Building the new Airfix 48th Sepecat Jaguar GR. 1 (1)

 

Let's make a start on the new Airfix Jaguar that everyone seems to be showing off at the moment - and since my local museum has an example on display we can feature some 'reference' too rather than go searching for that elusive issue of 'World Airpower Journal'..keep checking in to see the build progressing with some more close-up 'reference' shots..

The first 12 stages (of 130 or so) deal with the cockpit tub and ejection seat  - there appears to be two of everything for different types of  MB seat - rather than for a twin seat version as far as I can tell. Although that is obviously coming - given the separate forward fuselage/cockpit area. There is neat raised console detail and decals to finish off the tub which is black which will obviously need washing or highlighting in some way to bring out the detail. If you are including the pilot figure you might want to check the fit here - apparently he doesn't with the ejection handle in situ.

The cockpit 'sits' on the forward wheel well and it all fits snugly into position. Next steps are to add some seat belts from wine bottle foil and build up and detail paint the super-detailed wheel wells - here they are in plain zinc chromate primer. A wash will bring out all the detail. The 'black' is (Halfords) 'Volvo Dark Grey' which seems to work better than 'black'..

A view of the main gear bay (looking rearwards) of the Jaguar in the RAF Manston History Museum (near Ramsgate, Kent). Not a terribly clear shot admittedly, but the green/yellow gear bay and some of the associated pipework is evident..note this appears to be in (light aircraft) grey along with the gear legs themselves. 

At East Kent Scale Modellers club night last week, Dale had already got most of the major components of the kit together...flaps and slats deployed

Fujimi Bf 109 G-6/AS

 

Sixth completion of 2025. This one of the Fujimi Bf 109 Gustav boxings ('G-6/AS Special Escort') finished as 'Green 5' of I./EJG 2, the Ergänzungsnachtjagdstaffel (night fighter replacement training unit), in overall (semi-) gloss back finish. Pilots for this special Moskito hunting Staffel were drawn from the ranks of the Ergänzungsnachtjagdstaffel instructors and tasked specifically with 'Moskito-Jagd' as described by Joachim Geier in the German-language "Jet & Prop" magazine issue 3/03. Decals were a mix of the AIMS 'Monotone Me's' sheet and those issued by Start Verlag (see Luftwaffe im Focus #4). Seen on the table at model club night. Has subsequently been given a coat of 'satin' Galeria varnish to tone down that glossy finish a little..

 

DBMK (DB Model Kits) 1:32 Sea Fury test shot builds

Colleagues at East Kent Scale modellers have been fortunate enough to have been given the chance to build this new 'super-kit' due out later this year by new company DBMK. Their efforts were on show and up for discussion at our latest club night last week, held as usual as the RAF Manston history museum. Both Bill and Dick who constructed these two were working without instructions. Dick built his unpainted. We've mentioned DBMK before on this blog as they have a number of new kits in preparation including a 1:48 Scimitar..

LIDARing the Supermarine Scimitar

 

IBG Models Gotha Go 242 in 72nd build review - finished

 

Finished the IBG Models Gotha Go 242 in 72nd. Here it is on the table at last night's model club..

Not too happy with the mottles on the fuselage. I had them down nicely but then managed to flood one side and ending up re-spraying and re-spraying. I might try something else.. with a thin brush and very diluted paint. (see first image)

IBG Models Gotha Go 242 build review (3)

 

..ready for painting using mostly Xtracolor enamels..

IBG Models Gotha Go 242 build review (2)

 

Gotha on its wheels (briefly for the picture) and almost ready for paint. Still plenty of smaller detail parts to be fitted but given that a certain amount of masking will be necessary, I've left these off..

Another view, with 72nd scale 109 in the picture. I've planned to pose the cargo ramp door open having replaced the plastic struts with some metal rod  (to the right, to be painted separately)

IBG Models Gotha Go 242 in 72nd

 

Here in the 'garden of England' we are in the middle of a week of 20 C/ 78 F sunshine, so the modelling stuff goes out into the garden. Just coming to the final stages of the new IBG Models Gotha Go 242. The build log is elsewhere but here's a view from the garden..

Rolf Pingel's Battle of Britain Kommandeur I./JG 26 machine - Hasegawa Me 109 E

 

Fourth completion of the year!

Hasegawa Me 109 - is there an easier build out there? Not sure though that I'm 100 % convinced by the shape of the nose. Decals from Kagero. Pingel's Emil was photographed during November 1940 - the blue of the fuselage now heavily mottled, although the machine still has large areas of yellow.  I used Xtracolor enamels. 

of course, once again the aerial isn't right. I've since replaced it with something a little more acceptable, although I hate wrestling with EZ Line. The trick here is to zap the super glue with accelerator ..

Hs 123 Airfix 'Vintage classic' - applying EZ line/AMMO rigging

 

 I finished this Hs 123 last year - but was always unhappy with the aerials. I decided to replace them  with EZ-line - and took a few new photos. Application technique has been 'refined' since my rigging efforts with the new-tool Airfix Swordfish and the Airfix Tiger Moth. Firstly, decant some accelerator into a lid. Next apply a drop with a cocktail stick to the anchor point. Then touch the EZ line aerial dipped in super-glue for instant results.