discussion 2014 - a Modelling year in summary....

[BarryW]

This year I moved office and wanted a couple of small 1/48 models to sit on my shelf. So I built one of the superb Tamiya Spitfires and the Italiari 'new tool' Hurricane that has 'old tool' fit issues. Regardless of fit the Hurricane does build to a nice model and sits beside the Spitfire in pride of place.

When I moved my office out of the home, my old office was turned into my Modelling space with my spray booth permanently set up beside a build area.... very pleased with the set-up....

The rest of my builds were 1/32....

I started with the Dragon Bf110, a superb kit and the most satisfying build I have ever done. OK the instructions were awful but there was help in on-line reviews and a downloaded copy of the Eduard 48 scale 110 provide more help in the build than the kit instructions. The decals were terrible as well but that was easily solved in the aftermarket. I really recommend that kit depite these side issues, throughly enjoyable build.

I also built the Hasegawa Ki43. This was my first NMF in 32 scale and was a great kit. Another that I recommend strongly.

I spent about 4 months on the Trumpeter Avenger which I started in April. I found that the turret transparency was missing. The after sales service from Pocketbond and Trumpeter is non-existent, I fulfilled their excessive requirements in April and despite chasing I have never received a new turret so this model, 95% complete, is sat rotting and falling apart in a cupboard. It is a nice kit though (if you get a complete one) which has a few issues, a very weak wing join and poor quality decals - nothing that cannot be dealt with using plastic card and the aftermarket. My advice on any Trumpy kit or any imported by Pocketbond is to check the kit as soon as you get it and if anything is missing immediately demand it be sorted while you still have your consumer rights and do not let it sit in your stash for two years like I did.

Then I built my first limited run Special Hobby model, the Fiat G50 bis. Well, never again. I expected a poor fit, I expected an excessive amount of p.e. and I have no issues with resin. What I was surpised with is what I would call thoughtless engineering. It seemed to me that the model was engineered with no consideration at all for 'buildability'. Well at least the Fiat G50 was built and I am happy with the result even if I did not enjoy the experience.

But I also had the Special Hobby P39 Aircobra in my stash. I decided to get that out of the way and use it as a test bed for the new AK Interactive Air series weathering effects. It certainly lived down to my expectations but with one difference... I would label this kit unbuildable without replacement aftermarket front undercarraige. I got to the final fittings and sat there looking at the 7 or so pieces with no defined location points that needed to be butted up against each other in the right angles and with vague instructions. I could not work out how to do it, I just could not figure it out. I played with masking tape strips, I considered how I might build some kind of jig but in the end I decided it was simply not worth the hassle and the model is now sat broken up in the bin.

I will never buy or build a Special Hobby kit again. Life is simply too short and a company that shows such contempt and lack of consideration towards those who buy their products does not deserve my hard earned cash.

I did take a few photos (uploaded) more to show the weathering than anything else. I am impressed and pleased with these AK products and will be using them on my next build.

Whats next year? - the 1/24 SIG starting in January in which I will build the Airfix Hawker Typhoon and I am really looking forward to that. I will not have a chance to do any more building before the 5th January so tonight I will just be cleaning up my build area and seeing what materials I need to order.... After the Typhoon I am not sure. My house goes on the market in May/June and we have placed a reservation on a new build that will not be finished until October/November. I am not sure yet whether my new modelling space will be in a spare bedroom, the garage or a purpose built shed... Consequently I am not sure how much building time I will get in after the Typhoon...

Anyway - A Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and lot of great 2015 builds to you all......

You can see some of the offending parts in one of the pictures.

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[Guest]

Interesting year and builds Barry!

Err....we can reply and post our summary here..?

 

[Guest]

Interesting year and builds Barry! Err....we can reply and post our summary here..?

Yes I will allow you at least on my computer Polux

Laurie

 

[BarryW]

Interesting year and builds Barry! Err....we can reply and post our summary here..?

Thats what its for Polux

 

[Guest]

I've built a workshop instead! Well with the help of a few builders, joiners, plumbers and electricians etc! I then fitted the kitchen units and worktops, shelves, lighting, pictures on the wall and a few pieces of furniture in there such as book cases and cupboard units. I still have a few little bits and pieces to finish off before I can get back to working on some models.

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[Guest]

Nice one Barry.

Here is mine.

Finished my lovely little Lysander early in the year. A bit of an ugly duckling and a few issues but that made it more interesting and honed (I think hope) the skills. I think there is a great learning curve in things that go wrong. And my god I do find them and also create them.

Merlin Helicopter. I shall never forget this one. I learnt so much. It is a big project and very nice with great detail internally which can be viewed on the model itself with the ramp and two great big doors in the hold area. First attempt at weathering other than simple fuselage panel lines. I learnt a lot on this part. How to start using an airbrush in a way I had not thought possible (still a long way to go) and which I enjoyed, with some frustration at times thrown in, and am looking forward to using again.

So now a little interval in what I am about. Building a Walrus. My youngest son and fiancée bought while we were altogether with my wife in Greenwich Market a plate which has a Walrus Sea Plane and probably, The Belfast or sister ship on it.

The interval before starting on the Herrick Airfix Group of Helicopters and Vehicles, Landrovers, Warriors etc. which were used in Afganistan. Merlin being one so it is one down about 8 to go.

So my shelves at the moment are filling up. 4 years ago, when I started model making, I would not have believed it all or how I have become addicted oh tut .

So happy be the model makers.

Laurie

 

[stona]

Photos! We need photos!

I've managed four 1/32 scale kits, which is good going for me.

Hobbyboss



Trumpeter



Revell



Eduard



Also a couple of 1/72 kits

Courtesy of Polux



Airfix 'Dogfight Double'



Who could forget HMS Victory....I can



If I can manage anything like this much next years I'l be very happy!

Cheers

Steve

 

[Guest]

There are some cracking models there Steve. A year to be proud of! You even learned something from the Victory, even if it was only not to do an Airfix small scale galleon again!!

 

[yak face]

Nice summaries Barry ,Laurie and Steve , I'll see if I can rustle up my year in pictures, cheers tony

 

[PaulTRose]

think i posted my year somewhere but here it is again

been an interesting year......looking back im surprised how much armour i did...in all scales!

learnt a few new techniques along the way but next year theres going to be a few new challenges

 

[Guest]

My modelling year in two photographs [emoji4]

 

[yak face]

Well heres my 2014 . It wasnt a particularly prolific year although i was surprised i even managed 7!! A lot of DIY round the house and my sons wedding combined with a busy year at work meant i didnt get as much shed time as i would have liked. The first of this year was the 1/72 Tupolev ANT 25 ,a fearsome limited run adversary that put up an epic fight !View attachment 95068


Next up was the 1/72 Airfix Tomahawk , a nice little kit View attachment 95069


Then it was the first of my group builds ,in this case the Floatplane GB and the excellent Tamiya Aichi M6A1 Seiran in 1/48View attachment 95072


Following this a good while later was another limited run eastern european wrestling match - the Eastern Express Ilyushin IL 96M in 1/144View attachment 95073


Next up was the second of the Group Builds for the 'that wasnt in the box' GB. This was a cross kit mash up of 2 1/32 trumpeter kits to create a MiG 15 UTI trainer and took a long time to do , missing the GB deadline narrowly (well , four months actually!!)View attachment 95074


following thay was a quick little build of a ZTS Mikro kit , the PZL P7A in 1/72 ,a nice mojo refresher!View attachment 95075


Finally this year the AA models 1/48 Chengdu J7E .View attachment 95076


If youve noticed a theme running through all these builds -then youre a better man than I Gunga Din ! There just isnt any pattern to the choice of build apart from they just take my fancy! As for next year? I have been looking at the GB calendar for 2015 and i reckon theres at least 9 I want to get on board so I'd better try and build a bit quicker!!! anyhoo heres hoping everyone on here has a great christmas and new year ! cheers Tony

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[Guest]

Just taking a look at my 2014 builds.....the first thing I can say is all them was a simple kits.... without dioramas and other complicated projects, almost the first part of the year.

My first impression is, I consider, that I have learned a lot this year, and principally with the Stuka 1/24 build. It was a great thread where many of you help me a lot ( Thanks again ). On this build I learned new tips for the winter camouflages, how to use better the oil washes and my favourite...., the pin wash!

My personal opinion is that I changing my modelling view....Know I still posting and starting many builds...but less than some time ago One of my 2015 ambitions is build less, but much better!!

So, if I want to do it, I have to learn new things....and these are:

- Try to perfection the oil washes.

- Look to paint lights and shadows, and a good general modulation colour on my models.

- Learn to paint a correct skin colour on the figures.

- And the most important one....I have to learn to use correctly the airbrush! I will start with my first lesson and “challenge” this New Year, paint a winter camouflage on a little 1/72 FW190.

Well, these are my new ambitions for the 2015 and these are my 2014 builds:

The Bettle’s Garage (Diorama 1/43)

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Land Rover 109 LWB (1/35 Italeri)

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Land Rover TUM (1/35 HobbyBoss)

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Savoia S.21f (1/48 Fine Models)

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Curtiss 3C-0 (1/48 Fine Models)

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Tank Driver (1/16 Takom)

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Stuka B2 (1/24 Airfix)

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Regards

Polux

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