What do you consider to be your finest model, and why?

[mozart]

I know, so many choices, so many contenders, so many decisions.....but if you could name only ONE*, what would it be?  And what are the reasons that led to that conclusion, there are a multitude of possible reasons including perhaps it being a challenging kit that you got over the line.

 

I have been pondering this for a few days as I walk down the hall past my display cabinet, and I think my finest, the one that gave me the most satisfaction was my Gloster Gauntlet:

 

 

It was a Silver Wings kit which I was delighted see them announce since I had been pondering the feasibility of converting the ICM Gladiator to a Gauntlet, little did I realise what THAT would have involved!  It was an interesting build, not straightforward by any means since there were several tweaks involved, and the research about Gauntlet squadrons was most enjoyable.  And of course it's a biplane with all the terrors inherent in those, with struts, rigging and all manner of bits that fall off at the most inappropriate moment.  It's not sleek like a Fury, it's not shiny at this point in the squadron history like a Demon, but by golly it has a quiet presence!

 

OK, I've shown you mine.....let's see yours!! 

 

* no prevaricating, no "hmmm, could be this or that"....only ONE!

Edited April 4, 2025 by mozart

[Shoggz]

The P-51D which is in my signature!

 

It was a HUGE challenge to build with multiple fit issues that needed all my modelling 'skills' to get through.

 

It was also the first time I'd done a natural metal finish I was happy with.

 

 

[mozart]

And a very worthy "Finest" it is too Rich! 

[Archimedes]

That is a truly lovely P-51D Richard! Weird, but is that his Lotus Europa he's parked next to it? 😁

 

Kind regards,

Paul

[BiggTim]

I'd say it's gotta be the Hellcat linked in my signature. It just turned out exactly as I wanted it to, and that doesn't happen often.

https://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/article.php?aid=2401

[Juggernut]

Mine hasn't been built yet.

[MikeC]

2 minutes ago, Juggernut said:

Mine hasn't been built yet.

Mine neither: see the quote from a great composer (who, btw, wrote his 7th Symphony whilst undergoing the Siege of Leningrad) in my signature.

[Out2gtcha]

No doubts, my SU-30 MKK.......so far.

A bit bitter sweet as it got me my modeling goal of winning the US IPMS Nationals in a category that I entered......but it happened in August of 2017, 6 months after my father (who got me into modeling and aviation in general) passed.

I wish I could have seen him that day I won.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[blackbetty]

i would say willie the whale

because its a vac and i havent seen another one built 

the pucara is a close second …

[LSP_K2]

It's been ages and none were 1:32 scale, but my single best was probably either the Monogram 1:48 Su-25 Frogfoot, 1:72 Fujimi MiG-21 SMT or the Italeri 1:72 F-100D. All were done pre digital (Minolta 35mm SLR), a camera that I never did master, and all were award winners in their day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[geedubelyer]

Great question Max but quite a difficult one to answer. 

There are elements of many builds that I am happy with but the one I consider my most successful thus far is "Trip Two", a Tamiya F-15E Strike Eagle. 

 

 

I saw this exact airframe at RIAT one year and her dirty, well used appearance inspired me.

 

There are many modifications to the kit plus a great deal of aftermarket including the jet nozzles by the late Dave Parkin of Flightpath fame, way before 3D printing was a thing.

 

 

Dave Roof inspired the use of iridescent material for the HUD giving that characteristic tonal change from bright green to blue...

 

 

 

 

Adding the crew was another first. 

 

 

Much time and effort on extra detailling and fettling gave me a model I still enjoy looking at even now. 

 

This was probably my zenith. 

Age is conspiring to prevent me from going this far on a build again in the future.

 

It's all down hill from here...

[mozart]

Brilliant Guy, I really wouldn’t have known that was a model, so realistic.

 

But you’re right: we’re all doomed! 
 

 

 

 

 

[LSP_Ron]

Likely Kate Moss, I really enjoyed all our walks along the River Thames in Marlow back in the early 2000's

 

Opps wrong forum,....

 

 

[airscale]

That Gauntlet is wonderful Max 😍

 

I am proud of all my finished models, but there is one that I think was my finest hour

 

1/18 Spitfire XIVe

 

 

 

 

 

 

..it also has a special place in my heart as it won the first model competition I ever entered

 

great thread - more please

 

Peter

[LSP_Kevin]

For me it's easily this one:

 

 

This is a conversion of the Trumpeter kit, started just as Tamiya announced their kit. It has an absolute truckload of aftermarket, and challenges lurked everywhere. Proud that all that effort paid off, and I think it's still the best-looking build in my display cabinets.

 

 

 

Build thread with all the gory details:

 

 

And the proudest moment came when it was eventually published in AIR Modeller magazine.

 

Kev