Which Tiger Moth model?
Discussion
Hello!
I need some guidance.
I know nothing aboutanything modelling. My brother in law has just had a flight on a Tiger Moth.
This Tiger Moth.
He was really excited about his flight and he had a terrific time.
I'd like to get him a good Tiger Moth kit to build as a momento. He's good with his hands and although not a model maker, he is patient and I believe that he would really enjoy building even a rather complex model.
So.......
.....what Tiger Moth kit would you suggest? Budget flexible.
Thank you.
I need some guidance.
I know nothing about
This Tiger Moth.
He was really excited about his flight and he had a terrific time.
I'd like to get him a good Tiger Moth kit to build as a momento. He's good with his hands and although not a model maker, he is patient and I believe that he would really enjoy building even a rather complex model.
So.......
.....what Tiger Moth kit would you suggest? Budget flexible.
Thank you.
Of course it’s personal preference, but I enjoy building balsa kits in preference to plastic. The Vintage Model Company do nice kits (including a Tiger Moth). Larger ones are available from other suppliers if you’re more adventurous.
The Tiger remains my favourite aircraft to fly; there is something quite charming about this “Golden Age” of open cockpit flying that is missing from later vintage aircraft.
The Tiger remains my favourite aircraft to fly; there is something quite charming about this “Golden Age” of open cockpit flying that is missing from later vintage aircraft.
As far as plastic scale models are concerned there are a few kits available.
1/32
Matchbox (also released by Revell).
Impressive when built but dates from the 1970s so will not be up to modern moulding standards
1/48
Airfix
A fairly new kit and highly thought of.
Merit/Smer
This kit has been released by a number of different companies. It has been superseded by the new Airfix kit -
1/72
Airfix
Their newish Tiger Moth is lovely -
However, avoid their original 1/72 kit as it is very old (1957) and pretty inaccurate
AZ Models
This came out around the same time as the new Airfix issue and by all accounts is quite a nice kit. However, the Airfix kit is more generally available
1/32
Matchbox (also released by Revell).
Impressive when built but dates from the 1970s so will not be up to modern moulding standards
1/48
Airfix
A fairly new kit and highly thought of.
Merit/Smer
This kit has been released by a number of different companies. It has been superseded by the new Airfix kit -
1/72
Airfix
Their newish Tiger Moth is lovely -
However, avoid their original 1/72 kit as it is very old (1957) and pretty inaccurate
AZ Models
This came out around the same time as the new Airfix issue and by all accounts is quite a nice kit. However, the Airfix kit is more generally available
Bi-planes are usually quite a bit more difficult to build than "normal" monoplanes.
The first issue is making sure that the top and bottom set of wings are properly aligned.
The second issue is how to handle the rigging wires. Airfix provide an alignment tool in both their 1/72 and 1/48 kits as well as a good rigging diagram. So, on balance, either of the two modern Airfix Tiger Moths are probably the best bet.
The first issue is making sure that the top and bottom set of wings are properly aligned.
The second issue is how to handle the rigging wires. Airfix provide an alignment tool in both their 1/72 and 1/48 kits as well as a good rigging diagram. So, on balance, either of the two modern Airfix Tiger Moths are probably the best bet.
I did similar and made a vague model of the plane me, my dad and brother went up in (separately 
).
I did the Airfix 1/72 one which I really enjoyed.
But bear in mind a Tiger Moth at 1/72 is tiny!
I gave up on the rigging but I might revisit now I’ve got a bit more experience under my belt
). I did the Airfix 1/72 one which I really enjoyed.
But bear in mind a Tiger Moth at 1/72 is tiny!
I gave up on the rigging but I might revisit now I’ve got a bit more experience under my belt
Some tips:
Nip down to the local pound shop and get them a rattle can of grey acrylic undercoat spray. Once it is built, 2 or 3 sprays with a thin coat of acrylic paint can really bring together a model and hide a multitude of mistakes. It provides a nice surface to paint on to, much nicer than the bare plastic.
Don't use oldschool enamel paint, modern acrylic is much better.
Tamiya extra thin glue is less frustrating than traditional tubes of thick gloopy stuff.
Nip down to the local pound shop and get them a rattle can of grey acrylic undercoat spray. Once it is built, 2 or 3 sprays with a thin coat of acrylic paint can really bring together a model and hide a multitude of mistakes. It provides a nice surface to paint on to, much nicer than the bare plastic.
Don't use oldschool enamel paint, modern acrylic is much better.
Tamiya extra thin glue is less frustrating than traditional tubes of thick gloopy stuff.
Zad said:
Some tips:
Nip down to the local pound shop and get them a rattle can of grey acrylic undercoat spray. Once it is built, 2 or 3 sprays with a thin coat of acrylic paint can really bring together a model and hide a multitude of mistakes. It provides a nice surface to paint on to, much nicer than the bare plastic.
Don't use oldschool enamel paint, modern acrylic is much better.
Tamiya extra thin glue is less frustrating than traditional tubes of thick gloopy stuff.
Thank you.Nip down to the local pound shop and get them a rattle can of grey acrylic undercoat spray. Once it is built, 2 or 3 sprays with a thin coat of acrylic paint can really bring together a model and hide a multitude of mistakes. It provides a nice surface to paint on to, much nicer than the bare plastic.
Don't use oldschool enamel paint, modern acrylic is much better.
Tamiya extra thin glue is less frustrating than traditional tubes of thick gloopy stuff.
I will pass this on to my brother-in-law.
If it’s for a beginner, I wouldn’t go for the 1:72 Airfix versions - firstly they are tiny, and fiddly. The old original one is very crude. The newer tool version I built had issues with the nose shape, and the interplane struts are very fragile. Here’s my build thread in case you’re interested (there’s an image of my original tool Airfix version in the first post):
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve not built the 1:48 Airfix version, but I’d expect it’s an easier build just because of the larger parts. Probably the best option overall.
Matchbox (later re-boxed by Revell) did a 1:32 version which I built a very long time ago - it’s old, but definitely looked like a Tiger Moth when built, and might be a decent option. Same comment as above on larger parts (even at 1:32 it’s not a huge model). I’d definitely have another go at one of those. Plenty of info, instructions and builds here:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/matchbox-pk-505-ha...
If you go for that option, try and get an original Matchbox version - the moulds will have been less worn.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve not built the 1:48 Airfix version, but I’d expect it’s an easier build just because of the larger parts. Probably the best option overall.
Matchbox (later re-boxed by Revell) did a 1:32 version which I built a very long time ago - it’s old, but definitely looked like a Tiger Moth when built, and might be a decent option. Same comment as above on larger parts (even at 1:32 it’s not a huge model). I’d definitely have another go at one of those. Plenty of info, instructions and builds here:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/matchbox-pk-505-ha...
If you go for that option, try and get an original Matchbox version - the moulds will have been less worn.
Zad said:
Tamiya extra thin glue is less frustrating than traditional tubes of thick gloopy stuff.
From somewhere the word 'Britfix' just floated into my head...Ah yes... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276785107767
Happy days
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