The classic 1/72 Matchbox Siskin

[Brian da Basher]

I have a confession. I've been unfaithful.
 
There, there, it's ok. Please don't cry. I'll get you a tissue.

No, I haven't been fooling around, but I have been posting on other sites.
 
I know, I should be ashamed, seeking attention like this.
 
Yes, I suppose it could be a cry for help.

Anyway, at "this other place", they've been having a group build of classic Airfix, Frog and Matchbox kits. Today, the Inter-War group build started, and well, I just couldn't help myself. I finally gave in to temptation.

In an effort to come clean, I'm telling you all about it.

So, they ask that anyone playing along (that's playing along, not playing around!), post a picture of themselves with the kit. In honor of baseball's perennial losers, I'm wearing my Pittsburgh Pirates cap. Fair warning if you'd like to hide your eyes!



Did you know using the flash when taking pictures in the mirror is a bad idea? At least I was able to flip it in MS Paint so the box doesn't say AIII niksiS htrowtihW-gnortsmrA xobhctaM.

The box art is very colorful:



And so are the parts! Just seeing that lovely green and silver styrene takes me back to my youth:



Yes, I know my behavior is very immature. Thank you.
 
I'm adding spatted landing gear and the engine & cowling from a Matchbox Gladiator I found in the spares box as well as a very nice propellor that came from heaven knows what. I got lucky and my Siskin kit came with an extra windscreen too. I wish I had this kind of luck with lottery tickets or girlfriends.

Ouch! You really didn't have to hit me, did you?
 
After a few hours' work, things were mostly together:



Thank goodness for SuperGlue!

Opps. Houston, we have a problem!





Maybe it'll look better from another angle:



Augghhhh! Criminey! I even followed the instructions:



In fact, I inspected them closely:



Alas, I forgot that the instructions are wrong. Part 15 should be reversed. Being as I last built one of these in the late 1970s, I hope I can be forgiven for my lapse of memory.

Yes, I know. If only I hadn't forgotten I was already in a relationship, too. *sigh*   



At least it doesn't look too bad from this angle:



Why no, you look fine in those slacks. Your butt isn't big at all.

Ouch! Seriously, you can stop hitting me any time now.   

The decals are in excellent shape for being only 7 years younger than I am:



Really, you look great for your age! Actually, I bet everyone thinks you're a lot younger.

No, please, you don't need to hit me again.
 
Anyway, I got a lot done today and I hope to have more to show you in a few days.



Love,
 
Brian da Basher

[deathjester]

Not a bad start mate!  Really must rev up my courage and do a biplane once again.  Last one I did (Matchbox Fairey Seafox) fell to bits.....them floats did make a lovely pair of submarines though...

[apophenia]

A glance at your start and alll transgressions are forgiven Mr. BdB!

This is looking very A.W.35 Scimitarish. I like it  :)

[raafif]

that Glad. cowling looks very nice on it, Brian :)

Despite the alzheimer's (the only explanation for you not remembering the '70s -- oh, wait a minute ... ahh, yes, the '70's are best forgotten aren't they ) I'm sure that wing fit will work out.  Full rigging won't be hard on this kit

[Jacques Deguerre]

Hah! And you thought we wouldn't know it was you if you used an alias. Your work gives you away, Mr. Basher!

Anyway, this looks cool AND it has spats!

Despite the alzheimer's (the only explanation for you not remembering the '70s -- oh, wait a minute ... ahh, yes, the '70's are best forgotten aren't they )

You had to mention the '70s! So many repressed memories... flooding back.... Disco... shiny foil wallpaper... corduroy bell-bottom pants... malaise.... Dear God, make it stop! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

[jcf]

Large flightless birds can post wherever they like.

Agree with apo, very AW-35 and tres cool. 

[kitnut617]

the 'cowled' engine certainly makes the aircraft more appealing, nicely done Brian   :) :)

Out of interest, what manufacturer made a Gladiator with an orange cowl --- Matchbox

[Doom!]

I believe this aircraft should be marked with a scarlett letter for your transgressions!  As for the fit...ha, teach you to follow directions! It does look pretty cool though  :)

[Brian da Basher]

When I left you last (it seems like it was yesterday - wait it actually was yesterday!), the Siskin looked like this:



No I didn't mean it that way! I haven't actually left you! Besides, I pay the rent, why would I leave?

Ouch! Did you really need to hit me? 

Anyway, I've made some progress since then. Last night I got the undersides painted:







No honestly, I was home painting my model. Why would you think that? 

This morning, I got the first color on the uppers:







I was actually tempted to stop there because I liked the way the Dark Earth color looked against the silver on the wings. Kind of like they were interrupted while painting over one of those colorful inter-war schemes.



But, sense took hold and at lunch, I go the uppers finished!



Yes, I know, I should have sense enough to focus on our relationship right now. *sigh*   



As you might've guessed, I'm going for one of those late 1930s "crisis" camo patterns. I don't know about you, but when I'm researching color schemes and run across the phrases "hurriedly applied" or "painted in the field" it fills me with joy. This must be no end of trouble for those afflicted with a need for accuracy, but I find this sort of thing aligns nicely with my skills.



Yes, I know I need to spend more time with you. I'll work on that.

Next will be some detail and clean-up painting, then decals, mounting the wing (no, it's not what you think, please get your mind out of the gutter  ) and rigging.

Goodness knows when I'll get to that as work is being annoying and taking up my play time. It's like when I was a lad and wanted to build a model but found out I had to study for a test instead.

History may not repeat itself, but as I can attest, it certainly does rhyme.

Love,
 
Brian da Basher

[Doom!]

OK, we forgive you.     Like the camo!

[sotoolslinger]

Very nice Mr. Da Basher but ain't that thing huge considering the scales you usually work in

[taiidantomcat]

That looks great! ...Cheater 

[ChrisF]

I built one of these in my youth.. If i remember i didnt paint it.. I just stuck the decals straight on  :)

[Brian da Basher]

One of the benefits of working from home, besides the ability to put in 13 hour days is that you can work on your models at lunch-time!

Yes, I know I'm over-due taking you out for lunch and sure, I should bring you flowers, too.   

Anyway, Today, I got the main decals on the wing, fuselage, and tail. Trying not to give too much away before I get this completed, here's what the wing roundels look like:





Not half bad for 37 year-old decals. Lots of flaky stuff came off in the water and I had a bit more to wipe off once the decals were applied. My guess is disintegrating old carrier film, maybe even bits of the backing paper, but they turned out nicely in the end.

Yes, I'm hoping things can work out nicely for us in the end, too. 

Love,
 
Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

Sweet :) Looks like they laid down to the contours well.

[taiidantomcat]

Nice!!  :)