Airfix 1:72 Typhoon question
Discussion
In order to keep me quiet over Christmas, I was allowed to attempt a model and chose the above mentioned Eurofighter "Starter set".
I haven't tried to build a kit since I was a boy and chose the Typhoon for two reasons: 1) I love them, and 2) I assumed that the (relative) youth of the aircraft would ensure the mouldings would be an improvement over the Jaguars, Starfighters etc. that used to hang from my ceiling.
Big mistake.
The more eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the two halves of the fuselage have no hope of closing together. Further inspection revealed these cracks inside the lower half:
The kit was only ever meant to be a bit of fun - I have no aspirations to try and meet the almost unbelievably high standards that many on here achieve - but I would appreciate some advice. In the old days I'd have forced the two halves together, jammed them with glue, wrapped the thing in rubber bands and hoped for the best; is this the best method or is there another way? Or should I be contacting Airfix and asking for a replacement part?
Many thanks.
I haven't tried to build a kit since I was a boy and chose the Typhoon for two reasons: 1) I love them, and 2) I assumed that the (relative) youth of the aircraft would ensure the mouldings would be an improvement over the Jaguars, Starfighters etc. that used to hang from my ceiling.
Big mistake.
The more eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the two halves of the fuselage have no hope of closing together. Further inspection revealed these cracks inside the lower half:
The kit was only ever meant to be a bit of fun - I have no aspirations to try and meet the almost unbelievably high standards that many on here achieve - but I would appreciate some advice. In the old days I'd have forced the two halves together, jammed them with glue, wrapped the thing in rubber bands and hoped for the best; is this the best method or is there another way? Or should I be contacting Airfix and asking for a replacement part?
Many thanks.
I think you´re wasting your time asking for a replacemtn part - it will be just as bad as what you´ve already got.
Since you appear to be stuck with the Airfix version, I'd follow your initial plan and clothes peg, rubber band, tape or whatever you have to do to get the thing to match up. Then, I´d get some liquid cement - the very thin stuff you apply with a brush, and capillary small drops of it inside the joint lines (wherever possible). Don't go mad - it is easy to apply too much and dissolve or distort the plastic.
You´ll probably find that working on one small section at a time will give the best results, allowing 24 hrs for each section to fully cure before moving on to the next.
The wings you can possibly profile with a sanding stick after gluing together. To make a decent job of it, you'll also need some Milliput water soluble filler. Mix it thoroughly, thin it if necessary with a bit of spit and trowell it into the gaps. Then, immediately wipe the excess away with a damp glasses cleaning cloth.
Oh, and next time, invest your time and materials into some decent quality! Airfix aren't even that cheap these days. EBay is your friend...
Since you appear to be stuck with the Airfix version, I'd follow your initial plan and clothes peg, rubber band, tape or whatever you have to do to get the thing to match up. Then, I´d get some liquid cement - the very thin stuff you apply with a brush, and capillary small drops of it inside the joint lines (wherever possible). Don't go mad - it is easy to apply too much and dissolve or distort the plastic.
You´ll probably find that working on one small section at a time will give the best results, allowing 24 hrs for each section to fully cure before moving on to the next.
The wings you can possibly profile with a sanding stick after gluing together. To make a decent job of it, you'll also need some Milliput water soluble filler. Mix it thoroughly, thin it if necessary with a bit of spit and trowell it into the gaps. Then, immediately wipe the excess away with a damp glasses cleaning cloth.
Oh, and next time, invest your time and materials into some decent quality! Airfix aren't even that cheap these days. EBay is your friend...
I've had replacement parts through from Airfix within a week. The crack looks like it happened after manufacturer so it's unlikely the replacement part would be cracked.
It still won't fit though
Go out and buy the Revell one and pretend it's the Airfix kit you got for Christmas. The giver won't know.
It still won't fit though
Go out and buy the Revell one and pretend it's the Airfix kit you got for Christmas. The giver won't know.
Well I telephoned Airfix and was asked to send an email via their website. I duly did so and received an automated acknowledgement.
Over a month has passed and I've heard nothing. I have a kit that was supplied with damaged parts and the company can't be arsed to respond. I'm siding with those on here who claim Airfix are crap.
Over a month has passed and I've heard nothing. I have a kit that was supplied with damaged parts and the company can't be arsed to respond. I'm siding with those on here who claim Airfix are crap.
Have you tried phoning?
They are in the middle of moving the entire workforce from Margate to a new location elsewhere in Kent so that may have something to do with the delay you have experienced.
Lubframatt, who posts here, works for Airfix perhaps he could throw some light on what is happening.
They are in the middle of moving the entire workforce from Margate to a new location elsewhere in Kent so that may have something to do with the delay you have experienced.
Lubframatt, who posts here, works for Airfix perhaps he could throw some light on what is happening.
Roy Lime said:
Well I telephoned Airfix and was asked to send an email via their website. I duly did so and received an automated acknowledgement.
Over a month has passed and I've heard nothing. I have a kit that was supplied with damaged parts and the company can't be arsed to respond. I'm siding with those on here who claim Airfix are crap.
Did you get any response on this? I called them last week about some stencil decals I'd screwed up on the Tornado, and was asked to email through their website. I've done this twice so far, but have only got the automated response. In the past I've usually got an additional reply saying that the parts are currently out of stock, but so far, nothing. I'd understand if they didn't want to send the entire decal sheet, but I did specify the stencil numbers I'd messed up. Would be nice to get a yes or no.Over a month has passed and I've heard nothing. I have a kit that was supplied with damaged parts and the company can't be arsed to respond. I'm siding with those on here who claim Airfix are crap.
ETA, tried again just now and got a new automated response:
Thank you, we have received your email, this is an automated response.
If your email was regarding Airfix or Corgi spares please allow up to 28 days.
For all other enquiries we normally endeavour to reply within five working days. However we are currently experiencing longer response times for which we do apologise in advance. We are working to return to our normal service levels as quickly as possible and thank you for your patience at this time.
Please do not reply as this email was generated from an un-deliverable account.
Edited by dr_gn on Tuesday 24th February 13:34
dr_gn said:
Did you get any response on this? I called them last week about some stencil decals I'd screwed up on the Tornado, and was asked to email through their website. I've done this twice so far, but have only got the automated response. In the past I've usually got an additional reply saying that the parts are currently out of stock, but so far, nothing. I'd understand if they didn't want to send the entire decal sheet, but I did specify the stencil numbers I'd messed up. Would be nice to get a yes or no.
ETA, tried again just now and got a new automated response:
Thank you, we have received your email, this is an automated response.
If your email was regarding Airfix or Corgi spares please allow up to 28 days.
For all other enquiries we normally endeavour to reply within five working days. However we are currently experiencing longer response times for which we do apologise in advance. We are working to return to our normal service levels as quickly as possible and thank you for your patience at this time.
Please do not reply as this email was generated from an un-deliverable account.
So two hours after being told it could take up to 28 days for a reply, they now say that this was the first e-mail they'd had from me this year, and that the decals are not in stock. ETA, tried again just now and got a new automated response:
Thank you, we have received your email, this is an automated response.
If your email was regarding Airfix or Corgi spares please allow up to 28 days.
For all other enquiries we normally endeavour to reply within five working days. However we are currently experiencing longer response times for which we do apologise in advance. We are working to return to our normal service levels as quickly as possible and thank you for your patience at this time.
Please do not reply as this email was generated from an un-deliverable account.
dr_gn said:
Did you get any response on this?
Eventually. I telephoned Airfix again and spoke to a lady who found my email and promised to act. I then received an email advising me the parts were being sent and they arrived this morning. As you can see from this exquisite photograph (eat your heart out, Lloyd) the two halves appear to fit properly:
I guess I got there in the end but have to admit to being somewhat annoyed at the time taken.
The two original halves are now surplus to requirements. If you (or anyone else) want them, please feel free to let me know before they are binned.
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