September 1958
• XF509/53, 4 Fighter Training School, RAF Valley, Anglesey, September 1968
• N-209, 324 Squadron, Leeuwarden, Royal Netherlands Air Force, 1964

 The single-piece upper wing featured excellent undercarriage bays. Recessed lines
were notable inside the outer panels (next to the strengthening ribs), possibly hinting at
straight-winged variants in the future.

 Options galore — two styles of crystal clear canopy (open/closed) were supplied, along with
different wingtip navigation lights and what appeared to be a photo-reconnaissance nose lens.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 51
 EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6

Black cockpits can be

very drab affairs, so the
colours were enlivened via
a combination of different
black hues, dry-brushing
and various oil washes.

The well-detailed
engine fan faces were
treated to a selection of
Alclad’s Hot Metal range,
even though little would
be visible on the finished
model…but as they say,
we know it’s in there!

Black and MRP-205 Eggplant Dark

Grey. Highlighting was added by
dry-brushing MRP-245 Light Sea
Grey and, once completed, the
assembled tub and seat received
Alclad’s ALC-312 Klear Kote Semi-
Matte varnish, before being fitted
to the right-hand fuselage half.

Body beautiful
The next stage dealt with
equipping the nose gear bay.
Sidewall features were moulded
integrally on the fuselage halves,
and the ‘roof’ was attached to
the front of the cockpit tub, along
with a detailed forward bulkhead,
which included location holes for
the undercarriage door. Both sides
were sprayed with AK Interactive’s
 Prior to their assembly, the interiors of the intake ‘tunnels’ received ALC-119 Airframe AK488 Matte Aluminium and
Aluminium and ALC-107 Duralumin. These parts fitted together extremely well, with no filler weathered via Abteilung ABT-007
needed, after which they slotted into the fuselage holes. Raw Umber oil paint, diluted with
ABT-112 Matt Effect Thinner. Also
Deviating slightly from the instructions
it was found easier to attach one intake included were a pair of reservoir
prior to the fuselage halves being mated, bottles; these received ALC-107
then slide the other through the wing Chrome, prior to being secured
‘hole’ and onto the other side of the against the right-side bay wall.
compressor fan afterwards. At this point, it was important
to drill the holes for the two
links collection pods, commonly
known as ‘Sabrinas’, under the
forward fuselage, via a 1mm bit.
Paired shell case-ejection ports
were moulded integrally on two
small plates, which were fitted
to the inside of the airframe; the
tubes protruded through the
airframe, as on the real aircraft.
Unfortunately, they were supplied
as solid items, so they were
opened with a 0.8mm drill.
The engine compressor fan was
added next, and this fitted into
locating slots on the fuselage
inners. A long narrow bay, for the
airbrake retraction jack, was then
secured, though in fairness this
could be added after the fuselage
has been mated, as there was
plenty of room to gain access
before the tailpipe was attached.
It was then time to add an
essential item prior
to joining the
fuselage
halves…nose weight.
Airfix recommended 20g but,
always being over-cautious with
potential tail-sitters, 30g of lead
fishing weight was inserted, just
to be sure.
While the fuselage fit was
generally excellent, the same

52 Airfix Model World


 Three detailed sidewalls completed each undercarriage bay, and these
located perfectly. The lower wing slid into the slot on the fuselage,
which resulted in a near-perfect fit.
could not be said for the nose
section, which appeared
slightly oversized. Due to the
Hunter’s streamlined airframe,
this meant it must be reshaped
to maintain the curves, as simply
shortening the part wasn’t
sufficient. Initially, a scalpel
was employed to trim the styrene,
followed by vigorous sanding until
the contours matched.
Airfix suggested fitting the
triangular cross-section air intakes
into the fuselage halves prior to
EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6
Airfix’s latest kits feature a
neat solution for wing tip pitots and
navigation lights. The former locates
into a slot, onto which the latter is
then attached, which produced a smooth
join that required minimal sanding.
MODEL SPEC
Hawker Hunter F.6
By: Airfix
Stock Code: A09185
Scale: 1/48
Price: £36.99
Available from: www.airfix.com
the earlier straight, smooth
version, and the later brake-chute-
equipped ‘pen-nib’ type, as fitted to
the F.6A and FGA.9.
A detailed compressor fan was
located in the two-piece exhaust
tube, which was then secured into
the rear of the F.6 rear fuselage
halves. Care was needed to
eliminate the seams although, due
to the styrene’s slightly soft nature,
this was achieved easily via filler,
800-grade abrasive paper and
water. In addition, a small rectangle
of 0.5mm plastic card was added
to an unsightly gap at the front of
the instrument coaming.
Wings and things
The kit was engineered
in such a way that a
good part of the
longitudinal
joining, but this was found
awkward. In a deviation from
the instructions, the right intake
was secured first, and the left
then slotted into position after the
airframe parts were joined. Two
styles of tailcone were supplied;
www.airfixmodelworld.com 53
 EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6
 While the fit was generally good, small amounts of filler were needed to neaten several
seams in preparation for priming. The nosecone was the sole troublesome area, and much
time was spent shaving and sanding to achieve a smooth, continuous shape.
AFTERMARKET
LIVERIES
Xtradecal’s new 1/48 Hunter sheet
(X48189) was employed for this build,
with the colourful Central Flying
Establishment (CFE) airframe chosen
from the nine options:
• XF438/H, 208 Squadron, RAF
Tangmere, 1959
• XF440/D, 247 Squadron, RAF Odiham,
September 1957
• XG172/36, 229 Operational
Conversion Unit/56 Squadron, RAF
Chivenor, June 1969
• XF382/15, Tactical Weapons
Unit/234 (Reserve) Squadron,
Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF
Greenham Common, July 31, 1976
• XG204/D, CFE, Sharjah, United Arab
Emirates, 1963
• XK149/44, 79 Squadron, RAF Brawdy,
Unfortunately,
the flap recesses late 1970s
were devoid of • XF383/14, 229 OCU/145 Squadron,
detail, so these RAF Duxford, August 1960
were modelled
• XF447/H, 65 Squadron, RAF Duxford,
closed. The solid
October 1960
spent cartridge
• XF383, 12 Squadron, RAF Honington,
ejector tubes
were opened with July 1984
a 1mm drill bit.
 The drop tank fins were overly thick and required either replacement, or reduction via
filing/sanding. For this build the latter was chosen; a smooth file thinned these items, after
which they were sanded to reshape the leading and trailing edges.
54 Airfix Model World
fuselage seam was hidden
conveniently under the large
single-piece upper wing section.
The fit was remarkably good,
though a hint of filler was needed
along the tops of the intakes
(where they abutted the fuselage)
and at the trailing edges of
the wing roots. The mainplane
undersides featured highly detailed
undercarriage bays, as well as
integrally moulded reinforcement
‘walls’. Three well-appointed
sidewalls completed each wheel
well, and these were attached
without issue.
The only real disappointment
was the lack of detail in the
flap interiors. No doubt
aftermarket firms will
provide products to enliven
this area, but compared to the
excellent undercarriage bays, this
omission seemed strange. It was
therefore decided to model the
flaps closed, as this was the normal
state for parked aircraft and these
were a trouble-free fit. If building
the aircraft with wing pylons and
ordnance it was important
to drill the
location
holes prior to
attaching the lower
mainplanes.
Note, if the
Hunter is
built with the
wheels up, then
the single-piece
undercarriage bay
doors should be attached to
the lower wings at this stage. The
fit of the ailerons was so good, no
glue was required, which allowed

them to be set at different angles
if desired (the same applied to the
rudder). For the wing tip navigation
lights, Airfix adopted the idea
of producing clear parts with
integrally moulded glazed areas.
This allowed the part to be blended
neatly with the wing (once the light
was masked)…a very neat solution.
The choice of ordnance was
restricted to two Matra 155 rocket
pods, along with a pair of 100gal
(455lit) external fuel tanks; while
the former appeared basic, they
would no doubt benefit from a
suitable metallic and black paint
finish. Unfortunately, the fuel tank
fins were overly thick and needed
either replacing with plastic card
or thinning via a fresh scalpel
blade and sanding sticks. The
EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6
latter method was chosen and
after frenzied sanding, a realistic
appearance was achieved.
Four short wing pylons
were provided, with each
displaying respectable surface
detail and panel lines. These items
would be added at the end of the
build, as their fit to both wings and
ordnance was near perfect.
Testing tones
The selected colour scheme was
always going to be challenging,
 All yellow and white areas were treated with Alclad’s White Primer and Microfiller — once
due to the amount of Trainer this had cured, MRP-122 RAF Marking Yellow was applied.
Yellow and High Speed Silver
involved. Primer colour would be
critical, and while it would have
been ideal (from my perspective)
to use black overall and then
‘marble’ the camouflage colours,
time constraints meant the idea of
spraying highly thinned yellow over
black wasn’t an option. However,
yellow does apply well over white,
so this was employed instead, in
the form of ALC-305 White Primer
and Microfiller. The surface was
then polished via increasingly
finer grades of Micro-Mesh cloth.  Yellow sections were then masked, and the upper surfaces airbrushed Dark Sea Grey
Once smooth and blemish free, a before thin ‘worms’ of White Tack set the camouflage pattern.
Yellow was then airbrushed over
the wings and along the fuselage
spine and tail fin. Interestingly,
most published profiles of XG204,
and many decal sheets, depict
the tailplanes as being this colour,
with camouflaged elevators.
Martin Derry’s excellent
‘Britain’s Military Aircraft
in Colour, 1960-1970’
includes two high-
definition photographs and
four-view artwork of this aircraft
on deployment to Sharjah and at
Finningley Airshow in 1963, which
showed these control surfaces
pre-shading of Mr. Hobby were camouflaged. Xtradecals also
H333 Extra Dark Sea portrayed them this way, so this
Gray BS381C was applied; was the style chosen here.
while not as harsh as black, Masking began with the
it would still show through windscreen and canopy, via Tamiya
the top coat without being tape, which was burnished into
overwhelming. corners with a cocktail stick and
Mr. Paint’s MRP-122 Marking then cut with a fresh scalpel
www.airfixmodelworld.com 55
 EXCLUSIVE BUILD
HAWKER HUNTER F.6
blade. Luckily, one of the spare
canopies could be employed,
which protected the cockpit
from accidental overspray. Due
to the High Speed Silver finish,
the undersides were treated to a
base coat of Mr. Finishing Surfacer
1500 Black, diluted with Mr. Color
Leveling Thinner. Unfortunately,
this resulted in a reaction when
MRP-3 Super Silver was applied,
as the metallic finish crazed, and
a white haze appeared on the
surface. After waiting 24 hours
for the finish to cure,
the underside
was sanded
back to
 Due to the lack of stencils, decaling was relatively straightforward, with Micro Set and
Sol aiding application. Note how the yellow markings accentuated the aircraft’s lines.
Judicious cutting with a fresh scalpel blade was
required for the underwing serial number decals,
particularly around the undercarriage doors.
56 Airfix Model World
the bare plastic,
followed by an
application of ALC-
302 Grey Primer
and Microfiller, which was
smoothed via sanding sticks
and plenty of water.
To avoid a possible repeat
of the problem,
AK488 Matt
MATERIALS
AT A GLANCE
Alclad paints (www.alclad2.com)
Abteilung502 (www.abteilung502.com)
AK Interactive (www.ak-interactive.com)
Tamiya paint (www.hobbyco.net)
Mr. Hobby paint
(www.albionhobbies.com)
Gators Grip ‘Thin Blend’ glue
(www.gatorsmask.com)
Perfect Plastic Putty
(www.deluxematerials.co.uk)
AMMO-MIG (www.migjimenez.com)
Microscale Industries
(www.microscale.com)
Eduard (www.eduard.com)
Mr. Paint (www.mrpaint.sk)
Airscale decals
(www.airscaledecals.co.uk)
Xtradecal (www.hannants.co.uk)
Aluminium was used instead.
Fortunately, there was no
reaction this time and the paint
applied perfectly. For the upper
camouflage colours, MRP-113 RAF
Dark Sea Grey and MRP-110 RAF
Dark Green were applied. The
former was lightened in certain
areas with MRP-245 Light Sea
Grey and the latter via MRP-109
Light Green. Once the finish had
cured over a 48-hour period, a
gloss varnish was applied.
Weathering heights
Hunters assigned to the CFE
were worked hard by their crews,
and the paintwork often suffered
consequently. Dirt and grime
accumulated around engine bay
vents and panels, along with
muzzle discharge soot around
the Aden gun ports. Overseas
deployment also took its toll on the
surface finish and to replicate the
worst of this ABT-007 Raw Umber,
ABT-510 Starship Filth and AMMO-
MIG A-MIG.3001 Black pigment
was applied to the most-affected
areas, primarily along the fuselage
undersides, around the engine bay
panels and gun ports. Small extra
touches included shortening the
nose gear leg by 3mm, adding two
yellow-toned distance-measuring
equipment aerials under the
fuselage, plus two thin struts to the
rear nose-gear door, instead of the
one supplied.
Super predator
With this kit, one gets the feeling
Airfix has produced a future
classic. The subject will no doubt
prove popular with modellers,
particularly in light of the many
operators and interesting colour
schemes adopted by numerous
air forces. With exemplary fit,
restrained, subtle panel details
and crisply moulded parts, what’s
not to like? Roll on other versions
of this most charismatic of
aircraft, and (if you hadn’t already
guessed), it comes highly
recommended to all.
 ®

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Come explore under our wings!

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I-10 to Exit 267 - 6000 East Valencia Road, Tucson, Arizona - 520 574 0462
 OUT AND ABOUT
IPMS BRAMPTON SHOW

being for modellers. That said,

Sizzling there was much on offer, from

scratch-built museum-scale
Amazon-class frigates to yet
more Minions dioramas, with

St Ives every genre represented.

Traders reported busy sales,
and there was a definite buzz
of conversation throughout.
Charities were well supported
again this year, with more
than £500 raised through the
Tombola, while MAGPAS had
much success, selling donated
kits in support of the local Air
Ambulance charity.
IPMS Brampton didn’t run a
competition per se, instead there
was a prize for the best display,
which was chosen by a member
of the Shuttleworth Association,
with SIG 144 deservedly taking
this year’s accolade for its varied
 Chiltern Scale Modellers' Dave Burlison added much scratch-built and aftermarket detail to Matchbox's 1/48 FJ-4B Fury. collection of styrene and carved
wood models.

I
PMS Brampton’s show is one
of the modelling calendar’s
‘old reliables’, with a genial and
relaxed atmosphere greeting all
and sundry. extended to all visitors, this Stu Fone
Whether it’s the assistance for event feels more like an extended
clubs and traders during set-up/ family gathering for its annual VIEW MORE ONLINE
breakdown, or the welcome social event, rather than just www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Phil Lloyd Worth's convincing wood grain effect on his Zoukei-Mura 1/32 Horten Ho 229  Brampton modeller Del Griffiths contributed several scenes on the Aircraft Dioramas
ame via careful airbrushing and paint stencils, complementing the excellent interior. Association stand, including this Airfix 1/72 Gnat as an RAF Brampton gate guardian.

 Pete Bowyer scratch-built 1/35 Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle as part of a larger  Bedford and District's Hadleigh Meade took Heller's 1/24 Ferguson tractor and aged it
D-Day project, being seen here on the Leicester Modeller's stand. (All photos Stu Fone) with weathering pigments, before setting it in this rural scene, complete with chicken!

58 Airfix Model World

MISSION
MODELS
PREMIUM HOBBY PAINTS, PRIMERS & ADDITIVES
WATER BASED ACRYLIC
ODORLESS
NON-TOXIC

CHANGE
THE
WAY
YOU
PAINT
WWW.MISSIONMODELSUS.COM
Please visit our website above for dealer locations
Model by Michael Rinaldi
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER
rumman’s TBF Avenger
G was one of the great
warplanes of World War
Two. Designed to replace
the US Navy’s Douglas TBD
Devastator torpedo bomber, its
initial sorties were against the
Japanese invasion fleet at Midway
on June 4, 1942.
Tragically, the six TBF-1s
launched from the USS Hornet
lacked fighter cover and were
intercepted by patrolling Zeroes;
five were shot down. Thankfully,
lessons were learnt from this
experience and ultimately, the
Avenger went on to excel in
anti-shipping, ground-attack and
more diverse roles across the
 Assembling the interior was a delight, thanks to the superb parts fit, and even without Pacific and other theatres. It also
being painted the moulding quality and detail was apparent immediately. served in several Allied air forces,
60 Airfix Model World
Chris Jones
has fun building
and weathering
Academy’s
legendary 1/48
TBM-3 Avenger
especially
with Britain’s
Fleet Air Arm (FAA).
Indeed, this modeller is the proud
grandson of a FAA pilot with
Avenger hours in his log book!
Magnificent moulding
Several Accurate Miniatures
toolings are available in the
current Academy range, and
over the years, the former’s 1/48
Avengers have earned an epic
reputation and it was easy to see
why; everything in the box was
gorgeous. The recessed panel
lines were wonderfully crisp, the
fabric textures on the rudder and
elevators were convincing and
(where appropriate) the raised
rivets were realistic for the scale.
Its propeller unit was similarly
refined, while the Wright R-2600-
20 radial engine was excellent
straight from the box. As for
the internals, the cockpit, crew
sections and turret were a sight
to behold. The undercarriage,
wheel wells and doors were quality
representations of the real items
and there was a superbly furnished
bomb bay, although there were
ejector pin marks to contend with
in this area. Most of all, the kit well
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

 The innards received an initial coat of Interior Green, but the oil wash appeared chalky  With all the cockpit components painted, and PE enhancements from Eduard, the
when it dried, so it was airbrushed with several layers of Klear. fuselage was close to being sealed.

and truly captured the Avenger’s correct position. Additionally, the

pugnacious shape and feel.
Internal construction
Generally, Academy’s main internal
structure assembled smoothly,
but there were several small
parts that needed tweaking. For
example, the pilot’s seat arm rests
snagged the elevator trim wheel,
so they were removed, while the
control column’s locating pin was
placed too far to the rear…this was
trimmed and then attached in the
MODEL SPEC
right-hand side console didn’t meet
the instrument panel, so it was
cut and moved to butt against the
main unit. It was also necessary to
trim the rear edge of the second
cockpit radio equipment shelf
to avoid it fouling the window
bulkhead.
As the ventral .30 cal machine
gun would have protruded
precariously (and been at risk
of damage during handling),
the barrel was removed, to be
re-attached at the end of the build.

TBM-3 ‘USS Bunker Hill’ While the kit instrument panel

By: Academy was adequate, it was replaced by
Eduard’s photo-etched (PE) brass
Stock Code: 12285
offering (48206). This was sprayed
Scale: 1/48 with Xtracolor XDFF Matt Varnish,
Price: £22.99 before the instrument dials
received a drop of white glue via
Available from: cocktail stick to represent glass. A division (designated TBM, rather  Sponge- and brush- applied chipping
www.pocketbond.co.uk modicum of trimming was needed than TBF) often had yellow zinc effects provided an effective way to add
to get the replacement panel to fit, chromate primer in the cowling scratches and ‘dings’ to the paint, while the
but this wasn’t necessary for the area and Interior Green in the crew PE instrument panel really looked the part.
other PE cockpit enhancements. sections. First, the window on the
Avenger internal colours could cockpit bulkhead was masked, and
vary depending on location of Tamiya’s XF-67 NATO Green (as an
manufacture, and those built at approximation for Interior Green)
General Motors’ Eastern Aircraft was mixed with X-22 Clear and

www.airfixmodelworld.com 61
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

 Eduard’s self-adhesive mask set made painting the complex shapes of the turret frames
more bearable; the internal equipment was weathered with an oil wash and brush chipping.

 The fuselage halves joined almost seamlessly, and a combination of Tamiya Extra Thin
Cement and strips of masking tape produced excellent results. Great care was needed
sanding the seam under the turret .50 cal machine gun to avoid damage.
 Accurate Miniatures produced a faithful replica of the Avenger’s internal structure and
equipment, and the result was a busy fuselage.
 Similarly, the wing/fuselage seam was almost imperceptible, with just tiny amounts of
Milliput required to address minor blemishes. Tape was required for one horizontal stabiliser
to ensure the correct dihedral.

 Eduard’s pre-cut masks came to the rescue with the considerable glazed areas, although
several pieces needed trimming/supplementing with Tamiya Tape.

airbrushed, to give a gloss surface
for the subsequent oil wash. The
latter was mixed from Lamp Black,
Burnt Umber and Titanium White
and was applied to all internal
detail, but annoyingly, it appeared
chalky when dried. Any excess
was removed, before Johnson’s
Klear was airbrushed over the
affected areas, which removed the
undesired patina.
Focus then shifted to the various
boxes, control panels and wires;
these were accentuated by brush-
painting, then the black areas were
dry-brushed with Humbrol’s 1
Grey Primer. Chipping was added
to high-wear areas via a sponge,
with Citadel Runefang Silver and
Lifecolor’s UA134 Zinc Chrome
Yellow. Although not intentional,
the advantage of applying this
to a gloss surface was a damp
cocktail stick could be employed
to remove unwanted paint easily.
Finally, additional weathering and
chipping effects were applied via
a fine brush…once dry, the interior
received a coat of Xtracolor’s
XDFF Flat Varnish.
Turret tweaking
With the dorsal gun emplacement,
it was realised the best method
was to assemble and paint it
before the fuselage was closed,
as otherwise it’s impossible to
achieve. All transparencies were
dealt with at the same time, and
treated to a dip in Klear, which
produced a high-gloss finish, but
also accentuated several slight
imperfections. Thankfully, these
were hardly noticeable on the
finished model, as there was so
much additional visual interest,
they didn’t stand out.
It was well worth taking time to
determine how the turret went
together, and ensuring it would
be secure once fitted. One pivot
point was rather weak, so a drop
of GS Hypo Cement (GSHC – www.
gssupplies.com) was added after
the Revell Contacta cement had
dried, to give more strength but
also flexibility. Eduard’s pre-cut
canopy masks (XF108) were
considered a vital investment,
to maintain my sanity with the
extensive glazing, and these were

62 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

duly applied to the turret sections.

After painting, the coverings were
removed, and the glass halves
secured to the internal structure
via GSHC, but weren’t attached to
each other (along the centre seam)
at this stage.
The entire sub-assembly was
then placed into the turret ring
and twisted into position. While the
GSHC was curing, a final check was
made to ensure all components
were in the right place. Loctite
Easy Brush Super Glue was
then applied between the
underside of the turret superb examples of moulding, but that was probably down to
ring and the turret were also painted and treated builder error. The engine covers
rotation mounts. to an oil wash before being were glued separately from the
When satisfied the attached. For some reason, airframe, to ease handling during
glue wouldn’t horizontal strakes were present sanding and the fit was excellent.
blow all over behind the turret before the on the fuselage (along the top It was then tacked in position with
the place, air latter is added, or it won’t fit. The edge of the bomb bay), but these Super Glue, after which Tamiya’s
was sprayed inside the wings and horizontal stabilisers were removed as they didn’t Extra Thin Cement was applied
turret from an airbrush for a few were assembled separately, and appear on any reference photos. along the edges.
minutes, which served to disperse the seams sanded…no filler was Unfortunately, I scribed the bomb While most of Eduard’s canopy
any fumes and prevented fogging. required, due to the excellent bay door halves rather clumsily, masks were the correct size/
Lastly, the glazed sections were engineering. Small sink marks so they were separated, neatened shape, several required minor
mated along the central seam with were present above and below the and re-attached individually, with modification or additions of
white glue before being neatened wing gun ports and these were the aid of scratch-built plastic small Tamiya Tape strips, but
with a damp cotton bud. addressed with Milliput — other card supports. Milliput was used otherwise made this task much
blemishes on the bomb bay doors on the joins where required. It simpler. Next, the wings and
Fits like a glove... and lower flaps were very subtle, was also necessary to add a small tail planes were attached to the
Considering all that was inside, the so they were ignored. Besides, real spreader panel between the fuselage and once again the fit
fuselage halves’ join was stunning, planes can have rippled panels! forward bomb bay and fuselage was excellent, with just small
but don’t apply the upper frame The engine parts, which were to get a satisfactory cowling join, amounts of Milliput needed

 After separating the bomb bay doors, scratch-built structures provided the extra  The turret must be de-masked to fit in the fuselage and then re-covered for painting…a
support required for correct alignment. time-consuming but necessary task.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 63
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

to neaten the joins. Annoyingly,
when the transparencies were
attached, it was discovered the
instrument panel was mounted too
high and fouled the windscreen.
Despite sanding the bottom of
the windscreen framing and
attempting to reduce the height of
the instrument panel edges, this
part was still slightly too high, but
wasn’t too apparent on the finished
model. Mercifully, the panel hid
the internal scratching it caused
on the windscreen, apart from one
obvious area, where black paint
was brushed onto a particularly
white scratch to blend it with
the cockpit coaming. It was also
discovered the four rear fuselage
windows were oversized slightly,
but this was resolved via careful
sanding on the edges.
Paint shop
After all transparencies were
masked, the frames were
airbrushed XF-67 NATO Green,
and the fuselage/wing seams
primed with XF-54 Dark Sea Grey.
No blemishes were visible, so the
remainder of the model received
the same tone. Several areas were
noted where the paint surface
was slightly rough, so these
were buffed with kitchen paper,
before a dry sponge removed any
remaining paper fibres. Care was
of the essence here, as Tamiya
paints don’t respond well to being
rubbed/abraded.
The undersides received a 50/50
mix of X-2 Gloss White and XF-2
Flat White, diluted with cellulose
thinner, as I’ve found Tamiya’s
whites are easier to work with
when watered-down in this manner.
However, do make sure you wear
a quality face mask and work in a
well-ventilated area when using
lacquer-based paints.
The rest of the painting was
achieved by diluting the shades
with isopropyl alcohol. Next, the
white was post-shaded carefully
with a very thin 2:1 mix of matt
black and XF-64 Red Brown.

 Non-Specular Intermediate Blue was created from a 5:2:2 mix of XF-18 Medium Blue, XF-2  With practice and experimentation, an exposed airbrush needle, 12-15psi (0.8-1 bar)
White and X-2 Gloss White; masking was necessary in certain areas to prevent overspray. pressure and heavily diluted paint (perhaps 80-90%) a neat demarcation can be produced.

 Non-Specular Sea Blue (comprising a blend of 5:3:1:1 XF-17 Sea Blue, XF-8 Flat Blue, Flat  Once satisfied with the boundaries, the remaining darker shade was applied in a series of
White and Gloss White) was then airbrushed freehand over the upper surfaces. thin layers — many Avengers featured overspray at the wing and horizontal stabiliser roots.

64 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

Salt-stained shading
Wartime US Navy carrier-based aircraft weathered rapidly in the harsh Pacific climate,
and while paint touch-ups were applied, they contrasted against the increasingly faded
surfaces. Certain panels also ‘dished’ in the centres, where they weren’t supported by
framework, or were rippled/dented due to airframe stress or damage from crew boots.
Replicating this is a challenge for modellers, but the aim here was to create subtle
effects, rather than an unduly harsh appearance.

 Matt black was then added to the base hue, and applied randomly; note, these colours must
be diluted heavily, and here the mix was approximately 80% thinner and just 20% paint.

 After applying the base colours, Intermediate Blue was blended with white and applied in
a random mottle, to suggest paint fading and panel rippling.

 This same hue was airbrushed on certain panels to suggest paint touch-ups or replacement
parts, and finally as a faint post-shade for the panel lines on Intermediate Blue areas.

 A similar process was applied to the Sea Blue areas, but the darker tone was also applied  A highly diluted 2:1 black and XF-64 Red Brown mix was then applied to wing-fold hinge
as a post-shade. lines, gun ports, fuel caps and wing walkway areas to simulate grime and oil/fuel staining.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 65
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
TBM-3 AVENGER

This was sprayed along panel

lines and in a random mottle, to
simulate accumulated grime, and
in streaks along the underside to
represent oil staining. The same
blend was also applied in the
undercarriage bays and legs, and
around the underside of the wing
fold mechanisms…Avengers could
get quite dirty underneath. After
a failed attempt with Lifecolor
paints for the uppersurface colours
(more practice needed), I reverted
to my preferred Tamiya acrylics,
and suitable combinations for the
various blues were obtained from
online sources (see panel).

Arrows and decals compared to photos of USS Bunker

With the painting completed
and the model airbrushed with
multiple coats of Klear, it was left
in a sealed box for 48 hours, in
 Cocktail sticks and Blu Tack were used as temporary handling aids and to mount the readiness for decaling. I couldn’t
model on a polystyrene block when spraying the gloss varnish…just remember to spray find photographic evidence for
underneath first!
extensive airframe stencilling
on wartime Avengers, so these
were omitted. One of the national
insignia required careful cutting to
fit around an air inlet on the port
rear fuselage, with the resulting
gap touched-up with water-diluted
X-3 Royal Blue. Both fuselage
‘stars and bars’ also required help
to settle over the moulded rivet
detail; holes were added with a
scalpel, and multiple applications
of Micro Sol (www.microscale.com)
were added until they conformed
sufficiently. Any unsightly areas
were neatened later.
Not all of VT-84’s Avengers wore
the distinctive yellow cowling band,
so it was left off, as otherwise
it would have distracted from
the weathered paint effects.
 The underside was treated to an Ivory Black and Titanium White oil wash, which featured Unfortunately, the unit’s arrow
a light brown/caramel hue, and resulted in a subtle highlighting of panel lines and rivets. decals seemed oversized when
Hill aircraft, so these were masked
and sprayed instead. Additionally,
the main fuselage codes didn’t
seem to match the style seen in
photos of VT-84 airframes, but in
the absence of specific pictures
of Avenger ‘307’ it was decided to
leave them as they were. Besides,
no suitable code masks or decals
were available. The decals were
also cut along the panel lines,
which wasn’t entirely necessary,
but it did make them appear as
if they were painted. It’s best to
do this when they’ve been left to
dry overnight, before using a new
scalpel blade and then re-applying
Micro Sol to soften the edges.
Klear was then airbrushed over the
decals, to seal them; once this had
dried a thinned Paynes’ grey oil
wash was applied to the panel lines.
Final bits
I decided not to use decals for the
wing non-slip walkways; instead
these were masked and then
airbrushed XF-69 NATO Black,
followed by a thin mottle of XF-54

66 Airfix Model World

Dark Sea Grey, as these areas
quickly became worn and faded.
The undercarriage legs were
attached with Revell’s Contacta
Cement, and then the wheels were
fixed (after having a small flat filed
on the underside). Surprisingly
(given the otherwise excellent
parts fit), the support struts, drag
braces and main gear doors all
needed trimming before they
could be secured correctly. This
included re-arranging the latter’s
locating tabs, while the top edges
were whittled to the correct
shape. Given the tailwheel’s fragile
attachment, it was attached with
Super Glue, after which the model
received a final matt varnish; this
was built in a series of thin layers.
Finishing touches included E-Z
Line aerials (with white glue
insulators), black pastels were
applied to the exhaust stubs and  A Payne’s grey and white mix was applied to the Intermediate Blue
areas, while a darker blend was used on the Sea Blue sections. A slightly
scratches added to the cowl panel
thicker wash was useful to stop the colours running into each other; if this
fasteners by Prismatic silver happened, a dry cotton bud removed any excess.
pencil. From what I could gather
from references, these were the
only obviously chipped areas on
most TBMs.

Great Grumman
This was an enjoyable build; it
was challenging in places, but the
model looked wonderful when
completed. The detail was utterly
superb, and the fit was really rather
good — after future serial number
research, one of Grandpa’s
aircraft will be on the cards...

References
TBF & TBM Avenger, by Bert Kinzey
(Detail & Scale), ISBN 978-1-888974-
06-0
TBF/TBM Avenger Walk Around,
by Lou Drendel (Squadron/Signal),
 Several undercarriage parts needed modifying to get them to fit. The
ISBN: 978-0-89747-424-4
brake lines also had to be bent, so they touched the disc brakes.
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER

In a world of
fake news,
Massimo
Santarossa
describes an
‘alternative’
history with
Modelcollect’s
1/72 V-1 E75

History, with a twist

n early 1945, the war was conflicting orders, poor strategy, placed the war in the hands of could then act on sound military

I going well for Germany. This

was a conflict the generals
had not wanted in 1939,
being saddled at the time with
and constant interference. But
everything changed one fateful
day in 1942, when a coup d’état
removed the Nazi hierarchy and
military professionals.
With the change of leadership
came a change in tactics and
policy. The generals in the field
thinking. At home, industry was
streamlined, and advances in
technology were embraced,
keeping Germany ahead of its

The launcher’s splinter scheme was

achieved by first spraying the unit
with lightened RAL 7028, which
was then masked, so RAL 6011
could be applied as a contrast.

The V-1 comprised just five

parts, so construction was
quick. Once painted RLM 74
over an RLM 76 base tone,
the missile’s motor was
mated to the main body via
a simple butt join.

68 Airfix Model World


MODEL SPEC
Germany V1 Missile Launcher
with E75 Body
By: Modelcollect
Stock Code: UA72093
Scale: 1/72
Price: US$21.99
Available from:
www.modelcollect.com
enemies. When Spain joined
the Axis Forces in 1944, the
European and Atlantic coasts
were effectively closed to the
Allies, and the Mediterranean
was isolated, which enabled the
Central Powers to consolidate
their strength. This left the Allies
bickering among themselves, with
just a disorganized, war-ravaged
Soviet Union as an immediate
threat to German forces.
One advancement embraced
eagerly by the Wehrmacht was
in the form of self-propelled
launchers for the V-1 rocket,
notably the E75 chassis. As the
army concentrated on fewer
armoured types, surplus vehicles
became available and as strategic
efforts to target Great Britain
shifted to the V-2, which was
wreaking havoc on the other side
of the English Channel, it meant
there were stockpiles of Fieseler
Fi 103/V-1 missiles. These were
married to highly mobile E75 hulls
INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER
and, by incorporating the V-2’s
Paint chipping effects were
Mk. IV guidance system, they applied via Vallejo’s German
became very effective tactical Camo Black Brown and a fine-
weapons, boasting an accuracy tipped brush, while a small
of one city block over short and piece of sponge was used on
medium ranges. Allied troop the blast shield to recreate an
concentrations, marshalling yards, appropriate amount of wear
and discolouration.
fuel depots, and construction
facilities were all attacked, with
devastating results.
Reconsidered model
Thankfully, the previous narrative
never happened, but revisionist
(also known as counter-factual)
history is as much a hobby as
modelling. We all wonder ‘what-
if’ and Modelcollect’s 1/72 V-1
E75 missile launcher was born
of just such imagination. This
was the second model from the
Chinese firm to come across
the workbench in recent times
(see AMW July 2018, p.52), and
it featured many of the same
characteristics. The parts were
essentially flash free, featured
a very high level of detail and
complemented the well-drawn
instructions and small photo-
etched (PE) brass fret. Having  The lower half of the hull was meant to fit within the upper section, but was
already tackled a Modelcollect approximately 1mm too wide. Had it been the correct size, the red outline would have been
kit, and knowing its strengths visible on both sides of the vehicle.
and weaknesses, it was with
considerable eagerness this build The edges of the
lower hull were sanded
was started.
equally by counting the
The V-1 comprised just five number of strokes used
parts, and as such was assembled on each side, as well
quickly, though with caution as as being bevelled to
the construction was mostly ensure a snug, gap-free
via butt joins. The launcher fit when complete.
was slightly more complex, but
still relied on the same style
of attachment and guide rails
instead of traditional locating
pins for alignment. As the fit was
somewhat loose, slow-setting
liquid glue was employed, to allow
for adjustment time while the
adhesive set.
In a deviation from the
Weathering was kept to a minimum In a departure from the instructions, the entire hull was assembled first,
on the launcher, with a filter applied then the remaining details added. The fit of suspension arms was tight,
sparingly, and an oil wash of Burnt due to the short axles and undersized mounting holes.
Umber was flowed into the detail.
www.airfixmodelworld.com 69
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER
instructions, the hull was
assembled before adding any
detail. The engine cover came
as a solid, separate part and
fitted snuggly into its opening
in the rear deck. Despite this,
it was a disappointing aspect
of the model, as Modelcollect
also included a high-quality
powerplant…consequently it
couldn’t be displayed. Six PE
engine grilles were supplied, and
while just two were suggested in
 The vehicle hull was assembled quickly, complete with all added detail. The instructions
the instructions, the remainder
called for just the round PE grilles to be used, but incorporating the rectangular items
added extra visual appeal. were added as they improved the
model’s appearance.
The lower half of the hull was
meant to fit inside the upper, but
after a quick test-fit, it was found
to be approximately 1mm too
wide. Each edge was then filed
and bevelled to correct this, with
the end result being a snug join.
With the main tub completed, all
surface details (apart from the
side skirts and tracks), were then
 The tracks were asymmetric in width, as on a real King Tiger, thus it was important to
attached to the hull.
separate the parts into left and right sides to achieve a proper fit.
Running gear gripes
The tracks were asymmetric
in design, much as on a King
Tiger, which meant they were
‘handed’, with one edge wider
along the drive wheels and idlers.
Unfortunately, this aspect was
omitted from the instructions,
along with which side of the tank
they were to be installed. To
complicate matters further, the
assembly diagram for the link-
and-length tracks was identical to
 As the instructions gave no indication to which track parts went together, thorough
research was needed, which resulted in the combination of components 1-2-3-4, and 5-6-7-
8. These were then stored separately until needed.
As discovered when building a
previous Modelcollect tank, the
track mating pins were slightly
larger than their corresponding
notches; these were thinned
with a needle file.
 Individual links were wrapped around the drive wheel prior to mounting it on the vehicle, so
its position could be adjusted, while the idler section was glued loosely, for greater flexibility.
70 Airfix Model World
that used in other Modelcollect
kits, which served as a massive
trap for the builder…much study
was needed to establish the
correct organisation of parts.
In the end, it was determined
that track parts 1, 2, 3 and 4
worked together, and likewise
for parts 5, 6, 7 and 8. As for
mounting them, they were wider
on the outboard side of the
vehicle. However, before any
glue was applied, the connecting
teeth were thinned, as previous
experience had shown they would
be slightly too wide to fit into
their corresponding notches.
Assembly started by wrapping
eight individual track links around
each drive wheel, so they could
be adjusted easily, after being
mounted on the vehicle. Similarly,
the idler received 14 links, with
just a touch of glue to allow them
to remain flexible. Once the larger
sections were attached to the
running gear, additional adhesive
was run along each link to ensure
a solid bond.
Mission possible
Construction of the three major
sub-assemblies proceeded fairly
rapidly, which meant it wasn’t
long before the model was ready
for paint. This project was all
about the finish, the idea being
to present a recycled lower
hull, which was mated to a new
launching platform. Therefore,
two distinct camouflage
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER

schemes and varying degrees
of weathering were applied, to
achieve a suitable contrast.
All components received a coat
of Tamiya Fine Surface Primer,
which was decanted, thinned and
then sprayed with an airbrush.
For the main colours, Mission
Models acrylics were employed, a
first for this modeller (see panel).
The use of these paints has been
covered in previous AMW issues
by other more talented builders
with great success. These hues
performed brilliantly (when mixed
according to the manufacturer’s
instructions), without so much as
a hint of trouble.
New with old
Starting with the V-1 missile, MMP-
049 Graugrun was sprayed over a
base tone of MMP-051 Lichtblau,
after the latter had been masked
with Tamiya’s Tape for Curves. A
small decal sheet was supplied,
but unfortunately the register
wasn’t perfect, so spare national
insignia were sourced and applied
over a layer of Alclad’s ALC-600
Aqua Gloss. As the missile was
to be depicted as being fresh

 The kit’s engine compartment didn’t have the option of being displayed in the open  Mission Models’ RAL 7028 was sprayed on the lower hull and running gear, with one road
position, which was a shame as Modelcollect provided a rather decent-looking powerplant. wheel coloured RAL 3009 for interest. The tracks were then brush-painted Vallejo Black Grey.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 71
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER

 After a SIN Industries filter had dried thoroughly, a Burnt Umber and Lamp Black pin  A cotton swab dipped in Tamiya Lacquer thinner was used to clean any mating surfaces.
wash was flowed into the moulded detail. This product removed paint and primer without damaging the underlying plastic.

from the factory, it was kept
relatively clean…just the panel
lines received an oil wash.
The launcher was painted in a
splinter-type pattern, comprising
light yellow and green shades,
with the former created
by blending MMP-011
Dunkelgelb with MMP-001
White in a 3:2 ratio. This base
hue was then lightened further,
and highlights were applied
randomly. Similarly, MMP-018
Reseagrun was employed for the
green areas, with white added for
faded sections and/or highlights.
Gloss varnish was then airbrushed
over the sub-assembly, after which
SIN Industries’ P402 Brown
for Desert Yellow
filter (now available
as F402 from MIG
Productions
— www.
migproductions.com) was applied,
to blend the various colours and
reduce the stark contrast. This
was left to dry for 36 hours, and
the model was moved into a well-
ventilated room during this period,
as the odour was quite strong.
More weathering of the launcher
followed; the finely moulded
details received a Burnt Umber
oil wash, before paint chips were
added with 70.822 German Camo
Black Brown, which was applied
by fine brush. Here it was best
to dilute the paint with a drop
of water, as otherwise Vallejo
acrylics tend to dry quickly (it also
prevented the bristles becoming
clogged). The same tone was
applied heavily on the blast shield
with a sponge, to show even more
wear. A coat of Model Master’s
201503 Flat Clear lacquer then
sealed the paintwork.

72 Airfix Model World

 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER

 The lower hull was masked, then RAL 7028 was sprayed on the remaining sections, after  Next, RAL 7027 was sprayed; more Blu Tack ‘worms’ masked this tone, and the final layer
which Blu Tack set the hard-edged camouflage pattern. of RAL 3039 was added. Details such as hand tools and tow cables would be painted later.

Two-stage hull Sandgrau was sprayed to create

The vehicle hull was painted
and weathered in two separate
operations. After priming, MMP-
011 Dunkelgelb was applied to the
lower hull and most road wheels
(one received MMP-013 Red Oxide
to represent a late ‘straight from
the foundry’ addition). The tracks
were then brush-painted 70.862
Black Grey and, as with the
launcher, a layer of gloss was then
applied, which when fully cured
was followed by P402 Brown for
Desert Yellow filter. An oil wash
of Burnt Umber, darkened with
Lamp Black, was then added to
accentuate the moulded details,
and this was then set aside for a
day, before being matt varnished.
With the tracks and running gear
completed, they were masked in
their entirety, and focus shifted
to the upper hull camouflage.
The base colour was again MMP-
011 Dunkelgelb — highlights and
fading effects were created as
per the launcher unit via a paler
shade (by adding a hint of white).
Blu Tack then set the hard-edged
disruptive pattern and MMP-016
a boundary tone. This was then
masked with Blu Tack ‘worms’,
so MMP-013 Red Oxide could be
sprayed as the final hue, being
lightened and faded randomly as
per the other shades.
Many late-war Panzers featured
what was called ‘ambush’
camouflage, with small spots of
contrasting colours placed at
random across the hull and turret.
Dots of the two primary colours
(Dunkelgelb and Red Oxide) were
 Dots of contrasting paint were applied to reproduce an ‘ambush’-style pattern. This was
added using a fine, round cocktail
done with a fine, round cocktail stick, being careful to keep the size of the dots consistent.
stick to replicate this scheme.
Despite the number of these
required to cover the hull, the
whole process proceeded rather
quickly, though care was needed
not to load the stick with too
much paint, thus creating a blob
instead of a dot.
Mission Models’ products are
renowned for their fast-drying
nature, so in no time at all,
details such as the tow cables
and hand tools were painted.
Chipping effects then followed,
concentrating on the vehicle’s  Chipping was added once again, but more heavily, to represent an older vehicle, this was
edges and high-traffic areas, concentrated along edges and hatches, where the most wear and tear would occur.

Colour pallet
A combination of Mission Models (www.missionmodelsus.com) and Vallejo
(www.creativemodels.co.uk) paints were used during this build:
Mission Models
V-1 MMP-049 Graugrun/RLM 74
MMP-051 Lichtblau/RLM 76
Launcher MMP-018 Reseagrun RAL 6011
MMP-011 Dunkelgelb RAL 7028 + MMP-001 White (3:2 mix)
Hull MMP-011 Dunkelgelb RAL 7028
MMP-013 Red Oxide German WWII RAL 3009
MMP-016 Sandgrau RAL 7027
Vallejo
Tracks 70.862 Black Grey
Chipping 70.822 German Camo. Black Brown  Another filter and Burnt Umber/Lamp Black oil wash was used on the hull, but in darker
layers. A few random rust stains were added courtesy of a fine brush and Burnt Sienna.

www.airfixmodelworld.com 73
 INTERMEDIATE BUILD
V1-E75 MISSILE LAUNCHER

and in greater quantity and
density than the launcher, to
emphasize the vehicle’s well-used
origins. After the obligatory gloss
varnish, a filter was once again
applied, rather more heavily in
this case, and more oils were
used to bring emphasise the
moulded detail. Rust stains were
created via Burnt Sienna oil
paint to further show the hull’s
aging condition, after which matt
varnish was applied to seal all the
work to date.
Playing in the mud
An armoured vehicle without
dirt accumulations is like having
eggs but no bacon; it’s just not
done! In small scale, however,
it’s far too easy to overdo these
effects and make them appear
heavy and chunky. The formula
for this build was to mix pigment,
baking powder, and thinner
into a slurry. Three shades of
MIG Productions’ powders were
employed (P028 European Dust,
P034 Russian Earth, and P033
Dark Mud) to create the desired
colour, although as this was a
‘what-if’ subject any tone could
suffice. The baking powder gave
the mud a certain consistency,
and Tamiya’s X-20A Acrylic
thinner acted as a binder. By

 The mud recipe; pigments for colour, baking powder for body, and acrylic thinner to bind  An old, recycled brush was used to stipple the mud on the areas of the vehicle where it
it together. Varying the ingredients yielded different tones and textures. would collect naturally, generally the undersides, rear, and running gear.

74 Airfix Model World

varying these three components,
different shades and thicknesses
of dirt could be created.
After mixing a pleasing-looking
concoction, the mud was stippled
on the undersides, lower hull,
and running gear. It was packed
into the tracks, but the excess
was wiped clean from those
parts that would contact the
ground — an application of MIG
Productions’ Pigment Fixer
guaranteed it was secured
permanently. After a brief pause  Excess mud was wiped from the tops/bottoms of the tracks before it had
while the mud set, additional a chance to dry.
pigments were applied dry to
create more varied shades, as
well as being applied to the
vehicle’s sides and upper hull.
The final touch was to highlight
the contact points on the tracks
by rubbing them with a steel
Prismacolor pencil. All that
remained was to stack the three
separate assemblies in the
correct order.

Marvellous ‘what-if’
From start to finish, this build
could only be described as fun.  Various MIG Productions’ pigments (P026 Concrete and P029 Brick Dust)
were used to add colour contrast to an otherwise monotone shade of dirt.
True, the instructions caused
minor grief when it came to the
tracks, but that was a paper,
not a plastic, issue. The level of
detail was superb, the fit was
more than acceptable, and the
real entertainment value came
with the painting and weathering.
German vehicles, especially
from later in the war, make for a
great canvas with which to work,
and the scope is only limited by
one’s imagination. Combining
Modelcollect’s fine kit with
Mission Models’ user-friendly and  Pigments were also applied along the vehicle top and sides, to create a
quick-drying paints resulted well-worn appearance. The launcher received just minor dusting, to enhance
in a winning combination. the contrast between it and the hull.

A steel Prismacolor pencil highlighted

the metal parts of the tracks which
would appear bare and exposed due
to wear. The tow cables received
the same treatment.
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 ON THE SHELF
BOOKS
BUFFS OVER NORTH KOREA
Operation Linebacker II 1972
By: Marshall L Michel III
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2760-9
Price: £13.99 Format: 185 x 248mm
Web: www.ospreypublishing.com
Osprey’s sixth Air Campaign is
devoted to Operation Linebacker
II, the final strategic US bombing
offensive of the Vietnam War. The
complex nature of these events
is reflected in the larger than
usual page count, and provides
STALIN’S LONG-LIVED TANK
T-34-85 After WW2
By: Przemysław Skulski
ISBN: 978-83-65281-65-4
Price: £20 Format: A4
Web: www.mmpbooks.biz
If the operational lifetime of a
tank is a measure of quality, then
the Soviet T-34-85 is the greatest
ever, entering service in 1944, yet
still serving in several countries up
to at least 2016.
MMP’s entertaining volume
describes the type’s considerable
SEND IN YOUR PRODUCTS FOR US TO REVIEW: Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, Units 1-4 Gwash Way Industrial Estate, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1XP, UK
78 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
96 pages
greater scope for analysis. What
makes this account stand out from
others is its superbly balanced
content, including final analysis and
conclusions from US and North
Vietnamese perspectives…tellingly,
it was viewed as a victory by both.
A brief chronology of the Vietnam
War provides a neat segue into the
capabilities of attacking (US) and
defending (North Vietnam) forces,
including the latter’s Soviet-supplied
surface-to-air missile systems. The
actual campaign occupies almost
half the pages, and is presented as
a night-by-night account, covering
US and North Korean actions, and
how political/higher-command
interference affected operations.
The narrative is accompanied by an
extensive collection of period photos,
plus informative digital graphics and
stunning artwork of key events in
the two-week campaign. While this
doesn’t provide much new material
from a modelling perspective, it
offers a wealth of historical context,
and is recommended highly for
aviation aficionados. SF
112 pages
post-war career with more than
40 nations, concentrating on
the varied colours and markings
worn by these tanks. It’s split into
three sections: Post-War/Licence
Production, Paint Schemes and
Markings, and Modernizations.
The first covers Czech-, Yugoslav-
and Polish-built vehicles and the
T-34-85’s combat history in Asia
(including Korea, Vietnam and
Afghanistan), the Middle East
(Egypt, Syria, Yemen), Africa
(Libya, Ethiopia, Angola), the
Balkans and Cuba. The type’s
increasing obsolescence against
more modern opponents is
apparent, along with its reliability
and ruggedness. The colours and
markings segment are the real
highlight, with countries listed in
alphabetic order; here the text is
supported by period photographs
and full-colour profiles. While
there is much for modellers to
savour, it’s the final section that
will impress most, as it contains
the best close-up photos (mostly
museum exhibits) and describes
how T-34s operated by various
nations have been upgraded. SF
REVOLUTIONARY VESSEL
93 pages
The Japanese Destroyer Fubuki
By: Carlo Cestra
ISBN: 978-83-65437-94-5
Price: £25.99 Format: A4
Web: casematepublishers.co.uk
It’s perhaps fitting Kagero has
covered the Fubuki-class destroyer
as part of its Super Drawings
series, as both are regarded as
ground-breaking in their own way.
When the ship entered service
in the late 1930s, it’s firepower
rivalled that of most light cruisers,
notably the number and caliber of
the torpedo launchers. However,
the consequence, as explained
in the concise introduction, was overhead views, culminating with
a top-heavy structure, and early more than 70 pages of isometric
vessels in the class required projection close-ups of the ship’s
considerable modifications to equipment, armament and fittings.
rectify this problem. Attention These are complemented with
then shifts to the lead vessel, fold-out scale drawings, with side
Fubuki, and its service is described and top elevations in 1/200, fore/
in depth, culminating in its sinking aft in 1/100 and detail diagrams
at the Battle of the Savo Sea on of weaponry, rangefinders and
October 11-12, 1942. The reader is searchlights in either 1/50 or
then treated to the usual Kagero 1/100 scales. This volume is
digital artwork of the vessel in indispensable for any modeler
all its glory, starting with profile attempting an early Fubuki-class
sections along each side and model, regardless of scale. SF
PASSENGER-CARRYING ICON 188 pages
Boeing 707 (1957 to present)
By: Charles Kennedy
ISBN: 978-1-78521-136-2 Price: £25
Format: 276mm x 214mm
Web: www.haynes.co.uk
In the history of airliners and long-
range aviation, there’s a universal
constant…Boeing’s 707, which
remains in service to this day in both
civil and military guises. Haynes’
guide features many previously
unpublished archive photographs,
and provides a fascinating narrative
on this hugely successful aircraft.
The type’s development is charted
against the immediate post- describe the airliner’s anatomy, its
war surge in aviation projects, different engines (Pratt & Whitney,
incorporating many lessons from Rolls-Royce and CFM International),
military projects (such as Boeing’s and the many airlines to operate
own B-47 Stratojet) and competitor’s the type. Its military service isn’t
tragedies (notably the ‘discovery’ of neglected, highlighting how this four-
metal fatigue in the British Comet engined design became the base
1). There’s also plenty of humour, platform for airborne early warning,
most associated with test flights air refuelling, intelligence collection,
and Boeing’s rivalry with Douglas. command post, ground surveillance,
These include the 707’s famous missile/rocket monitoring and
barrel roll manoeuvre at the 1955 presidential transport variants. This
Gold Cup race day by test pilot Tex is a magnificent tribute to Boeing’s
Johnston. Familiar sections then iconic airliner. SF
 ATLAS CHEETAH E sales@alclad2.co.uk
www.alclad2-online.co.uk
01692 500700

ALCE004 RAF Ocean Grey (BS381C-633) ALCE317 USN WWII Aircraft Light Grey
ALCE011 RAF Sky Type S (BS381C-210) ALCE024 Raf Desert Sand
ALCE012 British Interior Grey-Green (BS381C-283) ALCE302 US Vietnam Camouflage Tan
ALCE013 RAF Dark Green (BS381C-241) ALCE307 US Vietnam Camouflage Medium Green
HPK072113 SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE ALCE101 Matt White ALCE308 US Vietnam Camouflage Dark Green
ALCE102 Matt Black ALCE310 Black Tyre Rubber
ALCE202 RLM 02 Grau (Grey) ALCE601 Israeli Camouflage Pale Green
ALCE215 RLM66 Schwarzgrau (Black Grey) ALCE602 Israeli Camouflage Pale Blue
ALCE304 US Camouflage Tan (FS595-30400) ALCE603 Israeli Camouflage Sand
ALCE305 US Camouflage Earth (FS595B-30118) ALCE604 Israeli Camouflage Tan
ALCE021 RAF Dark Earth (BS381C-450) ALCE605 Signal Red
ALCE104 Zinc Chromate Yellow (FS33481) ALCE606 RAF Training Yellow
ALCE216 RLM70 Schwarzgrün (Black Green) ALCE607 RAF training Orange
ALCE309 USN/USAAF WWII Interior Grn (FS595-34151) ALCE608 Royal Blue
ALCE319 USN WWII Intermediate Blue (FS595-35164) ALCE609 Air Superiority Blue (FS35450)
ALCE001 RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey (BS381C-640) ALCE610 Mod Eagle Grey (FS36176)
ALCE003 RAF Medium Sea Grey (BSS81C-637) ALCE611 Aggressor Grey (FS36251)
ALCE050 British Deep Bronze Grn (BS381C-224) ALCE612 White Grey (FS36628)
ALCE220 RLM74 Graugrün (Grey Green) ALCE613 Aggressor Blue (FS35109)
ALCE221 RLM75 Grauviolett (Violet Grey) ALCE614 Light Grey (FS36495)
ALCE250 Panzer Schwartzgrau (RAL7021) ALCE615 Skyline Blue (FS25250)
ALCE901 Canadian Voodoo Grey (FS595-36515) ALCE616 Dark Grey Bue (FS15102)
ALCE214 RLM65 Hellblau (Pale Blue) ALCE617 Olive Drab (BS381C-298)
ALCE222 RMM76 WEISSBLAU (WHITE BLUE) ALCE618 Nato Brown (BS-499)
ALCE231 RLM78 Himmelblau / Hellblau ALCE619 Nato Green (BS-285)
ALCE251 Panzer Dunkelgelb (RAL) ALCE620 Nato Black (BS480000ES3)
ALCE252 Panzer Signalbarun (RAL8020) ALCE621 Medium Gunship Greu (FS361766)
ALCE253 Panzer Olivgrun (RAL6003) ALCE622 Russian Tank Green
ALCE314 Camouflage Gray (FS595-36622) ALCE623 RAF Pru Blue
ALCE315 Gunship Gray (FS595-36118) ALCE624 Dark Sea Grey
ALCE650 Israeli Sand Grey ALCE625 RAF Middlestone
ALCE062 British Brown Bess ALCE626 RAF Azure Blue
 ON THE SHELF
BOOKS

ISRAELI PEOPLE-CARRIERS 82 pages

REGIA MARINA’S FIGHTERS
48 pages

series, these are the ‘must-have' Italian Cruisers of World War II

Zelda M113 in IDF Service Part 3
By: Michael Mass, Adam O’Brien
ISBN: 978-965-7700-10-5
Price: £29.50 Format: A4
Web: www.aviationbookcentre.com
Desert Eagle has left it until the
third volume on the M113/Zelda to
focus on the baseline armoured
personnel carrier versions, including
those with an enhanced protection
package called Toga. For those
unfamiliar with its IDF Armour
ARMY OBSERVER
references for any Israeli ground
equipment, packing masses of
information and high-quality photos
in each volume. An introduction
provides the M113 history and then
an overview of derivatives (including
versions featured in the previous
two volumes) in Israeli service. There
is then a photo collection of Zeldas
during the Yom Kippur War, which
supplies excellent references for
equipment fit and stowage on these
early machines. This leads neatly
into modern vehicles, and these are
depicted on exercise and operations,
in convoys or being refuelled
(the latter are ideal for diorama
builders). Attention then shifts to
upgraded M113s, which are named
Vayzata when equipped with the
Toga spaced-armour system. Both
sections include a new item, with
examples of wrecked machines, after
which there are the standard interior
and close-up/walk-round segments,
providing modellers with all the
visual references they should need
to build an Israeli M113. SF
64 pages
its service in Asia, Northern
and Central Africa and South
America. This is followed by
in-depth analysis of O-1s flown
WILD CAT AT WAR
By: Mark Stille
ISBN: 978-1-4728-2535-3
Price: £10.99
Format: 185 x 248mm
Web: www.ospreypublishing.com
Osprey’s examination of Italian
Cruisers during World War Two
offers a fascinating insight into
that nation’s maritime operations
and doctrine. The opening
section covers these aspects,
plus tactics and description
of the navy’s strengths and
weaknesses. Notable inclusions
on the latter are the use of twin then follows a breakdown of each
(instead of single) gun cradles, class of ship, starting with the
minimal night-time gunnery heavy cruisers and then moving
training, and lack of radar, all of to light cruisers (denoted by
which had significant detrimental differences in gun calibre), with
effects on shot accuracy and stark differences between early
overall effectiveness against the and late designs. This section
Royal Navy. These serve as an is accompanied by profiles of
interlude prior to a recap of the each ship (which also provides
major maritime clashes between examples of Italian wartime
the Regia Marina (RM) and the naval camouflage schemes) and
British, covering successes and a series of artworks depicting
defeats, while also highlighting specific cruisers in action. The
the variations in protection final assessment is illuminating,
levels between ships, often even and overall reflects positively on
among the same class. There the RM. SF
144 pages

in the Vietnam War, being one Le Caracal Au Combat

Cessna Bird Dog
By: Des Brennan
EAN: 5010791883015
Price: £11.99 Format: A4
Web: guidelinepublications.co.uk
The fourth Warpaint Special
is crammed with information
on Cessna’s L-19/O-1 Bird Dog.
There’s an introduction to the
type, which leads directly into
a description of all Cessna new-
build and licence/refurbished
variants, plus explanations of
re-designations and conversions.
Focus then shifts to the Bird Dog’s
operational history, covering
of the few types operated by
all four US services (Air Force,
Army, Navy and Marines), plus the
CIA, France and South Vietnam.
Most attention is centred on its
observation/scout/liaison roles,
but also includes convoy support
missions. Perhaps confusingly, the
operator’s listing (with more than
30 nations) is after the history,
with 1/72 scale plans embedded
within this section. Modellers
will appreciate the walk-round
segment, although this is of a
civilian-owned L-19E Bird Dog,
repainted as a US Army aircraft.
The narrative is interspersed with
pages of profiles, and a mixture of
period, warbird/museum photos,
all with extensive captions.
Arguably, it suffers from a lack
of clear structure, and several
pages seemed slightly cluttered,
as there’s so much information
presented. Finally, there is a
single-page listing of available
O-1 Bird Dog kits, accessories and
decals in all scales. SF
By: Frédéric Lert, Éric Goffinon
ISBN: 978-2-35250-458-0
Price: €29.45
Format: 260 x 190mm
Web: www.histoireetcollections.com
The absence of a Eurocopter
H225M Caracal kit is surprising,
given its development from the
Super Puma, but anyone seeking
inspiration for a conversion
project will find it in this Histoire
et Collections photo study of the
type. While the French-language
text may prove daunting, the
photographs speak for themselves,
and there’s a wealth of information
provided in the high-quality shots.
After a short introduction to
the type, there’s an engineering
perspective, before attention
shifts to how the Caracal entered
service, with the trials unit
and establishment of the first
operational squadron. Chapters
are then devoted to each of the
campaigns the helicopter was
deployed, starting with Lebanon
in 2006 (evacuating civilians from
Lebanon), then Central Africa,
Afghanistan (based in Kabul) and
the Sahel (primarily Chad, but
also Mali). Various aspects of the
helicopter are covered extensively,
with different configurations of
floatation gear, air-refuelling probe,
self-protection equipment and
defensive weaponry for land and
overwater operations. Modellers
with Super Pumas will find much
here to add detail to their builds,
with views of the exterior and
cockpit. Perhaps the sole oversight
is the lack of a walk-round section,
but otherwise this is a superb study
of France’s combat-search and
rescue helicopter. SF

80 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com

 SALISBURY MODEL CENTRE
Veteranus Models 01722 334 757

www.veteranus.co.uk Sat 9-5. Sun 10.30-3. Week 9.30-5.

CLOSED MONDAYS. 3.30pm finish WEDNESDAY

6 & 7 High Skellgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1BA

37 FISHERTON STREET, SALISBURY SP2 7SU
Come for a day in Salisbury. Great walks, Cafes
and Cathedral for the family; a Great Hobby Shop
for you. See website for full details.
www.salisburymodelcentre.co.uk

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FROM HAYNES

Junkers Ju 87 GRUMMAN CHALLENGER 2
STUKA
All marks and variants (1935–45)
F-14 TOMCAT
All models 1970–2006
MAIN BATTLE TANK
1998 to present

Owners’ Workshop Manual Owners’ Workshop Manual Owners’ Workshop Manual

RRP £22.99

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Insights into the design, construction and operation of the Luftwaffe Insights into operating and maintaining the US Navy’s legendary An insight into the design, construction, operation and maintenance
dive-bomber that symbolised the terror of the German Blitzkrieg variable-geometry carrier-based air superiority fighter of the British Army’s Main Battle Tank of the 21st century

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A V A I L A B L E AT H AY N E S . C O M / M I L I TA R Y A N D A L L G O O D B O O K S H O P S
 ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
SUPERLATIVE SPIT
Spitfire HF Mk.VIII
By: Eduard Item no: 7449
Price: €12.75 Web: www.eduard.com
There aren’t many compliments that
haven’t been paid to Eduard’s 1/72
Spitfires, such is their quality, both
in terms of detail and moulding.
This particular boxing caters for the
high-altitude Mk.VIII version with
extended wing tips (offered as spares
inother boxings) and unpressurised
cockpit. Even in its basic ‘Weekend’
form, this is a delightful kit, with a
highly detailed cockpit (including
compass, reflector gunsight, engine/
ISRAELI MEATBOX
Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8
By: Miniwing
Item no: Mini085 Price: £19.80
Web: www.miniwing.cz
Miniwing has followed its delightful
two-seat Meteor with the definitive
F.8 variant, which comprises 15
crisply cast resin components,
a choice between clear-resin or
vac-formed canopies, plus a self-
adhesive mask set. Exterior detail
is rendered as finely recessed
panel lines, while the cockpit
consists of a hollow, into which a
82 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/72
flap control levers) and a choice of
open/closed canopy and entrance
hatch. The single-piece lower wing
half ensures correct dihedral, and
the well-appointed undercarriage
and associated bays are faithful
replicas of the real units. Decals area
supplied for the instrument panel
(to replace the moulded features)
and seatbelt harness, and there’s a
full set of airframe stencils. The two
schemes comprise:
• JF322/AX-B, Lt Dave Hastie, 1 Sqn
SAAF, Trigno, Italy, March 1944
• JF364/GZ-N, 32 Sqn RAF, Foggia,
Italy, early 1944
1/144
combined seat/instrument panel
component is added. The wing is
a single-piece item, with integrally
cast air intakes, exhaust nozzles
and undercarriage bays. One
further option concerns a belly
fuel tank, which can be fitted to
both RAF and Israeli Air Force
aircraft. The two schemes cater
for an overall High Speed Silver or
brown/blue camouflaged aircraft:
• WK803/V, 56 Squadron, RAF
Waterbeach, UK, 1953
• 02, 117 Tajeset, Ramat David,
Israel, 1960
GREAT VALUE FIGHTER
F-104G Starfighter
By: Revell Item no: 03904
Price: £12.99 Web: www.revell.de/en
Revell’s 1/72 F-104G might not
be the newest tooling, but it’s an
absolute gem, offering crisply
moulded parts, fine engraved
panel lines, a respectable cockpit
(with raised features on the
instrument panels and side
consoles) and a full complement
of wing tip and underwing external
fuel tanks. Options include open/
closed airbrakes, raised/lowered
undercarriage, but the canopy
VENEER RECONNAISSANCE
Lloyd C.V serie 82
By: Special Hobby
Item no: SH48044 Price: €28.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
When Special Hobby released its
Lloyd C.V serie 46 in 2002, there
was eager anticipation it would be
followed quickly by the Daimler-
powered serie 82…in fact it’s taken
16 years for it to emerge. The styrene
parts are basic, yet the 40 resin
components are cast beautifully. The
latter provide the engine and most
of the cockpit, augmented by photo-
etched brass details, such as seat
1/72
is supplied as a single-piece and
would have to be cut to portray
an open cockpit. It has the correct
pylon configuration for a German
machine, with just the centreline
and underwing units available
for ordnance…fuel tanks were
permanent fixtures on the wing
tips (in place of AIM-9 Sidewinder
rails). There are two Luftwaffe
liveries, both with wrap-around
disruptive camouflage:
• 7304/26+44, JaBoG.33, Büchel,
Germany
• 8102/23+92, JaBoG.34 ‘Allgäu’,
Memmingen, Germany
1/48
straps, scarf ring and turnbuckles.
The most challenging aspect of
this kit will be replicating the type’s
characteristic wooden veneer finish,
although there are aftermarket
products available for this. Four
unpainted Austro-Hungarian
machines are included:
• 82.13, fliegerkompanie (Flik) 3/D,
KuK 2.Armee, Russian Front,
autumn 1917
• 82.24, Flik.6/F, Albanian Front, 1916
• 82.24, Zugsf. Karel Janhuber,
Flik.6/F, Albanian Front, 1916
• 82.27, Flik.27/D, Kuk 4.Armee,
Galicia, Russian Front, 1917

BAVARIAN-BUILT GUSTAVS
Bf 109G-10 Mtt Regensburg
By: Eduard Item no: 82119
Price: €37.45 Web: www.eduard.com
Comprising five styrene runners,
photo-etched brass and metal frets
and a canopy/wheel mask, Eduard’s
ProfiPACK supplies all that’s needed
for a highly detailed late-war
Regensburg factory-produced Bf
109G. The parts quality is beyond
reproach, with crisp features and an
absence of flash and moulding flaws,
indeed, the detail contained will be
sufficient for most modellers (those
seeking extra need look no further
than Eduard’s Brassin accessories).
MINIATURE AIR FORCE
JSDF Aircraft Set 1
By: Pit-Road
Item no: S45 Price: £14
Web: www.platz-hobby.com
Pit-Road’s splendid 1/700 aircraft
set provides two C-2 transports,
and four each of F-35A, F-35B
and X-2 fighters. The freighters
comprise 11 crisply moulded parts,
while the smaller airframes have
just six. That said, the detail is
excellent, and all components
feature delicate engraved panel
lines. The X-2 and C-2 models
1/48
There are five aircraft, several with
characteristic unpainted sections on
the underside, a common feature in
late-war produced Bf 109s, due to
paint shortages:
• White 9, 1./KG(J) 6, Prague-Kbely,
Protectorate of Bohemia and
Moravia, March/April 1945
• WNr 130342/44+—, 5./NJG 11,
Fassberg, Germany, 1945
• WNr 130297, Fw Horst Petzschler,
10./JG 51, Bulltofta, Sweden, 1945
• 2+~, 13./JG 27, Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany, May 1945
• WNr 130282/21+~, IV./JG4,
Frankfurt/Rhein-Main, Germany,
November 1944
1/700
receive schemes for the prototype/
demonstrator aircraft (one and
two respectively) including the
traditional white/grey test livery
with red trim, and while the latter
includes extra serials for the initial
production batch, the former has
just notional markings of low-
vis Hinomarus in six positions.
Similarly, basic markings are
supplied for the Lightning IIs,
although just the A-variant is
currently in service…but there are
plans to introduce the -B on the
Izumo-class carriers.
STORMING STEALTH
F-35A Lightning II
By: Italeri
Item no: 1409 Price: £24.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Italeri was quick to offer a
production-standard F-35A, and
it’s been re-released with new
markings. This is arguably the
‘budget’ choice for a Lightning II,
yet still supplies a choice of open/
closed weapons bays. The detail
(both interior and exterior) is a mix
of raised and engraved features,
and the former are heavy in places,
but would respond well to a panel-
line wash. It includes truncated
MULTI-MEDIA THOROUGHBRED
P-51H Mustang
By: RS Models Item no: 92219
Price: €18 Web: www.rsmodels.cz
RS Models’ neat P-51H makes a
welcome return with a new set
of decals added to the existing
two styrene runners and 17 resin
components. The result is a mixed
bag; the plastic components are
typical short-run fare, yet with
restrained panel lines and surface
detail, while the resin items are well-
cast, with minimal flash. Interior
detail is acceptable for the scale
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 83
ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
1/72
intakes, but a full-length engine
and nozzle and provision for
raised/lowered control surfaces.
Six schemes are:
• 11-5027, 58th FS, 33rd FW, Eglin,
US, 2015
• 13-5085/MM7336/32.05, 32°
Stormo, 13° Gruppo, Amendola,
Italy, 2017
• 12-5061/A35-002, 61st Ftr Test
Sqn, Williamtown, Australia, 2016
• 10-5019/F-001/OT, Leeuwarden,
The Netherlands, 2016
• 14-5112/901, 140 ‘Golden Eagle’
Sqn, Nevatim, Israel, 2017
• 14-5113/902, 140 ‘Golden Eagle’
Sqn, Nevatim, Israel, 2017
1/72
with representative framework on
the sidewalls and a basic seat and
control column. The decals are easily
the highlight, and feature excellent
register and colour density; the latter
should prevent underlying tones
being visible. The four airframes are:
• 44-64394/PF394/655, March Field,
California, August 1945
• Prototype 44-64161, Mines Field,
Los Angeles, February 1945
• KN987, RAF Boscombe Down, 1945
• 44-64461/31 ‘Ah’m Available’, 62nd
FS, 56th FG, Alaska Air Command,
1948
 ON THE SHELF
AIRCRAFT KITS
CAT-TAILED STINGER
F/A-18 Hornet ‘Tiger Meet 2016’
By: Italeri
Item no: 1394 Price: £17.50
Web: www.hobbyco.net
It’s hard to believe that Italeri’s
F/A-18 kit is fast approaching its
40th ‘birthday’, but it has been
re-packaged with a new set of
decals for a Swiss Air Force ‘Tiger
Meet’ participant. Any of the
Legacy Hornet’s four main variants
(A/B/C/D) can be built from the
three styrene runners, as it provides
parts for both single-and two-seat
SIMPLE DAY FIGHTER
Hunter ‘Maverick Hunter’ F.Mk.58
By: Mister Craft
Item no: 040116 Price: £5.09
Web: www.amerang.co.uk
Modellers wanting a budget Hunter
should consider Mister Craft's
basic offering (a re-boxed ZTS-
Plastyk kit. There’s a rudimentary
cockpit and landing gear, but there
are no rocket pods or Mavericks
(despite the box-top label). The
decals are disappointing; one
sheet suffers from poor colour
opacity, with the backing paper
clearly visible through white, blue
84 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/72
aircraft. However, it is very much a
product of its age, with raised panel
lines, dubious cockpit and ejection
seat detail and blank faces for both
air intakes and jet exhausts. The sole
highlight is the decal sheet, which
provides all the ‘Tiger Meet’ artwork
and full airframe stencilling. Despite
this, the kit is of questionable value,
being only slightly cheaper than
Academy’s vastly superior offerings.
The specific airframe is:
• J-5011, Fliegerstaffel 11,
Fliegerschwader 13, Zaragoza,
Spain, 2016
1/72
and yellow areas. Note, two of the
schemes are for Hunter Mk.6s,
markings are missing for at least
one option, and references are
needed for the correct Patrouille
Suise livery:
• F.Mk.58, J-4068, Fliegerstaffeln ,
Stans-Buochs, Switzerland, 1994
• F.Mk.58, J-4021, Patrouille Suis,
Dübendorf, Switzerland, 1991
• F.Mk.6, N-249, 325 Sqn,
Soesterberg, 1959
• FGA.9, XG228/56, 79 Sqn/1 TWU,
RAF Brawdy, UK, 1984
• F.Mk.6, IF-126/IS-U, 22 Sqn, 9 Ftr
Wg, Bierset, Belgium, 1960
NOSTALGIA TIME
Bell OH-58D Kiowa
By: Revell Item no: 04938
Price: £7.49 Web: www.revell.de/en
Revell’s OH-58D is a blast from
the past, as it’s a re-boxing of
Matchbox’s 1987 kit, which was
one of that company’s later (and
therefore better) offerings. There
are two beige-toned styrene
runners, plus a third containing
the transparencies, and while
certain elements (exterior panel
lines and rotor blades) are heavier
than modern equivalents, there’s
FOREIGN JUNKERS
Ju 88A-4
By: ICM Item no: 48237 Price: £27.99
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM’s gorgeous Ju 88A-4 is back!
The contents are unchanged and this
remains the best kit of the type in
the scale, so there are eight styrene
runners, packed with crisply moulded
components, which provide for a
wonderfully detailed cockpit and
undercarriage. There are numerous
spares, notably MG 15 machine
guns and ammunition drums, which
will suit any 1/48 early German
bomber model. Armament options
are restricted to a pair each of SC
1/72
plenty for the modeller to work
with. The interior is representative,
rather than accurate, with a decal
for the instrument panel, and
control columns attached to the
crew seats, but the rear section
is accurate, with equipment and
stowage in place of seats. There’s
also a mast-mounted sight fairing,
although it lacks weapons. Two
schemes are supplied:
• 85-24724, US Army, Germany,
1993
• 87-00744, 1st Armd Div, US
Army, Germany, 1993
1/48
500 and SC 1000 bombs, sufficient
to occupy both external racks. As
with other releases, there are two
replica Jumo 211J engines, which
can be displayed if desired, and the
external detail is rendered as fine
engraved panel lines and rivets. The
four schemes cater for Hungarian,
Romanian and Finnish aircraft:
• White 108, Grupul 5
Bombardament, Romania, 1944
• Black B.4+09, 3/1 Bombazo szazad,
Hungarian AF, Russia, 1943
• JK-256/White 1, 1/PLeLv 44,
Onttola, Finland, summer 1944
• JK-265/Yellow 4, 3/PLeLv 44,
Onttola, Finland, summer 1944
 Online Mail order hobby shop
Bicester, Oxon U.K.
Stores.ebay.co.uk/Oxonians
User Name : Heepdrutt

Scale Aircraft
Please visit our website:-
Conversions
www.oxoniansplasticfantastic.com
It is with great sadness I wish to inform you that Jan, my wife of almost 48
Email :- info@oxoniansplasticfantastic.com years and business partner, passed peacefully from this life on September 8
after a long battle against Alzheimer’s and cancer. As committed followers
We are not just on Ebay we now have a new website up and running new items and ranges will be added regularly.
Anything you cannot find just email us we can get most current items in stock. of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have sought to live by Biblical principals in our
personal and business life. I will continue to follow this path as I look forward
to the day when I am reunited with her. – Ross McMillan

scaleaircraftconversions.com

Starling Models
Specialists in ship kits and accessories
Available now -
1/350 River class frigate
HMS Nadder, resin kit

Visit our online shop at www.starling-models.co.uk

email : info@starling-models.co.uk
 ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
MOBILE ANTI-AIRCRAFT
Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind
By: Italeri Item no: 7074
Price: £14.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net
This is a re-boxed Esci offering, but
despite its age (more than 40 years),
it’s still a fairly accurate kit. There are
four styrene runners, three of which
enable a Panzer IV tank to be built,
with an additional frame supplying
the four-barrelled anti-aircraft gun
mount and associated ‘Kekedose’
(biscuit tin) armoured surround.
BASIC, YET COMPLEX
T-55A Late Mod.1965
By: MiniArt
Item no: 37023 Price: £45.99
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
This is the ‘simplified’ (compared
to the full interior release) version
of MiniArt’s late Mod.1965 T-55A,
with 'just' 75 styrene runners
and a single photo-etched fret,
providing great value. It features
the correct RMSh tracks (as
individual links) and improved drive
and idler wheels as featured on
this tank variant and combines
this with stunning exterior detail;
mounting brackets for KMT mine-
clearance equipment are supplied
as optional items. Despite being
86 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/72
Tracks are link-and-length items;
these lack the refinement of modern
kits, but this shouldn’t be apparent
once assembled. This is also true of
the hull and turret, as the exterior
detail is either omitted or simplified.
Three colour options are supplied
and these exhibit differing styles of
late-war camouflage. Note, it is also
likely at least one was treated with
Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste
on the hull, but this isn’t catered for
in the parts.
1/35
the ‘basic’ release, the interior is
busy, notably the turret, although
no ammunition is supplied. It offers
the same eight markings schemes
as the ‘Interior’ kit:
• White 343, Soviet Army, 1960s
• While 172, 55th Marine Inf
Div, Pacific Fleet, Soviet Navy,
Ethiopia, 1980
• White 236, Soviet Army, 1970s
• Ethiopian Army, Ogaden War,
1977
• Macedonian Army, 1999-2001
• Northern Alliance, Afghanistan,
autumn 2001
• Taliban units, Afghanistan, 2001
• White 405, Northern Alliance,
Mazer-i-Sharif, Afghanistan,
December 2003
INFANTRY SUPPORT
British Churchill Tank
By: Plastic Soldier
Item no: WW2V20017 Price: £18.95
Web: www.theplasticsoldier
company.co.uk
Plastic Soldier’s Churchill dual
combo comprises four styrene
runners (two for each tank), with
the option of building a standard
Mk.IV, the Mk.VI with 75mm gun,
Mk.V with 95mm CS or Mk.III
AVRE CS. Although intended for
wargamers, the scale and the
crisp moulded features offer
ARMOURED PROPOSAL
T-90MS Main Battle Tank
By: Zvezda Item no: 3675
Price: £29.99 Web: www.hobbyco.net
Russia’s T-90MS variant never
entered full production, but its
appearance at several arms
shows garnered plenty of interest.
Zvezda’s splendid 1/35 offering
comprises 13 styrene runners, two
sections of mesh and a length of
string. The link-and-length tracks
have separate guide horns, with
the latter aiding placement of the
individual-link pieces. There's no
interior, but the external features
1/72
much for modellers, and with
approximately 30 parts per
model, this is ideal for beginners.
Differences between the four
variants are identified clearly in
the instructions via colour-coding
of the parts, with options for spare
track links on the hull and turret
sides. There is a choice of open/
closed commander’s cupola, with
an optional two-part figure for the
former configuration. Just a basic
colour guide is supplied, depicting
an overall dark green vehicle, and
no decals are provided.
1/35
more than compensate, notably the
turret, which offers a feast of detail,
and Zvezda is to be applauded for
replicating this complex structure.
Ammunition/equipment stowage,
missile-warning sensors, smoke
dispensers, add-on armour and
the remote weapons station are all
reproduced faithfully. Similarly, the
lower hull is a busy sub-assembly,
with separate torsion arms, crisply
moulded running gear and optional
side skirts. The single scheme
depicts a splinter-camouflaged
vehicle as seen at several Russian
Arms Expo events.

STUG WITH INTERIOR
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.D w/tropical
air filter
By: Dragon
Item no: 6905 Price: £69.99
Web: www.hobbyco.net
Dragon’s 1/35 armour kits are usually
busy, but its latest StuG.III Ausf.D is
abnormally so, until it’s realised it
contains a pleasingly detailed fighting
compartment. While the latter may
not be up to, say, MiniArt’s standards,
its far better than the previously
empty innards, and provides
ammunition racks, radios and a
HYBRID INVADER
Type 89 Japanese Medium Tank
Kou
By: IBG Models Item no: 72039
Price: €9.80 Web: www.ibg.com.pl
Having dealt with ‘regular’ Type
89s (see AMW April 2017, p.84),
IBG has turned its attention to
lesser-known variants, such as
this late A-model. It featured the
B-type asymmetric turret, but
retained the earlier lower hull.
These changes are incorporated
in the seven runners (including
one dedicated to the new turret)
1/35
complete breech mechanism for the
short-barrelled 7.5cm main gun. The
single change to previous kits is the
inclusion of tropical air filters, on two
dedicated runners, while the tracks
are supplied as lengths of DS Styrene;
a photo-etched brass fret provides
engine grilles, idler wheel rims,
latches and radio mast brackets. The
three schemes are:
• Afrika Korps, North Africa, 1942
• Sonderverband (special Group) 288,
North Africa, 1942
• ‘Seydlitz’, 1./StuG.Abt.177, Russia,
1941
1/72
and a small photo-etched brass
fret. The detail rivals that of larger
models, notably the running gear
and link-and length tracks, and
the type’s characteristic riveted
armour plates are reproduced
faithfully. As a bonus, there are
two figures, one appears to be
the tank commander (for the
open cupola), while the second is
probably a Military Policeman. The
single scheme depicts a vehicle
from the Second Sino-Japanese
War, Shanghai, during 1937, and
wears four-tone camouflage.
FREEDOM SUPPLIER
Liberty Standard B Truck
By: ICM
Item no: 35650 Price: £29.99
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
ICM’s 1/35 release is the first
ever styrene kit of the US Army’s
Standard B ‘Liberty’ truck, and
brings the company’s enviable
moulding techniques to this World
War One subject. There are five
styrene runners, each packed
with beautifully moulded parts,
which exhibit crisp detail and a
TANK TRANSPORTER
M983A2 HEMMT Tractor with
M870A1 Semi-trailer
By: Modelcollect
Item no: UA72083 Price: US$49.99
Web: www.modelcollect.com
Modelcollect’s refreshing approach
to kit subjects means it doesn’t
restrict itself to just armour, but also
encompasses support and logistics
vehicles, and its M983A2 HEMTT
(in its fourth boxing) has been
paired with an M870 Semi-trailer.
It comprises eight styrene runners,
plus a separate cab top, with three
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 87
ON THE SHELF
MILITARY KITS
1/35
lack of flash or sink marks. A well-
appointed engine accompanies a
busy suspension, and the cab and
lights are accurate for a Series I
vehicle. Similarly, the reproduction
of the canvas-covered section is
convincing, while the extremities
are bevelled to provide suitably
thin edges. Options are limited
to a choice between steel hoops
and canvas-covered cargo bed.
Two schemes are supplied, both
depicting olive-green US Army
vehicles deployed in France, 1918.
1/72
dedicated to the load-carrying
section. There’s detail galore, from
the truck’s engine and drivetrain
to the HEMTT’s four-piece wheel/
tyre units and the well-appointed
cab. Modelcollect doesn’t appeared
to have scrimped on any aspect
of the vehicle, and it matches well
with published dimensions. The
three schemes depict tractor/trailer
combinations in overall Olive Drab or
Desert Sand livery, or NATO-standard
three-tone disruptive camouflage. All
that’s needed now is an Abrams or
MRAP to load onto the trailers.
 ON THE SHELF
FIGURES
BEHIND THE WHEEL
German Drivers (1939-1945)
By: ICM
Item no: 35642
Price: £8.50
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
Hot on the heels of its splendid
Soviet Drivers set (see AMW Oct
2018, p.104) comes a World War
POSING JET
1/48
JOCKEY
Pilot F-8 Crusader
By: PlusModel
Item no: AL4079
Price: €8.90
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
PlusModel’s neat F-8 pilot
is supplied as a single-piece
casting, with a separate helmet.
While the pose is typical fighter-
pilot (leaning nonchalantly
against an aircraft), the flight
equipment is suitable for any
single-seat US Navy or US
Marine Corps airplane jockey
(including A-4 or A-1) of that
era, or even a single Phantom
crewman. The equipment is
rendered superbly, notably
the pistol holster, ammunition
bandolier and combat ‘waistcoat’,
while creases in the flight suit
and G-trousers are convincing.
88 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/35
Two German
equivalent,
and it’s ideal
for recent
ICM vehicle
releases. This
single runner
set supplies
sufficient
parts for four
drivers, and
caters for
high- and low-
seated positions. There are also
three different uniform styles and
types of headgear, including a
staff car driver with peaked cap.
The components are moulded
crisply, and while no personal
weapons are supplied, one figure
is equipped with magazines for a
Kar 98 rifle.
DANGEROUS 1/24
DUO
Back Off
By: Master Box
Item no: MB24035 Price: £10.50
Web: www.creativemodels.co.uk
The final pack in Master Box’s initial
‘Edge of the Universe’ ensemble
introduces Bgala, a female warrior/
ambassador and her robotic
companion Boomer; they are
known as ‘B&B’ as they work so
well together. This capable team
is provided on a single styrene
runner, and it’s great to see Master
Box’s return to form with the
facial expressions, as these are
excellent, as is the general parts
quality. For Bgala there’s a separate
hairpiece, high-powered rifle, sword
and ammunition pouches to join
the multi-component torso, head
and limbs, while Boomer features
arm-mounted cannon, plus an
equipment backpack.
AUSSIE TROOPERS
1/72
Australian Infantry WWII to remove with a sharp knife.
By: Revell There are separate stands
Item no: 02501 for the two-man machine gun
Price: £7 teams, while a base is moulded
Web: www.revell.de/en integrally on the other
standing, running, crawling,
With 49 figures in 13 poses bayonetting, surrendering and
(including a radioman and crouching infantrymen.
two-man machine
gun crew), this
is a great value
offering Revell.
It’s a re-box
of the 1990
release, and is
moulded crisply
in the same soft
styrene; several
items suffer from
flash, but this
should be easy
1/35 AIRBORNE 1/35
ENGINE ASSAULT
REPAIRMAN
Polish Paratrooper
By: ToRo Model
Item no: 35F104
Price: €10
Web: www.toro-model.com.pl
This is ToRo Model’s first 1/35
paratrooper, and it’s a gem,
comprising five crisply cast parts,
with separate weapon, arms and
head. It is depicted pre-drop,
with packed parachute, well-
defined harness, standard Polish
airborne forces coverall and
jump helmet (with goggles). The
German Infantry at Work Mors sub-machine gun is a joint
By: Royal Model highlight with the face; the former
Item no: 777 is a faithful replica of the real
Price: €13.90 item, while the latter features a
Web: www.royalmodel.eu convincing expression.
Royal Model has a well-
earned reputation for quality,
and this is exemplified by
its four-piece resin German
Army vehicle engineer, which
features exquisite casting
especially on the tunic and
braces. The figure is posed
bending slightly, as if working
on a dis-mounted engine
(as depicted on the box
artwork), but could equally be
working on a vehicle. Creases
and folds are replicated
realistically, with the tunic
notable for its refinement.
This is an ideal addition for
any engineering/repair scene.
 The International Plastic Modellers Societ y (UK) presents

The World’s Greatest Model Show

2018

Incorporating the IPMS (UK) National Competition

Remembering Commemorating
11/11/1918 01/04/1918

Over Over
200 200
Branches & Clubs Trade Stands

The International Centre Telford Shropshire TF1 4JH

Saturday Sunday
10th November 2018 11th November 2018
Open: 10.00am to 6.00pm Open: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Admission: Adults £12.00 ~ Concessions £9.00* Admission: Adults £10.00 ~ Concessions £7.00*
Two day pass £20.00 ~ Children under 16: FREE (up to 2 children per full-paying adult)
Advance ticket sales now available from: ipmsuk.org/ipms-scale-modelworld ~ IPMS Members FREE Admission
*Concessions means either Seniors (over state retirement age) or Registered Disabled (accompanying carer gets free admission)
 ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
NAVY JAMMIN’
EA-18G ‘Pew Pew’ Growlers
By: Twobobs
Item no: 72-108 Price: US$14
Web: www.twobobs.net
The US Navy’s VAQ-209
‘Starwarriors’ is the subject of this
quality product from Twobobs,
OVERSEAS SPITS
Spitfire Mk.VIII Part 1
By: BarracudaCals
Item no: BC72227 Price: US$10.95
Web: www.barracudacals.com
Barracuda’s Spitfire two-sheet
ensemble is perfect for Eduard’s
1/72 Mk.VIIIs, but will also suit
offerings by AZ Models and
Hasegawa. It features three
different camouflage types,
covering North African and
South East Asia Commands,
and offers guidance on spinner
colours. The first sheet supplies
90 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/72
offering three squadron
airframes from 2017 and
2018. The colour definition
and opacity appear spot-on,
and there’s a separate inset
sheet with Darth Vader helmet
silhouettes for the ‘double nuts’
or squadron commander’s jet,
which has hi-vis markings and
the callsign ‘Vader One’; pale
grey dark/light shields with
the same logo are supplied for
the regular Growlers. There
are sufficient unit markings,
national insignia and stencils
for two models (including
intake radar absorbent material
plates, ‘slime lights’ and chaff/
flare dispensers), one each in
the hi- and low-vis schemes.
This set is also available in
1/48 (48-263) with the same
options and number of stencils. The
airframes are:
• 166895/500/AF ‘Vader One’, NAS
Whidbey Island, May 2018
• 166899/503/AF, NAS Whidbey
Island, May 2017
• 166900/504/AF, NAS Whidbey
Island, May 2017
1/72
the majority
of markings,
including
stencilling for two
airframes, plus
all unit and most
national insignia,
while the second
supplies extra
RAF roundels
and tail flashes.
Five aircraft are
included:
• JP476/QJ-D,
92 Squadron,
Desert Air Force,
Taranto, Italy,
September 1943
• JF835/UM-T, Fg Off Paul ‘Gus’
Ardeline, 152 Squadron, Sinthe
Airstrip, Burma, 1945
• MT982/UM-C, WO Eric Clegg,
152 Squadron, Sinthe Airstrip,
Burma, 1945
• A58-517/UP-F, Flt Lt Normal
Turnbull, 79 Squadron RAAF,
Morotai, Indonesia, late spring
1945
• HL-K, Lt Leland P Molland,
308th FS, 31st FG, 15th AF,
USAAF, Castel Volturno, Italy,
February 1944
ISLAND HOPPERS
1/72
Shermans on Iwo Jima The schemes are:
By: Black Lion Decals • M4A2 (Flame), USMC 720725/
Item no: 72057 Price: €4.50 Yellow 8 ‘Apache’, A Coy, 3rd
Web: www.blackliondecals.nl Marine Tk Bn
• M4A3W, Yellow 6 ‘Applejack’,
Black Lion’s collection of M4s 4th Marine Tk Bn
deals with those units involved • M4A3W (flame), Yellow 40
in the invasion of Iwo Jima by ‘COED’, C Coy, 4th Marine Tk Bn
the US Marine Corps in early • M4A3W, White 52 ‘Tokyo
1945, and provides seven Express’, 5th Marine Tk Bn
examples, including standard • M4A3W (flame), White 38
and flamethrower-equipped ‘Comet/Widowmaker’, C Coy,
M4A2 and M4A3 machines. Note, 4th Tk Bn
several received modifications • M4A3W, White 21 ‘Hobo’, 5th
to facilitate the beach landings, Marine Tk Bn
so checking references is vital. A • M4A2, USMC 72761/Yellow 9
decaling and painting guide will ‘Ateball’, A Coy, 3rd Marine
be available via the firm’s website. Tk Bn
COLOURFUL CLASSROOMS 1/48
Stearman Kaydet Collection
By: Xtradecal
Item no: X48168 Price: £7.99
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
Intended for Revell’s quarter-
scale Boeing Stearman,
Xtradecal’s compilation provides
markings for six variants, the
N2S-2/3/4, and PT-13/17/27, as
flown by US Navy, US Army
Air Corps/Air Force, Royal
Canadian and Israeli Air Force
units. All add a blaze of colour,
with blue, yellow, partial/
overall silver-doped, and dark
green airframes. Additional
notes specify whether metal
or wooden propellers were
fitted, and the decals are
arguably brighter than the
painted liveries. Thankfully,
colour definition and density
are excellent, notably for the lighter • PT-13, 127, USAAC, 1940
tones, such as white and yellow. The • N2S-3, 39123/73, US Navy, 1944
seven schemes are: • PT-17, 216546, USAAF, Kunming,
• N2S-2, 3553/401, US Navy, NAS China, 1943
Corpus Christi, Texas, US • N2S-4, 29950/241, US Navy, NAS
• PT-27, FJ888, 36 Elementary Flying Grosse Ile, Michigan, US, 1940s
Training School, RCAF, RAF Pearce, • PT-17, 31, Flying School, Kfir Sirtain,
Alberta, Canada, summer 1942 Israel, 1953

BICENTENNIAL PHANTOM
F-4N VF-161
By: MILSPEC
Item no: 72-225 Price: US$12
Web: www.milspecdecals.com
The US Navy embraced the 1975
celebrations of the United States of
America’s 200th Anniversary with
gusto, painting at least one aircraft
REPUBLICAN SCRAPPERS
Spanish Civil War Part 5
By: Star Decals
Item no: 35-C1173 Price: US$5
Web: www.star-decals.net
In this, it’s fifth sheet devoted to
Spanish Civil War combatants,
Star Decals provides nine
examples of Republican Army
T-26 m/1933 light tanks. Most are
overall dark green, although at
least four wear disruptive tan or
tan/black camouflage. No stencils
or tank serials are supplied, but
the decals are suitably opaque,
1/72
in each squadron with colourful
markings. Those added to VF-161’s
Carrier Air Group machine were
arguably among the most vivid, with
a red flash on black fin, plus multi-
hued partial flashes and USS Midway
legend on the fin and fuselage
spine. MILSPEC has approached this
subject with its customary attention
to detail, and supplies the markings
on three sheets; two offer generic
stencils/insignia plus US Navy/
Marines banners. The third is specific
to BuNo 151433/100/NF, VF-161
‘Chargers’, CVW-5, USS Midway
(CVA-41), 1975. All decals are printed
on gloss carrier film, with excellent
definition and clarity, while the
painting guide provides information
on the aircraft’s paint scheme.
1/35
which should prevent underlying
tones being visible. These are
applicable to 1/35 offerings from
Italeri, Hobby Boss, Mirage Hobby,
RPM or Zvezda. The options are:
• White <5>, Aragon Front, 1937
• White 37, Aragon Front, 1937
• White 38, Brunete
• White VIII
• Red 375, Madrid Front, 1937
• Red 361
• White C.18
• White C.20
• White 20/24 ‘Viva Madrid/Viva
Ejercito del Centro’
ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
THE MERSU
1/48
Bf 109G-2 and G-6 in the Finnish • G-2, WNr 14754, MT-213/White
Air Force 3, 2/HLeLv 24, May 1944
By: Armycast • G-2, WNr 13736, MT-227/Yellow
Item no: ACD48021 Price: €13.90 7, 2/HLeLv 24, Suulajärvi, 1944
Web: www.armycast.cz • G-2, WNr 14718, MT-201/White 1,
2/LeLv 34, May 1944
Finnish Bf 109 Gustavs are the • G-2, WNr 14741, MT-207, HLeLv
subject of Armycast’s superb 11, 1946
package (also available in 1/72 • G-6/R6, WNr 165267,
as ACD72021) collection, with MT-451/White 0, 1/HLeLv 34,
notes on canopy type and Tailpalsaary, June 1944
wepons fit. Several camouflage • G-6, WNr 165267, MT-451/White
types feature, from standard 0, 1/HLeLv 34, August 1944
green/black uppers with light • G-6, WNr 165429, MT-511, 1/
blue undersides, to post-war HLeLv 34, August 1944
overall dark green and light blue. • G-6 (Erla), WNr 165227, MT-452,
There’s even an addendum note HLeLV 31, early 1950s
concerning Eduard’s G-2 kit. The • G-6 (Erla), WNr 1662215,
nine schemes are: MT-505, PLeLv 41, 1948-50
HOME AND ABROAD HELLDUCKS 1/48
Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback
By: Begemot
Item no: 48-045 Price: £18.60
Web: www.begemotdecals.ru
Sukhoi’s flat-nosed Su-34 Fullback,
nicknamed ‘Hellduck’ by its crews,
is the subject of Begemot’s latest
markings tour de force. This six-
sheet set provides no fewer than
28 airframes from throughout the
fighter-bomber’s current operational
service. Early test-beds are mixed
with initial squadron machines,
airshow participants and examples
of aircraft deployed to Syria in 2016.
In typical fashion, Begemot provides
full unit, national and formation
insignia, plus comprehensive
stencilling for the Fullbacks,
underwing pylons and an assortment • Red 05, 47th Separate Mixed
of air-to-air and air-to-ground Aviation Regt, Baltimore Airbase,
weaponry. Choices include: Voronezh, 2013
• Blue 43, Main Flight Test Centre • Red 03, Aviation Group of Russian
of the Russian Air Force Research Forces, Khmeimin, Syria, 2016
Institute, Akhtubinsk, 1996 • Red 08, 2nd Guards Bomber
• White 349/45, MAKS-1995, Aviation Regt, Shagol, Russia,
Zhukovskiy, August 1995 May 2018
View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com 91
 ON THE SHELF
DECAL SHEETS
LOW-VIS DEFENDERS
McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2
By: Xtradecal
Item no: X48190 Price: £7.99
Web: www.hannants.co.uk
With all the recent interest in smaller-
scale British Phantoms, it’s perhaps
unsurprising Xtradecal should
capitalise by releasing products for
Hasegawa’s 1/48 kits. This collection
FOUR DECADES OF DELTAS
Mirage IVP 40 ‘Years of
Strategic Air’
By: Syhart
Item no: 72-094 Price: €9
Web: www.syhartdecal.fr
Dassault’s Mirage IVP is a huge
canvas for special schemes, and
the French Air Force makes the
most of this at every opportunity.
This twin-sheet set supplies
decals for the commemorative
markings applied to airframe AV,
ERS/191 ‘Gascogne’, reflecting
40 years of French strategic
aviation, including all the red/
white/blue sections on the
intakes and underside (although
92 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
1/48
supplies decals for ten low-vis
grey camouflaged Phantom
FGR.2s during the 1980s and
1990s. Modellers will need kit
items for the airframe stencils,
as just serial numbers and unit/
national insignia are supplied.
The choices are:
• FGR.2, XV466/D
‘Desperation’, 1435 Flight,
RAF Mt Pleasant, Falklands,
December 1991
• FGR.2, XV421/F ‘Faith’, 1435
Flight, RAF Mount Pleasant,
Falklands, September 1991
• FGR.2, XV401/B, 228 OCU/64
Sqn, RAF Wattisham, 1988
• FGR.2, XV419/AA, 19 Sqn,
RAF Wattisham, 1991
• FGR.2, XV499/I, 23 Sqn, RAF
Leeming, 1993
• FGR.2, XV419/G, 29 Sqn, RAF
Coningsby, 1981
• FGR.2, XV498/U, 92 Sqn, RAF
Wildenrath, Germany, 1992
• FGR.2, XV490/R, 74 Sqn, RAF
Gütersloh, Germany, April 7, 1992
• FGR.2, XT903/X, 56 Sqn, RAF
Wattisham, 1988
• FGR.2, XV406/CK, 228 OCU, RAF
Wattisham, August 1987
1/72
modellers may wish to mask
and paint the latter). With all the
heraldic crests and unit badges,
even the tiniest slip in register
would be highly conspicuous, but
to its credit, Syhart’s markings
are spot-on, and the ‘Bretagne’
and ‘Gascogne’ insignia are easily
the highlights. The aircraft wears
standard Gris mer foncé overall,
with disruptive pattern Vert foncé
on the uppersurfaces and vertical
stabiliser. This aircraft didn’t
carry a recce pod while wearing
the anniversary scheme, but all
nuances are catered for, including
the artwork inside the nose and
left main undercarriage doors.
GREY TONKAS
1/32
Panavia Tornado GR.4/4A on the nose. Notably, one other
By: Euro Decals option, ZA560/EQ-B, also
Item no: ED-32117 Price: £27.95 carries the latter, probably from
Web: www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk Operation Shader. The colours are
bright and vibrant (notably on the
Euro Decals’ release is timed 12 Squadron fox head), while the
to coincide with the re-issue of white sections appear sufficiently
Revell’s 1/32 Tornado GR.1; it offers opaque to prevent bleed-through
four up-to-date schemes, including of the underlying grey tones. The
three centenary anniversary aircraft are:
airframes, and should be used in • GR.4, ZA461, XV(R) Sqn, RAF
conjunction with its GR.4 Stencils Lossiemouth, 2015
(ED-32118). The single ‘line jet’ • GR.4A, ZA405, 12(B) Sqn, RAF
is from 31 Squadron, and depicts Lossiemouth, November 2015
one of the aircraft was flown on • GR.4, ZA542/021, 31 Sqn, Gioia
missions against Libya during del Colle, Italy, 2011
Operation Ellamy in 2011 and
includes 11 ‘bomb tally’ markings
• GR.4, ZA560/EQ-B/050, 41(R)
TES, RAF Coningsby, 2017
CLASIC CAMM COLLECTION 1/32
RAF Hunters Pt.1
By: Blackbird Models
Item no: BMB32001 Price: £10
Web: www.blackbirdmodels.co.uk
Revell’s big 1/32 Hunter is the
intended recipient for this decal
sheet, either straight from the
box as an F.6, or (in conjunction
with Blackbird’s Early Hunter
Conversion set) a straight-winged
F.1 or F.4 variant. Three feature
Dark Green/Dark Grey camouflage
with High Speed Silver undersides,
while the fourth is an overall High
Speed Silver airframe. Airframe
fits vary slightly too, three
are equipped with spent links
collectors or ‘Sabrinas’ while just
one is depicted with underwing
fuel tanks. The markings are
well printed on gloss carrier film,
and exhibit string colour density • F.4, XF991, 229 Operational
(notably on the white areas) and Conversion Unit, RAF Chivenor,
excellent register. The choices are: 1957
• F.1, WT572/26, Empire Test-Pilots • F.6, XF383/R, Day Fighter
School, Farnborough, 1959 Combat School, Central Flying
• F.1, WT694/Y, Day Fighter Leader Establishment, RAF Stradishall,
School, RAF West Raynham, 1957 1961
 MODEL MART
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KITS AND ACCESSORIES

 ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
DIMINUTIVE 1/144
DETAILS
F/A-18C Upgrade
By: Brengun
Item no: BRL144104 Price: €5.25
Web: www.brengun.cz
Revell’s tiny F/A-18C gets a
resin makeover from Brengun’s
comprehensive resin set, which
provides new mainwheels,
leading-edge root extension
strakes, undercarriage bay doors,
exhaust nozzles, ejection seat,
an assortment of antennas and a
single-piece vac-formed canopy.
Despite the kit’s small size, it offers
substantial levels of extra detail,
and the crisply cast parts require
minimal preparation.
1/48
FOXBAT
POINT
MiG-25PD/PDS Pitot Tube
By: Master Model
Item no: AM-48-130 Price: £4.70
Web: www.master-model.pl
Replicating the long nose
pitots on Soviet jet fighters in
styrene is often challenging,
which makes Master Model’s
products all the more welcome.
This two-piece set, which lacks
the bladed ‘prongs’ seen on
other versions, is designed to
fit either ICM or Kitty Hawk PD/
PDS (Foxbat-E) offerings and is
a drop-in replacement and will
improve the nose significantly.
Note, other MiG-25 pitots are
available in another product,
AM-48-129.
94 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
GOOSE-
1/48
NECKED LIFTER
Crane Ruger H-3D
By: PlusModel
Item no: 4055 Price: €18
Web: www.plusmodel.cz
PlusModel’s repertoire
seemingly knows no bounds,
as it even covers industrial
hydraulic lifting equipment,
in the shape of its resin and
photo-etched (PE) brass Ruger
H-3D wheeled unit. The casting
is first-class, with minimal
preparation needed once the
flash has been removed, while
the PE offers wheel chocks,
chain and armature links, and a
length of wire is provided for the
crane’s cabling.
EASY BURNISHING
Black Track Pro
By: Vantage Modelling Solutions
Item no: N/A Price: €13.90
Web: www.vms-supplies.com
Rather than paint metal tracks/
links, there are several products
available for blackening/burnishing
them, such this two-bottle system
from VMS Supplies. Formulated
exclusively for metal tracks, it
comprises a 200ml bottle of
re-useable activating fluid and a
similarly sized container for the
‘blackening bath’ which must be
diluted 4:1 with water. Together
they are sufficient for four full track
sets, but the links must be cleaned
prior to using this system. A
comprehensive tutorial is available
at the VMS-Supplies website.
ANTON ON 1/48
APPROACH
Fw 190A-4 Landing Flaps
By: Eduard Item no: 48936
Price: €18.75 Web: www.eduard.com
The fun with Eduard’s kits is they are
provided at a certain detail level, to
which modellers can add as they see
fit. It’s Fw 190 is a delight straight
from the box, but for those wanting
extra, these photo-etched brass
landing flaps make a significant
difference. Clear instructions
identify where the styrene needs
to be thinned/removed for the
replacement components, which
require careful folding to replicate
the inner structure.
MOTHER RUSSIA
Soviet Symbols
By: Yen Models
Item no: YML4 Price: €9
Web: www.yenmodels.be
These laser-cut wood hammer,
sickle, star and laurel motifs,
the symbols of the Soviet
Union, are ideal for any wartime
or Cold-War scene; three are
supplied, with one large and two
smaller items, such as would
be mounted on building walls
and bridge/arch structures
respectively. Each section has
one or two small attachment
points, and those on the wreath
and star will require careful
removal, as they are located at
the extremities.
FEATHER-
1/48
LESS NOZZLES
F-15C/D/E/K P&W Exhausts
(Open)
By: KA Models
Item no: MA-48027 Price: US$18
Web: www.ka-models.co.kr
Further to September 2018’s
review of the closed F-15
exhausts (see p.127) comes a set
of fully dilated units, fashioned in
a similar style in incredibly thin
dark grey resin. Each is supplied
as a single-piece item (including
actuator rods) and features
stunning detail on both interior
and exterior surfaces. These
are designed for Hasegawa’s
kits, and the only preparation
required is to cut the eight
attachment points.
‘FRIGHTNING’ 1/48
BAYS
BAC Lightning Main
Undercarriage Bays
By: CMK Item no: 4345 Price: €13.80
Web: www.cmkkits.com
CMK’s eight-piece resin package
is designed to fit any of Airfix’s
quarter-scale Lightnings, and
provides completely new main
undercarriage bays and doors. The
splendid castings feature crisp
detail, notably for the retraction arm
and hydraulic lines, while the doors
have accurately shaped inner faces.
Modellers will need to thin the inside
of the upper and lower wing halves
to allow the bays to fit correctly, but
otherwise changes are minimal, and
this is a great value addition to any
‘Frightning’ model.
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 ON THE SHELF
ACCESSORIES
PATROL 1/48
ENHANCEMENTS
Komatsu LAV
By: Hauler Item no: HLX48380
Price: €12.81 Web: www.hauler.cz
Tamiya’s 1/48 Japanese Ground
Self-Defense Force Komatsu
light armoured vehicle (32590)
receives a comprehensive upgrade
from Hauler in this resin and
photo-etched (PE) package. The
former supplies door and hatch
handles, plus engine grille latches,
while the latter offers a wealth of
improvement to the styrene. There
are replacement engine grilles,
machine gun brackets, mudflaps,
towing eyes, antenna and smoke
dispenser mounts, and light guards
and much more on the two PE frets,
while minor surgery is needed on
the kit parts to allow them to fit.
1/72
INSTANT
COUNTER-
MEASURES
Remora Radar Jammer Pod
By: CMK
Item no: Q72311 Price: €4.30
Web: www.cmkkits.com
Part of CMK’s ‘Quick and Easy’
series, this is a three-part
ensemble, namely two fins and
a combined pylon/pod, designed
to fit its excellent 1/72 Mirage
F.1 kits (and those of other
manufacturers) and any Mirage
2000 offerings. The detail is
excellent, with recessed panel
lines and an accurate shape for
the pod’s fore and aft blade-
shaped sections.
96 View more reviews online: www.airfixmodelworld.com
REICH
DEFENDERS
Luftwaffe End War
By: AMMO-MIG
Item no: A.MIG-7221 Price: €9.20
Web: www.migjimenez.com
Here’s another of AMMO-MIG’s
excellent colour combinations,
this time providing late-war
tones for Luftwaffe fighters. It
comprises the usual four 17ml
bottles (each with stirring/
agitator ball) with RLM 76 Pale
Grey (A.MIG-063), RLM 82
Camo Green (-230), RLM 81
Braunviolet (-255) and RLM 84
Graublau (-256), and diagrams
are supplied for Bf 109, Fw
190D/Ta 152 and He 162 aircraft.
INSTANT 1/32
INSTRUMENTS
P-51D early/Mustang IV
By: Yahu Models
Item no: YMA3228
Price: £7.50
Web: www.yahumodels.
siemianowice.com
It’s the turn of Revell’s large-
scale P-51D to receive the Yahu
treatment, with a delightful pre-
painted and assembled instrument
panel as a direct replacement for
the kit parts. This is a slightly more
involved subject than most, with
separate lower section, printed
acetate dial and switch covers.
However, construction should be
quick, and the finished item is a
significant improvement.
SCOTTISH 1/35
WEEDS
Thistle
By: Model Scene
Item no: VG3-021 Price: €5.95
Web: www.model-scene.com
Although listed here as 1/35,
these impressive laser-cut paper
and cardboard weeds would be
equally suitable for a 1/32 scene.
They are surprisingly complex,
with radial pattern bases, separate
central stems (with branches) and
three-piece flowerhead; green and
purple flocking is then supplied to
complete the flower itself. If that
wasn’t enough, there are separate
leaves to add yet more refinement.
1/48
SAND
SIEVES
Bf 109G Tropical Filter
By: Eduard
Item no: 648410 Price: €3.75
Web: www.eduard.com
Here’s a quick and neat desert-
region upgrade for Tamiya’s
excellent 1/48 Bf 109Gs (and
indeed any quarter-scale
Gustav) in the form of this
resin and photo-etched (PE)
brass package. The filters are
cast as single-piece units, with
separate PE supports (and
two spare mounting plates),
and feature commendably fine
mesh detail. They are intended
as drop-in replacements for the
styrene parts and will add an
extra touch of class.
PRECISION
1/48
GUIDED
GBU-16 BGL Paveway II
By: L’Arsenal
Item no: AC4885 Price: €5.95
Web: www.larsenal.com
Intended for French aircraft,
this resin GBU-16 laser-guided
two set would also be suitable
for post-Vietnam War US Navy
and Marine Corps jets. There are
sufficient well-cast components
for two weapons, each
comprising nine pieces, with
a main body and separate tail
section, guidance fins, seeker
head and attachment lugs. No
instruction as are supplied, but
the packing image should be
more than adequate.
SNOW ‘SHOES’ 1/48
Winter Tracks for T-34 Type 1
By: OKB Grigorov
Item no: S48017 Price: €15
Web: www.shopokbgrigorov.com
The Russian winter forced many
modifications to combat vehicles,
and that nation’s own equipment
wasn’t immune. Special ‘winter’
tracks were devised for the T-34,
and OKB Grigorov’s neat resin
units are designed to fit any 1/48
T-34, although references should
be consulted as to whether these
were used on both T-34/76 and /85
variants. The characteristic ‘sloped
waffle’ is apparent on the guide-
horn-fitted links, while the
adjacent items have an
attachment point for
an ice grouser. As ever,
the casting quality is
excellent, with convincing
tread pattern and
an absence of
air bubbles or
distortion.
 Photo Etching - Photo Tooling - Laser Engraving - Vinyl Cutting
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We are a successful family business that LVM-studio.com
has grown over the years due to our
attention to detail and a well priced service.
We are happy to quote and give you our
lead times for small and large projects.

MARC Models RB Productions

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Peoplesmosquito www.ipmsusa.org
ARCHIVE TREASURES
SAAB JAS 39 GRIPEN
his year has been rich in
T anniversaries, and the
Vzdušné síly Armády
České republiky (Air
Component of the Army of
the Czech Republic) shares its
centenary with the RAF.
NEXT ISSUE ON SALE DECEMBER 6, 2018*
98 Airfix Model World
The then Czechoslovak Republic
was founded on October 28,
1918, following the collapse of
the Austro-Hungarian Empire
and its military air arm was
formed on the following day.
In commemoration, a specially
*UK scheduled on sale date. Please note that overseas deliveries are likely to occur after this date.
painted 211. Taktická Letka aviation milestones on the
(Tactical Squadron) JAS 39C
Gripen (serial no.9234), was
unveiled on May 11 at Čáslav Air
Base. It received the colours
of the Czech Air Force and
tail. The aircraft also received
tiger stripes on the fuselage
for participation in the annual
NATO Tiger Meet, which was
held on May 14-21, 2018 in
silhouettes of local military Poznań, Poland.
DIORAMAS THE ULTIMATE MODELLING GUIDE NE
The next instalment in Airfix
W!
Model World’s successful Scale
Modelling series, Dioramas lifts the lid
on scenic modelling and the techniques
necessary to produce convincing
miniature scenarios. This indispensable
guide centres solely on how to compose
a scene, produce buildings and paint/
weather aftermarket items realistically,
create authentic water, snow and ice
and other styles of groundwork, and
convert figures.

Featuring:
BUILDINGS AND ROADS
A pair of AFV Club’s Dodge WC 51s are at the
centre of this late war scene.

NORMANDY RECOVERY
A busy Normandy ‘rescue’ scene in 1/35 scale.

TREES AND HEIGHT

ICM’s Panhard armoured car is set among
rugged terrain to create a partisan attack scene.

LIQUID LIBERATION
We use Shephard Paine’s diorama guides to
create a stunning Soviet soldiers panorama.

AVAILABLE NOW FROM AND ALL LEADING NEWSAGENTS

ALTERNATIVELY, ORDER DIRECT

795/18

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PLUS FREE P&P* all UK & BFPO orders.

Overseas charges apply.

Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404
www.keypublishing.com/shop OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404
Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm

S U B S C R I B E R S C A L L F O R Y O U R £ 1. 0 0 D I S C O U N T !
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