SPA Modeler

Now that all the excitement and activity from the display are all over; and the collection is packed away again, I was finally able to get a good amount of progress done on some models I've wanted to build for awhile. These are the results. Three new aircraft have been completed. All of them are British, starting with this 1/72 scale Bobcat British Harrier training jet:







That was given to me by a friend as a gift. Next are two British Biplanes, starting with the Cooperativa 1/72 scale British Fairey Swordfish:







Followed by the Matchbox 1/72 scale British Fairey Seafox floatplane, used on the HMS Arethusa cruiser as a scout plane:







Both the Swordfish and Seafox were rigged with stretched sprue.


And that's all I have so far. Thank you for looking in at three of the eight models I finished this month, comments are always welcome.

Great trio of British aircraft Mark! I really like the look of the Seafox, a type that I had never heard of before. And it’s a Matchbox kit! Bravo!

Bravo Mark - nice to see a trio of Brits

I do like the Harrier. It's a subject I love but after 5 failed attempts it's an aircraft I've never managed to build successfully.

Stuart wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 8:54 am
I do like the Harrier. It's a subject I love but after 5 failed attempts it's an aircraft I've never managed to build successfully.

What?! That quite an iconic aircraft for the RAF/FAA. Its place in the Falklands War is akin to that of the Spitfire and Hurricane in the Battle of Britain. How have all your attempts failed? There are so many kits available of the type. Although some are better than others…

Nice work, Mark!

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 10:14 am

Stuart wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 8:54 am
I do like the Harrier. It's a subject I love but after 5 failed attempts it's an aircraft I've never managed to build successfully.

What?! That quite an iconic aircraft for the RAF/FAA. Its place in the Falklands War is akin to that of the Spitfire and Hurricane in the Battle of Britain. How have all your attempts failed? There are so many kits available of the type. Although some are better than others…

Yeah I love the Harrier - especially the first generation - a fantastic aircraft that always seems to be jinxed whenever I build one - paint issues, issues with the clear parts, not all five wheels touching the ground, crap kits you name it. One day I'll give it another go. The SHAR is a funny one though, I'm not sure there is a decent kit of that version in any scale.

Yes I have the 1/48 Tamiya SHAR sidelined… absolutely the worst aircraft kit of theirs that I’ve ever built. Poor fit, soft detail, etc. it’s truly needs more help than is available. I have the 1/48 Airfix FA.2 in my stash, and it’s half a step above the Tamiya kit in mold quality. Now if one could take Sea Harrier specific parts off either kit and graft them onto the OOP Monogram AV-8A/GR.1 kit, a decent looking kit could be the result. I have heard that the Kinetic Harriers are a bear to build, but have never seen one in person myself.

I did build the old 1/72 Hasegawa and Matchbox Harriers way back when, as well as the 1/32 Revell AV-8A . All were products of their era that were good enough for me and my tastes at that time…

That all sounds about right - it's a bit like the Tornado really, lots of kits with various issues but not a definitive kit. The other problem with the Kinetic kits is the expense. £50 for a 1/48 is a LOT of money for such a poor aircraft. I wouldn't mind if it was a dream of a kit but like you I've heard stories.

Nice trio of birds.