Years ago when I got back into plastic modeling in a serious sort of way, I saw the 1/72 Airfix kit of the Fairey Firefly on a hobby store shelf and was taken by the box art of this big bird. Of course I bought it. I confess after all these years, it’s still on my shelf but with the arrival of this book authored by Paul Bradley, I’ve been inspired to put it on my short list. Along with the other two kits of the aircraft I have.

Teaming up with artist Srecko Bradic, Paul’s put together a 96-page tome covering all the details, variants, and history one could hope for on any one aircraft. Sharp photos---most in color---plus 34 color profiles from Bradic populate the pages. The author also provides a modeler’s section covering three 1/72 Firefly builds, one 1/48 scale one, plus two pages of “Kitography” listing all the available kits as well as aftermarket decal sheets.

This is a Level 2 kit and contains 105 pieces of which you will use 91. There are two different front spoilers and two rear bumpers, three different rear spoilers, and four different sets of wheels included. All of these pieces are molded in white, chrome and clear plastic.

I built this kit in sub assemblies to ease painting. The engine is well done and consists of approximately 10 parts. The main chasis is one piece except for the firewall. The molded in engine bay detail is very well done. The interior consists of about 13 parts plus a decal for the instrument cluster. I don’t know that the Type R had a different interior than a base model, but this one appears to be a standard setup. No racing seats, gauge clusters, etc. There are few suspension pieces and a three piece exhaust on the bottom.

Down the home stretch! Last time we had just completed the wings, fuselage, nose and wheel-wells, leaving just the final assembly and finish for this last segment of this three-part review. To recall: I chose to display only the starboard wing’s gun bay and starboard engine detail, and to cover up the lower front end encompassing the oil cooler/air intake.

Continuing with Assembly

Before painting commenced I had some loose ends that needed tying off, starting with…

Cockpit and Canopy - (Step 211) There was a prominent sink hole on the top of the small dash board under the rear of the canopy (Part L19) that I filled with Perfect Plastic Putty before painting it Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black.

(Step 205) I painted the trim wheel and bump cushion Vallejo Panzer Aces 312 Leather Belt, and then drybrushed it with Mig P023 Black Smoke. I then drybrushed both internal structures with Uschi 4008 Chrome.

Aircraft and History

The AH-64 was developed for the Advanced Attack Helicopter back in the mid 1970’s and was to replace the AH-1 Cobra. First flown in 1975 and introduced into the US Army in 1986, the aircraft had many upgrades since then it’s introduction. The “D” version or “Longbow” increased the helicopters lethality and situational awareness. The most noticeable addition to the Delta model is a mast mounted radar located above the main rotor. With the radar above the rotor, it allows the Apache to detect targets while remaining behind cover. The main rotor shaft is hollow which allows a fixed shaft to extend through the hollow rotor which allows the attachment of the radar. Other enhancements include a “glass” cockpit, advanced sensors and upgraded engines. Most if not all of the “A” model Apaches have been converted to “D” model standards.

Scale Aircraft Modelling's August 2015 issue continues its fine history and modelling articles with everything from new kits, scratchbuilds and older kits.

The articles start with an Academy 1/48 F-4J Phantom built by Bill Clark. He adds Hypersonic Models canopy set and Quickboost resin seats to build an RAF Phantom in a unique turquoise scheme. The finished build looks great.

Andy McCabe builds Revell's 1/144 747-8F in Cargolux markings. The kit is built on a stand with an excellent paint job. Airliners and cargo planes never seem to get enough attention and this is a wonderful article covering just such a subject.

Meng Models 1/72 Kayaba Katsuodori Ramjet fighter is built by Mike Williams. Not only does he do an excellent review of the kit, he fits it to a modified Ki-67 turned into a Ki-109.