No. 211 Squadron RAF Blenheim Mk I UQ-R Tatoi, Greece, new-tool Airfix Blenheim I build review finished #5

Finally!  I've managed to finish the first of my new-tool Airfix Blenheim Is - although it 'looks' like a nicely detailed replica for a new-tool I have to say that I hate this kit! A terrible build experience, worse than the worst of any short-run non-fitting builds I've ever done. Be warned, nothing fits, apart from the undercarriage! Just about everything else required much fettling and filing and filling! My transparencies were short-shot and Hornby never came back with any replacements either. Fortunately a fellow-Britmodeller from Australia sent me a spare sprue that he had so it was while waiting for that to arrive that I very rashly decided to start a second Airfix Blenheim Mk I which I was a little happier with - but not much! Here's the first one in the markings of UQ-R of No. 211 Squadron seen in Greece in 1941 (note the 'R' was not displayed on the aircraft..)

IWM pictures of the machine modelled, licence-fee-free reproduction via the IWM site

Bristol Blenheim Mark I, L6670 ‘UQ-R’, of No. 211 Squadron RAF preparing to taxy at Menidi/Tatoi, Greece. Note the individual letter 'R' was not displayed..

Below; the Commanding Officer of No. 211 Squadron RAF, Squadron Leader J R Gordon-Finlayson, and his wireless operator/air gunner, Pilot Officer A C Geary, photographed in a Bristol Blenheim Mark I at Menidi/Tatoi, Greece, after returning from Corfu. On 24 November 1941, Gordon-Finlayson's aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing raid on Valona, Albania. Unable to reach Menidi, he force-landed on a beach at Corfu, where he and his crew were toasted and feted before returning to the mainland by fishing boat and rejoining their unit. Gordon-Finalyson is carrying bottles of wine and other gifts given to them by their Greek hosts.

ROYAL AIR FORCE: OPERATIONS OVER ALBANIA AND IN GREECE, 1940-1941.© IWM (CM 292)

'On Track' Model show - Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent, Saturday 27 February

Held at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent - the same venue as Euromilitaire - on Saturday 27 February. Great show - the usual suspects all present! Mr Models, Dan Taylor, John of Pol Models, still with a bunch of Kagero Air Miniatures for sale, still the same price as they were 5 or 6 years ago! The show was as busy as I've seen it in the past 5 or 6 years too. Best of the club stands had to be 'East Kent Scale Modellers' although there was a nice collection of Bf 109s on the 'Shepway Military Modelling Club' stand too..Here's a few of the models that caught my eye, my favourite possibly the 72nd scale Revell Lancaster finished in French Aeronavale markings built by Fred of the Gondecourt Model club from Lille, France. At the bottom a link to a flickr album of model builds to peruse (270 photos)..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kudosmedia/sets/72157664475597569

new-tool Airfix Blenheim Mk I build on the bench (5)

..slow progress on the two Blenheims but now that I appear to be over the worst of the construction 'difficulties' - 'shake and bake' this is not - I am starting to appreciate the detail on this kit..

new-tool Airfix Blenheim Mk I build on the bench (4)

As the transparencies were short-shot on my first Blenheim new tool, a kind BM-er send spares from Australia. These arrived just after Christmas. Still nothing- since early November - from Hornby themselves. In the meantime I started kit 2 determined to do a better job by not following the instructions. But still my progress is slow. Now I'm a reasonable, measured sort of guy but there are limits.....as a moderately experienced modeller this is an absolutely appallingly badly designed kit and the fit is atrocious. Nothing fits! Even with help from 'Steve' and others who have completed it. Falling rapidly out of love with Airfix on this one.

Now I'm doing one build as per the instructions and the other 'out on my own' ..guess which method has the least gaps and is proving the 'easiest' -relatively speaking - to work on?  Above, kit 1 - fit the fuselage parts together as two halves and then join. Much better result than kit 2 , images below. To follow the instructions on the Airfix new-tool Blenheims is to invite disaster! Below, kit 2 - lots of filling and sanding..

The finished model can be seen on this blog here

A visit to the Aviation Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells

Reference...we modellers generally can't get enough of it...I am lucky enough (?!) to live just a short train journey away from the Aviation Bookshop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Probably no exaggeration to say that proprietor Simon Watson and his staff (Justin and Roly) have a veritable Aladdin's Cave of books and models for the airplane enthusiast! Here's a few pics from my latest visit...with a bit of Christmas money to spend..and of course they are mail order specialists here

Airfix new-tool 72nd scale F4F-4 Wildcat in box build review - finished (2)

Meant to be a four day build during December, I finally finished the Wildcat after nearly two months. Not Airfix's fault this time I hasten to add - this is a neat and nicely detailed little kit, with a folding wing option and open or closed canopies also in the box. Ailerons and rudder are also separate parts. The rudder markings are decals, rather large too as well, but if you lay them over the part and let them dry, it is relatively easy to simply cut away the excess. The only real 'problem' was the finish - I used the recommended Humbrol enamel in the new formulation/tins - it was rubbish !  I can usually spray enamels straight onto the plastic; here I had to wipe off the first coat and apply a coat of primer before re-spraying..

Airfix new-tool 72nd scale F4F-4 Wildcat in box build review (1)

still waiting for some Blenheim spares from Hornby, very frustratingly, although kit 2 is progressing nicely. Masked with Tamiya tape, no way am I paying virtually half the price of the kit for an Eduard mask. Took about 2 hours to do, lay the tape over the part and pencil around the raised molded frame, remove and cut out with a sharp blade..

..and then having had my confidence in Airfix somewhat dented with the Blenheim fiasco, I decided to start the new-tool Wildcat which looks to be a very nice kit. Here's where I am 10 minutes after opening the box...and after adding a bit of paint and the cockpit/instrument panel decals in the bottom pic..

The finished build can be seen on this blog here