From real-world preservation subjects to unconventional takes on popular types, this month’s reader feature covers inspiring aircraft builds – including bonus online-only entries.
Clear Prop Mitsubishi A5N Claude
Ukrainian firm Clear Prop won many plaudits for its 1/72 A5N Claude (click here for a full build), with Joel Middleton stating the kit features the best detail he has ever seen in the scale. Built with the photo-etched metal components and pre-cut masks supplied in the kit, the project was completed with lacquer and enamel paints, inks and this modeller’s first-ever scratch-built base.
Revell Panavia Tornado GR.1
Now preserved at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Tornado GR.1 ZA465 Foxy Killer flew the highest number of bombing missions during the Gulf War, so was an ideal subject for Si Wheeler’s 1/32 build. Having worked with the type for more than a decade, he knew to fill the wing sweep areas, add cockpit ECS detailing and hide poor seams over the intakes with scratch-built covers.
Airfix English Electric Lightning ‘What-If’
This striking take on Airfix’s quarter-scale Lightning was the result of Peter Crossman’s out-of-the-box construction and a scheme designed by his wife. Imagining the Mach 2 interceptor as a Red Arrows-style display aircraft is novel – though the Lightning was used for demonstration by 74 Squadron’s ‘The Tigers’ and 54 Squadron’s ‘Firebirds’ display teams.
Tamiya Fairey Swordfish diorama
Phil Thomas constructs models that are then auctioned by the charity Navy Wings to raise funds for restoring and operating historic Fleet Air Arm aircraft. This example is a fitting subject as it features a pair of Fairey Swordfish Mk.Is (LS326 and W5856) flown by the charity, both built from Tamiya 1/32 scale offerings.
Bronco Humber Armoured Car Mk.IV
This eye-catching version of Bronco’s 1/35 Humber armoured car is the ‘Full Interior Transparent Edition’ – built from the box by Marc Rycarte. Construction was fiddly but the view into the military vehicle’s innards forms an impressive feature.
Revell McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Another model built by Phil Thomas for Navy Wings was this take on Revell’s 1/48 ‘Toom’ kit, decorated with the aid of Tamiya and LifeColor acrylics.
Eduard Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3
Just the second aircraft kit built ‘as a grown-up’ by Stephen Booth, this smart Bf 109E-3 is Eduard’s 1/48 Weekend Edition adorned with the livery of Josef ‘Pips’ Priller’s 6./JG 51 machine. Vallejo tones were used for decoration, with weathering added via AMMO-MIG pigments.
Dragon B-1B Lancer
Re-boxed by Dragon (and latterly Platz), the Panda Models 1/144 B-1 Lancer tooling was adorned with the 1986 Euro One camouflage by Lim Ewe Gen. A total of 16x 2,000lb munitions were added to the model, while the tiny windscreen lining was applied by hand-painting.
Meng Leopard 2A7
Small-scale armour can offer welcome detail with simple construction and low-cost, as is the case with Meng’s 1/73 Leopard Main Battle Tank, built by Lim Ewe Gen. With pioneer tools moulded integrally, further detail was added in the form of camouflage netting and antennas.
Submit your project!
Want to feature your recently finished project in Airfix Model World? 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. Up to four per month will appear in the magazine, with more online.
Email your submissions to: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
