NavyAirCrew
Recruit
- 3
- May 24, 2025
Hello, I'm Rick. I'm a retired sailor.
I've been building models my entire life. Nowadays I build fairly simple kits. I like to pick up older 'used' kits from Airfix, Heller, Frog, etc. I do also 'rescue' models that are no longer wanted. I refurbish those and give them room on my shelves. Although I'll build anything, I concentrate on 1/72 aircraft. Below are a few of my WWII aircraft.
The BF-109 is a rescue; I was hiking a trail that was behind a housing neighborhood and came across a 'demolition area' where the remains of several plastic models and toys were strewn about. All of them had been attacked with BBs, firecrackers, and lighters. The only thing that was somewhat whole was the Messerschmidt. I had to make the horizontal stabilizers from plastic sheet. I ordered a propeller, hub, and landing gear from EBay. The canopy was destroyed, but I was able to get it mostly complete. I painted it in a very loose tribute to the BF-109 captured by the United States.
The Yak-7 was built from a very old kit made in the U.S.S.R. It had an option to raise the upper-rear fuselage and blend it into the canopy. I chose that; I cut down the rear fuselage and also cut the rear off the canopy. This kit included the decals for a Polish Army in Exile aircraft, and so I used them.
Lastly is that big old AirFix Fairey Swordfish kit. I know most people build the torpedo bomber or floatplane variants; I chose to build it as a late-war Coastal Patrol aircraft with the external ventral fuel tank mounted.
I do not consider myself a 'good' modeler, but I truly enjoy putting them together and painting them. Thanks for allowing me to share.
I've been building models my entire life. Nowadays I build fairly simple kits. I like to pick up older 'used' kits from Airfix, Heller, Frog, etc. I do also 'rescue' models that are no longer wanted. I refurbish those and give them room on my shelves. Although I'll build anything, I concentrate on 1/72 aircraft. Below are a few of my WWII aircraft.
The BF-109 is a rescue; I was hiking a trail that was behind a housing neighborhood and came across a 'demolition area' where the remains of several plastic models and toys were strewn about. All of them had been attacked with BBs, firecrackers, and lighters. The only thing that was somewhat whole was the Messerschmidt. I had to make the horizontal stabilizers from plastic sheet. I ordered a propeller, hub, and landing gear from EBay. The canopy was destroyed, but I was able to get it mostly complete. I painted it in a very loose tribute to the BF-109 captured by the United States.
The Yak-7 was built from a very old kit made in the U.S.S.R. It had an option to raise the upper-rear fuselage and blend it into the canopy. I chose that; I cut down the rear fuselage and also cut the rear off the canopy. This kit included the decals for a Polish Army in Exile aircraft, and so I used them.
Lastly is that big old AirFix Fairey Swordfish kit. I know most people build the torpedo bomber or floatplane variants; I chose to build it as a late-war Coastal Patrol aircraft with the external ventral fuel tank mounted.
I do not consider myself a 'good' modeler, but I truly enjoy putting them together and painting them. Thanks for allowing me to share.
