Mine's a pretty standard story as far as scale modelling goes.

I got into ready made 1/72nd and 1/32nd Airfix figures, buildings and vehicles as a kid then Dad got me a kit to start me off. I never had the patience for painting then so the kits got assembled and decaled normally within about 20 minutes of getting them home. Dad did try by purchasing some paints for me (remember when Airfix sold it's paints in tiny glass jars? I do  :)) and I gave it a go although the suggested paint schemes never got followed and the paints got confiscated when I applied some permanent 'make up' to my sister's Sindy doll as retribution for her using my Action Man as Sindy's boyfriend  :angryfire: (I'm still of the opinion I let her off lightly!).

I hit my teens and my attention started focusing on other things. I purchased quite a few kits and built a couple of them in my late twenties but although the interest was back, and has remained constant ever since, I never really seemed to find any time. About ten years ago I become determined to make the time but I found that things were somewhat different and the local model shop scenario was in a steep decline. I'd see the occasional display in a toy shop with a few tools and accessories but nothing that could really help me try to achieve the standard that I wanted to (still haven't got there yet but I'm working on it!!). My salvation came when I finally caved into modern technology and got a computer about seven years ago. 'Surfing the net' I found that scale modelling wasn't in it's death throes as I'd feared. Far from it, the selection of kits and information about building them is infinate due to International virtual access. In fact the problem now seemed to be which kits to build. I still had very fond memories of Airfix from my childhood (the stash I'd assembled in my twenties reflected that) so I joined the Airfix Classic Modellers Club. I'd log on to the Airfix website, browse the gallery, admire the examples posted and gain inspiration which spurred me on. Then one day I went to log on and the Airfix website had gone . Information gleaned via 'the net' informed me that Humbrol had gone into administration but 'city experts' were of the opinion that it was only a matter of time before a new owner got in on the act  :). Hornby came to the rescue and when the new Airfix website was up and running I found the link to the ATF  :D.

So that's it. My name is James, I'm an Airfixoholic and the only treatment I'll accept is constructing Airfix kits (with maybe the occasional kit by another manufacturer).

Unless otherwise stated all my builds are straight Out Of Box following the paint schemes and using the decals provided by the manufacturer. I use bristle brushes and Humbrol enamels. I've no real particular subject or scale that I prefer building although I do favour military related over non military related.

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1./

Airfix 01017 - 1/72 MiG 15.

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2./

Airfix 01025 - 1/72 Armstrong Whitworth Seahawk.

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3./

Airfix 02082 - 1/72 Hawker Hurricane Mk. 1 'Aircraft of the Aces' Edition (Robert Stanford-Tuck).

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I like the hurricane, fantastic builds.
I also always love hearing peoples stories of Airfix, because I'm only young I've never really experienced anything before this past year.

4./

Airfix 01308 - HO/OO Tiger Tank.

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Thank you Leonie.

My limited experience has taught me that the three 'P's' help me immensely with scale modelling.

1./ Planning - I have a good look at the instructions, see which parts need painting before assembly and make sure I've got all the paints needed.

2./ Preparation - Clean off all the 'flash' from the parts, trial run the assembly before glueing (known as 'dry fitting' I think), use the glue sparingly and fill and sand where required (I sometimes need to fill and sand again once I've applied the primer paint as some irregularities don't show up without paint).

3./ Patience - The more patient I am, the better the finish I achieve. The Hurricane you mentioned is a good example. I spent a lot of time masking off for painting but it was worth it as I was very pleased with the end result (although I need to post a better photo as that one doesn't seem to show the detail as well as it could). I use the Tamiya masking tape. It's more expensive then some of the other tapes but it adheres very well so in my humble opinion is well worth it.

I'm very lucky in that I come from the pre home electronics era. Most youngsters whole world seems to revolve around the games console and computer and the only time they tear themselves away in their own time is to eat or watch TV. It's an absolute pleasure to meet one who is the exception to the rule. Keep up the good work young lady  :D.

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5./

Airfix 01305 - HO/OO 25 Pdr. Field Gun & Quad.

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6./

Airfix 03380 - HO/OO Airfield Control Tower.



As I recall the instructions don't actually give a paint scheme just some general recommendations. I painted it as I imagined it should be. I also didn't add any windows as at that stage of my scale modelling experience I didn't realise it was possible.

I now know that the paint scheme isn't really as it should be and that windows are possible (both are very well illustrated by other users of this site). I may well have another go at a later date.

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7./

Airfix 01302 - HO/OO Panther Tank.

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8./

Airfix 01306 - HO/OO 75mm Assault Gun.



I decided not to follow the instructions paint scheme but rather to do it in the scheme as the Panther Tank. Unfortunately I've since read that the Panther Tank paint scheme isn't really accurate but I like it!!

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9./

Airfix 00033 - 1/72 Hawker P.1127.

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Is it me, or is there a match on the control tower?

Nice builds by the way

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10./

Airfix 266 - Harrier.

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Hello Mike.

, you know I've never, ever seen it like that but you're right, it looks like a  Swan Vestas!! Part of the kit is a pole with a round bit on the end of it which I took as a warning beacon and painted Gloss Red.

I think I need to alter the angle of the camera, get a bit more above the subjects.

Thank you for the compliment on the builds.

James.

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11./

Airfix 05281 - 1/72 RAF Rescue Launch.

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Nice collection of clean, well built models  8-)

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Thank you Ratch.

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12./

Airfix 04102 - 1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk. 1.



I recieved this from Airfix as part of my club membership one year.

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Nice builds and nice sharp pictures too!

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