Post War Brits
So let's start with the wee BAC Jet Provost:
Truthfully there isn't too much to say, enough has been written about this wee gem, so I'm not going to try to add anything other than this:
If you need a 'mojo restoration project' , you could a h*ll of a lot worse than buy this one. Honestly I was a little sad when it was done. Wonderful wee kit, more like this please Airfix.
The Vampire was a VERY different experience: I've built it, I didn't enjoy it, at all !
There's an unintentional coincidence between Vampires being the subject of horror films and trying to get this kit to 'work'. Soft, poorly defined details, poor fit & engineering around the nose, simply an 'opportunity missed' in my opinion. Reminds me far too much of the old Hobbycraft kit from way back in the day - I actually gave-up on that one.
What I find hard to get into my head is the lack of continuity across recent Airfix new releases; the wee JP, the Blenheim, Dornier 17, B-25, 1:48 Hawk 81A and Mustang were all superb... the 1:48 Meteor, 1:72 Gnat and this... not even on the same page.
Such a disappointment, honestly I couldn't wait to get it off the bench. Please feel free to make any comments at all.
Cheers
Ian.
I don't know what your complaint is about the Meteor. If you assemble the wing and fuselage right (i.e., put the fairing on the fuselage, not the wing) it's very nice. (See below)
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
I did get it together, and it looks fine, but I had a h*ll of a job getting the front of the nacelles to come together around that engine detail. Also - on my kit - one of the upper nacelle halves was a good 2mm narrower than the lower.
You obviously had a 'better modelling experience', than I did Tom.
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Amazing job on both, Ian!
Despite your not so enjoyable experience on these kits, they all do look great, Ian @ij001
Both these kits turned out fine to me Ian, if you had problems with the Vampire it certainly doesn't show, it looks great.
Sorry to hear about the struggles, Ian @ij001! Both builds look lovely (love the nmf on the Provost) - i am planning to do the Vampire soon and i think the fuselage is warped a bit. May i ask if you used a panel wash for the Provost? If so, what did you use?
Yep, simple oil wash with W&N Paynes Grey & White mixed about 60/40. No weathering on the JP as the RAFC kept them immaculate so I'm told.
The early 60's Provosts were an overall silver/aluminium paint called 'High Speed Silver' not NMF. I used AK Xtreme 'Aluminium' straight from the bottle.
HTH.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
They both look very nice. Your efforts paid off.
Nice work, Ian. Both look great.
Two great-looking models! Well done.
Love that Provost! Very nice build.
Reminds me of the time I was around 10 of age. I could spend hours and hours in the local toy shop deciding which Airfix kit to buy. They used to come in plastic bags that time. And if I remember well they were around 1,45 guilders back then, not sure though.
Another yet I loved was the Gloster Javelin, have you built that bird as well?
Javelin and Sea Vixen are both way up there on my 'wish list', sadly the over the counter price here in NZ (if you can find one), is astronomical.
They rarely pop-up on our local version of eBay, and when they do there's a mad scramble, which in-turn pushes the price through the roof.
Just one of those things that you have to tolerate when you live at the bottom end of the supply chain !
They both look great Ian. Shame about the dramatic differences between kits but whatever problems you have had do not show 👍
I think both airplanes look great, Ian (@ij001). You certainly overcame any difficulties thrown at you by the kit. If I recall correctly, the Provost is in the paint scheme used at RAF Cranwell. Well done on both.
Two good looking early jets from my favourite era, so glad you managed to get the Vampire looking so great.
In spite of the difficulties you encountered, they look just fine!
Thank you all for the response, just fantastic and really appreciated.
Nothing new for a while as my work area (in my garage) needs gutting and remodelling, but I cannot get to that until the last of the house renovation is finished, so hopefully a month to six weeks and I can be back at my bench.
Cheers from NZ.