Two beautiful old kits Harry, that bring back a lot of childhood memories. Kits like these are showing their age, but are still worth the effort to build, and would make a great addition to any model collection. When I was a youngster in the mid 60’s I remember spending hours just looking at kits like these on the shelves in the model shops that were around then, and wondering how many lawns I would have to mow to be able to buy one (turned out it was in double digit figures). However, my parents came to the rescue more times than not, and I was able to buy my kits at last. I kept building models into my mid teens, until I found girls were a bit more interesting, and have only been building them again for a couple of years now. I am now in my seventies and had to relearn the skills that I abandoned all those years ago. I love these reviews on the old kits, as they send me back into my youthful memories. I would love to see them built when your schedule allows. Cheers for now mate!
Thanks Gary… the old Airfix kits take me back to happier moments in my childhood… I was too sick to play sport and did not like crowds or noise. These days they would have diagnosed me on the autistic spectrum, but back then I was just a problem child. However spending hours alone in my bedroom building models and reading books was my great escape from what was a frightening and confusing world of people. I still enjoy being a hermit, but have found so much kindness and many kindred spirits by reaching out through RUclips.
I had all of these as a kid, and they were a lot of fun. If I had room, I'd get them again. The one I really wanted, but it was far too expensive at the time, (1979) was the Matchbox Flower Class Corvette. I had watched the movie 'The Cruel Sea', where the ship is given the fictional name 'The Compass Rose'. The movie stuck in my mind for a very long time. Never got the kit myself, but I did have a friend at school who had one, and it did not disappoint, I can tell you. Now reissued by Revell, I believe; I now don't have the room for one.😆😆😆
I really love the old kits from my youth, I have so many old kits half the time I don't know which to build first. Love your videos so much to learn from.
Oh no! And I thought cats were the modellers nightmare… I had all my boats and ships in a glass display cabinet on the wall in my bedroom when I was young. No dusting needed.
You have a Vosper Harry! So do I, it's a great little kit. Airfix ought to do a re-release of it, the E-boat and the Rescue Launch too. A wee story for you, Harry, a moment in time, if you will allow me, from long ago. My neighbour and great friend, who sadly passed away some years back, was a Leftenant on an M.T.B during the war. He told me that on D-Day, his boat was assigned to keep the landing craft safe before they did their runs on the beaches. He stood, just like that little figure in your kit there, on the bow of the Vosper looking through his binoculars as the landing craft did their runs. He said, he was glad that day he decided to join the Navy rather than the Army after what he saw through the binoculars. My M.T.B has its figure standing on the bow, just as my friend did all those years ago. I only have to look at it to remember his story, and now I pass that memory onto you. I miss him. 😔
Just picked up a rescue launch the other week. As a kid, one of these was still in service at RAF Gibraltar, the mid-70s. It sat next to the primary school ready to launch... which we saw happen often.
Hello downunder from the cold Norway, a bit historic on the Vosper there was 2 Norwegian Vospers based in Dover doing patrolls e.t.c in the English channal in the early stages of the war, that was no. 5 and no.6 no. 5 exploded while alongside at Ferry dock in July 41(probably caused by gasolinefumes in the engineroom) no 6 had a hard hit with a wave in full speed and broke several frames in the bow and abandoned at Beacy head later found by germans and towed to france. Unfortunatly i did not get hold of the Vosper kit when i was hard into modeling but i did buy the E-Boat and it was a real pleasure to build at that time some 50 years ago.
Ahh, the joy of old Airfix models with the tree sprues. I'm currently building the Airfix 1/12th Bentley and 1/130th Cutty Sark. Both have numerous parts that fell off the sprues, and skinny bits that have snapped. Both were sent to my father in New Zealand by my grandmother, sometime in 1974 or 1974, along with the 1/24th BF109 which is still in my wardrobe waiting to be started. There is massive amounts of flash, sink holes and ejector marks, quite often on spots that you can see, so plenty of filling to be done. I'm hoping to finish the Cutty Sark in the next few weeks. The hull and deck are all assembled and almost completely painted. Just a few details and touch-ups to do, then I can fit all the deck components and masts which are already painted and ready to go. I've also got a wardrobe full of other old Airfix and Revell kits, plus a couple of vintage cars, all of which have been in my fathers wardrobe for up to 50 years. He's never going to get around to making them, so it's up to me to get them built.
The Focke Wulf is the worst of the old 1/24 kits. It’s was tooled in the 80’s and during that bad period when a US consortium bought the company. So chalk and cheese to the golden years of Airfix in the 60’s & 70’s. The non-framed tree sprues were phased out in the 70’s. These two MTB kits are framed. As for the Cutty Sark it’s probably one of the least accurate of the large ship kits Airfix put out in the 60’s. However it was very popular and was reboxed into the 21st century with very worn out flashy moulds.
Very enjoyable and I got both for my birthday this year, so I going to do them next once I finish the 1/24 Harrier I am working on. Thanks for all the tips on the build. 😀
Hi Harry I'm currently building the Airfix schnell boat (having built the Revell one) and its a dream to put together. Detail not perfect, but its a great canvas on which to scratchbuild. Thanks for putting me onto these old gem kits
Great memories of this Vosper MTB kit, built two altogether, about 10 years apart. Would have loved to get the RAF one, but very hard to get in those days.
They do pop up now and then.. set up a search on Ebay to email you when one appears in your price range. That’s how I got mine from a deceased estate auction for just a few shekels.
Thanks, Harry. I built the Vosper MTB in my youth. Not sure just when, but from memory neither the E-Boot nor the Rescue boat were out at the time, and the Vopser was really something different from Airfix. I recall it being a good kit, (funny how you can recall such things, 50-odd years ago!).
I think it was a great kit in its day, and still holds up even half a century later. Or maybe I am just biased due to nostalgia. But I would rather build an old Airfix Classic kit, than a modern perfectly boring click together CAD. There’s just more fun with Airfix.
I built both of these years ago. I wasn't impressed with the RAF kit, but I loved the Vosper MTB so much I built it twice! I troll ebay regularly to see if one pops up that I can afford 🙂
They do come up now and then, but sadly getting more thin on the ground every year. Would be great is Airfix could clean up the old moulds and release it again as a Classic Kit
Oh mate, some happy memories of the RAF rescue boat. I assisted my brother building that. You really have some cracking kits there H. Are they stash bound, or is there a timescale for the construction? Great, honest review.
Love these old airfix kits. Don't remember them growing up in the 70's but having seen them on your channel and others too, I've got to say, they look pretty amazing to me! Don't understand why people slag them off! I'd love to have either of these but prices of vintage kits here in the UK are getting silly! Have you built either of them yet Harry? Fantastic review as always mate. 👌 Take it easy Bobby 👊
Hi Bobby, yes there is quite a charm to these delightful old vintage kits. Sadly most are hoarded by collectors now but I will build mine. Just need to clear my workbench of over 20 projects which need finishing first.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Yep I know that feeling mate! Mostly find myself living in the past nowadays as it seems much more fun somehow! Thanks for replying, take it easy. 👍
Bonjour Harry lol full hull ,you can put it in the bath, you better believe it! Was always amazed how many of dads washes it took to make hulls float upright , not these bad boys, float straight out of the box 😉😉😉 great review mate
Just built all 3 - currently doing the Severn class lifeboat. RAF launch was a delight to build - it practically fell together. S-Boat had a couple of challenges - bought used the PO had wedged the hull sides into the box and they'd twisted. The MTB was a nightmare - plastic was awful, more polyurethane than polystyrene. Had to use CA to join the hull sections as Contacta wouldn't hold, deck, sides and hull bottom were warped and some of the detail moulded into the deck was more blob than detail. The mast was a short-shot and had to be fabricated from rod
Those three are on my must have list.... Grew up with Airfix and Matchbox in the 70's and 80's and their (Matchbox) 1/72 Flower Class Corvette is a favourite as well to get my dirty mittens on....
I noticed a few years ago that the e-boat had doubled in price, but it is quite a bit larger and more derailed than the other 2. Snapped it up and it's in my stash. Maybe a Channel rendezvous with Revell's U-boat?
Hi Harry, These three kits are great, the rescue boat is really tempting with these cool turrets, as well as the E-boat, well, the Vosper too... Harry, sorry to say but you are the devil, every-time I come here, I feel like I need to add more kits to my pile 😊 Thank you and good continuation👋🏻
Ooh luvly-jubly! Built the Rescue Launch a few years ago and it went together very well, despite me duffing up the big checkerboard decal on the deck. Fortunately, I had a second ķit and robbed it of its decals. (I'll build it as the other option someday.)
My point is, as I have shown in so many videos, the moulds after 50 years can be worn out, they are not suited for the modern Indian type plastic, and can often be warped. Hopefully Airfix has attended to these issues and the kit will be buildable. However from my experience the new releases can be problematic, riddled with flash, and short shot. I hope yours is ok.
I know what you mean 😄✌️💜👍 I loved the RAF RL (made it as a kid), I love all fast attack boats (MTBs, MGBs). My dad and I built the old Lindberg model kit in 1:32 scale, made it RC, circa 1979. I've still a large scale Vosper to do for RC but time and health are overtaking me now. I've a Pibber and a Russian MGB to do as well😯😯😳😄😄✌️💜👍 What's niggling me is that I think I part built an E-Boat and it could be in a loft somewhere. Life always gets in the way of important stuff like model making. I wish I knew then what I knew now!😯🤔🙄🙄😉
Ach, nostalgia attack! And to think I had the Vosper kit in my school days, built it and later blew it up with a firecracker. 🤦🏻♂️ I must atone for that sin by finding and building the kit again. As for the RAF launch, the Airfix kit and MPC reissue are in the stash. You’re right, they are lovely models, especially that yellow deck one, which I guess is why I got two - for early and late versions.
I have the Vosper in my display cabinet, getting the hull sides to meet up with the decking was bit of a game but in the end worth it, one thing you did not mention is that the painting instructions have been reversed, where it asks for dark grey it should be light grey and vice versa
I had not noticed the colour issue. Would have gone off photos for my colour scheme anyway, those mono chrome Airfix paint guides are usually pretty useless.
An empty tin with sand in the lower 25%. Add some petrol and set it alight and you have a lovely flame less heater for boiling water, what the Desert Rats called a brew-up.
Hi Harry I got these two kits last Christmas from my daughter's along with the 1st issue Airfix Triceratops. I train them well. 😀 I am about to start the Vosper and I think she look a lot better with the guns you used on the Sunderland, could you give me details on how to get them. Thanks, keep up the good work. 👍
I have a Vosper MTB on display in my living room. It's about fifty years old and my dad built it. Had a few mishaps over the years so I've had to do a few repairs and replacements. Problem is that I've only got one of the figures left and dont have the plans so making new ones is guesswork only.
I built both these kits 50 years ago. The discrepancy between the dimensions of the three boats isn't down to Airfix fiddling around with the scale. E boats were 114' long and MTB's only 73'. BTW, there's several MTB's around the world but just the one E boat, it's being restored in Cornwall, England.
@@HarryHoudiniModels No I know you didn't. I thought they might have done. I've always wondered about the choice of scales. How come all boats are 1/600 and all figures are 1/12 etc etc but they are right.
MicroMark sells a building stand for ships. It's like a foam pool noodle with a slice cut out for holding the model, whether it's a battleship or an aircraft fuselage. Once you've built the running gear and painted the lower hull or fuselage, it holds the assembly giving you something to hold onto while protecting the finish. Build then paint, repeat if necessary.
In 1976 I was 17, and into wine women and motorbikes, no time for kits. Yet I had the Airfix Vosper mtb years earlier. So, I did a simple Google search, just like anyone can do, or could have done. Turns out the Airfix Vosper mtb was a new tooling in *1972*
Yes that was the original tooling, but my kit was reboxed and moulded in 1976. Airfix went through many ownership changes from the 70’s until 2000. The plastic and quality can vary, and is downright awful in the mid 80’s. Some Pigs are more equal than others. www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-05280-9-royal-navy-vosper-mtb--181856
I've made the Vosper MTB kit, looks a treat when built and the figures bring it to life nicely, the 3 together would make for a excellent display, E Boat is massive by the looks of it but fair dinkum mate 'constant scale' ya know box is bound to be bigger unless you're a wingeing Ozy mate? 🤣
I will let that quip slide as I am sure you meant “wingeing Pom”. The comment about size was a gag and a hook at the start of the video to keep uninformed viewers watching. You obviously fell for that: hook line and sinker :)
@@HarryHoudiniModels - it was the tape measure that fooled me Harry, Tommy Cooper always used props to good effect although it was a bonus knowing he was a comedian before hand, anyway thanks for the de-brief on your video intro, makes sense now. Don't see those kits about much and certainly rarely together, i now realise how big those E Boats were so appreciated the x3 review.
The RAF rescue launch was mainly used I the Mediterranean based out of Gibraltar or Valetta Harbour. The MTB or MGBs were used in the English Channel or North Sea
I lived up the road from Haldane Place, Earlsfield SW18 in the late 60s and could see the factory from the train. They moved out many years ago - early 70s? I think that coincided with them going bust.
Airfix went bust in 1981 but were immediately bought by General Mills. That stared the dark years, with very bad kits reissued from other manufacturers as Airfix and moulded at an old Heller factory. Luckily Humbrol stepped in during 1986 and they slowly got things back on track by the turn of the century.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Great video and thanks for sharing your finds with the world. During the General Mills era, Airfix kits were moulded at General Mills' Meccano France factory in Calais. When Humbrol purchased Airfix, production moved to the Heller factory in Trun. Airfix struggled with new tool investment under Humbrol until Hornby acquired the brand so relied on quite a bit of reboxing including from sister brand Heller, Zvezda's Robogear range and cars from Aoshima.
Hi Harry, do you know of and/ or have an opinion on Outlaw Paints? They are am Australian model paint company who are setting up a dear to supply us Poms
I have heard of them and if they are anything like SMS, made down in Melbourne, they should be pretty good. It’s all lacquer based and pre thinned, so not my cup of tea with my respiratory issues. But if the quality of Pigment is similar to SMS they should be good. www.outlawpaints.com/how-to-videos
Wikipedia must be wrong then: Battle of Britain July 1940 - Oct 1940 RAF Rescue Launch supplied mid 1940 to RAF en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Two_63_ft_HSL and a prior version was delivered in 1937 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_launch
Two beautiful old kits Harry, that bring back a lot of childhood memories. Kits like these are showing their age, but are still worth the effort to build, and would make a great addition to any model collection. When I was a youngster in the mid 60’s I remember spending hours just looking at kits like these on the shelves in the model shops that were around then, and wondering how many lawns I would have to mow to be able to buy one (turned out it was in double digit figures). However, my parents came to the rescue more times than not, and I was able to buy my kits at last. I kept building models into my mid teens, until I found girls were a bit more interesting, and have only been building them again for a couple of years now. I am now in my seventies and had to relearn the skills that I abandoned all those years ago. I love these reviews on the old kits, as they send me back into my youthful memories. I would love to see them built when your schedule allows. Cheers for now mate!
Thanks Gary… the old Airfix kits take me back to happier moments in my childhood… I was too sick to play sport and did not like crowds or noise. These days they would have diagnosed me on the autistic spectrum, but back then I was just a problem child.
However spending hours alone in my bedroom building models and reading books was my great escape from what was a frightening and confusing world of people. I still enjoy being a hermit, but have found so much kindness and many kindred spirits by reaching out through RUclips.
I had all of these as a kid, and they were a lot of fun. If I had room, I'd get them again.
The one I really wanted, but it was far too expensive at the time, (1979) was the Matchbox Flower Class Corvette. I had watched the movie 'The Cruel Sea', where the ship is given the fictional name 'The Compass Rose'. The movie stuck in my mind for a very long time.
Never got the kit myself, but I did have a friend at school who had one, and it did not disappoint, I can tell you. Now reissued by Revell, I believe; I now don't have the room for one.😆😆😆
Yes Brian that Flower Class Corvette comes up well, despite the now worn out moulds uses by Revell
I really love the old kits from my youth, I have so many old kits half the time I don't know which to build first. Love your videos so much to learn from.
Thanks John
I made the E-boat and the MTB when they first came out, as a kid. They were simple but effective. Sadly, they didn't survive Mum's dusting ...
Oh no! And I thought cats were the modellers nightmare… I had all my boats and ships in a glass display cabinet on the wall in my bedroom when I was young. No dusting needed.
You have a Vosper Harry! So do I, it's a great little kit. Airfix ought to do a re-release of it, the E-boat and the Rescue Launch too.
A wee story for you, Harry, a moment in time, if you will allow me, from long ago. My neighbour and great friend, who sadly passed away some years back, was a Leftenant on an M.T.B during the war. He told me that on D-Day, his boat was assigned to keep the landing craft safe before they did their runs on the beaches. He stood, just like that little figure in your kit there, on the bow of the Vosper looking through his binoculars as the landing craft did their runs. He said, he was glad that day he decided to join the Navy rather than the Army after what he saw through the binoculars.
My M.T.B has its figure standing on the bow, just as my friend did all those years ago. I only have to look at it to remember his story, and now I pass that memory onto you. I miss him. 😔
Lovely story matey… thanks for sharing
Just picked up a rescue launch the other week. As a kid, one of these was still in service at RAF Gibraltar, the mid-70s. It sat next to the primary school ready to launch... which we saw happen often.
Great story and connection to the subject.
Hello downunder from the cold Norway, a bit historic on the Vosper there was 2 Norwegian Vospers based in Dover doing patrolls e.t.c in the English channal in the early stages of the war, that was no. 5 and no.6
no. 5 exploded while alongside at Ferry dock in July 41(probably caused by gasolinefumes in the engineroom) no 6 had a hard hit with a wave in full speed and broke several frames in the bow and abandoned at Beacy head later found by germans and towed to france.
Unfortunatly i did not get hold of the Vosper kit when i was hard into modeling but i did buy the E-Boat and it was a real pleasure to build at that time some 50 years ago.
Thanks for the history Helge.. we often forget there were British ships and boats outside the UK used by the allies.
Brilliant Harry, I love your comments informative & as a Pommy please keep the humour going 😂
The humour just falls out of my mouth… I have no control over it
Made both back in day. In fact i still have the crew man holding the life preserver in my spares box. Great kits.
Yes they are little gems matey… glad you got to build them
Ahh, the joy of old Airfix models with the tree sprues. I'm currently building the Airfix 1/12th Bentley and 1/130th Cutty Sark. Both have numerous parts that fell off the sprues, and skinny bits that have snapped. Both were sent to my father in New Zealand by my grandmother, sometime in 1974 or 1974, along with the 1/24th BF109 which is still in my wardrobe waiting to be started. There is massive amounts of flash, sink holes and ejector marks, quite often on spots that you can see, so plenty of filling to be done. I'm hoping to finish the Cutty Sark in the next few weeks. The hull and deck are all assembled and almost completely painted. Just a few details and touch-ups to do, then I can fit all the deck components and masts which are already painted and ready to go. I've also got a wardrobe full of other old Airfix and Revell kits, plus a couple of vintage cars, all of which have been in my fathers wardrobe for up to 50 years. He's never going to get around to making them, so it's up to me to get them built.
The Focke Wulf is the worst of the old 1/24 kits. It’s was tooled in the 80’s and during that bad period when a US consortium bought the company. So chalk and cheese to the golden years of Airfix in the 60’s & 70’s. The non-framed tree sprues were phased out in the 70’s. These two MTB kits are framed. As for the Cutty Sark it’s probably one of the least accurate of the large ship kits Airfix put out in the 60’s. However it was very popular and was reboxed into the 21st century with very worn out flashy moulds.
I got the Rescue launch at a model show here in England box was never opened and to my surprise I found I had two boats ! Lovely models
Very lucky indeed Andrew.
Very enjoyable and I got both for my birthday this year, so I going to do them next once I finish the 1/24 Harrier I am working on. Thanks for all the tips on the build. 😀
Happy to share my tips Roger… enjoy your builds.
They look lovely.
I'd forgotten about these.
The German boat looks spanking.
Thanks for showing 😘
Happy yo share Basil.. I have another full review on the E-boat
Hi Harry I'm currently building the Airfix schnell boat (having built the Revell one) and its a dream to put together. Detail not perfect, but its a great canvas on which to scratchbuild. Thanks for putting me onto these old gem kits
My pleasure Matt… glad you like the kits as much as I do.
Thanks Harry, I never built one as a kid but will seek them out now. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Cos
Great memories of this Vosper MTB kit, built two altogether, about 10 years apart. Would have loved to get the RAF one, but very hard to get in those days.
They do pop up now and then.. set up a search on Ebay to email you when one appears in your price range. That’s how I got mine from a deceased estate auction for just a few shekels.
Always enjoy and are surprised by old kits. Have been Eyeing Airfix 1/144 Srn4 cross channel hovercraft.
One of those Airfix hovercraft kits came up in an online action, but I wasn’t quick enough to grab it.
Thanks, Harry. I built the Vosper MTB in my youth. Not sure just when, but from memory neither the E-Boot nor the Rescue boat were out at the time, and the Vopser was really something different from Airfix. I recall it being a good kit, (funny how you can recall such things, 50-odd years ago!).
I think it was a great kit in its day, and still holds up even half a century later. Or maybe I am just biased due to nostalgia. But I would rather build an old Airfix Classic kit, than a modern perfectly boring click together CAD. There’s just more fun with Airfix.
I built both of these years ago. I wasn't impressed with the RAF kit, but I loved the Vosper MTB so much I built it twice! I troll ebay regularly to see if one pops up that I can afford 🙂
They do come up now and then, but sadly getting more thin on the ground every year. Would be great is Airfix could clean up the old moulds and release it again as a Classic Kit
@@HarryHoudiniModels most definitely 🙂
Oh mate, some happy memories of the RAF rescue boat. I assisted my brother building that. You really have some cracking kits there H. Are they stash bound, or is there a timescale for the construction? Great, honest review.
Yes everything gets done tomorrow.
I had the Vosper MTB with a dock scene with a German 88. Think it was a Mark and Spencer gift set. Happy days
Thanks for sharing Matthew
Love these old airfix kits. Don't remember them growing up in the 70's but having seen them on your channel and others too, I've got to say, they look pretty amazing to me! Don't understand why people slag them off! I'd love to have either of these but prices of vintage kits here in the UK are getting silly! Have you built either of them yet Harry?
Fantastic review as always mate. 👌 Take it easy
Bobby 👊
Hi Bobby, yes there is quite a charm to these delightful old vintage kits. Sadly most are hoarded by collectors now but I will build mine. Just need to clear my workbench of over 20 projects which need finishing first.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Yep I know that feeling mate! Mostly find myself living in the past nowadays as it seems much more fun somehow! Thanks for replying, take it easy. 👍
Nice classic kits there Harry 👍👋🐈⬛😀
Yes I think so Angus… hold up well after half a century
Bonjour Harry lol full hull ,you can put it in the bath, you better believe it! Was always amazed how many of dads washes it took to make hulls float upright , not these bad boys, float straight out of the box 😉😉😉 great review mate
Merci buckets Frency… more to come
Just built all 3 - currently doing the Severn class lifeboat.
RAF launch was a delight to build - it practically fell together.
S-Boat had a couple of challenges - bought used the PO had wedged the hull sides into the box and they'd twisted.
The MTB was a nightmare - plastic was awful, more polyurethane than polystyrene. Had to use CA to join the hull sections as Contacta wouldn't hold, deck, sides and hull bottom were warped and some of the detail moulded into the deck was more blob than detail. The mast was a short-shot and had to be fabricated from rod
Sounds like you got a later re-issue of the Vosper, maybe moulded in the old Heller factory in the early 80’s. They were awful kits.
Those three are on my must have list....
Grew up with Airfix and Matchbox in the 70's and 80's and their (Matchbox) 1/72 Flower Class Corvette is a favourite as well to get my dirty mittens on....
Best clean you hand before modelling.. otherwise it can ruin your paint job
Nice review Harry. Nice kits for their age.
They are classic little kits, I love them.
I noticed a few years ago that the e-boat had doubled in price, but it is quite a bit larger and more derailed than the other 2. Snapped it up and it's in my stash. Maybe a Channel rendezvous with Revell's U-boat?
Love Andrew the crewman made me laugh this morning keep it up Harry
He did require special mention Jez. hehe
Hello Harry, love your videos, been making Airfix videos since 1972. All the best from Brighton UK mate.,l
Good on you Tinto
@@HarryHoudiniModels cheers mate, all the best!
Hi Harry. Airfix are now located in Margate, Kent. Would love to see all three re-issued. The Vosper is my Favourite, but it was hard to pick.
They are all gems Nick.. ah so that’s where Airfix got to, thanks.
Hi Harry, These three kits are great, the rescue boat is really tempting with these cool turrets, as well as the E-boat, well, the Vosper too... Harry, sorry to say but you are the devil, every-time I come here, I feel like I need to add more kits to my pile 😊 Thank you and good continuation👋🏻
Someone has to make sure these kits go to modellers not just collectors :)
@@HarryHoudiniModels Sometimes, I wonder what I really am, builder or collector, existential questions...
Airfix England have their Factory In the South of England now mate in Margate I think it is . Great show as usual skip 👏
I assume you mean “Skipper” LOL
@@HarryHoudiniModels don't know how you do it mate them old airfix kits are a nightmare.
These two are on my bucket list
Jim don’t put them in a bucket! Build them on your bench.
Ooh luvly-jubly! Built the Rescue Launch a few years ago and it went together very well, despite me duffing up the big checkerboard decal on the deck. Fortunately, I had a second ķit and robbed it of its decals. (I'll build it as the other option someday.)
You lucky bugga… two Launches Randal. Bath time must be a blast.
I've made all three. All went together well
Good to hear Mick
Rereleased now :) Just ordered the Vosper
Hope it is as nice as my old kit was.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Same moulds, SO be exactly the same. I had a 'go' at it when I was a kid, why back then, you know that time :)
My point is, as I have shown in so many videos, the moulds after 50 years can be worn out, they are not suited for the modern Indian type plastic, and can often be warped. Hopefully Airfix has attended to these issues and the kit will be buildable. However from my experience the new releases can be problematic, riddled with flash, and short shot. I hope yours is ok.
@@HarryHoudiniModels well have as go :)
I know what you mean 😄✌️💜👍
I loved the RAF RL (made it as a kid), I love all fast attack boats (MTBs, MGBs).
My dad and I built the old Lindberg model kit in 1:32 scale, made it RC, circa 1979. I've still a large scale Vosper to do for RC but time and health are overtaking me now. I've a Pibber and a Russian MGB to do as well😯😯😳😄😄✌️💜👍
What's niggling me is that I think I part built an E-Boat and it could be in a loft somewhere. Life always gets in the way of important stuff like model making. I wish I knew then what I knew now!😯🤔🙄🙄😉
Sounds like you have a little flotilla of motorboats being built Muso
Check out the Revell nee Monogram Swift Vietnam-era patrol boat.
Ach, nostalgia attack! And to think I had the Vosper kit in my school days, built it and later blew it up with a firecracker. 🤦🏻♂️ I must atone for that sin by finding and building the kit again. As for the RAF launch, the Airfix kit and MPC reissue are in the stash. You’re right, they are lovely models, especially that yellow deck one, which I guess is why I got two - for early and late versions.
Good luck in your search Ronald
@@HarryHoudiniModels thanks Harry. I do enjoy the hunt.
I have the Vosper in my display cabinet, getting the hull sides to meet up with the decking was bit of a game but in the end worth it, one thing you did not mention is that the painting instructions have been reversed, where it asks for dark grey it should be light grey and vice versa
I had not noticed the colour issue. Would have gone off photos for my colour scheme anyway, those mono chrome Airfix paint guides are usually pretty useless.
Your probably spot on with the tea making remark 😆 British tanks used to have tea making facilities.
I always wondered about that. Thanks metry
An empty tin with sand in the lower 25%. Add some petrol and set it alight and you have a lovely flame less heater for boiling water, what the Desert Rats called a brew-up.
And they still do,and the Americans were so impressed,they are starting to put them in their Armoured vehicles
Hi Harry I got these two kits last Christmas from my daughter's along with the 1st issue Airfix Triceratops. I train them well. 😀 I am about to start the Vosper and I think she look a lot better with the guns you used on the Sunderland, could you give me details on how to get them. Thanks, keep up the good work. 👍
Good on you Roger
Airfix are now in the seaside town of Margate, Kent along with Hornby, Corgi and Scaletric.
Must be a fun town with all those manufacturers in it John?
I have a Vosper MTB on display in my living room. It's about fifty years old and my dad built it. Had a few mishaps over the years so I've had to do a few repairs and replacements. Problem is that I've only got one of the figures left and dont have the plans so making new ones is guesswork only.
Scalemates have a copy of the original instructions you can download.
www.scalemates.com/products/img/6/8/9/137689-75-instructions.pdf
I built both these kits 50 years ago.
The discrepancy between the dimensions of the three boats isn't down to Airfix fiddling around with the scale. E boats were 114' long and MTB's only 73'. BTW, there's several MTB's around the world but just the one E boat, it's being restored in Cornwall, England.
Yes I am well aware of that, and made no comment about Airfix fiddling the scale.
@@HarryHoudiniModels No I know you didn't. I thought they might have done. I've always wondered about the choice of scales. How come all boats are 1/600 and all figures are 1/12 etc etc but they are right.
MicroMark sells a building stand for ships. It's like a foam pool noodle with a slice cut out for holding the model, whether it's a battleship or an aircraft fuselage. Once you've built the running gear and painted the lower hull or fuselage, it holds the assembly giving you something to hold onto while protecting the finish.
Build then paint, repeat if necessary.
Luckily we can put our ships on stands, as I do with every build. But this noodle might be useful for some.
I have at long last found German crew for my 1/72 revell S boat. Like rocking horse dung here in the UK.
Really? I was sent a full crew from my friend David.. I think they were Revell.
@@HarryHoudiniModels they fetch over £18 per set normally if you can find them.
In 1976 I was 17, and into wine women and motorbikes, no time for kits. Yet I had the Airfix Vosper mtb years earlier. So, I did a simple Google search, just like anyone can do, or could have done. Turns out the Airfix Vosper mtb was a new tooling in *1972*
Yes that was the original tooling, but my kit was reboxed and moulded in 1976. Airfix went through many ownership changes from the 70’s until 2000. The plastic and quality can vary, and is downright awful in the mid 80’s. Some Pigs are more equal than others.
www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-05280-9-royal-navy-vosper-mtb--181856
I've made the Vosper MTB kit, looks a treat when built and the figures bring it to life nicely, the 3 together would make for a excellent display, E Boat is massive by the looks of it but fair dinkum mate 'constant scale' ya know box is bound to be bigger unless you're a wingeing Ozy mate? 🤣
I will let that quip slide as I am sure you meant “wingeing Pom”. The comment about size was a gag and a hook at the start of the video to keep uninformed viewers watching. You obviously fell for that: hook line and sinker :)
@@HarryHoudiniModels - it was the tape measure that fooled me Harry, Tommy Cooper always used props to good effect although it was a bonus knowing he was a comedian before hand, anyway thanks for the de-brief on your video intro, makes sense now. Don't see those kits about much and certainly rarely together, i now realise how big those E Boats were so appreciated the x3 review.
With all the new E-Boat models that are out now I wish Airfix would re introduce both of them as well as a MGB. In 1/72
As long as they refurbish the moulds Blaine… no point having a flash monster like many of the Red Box kits Airfix released from old moulds
Those look like very nice kits . Don't appear to be too fiddly.
They are very easy to build, but you can refine the parts if you want to make it harder Thomas
fark that's a nice find Harry
Took me a while to find some that did not require selling a kidney.
@@HarryHoudiniModels lol I bet
Hi Harry there releasing these kits by airfix in 2025 hope you have fun 😀
Yes Airfix will release them as Classic kits… that’s a good thing.
The RAF rescue launch was mainly used I the Mediterranean based out of Gibraltar or Valetta Harbour. The MTB or MGBs were used in the English Channel or North Sea
Mtb's and Mgb's where also used alot in the Med.
Where did you get this information Mick? All the references I say they used them from Dunkirk onwards in the English channel.
I read somewhere that the turret from a Hudson could be used on the rescue launch.
I lived up the road from Haldane Place, Earlsfield SW18 in the late 60s and could see the factory from the train. They moved out many years ago - early 70s? I think that coincided with them going bust.
Airfix went bust in 1981 but were immediately bought by General Mills. That stared the dark years, with very bad kits reissued from other manufacturers as Airfix and moulded at an old Heller factory. Luckily Humbrol stepped in during 1986 and they slowly got things back on track by the turn of the century.
@@HarryHoudiniModels Great video and thanks for sharing your finds with the world. During the General Mills era, Airfix kits were moulded at General Mills' Meccano France factory in Calais. When Humbrol purchased Airfix, production moved to the Heller factory in Trun. Airfix struggled with new tool investment under Humbrol until Hornby acquired the brand so relied on quite a bit of reboxing including from sister brand Heller, Zvezda's Robogear range and cars from Aoshima.
built them all the rescue was fave after vosper after e boat
Yes, I think the Launch is so unusual it’s my pick as well.
As popular as they are (the Boat Models) one would think they would be on Airfix`s Classic reissue list.
I suppose they listen to those whom shout the loudest… maybe the boat modellers are not vocal enough?
@@HarryHoudiniModels We must form a committee.
Старые сокровища!😮
Thanks
Think I have two Visper’s still in the box
I assume that’s autocorrect for “Vospers”? Lucky you, sell one to @Shane Readon
The life preservers I think you will find were flack matting remember these boats were plywood.
Very interesting… thanks for the info Keith
Pretty sure there's a rescue boat under going restoration at R.a.f Hendon
Yes it seems so James
ruclips.net/video/2ZFedQlk6BA/видео.html
Was there before Christmas it's was in rough state all sanded back and I couldn't get on the Sunderland as it was closed off 😭
Hi Harry, do you know of and/ or have an opinion on Outlaw Paints? They are am Australian model paint company who are setting up a dear to supply us Poms
I have heard of them and if they are anything like SMS, made down in Melbourne, they should be pretty good. It’s all lacquer based and pre thinned, so not my cup of tea with my respiratory issues. But if the quality of Pigment is similar to SMS they should be good.
www.outlawpaints.com/how-to-videos
If only they weren't so expensive nowadays.
If you watch and wait, reasonable priced kits can be found George
❤❤
Yes they are heart worthy
Believe it or not, the RAF had no rescue boats or helicopters during the Battle of Britain, but the Luftwaffe did.
Wikipedia must be wrong then:
Battle of Britain July 1940 - Oct 1940
RAF Rescue Launch supplied mid 1940 to RAF
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_Two_63_ft_HSL
and a prior version was delivered in 1937
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_launch
Now your talking...great kits.😂
Yes they are Dave :)
Now stop working and earning to survive and make them for us lot for bugger all.
Seems fair to me. 🥸