Airfix Kits

Posted by: Dungassin on 23 July 2010

I think I must be getting well into my second childhood ...

Suddenly got a yen to make some relatively simple plastic aeroplane models. Have ordered a couple of Airfix kits, and also put some on my Amazon Wish List. I suspect they'll probably be discarded or given to grandkids to play with after I've made them.

How sad is that ...

Today I realised I'd forgotten to order paints and polystyrene cememt, so I thought I'd get some in Burton. What a disaster!

Eventually tracked down a small arts/crafts knife for trimming parts, but the only shop in Burton with any cement or paints seemed to be the Games Workshop - and they tried to sell me Dungeons and Dragons type things while I was in there.

Alas, nearly all the small model shops and arts/crafts place seem to have disappeared.
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by BigH47
I have dozens of completed/half made/untouched Tamiya Formula 1 models.
"I'll do those when I retire", I just listen to music most of the time.
We have a ModelZone in our town, and a large chain handicraft shop on the outskirts, paint and glue are no problem.
Get a scalpel, but beware v sharp, but easy to get close to the parts to cut them off the tree.
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by Dungassin
quote:
Get a scalpel, but beware v sharp, but easy to get close to the parts to cut them off the tree.

I know - used to use them professionally. Smile
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by BigH47
Sorry senior moment. Red Face
Others may find the information useful though.

Did you have to cut to anaesthetise?
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by Dungassin
quote:
Did you have to cut to anaesthetise?

Yes. Minor surgery such as insertion of intercostal drains, percutaneous tracheostomy etc. Also we all do General Medicine and General Surgery (Thoracic Surgery in my case) as juniors. All doctors know how to remove "lumps and bumps" and stitch up wounds (basic training) Smile
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by TomK
quote:
Originally posted by Dungassin:
quote:
Get a scalpel, but beware v sharp, but easy to get close to the parts to cut them off the tree.

I know - used to use them professionally. Smile


Big Grin Big Grin
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by Blueknowz
I'm still working on a model of The Victory for the last 5 years
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by JamieL_v2
For a TV show I was working on 18 moths ago I made up one of the Superquick cardboard buildings for train sets (we wanted to have a building on fire, but have that tacky Goodies feel to the effects, so we burned an obvious model).

It was the first time for a long time that I had done something creative with my hands, as opposed to on a computer with mouse and tablet. I really enjoyed the physical feel, and being able to hold what I had made.

I tried a model tank (Tamaiya or similar) which was OK, but then I found my old Hornby trains when cleaning out my late father's house. In the same week Top Gear had their 1948 steam train, car and bike race from London to Edinburgh.

Well 18 months later, and probably few thousand pound into it I am back into Hornby ( and other makes) of 'toy' train. Toy trains have grown up a bit, and are ridiculously detailed, and not suitable for under 4 years, but I am really enjoying it. I have even started on brass kits, so a bit more than running a plastic model around a circle.

Sad, maybe, but I am in some fairly good rock 'n' rool company, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltry and Jools Holland, and I know there are quite a few more. Even a one or two on this forum, but I wouldn't 'out' a fellow indulger.
Posted on: 23 July 2010 by Sniper
I would love to have a big spitfire kit to make and paint. I'm having a real spitfire fest at the mo and watching 'First of the Few' and some excellent documentaries like 'Spitfire Ace'. I have not made an airfix kit for 40 years or so.

A little sand paper was often useful.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse
Most winters I buy a Tamiya kit and build it through a couple of rainy weekends. I am absolutely absorbed, and blissfully happy.

I have confessed now!

Bruce

Poor quality pic enclosed. Airfix kits are pants now BTW.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by Andy S
I'm half way through a Saturn V that I got for my birthday last year.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by JWM
I have two cardboard cartons of the things! Never find time to make 'em, but have never lost the bug to buy 'em!

The problem is that I can never be satisfied with making them 'as is'. Must always superdetail, usually bits inside that'd never be seen, so never get started.

I really rate the make of plastic kit called Academy. The fine quality moulding and fit of Hasegawa kits, but Airfix price.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by Dungassin
quote:
I tried a model tank (Tamaiya or similar) which was OK, but then I found my old Hornby trains when cleaning out my late father's house. In the same week Top Gear had their 1948 steam train, car and bike race from London to Edinburgh.


I spent an hour this week "helping" my 2 year old grandson assemble track for Thomas the Tank Engine. Smile

When my girls were small I bought a Hornby train set and extra rails etc for "them" to play with. SWMBO was not fooled for a moment.


quote:
I would love to have a big spitfire kit to make and paint. I'm having a real spitfire fest at the mo and watching 'First of the Few' and some excellent documentaries like 'Spitfire Ace'. I have not made an airfix kit for 40 years or so.


There are various larger scale Spitfire models available if you websearch. e.g. 1:24 scale Airfix for £35.99 from Amazon.


[quote]I have two cardboard cartons of the things! Never find time to make 'em, but have never lost the bug to buy 'em![quote]

SWMBO thinks this current developing craze of mine is a bit like when I got into jigsaws a few years ago. Finished up caring about 30 unopened jigsaws off to the Charity Shop a couple of months ago. Roll Eyes

I'm under firm instructions not to buy them at a much faster rate than I make them. Winker
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by Paper Plane
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL_v2:
For a TV show I was working on 18 moths ago I made up one of the Superquick cardboard buildings for train sets (we wanted to have a building on fire, but have that tacky Goodies feel to the effects, so we burned an obvious model).

It was the first time for a long time that I had done something creative with my hands, as opposed to on a computer with mouse and tablet. I really enjoyed the physical feel, and being able to hold what I had made.

I tried a model tank (Tamaiya or similar) which was OK, but then I found my old Hornby trains when cleaning out my late father's house. In the same week Top Gear had their 1948 steam train, car and bike race from London to Edinburgh.

Well 18 months later, and probably few thousand pound into it I am back into Hornby ( and other makes) of 'toy' train. Toy trains have grown up a bit, and are ridiculously detailed, and not suitable for under 4 years, but I am really enjoying it. I have even started on brass kits, so a bit more than running a plastic model around a circle.

Sad, maybe, but I am in some fairly good rock 'n' rool company, Rod Stewart, Roger Daltry and Jools Holland, and I know there are quite a few more. Even a one or two on this forum, but I wouldn't 'out' a fellow indulger.


Happy to 'out' myself. Smile

steve (railway modeller for nearly 30 years)
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by Dungassin
One of my very early memories is from when I was 3. The "big boy" next door had a steam powered toy train engine. I remember playing with it under his (and his father's) supervision.

Big Grin
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by JamieL_v2
quote:
Originally posted by Dungassin:
When my girls were small I bought a Hornby train set and extra rails etc for "them" to play with. SWMBO was not fooled for a moment.


I have probably posted this mildly smutty joke in the jokes thread, but one I still find very true.

Q. What's the similarity between tits and train sets?
A. They are both meant for kids, but it is always the dads who end up playing with them.

I should also have typed the model trains are not suitable for under 14 years, not 4, my typing is dreadful sometimes.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by ewemon
In my misbegotten youth I used to enter Aircraft Model competitions. Never had the urge to go back to it for many years
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by rackkit
quote:
Originally posted by Sniper:
I would love to have a big spitfire kit to make and paint. I'm having a real spitfire fest at the mo and watching 'First of the Few' and some excellent documentaries like 'Spitfire Ace'. I have not made an airfix kit for 40 years or so.

A little sand paper was often useful.


You'd have loved the episode from James May's Toy Stories where he got a classroom of schoolkids to build a scale model Spitfire using the Airfix method.
Posted on: 24 July 2010 by rackkit
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
quote:
Originally posted by rackkit:
quote:
Originally posted by Sniper:
I would love to have a big spitfire kit to make and paint. I'm having a real spitfire fest at the mo and watching 'First of the Few' and some excellent documentaries like 'Spitfire Ace'. I have not made an airfix kit for 40 years or so.

A little sand paper was often useful.


You'd have loved the episode from James May's Toy Stories where he got a classroom of schoolkids to build a scale model Spitfire using the Airfix method.
He got a company to build the kit.
The School kids painted a quarter of it.
Good programs though


True but he did get them to build there own Airfix kits before going on to help paint the big kit.

Lost count of how kits i built as a kid. It was always fun up until it was 'Transfer Time'. Was that someone's idea of a sick joke? Anyone who could slide those transfers off and apply them with creasing/dropping/ripping them must have the hands of a surgeon.

Oh, wait a minute...
Posted on: 26 July 2010 by GraemeH
Doing a 1:24 VW Campervan with my lad at the moment - Great 'bonding' exercise!

G
Posted on: 26 July 2010 by Dungassin
quote:
I'm under firm instructions not to buy them at a much faster rate than I make them.

Not working ... I've already got 2 kits and another 6 on the way (including a couple of larger scale ones from Revell). Not to mention the many little tins of paint I've ordered.

Boy, am I going to be in trouble, but hopefully they'll arrive after Thursday when SWMBO goes in for her knee replacement. Winker
Posted on: 26 July 2010 by JWM
You'll forgive me, but LOL Big Grin
Posted on: 26 July 2010 by OscillateWildly
quote:
Originally posted by Andy S:
I'm half way through a Saturn V that I got for my birthday last year.


Sealed box here for a number of years. Made one during childhood, the version with glue fingerprint detailing.

Cheers,
OW
Posted on: 28 July 2010 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
. Airfix kits are pants now BTW.
]


....because I believe in many cases they are still using the exact same moulds from our childhood to make the parts. Obviously the detail wears off with repeated use.

Interesting how all the forum medics are coming out of the model making closet.
Posted on: 28 July 2010 by Derek Wright
medics and Plastic kits - well it is a good a way to practice as any other <g>
Posted on: 28 July 2010 by Rockingdoc
A friend's son is trying for Dentistry, and was actually asked to take some of his built kits to the interview!!!!!

Things seem to have changed a bit from my day.