LSP_Kevin Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 OK, looks like I get to go first! An original issue Matchbox Sea Venom. It's an odd choice for me, since I have no real interest in, or knowledge of, the subject, no references and probably no hope. I normally don't even build jets. But there's a bit of a story attached to how I acquired this one. Earlier this year I was cruising the stalls at the IPMS Expo swap & sell with LSP_Matt and found an original issue Matchbox Spitfire 22/24, and promptly snapped it up. I move along a few stalls and find a vendor with a Tamiya 1/48 George going for a song. As I'm paying for it, he spies the Spit and enquires, "You build thirty-second stuff, huh?". I mumbled something in the affirmative. He promptly reaches for the Sea Venom kit, shoves it on top of my pile, and says in disgust, "Well, you can have that!". When I got it home I realised why he gave it away. The box is falling apart, the decals are a write-off, the instructions have been munched on, the kit itself has been started (badly) and I'm not even sure all the parts are there. Matty generously donated a spare set of Revell-issue decals to get me going, which may have to do, as I'm not immediately aware of any aftermarket sets for this kit. I plan on doing the RAN bird in the kit options, if it all pans out. Anyway, on with the photos! The box: Its contents: The instructions: The original decals: And Matty's replacements: I'm strangely excited about tackling this one, but I haven't really decided how to approach it yet. Throw it together as is? Pull out all the references and go to town? I'll probably head somewhere down the middle. All and any advice welcome! Kev tomv87 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 HI Looks like you have your work cut out for you no mater how you build it. I am sure you will get it worked out and end up with a great model. Just remember that the build is six months so you can take some time and have fun with it. Keep us up to date. Texas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daywalker Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 I agree, looks like you are going to have your hands full with this one. I am really looking forward to seeing this one as she comes along, those are very interesting looking aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssculptor Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Apparently all the Matchbox decals ended up sticking to the glassine "protective" sheets of paper. Has anyone ever experimentrd with cutting the individual decals out and soaking them in water to see if 1) the glassine will float away and 2) the decals are still good after 30+ years? Those Matchbox kits are still good in that they model rare airplanes. Do you know of any other company that offered the Tiger Moth with wheels, skies and floats in 1/32 scale? Or offered the Lysander at all? The recent re-release of the Tiger moth omits the floats, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loic Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hey Kev, looks like there is "something" between you and those old tricky builds, right? After the "good old" (or is it just old?) Me 109, now the Sea Venom! good luck to you too mate! Cheers, loic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Nice choice of model Kevin! Nice (well) old kit! I got one myself, but I haven't checked the decals thoroughly yet! Cheers, Azgaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbooyv8 Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Ahh, nice... Another Sea Venom. Good luck with it, Kevin! It's a basic, but nice kit. There's not much refererence on the Sea Venom around, but the internet yields some useful walk arounds. Do also a search on its French licence built sibling, the "Aquilon". Cheers, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted September 1, 2008 Author Share Posted September 1, 2008 Thanks guys! I think this kit has been either stored in a moist environment, or subjected to some water damage. I've already tossed the original decal sheet, but it was badly curled and I think there were some stains on it too. There's even some 'dirt' on some of the parts - like storm water residue or something. Looking forward to making a start! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseeker Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Kev, Be happy that it wasn't made of wood. The termites would have eaten it by now! You have your work cut for you in a big way. Rocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Is it just me or does it really look like the Venom was designed with a broken back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theseeker Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It does look a little weak but it could be a herniated disk? Rocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big matt Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 You must be a glutton for punishment. I just like them to be easy to build. Saw an article some time ago about this plane and it looked cool all built up. Good luck. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruzlkampf Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 This is going to be REALLY cool, Kevin! Especially like those RAN markings, and it's just so.....different looking...I found myself becoming 'strangely excited' too. Oooh my. Had to check out your 'buck-shot' plans to see what that prehensile toe(?) thing is above the exhaust. Hmmm, the arrester hook stows there, eh? What a unique and cool design, kinda grows on ya really. Glad to see you're going to give it some well deserved TLC, after it 'followed ya home'. Is that some kind of aftermarket seat/or something under the plans in the 2nd pic down from the top? Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted September 2, 2008 Author Share Posted September 2, 2008 Is that some kind of aftermarket seat/or something under the plans in the 2nd pic down from the top? Russ Nah Russ, that's just a photo of what I take to be the ejection seat used by this plane (dunno anything about it meself). I just found it in the box. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 I got my replacement decalsheet for my Matchbox kit this week from RoG. One thing I noted that the sharkmouth on the Matchboxsheet is red and on the Revell sheet it's black. Can anyone which is correct ? Or are they both correct ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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