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Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 2:37 am
by Kevan Bailey
When this was released back in '78 I thought it looked like a really good kit but I didn't buy it as I'd jacked in modelling in favour of keeping my MGB on the road and paying my mortgage.

I bought this one for not a lot of money a couple of years ago along with the Revell/Matchbox Flower which I seem to remember was pretty contemporary with it. The Flower got built immediately but this one's been waiting in the wings. The weather in Lesvos has been pretty dire this last week, so.......

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I really enjoyed this build; it was a delightful old model (which is also how Mrs. Bailey likes to describe herself) without any vices (unlike Mrs. Bailey). A couple of bits were broken but fixed easily and I managed to lose a cabin window, but no dramas, really. Even the decals were still ok after forty years. The rigging was done with lycra thread; the solid blocks on the triple section were supposed to be rings, but I ran out of patience trying to make these out of fuse wire and made them out of slices of sprue.

I've still got the Vosper to do and I think I'll probably crack on with that once the current spate of GBs is over.

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 9:45 am
by Springy67
That looks really nice! And the rigging looks very effective.

I have one of these which I acquired from the money pit (aka eBay). The previous owner had cemented the hull halves and the stern together. I found that the deck piece seems too wide for the assembled hull. Did you have the same issue?

Cheers
Simon

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 10:50 am
by Kevan Bailey
Yes indeed, but you can't tell once it's put together. The fit at the bow and stern is quite tight, though. I built the hull and the deck as two entirely separate entities; that seemed to work well as they fitted together perfectly, no warping or anything. Unbelievable really.

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 11:56 am
by iggie
Nicely done Kevan, she looks better neat and tidy.
I agree about the ease with which this kit goes together, I don't recall any problems when building my own and remember it as a very enjoyable build

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 1:10 pm
by Kevan Bailey
You're right, Iggy, it's too easy to clutter these little launches up. I'd considered the possibility of crewing it up with some of those Gunthorpe fellows that I'd used on the Flower but I think that's it for this one. Have you done the Vosper? Any tips?

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: February 28th, 2017, 2:43 pm
by iggie
I did build it long ago in the days of black and white, and I seem to recall a problem with the stern transom but can't remember why! I have two in my stash plus a Griffon PE set for one.
I must get around to building one!

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: March 6th, 2017, 5:26 pm
by Ratch
Well done :mrgreen:

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: March 6th, 2017, 5:37 pm
by JamesPerrin
Very nice rendition of a classic. The yellow decking makes a change from other builds I've seen IIRC

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: March 7th, 2017, 8:48 am
by ShaunW
I agree, this is a great build of that Airfix classic.

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: March 7th, 2017, 2:29 pm
by Kevan Bailey
Thanks, fellas.

James: I suspect the grey deck version's more popular because it's the one with the guns. And to be honest, they are very decent mouldings, about 500% better than the Matchbox/Revell efforts on the Flower.

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: March 8th, 2017, 8:18 am
by gnomemeansgnome
Nice whaleback. This is buried in my stash as well.

Re: Airfix Rescue Launch

Posted: April 22nd, 2017, 6:06 pm
by celt
Well tidy mun.