Back to a childhood passion

The Stalking Show - 11th to 12th April 2026 - Staffordshire County Showground
U

User00056

Well-Known Member
I've decided to revisit a hobby from my youth. I used to adore making models, and still remember the excitement I felt when I'd saved up enough money to buy my next project. This is another aircraft I knew personally at Leuchars, and I'm really enjoying it.

As well the basic kit, I decided some extra detail kits were in order. Upgraded cockpit and seats, upgraded landing gear, slats and flap kit, airbrakes, wheel wells, canopy frame detail, stores pylons, pilot access ladder, upgraded engine nozzles, and upgraded sidewinder missiles. Should be quite a model if I can do it justice.

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Progress so far. Wheel well resin detail done. Upgraded resin pylons. Resin SUU 23 upgrade done. Metal main undercarriage done, and nosewheel upgrade done. Canopy upgrades done, and the tailplane is WIP. I'm really enjoying this build. Paints, brushes, adhesives, etc seem to be so much better than I remember them being. And I already have her squadron sister ready to build 😃

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Used to love making models.....Used to use all my pocket money for Airfix models - and then spent a lot of time with the air rifle in the garden....err.....deconstructing them!
Moved on to Tamiya models as much more detailed - definitely a hobby that stays with you!:thumb:
 
Waiting game now. I stupidly ordered an F4e cockpit set, and only realised when it arrived. Then I forgot to order the correct one 🙄

So, progress so far. Canopy done, gun done, airbrakes painted, wing tanks done, and resin outer pylons fitted instead of the moulded kit ones, main undercarriage and nosewheel upgrades done, and the missiles and tailplane are complete.

I have the flap and slat upgrade kit too, but I'm not sure I have the courage to actually do them 😳😆

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Ive been painting some models this afternoon, or as my GF jokingly calls it "nerdy, virgin sh*t".

I love doing it and find it very relaxing with some music, film or tv show on in the background.

Not done any planes for years, mainly wargaming miniatures. But, I did look at a UH-1 kit not long back.

Been working on these with the airbrush.

IMG_20260305_170750_081.webp20250124_190726-01.webp
 
Quixote said:
I've decided to revisit a hobby from my youth. I used to adore making models, and still remember the excitement I felt when I'd saved up enough money to buy my next project. This is another aircraft I knew personally at Leuchars, and I'm really enjoying it.

As well the basic kit, I decided some extra detail kits were in order. Upgraded cockpit and seats, upgraded landing gear, slats and flap kit, airbrakes, wheel wells, canopy frame detail, stores pylons, pilot access ladder, upgraded engine nozzles, and upgraded sidewinder missiles. Should be quite a model if I can do it justice.

View attachment 463814
View attachment 463815

View attachment 463816

Progress so far. Wheel well resin detail done. Upgraded resin pylons. Resin SUU 23 upgrade done. Metal main undercarriage done, and nosewheel upgrade done. Canopy upgrades done, and the tailplane is WIP. I'm really enjoying this build. Paints, brushes, adhesives, etc seem to be so much better than I remember them being. And I already have her squadron sister ready to build 😃

View attachment 463817

View attachment 463819
Click to expand...
When clearing my parents house I found all the models I didn't make in three large boxes in the cellar, I have given them all to a friend who is very good, in return I am getting a Bangal Lancer made (for my "snoring room" bathroom where I have some "Snaffles" Indian army and pigsticking prints, and a model of my Warrior from GW 1 with a Milan firing point pintle mounted. Both happy!
 
Morkai said:
Ive been painting some models this afternoon, or as my GF jokingly calls it "nerdy, virgin sh*t".

I love doing it and find it very relaxing with some music, film or tv show on in the background.

Not done any planes for years, mainly wargaming miniatures. But, I did look at a UH-1 kit not long back.

Been working on these with the airbrush.

View attachment 463875View attachment 463876
Click to expand...
Some serious talent 🙌, but not my thing (might just be with your GF on that one :coat: )
 
Morkai said:
Ive been painting some models this afternoon, or as my GF jokingly calls it "nerdy, virgin sh*t".

I love doing it and find it very relaxing with some music, film or tv show on in the background.

Not done any planes for years, mainly wargaming miniatures. But, I did look at a UH-1 kit not long back.

Been working on these with the airbrush.

View attachment 463875View attachment 463876
Click to expand...
That‘s some lovely work - I envy the skill required to turn out that quality :tiphat:

Sadly his artistic talent passed me by, but my late father also used to make models, in his case from scratch using a two-part epoxy clay (Milliput?).

IMG_3398.webp
 
willie_gunn said:
That‘s some lovely work - I envy the skill required to turn out that quality :tiphat:

Sadly his artistic talent passed me by, but my late father also used to make models, in his case from scratch using a two-part epoxy clay (Milliput?).

View attachment 463877
Click to expand...
Thank you.
Youve got some quality work there.

I use milliput too now and then. Its a good gap filler.
 
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