Airfix Blenheim Mk.I 1/72
Finally finished this Airfix Bristol Blenheim Mk. 1 in 72nd scale. Even though every review warns about the fiddly canopy and even though i already did this kit a year ago, i still am somewhat disappointed and have very mixed feelings about the kit. I love the plane and i have seen some very beautiful builds on this site.
But the fit with this mold was quite disappointing. Yes, i did dry fit first.
Apart from the fit, masking the canopy with all the windows was basically the first thing i did, and i made sure i was wearing gloves, mind you. Nonetheless there are some weird bubbles stuck inside, which is probably not Airfix' fault.
Other than that this kit is great. The interior is beautiful. I only added seatbelts. The Yahoo (or Yahuu?) cockpit panel is not necessary as you cannot see it.
Ammo Mig and AK interactive acrylics and some panel line wash from Ammo Mig. Decals are from the kit.
Might have taken extra effort, but the result is spectacular, Felix!
Congratulations!
Yasou Spiros @fiveten, thank you for compliment! Makes me feel good after all the effort!
Nothing visible from the drawbecks, Felix @fxrob
A perfect looking Blenheim, especially taken into account that this is only 1/72.
Dear John @johnb, thanks a lot for your kind words! Makes me look at the product a bit differently. If only i could do the canopy again...:)
Looks great, Felix.
Thank you, John @j-healy!
Despite your misgivings about the kit/build it still is a stellar accomplishment...well done, Felix.
Hi Gary @gwskat, awww thank you so much! Really kind of you!
You've produced an excellent model - when I built it I attached the canopy halves to the sides first. I don't know if you did that but this seems to negate any fit issues. I would be very pleased with the result that you've produced.
Dear Christopher @christopher, thank you for your kind words and your feedback. I do not know what it was with this particular kit, but i did it exactly the same way you described it and it just would not work for quite some time. Lots of sanding and putty involved!
Beautiful work Felix!
Thank you very much, Bob @v1pro!
I can understand your frustration with the fit issues Felix, but the overall result is really nice. One becomes acutely aware of any imperfections during the construction process but once the model goes into the cabinet these things are not obvious to the observer. That’s what I tell myself anyway.
Dear Ben, thank you for your kind words. Your comment regarding the final product on the shelf is very much true and it actually made me appreciate it a bit more. Went down to the drawer to have another look at it this morning 🙂
Beautiful plane, equally beautiful model, great work, Felix.
Dear George @chinesegeorge, thanks a lot for your compliments! Makes me feel really proud about it, in fact. Maybe i will just do another one after all 🙂
Having built this kit myself, I can understand some of the frustrations, but as others have pointed out, they have no effect on the final result, which really looks very nice.
Dear Tom @tcinla, thank you for your compliments! I did look up your build in fact, just to become aware of possible roadblocks. Maybe my fingers are just too clumsy! I have decals for a few more Blenheim versions including one of the fleet air arms, might just do that next after all!
That's a great build Felix. Looks very good even with the problems you tell us about. My son has built this kit and we had the same issues, he decided not to paint the canopy frames as his patience was running out. Is the 1/48 scale kit any better fitting around the canopy do you know ?
Dear Guy @thom, thank you for your kind feedback! I have the 48th scale in my stash and i have not heard of similar issues. I hope your son was not too frustrated!
The 1/48 version looks like it has a ton of amazing details and obviously the delicate canopy is even larger and more prone to mistakes!
Great build! I love the mottled appearance of the paint work - much more alive than a uniform finish. Well done!
Dear Greg @gkittinger, thank you so much! Painting the plane was a lot of fun! Now i need to find a way for the decals to blend in a little more, to make them look worn a bit.
Great job on this.. I did the 48 scale kit and it was excellent. The 72 scale looks, with your build and paintwork ,just as good.
Thank you Dale @dtravis! I would love to see your build - did you upload it here? The 72nd version does have a lovely cockpit.
Hi Felix @fxrob Yes I posted it on this site. You can go on my modeling blog by clicking on my name and see it.
Nice job and congratulations for overcoming those frustrating moments. The end result worked out well.
Hi Chas, @chasbunch, thanks a lot for your compliments! Maybe i was just being too impatient, to tell you the truth 🙂
Nicely done, great looking scheme and weathering.
Thank you Robert @roofrat! That is very nice of you, thanks a lot!
One, Airfix is to be congratulated in making this kit. Two, Felix (@fxrob) your gifts and talents have brought out the best in this kit. Its a real charmer. Looking forward to seeing your next build.
Dear Stephen @stephen-w-towle, i agree with you on Airfix. Both Blenheim versions in 48 and 72 are real gems. Thank you for your compliments! Next up is the new Mosquito and 1/48 Vampire with a yellow trainer nose!
Felix, I hope you've got over your disappointment... that's a lovely model, and I really like the finished colour scheme. Well done ;-).
Dear Paul @paulh, thank you for your kind words! Yeah, maybe i was just complaining too much :-)It's all good, on to the next one!
Canopy looks better than in my Blenheim.
@lis But i made sacrifices for that on the side of the cockpit, as seen in the pictures.