Airfix Model World | The builds
Phantom Twilight
Huw Morgan builds FineMolds' stunning 1/72 US Air National Guard F-4C Phantom II straight from the box.... and loves it!
GLAMORGAN: EXOCET SURVIVOR
Peter Fearon builds Starling Models’ 1/700 scale HMS Glamorgan – the only vessel to survive an Exocet attack during 1982's Falklands conflict.
RECCE THOROUGHBRED
Garry Tobiss builds what's arguably the best P-51B/C Mustang in 1/72 scale... Arma Hobby's newly tooled offering.
Flaps, Slats and Cats!
Chris Jones builds Tamiya's latest boxing of its 1/48 F-14A Tomcat, which comes with carrier deck diorama items. With 'Top Gun: Maverick' proving to be a huge hit in the cinemas, it's the perfect time to get nostalgic about the star of the original movie.
The Need... For Speed! Revell's Top Gun: Maverick F/A-18E Super Hornet
Chris Jones brings the silver screen to quarter scale with Maverick’s Super Hornet from the hotly anticipated 'Top Gun' sequel, via Revell’s 1/48 kit. Relive the high-octane movie with this fast-paced build feature!
SOVIET SNOWBALL
Based on a real prototype, MiniArt's Ball Tank offers a decidedly different and fun project in 1/35 scale. Here, Dave Oliver builds it beautifully and poses the model on a scenic base.
Desert Cruiser
IBG Models' 1/72 A.15 Crusader tank is built out-of-the-box by Massimo Santarossa. Look out for tips on working with photo-etched metal - and how to create a convincing display base.
FLASH OF LIGHTNING
Andy Davies opts for a distressed appearance on his cool build of Ushi Models' 1/72 resin Mitsubishi J4M Senden interceptor concept. It's a fascinating Japanese drawing board aircraft.
DESERT DELIGHTS
Eduard's limited-edition dual combo 'Afrika' package allowed Jay Blakemore to complete a stunning pair of desert-based Bf 109 Luftwaffe fighters.
Kanalkampf Warrior
Revell reworked its original 1/72 Ju 88 into a Battle of Britain-era A-1 format, and it's built in full here by Huw Morgan. He's rather pleased with the results!
HURRICANE WARNING
It might be old, but Airfix's 1/24 Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Superkit can be turned into a real showstopper. Here, Richard Spreckley does just that with scratch-built and aftermarket detail.
CHANNEL SCOURGE
Garry Tobiss clear a very large space to build Italeri's massive 1/35 S-38 Schnellboot... adding aftermarket goodies for extra detail. If you want an impressive German Navy vessel, this is it!
HUNGARIAN STAR
David Holmes adds a host of aftermarket extras to his fine build of AMK's 1/48 Aero L-29 Delfín, which represents a Hungarian Air Force machine.
Bat out of Hell: new-tool 1/48 Messerschmitt Me 163 from GasPatch Models
Jay Blakemore discovers that building GasPatch Model’s new quarter-scale Komet is far from being rocket science... Discover the kit's contents and construction of this striking late-war interceptor in this full build feature.
On the Wrong Track: RyeField Model's 1/35 Sherman Vc Firefly
Huw Morgan goes off the rails to give RyeField Model’s 1/35 Sherman Firefly a decidedly different setting... a custom diorama base featuring a length of same-scale railway track. Discover how these elements were constructed in this full-build feature.
BYE BYE BUCKEYE
An air-to-air photoshoot in Greece inspired Kev Baxter's cool build of Wolfpack Design's 1/72 North American T-2E Buckeye. The project pitched a few curve balls, but the results were excellent.
Aussie Cent: 1/56 scale Centurion Mk.5/1 tank by Rubicon Models
Huw Morgan builds a Vietnam-era Centurion tank in a different scale – 1/56, usually favoured by figure painters - courtesy of Rubicon Models’ kit. Discover why this wargamer-aimed offering could be your next military build project here...
Seaborne Striker from Airfix: 1/72 Sea Harrier FRS.1 in Falklands livery
Airfix’s 1/72 Sea Harrier FRS.1 makes a return for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Airfix Model World editor Stu Fone adds a few spares and tweaks to recreate a veteran airframe from the 1982 undeclared war.
Hobby 2000's Maritime Mauler: 1/72 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.VIc
Chris Jones builds Hobby 2000's re-boxing of the Hasegawa-tooled 1/72 Beaufighter Mk.VIc, (almost) out of the box - employing just the kit styrene and familiar painting techniques to produce a convincing finish.
AMERICAN EAGLE
Ben Davies tackles Airfix's re-released 1/48 Spitfire Mk.Vb in this out-of-the-box build, which replicates an airframe flown by US ace Don Gentile.
BADER’S BULLDOG
Chris Jones replicates Douglas Bader's 'silver period' mount with Airfix's vintage 1/72 Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, and adds scratch-built detail and rigging.
Mercurial Messerschmitt
Border Model has managed to unite the aircraft and military genres by releasing a 1/35 Messerschmitt Bf 109... the first in this scale and ideal for dioramas with vehicles and figures.
Cold War 'Cossack' - building the world's biggest aircraft
Russia's invasion of Ukraine not only caused terrible loss of human life, but also brought about the destruction of the world's largest aircraft... the Antonov An-225 Mriya. Here, to mark its demise, we revisit Massimo Santarossa's original test-shot build of Revell's 1/72 kit, from the May 2019 edition of Airfix Model World.
CLOSE-SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Jen Wright demonstrates simple building tips and upgrades on Revell's re-boxing of the 1/72 Academy OV-10A Bronco.
The Weird Howitzer
The unorthodox marriage of a 122mm gun and a vintage tank chassis forms the basis of RyeField Model's 1/35 T-34/D-30 howitzer. Learn all about this kit with Christian Lupu's fascinating build.
Quechua Fortress
Garry Tobiss discovers that Kinetic's 1/48 new-tool Pucara has many fine features, in his almost-out-of-the-box build. Plus-points include a well-appointed cockpit.
FLOWER AFLOAT
In his debut for Airfix Model World/Key Model World, Toby Knight finds much to enjoy in Black Cat Models' 1/350 resin and photo-etched metal Flower-Class Corvette.
Trumpeter's heavy hauler tank transporter
A piece of Cold War history is re-created by Cristian Lupu via Trumpeter's imposing 1/35 KZKT-7428 transporter and KZKT-9101 semi-trailer. Learn how to make a monotone subject look interesting with careful weathering.
STORM FORCE
Dean Large completes Revell's re-boxing of the 1/32 Special Hobby Hawker Tempest Mk.V, incorporating a wealth of aftermarket detail in the process.
SMALL SCALE, BIG HIT
Massimo Santarossa has heaps of fun with his build of Airfix's new-tool 1/72 Sherman Firefly Vc tank. Here he adds scratch-built applique and sandbag armour, and even shows how to make rope look more realistic. It involves cold tea!