AIRFIX 1/72 DH 82.a Tiger Moth
My latest effort. I put in as much extra detail as the model could handle,(not mention me) and the results aren’t too bad. It’s actually a replica of a flying school aircraft. All of the extras are my stuff. This was a hard little kit to work with: VERY brittle plastic. Some of the smaller parts broke when I cut them out. I coated everything that looked weak with CA glue and had better luck. I hope everyone likes my new back drop. No snow, no wrinkles.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
bob mack said on August 3, 2015
another real beauty phil
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks Bob.
Jack Mugan said on August 3, 2015
Quite a jewel….nicely done. Great detail shots as well. It is always satisfying to get great results from a difficult kit.
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
An effort it was. Thanks Jack.
Craig Abrahamson said on August 3, 2015
Excellent work, Phil….especially in 72nd scale. At first glance, I thought it was an actual aircraft photo. Needless to say, the background really sets off a fine piece of modeling. Kudos to anyone who builds kits with rigging (particularly THAT one)…..two thumbs up, sir! 🙂 🙂
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks Craig
Mike Grant said on August 3, 2015
That is superb, Phil. Those close-up pics really show the high quality of your workmanship.
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks Mike. Most of the close ups were on super macro setting.
Steve Catterson said on August 3, 2015
This is brilliant, Phil. I particularly like the rigging, especially at 1/72 as Craig points out. I used to build biplanes in this scale as a boy, but when I did attempt rigging I could never get it taut like this. Maybe everybody knows apart from me, but how on earth did you manage that? Well done.
Steve Catterson said on August 3, 2015
Ah-ha! I’ve just spotted your “how do I do rigging” article! I shall go read.
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks Steve, it’s easier that it sounds. I tried a couple of new ideas on this build, developing on some of the things I did on the HUP. This is also the first time I used flattened brass rod for the control horns in stead of pieces of plastic.
Tom Bebout said on August 3, 2015
Wow, nice job especially the rigging at 1/72 no less.
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks Tom.
Tom Cleaver said on August 3, 2015
Very nice on that waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy old kit!
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
Thanks TOM. This kit is one of AIRFIX’s new tool kits,(#A01024) as far as I know. Really good decals and instructions.
Frank Cronin said on August 3, 2015
Phil,
Absolutely gorgeous. You seem to have the rigging nightmare solved. This little beauty looks real.
Phil Steele said on August 3, 2015
It was real alright !! A real pain. Actually I’m happy with the way it finished up. I didn’t like the batons initially. The only thing I had that was absolutely straight was .020″ plastic rod which didn’t look bad on the bench. When I set them in place in the rigging they looked 2 inch pipes !! Thanks Frank.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on August 3, 2015
Love the aircraft registration! I didn’t know the american band had an aircraft!
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
HA HA HA !!! I think they’re an Aussi band. AIRFIX weren’t generous on the decals:only 5.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on August 4, 2015
Phil, anything in popular music after 1970 is a stretch for me. Reveling my ignorance still further, is this the group who did “Highway to Hell”? For some reason, when I was working, I found that to be my theme song. This one body shop manager was stunned to see I knew it, my being an old guy, and we got along even better, after.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Yup–they’re the ones.
Rob Pollock said on August 4, 2015
Great balance on the wings in the overhead shot, and the rigging looks clean. A tough scale to detail-up but this looks really nice. Photography sets it off too.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Thanks Rob. It took some tinkerin’ to get things set up. The rigging actually helped align the upper wing.
Marc Barris said on August 4, 2015
What a great build, nice work sir, and in 1/72 scale, very nice.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Thanks Marc.
Editor said on August 4, 2015
OMG. Considering how tiny this kit is in 1/72 scale, you have done terrific work! The finesse of the result brings thughts to a full-scale aircraft, let alone a much larger model.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Gracious mi amigo. I usually challenge myself with working to scale appearance, making little bits and pieces as necessary. Now, if only I had a lathe—the possibilities !!
Simon Whitney said on August 4, 2015
Very nice work Phil, lovely finishing to.
You are right about the small bits though.
The wife and I have got a pair on the go, and have had a few breakages.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
It took some work, believe me. I actually bought two kits just in case, for spares, but it looks like both will be finished.
The struts were difficult.
David Mills said on August 4, 2015
Super work Phil – she looks great – will have to have a look at your article on rigging!
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
As we say in Nova Scotia, Give ‘er !! Thanks David. Glad you liked it.
P.k said on August 4, 2015
I like!!!
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Thanks P.K.
Greg Kittinger said on August 4, 2015
Most excellent – as has already been said. Fine modeling skills on display, and love the detailed, close-up photography! Thanks for sharing.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Thanks Greg.
Lukasz Sowa said on August 4, 2015
I love models in 1/72 and yours is perfect, I really admire the rigging and cleanliness of your build. Great job and thanks for sharing.
Phil Steele said on August 4, 2015
Thanks Lukasz. Glad you liked it.
Bernd Müller said on August 5, 2015
It looks on the photos like a real one, thats outstanding work, especially in the 1/72 scale.
Phil Steele said on August 5, 2015
Thanks Bernd, glad you like it. I wish I had cut down the thickness of the open doors. They look out of scale some what. Other than that I’m happy with it. I have another one that’s 70% complete, and I’ll probably thin those doors down.
Mike Maynard said on August 5, 2015
I wouldn’t want to go up against you in a model contest, what a great build!
Phil Steele said on August 5, 2015
Thanks Mike. I’ve never put anything in a contest. Working a shift schedule interfered with such things. Now that I’ve retired, perhaps I’ll be able to.
Paul van Acker said on August 6, 2015
Superb. Almost impossible to choose a colour scheme. This one is a beauty.
Phil Steele said on August 6, 2015
Thanks Paul. The next TM I’m building has a different scheme, and a few more decals. Be a couple of weeks yet.
Jeff Bailey said on April 23, 2017
I’m new to this one (it’s 2017), but this is another fine build!
Phil Steele said on April 23, 2017
The Ol’ Tiger Moth, WWII trainer. Thanks Jeff !!