Maintrack stuff was very hit and miss whilst the resin he used was vile to work with.

This!

Hampden.  I already have a very old example in the stash but would pick up another cheap one (i have a plan which might be easier with two kits).  I don't suppose we'll ever get a modern version.
Are there any full size ones still around anywhere?

Quote from: zenrat on January 11, 2024, 01:33:57 AMHampden.  I already have a very old example in the stash but would pick up another cheap one (i have a plan which might be easier with two kits).  I don't suppose we'll ever get a modern version.
Are there any full size ones still around anywhere?

Three.  One in Canada , the other two at Cosford and, the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. The latter two undergoing lengthy restoration. I thought the old Airfix Hampden wasn't a bad effort and, it whips into shape nicely with a little effort and T L C.

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 11, 2024, 01:23:06 AMThis!

It does look awfully nice but, with Academy reissuing the ex Minicraft B-24H at £23, that's where my money will go. Not as much interior detail as the Airfix kit but, that's a blessing as far as I'm concerned because I usually bin any interior parts that wont be seen. I've no doubt the purists will have some adverse comments about the Minicraft B-24 but, having built a couple before, they're good enough for me!

The Academy kit is horrible to build.  You couldn't pay me to build one again.

I doubt you'd get change from 60 notes for the new Airfix one.

As for the Hampden, Valom did one a few years back and AZ reboxed it with new canopies later.  There's still some about.

Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 11, 2024, 03:12:35 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 11, 2024, 01:23:06 AMThis!

It does look awfully nice but, with Academy reissuing the ex Minicraft B-24H at £23, that's where my money will go. Not as much interior detail as the Airfix kit but, that's a blessing as far as I'm concerned because I usually bin any interior parts that wont be seen. I've no doubt the purists will have some adverse comments about the Minicraft B-24 but, having built a couple before, they're good enough for me!

The rear ladder will be extended to counter for the lack of space for nose weight.

I built a total of three of the old Academy B-24s. Don't recall any major build issues. In fact, they went together quite well.
If I do decide to buy a B-24,that's where my money will go, especially at the price.


I still have a Valom Hampden. For a short run kit, it's a very decent effort.

Quote from: The Wooksta! on January 11, 2024, 05:03:57 AMI doubt you'd get change from 60 notes for the new Airfix one.

The Airfix web site is quoting £46.99 for the B-24

Gondor

Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 11, 2024, 03:12:35 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on January 11, 2024, 01:23:06 AMThis!

Ilook awfully nice but, with Academy reissuing the ex Minicraft B-24H at £23, that's where my money will go. Not as much interior detail as the Airfix kit but, that's a blessing as far as I'm concerned because I usually bin any interior parts that wont be seen. I've no doubt the purists will have some adverse comments about the Minicraft B-24 but, having built a couple before, they're good enough for me!

Technically it was always an Academy kit as they did the design and tooling. This is true of most of the "Minicraft" kits from the late '80s on, those that weren't reboxes of very old Japanese tools - i.e. many of the Minicraft 1/144 range were old Crown tools.

This is also true for the Hobbycraft Canada kits issued
by Academy after the collapse of Hobbycraft, much of range was designed, toole and produced by Academy. With the exception of the early stuff like the original craptastic Arrow kit, Ar 234 etcetera. Evidently they still owed Academy a lot of money so the tooling was forfeit.

BTW Hobbycraft Canada and the UK company
of the same name were not related.

Mixed news on the prices front:

The Hawker P.1127 is listed at £6.99, which seems remarkably cheap. 

The Shannon-class lifeboat is being launched (pun intended) as a starter set, and is listed at £19.99, which seems reasonable.

The Belvedere, on the other hand, is listed at £15.99, which seems an awful lot of money for something with so many known flaws.


Here's something you might have missed:

In the New Year's Sale, you probably skipped right past the Blood Red Skies game as being "not a model". However, closer inspection reveals that it includes two 1/72nd Spitfire Mk.1s and two 1/72nd Bf 109Es. These are the proper kits too, not some simplified gaming things. They're not individually boxed (as the picture implies), and they have a combined decal sheet (probably simplified) for all four of them. On the upside, they come with fancy posable stands and printed clear acetate SPINNING PROP DISCS!!! (Almost worth buying just for them!)

Now for the RRP of £70, you might not care if you don't want the game as well, HOWEVER, it seems like nobody else wanted the game either, because it's currently discounted to £20.

That means you can get two Spitfires and two 109s for £5 each, together with a handy box and some interesting scrap plastic...

Here's the link: https://uk.airfix.com/products/airfix-blood-red-skies-battle-britain-a1500
Unboxing video: https://uk.airfix.com/products/airfix-blood-red-skies-battle-britain-a1500?

Quote from: The Wooksta! on January 11, 2024, 05:03:57 AM...As for the Hampden, Valom did one a few years back and AZ reboxed it with new canopies later.  There's still some about.

Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 11, 2024, 07:14:43 AM...I still have a Valom Hampden. For a short run kit, it's a very decent effort.

Only Valom kit i've built is the Lockheed XFV Salmon.  That was nasty.

Quote from: zenrat on January 12, 2024, 03:04:42 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on January 11, 2024, 05:03:57 AM...As for the Hampden, Valom did one a few years back and AZ reboxed it with new canopies later.  There's still some about.

Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 11, 2024, 07:14:43 AM...I still have a Valom Hampden. For a short run kit, it's a very decent effort.

Only Valom kit i've built is the Lockheed XFV Salmon.  That was nasty.

As it was a short run kit, I knew what I might be letting myself in for.  Assembly is tricky but, with time and patience a good model will result. However, with the Airfix kit available again at a lower price than the Valom kit, I'd probably opt for Airfix. I don't mind scratch building  some extra detail parts. I do hope however that they have , like in other Vintage Classics, reworked the transparencies.

IIRC the Salmon was one of Valom's early kits.  More recent kits are much better.

Falcon do set with replacement Hampden glazing, one of the RAF bomber sets.

Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 12, 2024, 03:26:20 AMI do hope however that they have , like in other Vintage Classics, reworked the transparencies.

I don't think they have done that with all the Vintage Classics, however if they do that with the Belvedere then I could be tempted by that.

Gondor