Interesting documentary on the hobby of model building

Hey everybody

I don't know if it is old news or not but there is a fascinating documentary available on youtube.

The title of this BBC documentary is "Toy Stories" by journalist James May.

The first episode discusses his fond memories of building models or 'Airfixing' as he calls it in his childhood.

Although he still enjoys the hobby today, he is bothered by the fact that the hobby doesn't appeal to todays kids. This particular episode is about his efforts to introduce the modeling experience to todays electronic generation. One of his attempts to get kids interested in modeling is to build a 1/1 scale Spitfire.

This 'kit' is a full scale replica of the actual sprue tree found in the 1/72 scale Airfix Spitfire kit. Like the 1/72 kit, the 1/1 kit has 20 pieces.

The link for part 1 is here: Toy Stories Episode 1 Part 1 of 6

Enjoy!

Planes on Sticks!

Airplanes were meant to fly!

The real purpose of landing gear is to prevent scratches on the bottom as well as to make the aircraft a little easier to taxi.

I find the beauty of some airplanes is found when the gear is up and the airplane is in its element. I started putting models on sticks because I was running out of room on my shelves and needed a way of displaying more models. However, I have found that depicting aircraft in some element of flight brings on a whole new dimension not found as when they are displayed as if sitting on the flight line.

Below is a few of my flying birds, enjoy!

F-80C Cleared Hot!





F-94A in flight!





F-94B Taking off!





RF-101C Operation Sun-Run!

F-86D Sabre Dog

I have always had a fascination with USAF aircraft from the 50s.

I love the look of the natural metal finish with colorful markings.

I did this kit OOB with the exception of using some components from an Eduard detail set for the cockpit area.

The decals, also OOB depict an aircraft of the 497 FIS from Geiger Field, Washington in the early to mid-50s.

Hope you like!

Kinetic 1/48 F-16DJ

Finally finished this bird.

What I love about the Kinetic kits is the arsenal of weapons that comes in the box. Before I built this viper, the kit had already bombed up a strike eagle and I plan on arming the Hasegawa Superbug with two pair of AIM-120s.

In addition to all of the weapons trees, there is also parts for an F-16D as well!

I enjoyed building this model and will definitely build other Kinetic products in the future.

Here are the pics!

F-15E 'Lucky Strike' from Operation Anaconda

All

Finally finished building the mighty Mudhen. I bought the Academy kit before reading all of the various posts on this site concerning the inaccuracies with this kit and as a result I was initially reluctant to get started on it.

However, the frugal side of me just couldn't justify not building it and the modeling side of me looked at it as a challenge to do what I could to make it right.

Once I started down the path of research getting photos of the tangential bomb racks, the bulged doors and such, I came across a picture of a Lakenheath Strike Eagle that was heavily weathered and decided to use this picture as a guide to painting.

I purchased the Eduard exterior detail set to help enhance the final result

So without further adieu, here it is!









And a look underneath at the nether regions:




Thanks for looking and happy modeling!