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Jonathan

@tourdeairfix

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Simply enjoying the journey of artistic, technical and historical discovery through the art of miniture scale modelling.

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Lancia Delta S4, as driven by Henri Toivonen winning the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally, is complete.

This kit is made by NuNu based in Macau, China. They specialise in 1:24 scale model cars and in my limited experience this is the best of this genre that I've built.

The detail is sublime with rubber tyres, individual windows with paint masks, gauze for the vents and silvered parts for mirrors and the reflective backing for lights. The engine area is highly detailed and as the plastic is slightly soft there's no risk shattering fine pieces when removing from the sprue and there's sufficient flex to align tubing and fit body panels.

Challenges with this build were really all of my own making but at a distance, I think it looks the part. I have a mind now to remove the front and rear sections and create a scene with some mechanics busily working on it, and perhaps a bit of Monte Carlo road dust, but we'll see. 😊

#nunumodelkit #smspaints #124scalemodelcars #scalemodeling #124scalemodels #lanciadeltas4 #vallejopaints by @tourdeairfix

34

7

9 months ago

Finally my Belkits 1:24 scale MG Metro 6R4, in the 1986 RAC Rally colours of Jimmy McRae & Ian Grindrod's Rothmans 6R4 from Prodrive, has rolled in across the finishing line.

The 1986 RAC saw the biggest showing of the Metro 6R4 in the WRC with thirteen cars entered into the event. Jimmy McRae and Ian Grindrod finished 8th overall behind the 6R4s of Per Eklund / Dave Whittock in 7th and Tony Pond / Rob Arthur in 6th, the best result for the 6R4.

The Belkits website states that they are a Belgian company that has been designing model rally kits in 1/24 scale since 2011 and go for high quality and detailed finishing. I could not agree to this latter comment more, the detailing they have provided this kit is sublime.

The crying shame is that neither the driver nor engine doors open as there is so much detail that is now hidden. This is also includes the amazing detail hidden behind the wheels and on the underside, for instance, even the disc brakes are shiny detailed pieces of PE.

I am relatively happy that the SMS PL71 Insignia Blue I researched and used is as close a match to Rothmans Rally Blue I saw in 1986, and it is exactly the same as the blue in the stripe across the roof. However, the blue Belkits have printed on the transfer across the rear side windows and perhaps less so on the spoiler is a brighter blue and in my opinion closer to that of the Rothmans Racing Blue as seen on, for example, the Rothmans LeMans 24H Porsche which I read was different.

Paint colour aside, as a kit I am very pleased with the way this has turned out. It has been a real piece of nostalgia for me to relive and to further research. It has also been a kit of supreme quality which I think it will be challenging to equal.

#smspaints #124scalemodel #mg6r4 #groupbrallycars #belkits by @tourdeairfix

29

5

8 months ago

You may recall the issue I had with the wheels included with the Beemax kit being incorrect and too small even for the tyres supplied.

The response from @jadlamracing to my request for support was simply: "I can confirm that the correct wheels have been received. The wheels in the kit were updated but Beemax didn't update the box art or the instruction manual." 🤔

So after applying ‘insulation tape inner tubes’ to make the ‘correct wheels’ fit the supplied tyres, here is the Jadlam/Beemax “what if Hannu bought to the Monte Carlo his own set of wheels that no sports photographers photographed” - Audi Quattro S1 (E2).

Interestingly, Audi did use different wheels and tyres during the event. There’s even a story of Hannu’s team mate, Röhrl suffering a puncture while running on racing tyres and when he stopped to change it discovered that the Audi mechanics had not switched the studded spare for a racer. He had to run the rest of the stage on three racers and a studded tyre! 😉 😂

In spite of all the above nonsense, I still love this finished model and the memories it brings back to me. 😊

#124scalemodel #jadlamracing #scalemodels #beemax #beemaxkits #groupbrallycars #audiquattrosport by @tourdeairfix

30

0

7 months ago

Back working on the Chipmunk and those photos I found were just perfect in getting the finish correct for the 1979 aircraft.

The fit on this model is great although I did have to enlarge the holes to to fit the engine and lower panel.

I’d been warned about the canopy and it is indeed one of Airfix’s current favoured 3D jigsaw constructions. For the first time in recent history I reached for the Tamiya thin in place of the usual canopy glue. Past experience had taught me that I needed something a lot stronger for this! UKScaleModeller’s canopy masks worked a treat, so much better than cutting my own ☺️

The body is now painted. Next I’ll mask up and pain the engine panels before final fitting.

#scalemodelling #dehavillandchipmunk #airfixmodels #ukscalemodeller by @tourdeairfix

23

0

12 hours ago

I spent most of yesterday looking through old photos and so didn’t make any progress on my Airfix Chipmunk build!

You may recall me saying I wanted to find some pictures of the Chipmunks I flew during my time in the Air Cadets and I found them!

Here you’ll see 5 photos from July 1979 when I attended annual camp at RAF Lyneham. These photos were taken at RAF Kemble, then the base of the Folland Gnat Red Arrows and where Air Cadets competed their Air Experience Flights (AEF) in the De Havilland Chipmunk.

The first photo is of my Squadron Leader who I remember most for sporting an archetypal RAF moustache! The third is of aircraft WK609 call sign ‘Lima’ which is the one I completed a 31 minute AEF flight in on 25 July 1979.

A quick piece of research informs me that WK609 was delivered to the RAF on 16 April 1952 as a two-seat primary trainer with Nottingham University Air Squadron. In 1970 it was stationed with No.3 Air Experience Flight (AEF) which is probably with whom I flew in 1979. In 1977 it was retired from the RAF and modified to the civilian Mk.22 standard with the registration G-BXDN and today takes in air displays sporting its original military paint scheme and the code 93.

Great memories and a great bit of history.

#scalemodelling #airfixmodels #dehavillandchipmunk #rafkemble #airtrainingcorps by @tourdeairfix

19

2

2 days ago

Next on the bench is an aircraft I flew in as a young Air Cadet back in the late 1970s, the De Havilland Chipmunk.

The kit is Airfix’s 2021 new tooling 1:48 scale Chipmunk with an array of options and decals. Naturally I’ll be going for the RAF Training Squadron’s red and white finish, similar to the one I flew in.

The detailing of the engine and interior is so good that I’m tempted to go for open engine panels and canopy. I’ve black primed and dry brushed the engine and interior following up with a bit of Army Painter black wash to highlight the fine detail.

The kit does actually include a couple of pilots, though being WW2 pilots they would only be suitable for a Chipmunk in the 1949 Farnborough Airshow decals rather than any of the 1960s to 2020 finishes!

I’m going to have to see if I can find any of my 1970s photos to confirm the actual scheme of the aircraft I flew in, my memory is that it was the red, white and grey but failing this, I’m sure the interweb will come to my aid 😉

#scalemodelling #ukscalemodeller #airfixmodels #148scaleaircraft #dehavillandchipmunk by @tourdeairfix

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0

3 days ago

I am pleased to confirm I and my fellow Seaton Scale Modellers will be back in our home town again for the Seaton Lions Model Display Show, to be held in the Methodist Church Hall on Saturday 31 October 👻.

I understand we will be joined by :
- Buffers Model Railways – with a range of models & accessories to buy 🚂
- Displays of large model ships, two railway layouts and RC trucks 🚢 🚂 🚚
- Chesil Bank Flying Club with model aircraft and computer flight simulator 🛫
- A collection of the entire range of JPS Formula One 1:18 Scale Cars 🏎️
- The Seaton Lions Book Stall 📚
and more.

The show will be open from 10:00am until 3:00pm with Tea, Coffee and Bacon Butties on sale.

While it will never be an IPMS show, if you find yourself in the area, I hope you’ll be able to drop in to say hello 👋

#scalemodelling #seatonscalemodelshow by @tourdeairfix

5

0

4 days ago

Just landed!

My Airfix mug just can’t decide on which of these beautiful coasters, created for me by @ukscalemodeller, to sit!

Check out Tom’s ukscalemodeller website for details. You and your favourite scale modelling mug won’t be disappointed!

#ukscalemodeller #bespokedesign #scalemodelling by @tourdeairfix

21

2

4 days ago

What is there to do when you just have too many models to store and you’d probably no longer display the old ones even if you had space?

Black bag them!

It occurred to me the other day that my ideal situation would be to have one of those Sushi Restaurant Conveyor Belts. I’d have new kits added at one end and once I’d had the enjoyment of building them they’d drop into a bin at the other 😉

Has your collection reached capacity? And if so, how are you handling the situation?

🚨UPDATE: Great feedback here guys - thanks! So, I've now gone and gifted a couple of models to some children!
I've been having my roof fixed and the roofer has 2 young children. Ah, I thought, what would be suitable in my collection for a 4 year old boy and 7 year old girl 🤔
The Airfix F-35 starter kit I built last year has no lose parts or undercarriage and while not a quality kit is very robust - perfect for a 4 year old!
And how about the "Never Say Never Again" bright red Tamiya Renault 5 Turbo with Fatima Blush figure for the 7 year old girl
My roofer was chuffed and so I will not have to black bin this pair! 👍 by @tourdeairfix

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70

6 days ago

Saw this rarity at the Yeovil Model Show yesterday … couldn’t resist bringing it home!

#scalemodelling #revellmodels #yeovilmodelshow by @tourdeairfix

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3

7 days ago

Fellow Seaton Scale Modeller, Jim and I had a fabulous time at Yeovil Model Show today. Probably not as big an event as when they were in Yeovil, but, it can take time for a new venue to get known.

It was great to catch up with Adam from @crewkernemodels and Steve, Mr social media, from @jadlamracing!

We probably had the most eclectic display, something which was frequently commented on 😊

#yeovilmodelshow by @tourdeairfix

24

1

7 days ago

Ahead of the Yeovil/Taunton Scale Model Show on Sunday,I thought I better get my C-130 Hercules finally crewed up!

For this I’ve used these excellent 1:72 scale @modelu.military RAF Early Gulf War Ground Crew, RAF Ground Crew Pre-Flight Check and RAF Late 40s/1950s Pilot which to me look good enough for my random memories of 1970s RAF Lyneham!

#figurepainting #c130herculesaircraft #raflyneham #modelu #italerimodels by @tourdeairfix

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6

9 days ago