Ancient Revell Martlet MkV

[Lancman]

Carrying on from my Swordfish build I've decided to continue my dad's squadron builds, so here we have the Revell Martlet MkV which was released in 1969 when I was 6!! I'm again going for 896 Sqd when they were aboard HMS Pursuer during Operation Tungsten flying against the Tirpitz.

The kit is a hybrid of the MkIV and V as it has the Pratt and Whitney engine but the 6 gun configuration, the kit is certainly showing its age as most of the if you can call them undercart struts were broken and the cockpit interior were blobs of plastic.

I bought the Quinta Studios set for the Trumpeter kit, it was nearly the same price as the kit but its better than what I could achieve, so using that as a guide I fashioned an interior. Going by the small number of parts this should be a quick build by my standards, haha, not to bothered about the mis-match greens as when it's closed up very little can be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

[Aptivaboy]

This is looking awesome! What a great way to honor your Dad. Those old Revell kits are the best, great memories from childhood.  

 

Bob

Edited April 30 by Aptivaboy

[dennismcc]

I have great memories of hunting down this kit and building it when I first got into 1/32 scale kits.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[dmthamade]

Looking forward to see how the kit compares to the newer Trumpeter kit.

 

Don

[Lancman]

As I said this for me is a quick build and here's where we are at already, I've included a pic I missed from the 1st post and one of the man himself (on the right with his mate Shorty ) while on HMS Victorious in the Coral Sea with Martlets plus the one I will be basing it on.

The fit of parts was pretty poor plus the fuselage halves were warped, so there's a fair bit of putty and super glue used so far but it's beginning to look like a Martlet. I've also started to remove the outer gun bulge and shell chute as the MkV only carried 4 guns.

I'm not sure how it compares to the Trumpeter kit as this is pretty basic by todays standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BradG]

Nice one. It makes in a nice model with paint and weathering.

[Lancman]

Things moving along I had a drilling session with the wings as there was just raised details here plus the plastic was thin so it ripped in a few places while drilling so I put plastic card behind to reinforce it.

If someone else is building this don't follow the instructions as they are wrong all over the place, the wing fold mechanism is 35-38 so the planner thought the wings are 39 and 40 that is a port and starboard combo.

So some MRP paint on and decals from the kit, Xtradecal and Fantasy printshop to make the markings and squadron codes.

 

 

 

[Lancman]

Well this bugger would'nt go without a fight the starboard wing went together no probs while the port wing was badly warped and no amount of heat etc it never played ball, so a dozen clamps, loads of super glue and reg glue I fought it into submission.

Even had to split it twice to get a reasonable wing as the lower wing mated with the top half appeared to be a 1mm or so bigger so I had an overlap, but here it is not my finest build but it looks like a Martlet and there's a small sense of achievement as I never threw it at the wall even though I was sorely tempted.

Would I build another oldie kit that's open to debate but it does show how much the kits have improved since the 60's.

 

 

 

 

[blackbetty]

very nice! i just built one of these in the ASW sheme, but my result is not nearly as good....

[dennismcc]

Looks great, a fine job on a very dated "classic".

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Dpgsbody55]

A nice build of an old classic.  Well done.  

 

 

Cheers,

Michael

[csavaglio]

Came out great! 

[Cicchino]

Fantastic result and I love the scheme! There is something intriguing about this kit for me - may go way back to when I first started building models and wrestling (and never really getting it right) with the undercarriage. But I think even 55 years ago Revell captured the lines and ruggedness of the Wildcat really well and with a little TLC it can be made into a very nice model, just as you've done!

 

I've had this kit planned as next in my build queue and I'll be referring back to this build for inspiration!

 

Regards

 

John

 

 

[Phantom2]

Beautiful build of an old classic!  

 

Stefan 

[geedubelyer]

Missed this one until now. 

Really fine job.