The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

Very nice looking collection.

Nigel

The bird farm is looking superb!

A much overdue update. I've not had much time lately but I'm settling into my new job and getting into a routine with my modelling. My mojo has definitely returned.

So, what's going on in the Den?

Not much in the way of progress shots with the Forrestal project but this will give you a taster of what is about to appear in the Aviation Modelling section.




With a little space and a few weeks to wait before the RAF GB kicks off I thought I'd do something non-aircraft to fill the gap. I've had this in the stash for a couple of years so it's definitely about time. Can't let Kitaholic build all the 1/72nd military stuff on the SIG display.




It's a pretty nice kit although with 309 parts it isn't a shake the box job and it's typically eastern Europe/Russian inspired kit manufacturing i.e. too many parts, over engineered and complicated instructions but they do make really nice models if you put the effort in so it's best to get stuck in. I figure this much has around 100 parts in it. It took a big chunk of the weekend to get it to this stage.





Now the complex chassis is pretty much out of the way it does look like it's going to start rolling along rapidly; fingers firmly crossed

The only issue so far has been these sinkmarks in the missile cradle.



They're quite deep and run along both sides so the trusty Squadron Green was deployed and is now having overnight to set.

More updates soon

I look forward to watching this build

I have this in the stash so will be very interested to see how it comes out. Your work so far looks impressive!

That Crusader looks great, Daz and the Topol is a very interesting project. I bet even in braille scale that builds up into quite a large model but the kit has a serious number of parts though!

309 parts! Wow! Look forward to seeing it progress.

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Narayan

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Those 309 parts are mostly together and either painted or ready for paint.

Here's what I've taken pictures of so far.

These were a pain. The small bars between the vehicle sides are just too weak to allow handling so I decided to cut them on one side and rejoin them later. They were bound to break anyway so I just cut out the middle-man so to speak.




Once ready the majority of parts were treated to some Tamiya spray primer followed by a coat of XF-62. A second coat will be required for final finish although it's all being done in stages due to the quantity of parts to be painted.






A few Olive Drab parts have started to migrate to the chassis. Fit isn't too great after a coat of paint, probably a sign of the tight tolerances of the kit.




And the missile silo is well under way.




I have made more progress since I took these but left the camera downstairs next to my PC. I'm on a snow day today so I'm going to take more progress pictures now and, hopefully, have another update posted very soon. The only obstacle I have at the moment is a dwindling supply of XF-62 and no trains running to take me into Cardiff to pick up some more

Looking great Daz, taking notes for mine. You doing yours in transport mode?

Nice one, Daz, this is certainly an interesting subject and will make a great display piece. If built in the deployed position wouldn't that make for a tall and not so easily transported model? Or would it be possible to make the missile silo removable?

Going to do it in transport mode (option 1). Makes it more compact and easier to carry to shows. The silo isn't removable, at least not as the manufacturer intends, but it could possibly be transported on it's side.

That's cool Daz, will build mine in launch mode. Already have a box for it

Great progress...... and some useful info for mine when I get to build it!

Thank you chaps.

And, as promised, more pictures.

First up, this is where it was at the start of today.

Fairly complete with a bit of paint on. I'm quite pleased with the tonal effect in the paint caused by slight variations in the layering over the primer.






Plus a few bits awaiting paint.




And, as this is a "Workbench Window" post, here's a view out of the window next to my workbench.



The snow got deeper as the day progressed.


And, right now, this is where the Topol has progressed to.



Everything's pretty much painted apart from the front bumper which has to get a coat of black, probably tonight. Then it'll be a bit more detail painting before a coat of varnish ready for the decals and a little light weathering.

Cool Topol! I'd get one too......if I were a rich man!