The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

Hi everybody,

I've decided to reboot my WIP page (for a third time if you count the nice old UAMF page). It has been some time since I updated the old softscience labs, have finished a number of models since I posted a WIP there, and at 100+ pages, it had gotten a bit unwieldy.

I went through a period where I began to dislike posting progress shots, and where I became so critical of my work, that I actually ended up not finishing most of what I started - and worse still, throwing out half finished projects because they weren't up to some abstract lofty goal. I'm getting better now (I think), and I think that having a progress page on UAMF, where most folks take a more casual approach to modeling, will help me redevelop the healthy attitude towards modeling that I used to have.

At least I hope it does, so let us see.

Hence, without further ado, (some of) my current projects.

First up is a pair of Airfix Mustangs. I bought the first kit some years ago, but didn't start building because it was mismoulded, and missing half its tail. More recently I contacted Hornby USA for the missing part, and they sent me a whole kit free of charge (That is great customer service). Well, I felt bad throwing the whole other kit out, so I decided to try building them side by side. One as a Korean War F-51D, and the second as the last active Dominican F-51D from the early 1980s

The side walls to begin with:

floor/seats/etc.

Fuselages together. Here you can see the problem of the missing tail. I'm going to try fixing this with Apoxie Sculpt putty. If it doesn't work, I may limit myself to just the Korean F-51


There's a bit more on the bench, but we'll keep it simple for now.

Just a sneak peak

Nice couple of 'stangs.

Very nice work! I keep thinking I need to buy one of the new Airfix Mustangs...now I know I must.

Regardless of the final decision, on the short shot kit, please keep us updated on how it goes. That'll be interesting to see.

It's a nice little kit and you've made a nice start.

Great start to this pair of Airfix ponies. Pity about the short shot kit but that is indeed great customer service in sending you a complete replacement kit. Losing an entire side of the tail is a hell of a short shot though and IMHO shouldn't really be happening on a new tool kit.

I too have been torturing myself with standards I can't meet, silly really but there you go. I'm going to change my approach a bit too as this is, after all, supposed to be a relaxing pastime!

You said it, Shaun.

I'm finding it difficult to sculpt a new tail, so I have set the malformed mustang aside for now. Here is his stablemate.





And the hobbyboss F4u-5

I filled in the wing panels on the mustang, but now I'm unsure if that was something still done on Korean war era machines. I assume so.

The airframe is largely done.

The fit of the leading edges of the wings wasn't great, so I ended up having to sand off and replace the gun barrels. I just used styrene rod.



I also hollowed out the ends of the exhausts.




You'll notice I removed the seat, as I want to add some seat belt detail. May have to wait until the following weekend, as I'm flying out for a project tomorrow morning.

See you all soon.

Sticking to the adage of "keep it simple, stupid", I was able to finish the seat. Sprayed yellow on the bombs and prop too. It'll be well cured and ready for masking when I return next week.

Looking good. I actually just picked up this kit from the LHS last week. Where should I tell the boys at Hornby to send your commission check for my purchase?

mjatx wrote:Looking good. I actually just picked up this kit from the LHS last week. Where should I tell the boys at Hornby to send your commission check for my purchase?

Lol. I wish


I think you'll enjoy the kit. It isn't as good as say the Hurricane or Typhoon, but its still one of airfix's better ones.

Hi again.

My mustang is taking a back seat to the corsair until it's silver paint cures. I'll need to tidy up the polishing on the wings, as a lot of sand marks are currently visible.

The F-4u-5 has its fuselage together now.





I replaced the round panel on the fuselage top with some tape that I cut to shape. The original was lost to sanding.

The Corsair is looking very promising - I've had a scan back through your recent photos and the cockpit on this is very nice indeed, is it stock or have you been adding a few extras?

Thanks Shawn. It's stock. The only thing I added were the harnesses. The lap belts are generic PE. The shoulder harnesses are Painted tape and guitar string.

It's a great looking pit and your extra work has really enhanced it. Guitar strings are ever useful - after I've re-strung I never throw away the excess strings from either my six-string or my bass as they have great modelling uses!