From stunning scenery to figure finesse and modelling innovation, this month’s reader project selection offers a wealth of inspiration
Roden B-Type Bus
Constructed by Roy Climo, this exceptional scene features Roden’s 1/72 B-Type Bus in Pigeon Loft guise – a kit that includes a flock of the birds for the upper section. Along with the scratch-built groundwork, a spares box-sourced figure was re-posed and a HAT horse-drawn cart was built selectively to be posed in the crater.
Airfix Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C
While Airfix’s new 1/48 Buccaneer is garnering much attention, Trevor Bardell proved the small-scale offering forms just as interesting a project by posing the model as if it were on a carrier deck. The whole scene was scratch-built, including the blast shield and rollers, while the airframe was finished in the kit-supplied HMS Ark Royal-deployed 809 NAS livery.
Airfix North American P-51D Mustang
Considering this was the first time he has applied a metallic finish, Rob Cousin’s take on the 1/72 Mustang from Airfix is impressive. The Oulton Broad modeller used acrylics for the primary painting, oils for weathering and Humbrol matt varnish to seal the work – plus the innovative technique of adding tin foil to the wings and buffing the surfaces for a convincingly worn aluminium effect.
Italeri German Infantryman
This imposing 1/9 scale figure from Italeri was constructed by 13-yearold Luke Baker, taking two months to complete. The project involved overcoming issues with parts fit and fragile strap elements, a half-term spent painting the head and gas mask plus mixing custom hues to achieve a convincing appearance – overall, it was an enjoyable build and a recommended kit!
Eduard Messerschmitt Bf 109E
Described as ‘a very nice kit to put together’, Eduard’s 1/49 Messerschmitt Bf 109E was tackled by Michael Stockwell. AK Interactive’s Real Colors range was used for decoration, with the aid of the Czech kit manufacturer’s self-produced mask set easing the task considerably.
Kitbash Sherman Firefly Mk.Ic
Inspired by a photo of a Northamptonshire Yeomanry tank found in British Battle Tanks by David Fletcher and Steven Zalonga, Stephen Booth decided to combine parts from several manufacturers to produce this 1/35 Sherman Firefly. These included Tamiya (hull), Dragon (transmission cover), Tasca (turret), Eduard (detailing), Friulmodel (tracks), Accurate Armour, MiniArt and Ultracast (detailing and figures).
Airfix Canadair Sabre F.4
Oxford-based modeller Simon Tomlinson built Airfix’s newly tooled 1/48 Sabre F.4 almost out of the box – one addition was an Eduard seat harness to enhance the cockpit. Xtracrylics and AK Interactive hues were used to decorate the model, with 3 Squadron markings applied.
Hasegawa SBD-3 Dauntless
Fook Weng Ng constructed Hasegawa's 1/48 Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless as a battle-weary and well-weathered example.
Pit Road IJN Submarine I-400
Another kit completed by Fook Weng Ng was the 1/700 I-400 submarine produced by Japanese firm Pit Road, replicating the craft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War Two.
Tamiya Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VI
Although supplied in a night-fighter boxing, Tamiya's Beaufighter kit proved the ideal means for Fook Weng Ng to replicate a typical fighter-bomber variant via conversion work and apt weathering.
Tamiya MiG-29 Fulcrum
Fook Weng Ng also tackled the 1/72 MiG-29 from Tamiya's War Bird Collection, depicting a Yugoslavian example...
Hasegawa MiG-27 Flogger-D
... plus the MiG-27 in the same scale, this time from a Hasegawa kit...
Revell Dassault Rafale M
... and Revell's small-scale Dassault Rafale M.
Směr SPAD VII
Changing scale and time period completely, Fook Weng Ng build the 1/40 scale SPAD VII kit released by Směr - one of few kits from this manufacturer's own stable.
Aoshima Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja 2022
In a further break from the usual theme, another project Fook Weng Ng completed involved thoroughly modern machinery in the form of Aoshima's 1/12 replica of the 2022 Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja motorcycle.
Matchbox Messerchmitt Bf 110
It's always pleasing to see vintage kits built, especially if they feature the nostalgia-inducing coloured styrene of Matchbox - here, Fook Weng Ng has finished the firm's 1/72 Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter.
Monogram Bell P-38 Airacobra
Another World War Two fighter replicated by Fook Weng Ng was the P-38 Airacobra, courtesy of the Monogram 1/48 kit.
ARII Mitsubishi Ki-15-II Babs
Known as the Type 97 in Japanese service, the Mitsubishi Ki-15 Babs is a handsome aircraft, as proven by this 1/72 example built from ARII's kit by Fook Weng Ng.
Academy P-38F Lightning
Fook Weng Ng also built Academy's well-regarded Lightning, but finished the model as an anonymous airframe rather than the kit-supplied scheme of Glacier Girl.
Revell Airbus A320neo
Constructing the model in 'flight mode' Lim Ewe Gen considered Revell's recent 1/44 A320neo a modern kit with fantastic decals, but found hefty bowing of the large parts a burden!
Eastern Express Douglas DC10
Built straight from the box by Lim Ewe Gen, the 1/144 Douglas DC10 from Eastern Express formed a challenge due to thick styrene and poor definition, plus painting took one and a half bottles of white paint to cover the mass of external surface...
Revell Airbus A350
After considerable practice and working up to this project, Lim Ewe Gen built Revell's 1/144 A390 in Singaporean Airlines livery as it is among his favourites. The airframe - 9V-SMA - brought back memories of being a young expat and spending time in Singapore, Thailand, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Fly Models Douglas DC9
A smaller-sized and limited-run kit, this Fly Models DC9 was constructed by Lim Ewe Gen. Filing and test-fits were required around the wing roots, while the unusual styrene reacted with adhesives. Nonetheless, high-quality decals were a positive.
Submit YOUR project!
Want to feature your recently finished project in Airfix Model World? Email your submissions to: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com. Send a high-quality photo (1MB or larger) of the model against a white background and tell us about any aftermarket products or special techniques.
