A MODELMAKER’S LIFE…

In other news, I’m about to embark on a new project for Brett in the form of the Airfix’s splendid 1/48 Avro Anson Mk.I. Having missed out on the initial release, I was very keen to grab one to build this time around.

20th January 2025

“What ya been doin’ today then old fella?”

Well, today I have been mostly sitting in from of my computer writing photo captions for my most recent build: Tamiya’s 1/48 M5A1 Stuart, that’s what. Oh and being a Tuesday, I took my granddaughter to school and then had a visit from my two year old grandson, who always wants me to share Super Noodles with him for lunch…

Whenever I have to do this, which is at least once a month, sometimes twice, I always need to set aside a day and just get on with it. There is no point trying to fit it in and around other tasks, because my concentration levels always dip if I am distracted by building or painting. No, I have to sit down often in complete silence and write out my thoughts, start to finish. 

The biggest issue that I often have to overcome is repetition where I am simply writing the same article as last time around, even if I am building a very similar model. Having built hundreds of models during my time in this industry, it’s very easy to tread water and write the same nonsense over and over again. Given that I consider the words to be every bit as important as the model itself I am always conscious of that pitfall. I tend to sketch out an article and then give it time to breath. I then return to it to make corrections that I feel will allow the creation of something if not entirely original, at least different enough to given readers something new to read and absorb. With the captions now written for the Stuart, I will leave them alone until tomorrow morning and then make any changes that will inevitably have to be made. Then and only then, will I be happy to send it over to Marcus for publication.

Future Projects: The Airfix Avro Anson…

In other news, I’m about to embark on a new project for Brett in the form of the Airfix’s splendid 1/48 Avro Anson Mk.I. Having missed out on the initial release, I was very keen to grab one to build this time around. Though the kit is superb from the box, I couldn’t resist some improvements, so hopped on over to the Hannants website to grab a few Eduard updates that I hope will not only make my journey a little more straightforward, but also create a model that is more detailed and pleasing to look at once complete. 

Perhaps the most impressive of those improvements are Eduard’s replacement Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah IX engines. These wonderful 3D printed engines will allow me to not only improve the look of one the powerplants through a closed cowling face, but also have one fully on show, something I feel with really help the candid nature of the completed model. I really cannot wait to try them out!

As for colour schemes, I’m keen to try the one on the box top. Not only is it another Royal Navy machine thus adding to my increasing collection of aircraft from the Senior Service, it will give me the chance to play around with different surface materials, finishes and patinas. With a mixture of fabric, metal and glass on show, I like the challenge that that will present and feel it will allow a very pleasing model to result in spite of its superficially bland, silver finish.

Distant Memories: The Airfix Avro Anson…

During my preparations for Brett’s latest build I was struck by the memory of having built an Anson at some point in the past. As a very young modeller, I was not fortunate enough to own too many large kits, even those with two engines on the wings rather than one in the nose, being rather more unusual than routine. One kit though that I do seem to remember building (if this is not a planted memory caused by a friend having one rather than I…) is the original Airfix Anson, first released in 1962, some five years before I was born. 

Of course, I didn’t have an original issue (seemingly offered in a plastic bag rather than a cardboard box) mine was more than likely one reboxed during the mid/late 70s. Having not seen one since, I am sure it must have been a very simple kit. I’m convinced I built one, despite all of that glass which would have been a real challenge for a younger me where speed of completion was of the essence. I can clearly visualise perfectly recreated fingerprints over the glazed parts, tube glue, fingers and plastic, all coming together in perfect harmony. And no, before anyone asks, it wouldn’t have been painted. My first painted models were the Matchbox F-5 and SAAB Tunnan, but those will remain stories for another day…

See you tomorrow.

MUSIC CHOICES

Given my enforced silence today, I have not listened to any music, so will hopefully be back on track, tomorrow!

• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: WHY HAVE I NEVER BUILT A LIGHTNING?
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A TRIP TO BRISTOL…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A RELAXING DAY…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: HOW MANY MORE KITS DO I HAVE, HALF STARTED?!
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: 2025 ALL WRAPPED UP!

1. 

   Spenser Lucky to escape with 1-1 with the saints. Still very good reading your daily comments and the last book…

2. 

   Wow! I built a dozen back around 1980. Entered them as a collection at the IPMS USA Nationals. Didn’t win…

3. 

   Yes, stop procrastinating……build a Lightning🤣

4. 

   Who knows, you might even consider publishing another bookazine on building the BAC Lightning as well?

5. 

   I am glad that the man was talked down. It’s definitely hard to see without knowing the outcome, until later.…