Honestly, this little Basset looks quite good despite its age. I understand why you may be disappointed with the final result, but I really believe it deserves to live, and with its in-flight configuration on a stand, it would look great as a small trinket outside of a kit collection ^^
I also really hope this build survived. It very much showes your skills instead of a “Shake and bake” I found one my self, and Will try The same😊. Many greetings from Denmark
It's a 1968 moulding and about par for the time. I built one in 1970 when I was 19 and loved it. We are way too spoiled by modern kits. Denigrating this kit is like slagging a 1920 Ford because it's not as good as a 2022 model. I would definitely build one if I can get my hands on it. We need to remember that these old kits were not meant to be assembled into something that would do well in a modern model show. Definitely rather give it to someone who appreciate it, rather than either smash or burn it. Oh, and the end result is superb!
I think the problem is that the companies are reselling these at inflated prices as classic instead of making better kits. Like the Revell 1/72nd Ta-152 and P-51 or the Italeri 1/72 Bf109 F-2/4/trop. Those are the kits to take up space in the major city shops to lure in unsuspecting family who don't know better and buy them for the family members that model. Especially if there's no proper model shop in town and most department stores just stock Revell or Airfix, with maybe some Italeri figure and tanks and some Tamiya on the side. If they were just leftover stocks or discounted pieces, I don't think anyone would complain.
You may not be overly fond of the build but I think it’s brilliant. These old Airfix and Frog kits were what I cut my modeling teeth on and I love seeing what really can be done with a bit of effort and some skills thrown in.
We all have that one kit that just doesn’t do it for us. But this is an amazing example of perseverance. Kits like these although unassuming can highlight that aviation can be simple and beautiful. Well done, keep up the great work.
Hi Greg. You never make a bad kit mate. You are by far a great model maker. If you want to see some bad kits you should have seen some of the turkeys that I made when I was younger. Keep up the good work.
Hi there Greg, looking down the comments below I couldn't find any that said smash or burn it, rather they are mostly all about perseverance and making an old kit into a great looking model and that you should keep it. Having spent much of my Air Force, and some of my civilian, aviation career working on or with older British aircraft, (Devon, B170, Wasp, Andover, BAE 146, Strikemaster to name a few) this kit build of yours reminds me of that experience, hate and curse them at the time but unlike many aircraft, they have an uncanny ability to create a sense of lasting endearment - I'm with the latter group - keep it as a symbol of endurance!
Well done, I love seeing those old Airfix kits come to life. Personally, I like the challenge of building those older kits, much more satisfying than a Tamiya kit that basically falls together.
The thing about kit building these days is that it is not about building a kit, it is all about painting one, and if it does not fit together 100% at first try it is a "bad kit".
@@allansmith6140 Agree to a degree, but some older ones are just bad! Like the Italeri Bf-109 F-2/4/trop kit. Wings are too small, landing gear track is far too wide, and almost every gap needs filling and sanding. Cowling is two part with no guide pins, wirh the ledge above the exhaust being it's own part and the propeller hub being an insert into the Cowling. Oh and the cowling doesn't fit properly, as are the gaps, so you have to fill sand and rescribe it. Oh and the oil radiator hasn't guidance pins, so you have to eyeball it. It's priced like a beginner kit, but way to frustrating for a beginner.
@@LupusAries Well there are new ones that would also fit into the category you are describing. I recently made an 1:72 Airfix 109E, what I would call second generation, can't remember the release date just now. The canopy glass just would not fit, too small. Took a couple of hours to get it right by shimming, filling and sanding. Turned out as a lovely model that gets a lot of attention when people see it. Yet this kit is trashed online as not worth buying. Another one I built recently is Revell's 1:72 Phantom II (H-110) which was one of the first kits I built as kid. Took a couple of days of my spare time just to fit the nose cone which is way too large, lots of other filling and sanding. Again, people gravitated to it interest wise, both non modellers and modellers, it is an awesome model. It is classed as pure rubbish by youtubers and bloggers. I believe it all comes down to attitude and experience. I grew up building these old kits which at the time were super-detailed compared to what had been available before. I actually cannot remember ever thinking any kit was "bad", rather I saw those "bad" kits as challenging and I enjoyed building every one of them, my "masterpiece" was then shown to my friends who wondered just how the hell I had turned a collection of ill-fitting plastic parts into something of beauty. These days modelers are spoiled by the new precision models and yep when they pick up an old kit they will be out of their depth, most of the time with no clue on how to approach it, so they will label it as a bad kit and if they do end up finishing it they will feel the experience was a nightmare. I myself get more pleasure out of building the old kits, I do build new ones too but I feel like I am more or less just assembling and it gets monotonous, the only real creative bit is the painting.
You bought and built an Airfix kit, the moulds for which were first cut probably in the late 1960's! The level of detail and accuracy was on a par with contemporary kits released by other manufacturers (including Hasegawa, Fujimi, Revell, Hawk, Frog, Monogram etc.) and a damn sight better than some kits released only a few years earlier by the likes of Aurora and Lindbergh. The end result of the build is more about what you put into it. Shep Paine could probably have corrected the panel lines, sanded down the rivets and painted the numbers on the instrument panel. I preferred 1.48 scale but I do recall building an Airfix 1/72 DH Tiger Moth for a training airfield diorama. I installed ALL of the rigging and wiring.... stretched sprue and as much cockpit details as humanly possible at that scale. These kits were cheap, fun to build and started many a hobbyist on the road to later driving their wives mad. I loved these kits as a kid. Some even came in little poly bags rather than a box! I have found that the easiest way to get a completed model destroyed is to unleash a wife (or mom) who thinks that your collection is "dusty"!
I am always impressed by the way that a really good model maker (unlike myself - a really ordinary model maker) can breathe life into just about any kit. In this case, I think you have ended up with a lovely little model.
I never have luck building Airfix kits. I saw someone else that built a Bassett Beagle. I had never heard of one until then. 2 days after I saw the build, a real Bassett Beagle showed up at the airport where I was working at the time. Amazing timing.
Great build of an ancient kit . Thank you for sharing and teaching us some of your techniques. I would keep it !!!🙏🙏 Hope you have a great week, Cheers, Tony
This has been a learning experiance for me. The glass polishing is something I have been reluctant to attempt. Your application of those long, skinny stripes without getting them twisted or torn is the work of z master modeler. Thsnk you for the great tutorial!
Wow. Quite a few neat tricks I've learned here. - Puttying around windows for a perfect fit - Finding actual cockpit pictures to use (something that could come in handy for some car dashed as well) - Embelishing seats with extra thin plastic 'padding' Great work. (Neither smash nor burn if you ask me.😄)
Keep it I think it looks great (as always)! I can’t notice any imperfections anywhere either and the fact you spent so much time on it to make it look so good just makes it even more worth keeping! I love these vintage builds too btw I am very tempted to get some myself and see what I can do with them!
@@GregsModels neither.. Just build it as a crashed aircraft. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Btw Airfix are re releasing this again this year in their vintage classics line.. I will be buying 2 of them.
It's a keeper...a nice little kit and looks great when finished. Yes, it needs more work than modern kits but not bad for a 60-year old kit. Airfix had a promotion a few years ago to see which of their old kits modellers wanted to see re-issued as a limited run kit with plain box etc....they ran a poll and this was the one that was chosen!
I thought you did a lovely job with this! It may have been a bit old and scrappy, but you have a real talent for salvaging older kits and making something nice from them. It sucks to make a thing you don't feel proud of, and as an artist myself I suffer often from making things that fall below my arbitrary standards of "good" even if they are by no means bad. This video may be a bit old to comment on, but I think the best thing to do with a kit you don't care for is to give it to someone who does, be it a friend who wants a nice ornament or a kid who wants a toy to play with. Keep up the good work, Greg!
Beautiful build! One of the reasons why we model is to take a "dog" and build it into a thoroughbred. I did that with an A-Model Kamov 26 and turned it into an award winning crop dusting helicopter by scratch building it. It was great fun.
Keep it. I think it looks superb, especially for an Airfix classic kit. I’d be really pleased if my attempts came out that good. A lot of work but I think it has paid off. Nice tip about the yellowed decals - I didn’t realise that you could do that.
I get the idea behind smash or burn, I think we all feel that way about some models. But as always you've managed to make what is, by modern standards, a horrific kit, look entirely well finished. I think you're better just keeping it as a talking point. The number of people with models this old in their collection is declining and I think it's useful to the hobby to have examples like this out there.
Once met a girl who was wearing a green jumper and big gloves. Took her home and my Mum said "Ooooh, she's a keeper"... Feel the same about this kit - OK so it looks a bit odd to you, however I and most of the other commenters like it, and appreciate the work that's gone into it. Back in the day, used to hang old kits from the washing line and break out the air rifle, or stick a firework inside... Love the vid and the chat - keep it going!
I remember watching an old TV documentary about the V bombers from back in the `60`s that featured this plane and gave me rather a different opinion on it. Essentially Vulcan crews were sometimes located a good distance away from the location of their bombers so during a scramble they would board one of these things, and fly for a couple of minutes to their aircraft`s location before taking off on their strike. This is why what is essentially an obscure British civilian aircraft model has RAF decals, for a while, it played a small but key role in the UK`s nuclear strike capability. A diorama with a Vulcan crew running from a Basset to a cold war era Vulcan prepped for takeoff might make for an interesting subject.
I think it actually failed to be any good at even doing that - i could not actually carry a full V-Bomber crew fully geared up. I t was a very attractive plane but it did not cut the mustard.
@@uingaeoc3905 The series 2 version of the design was specifically given a slightly larger cockpit to meet the RAF requirement to carry a V bomber crew with full kit as far as Malta if necessary in what was intended to be an Anson replacement. Beagle did appear though to have some problems with the RAF changing the specifications during development and then reducing the number of aircraft ordered, probably due to defense cuts. As far as I know, the Beagle 206 didn`t have any particular problems and was a fairly typical example of its class of general aviation aircraft. It`s just that the Beagle company itself wasn`t the best run of organizations and they overestimated just how many they would be able to sell in a market dominated in the 1960s by US companies like Cessna and Piper.
A beautifully made kit that you spent so much time to get right! I would have built it stock and would have been very happy with it. The Basset is a wonderful British light twin, a nice alternative to the great US twins! Great to have general aviation models instead of always the normal warplanes or airliners. Thousands of people would love to have that model. It would be unwise to destroy it. Please give the model to a friend or museum, sell on ebay or sell to me! Thanks for your attention!
Hi Greg, I never like to see a vintage kit go up in flames. It brings back bad memories of all the kits I destroyed with an air rifle and petrol. A very mis spent youth!!! Keep it, you made a good job of it and it deserves a place at the back of the cabinet 😊 As an aside I have a connection with David Shepherd, I used to clean his windows and in his later years his family wanted someone to drive him to his various speaking tours, had loads of privileged behind the scenes experiences including spending an evening in Kensington palace and being let thru the front gates at Buckingham palace, getting photoed by loads of confused tourists 😂😂😂 In his early painting life he did plenty of planes too, I’ve got a print of a VC10 and there we many others he painted while on the Apron at Heathrow in the 1950’s. Sadly he passed away 5 years ago, thanks for sharing and keep the Beagle 😁
I have this very kit in my stash; my father gave it to me for Christmas when I was either 10 or 11y. After watching your build video, you've inspired me to build mine now. Thank you for featuring a quite rare kit. Cheers.
Mate, I like seeing model pyrotechnics as much as the next guy. I used to blow up my shabby kits with firecrackers. But, you've done an amazing job on this kit, don't destroy it! Give it away instead.
I think it’s outstanding Greg. With all of that work you turned a crappy kit into a work of art. I understand if you don’t like it as I feel that way about some of the kits I build. I think we sometimes become overly critical of our own work. Some of those kits I put in my cabinet and when I dust them off at a much later time, I appreciate them much more as I’ve forgotten all of their faults.
Thanks Sean, I have a box of made kits that I was proud of from some years ago hiding in the garage somewhere, but I know when it comes time to move or have a clear out, they will all go in the bin.
I lived in Brighton during the sixties and seventies when Beagle were based at Shoreham and cycled every chance I had to the airfield. I watched in awe as the Basset became a real aircraft and got to know some of the staff who allowed me to have a closer look! When I saw this kit for sale I knew I had to have it, I’ve yet to build it but this video has given me the impetus to carry on! What memories, I also had my first flight at Shoreham in a DeHavilland Dragon Rapide and it cost me 7/6d! So DON’T damage it at all!
I think you should keep it as its a fab job Greg,shows what we can do with an old kit,and how far modelling has come,I have one of these too and you have inspired me to do mine
Airfix is releasing it again in 2022 hopefully with better moulding. My father worked on it at the Beagle factory at Shoreham which is why I've got mine to do as a tribute to my late Dad
Considering the kit is over 50 years old and manufactured without the benefits of CAD/CAM it captures the lines of the real aircraft very well. You've made a really nice job of this model!
@@GregsModels Definitely! The kits may have needed a lot of fettling but they were working with the (limited) technology of the day. And making a pretty good job of it.
Quite an attractive little beast and smashing build. Third option, gift it! Bet there is a recruiting station or Veterans home that would give it a nice home.
I think it's lovely. After all that fine work, I'd put it away for awhile and look at it again later. You might find that you've changed your mind about it. I do this when I think I've overdone the weathering a model railroad boxcar or something. When I go back to it later, it looks great!
As one of your subscribers I just enjoyed the way you have bought this old classic to life. If you're not happy with it, that is a pity but I think the other subscribers would agree that it looks lovely. I agree with Billy, gift it please.
If all kits were perfect, we would never develop any skills as modelers. Most of what we learned came through the hardship of kits not being perfect, with some being really awful. In working to overcome these setbacks, we developed the skills and techniques necessary to make a great-looking display model out of less-than-perfect kit parts. The original MPC Millennium Falcon comes to mind for me. It really brought my modifying and scratchbuilding skills to the fore to make a model that looked as close to the filming model as I could make it with the limited photos and information available way back then. You've done a masterful job on your build in overcoming the limitations of the kit. Display it proudly when you finish it!
Wonderful work on an old kit - I never built it just because I didn't like it back in the day. I now can't wait to have a go having seen what you have managed to achieve. Donate it - don't destroy it.
I think the kit looks great! I found a miles Magister from 1965. It was difficult to work with because of the silver plastic. The kit lacked detail but with a few scratch built items it came out to be one of the jewels in my collection of 1/72nd. After watching your build of this little kit I'm looking for one now too. I think it's interesting to find older kits and use updated techniques and paint to bring them to life.
You have done a wonderful job with this kit! Please don’t smash or burn it! I would be proud to have it on display. If you don’t want it, there are many who would obviously be happy to take it off your hands.
You did everything right ✅ and it looks brand new with NO WEATHERING maybe that's where the kit lacks a little If you aged it a little bit or apply a dark wash to bring out the surface details in the panel then it would be more realistic 😉
Hi Greg, this is the first of your videos that I have watched, and clicked on it because I flew in Bassets a few times as an Air Cadet - some 50yrs ago. Your technique and the results are both excellent, as is the 'patter' you give as you are working. Two minor points - you are correct in thinking that the lower surfaces were grey painted, not silver - but to my eye (and ancient memory) it had no blue in it. The other point is that, in a side by side cockpit, a single pilot would occupy the left (captain's) seat. This is not true of helicopters, which are all right-hand drive (apparently because Sikorsky, who instructed the first pilots, refused to give up the left seat(!)), but is of fixed wing aircraft. Great video - I'm now going to start exploring the rest of your content... 😃
I remember getting this kit for my 9th Birthday back in 1974. Always been one of my favourire Airfix kits and I'll build another one day i'm sure. I think mine would have surcumbed to fire many years ago so keep this one mate....lots of effort went into a very old kit....I wouldn't burn it now mate!!
You've done a great job on an old Airfix kit and given me a few tips along the way. You're going to get much hate by either smashing or setting fire to it but it's your model and you can do what you like with it - end of! Being a perfectionist I vote smash it first and set fire to the remains. Kudos though for deciding on either BEFORE you built it.
Great job Greg It's already raised an alternative for you as a gift or charity rather than smash or burn. It's already been said but is worthin repeating, you have turned a vintage kit into a good looking kit. I, like many others started modelling with the Airfix "boil in the bag" kits for 2/6 from Woolworths in the 60's. I could never have done this either then or even now! Too good to destroy CHARITY or GIFT? I'll vote charity to the highest bidder. Well done Greg
My first was 2 shillings and threpence, but the price soon jumped to half a crown, a very well made model of a not very well known aircraft, anyone who describes it as a dog of a model never made them when new, its a kit of its age even as a re-release, the tooling was the best available in its day, things have moved on and what we have today is just wonderful,, I doubt I shall see what the next 57 years bring but it would be interesting to see. Rather than destroy the model I think giving it to a local aviation museum would be far more constructive and we can but hope for this little gem.
Friend had a Basset, brakes failed ran off end of runway. I think it ended up in the US. Had the Airfix kit in the 70's, thought it was a pretty aircraft. That silver plastic was horrible, it would melt. I have a feeling the Basset was cleared for basic aerobatics it was so strong.
That tip about marking out the control surfaces is a great idea 👍. You may not have been happy with the result, but this old dog learned a new trick today.
hi Greg a great little build again and demonstrateing your skill overcoming all these old kit issues and it looks fine to me iam not goin to pass judgment on this little plane another great job thankyou Greg stay safe jon
Excellent work and finish, I remember building this when I was about ten and yes it was a dog , love the figure plus pleased to see one looking finished 👌
Your kidding right! That little model looks fine and one you don't see very often. You did a wonderful job to bring it out and the hard work I think paid off... Keep it
I think it looks great Greg, don't burn or smash it, give it to me! 😜 Jokes aside, it's a tiny gracious model which required a fair amount of time, skill and work...and it don't even take much room, poor chap! Keep it!
The video was a nice refresher on some techniques, and I think the kit came out quiet well. It's a plane you don't see very many kits of, so I think she's a keeper, just set her in the back of the bottom shelf :-) No need to destroy your talent.
That is a beautiful build, I would be. proud to have that in my display cabinet. I picked up some useful tips from your video too. Thanks for the effort on this, it is always great to see something made of an old classic kit!
I think the great strength of your channel is that you turn what are sometimes very rudimentary kits into little gems. I understand what you mean about this kit but it deserves to live and you may grow to like it over time. I wouldn’t destroy it. Many people would love a kit built like that.
I don't know why you don't like it Greg. It's well built, - a good job. It's a nice little kit of a nice little liaison/trainer type aircraft. A nice little civilian aircraft design used by the RAF. It's something a bit different to. Not an aircraft you usually see as a model kit. It's nice.
Keep it. It's an example of your perseverance and it would be a shame to destroy it. You have shown that you can do a great job on a model you hate. That must be a good feeling!
For me, a newly returturning modeller (45 years since I last did a model). It looks awesome and as I have also the after-effects of a stroke I would be very happy to produce at this quality.
You have done very well on this build. In this video I have seen you do things that Ive never seen you do before and it looks like it pushed you to your limits. We all have that one kit and the end result clearly shows that no challenge is too great. For that reason my opinion is that you should neither Smash or Burn it. Instead it should take pride of place on your display shelf as a reminder that you are a great hobbiest.
I know you had your reservations about it, and it did take a lot of work to bring it up to scratch, but end result looks terrific! That boomerang aerial on it reminds me of 1980s stretch limousines.
Agreed, don't smash or burn, I would love to have the ability to build a kit to that standard. If you are determined to dispose of it offer it for sale or sealed bids, at least get something back for all the hard work you put into building it.
It's really a great achievement and an interesting good looking model! You have just showed us how to bring life to an old and least intricate detailed mouldings kit! And, this just came in time for me to make decisions not to give away some of the old and rare planes model kits by Matchbox and Airfix kits bought some 50, 60 years ago! Thanks for that good flash shock!
Here's what you should do with the model, Greg. You should take it into your arms and tell it that outside it may be hideous, but it is beautiful inside and it is loved.
Hi Greg, The model looks really good. If it was mine I would proudly display it. The old Airfix kits were hard to build as the die technology was all hand made from scaled down wooden patterns and early parts layout. Modern kit dies are made on 3 and 4 axis CNC machines from details all fed into the computer and that is why they assemble so well. Most modelers will realise this, don`t worry about the rivet counters, they never build anything
i think it looks great Greg, don't burn or smash it, give it to someone.
Agreed! Don’t smash it or burn it; the effort really paid off Greg
I allways wanted to make the Airfix Supermarine S.6B never found one
Honestly, this little Basset looks quite good despite its age. I understand why you may be disappointed with the final result, but I really believe it deserves to live, and with its in-flight configuration on a stand, it would look great as a small trinket outside of a kit collection ^^
Agreed also it is a nice little kit especially with the extra touches you've added; it would be a terrible waste to destroy it imho....
I also really hope this build survived. It very much showes your skills instead of a “Shake and bake” I found one my self, and Will try The same😊. Many greetings from Denmark
It's a 1968 moulding and about par for the time. I built one in 1970 when I was 19 and loved it. We are way too spoiled by modern kits. Denigrating this kit is like slagging a 1920 Ford because it's not as good as a 2022 model. I would definitely build one if I can get my hands on it. We need to remember that these old kits were not meant to be assembled into something that would do well in a modern model show. Definitely rather give it to someone who appreciate it, rather than either smash or burn it. Oh, and the end result is superb!
Built one in the early 70s, would like to get another.
I think the problem is that the companies are reselling these at inflated prices as classic instead of making better kits.
Like the Revell 1/72nd Ta-152 and P-51 or the Italeri 1/72 Bf109 F-2/4/trop.
Those are the kits to take up space in the major city shops to lure in unsuspecting family who don't know better and buy them for the family members that model.
Especially if there's no proper model shop in town and most department stores just stock Revell or Airfix, with maybe some Italeri figure and tanks and some Tamiya on the side.
If they were just leftover stocks or discounted pieces, I don't think anyone would complain.
You may not be overly fond of the build but I think it’s brilliant. These old Airfix and Frog kits were what I cut my modeling teeth on and I love seeing what really can be done with a bit of effort and some skills thrown in.
We all have that one kit that just doesn’t do it for us. But this is an amazing example of perseverance. Kits like these although unassuming can highlight that aviation can be simple and beautiful. Well done, keep up the great work.
Hi Greg. You never make a bad kit mate. You are by far a great model maker. If you want to see some bad kits you should have seen some of the turkeys that I made when I was younger. Keep up the good work.
Well done, Greg! Another masterclass. There'll be some old Beagle pilot delighted to have that on his desk.
Sounds like a plan. If you know of such a person, let me know.
@@GregsModels 👌👌✈️🇨🇱
Give it a kiss! It's a lovely little kit, well done ❤😊
😂👍
Hi there Greg, looking down the comments below I couldn't find any that said smash or burn it, rather they are mostly all about perseverance and making an old kit into a great looking model and that you should keep it. Having spent much of my Air Force, and some of my civilian, aviation career working on or with older British aircraft, (Devon, B170, Wasp, Andover, BAE 146, Strikemaster to name a few) this kit build of yours reminds me of that experience, hate and curse them at the time but unlike many aircraft, they have an uncanny ability to create a sense of lasting endearment - I'm with the latter group - keep it as a symbol of endurance!
Well done, I love seeing those old Airfix kits come to life. Personally, I like the challenge of building those older kits, much more satisfying than a Tamiya kit that basically falls together.
The thing about kit building these days is that it is not about building a kit, it is all about painting one, and if it does not fit together 100% at first try it is a "bad kit".
@@allansmith6140 Couldn't agree more
@@allansmith6140 Agree to a degree, but some older ones are just bad!
Like the Italeri Bf-109 F-2/4/trop kit.
Wings are too small, landing gear track is far too wide, and almost every gap needs filling and sanding.
Cowling is two part with no guide pins, wirh the ledge above the exhaust being it's own part and the propeller hub being an insert into the Cowling.
Oh and the cowling doesn't fit properly, as are the gaps, so you have to fill sand and rescribe it.
Oh and the oil radiator hasn't guidance pins, so you have to eyeball it.
It's priced like a beginner kit, but way to frustrating for a beginner.
@@LupusAries Well there are new ones that would also fit into the category you are describing. I recently made an 1:72 Airfix 109E, what I would call second generation, can't remember the release date just now. The canopy glass just would not fit, too small. Took a couple of hours to get it right by shimming, filling and sanding. Turned out as a lovely model that gets a lot of attention when people see it. Yet this kit is trashed online as not worth buying. Another one I built recently is Revell's 1:72 Phantom II (H-110) which was one of the first kits I built as kid. Took a couple of days of my spare time just to fit the nose cone which is way too large, lots of other filling and sanding. Again, people gravitated to it interest wise, both non modellers and modellers, it is an awesome model. It is classed as pure rubbish by youtubers and bloggers. I believe it all comes down to attitude and experience. I grew up building these old kits which at the time were super-detailed compared to what had been available before. I actually cannot remember ever thinking any kit was "bad", rather I saw those "bad" kits as challenging and I enjoyed building every one of them, my "masterpiece" was then shown to my friends who wondered just how the hell I had turned a collection of ill-fitting plastic parts into something of beauty. These days modelers are spoiled by the new precision models and yep when they pick up an old kit they will be out of their depth, most of the time with no clue on how to approach it, so they will label it as a bad kit and if they do end up finishing it they will feel the experience was a nightmare. I myself get more pleasure out of building the old kits, I do build new ones too but I feel like I am more or less just assembling and it gets monotonous, the only real creative bit is the painting.
I really don’t know why the kit has got to end it’s days either way, I feel that this is another great example of patient skillfull building.
You bought and built an Airfix kit, the moulds for which were first cut probably in the late 1960's! The level of detail and accuracy was on a par with contemporary kits released by other manufacturers (including Hasegawa, Fujimi, Revell, Hawk, Frog, Monogram etc.) and a damn sight better than some kits released only a few years earlier by the likes of Aurora and Lindbergh. The end result of the build is more about what you put into it. Shep Paine could probably have corrected the panel lines, sanded down the rivets and painted the numbers on the instrument panel. I preferred 1.48 scale but I do recall building an Airfix 1/72 DH Tiger Moth for a training airfield diorama. I installed ALL of the rigging and wiring.... stretched sprue and as much cockpit details as humanly possible at that scale. These kits were cheap, fun to build and started many a hobbyist on the road to later driving their wives mad. I loved these kits as a kid. Some even came in little poly bags rather than a box! I have found that the easiest way to get a completed model destroyed is to unleash a wife (or mom) who thinks that your collection is "dusty"!
I've been there. The other destroyer of my models was the cat, loved chewing the props.
This was my first model, at age 7, back in 1968, given to me when I was ill. You made a better job of it 🙂 Cheers!
I am always impressed by the way that a really good model maker (unlike myself - a really ordinary model maker) can breathe life into just about any kit. In this case, I think you have ended up with a lovely little model.
I never have luck building Airfix kits. I saw someone else that built a Bassett Beagle. I had never heard of one until then. 2 days after I saw the build, a real Bassett Beagle showed up at the airport where I was working at the time. Amazing timing.
I’m with many others here, it’s a fabulous result for such a poor quality old kit. Demonstrated your craftsmanship wonderfully.
Great build of an ancient kit . Thank you for sharing and teaching us some of your techniques. I would keep it !!!🙏🙏
Hope you have a great week, Cheers, Tony
This has been a learning experiance for me. The glass polishing is something I have been reluctant to attempt. Your application of those long, skinny stripes without getting them twisted or torn is the work of z master modeler. Thsnk you for the great tutorial!
Wow. Quite a few neat tricks I've learned here.
- Puttying around windows for a perfect fit
- Finding actual cockpit pictures to use (something that could come in handy for some car dashed as well)
- Embelishing seats with extra thin plastic 'padding'
Great work.
(Neither smash nor burn if you ask me.😄)
The application of modelling skills turns an old Airfix's pigs ear into another of your Silk Purses - beautiful work as always
Keep it I think it looks great (as always)! I can’t notice any imperfections anywhere either and the fact you spent so much time on it to make it look so good just makes it even more worth keeping! I love these vintage builds too btw I am very tempted to get some myself and see what I can do with them!
Thanks Luke
@@GregsModels neither.. Just build it as a crashed aircraft. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Btw Airfix are re releasing this again this year in their vintage classics line.. I will be buying 2 of them.
@@GregsModels Hi Greg, what do you normally use for attaching clear parts?
@@Kickback-dm7zt Tamiya Extra Thin
Greg, you have made a superb job of what is a 54 year old kit. Put it on the back shelf as a curio, don't let angst get the better of you!
It's a keeper...a nice little kit and looks great when finished. Yes, it needs more work than modern kits but not bad for a 60-year old kit. Airfix had a promotion a few years ago to see which of their old kits modellers wanted to see re-issued as a limited run kit with plain box etc....they ran a poll and this was the one that was chosen!
I thought you did a lovely job with this! It may have been a bit old and scrappy, but you have a real talent for salvaging older kits and making something nice from them. It sucks to make a thing you don't feel proud of, and as an artist myself I suffer often from making things that fall below my arbitrary standards of "good" even if they are by no means bad. This video may be a bit old to comment on, but I think the best thing to do with a kit you don't care for is to give it to someone who does, be it a friend who wants a nice ornament or a kid who wants a toy to play with. Keep up the good work, Greg!
It went to a good home along with some other builds👍
@@GregsModels Glad to hear it! A nice, happy ending where it found peace in a loving home. Very good. :)
Beautiful build! One of the reasons why we model is to take a "dog" and build it into a thoroughbred. I did that with an A-Model Kamov 26 and turned it into an award winning crop dusting helicopter by scratch building it. It was great fun.
Keep it. I think it looks superb, especially for an Airfix classic kit. I’d be really pleased if my attempts came out that good. A lot of work but I think it has paid off. Nice tip about the yellowed decals - I didn’t realise that you could do that.
I thought I'd give it a try and was lucky it worked.
I get the idea behind smash or burn, I think we all feel that way about some models. But as always you've managed to make what is, by modern standards, a horrific kit, look entirely well finished. I think you're better just keeping it as a talking point. The number of people with models this old in their collection is declining and I think it's useful to the hobby to have examples like this out there.
Very true.
Once met a girl who was wearing a green jumper and big gloves. Took her home and my Mum said "Ooooh, she's a keeper"... Feel the same about this kit - OK so it looks a bit odd to you, however I and most of the other commenters like it, and appreciate the work that's gone into it. Back in the day, used to hang old kits from the washing line and break out the air rifle, or stick a firework inside... Love the vid and the chat - keep it going!
I think its a great job considering the age of the kit. I don't believe it deserves to Smash or Burn. Well done 👍
I know you neither enjoyed the build nor liked the end product but I love what I can see here; great job, nice model.
I remember watching an old TV documentary about the V bombers from back in the `60`s that featured this plane and gave me rather a different opinion on it.
Essentially Vulcan crews were sometimes located a good distance away from the location of their bombers so during a scramble they would board one of these things, and fly for a couple of minutes to their aircraft`s location before taking off on their strike.
This is why what is essentially an obscure British civilian aircraft model has RAF decals, for a while, it played a small but key role in the UK`s nuclear strike capability.
A diorama with a Vulcan crew running from a Basset to a cold war era Vulcan prepped for takeoff might make for an interesting subject.
Great idea
I think it actually failed to be any good at even doing that - i could not actually carry a full V-Bomber crew fully geared up. I t was a very attractive plane but it did not cut the mustard.
@@uingaeoc3905 The series 2 version of the design was specifically given a slightly larger cockpit to meet the RAF requirement to carry a V bomber crew with full kit as far as Malta if necessary in what was intended to be an Anson replacement. Beagle did appear though to have some problems with the RAF changing the specifications during development and then reducing the number of aircraft ordered, probably due to defense cuts.
As far as I know, the Beagle 206 didn`t have any particular problems and was a fairly typical example of its class of general aviation aircraft. It`s just that the Beagle company itself wasn`t the best run of organizations and they overestimated just how many they would be able to sell in a market dominated in the 1960s by US companies like Cessna and Piper.
A beautifully made kit that you spent so much time to get right! I would have built it stock and would have been very happy with it. The Basset is a wonderful British light twin, a nice alternative to the great US twins! Great to have general aviation models instead of always the normal warplanes or airliners.
Thousands of people would love to have that model. It would be unwise to destroy it. Please give the model to a friend or museum, sell on ebay or sell to me! Thanks for your attention!
Thank you
Hi Greg, I never like to see a vintage kit go up in flames. It brings back bad memories of all the kits I destroyed with an air rifle and petrol. A very mis spent youth!!! Keep it, you made a good job of it and it deserves a place at the back of the cabinet 😊 As an aside I have a connection with David Shepherd, I used to clean his windows and in his later years his family wanted someone to drive him to his various speaking tours, had loads of privileged behind the scenes experiences including spending an evening in Kensington palace and being let thru the front gates at Buckingham palace, getting photoed by loads of confused tourists 😂😂😂 In his early painting life he did plenty of planes too, I’ve got a print of a VC10 and there we many others he painted while on the Apron at Heathrow in the 1950’s. Sadly he passed away 5 years ago, thanks for sharing and keep the Beagle 😁
Great artist, love his polar bear paintings.
I have this very kit in my stash; my father gave it to me for Christmas when I was either 10 or 11y. After watching your build video, you've inspired me to build mine now. Thank you for featuring a quite rare kit. Cheers.
Go for it.
Mate, I like seeing model pyrotechnics as much as the next guy. I used to blow up my shabby kits with firecrackers. But, you've done an amazing job on this kit, don't destroy it! Give it away instead.
I think it’s outstanding Greg. With all of that work you turned a crappy kit into a work of art. I understand if you don’t like it as I feel that way about some of the kits I build. I think we sometimes become overly critical of our own work. Some of those kits I put in my cabinet and when I dust them off at a much later time, I appreciate them much more as I’ve forgotten all of their faults.
Thanks Sean, I have a box of made kits that I was proud of from some years ago hiding in the garage somewhere, but I know when it comes time to move or have a clear out, they will all go in the bin.
I lived in Brighton during the sixties and seventies when Beagle were based at Shoreham and cycled every chance I had to the airfield. I watched in awe as the Basset became a real aircraft and got to know some of the staff who allowed me to have a closer look! When I saw this kit for sale I knew I had to have it, I’ve yet to build it but this video has given me the impetus to carry on! What memories, I also had my first flight at Shoreham in a DeHavilland Dragon Rapide and it cost me 7/6d! So DON’T damage it at all!
As an AFV modeller, I think it looks great! Dont smash or burn it, just treat it as an homage to kits of yesteryears!
I think you should keep it as its a fab job Greg,shows what we can do with an old kit,and how far modelling has come,I have one of these too and you have inspired me to do mine
I think it gets a Presidential pardon! Loved the old tape on the bottom of the box.....Airfix....sigh....Great build too Greg!
Don’t burn, it is great, I enjoy watching you deal with these old kits and bringing them to life.
Airfix is releasing it again in 2022 hopefully with better moulding. My father worked on it at the Beagle factory at Shoreham which is why I've got mine to do as a tribute to my late Dad
Great build and excellent result. Don't destroy it. Give it to somebody who would appreciate it.
Considering the kit is over 50 years old and manufactured without the benefits of CAD/CAM it captures the lines of the real aircraft very well. You've made a really nice job of this model!
Airfix had a Knack for capturing the character of aircraft, some very talented pattern makers.
@@GregsModels Definitely! The kits may have needed a lot of fettling but they were working with the (limited) technology of the day. And making a pretty good job of it.
Another point of view is " the worse the mould/kit the more possibilities to glance with your abilities " and you glanced really bright! Well done ✌🏽
Very nice little model, some work to get it looking in it's finished state, but very nice indeed.
Quite an attractive little beast and smashing build. Third option, gift it! Bet there is a recruiting station or Veterans home that would give it a nice home.
If I hadn't have seen it myself I would not have believed that this old kit could come out so well. Awsome.
I think it's lovely. After all that fine work, I'd put it away for awhile and look at it again later. You might find that you've changed your mind about it. I do this when I think I've overdone the weathering a model railroad boxcar or something. When I go back to it later, it looks great!
It's a little gem. Perhaps you could find a small, quiet and out of the way spot in your collection until it grows on you.
As one of your subscribers I just enjoyed the way you have bought this old classic to life. If you're not happy with it, that is a pity but I think the other subscribers would agree that it looks lovely. I agree with Billy, gift it please.
No, don't smash or burn it. It looks good. You've shown what a good eye for detail and a bit of perseverance can achieve in these older kits.
If all kits were perfect, we would never develop any skills as modelers. Most of what we learned came through the hardship of kits not being perfect, with some being really awful. In working to overcome these setbacks, we developed the skills and techniques necessary to make a great-looking display model out of less-than-perfect kit parts. The original MPC Millennium Falcon comes to mind for me. It really brought my modifying and scratchbuilding skills to the fore to make a model that looked as close to the filming model as I could make it with the limited photos and information available way back then.
You've done a masterful job on your build in overcoming the limitations of the kit. Display it proudly when you finish it!
I remember the MPC's Millennium Falcon kit. I've still got the light Bulbs from the very basic lighting system it came with, simple days.
Just proves you can make a silk purse from a sows ear , great work yet again.cheers Greg
Wonderful work on an old kit - I never built it just because I didn't like it back in the day. I now can't wait to have a go having seen what you have managed to achieve. Donate it - don't destroy it.
You've really bought these old kits to life, they are great. I would be proud to have that plane on my shelf.
I think the kit looks great!
I found a miles Magister from 1965. It was difficult to work with because of the silver plastic. The kit lacked detail but with a few scratch built items it came out to be one of the jewels in my collection of 1/72nd.
After watching your build of this little kit I'm looking for one now too. I think it's interesting to find older kits and use updated techniques and paint to bring them to life.
You have done a wonderful job with this kit! Please don’t smash or burn it! I would be proud to have it on display. If you don’t want it, there are many who would obviously be happy to take it off your hands.
You did everything right ✅ and it looks brand new with NO WEATHERING maybe that's where the kit lacks a little If you aged it a little bit or apply a dark wash to bring out the surface details in the panel then it would be more realistic 😉
Hi Greg, this is the first of your videos that I have watched, and clicked on it because I flew in Bassets a few times as an Air Cadet - some 50yrs ago. Your technique and the results are both excellent, as is the 'patter' you give as you are working.
Two minor points - you are correct in thinking that the lower surfaces were grey painted, not silver - but to my eye (and ancient memory) it had no blue in it.
The other point is that, in a side by side cockpit, a single pilot would occupy the left (captain's) seat. This is not true of helicopters, which are all right-hand drive (apparently because Sikorsky, who instructed the first pilots, refused to give up the left seat(!)), but is of fixed wing aircraft.
Great video - I'm now going to start exploring the rest of your content... 😃
Thank you 👍
I remember getting this kit for my 9th Birthday back in 1974. Always been one of my favourire Airfix kits and I'll build another one day i'm sure. I think mine would have surcumbed to fire many years ago so keep this one mate....lots of effort went into a very old kit....I wouldn't burn it now mate!!
You've done a great job on an old Airfix kit and given me a few tips along the way. You're going to get much hate by either smashing or setting fire to it but it's your model and you can do what you like with it - end of!
Being a perfectionist I vote smash it first and set fire to the remains. Kudos though for deciding on either BEFORE you built it.
You are perhaps the best modeler in the world. Thank you very much for assembling scale models 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Great job Greg
It's already raised an alternative for you as a gift or charity rather than smash or burn.
It's already been said but is worthin repeating, you have turned a vintage kit into a good looking kit.
I, like many others started modelling with the Airfix "boil in the bag" kits for 2/6 from Woolworths in the 60's.
I could never have done this either then or even now!
Too good to destroy
CHARITY or GIFT?
I'll vote charity to the highest bidder.
Well done Greg
My first was 2 shillings and threpence, but the price soon jumped to half a crown, a very well made model of a not very well known aircraft, anyone who describes it as a dog of a model never made them when new, its a kit of its age even as a re-release, the tooling was the best available in its day, things have moved on and what we have today is just wonderful,, I doubt I shall see what the next 57 years bring but it would be interesting to see.
Rather than destroy the model I think giving it to a local aviation museum would be far more constructive and we can but hope for this little gem.
Friend had a Basset, brakes failed ran off end of runway. I think it ended up in the US. Had the Airfix kit in the 70's, thought it was a pretty aircraft. That silver plastic was horrible, it would melt. I have a feeling the Basset was cleared for basic aerobatics it was so strong.
That tip about marking out the control surfaces is a great idea 👍. You may not have been happy with the result, but this old dog learned a new trick today.
Thanks 👍
That is actually a nice result for such an old kit. These old kits test your skill sets in a way that Trumpter won't.
Greg this is excellent outcome this is a very old kit that most would pass on. well done and thanks for sharing.
hi Greg a great little build again and demonstrateing your skill overcoming all these old kit issues and it looks fine to me iam not goin to pass judgment on this little plane another great job thankyou Greg stay safe
jon
Excellent work and finish, I remember building this when I was about ten and yes it was a dog , love the figure plus pleased to see one looking finished 👌
Your kidding right! That little model looks fine and one you don't see very often. You did a wonderful job to bring it out and the hard work I think paid off... Keep it
It ended up going to a good home along with some other models 👍
An excellent result and a good tutorial on how make an old kit look really good. Definitely worthy of a prime space on the shelf.
I think it looks pretty good for a old Aifix kit. I like your approach to building kits, helped inspire me get a few off the shelf and out of the box.
Please don't destroy it, it may not be the best kit in the world but it would make a young child smile to receive that...
I'm sorry that you don't enjoy the finished result - to me, it shows all the effort that you clearly put in. Well done!
I think it looks great Greg, don't burn or smash it, give it to me! 😜 Jokes aside, it's a tiny gracious model which required a fair amount of time, skill and work...and it don't even take much room, poor chap! Keep it!
I learned something new from your treatment of the clear parts. Since you gave us two options, I vote “smash”.
The video was a nice refresher on some techniques, and I think the kit came out quiet well. It's a plane you don't see very many kits of, so I think she's a keeper, just set her in the back of the bottom shelf :-) No need to destroy your talent.
That is a beautiful build, I would be. proud to have that in my display cabinet. I picked up some useful tips from your video too. Thanks for the effort on this, it is always great to see something made of an old classic kit!
Thank you
I think the great strength of your channel is that you turn what are sometimes very rudimentary kits into little gems. I understand what you mean about this kit but it deserves to live and you may grow to like it over time. I wouldn’t destroy it. Many people would love a kit built like that.
This kit along with some others found a good home👍
I don't know why you don't like it Greg. It's well built, - a good job. It's a nice little kit of a nice little liaison/trainer type aircraft. A nice little civilian aircraft design used by the RAF. It's something a bit different to. Not an aircraft you usually see as a model kit. It's nice.
Anything can happen in the next half hour ! Yes, a miracle !! Great job Captain Greg 😉
Wonderful build and great techniques used especially blending the glass in 👍👍👍etc
Please don’t “ trash” it 🙂
Keep it. It's an example of your perseverance and it would be a shame to destroy it. You have shown that you can do a great job on a model you hate. That must be a good feeling!
You sir have significantly more patience then I. Well done. Gives me hope that one day I’ll finish those half finished kits.
For me, a newly returturning modeller (45 years since I last did a model). It looks awesome and as I have also the after-effects of a stroke I would be very happy to produce at this quality.
Pilot guy turned out nicely. So did transparent parts with that polishing and acrylic overcoat. Will have to remember that mirror trick.
Well this is a small beauty. Please keep it. It reminds me of the old times in plastic modelling.
That's great, way better than anything I ever did, and it's a bit of airfix history. Keep it.
You have done very well on this build. In this video I have seen you do things that Ive never seen you do before and it looks like it pushed you to your limits. We all have that one kit and the end result clearly shows that no challenge is too great. For that reason my opinion is that you should neither Smash or Burn it. Instead it should take pride of place on your display shelf as a reminder that you are a great hobbiest.
I know you had your reservations about it, and it did take a lot of work to bring it up to scratch, but end result looks terrific! That boomerang aerial on it reminds me of 1980s stretch limousines.
Agreed, don't smash or burn, I would love to have the ability to build a kit to that standard. If you are determined to dispose of it offer it for sale or sealed bids, at least get something back for all the hard work you put into building it.
It's really a great achievement and an interesting good looking model!
You have just showed us how to bring life to an old and least intricate detailed mouldings kit!
And, this just came in time for me to make decisions not to give away some of the old and rare planes model kits by Matchbox and Airfix kits bought some 50, 60 years ago!
Thanks for that good flash shock!
Come what may, I always enjoy Greg's videos. This one was no exception.
Stunning build of a very old kit, I would be more than happy achieving the same result
I like the mirror trick to check the alignment, I'll try that my next A/C model👍 Very nice job also.
Keep it!!! Love watching your patience, problem solving and your awesome skill set!
Here's what you should do with the model, Greg. You should take it into your arms and tell it that outside it may be hideous, but it is beautiful inside and it is loved.
I think you should put it on a desk somewhere. Nice to see so much effort on a "lesser" kit.
Please keep it. It is so evocative of early’70’s Airfix. It looks good from here as well.
Hi Greg, The model looks really good. If it was mine I would proudly display it. The old Airfix kits were hard to build as the die technology was all hand made from scaled down wooden patterns and early parts layout. Modern kit dies are made on 3 and 4 axis CNC machines from details all fed into the computer and that is why they assemble so well. Most modelers will realise this, don`t worry about the rivet counters, they never build anything