SPA Modeler

As requested.

I've been slowly working on this one quietly in the background of my other builds since February. I've been finding it very enlightening to see the differences between the old Monogram/Revell (Monovell) P-40B and this new one.

Its like night and day to compare these two kits! The new Airfix offering is stunning in the detail it offers right out of the box in comparison. The Cartograph decals are phenomenal, as usual. The snug down perfectly over the raised detail with a couple applications of Set and Sol. This is only the second model I've built that included them and they've lined up perfectly in both cases.

All I have done thus far is work on the cockpit and pilot. I had to raise the pilot as he sat too low in the pit (this appears to be common with the new molds) and I've had to move his limbs to get him re-positioned because of it. His feet still don't touch the rudder pedals, but they are close. The included figure is well detailed and easy to paint and I modified his "Mae West" so that it is now a fur trimmed collar on his black leather jacket, which was popular with AVG pilots of the time.

This is truly a wonderful kit to work with. It goes together easy and the only complaint I can offer is that there is a bit of flash around a lot of the parts. For a brand new mold you would think this wouldn't be an issue, but the parts are in perfect register, so just be advised that there is some minor parts cleanup.



[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/60bf0df5930a9106f4a9_1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/60bf0df5930a9106f4a9_2.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/60bf0df5930a9106f4a9_3.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/60bf0df5930a9106f4a9_4.jpg[/image]

The trouble spots are around the nose and the gear knuckles. Nothing that careful test fitting, good planning, and a little putty can't fix though.

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/4312b7ed4a9a836716f4_1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/4312b7ed4a9a836716f4_2.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/3503b429259565e491a7_1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/3503b429259565e491a7_2.jpg[/image]

I puttied, I sanded, and I tossed on some primer. All was well.
After that I finished some scribing and primered the whole thing.

This is where I'm at now;

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/e1cd7a2b9f00f6868edb_1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/e1cd7a2b9f00f6868edb_2.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/e1cd7a2b9f00f6868edb_3.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/e1cd7a2b9f00f6868edb_4.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.use.com/images/s_2/e1cd7a2b9f00f6868edb_5.jpg[/image]

I haven't cleaned up the landing gear or wing MG's yet. So there's a little more to do, but I'm at the point where I'm still considering how I want to paint and weather it.

Pretty much the same place I'm at with the 1/72 109E as well. Also, it doesn't help that my bench is "put away" while I look for a more steady job. But hey, landscaping is paying the bills lol. (And beefing up the stash!)

Thanks for looking! Hope you enjoyed it. more to come later...

I have not heard a single bad thing about this kit. It is certainly on my "wanted" list along with several other Airfix new tooled 48th scale subjects. Thanks for sharing this one here with us SPAMmers. I'll definitely follow your progress.

Right on Mikey... thanks for sharing this with us. Definitely good to see a recent Airfix kit built up. You may want to use

Thanks, John! I didn't know that would make a difference. I'm going to go try it real quick.

Edit: Holy crap, man! I didn't know you could do that just by unabbreviating the image tag! Thanks, John!

That's pretty much right out of the box too. I modified the throttle and the window crank away from the sidewalls and modified the pilot with a twisted wire O2 hose, modified jacket (no Mae West), and lifted him about 3mm up to simulate the height he should be at with a chute under him. That led to making a new control stick to meet his hand.

Everything else is stock. There isn't much needed for AM in my opinion, but that doesnt mean it wont be available.

I'm also working on a 1/72 Hobby Boss P-47D bubbletop and the 1/72 Airfix Messershmitt Bf 109-E3. The P-47 is very basic on the inside, but the details are decent on the outside with a little improvement. In contrast, the 109 is good to go right out of the box for a relief build. Solid details, but again the pilot forgot his chute. I didn't catch it til he was already glued in though.

So yeah, these Airfix kits are pretty solid right out of the box. You should give one a try when you can.

Looking great!

Thank you! It's really a great kit right out of the box. I highly recommend it for anyone who is an AVG fan or a P-40 nut like me lol.