Well, it was a bank holiday so it wasn't the fullest meeting that we have had. However, there were some nice models on the table and a member with an interesting story to tell. I got so involved in discussions that I forgot to make a video so we will have to do without this month.
Models on the table
Bill Banks
Bill brought along a nicely finished 1/48th scale Airfix Hawker Fury. Bill thought that it was a recent kit but Peter tells us that it is an old kit with new decals. It was nicely finished with the radio aerials being made from Easyline (Bill wished he had a heavier version as they are difficult to see). He also did the rigging of the undercarriage using stretched sprue. Discretion became the better part of valour when it came to rigging the rest of the plane.
Bill sent me a description on the model and some details about its service.
"The prototype is the restored aircraft in Duxford.K5674 The colours are 43 Squadron based at Tangmere. There were two further Squadrons 1 and 25 .This was the first RAF aircraft to exceed 200 mph. FURY !! with merlin engine exceeded 220 mph. Many were sold around the world...even Jugoslavia...first time ever mentioned in Janes. By 1938, the Spitfire and Hurricane were on the scene. The days of biplanes and firing through the prop were over. However the Swordfish and the Gloster Gladiator went on through the war with effect.
The kit is dated 2012 but Peter assures me it is much older.Judging by the flash I believe him.
The kit intended the in line engine to be in the front behind the prop where else...mission impossible. I intended to rig it using John's stretched sprue..but there was scant info except on the box art. That involved drilling wings and fuselage plus some double wires between undercarriage and upper wing. Better luck next time. Overall an interesting kit."
David Pennington
David had a bf109-E3 from Airfix in 1/72nd scale. He was given this kit by Peter some months ago. He hasn't built a German WWII fighter since he was a boy so this was a bit of a step into the semi-unknown. Everything went very well until it came to the canopy. Having had other hobbies filling up his modelling desk, he looked for the little packet with the canopies within in vain so it is shown here without.
He was told that, if he asks Airfix nicely, they will send him a replacement in exchange for a few pieces of eight.
John Ovendon
John showed us a nice PzKfw IV in 1/35th from a Revell kit.He tells me that this kit was first boxed by Revell in 1974 so it is of a good age. However, it has been a nice model to make but is still work in progress. he said how nice it was to open a box and find just two sprues. He also was pleased not to have to make lots of decisions regarding the various changes for the differing types in the box.
Peter Carlo
Peter displayed two more of his, obviously, extensive collection of modern 1/48th scale jets.
The first one was a Kitty Hawk SEPCAT Jaguar GR3 in RAF Desert Storm colours. "Very nice; good fit but complex undercarriage". He is sad that Kitty Hawk are no more so their kits are becoming difficult to find.
Secondly, he showed us a Douglas A4M Skyhawk from Hasegawa. "Again, nice kit; needed filler round the intakes; typically no stories so a raid on the spares box was required". My comment - Peter, every Skyhawk kit, in my experience, needs filler round the intakes - a bit like Harriers as well!
Peter Terry
Peter once again showed solidarity with the Ukraine by showing an ICM 1/72nd scale MiG 29. To improve the look of the aircraft, he purchased a 3D ladder as an add-on. He did point out that the ladder's price was 50% of the price of the kit!
John Teagle
John didn't bring along a model but he did have an interesting story. He had not been well earlier in the day and we were all sympathising with him until we heard why. It seems that, through a relation, he was on the Battle of Britain Heritage flight Avro Lancaster when it did the flypast earlier that day over Buckingham Palace. He had a bad attack of the stomach wobblers when the Lanc. did a few tight turns over Lowestoft whilst waiting for the Spitfire, etc. to formate! Oh dear, how sad, never mind! to quote an old BBC army comedy. Still, what a lucky bloke. Wish we could all have been there. It made a great end to the Platinum Jubilee day!
That's all folks!
Don't forget that the next social meeting on 23rd June. Bring a work in progress for the evening and lots of inane chat.
David
P.S. Don't forget that you can double click on the images to see larger versions.
