Did any of you steely eyed warriors master this Airfix gem :eek:

http://www.stuffwelove.co.uk/images/superfd1.jpg

Well, actually, we built models.
 

I remember seeing that advertised, but it just didn't entice me. It wasn't a model, it was a toy.

Likewise, remember it, don't think I ever had one.

Reminds me of the one that 6 had over the top table at Coningsby. There were balloons suspended from the ceiling with something in them:} and the phantom was launched on a cord from the ceiling where it flew in ever decreasing circles until it burst the balloons which then disgorged talcum powder over those near by.

Yes, after my (and Aber Ratman's) father seriously upgraded the rubber band of the catapult on the Christmas morning that we got it (as a joint present). This then allowed the Phantom to actually travel the whole length of the line before turning and gave a decent chance of catching the arrestor gear on landing. (The rubber band supplied only got the Phantom a few feet up the fishing line, and you had to raise the slider on the stick as the phantom left the catapult or it just ended up in the ground in front of the deck) The downside of my father's mod was by the evening of Christmas Day the catapult system was totally U/S due to the extra stress of the upgrade ripping a large chunk out of the flight deck at the front of the catapult.

James May covered Super Flight Deck in one of his programs about top toy's and apologised to his parents on TV for actually pestering them to buy it, as he stated it was in fact rubbish!

Aah! All those forgotten concepts!

Airfix. Creativity. BSA Meteor. Cunning modifications. Bangers. Fun. Inspiration.

And what did you get for Christmas, Willie? Oh! An iphone! How nice, what does it do? Lots of "apps". How exciting....

:\

Rumour goes that back in the mid 60's, Airfix had done the drawings for a TSR2 kit, made a pattern and were on the verge of making the molds for production, when the real aircraft was axed. From what I've heard the 1-48 scale kit has errors on it that are correct on the 1-72 scale kit (the worst one is how the top of the fuselage merges into the wing).

As a result of this thread ... I popped in to my local hobby shop in Uckfield to have a look round. I've not been in a model shop proper since short trousers days. The smell was very recognisable ... fresh plastic, the slight smell of aircraft dope together with whiffs of glue/paint ... fantastic !

http://www.thehobbybox.co.uk/images/...1highst002.jpg

To my surprise a vast array of model aircraft kits ... with many off beat examples like the prone position Meteor ... :eek:

http://www.militarymodel.net/images/large/MP72569.jpg

Introduced myself to the owner ... who turns out to be an Ex RAF Tonka Rigger. His particular passion being R/C Aircraft ... of which there were a few fine examples suspended from the ceiling.

Going back next week without the distraction of Mrs Coff :uhoh:

Coff.

If anyone is in striking distance of the West Midlands I would recommend the model show at Cosford next Sunday (April 7th.) Free entry just pay for the parking.

At this kind of event you witness long suffering partners, who have given up even pretending to show interest, being dragged along to stand after stand of models. Maybe revenge for all those Sunday afternoons in Garden Centres but I would recommend going alone as you won't get that look as she sees how much cash your handing over. If you do make a major purchase keep it hidden in the boot of your car until you can sneak it into the house without her noticing. ;)

Absolutely vital.

Model making is great therapy for relaxing, but the thing is, what to do with them now once you've made them? In my 40s, I can't shoot holes in them anymore or blow them up - they can only gather dust. Maybe best to embark on a 5 year project on a single decent subject. But which model?? :{

I collect old exotica car brochures; sad, I know. At a Beaulieu Autojumble, I found a copy of the very first car magazine I bought (Motor). My hands shook as I handed over the required 25p; the same price it cost me then (my dinner money for the week).

Its the same as gazing at old Airfix box covers - my most evocative has to be the Eddie Allen Superfortress.

Nice to see somewhere that still has a traditional modem shop left. Haven't got a clue where my nearest on is.

DANGER; DANGER

May I recommend not taking credit/debit cards with you; only a certain amount of cash? That way Mrs Coff won't find out how much your (ahem) purchases were!! Welcome back to the dark side, may the force be with you.;)

Sounds like a GOOD plan RP ... there's only so much shopping for "soft furnishings" a man can stand :{

If you want a good bang for your buck, look at some of Revells later kits, the 1/32 Ohu or HE111 being two. I made the mistake when I got back into it of trying a 1/72 scale kit, they are simple to build, but what was huge in the hands of a dexterous seven year old makes one feel like I have pigs tits for fingers as an adult, just too fiddly.

Or even their Tornado

http://www.google.com/search?q=revell%20tornado

Just google Revell 1/32 scale Ohu HE 111 or Tornado.

Paints these days tend to be acrylics and not enamels, can be thinned with water, if you want to prime it first, a can of Halfords rattle can car primer is good, it's also acrylic.


..

Mr fish's mention of model building with his dad almost brought a tear.I remember being bought a model Lightning in about 1972 for being brave at the dentist.And me and my Dad built it at the kitchen table.I'd forgotten all about it until now.

And I'd give my right arm to do it again too !

Airfix are your friend. Or Hasegawa Or Trumpeter depending on scale and unless you meant Lightning or Lightning

Although I think I know what you meant.

Beags - I recall that the NA.39 had folding wings and radome and a retractable tailhook but the airbrake was fixed. Airfix was always a bit random with its moving bits (the landing gear doors were almost always glued in place, even on the B-29... although the nose gear doors worked on the B-24J). That's why American and Japanese kits were a desirable luxury. On the other hand, getting a Lindberg with moving everything and detailed engines to work and look right was a nightmare.

Looking back it is remarkable how quickly - between 1965 and 1970 - most of the industry went from a focus on moving parts to dropping them almost completely and focusing on detail and accuracy.

Haha RP I may give it a go but yes an important component would be missing;)

The Airfix 1/72 TSR-2 is available again - re-issued due to interest from Japan from a cartoon series which uses the aircraft to destroy meteors (rocks from space). The parts and markings for the TSR-2 are included in the kit:
Stratos 4 TSR.2MS 1:72 (A08012) Model Kit and Accessories by Airfix

Airfix have been re-vamping a lot of their series 1/2/3 models in 1/72 :Zero, P51D, Mig-15, P-40, Bf-109E, A-4B, Gnat , Hawk and Swordfish to name a few if you want to get your grandchildren started at low cost.

Revell doing are some fine models recently, Lynx HAS3, Red Arrows Hawk and Typhoon F1, Arado 196 and Ju-88 in 1/32 at very reasonable prices.

At the high end check out the Tamiya 1/32 Spitfires!

If nostalgia is more your thing - you may find an old favorite here: Plastic Kits, Military Aviation Books and Magazines Bought Sold

Plastic pastimes poole
 

We all appear to share a similar pedigree. I have not made a model since mid 80s. the last one I completed was a PR9 from Matchbox. I added the SRIM that put the RWR and Decca 72 on. I passed all my completed kits to a guy at The Brampton and Wyton model club to do as he might.

The best model I ever made was a Revell 32 scale mossie. that the engine cowling could be removed. Circa 1972/3.

My funiest model story: Following a meeting at FRL a couple of years back we diverted into a model shop in Poole on the way back to Cambridge. The guy I was with was an avid modeller. we had a pile of kits on the counter ready to check out. including a Nimrod for me. probably totaling over £150 squids worth. My mate asked the proprietor a serious question. with that the chap lost it and ordered us out of the shop for being rude. I tried but failed to diffuse the situation

[TMP] "Anyone visited Plastic Pastimes shop in Poole (UK)?" Topic

Came home and on the advice of the proprietor did a web search. It would appear this guys trade mark is loosing his rag with his wife and customers. How he makes a living I do not know. The shop was an aladins cave. I never did pick up a kit.

Estes rockets were fun.

Have the new Airfix 1/24th Mossie in my to do pile, modelzone were selling them at £50 a while back and i couldn't resist at what was under 1/2 price.

If anyone fancies doing an RAF Puma, the new Revell 1/32 police Puma with the large sponsons, and floatations bags, still contains the original matchbox early sponsons, cabin doors, early intakes and the "polly" intakes, so you could make up any version the RAF have or had more or less with a few tweaks, though you will need to source or print decals for it.

As for the Buccaneer......

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...-big-pics.html

Well still hoping Trumpeter finally put this out, but a lot of the Modellers involved left :sad:

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