What are you working on right now?

[Schaf]

Finally finished the decals on this, moving on to the weathering and final details now. maybe I can get it finished over the coming weekend, I really want to move on to a new project.

 

[Glenn S]

Finally finished the decals on this, moving on to the weathering and final details now. maybe I can get it finished over the coming weekend, I really want to move on to a new project.

I like it. Pleasantly different subject. What's the scale and make of the kit?
Would you recommend it?

 

[Littlemarten]

Finally finished the decals on this, moving on to the weathering and final details now. maybe I can get it finished over the coming weekend, I really want to move on to a new project.

Nice! I second the request for kit manufacturer.

 

[Schaf]

I like it. Pleasantly different subject. What's the scale and make of the kit?
Would you recommend it?

Nice! I second the request for kit manufacturer.

The kit is the Airfix Spitfire Tr.IX trainer that was released last year. It is a fantastic kit, well detailed, and the fit is superb. I can setup a thread for it later that shows the construction details. I wasn't sure if anybody would be interested in that as I am almost finished with the kit.

 

[Littlemarten]

Airfix …? AIRFIX!?!? … AIRFIX?!?!?!?!?!? You're not joking?

Last I knew (a very long time ago) Airfix kits were horrible. Haven't looked at them since, just ignored any ads. When did this change?

 

[BarleyBop]

anybody would be interested in that as I am almost finished

Haha! Scale model ADDICTS: finished, in progress, in the stash, just thinking about it... We'll take whatever you got!

 

[Pantherman]

Airfix …? AIRFIX!?!? … AIRFIX?!?!?!?!?!? You're not joking?

Last I knew (a very long time ago) Airfix kits were horrible. Haven't looked at them since, just ignored any ads. When did this change?

I am building the Airfix Bristol Bulldog and that's an excellent kit, great detail, great fit, well engineered and the decals are the best I've ever used. The rigging instructions are superb. Pantherman

 

[Schaf]

Airfix …? AIRFIX!?!? … AIRFIX?!?!?!?!?!? You're not joking?

Last I knew (a very long time ago) Airfix kits were horrible. Haven't looked at them since, just ignored any ads. When did this change?

I would say several years ago, when they released their 1/72 B-17 and 1/48 Sea Vixen Airfix started a gradual progression into a top notch kit producer. Progressive releases have shown steady improvement. The 1/24th scale Bf-109 released at the end of 2025 is also excellent.

 

[Edbert]

I would say several years ago, when they released their 1/72 B-17 and 1/48 Sea Vixen Airfix started a gradual progression into a top notch kit producer. Progressive releases have shown steady improvement. The 1/24th scale Bf-109 released at the end of 2025 is also excellent.

I was going to say that everyone says that the newest kits are very good, some disagreement about the exact date that changed, but not that it changed.

I've been meaning to try one out, but I think Airfix is the only choice for the two-seater.

 

[Jakko]

Last I knew (a very long time ago) Airfix kits were horrible. Haven't looked at them since, just ignored any ads. When did this change?

Ten, fifteen years ago? When Hornby had taken over and started releasing new new models instead of new boxes with old models.

The thing is that you need to be careful when buying an Airfix kit, because especially in 1:72 scale aircraft, they may have both an old and a new kit of the same subject, and the old kit may by now be sixty years old. The price is usually a good indicator: if you find two versions of what looks to be variants of the same kit but one costs half what the other does, then the low-cost one is ancient.

 

[Schaf]

Haha! Scale model ADDICTS: finished, in progress, in the stash, just thinking about it... We'll take whatever you got!

Well, in that case I have plenty of each

 

[Littlemarten]

Thank you all, that's good to know … or maybe bad, considering the size of my stash …

 

[Tommergun]

I don't understand and I don't appreciate the comments like "you're building a Monogram kit, why waste you're time", or "an old Airfix kit, are you joking?" or "that kit is such a POS why bother?". Why be disparaging? Who cares what kit it is as long as we're building something? Who cares how it comes out as long as we've accomplished something. My ire got up, and I lashed out, and then I name called and that was especially wrong of me. I sincerely apologize for that and I will take a step back now.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

You have to build crappy kits so that you can have a big s*** eating grin when you spend a little bit more money and get a quality kit that goes together like a breeze. Am I allowed to b**** and moan and groan because I'm building a complicated 1/32 Biplane and the other guy is building a 1/72 biplane that has a total of eight pieces? Not hardly.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Here's what I'm working on. I almost and I mean I came this close to quietly put it in the Box and tape it up and throw it up on the Shelf of Misfit Toys. The PE rigging got to me and I ripped most of it out. I'm going to have to do it right.

 

[Edbert]

My ire got up, and I lashed out, and then I name called and that was especially wrong of me.

Let it out, then let it go. Nothing to apologize for or feel bad about. That's my thoughts on things.

 

[Littlemarten]

I don't understand and I don't appreciate the comments like "you're building a Monogram kit, why waste you're time", or "an old Airfix kit, are you joking?" or "that kit is such a POS why bother?". Why be disparaging? Who cares what kit it is as long as we're building something? Who cares how it comes out as long as we've accomplished something. My ire got up, and I lashed out, and then I name called and that was especially wrong of me. I sincerely apologize for that and I will take a step back now.

A gentleman apologizes, and appreciates one when he gets one. You misinterpreted what I said because you are having a bad day, and perhaps because I did not convey my meaning—surprise—as well as I might have. Schaf, Edbert, and Jakko understood and replied with the information I needed. And I understand having a bad day.

Since I did not see your original post, I was not offended. I probably would have responded as I did in my personal message, because as long as I've been reading your posts, I've never seen you be offensive. So something—possibly something entirely unrelated—primed you for that sort of response. I'm sincerely sorry you are having such a bad day, and I've no doubt you don't deserve one. Happens to everyone. I hope yours gets better.

As for Airfix, I'm delighted they are now putting out high quality kits! (My bank account is terrified.) As for Monogram, etc. I still have some old kits in my stash, and am hoping to get as much pleasure from them as I did building them fifty years ago.

 

[Tommergun]

You Sir, are the true Gentleman in the matter.

 

[Pantherman]

A gentleman apologizes, and appreciates one when he gets one. You misinterpreted what I said because you are having a bad day, and perhaps because I did not convey my meaning—surprise—as well as I might have. Schaf, Edbert, and Jakko understood and replied with the information I needed. And I understand having a bad day.

Since I did not see your original post, I was not offended. I probably would have responded as I did in my personal message, because as long as I've been reading your posts, I've never seen you be offensive. So something—possibly something entirely unrelated—primed you for that sort of response. I'm sincerely sorry you are having such a bad day, and I've no doubt you don't deserve one. Happens to everyone. I hope yours gets better.

As for Airfix, I'm delighted they are now putting out high quality kits! (My bank account is terrified.) As for Monogram, etc. I still have some old kits in my stash, and am hoping to get as much pleasure from them as I did building them fifty years ago.

Think we have all been there. Pantherman

 

[Ron2]

Thank you all, that's good to know … or maybe bad, considering the size of my stash …

I've built some of their old kits- challenging d/t lack of quality and new kits. I'll still buy an old kit if it's cheap enough- I know I'll have some extra work to do tho.

 

[Edbert]

I think it is just a personal preference. Crappy kits give me little enjoyment. For some people they offer a challenge. I do enjoy challenging myself, but complicated kits give me that payoff. Cheapness helps, but for me, it is not enough. I got that Corsair for free and might never finish it because it is just a crappy kit.

I reserve the right to change my mind about challenging myself when (if) I finish the rigging on my S.E.5a. But I have to paint insignias first, maybe that will be enough to not want more challenges too.

 

[Jakko]

Who cares what kit it is as long as we're building something?

It depends on what your goal is, IMHO. If you want to build any given kit (whether it's old or new, good or bad, etc.) because you want to build that kit, then go ahead. If you build old kits because they're cheaper than new ones, go ahead. If you build old kits because you enjoy putting in more work to bring them up to modern standards, go ahead. There are lots of reasons why you would want to start with an old kit with various problems that more modern ones don't.

However, if the goal is to build an accurate rendition of a subject, then "Why are you using that ancient kit with known problems?" is a valid question, if you ask me. Especially if the builder then doesn't correct those problems despite claiming to be building an accurate model. Similarly, I frequently wonder — but not usually out loud — why people buy ancient kits with known problems and spend tons of money and effort on detailing sets for them, rather than buying a more modern kit of the same subject that's more accurate straight from the box, so for less effort and money.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

What I don't understand or maybe I do but I just want to throw this out there. I think it's kind of a conundrum. I think there's lots of people out there that don't have a lot of money to spend on models. But I watch them get these cheap, small models with 10 pieces and they start on the cockpit and before you know it they're painting the darn thing and calling it done! But that kit was expensive at $25. Yeah but you threw it together and now you're done looking for something else to do. So you rationalize buying another kit at $25 because they're cheap and it's only $25 come on honey. Why not save up another week or two until you can buy an $80 kit that will take you months to build not just days. That's what I don't get. I mean, I'm not rich. I don't have money to go out and buy big expensive models with all these add-ons every two weeks and have a stash that needs an extra bedroom. But when I do buy a model I make sure I'm not going to finish it in 2 days and I also buy a model because it looks cool and has lots of pieces so that my boredom has somewhere to go for a couple weeks

 

[Pantherman]

What I don't understand or maybe I do but I just want to throw this out there. I think it's kind of a conundrum. I think there's lots of people out there that don't have a lot of money to spend on models. But I watch them get these cheap, small models with 10 pieces and they start on the cockpit and before you know it they're painting the darn thing and calling it done! But that kit was expensive at $25. Yeah but you threw it together and now you're done looking for something else to do. So you rationalize buying another kit at $25 because they're cheap and it's only $25 come on honey. Why not save up another week or two until you can buy an $80 kit that will take you months to build not just days. That's what I don't get. I mean, I'm not rich. I don't have money to go out and buy big expensive models with all these add-ons every two weeks and have a stash that needs an extra bedroom. But when I do buy a model I make sure I'm not going to finish it in 2 days and I also buy a model because it looks cool and has lots of pieces so that my boredom has somewhere to go for a couple weeks

The most I have spent on a kit and add ons is£450. I figure it will take me around a year to 18 months to finish so I consider that value for money. Pantherman

 

[Littlemarten]

It depends on what your goal is, IMHO. If you want to build any given kit (whether it's old or new, good or bad, etc.) because you want to build that kit, then go ahead. If you build old kits because they're cheaper than new ones, go ahead. If you build old kits because you enjoy putting in more work to bring them up to modern standards, go ahead. There are lots of reasons why you would want to start with an old kit with various problems that more modern ones don't.

However, if the goal is to build an accurate rendition of a subject, then "Why are you using that ancient kit with known problems?" is a valid question, if you ask me. Especially if the builder then doesn't correct those problems despite claiming to be building an accurate model. Similarly, I frequently wonder — but not usually out loud — why people buy ancient kits with known problems and spend tons of money and effort on detailing sets for them, rather than buying a more modern kit of the same subject that's more accurate straight from the box, so for less effort and money.

They do it for the effort. "We choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." —JFK

Or to put it another way, De gustibus non disputandem est—there is no disputing a matter of taste.

I've built, or partially built, a lot of old, very cheap kits. I got them for the effort of bringing them home. I built them to learn the skills I now have. I only kept one, a Revell P-39 that I refer to as "The Test Bed," because I tried every technique I heard or read about on it for over twenty years.

Why build scale models? It's fun (most of the time ); it's relaxing (some of the time ). These I think we can all agree on. As for other reasons … how many members do we have?

 

[Rockin' Rob]

The most I have spent on a kit and add ons is£450. I figure it will take me around a year to 18 months to finish so I consider that value for money. Pantherman

View attachment 196732View attachment 196733

When I get better at PE? Maybe I should say IF I get better at PE? That is eventually what I want. A big ass battleship with a ton of PE. Or. If I don't like PE I might be tempted to try a wood ship.

 

[Edbert]

I figure it will take me around a year to 18 months to finish so I consider that value for money.

Total agreement regarding the dollar-per-hour value of this hobby.

I mean take this example...

I took the wife out for a movie, one of those new theaters that serves food and drink. The movie (with previews and the other stuff) was barely over 2 hours long, I had a burger, she had two slices of pizza and we shared one pitcher of beer. Total cost was ~$120USD, for 2 hours of entertainment and a meal.

There are no model kits, even free that can be completed in 2 hours, maybe if you don't paint anything. On the flip side there are kits that cost over $100 (I just pre-ordered the new Kotare "Emil" and it was $120 with shipping. But these kits will deliver 100+ hours of entertainment, albeit maybe and hour or three of frustration. A fantastic deal if you ask me!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Total agreement regarding the dollar-per-hour value of this hobby.

I mean take this example...

I took the wife out for a movie, one of those new theaters that serves food and drink. The movie (with previews and the other stuff) was barely over 2 hours long, I had a burger, she had two slices of pizza and we shared one pitcher of beer. Total cost was ~$120USD, for 2 hours of entertainment and a meal.

There are no model kits, even free that can be completed in 2 hours, maybe if you don't paint anything. On the flip side there are kits that cost over $100 (I just pre-ordered the new Kotare "Emil" and it was $120 with shipping. But these kits will deliver 100+ hours of entertainment, albeit maybe and hour or three of frustration. A fantastic deal if you ask me!

I wouldn't blink twice before buying that. $120? Totally worth it. And if you take your time, because who wants to screw up a $100 model? It will look utterly fantastic and real.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Here's something you can digest with your coffee. When I started back in the seventies? Does anyone remember paying a dollar or two for a really nice kit you couldn't wait to get home

 

[BarleyBop]

Does anyone remember

Oh ya, and in '69, I was allowed to take the #61 bus downtown to a hobby shop... Carefully saving my allowance over weeks, the hard part was choosing between tires or other accessories for my slot car setup, or an HO/OO Airfix model or box of soldiers!

And yes, I was fixated on North Africa then too, fed by episodes of the Rat Patrol!

For many of us, I suspect there is a certain nostalgia wrapped in each and every kit we purchase. There is no price on that.