DISPLAY CASE

This month, Airfix Model World is celebrating the superb constructions readers have completed with a bumper edition of Display Case.

Soar Art Workshop Dora Super Heavy Railgun
Two of the Schwerer Gustav 80cm railguns were constructed by Krupp for use by the German Wehrmacht during World War Two, with this gargantuan weapon the subject of Soar Art Workshop’s equally impressive 1/35 scale kit. This offering was constructed by Alan Matthews, who many modellers will be more familiar with as ‘The House of Usha’ – the name used when displaying builds at shows.

Comprising more than 3,000 parts, and added to with four sets of figures from Dragon and Trumpeter, the model took longer than six months to put together. The project required six tubes of Loctite adhesive, two of Humbrol cement and another of contact adhesive, while decoration took 0.25 lit of undercoating grey paint, matt varnish and thinner.

Due to the large size of the finished model, Alan is exceptionally grateful to Jonathon Stevenson for his continued storage at company premises in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Revell Dornier Do 24T
Having started building model kits while at primary school, Malaysia-based modeller Fook Weng Ng has now retired in his sixth decade so has further time to enjoy the hobby. His constructions include Revell’s 1/72 Dornier Do 24T (based on a 1978 tooling initially released by Italeri), which received a neat splinter camouflage livery.

Italeri Ford Escort RS1800 Mk.II
Taking no fewer than eight weeks to construct, Italeri’s 1/24 Escort Mk.II rally car was an enjoyable project for Duncan Bower. Depicting the Ari Vatanen and David Richards #2 car required approximately 74 individual decals to be added to the model – the most Duncan had ever positioned during one build!

Airfix Supermarine Walrus

This hugely impressive model was the result of Mark Broughton combining Airfix’s superb 1/48 Walrus with a NeOmega resin launch trolley, CAD-designed and 3D-printed catapult and rotating ship-mounted turret. Eduard PE was used to enhance the biplane, with AK Interactive and AMMO-MIG products used for convincing weathering, while the base features tributes to HMS Resolution and 700 NAS.

Moebius Michael Myers
This unusual figure is a 1/8 representation of the character Michael Myers from the horror movie franchise Halloween – it is produced by Moebius Models and was constructed here by Kevin Sargeson. Despite usually constructing automotive or space-themed kits, the project was a pleasant change and involved learning different skills specifically for capturing a convincing appearance.

Airfix Gloster Gladiator
Sydney, Australia-based modeller John Bartram tackled Airfix’s recent 1/72 Gladiator, modifying the kit to represent one of the three famed Sea Gladiators Hope, Faith and Charity used to defend Malta during World War Two. Aftermarket items included a three-bladed propeller, radio antenna and seatbelts, while rigging was added via SBS Model’s photo-etched metal set.

Italeri Gladiators Fight
Comprising a laser-cut wooden arena, gladiator, Roman legionary, ‘wild beast’ and chariot-riding figures, Italeri’s diorama set is a comprehensive product but was further enhanced by Richard Butler with further figures. Products from Strelets-R, Oprion, HaT, Nikolai ROM, Sarissa Precision, Blotz and Steve Barber Models were added, along with a scratch-built base surface with Westfoam and scatter material.

Tamiya Panzer II Ausf.F/G
Another of Malaysian modeller Fook Weng Ng’s projects involved Tamiya’s 1/35 Panzerkampfwagen II kit, which received a typical Panzergrau livery and light weathering.

Special Hobby SAAB Viggen
Ewe Gen Lim built Special Hobby’s recent SAAB Viggen almost out-of-the-box, but added missiles and launch rails to prevent the wings appearing bare. Just the spine proved difficult to fit with all else coming together neatly, though the splinter camouflage was an intense challenge.

Tamiya Republic F-105 Thunderchief
Vintage kits are very much in vogue, with a fine example this Tamiya F-105 built by Ewe Gen Lim, which is in the unusual scale of 1/100. Additional detailing was added to the cockpit, while a choice between the stand and a central hardpoint was averted by modifying the rear fuselage to incorporate both.

Platz Vought F-8 Crusader
Ewe Gen Lim’s enjoyment of 1/144 scale models was tested with the Platz F-8, which was described as being “like trying to decorate a bee”. Nonetheless, flaps were posed and wings folded, canopy opened and cockpit enhanced with seatbelts and harnessing, while the unusual material of KitKat wrapper was used for remove before flight tags!

Platz Grumman E/A-6B Prowler
Platz has re-boxed a Dragon tooling for its 1/144 E/A-6B, which was built by Ewe Gen Lim. Canopies were opened, cowling cut for an extended boarding ladder, wings folded with mechanisms replicated and anti-radar missiles added for additional detail.

Platz Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
Still enjoying a 1/144 ‘fetish’, Ewe Gen Lim scratch-built the folded wings, lowered the flaps and extended the slats on Platz’s F/A-18. Canopy and crew-entry ladder detailing was added, while the striking livery is that of VFA-147 ‘Argonauts’.

Platz Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
The second of the models in the Platz F/A-18 two-kit set was constructed by Ewe Gen as a VFA-195 ‘Dambusters’ airframe, again with extended slats, drooped flaps, open canopy and crew-entry ladder.

Academy Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Moving away from fast jets, Ewe Gen Lim constructed Academy’s small-scale Chinook, adding additional detailing visible through the open rear door. Aerials, seating, internal structuring and cargo netting were among the new elements, with the last of these made from laundry bag material. 

Submit YOUR project!