Airfix Curtiss Tomahawk IIb 1/72 scale

[yak face]

Hi TonyJust caught up with this.

Got to say the detail on this little kit looks pretty impressive. That's not just glossy-eyed nostalgic bias that makes me say that. I'm so glad that Airfix are (seemingly) doing so well it's nice to have an brand that you grew up with still holding it's own in a competitive market.

That said I don't think Airfix should be dumbing down the paint call outs just because they only supply 4 paint colours. Surely anyone that buys these kits realises there's a few other colours to make this aircraft realistic? And those that don't realise won't care anyway!

That aside, the surface detail does look good for an aircraft in this scale and you're making a fine job of the finish.

As for the paint and thinners debacle, I would not expect a build of yours to go without a hitch! There's always some scrape that you always magnificently get out of!!! This is no exception.

Keep up the great work Tony.

All the best

Paul

I agree totally Paul , its a daft thing to give incorrect paint call outs just to suit the limited paints given in the set. Luckily ,as you say , those that know different will disregard this info and those that dont or dont really care wont be bothered anyway!! Its not the most straightforward kit for a starter set , so I wouldnt recommend it for a beginner , but for someone who knows what theyre doing its a superb little kit .Anyone wanting to get youngsters into the hobby would be better off with the Airfix pre coloured Quick Build sets , they are like Lego but when assembled really do look like a spitfire etc. or maybe the Hobby Boss easy assembly kits. cheers tony

[yak face]

The desert camo looks good and the guns are still on!.

Confession time. Forgive me father dave , i broke off one of the guns and had to stick it back on!

[monica]

Hi Tony

Just caught up with this.good job , and nice little run down on how it all gos together, i do like the seat belts will have to try that one day, just

adds that bit more,maybe a post on how too would be nice for some off us as well , just thing

how do you tell that its a retooled one ?

[yak face]

Cheers monica, The seat harnesses were just quickly knocked up from bits of Tamiya tape ,the eyelets were done with a fine CD marker pen. If you want to see a better way with pierced eyelets and foil belts theres a couple of examples here http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/airfix-1-72-westland-whirlwind.12539/ http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/airfix-dh-88-comet-1-72.11445/ hope this helps. As for the re-tooled question , in general all the recent new tool Airfix kits have recessed panel lines , the older toolings all having raised , cheers tony

[Guest]

I can second your opinion on the canopy. Started painting mine last night it's so thin that there's a couple of holes, managed to flick the brish on one of them so there's a bit of paint where it shouldn't be, but they're nothing that couldn't be filled with Kristal Klear. The fit is very good though, far better than the new tool Hurricane.

[monica]

thank you for the info Tony, looked at the links , thats just amazing detail ,

[yak face]

Happy to help Monica. Latest progress . The decals are on ,just needing some MR Mark Softer and a little touching up on the sharks mouth , and ive highlighted the panel lines - black for the control surfaces , grey for the undersides and a brown/grey mix for the upper surfaces . Next jobs , paint the guns, attach the U/C legs and wheels , then its on with the knocky off bits (aerial, pitot ) . I want to give it a faded , sunbleached look so I think i might mist a thinned white over the top surfaces to fade the colours a bit . hopefully there'll be more pics tomorrow , cheers tony

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[Alan 45]

That's coming along nicely Tony, I nearly bought one of these today it was only £6.99

[Guest]

Tony, just my tuppence worth, perhaps using something like Tamiya deck tan or buff might give a better effect than white. IMHO with this camo pattern, white could be too harsh.

Cheers Patrick

[flyjoe180]

Wonderful work Tony, she's looking the part

[Guest]

Perfect. Looks superb. I started P40 K from Africa last week. Great choice camo

Odoslané z Galaxy Note 2

[colin m]

Looking great Tony.

[Guest]

My airfix 109 had the same problem. Massive plastic attachment points. Often thicker than the piece itself.

[Dave W]

Looking good Tony

[yak face]

My airfix 109 had the same problem. Massive plastic attachment points. Often thicker than the piece itself.

As you say Steve some of the attachment points were massive , so tiny pieces like the control column and pitot are extremely difficult to get off the sprue in one piece and without a huge stub to clean up . I broke the control column doing this and had to stick it back together with the tiniest of contact points . I'm not sure if it hasnt come unstuck- I can hear a rattling when I handle the model !!LOL! Hopefully this is something Airfix can work on , its only a small grumble compared to the massive respect they should be getting for really trying to get it right and turning out some excellent kits. cheers tony