Snaps epic Journey - Airfix 1/24 Hawker Typhoon Mk1b build

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

So I’ve had another reply from Airfix see below

We are very sorry you have experienced problems with the product A19002.

The problem with the Q sprue, is not common to all the kits.

Problem was only found after the mould inspection when the clear sprue had been standing for several days.

The sprue feed was changed to eliminate this problem.

Would seem that some incorrect parts have slipped through.

We are awaiting shipment of these sprue’s we anticipate these arriving for despatch on Monday 4th of August no latter thane Wednesday the 6th

These will be checked and sent next day

Once again sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Regards

John Humphrys

Looks like the main thing they are admitting now is “These will be checked and sent next day” which I would have though they would have done to all of them anyway!!

So if anyone is looking for a replacement wait a couple of days and let them know. I have to say looking at a few forums they are taking a bit of a kicking for this and I dont believe them when they say “The problem with the Q sprue, is not common to all the kits.” as everyone I’ve spoken to with the kit has an issue with that sprue, either cracking or the lens issue

Phil

22

I got that one today.

Now I have my posting ability here fixed I will see if I can get one of my lenses working and post and update and repost the photos from above!

James

23

This post is mainly for the US contingent who are following this.

A lot of UK purchases of this kit have noticed that there is a fault with the canopy.

It seems that it has not moulded properly and Airfix blame it on a faulty sprue feed which has been fixed. They also say in the email that it has been fixed and that they are sorry, but a few faulty sprues may have got through into kits.

However, on receiving a replacement, inspection shows that the same fault is there. In the photos below you can see where the fault is in the canopy hood and also the windscreen.

You can see this only at certain angles and only if you are looking for it. In most interior light where the kit would be displayed this fault would not really be noticed. It is there though and Airfix, bless them are trying to get fault free parts out to customers. They are expecting a batch of sprues in on Monday 4th August and I hope that they quality control guys are on the ball.

Moving on, As I have already noted the 20mm Hispano Mk II barrels are incorrect, but are fixable by using Air Master 20mm Hispano brass barrels. If you go down this road there are some changes that need to be made to other parts, but for the modeller who will build this kit then this is no problem at all.

Another problem which has come to light with my kit and another one that I know of is with the main landing gear struts D43 & D44. The area of the part that the wheels fit on are not cast properly, or the actual mould is faulty for these parts. Not sure which.

I notified Airfix and got a generic reply about sprue Q!!!

Here’s the problem

Initially it looks like some flash until you get up close and you can see where the part is moulded and the rest is extra plastic.

Using where you can see the actual part as a starting area you can cut and sand away the surplus, using the tyre as a guide and try fitting constantly until the tyre fits properly. Again we shouldn’t have to do this, but it’s not much of a problem and easily dealt with.

SAC inform me that when this is released in the US they will do some metal legs. Let’s hope they take care!

So far, this is all I have found that is wrong. It’s not a major, but quality control at either the Factory or Airfix should have caught this!

Still, for what this kit represents which is a huge leap forwards in 1/24 scale detailing then it’s brilliant, and shortcomings or not it should be welcomed by large scale modellers with open arms. It is a super subject to build. An iconic aircraft and should. I hope lead to the car door variant (provision has been made in the kit for this) and I hope Hawker Sea Fury and Tempest as well as others that came from this design.

Moving on, I should be back to photographing tomorrow, so expect an update soon.

James

Guinea Pig for Airfix, but loving it!

24

Right now there is a pathetic fat man crying in his hotel room for his present inability to obtain and savor such a fantastic kit. Yes it’s me and yes some day soon I to will own one of these technological monsters. Thanks for smoothing out some of the idiocincrasys of an Airfix kit. I’ll check in more and keep this thread on hand for reference. insert small sniffle and alligator tears here .LOL

25

Just get onto the net and order one. I think that it has now been released in the US. Despite a couple of flaws this is one of those breakthough kits in 1/24 scale.

This kit could follow in the footsteps of the Mossie and quickly disappear from their catalogue, so get a couple now while you have the opportunity. AM producers are already bringing things out for this beast.

I have a problem with my camera (broken lens) which has meant an Insurance claim. I have changed out the lens to my 70-300mm landscape lens. Not really ideal for close up photography but I will try to get some update pics tomorrow and post them. At this moment I have completed up to stage 38 which. apart from a couple of pipes sees the cockpit done.

I have not added the separate seatbelt parts as I am looking at some AM ones. These can be added at any stage of the build, so I am not worried about it.

James

26

Well, here I go with another update.

I have reached stage 38 (I do have got further in bits and bats, but they are waiting to be put on and painted). This marks the end of the cockpit and frame build.

During these stages I have noted that it is better to put some parts in earlier than in the instructions mainly for ease of access. Also when putting dials etc onto the instrument panel It would make things lots easier to actually put the dials on to the clear part (painting it black first. No point in messing with it as it is all going to be covered over!) before putting that into the instrument panel front. I am saying this because the dials etc are actually a fraction bigger than the place where they should fit and doing it as just described will save a lot of time, fix the dials in place and give builders chance to do the old drop of Klear to represent glass trick. In actual fact, the instrument panel stage just shows the parts going together. You have to hunt for the decal placement which is amongst the painting section at the back of the book.

From cockpit reference photos I have seen there seems to be quite a bit of equipment missing in the kit. It’s no real drawback, but chance for an AM company to jump in and provide what is missing, such as the RP (rocket projectile) control/selector panel etc.

I am not sure what package Airscale are planning to produce for this, I have yet to hear from them, although I have registered with them for their Tiffy package, but with luck it should add much comprehensive detail to an already fantastic OOB cockpit.

Now, the photos are not up to my usual standard as I am having to use my 70-300mm landscape lens and can’t really get wide angle close ups that I usually do until the insurance get’s its act together! [:O] [:(]

I apologise for this and will try and get some decent cockpit pics later in the build once that has all been sorted. There is some paint patching to be done and the kit seat harness has not been put on as I am looking at an alternative. This can be put in at any time during the build!

There may be some more little bits to add on later in the build, but for now it’s time to move on to the Naper Sabre Engine.

Comments & Questions welcome

James

27

I am now working on this kit and their are lots more pluming ,wiring ,and scratch building to be done throughout the model to make it near like the real thing.In the future it will be featured at Scale Aviation Scale Modeler,and at the nationals next year.A cutaway version is also in the works.Its a great model.

28

Perhaps I should point out that there were three possible positions for the recoil springs on the Hispano cannon; Airfix have moulded it as the Mk.I with the no.2 spring, which is entirely possible. In Scale Models, June 1979, Arthur Bentley showed the three different types, and included the short-barrelled Mk.5 Hispano, which went into the Tempest and Spitfire 24.

29

The canopy has a slight correctable flaw.But;it can be buffed out or vac/ form it.I have already notified Airfix England of this flaw.It barely noticeable only to a Judges flashlight.Anyway modelers don’t build models for Judges.

30

This I am more than aware of, However, like the Mossie, All variants of the Tiffy 1B, Early (car door) Mid and Late (bubbletop, 3 or 4 blade prop) had the Mk II version of the Hispano.

While Airfix’s Hispano is correct for the MK1 Cannon, it’s not correct for this kit! Like everything, there are exceptions to the rule, but the Tiffy had the Mk II 20mm fitted. There may have been test aircraft fitted with the Mk 1 Hispano.

Besides, correcting this with Master’s MkII cannon barrels give the display option of leaving off a fairing as Airfix’s Cannon are a bit soft in detail.

On to the Engine.

While this is a bone of contention, and probably a can of worms, I have noticed that all surviving Napier Sabre’s engine block was painted a dark green colour. I have tried to replicate this colour with this kit and building is in progress.

At first I tried Vallejo Model Air 095 light green, but it reminded me too much of a deformed Apple, so I then painted with Vallejo Panzer Olive 1943.

I still wasn’t happy and so went back to the paint stand. I decided that looking at the photos of the web and taking into account that most of the photos hadn’t been colour corrected from flash etc that I needed a dark green.

Tomorrow I will put up photos of the block built up etc… stay tuned

31

Today so far has been one of those days when you’re not sure if what you intended to do has been successful!

The engine block, supercharger and all the pipeworks and bit for the engine have been sprayed, re-sprayed and in some cases sworn at.

Needless to say, I am happy with the pipework that I have sprayed Aluminium, although after fitting there may be a case of some brushwork to patch up.

The engine block came out nicely to my eyes, but under the macro lens and flash of my D700 I am now not too sure!

I will probably feel much better after getting this on to the front of the cockpit frame and then all piped up. Some piping will be undergoing extra brush painting as well.

Comments and Questions welcome.

James

32

" but under the macro lens and flash" Well – luckily that’s not how we, as humans, view things through our eyes. So i’m sure its fine! When my eyes start to function as a macro lenses and have flash built it, I may say you should think about a re-spray. But until then, I think it looks fantastic.

33

Loving this Snaps. What a monster. I look forward to your progress…

Joe

34

So the third canopy arrived today and yes you guessed it it still has a lens in it, sent another email to Airfix which is below

Dear Hornby

I’ve received my third canopy today and again it has a “lens”. This one was in an opened bag so it has been looked at by someone from Honby/Airfix.

I’ve looked a a book showing the build of the kit and the sprue is different and doesnt have this issue. I’d like to hear back from a person rather then the copy and paste reply I’ve had so far as it looks like an issue with all the canopies and it looks like I will need to wait for a vacuform to build a kit which retails at £100 which I don’t believe is satisfactory.

I will be posting this to the Fine Scale Modeler forum as well as the Facebook page for Airfix

Apology to James as I feel like I’m almost hijacking your build with this but for the price it should be right

Phil

35

It’s Ok, you’re not hijacking.

I too have received my “New replacement” and it is just like the others with the lens in both the canopy and windscreen.

I did, this afternoon speak with a guy at Airfix and both the manufacturer and Airfix are scratching their heads over how this has happened. Now I am told that they are working to try and find out how it has happened and correct it. They are not sure if it is a mould or casting issue.

Looking at this objectively, it is an issue with the kit, but overall quite a minor one. You can only see it really if you are purposely looking for it. When I went over the kit for the first time when I got it home, and I do go over it very carefully, I missed it and only went back after it was noted on a different forum.

It’s an issue on both the canopy and windscreen parts, but when the model is built it becomes invisible as it doesn’t detract from the overall result.

I know Airfix and their producer are looking into how this has happened and hopefully will fix this, but I think that it would be an idea to use it as a “Wartime supply” issue!

Engine update a little later!

James

36

I do agree its not a huge issue but now everyone knows its there people will go looking for it on any build, good luck anyone who builds it for a competition.

It just annoys me, looking at the kit its a high end price one and why did they not check when they changed the mould, I still don’t buy the issue with it setting.

I have more than a few kits with canopy’s that size and they would have done better to have a seem to be smoothed out rather than this issue

Phil

37

The problem is on the inside of the canopy

If you rub your finger very lightly on the inside of the canopy in the area you can feel a bulge, not a dent. This to me makes it a mould problem.

Any decent judge in a competition looks at the work the modeller has put in and produced. A slight flaw in the production, wether fixable or not should not be penalised if the modeller hasn’t dealt with it.

In this case, I think that this flaw, if not fixable by Airfix should be left alone. Trying to deal with it could either make it worse, or probably make the canopy unusable. At least Airfix has fixes the stress crack issues and there is no seam mark down the middle of the canopy to deal with!

It’s a small thing overall. and there are more expensive kits out there to build, and we are getting something which modellers have been wanting for ages - a 1/24 kit with 1/32 detailing!

38

Moving on with the build.

Since my last update I have been fixing in the engine and the piping included in the kit. It is pretty comprehensive set of piping using information and diagrams available and looks good when built up.

The photos take you through stages 49-67 of the build. Some parts fit easily, some you have to wiggle, some really need to go on earlier that the instructions say and some make me look twice at the instructions, stare at the kit and say “Now I have to get that in there… somehow!”

Most of this is a tight fit and cosmetic benefit will be gained by spending time getting rid of seams and using different shades of metal paint.

I would have used some copper on a couple of parts but for some reason the paint isn’t playing and seems to have congealed into a lump.

I will be writing a note and sending it back to Vallejo in Spain with a “What the hell has happened? It’s brand new never opened!” and see what happens!

Never mind! Mostly this section builds up in a logical sense and there are some very tight fits.

Now I have to flip this over and continue with some more, but first, the paint shop beckons!

Comments and questions welcome

James

39

Lookin’ good, Snap!

I got this beast in the mail yesterday. It’s really well done and will be nice to build.

Mine has the same issue with the canopy. I suppose I’ll try to get an AM canopy . None found so far.

40

I wouldn’t worry about the canopy. You can only see the flaw if you are really looking for it and I know that Airfix are working on fixing it.

The only other flaws I have come across are the undercart wheel mounts (see earlier post - easily fixable and the 20mm cannon barrels which are replaceable with masters 20mm cannon barrels they did for the Mossie.

I would also take a look at a Sutton fabric harness rather than the kit ones. more detail in those. Build update coming soon

James