Hi and welcome to my portfolio. I made models as a young lad in the late sixties and early seventies but this was more to have them to play with, and later to wargame with. This meant that I never masked anything, never painted canopies and never bothered with small decals. I then discovered girls and then pubs and everything else was left behind. Now approximately  35 years later I have rediscovered modelling and particularly, my favourite kits from Airfix, Matchbox and Revell. I am now attempting to build these properly and am learning as I go. I regard myself as a “fun” modeller and I am finding this a great way to relax and unwind. I am not particularly worried about historical accuracy and I love making What-If? models or “Whifs”.  I hope that as this portfolio goes on there will be an improvement in my skills, but time will tell. A few future Whifs include 1/144 Air Defence Concorde, 1/72 R.A.F. Nimrod serving in the Vietnam War, Royal Navy carrier from the Airfix 1/600 U.S.S. Forrestal and a 1/72 diorama featuring the Airfix (AMT) Gigantics Mantis being defeated by the British Army.  The first three builds of mine will be uploaded shortly and are all Whifs!
Alex

After H.M.S Prince of Wales was blown up in the Battle of the Denmark straight it was decided to build another pair of Nelson class battleships with a higher speed and of a more modern design. It was felt that these 16" equipped ships would give a better account of themselves. Neither ship was completed during the war and only the most advanced hull was completed. H.M.S. Beatty, as she was named, was completed in 1950 and used for showing the flag for 10 years before being placed in reserve. In the early 1970's it was decided to bring her back into service after a further modernisation of her design. Although she retained two of her turrets she was also equipped with Seacat, Exocet and a hanger and flying deck. Her finest hour came during the Falklands War when she sank the General Belgrano by gunfire. Her Naval Gunfire Support was instrumental in bring about the collapse of Argentinean resistance.
She emerged from her conversion with a new armament which consisted of:
Six 16 inch guns in two turrets.
Four 6 inch guns in two turrets.
Four Seacat launchers.
Two 40mm Bofors guns.
Eight Exocet launchers.
Her high level hanger enabled H.M.S Beatty to have two levels of storage for helicopters using hydraulic lifts. This gave her an aircraft compliment of 8 Wessex/Sea King helicopters. She could also accommodate Sea Harriers and handle Chinhooks.
So there we are, my first build completed in 35 years and jolly good fun it was as well! I know the flight deck needs some support, I know the sensor refit is not accurate and I know that she lacks ships boats but this was a fun build and I can now feel some more Whifs coming on.  
P.S. I have not fitted the shafts and propellers as I am considering waterlining this model.


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In late 1970, after much pressure from the United States, the Government of the United Kingdom took the decision to deploy  a token force to Vietnam. The Royal Air force contribution was one squadron of Nimrods, one squadron of Hercules and two squadrons of Rotodynes. The Rotodynes were originally deployed from the Middle East and upon arrival in the Vietnam theatre there was an urgent requirement for these aircraft to be repainted, as their current scheme made them highly visible. As the two squadrons deployed were co-based with U.S.A.F CH-53s they were repainted in the standard S.E.Asia scheme which was then adopted for all R.A.F. aircraft in this theatre.  The Rotodynes soon gained additional armour and .5” Browning machine guns for self defence.
Modelling Notes: Thank you to James-a-j for the advice on colours to be used. The side transparencies are clouded due to me failing to mask these before applying the varnish!

In the early 1980’s Northrop was becoming quite despondent at the sales prospects of the F-20 Tigershark, as no orders had been forthcoming, despite a huge sales effort. The U.S.A.F. had no interest in this aircraft and what Northrop needed was a “Prestige” launch customer. Overtures were made to the R.A.F., who were interested in having an Aggressor squadron, but who could not justify the cost. Details of the subsequent deal have never been made public, but senior R.A.F. officers have stated, off the record, that the deal on the table was too good to be ignored. In 1986 23 Squadron became the R.A.F.s first Aggressor Squadron and soon European Air Forces were lining up to pit themselves against this new aircraft. These aircraft also had a wartime role of U.K.Air Defence.
Alex


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Hi Alex,
          That F-20 looks sweet in RAF markings as does the Rotordyne, the floaty thing is cool too

Regards

Chris

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Regards
Chris
2011 - 31 built
2012 - 36 built    
2013 - 18 built...so far

A great start to your portfolio.

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Neil

With every model I learn a little more... and then the next one takes longer!

My Portfolio

Thank you Gents for your kind comments
Alex

I love the colour scheme of that RAF aggressor! Excellent work.

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I paint with a hairy stick.

Nice WHIF. Always loved the F-20.

James

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Airfix club #597359               My Portfolio                My Works in Progress

Thanks Chaps  :cheers:
Alex

Nice stuff there Capt

That's where imagination takes the power! Great modelling!
J-P

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"I have questions to all your answers" Woody Allen

"Veni, vidi,... ESCI!"

Very nice builds Alex  :thumb:

Regards

Bernard

Nice builds Alex

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I mostly make Airfix Kits

Steve

Airfix Club Member 598047

In 1944 the allied forces had built up quite a substantial base on the Yugoslav island of Viz which acted as an advanced operating base for Allied troops, Royal Navy coastal craft and some R.A.F. aircraft in support of partisans. With the arrival of aircraft on the island the R.A.F. decided to deploy an Air Sea Rescue launch to the island for rescue duties. As this vessel would be under the local command of the senior R.N. officer on Vis the Royal Navy were consulted about local conditions. The Royal Navy advice was to “ditch the popguns and fit some decent ordnance” as that part of the Adriatic was frequented by E boats, F Lighters and plenty of enemy armed Caiques.
After a quick refit the launch emerged from the boatyard having lost its two powered machine gun turrets (“popguns”) and now sported an armament of: 1 x 20mm Oerlikon , 1 x 4 barrelled Maxson turret (.5” Brownings) and 2 x free standing .5” Brownings. The standard launch finish was also abandoned and a new finish adopted to allow the launch to lie up in the day amongst the wooded islands of the area. During her brief career in these waters the launch rescued one R.A.F. pilot only, but her finest moment came when she was engaged by two E boats who thought her to be easy prey. Within three minutes of the engagement starting, the first E boat was left burning and sinking, while the second was heavily damaged. This terrific punishment was mainly dealt by the Maxson turret which gave the launch a heavy and devastating broadside which few coastal craft could survive.
Alex


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Nice addition and interesting history.

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Neil

With every model I learn a little more... and then the next one takes longer!

My Portfolio

Nice add Capt., I'll like to have a go at that myself and will have to get one for the stash.

Completed as part of the 2011 Artilerry GB. This is my first diorama and represents a scratch force on the withdrawal to El Alamein in 1942. The initial German recce has been defeated and the defenders are now waiting the inevitable probing attack.
Alex
P.S. The figure painting is awful.


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Diorama is cool, great feeling of an 'encampment'.

Looks very cool there

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David.
Airfix Club Member 599635
Mops Workbench      Mops Made Models      Mops Flygvapnet
2012:  Stash: + 66  Builds: + 20