Having spent several hours on it this afternoon, many of my earlier impressions are starting to be proven correct. Along with the impressive detail, it would appear that the kit will be very easy to build, the design of the parts and their fit, being very good indeed.
2nd April 2025
After a later than planned start, today was all about new projects, both written and modelling: my new Skyhawk book and the construction of the Airfix 1/48 Jaguar.
With the Magic Factory A-4M now all complete and photographed, I was able to design the final cover for the book. Though I had planned to use the Trumpeter build as my cover star, the inclusion of what turned out to be a far more involved model (and a relatively new one as well) made me change direction so that the MF kit could be the star of the show, as you can see here…
The book is still being designed, something that I feel will take at least the next few weeks to complete. My plan is to offer the book for presale as I have done in the past, gauge how many copies I will need to print and then fire it off to the printers. As usual with my books, they are always printed to order so if you want one, please let me know! There will be an update on here over the next few weeks with more details of the book, its design and how you can order your copy. I will certainly look forward to hearing from you!
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Along with the book, I’ve made a tentative start on the Airfix Jaguar. As with almost everything that I build, the initial construction stages deal with all parts in two halves, simple sub-assemblies and other bits that I could clean up ready for use, later on. If you would like to read my initial thoughts on the kit, please check out the following update from yesterday:
So far I’ve assembled the cockpit, built both pattern seats and then brought together all of the underwing stores, wings, tailplanes, etc. Nothing too exciting, but worth doing nonetheless, because tomorrow they will be dry enough to clean-up, allowing further progress to be made. Who knows, I may even break from tradition and apply some paint to some of these smaller bits and pieces!
Though no concrete plans have been laid down, part of me is thinking about the early machine with the pointed nose. It’s not my favourite version, but not only does it carry those wonderful blue and yellow 54 Squadron markings, so redolent of the old Airfix kit with its excitingly dynamic box art, it will allow me to build a version from the kit that I figure 5% will complete, rather than the 95% that will I am sure will opt for later, more recognisable variants.
Images are few and far between of this version, short-lived as it was, but there are a few, the one below being from ‘Alan M’ on Flickr. The pointed nose certainly makes the aircraft look sleeker and perhaps, a little more French? Time will tell if I do indeed go for this machine, a few more nights of sleep likely helping the decision-making process.
All in all, not a bad day, if a little shortened thanks to my unplanned late start. Tomorrow, I’ll get to grips with some more design work on the book, as well as a little more construction on the Jaguar. The more I can do this week, the easier it will be when I return to the day job on Monday. Work is certainly starting to ramp up, so I need to get as much done as I can, as quickly as possible.
See you tomorrow.
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Wow! I built a dozen back around 1980. Entered them as a collection at the IPMS USA Nationals. Didn’t win…
Yes, stop procrastinating……build a Lightning🤣
Who knows, you might even consider publishing another bookazine on building the BAC Lightning as well?
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sadly(?), I’ve at least 15 models at various stages of completion. 2 I started back in the 80s, iirc I…
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
The Airfix Jaguar looks like it’s a goodun Spencer. I’ll have to get mine asap. As usual I’ll look forward to following your build in the next few days.
Hope you got my early request to buy your Skyhawk book Spencer. I’ve had no confirmation that you got it. You most probably have and I’m just being nervous at missing out.
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