GALLERY PHOTOS -- MATCHBOX MADNESS

More of John's models are in his   Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Frog Fondness Galleries.

I never built Matchbox kits before -- I started with Airfix long before Matchbox came on the scene and by the early 1970's, I was in the Army and doing other things. In 2005 I got a Heyford from a LHS and a Stranraer at the IPMS Nationals in Atlanta. Then, in the fall, a "Matchbox Madness" Group Build started on ARC and I decided to join with the Strannie. I want to be sure to give full credit to "madmike" the Matchbox Man and all the gang on ARC for the idea and the name.

As the GB progressed, I got interested in other Matchbox kits -- mostly the simplicity of them compared to what I was working on. I then realized that "going back" to the older simpler kits was a great way to relieve some stress at the workbench and I started collecting kits. Now I have one on my workbench most all times.

In the summer of 2007, the Un-official Airfix Forum / Classic British Kits Forum conducted the Maurice Landis Memorial Group Build. I participated in that, knocking out the Fury, Siskin, and Gladiator - but schedule issues caused quality problems.

In the spring of 2008, I expect another Matchbox Madness on ARC and will participate in that again. They're everywhere - you just gotta look around ...

My rules are simple -- much like the GB which turned me on to these kits. Out-of-Box construction -- gaps & seams can be filled, but no aftermarket, no hacking, just build what is in the box. Painting is rattle-can and/or hand -- although I may break this in special cases. The only real exception I make is in camoflage & markings -- I might do a kit scheme but with A/M decals, or I may do a completely different scheme. Although a couple kits below are destined to be detailed, so these rules aren't locked in concrete.

So, all are Matchbox, mostly 1/72, and, as much as possible, original release kits. I don't do Jets, and don't do Axis, so right now I am focusing on British aircraft, or aircraft in British markings. I haven't decided what I will do when I've done one of each.

COMPLETED MODELS

Kit Pk-2 Spitfire IX Markings 306 Sqn (Polish), RAF Notes Seam & gap issues	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit Pk-11 Hurricane II.C Markings 87 Sqn (Night Ops), RAF Notes Seam & gap issues
Kit Pk-7 Lysander I Markings 16 Sqn RAF France 1939-40 Notes A Great kit !!!	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes
Kit Pk-601 Stranraer Markings 9 Bomber Recon Sqn, RCAF Notes Very nice kit, goes together well.	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes
Kit Pk-18 Hellcat I Markings 800 Sqdn, FAA Notes OK, but seam and dihedral issues	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes
Kit Pk-1 Hawker Fury Markings 43 Sqn, RAF Notes OK, good kit	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes
Kit Pk-25 A.W. Siskin III Markings 29 Sqn, RAF Notes OK, gear needs 3 hands.	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes
Kit Pk-8 Gloster Galdiator I Markings 73 Sqn, RAF Notes Wings & struts aren't fun.	Kit   Markings   Notes	Kit   Markings   Notes

ON THE BENCH

IN THE QUEUE

Note I have duplicates, so some built kits above will also appear in queue below.

Pk-01 Hawker Fury
Pk-02 Supermarine Spitfire IX
Pk-07 Westland Lysander
Pk-08 Gloster Gladiator
Pk-11 Hawker Hurricane IIC
Pk-18 Grumman Hellcat
Pk-22 P47D Thunderbolt
Pk-24 Buffalo I/B339D
Pk-25 A.W. Siskin IIIA
Pk-31 Curtiss Warhawk IV / P-40N
Pk-36 Fairey Seafox
Pk-103 Bristol Beaufighter X
Pk-105 Supermarine Walrus II
Pk-112 Fairey Swordfish I/III
Pk-116 D.H. Mosquito B.IX/NF.30
Pk-120 Douglas Boston IV / A-20G
Pk-123 Vickers Wellesley I
Pk-601 Supermarine Stranraer
Pk-605 H.P. Heyford I/II/III


And these others !!
Pk-504 1/32 Lysander
Pk-505 1/32 Tiger Moth
Pk-901 1/72 Flower Corvette