Airfix 1:48 Avro Anson Mk.1
Discussion
It’s been a while so I thought I’d do a proper build thread.
I bought this kit yesterday at hobbycraft. They currently have a sale on Airfix kits and this was reduced from about £50 to a much more reasonable £35.
As we have an Airfix competition at my club in a couple of months I thought I’d give it a go.
So far I have opened the box and had a look at the sprues.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/FHFKAP7Q[/url]
It looks like a pretty nice kit. Another step up from Airfix. I have ordered a mask set because quite frankly it would be madness to attempt it without one.
I bought this kit yesterday at hobbycraft. They currently have a sale on Airfix kits and this was reduced from about £50 to a much more reasonable £35.
As we have an Airfix competition at my club in a couple of months I thought I’d give it a go.
So far I have opened the box and had a look at the sprues.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/FHFKAP7Q[/url]It looks like a pretty nice kit. Another step up from Airfix. I have ordered a mask set because quite frankly it would be madness to attempt it without one.
Eric Mc said:
I've seen a few of them built up and they do look lovely.
I only wish Airfix had the wherewithal to do a new tool 1/72 version as well.
So far I have high hopes for the build.I only wish Airfix had the wherewithal to do a new tool 1/72 version as well.
I managed to do the first couple of steps so far.
There are lots of flat, large areas so I decided to try and add a bit of tonal variety by using a lighter shade of cockpit green and a wash to make some of the detail pop.
I also used some weathering powders to make the seats look a bit worn too.
I’m going to make some belts for the seats after work.
Eric Mc said:
Looking good.
I did crumble and buy one, even though I don't normally do 1/48.
A good move I would say. It’s quite a nice kit.I did crumble and buy one, even though I don't normally do 1/48.
The detail is very good and it goes together well.
The mask set arrived today, so nothing to prevent progress…. Apart from work…. And family….. and all the other stuff.
I made some progress, but for whatever reason the pictures didn’t save to my iPad.
So this is where I currently am with the build.
I had a few issues. This is mainly because the fit was too good. I know that sounds bonkers, but anyone who has built a wingnut wings kit will know what I’m talking about. A thin layer of paint on mating surfaces is enough to throw things out of alignment several steps down the line.
Hopefully it’s all sorted out now.
So this is where I currently am with the build.
I had a few issues. This is mainly because the fit was too good. I know that sounds bonkers, but anyone who has built a wingnut wings kit will know what I’m talking about. A thin layer of paint on mating surfaces is enough to throw things out of alignment several steps down the line.
Hopefully it’s all sorted out now.
dr_gn said:
Looks a nice kit, and of course a very nice build. Is it the new dark grey plastic? I’ve got a 1:72 Meteor new-tool with the latest plastic and it seems much nicer to work with than the softer stuff. Maybe better surface detail tool, but difficult to say. Have you noticed a difference?
Absolutely. It’s much harder than the other recent stuff (possibly moulded in the UK?)The decals too are exceptional.
I’m really looking forward to the bulldog later this year.
Some more progress starting with the engine nacelles and wings
I’ve obviously got something a bit wrong as there was a bit of a gap on the trailing edge of both wing roots, so I had to do a bit of filling.
Then onto the engines, which are quite nicely detailed.
Finally assembling the three part engine covers.
I’ll paint this little lot later tonight.
I’ve obviously got something a bit wrong as there was a bit of a gap on the trailing edge of both wing roots, so I had to do a bit of filling.
Then onto the engines, which are quite nicely detailed.
Finally assembling the three part engine covers.
I’ll paint this little lot later tonight.
It’s been a quiet week for the Anson. Mrs McDonald celebrated a milestone birthday and work has been all consuming.
I did manage to get the window masks on though.
And then some cockpit green for the framing on the inside.
I knew there was a fit issue on the main screen, but it turned out to be worse than I thought and definitely needed filling.
This was made more difficult as I didn’t want to damage the mask set that was in place.
It’s not perfect, but it is much improved.
I did manage to get the window masks on though.
And then some cockpit green for the framing on the inside.
I knew there was a fit issue on the main screen, but it turned out to be worse than I thought and definitely needed filling.
This was made more difficult as I didn’t want to damage the mask set that was in place.
It’s not perfect, but it is much improved.
Eric Mc said:
The MkI Anson "greenhouse" would be a nightmare to mask using standard tape.
I wish Airfix did a new tool 1/72 version of the Anson. Their old tool is hopelessly outdated (and incorrect).
Probably not enough money in a 1/72 to justify it. That said they have done the hard work. It probably wouldn’t take much to re design the kit for 1/72. I wish Airfix did a new tool 1/72 version of the Anson. Their old tool is hopelessly outdated (and incorrect).
Anyway. I put on a quick coat of Tamiya As12 from a rattle can. This is the underside colour any way and will serve as a primer on the top.
Eric Mc said:
robemcdonald said:
While I’m figuring out how to paint the cowlings I put a clear coat of satin varnish over the model and when it was dry removed the masks.
Next on the to do list is the ball turret.
Next on the to do list is the ball turret.
Pedantic head firmly screwed on mode - they wouldn't have referred to the Anson's turret as a "ball" turret, even if it does have a roundy shape. "Ball" turrets usually mean the Sperry ventral turrets fitted to the B-17 and B-24.
Top turrets on RAF aircraft were usually called "Upper Turrets" or "Mid-Upper Turrets".
Have you got the Warpaint book on the Anson?
I don’t have the book, but the photo is useful. A bit of a pain because I carefully masked up the engine nacelles.
I have looked at a few builds on line and they have what I have with the engine cowlings painted completely in the camouflage scheme.
I’ll make a decision today whilst wandering the streets of Camden.
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