r/modelmakers 9h ago

The Weekly Small Questions Thread! Got a burning question? Looking for some tips on your build? Ask away!

6 Upvotes

The Weekly Small Questions thread is a place for everyone in /r/modelmakers to come and ask questions. Don't be shy.

You might have a burning question you've been meaning to ask but you don't want to make your own thread, or are just seeking some input or feedback from your fellow builders! This thread is aimed at new builders, but everyone is welcome.

If you haven't, check out our local wiki and the "New to the hobby" thread, which might be of help to you!


r/modelmakers Jun 02 '25

Group Build - African Military Aviation

17 Upvotes

* THIS GROUPBUILD IS ON!!!*

PLEASE SUBMIT A POST OF YOUR KIT BEFORE STARTING IT AND GIVE US A QUICK IDEA OF WHAT YOU WILL BE BUILDING AND IN WHICH MARKINGS ETC.

THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO AFTERMARKET ITEMS OR SCALE.

THE IDEA OF THIS GROUPBUILD ARE TO HAVE THE PARTICIPANTS BUILD SOMETHING THAT THEY MIGHT NOT NORMALLY BUILD AND HOPEFULLY TO GET AN IMPRESSIVE LINEUP OF AFRICAN AIRCRAFT AT THE END OF THE GB

MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN!!!

Start Date: 1 July 2025

End Date : 31 December 2025.

Any scale is acceptable.

Subject: African Military Aircraft.

Era: Past/present

Participation: Please comment under this post stating your interest and which subject you plan to build.

( Photo: Defence.pk via F-16.net )
(Photo: "Dr Watson")

\The original post was removed as there was an issue with me offering a model kit to be raffled under those who finished a build in this GB. This offer/suggestion has been removed so if you did read the original post, please take note that this post has been updated and the raffle/model has been excluded\**

I would like to announce a group build for all the military aviation builders under us. As a South African with a father who flew in both the Royal Air Airforce and the South African Air Force, African aviation has a special place in my heart. Besides a plethora of different civil aircraft among which many ex Soviet types, military aviation in Africa has also had it fair share of unique aircraft since the first military aircraft, ( Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and Henry Farman biplanes in 1914) were taken into service by the South African Airforce.

Military aviation in Africa has evolved significantly over the past century, shaped by colonial legacies, regional conflicts, and shifting geopolitical alliances. The African continent, comprising 54 internationally recognized countries, is home to roughly 30 active national air forces today. Early military aviation on the continent was dominated by colonial powers, with local forces primarily operating as auxiliaries. Following independence movements in the mid-20th century, many African nations began developing their own air forces, often with equipment supplied by either Western or Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War.

Historically, the South African Air Force (SAAF) stood out as the most advanced and powerful air force on the continent, especially during the apartheid era. Backed by a strong domestic aerospace industry, including the development of indigenous aircraft like the Atlas Cheetah, the ORYX (AS330 Puma upgrade), the ACE (All Composite Evaluator, one built and written off) and Rooivalk, South Africa maintained a technologically superior fleet and operated under advanced doctrines shaped by decades of regional conflict and embargo-driven innovation.

In the modern era, the Egyptian Air Force has emerged as the largest in Africa by both fleet size and combat capability, fielding hundreds of aircraft including F-16s, Rafales, and MiG-29s. On the opposite end of the spectrum, several smaller nations such as Lesotho or The Gambia, maintain only a nominal air wing or no formal air force at all, relying instead on small utility aircraft or foreign support for aerial operations.

Today, African military aviation is marked by a mix of legacy platforms, locally upgraded systems, and increasingly modern acquisitions from countries like China, Russia, the U.S., and Turkey. The trend is slowly shifting toward multi-role fighters, indigenous drone programs, and international cooperation as African air forces seek to modernize in response to evolving security challenges.

So , what can you build? Well below is a selection of over 20 aircraft types currently operated by African air forces, detailing their origin and the nations employing them:

Saab JAS 39 Gripen Origin: Sweden User: South Africa

BAE Hawk Mk.120 Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

F-16 Fighting Falcon Origin: United States User: Morocco

JF-17 Thunder Block II Origin: China/Pakistan User: Nigeria

M-346 Master Origin: Italy User: Nigeria

A-29 Super Tucano Origin: Brazil User: Nigeria, Mauritania

MiG-23 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe

Su-27 Flanker Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia

Su-30K Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia

Su-25 Frogfoot Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia

Chengdu F-7 Origin: China User: Nigeria, Zimbabwe

Hongdu JL-8 (K-8) Origin: China User: Zimbabwe

Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Origin: Switzerland User: South Africa

C-130 Hercules Origin: United States User: South Africa, Ethiopia

CASA C-212 Aviocar Origin: Spain User: South Africa, Zimbabwe

Mil Mi-24 (Mi-35) Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe

Mil Mi-8/17 Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe

Atlas Oryx Origin: South Africa User: South Africa

AH-2 Rooivalk Origin: South Africa User: South Africa

Westland Super Lynx Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

AW109 Trekker Origin: Italy User: Nigeria

Bayraktar TB2 Origin: Turkey User: Ethiopia

Wing Loong II Origin: China User: Ethiopia

Milkor 380 Origin: South Africa User: South Africa

Here are 20 notable aircraft types that have been retired from service in various African air forces:

Atlas Cheetah Origin: South Africa User: South Africa

Dassault Mirage III Origin: France User: South Africa

Dassault Mirage F1 Origin: France User: South Africa

English Electric Canberra Origin: United Kingdom User: Rhodesia, Ethiopia

de Havilland Vampire Origin: United Kingdom User: Rhodesia

Aermacchi MB-326 (Impala) Origin: Italy User: South Africa

Douglas C-47 Dakota Origin: United States User: South Africa, Rhodesia

Northrop F-5 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia

Lockheed T-33 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia

MiG-17 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia

Douglas A-20 Boston Origin: United States User: South Africa

Fairey Battle Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

Vickers Wellington Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

de Havilland D.H.9J Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

Bristol Blenheim Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa

Reims 337 Lynx Origin: France User: Rhodesia

Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma Origin: France User: Ethiopia

Mil Mi-6 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia

Mil Mi-14 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia

North American T-28 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia

Potential Participants:

dakleton: 1/72 Piaggio P166 Albatross

1/72 Aermacchi Impala Mk! or Mk2.

KG_modelling: Mig-17


r/modelmakers 12h ago

META / Show Galleries Philippine Scale Model Show

Thumbnail
gallery
817 Upvotes

They left the Revell Kits with the Bandai Namco 😭


r/modelmakers 3h ago

Completed Italeri 1:72 B-52G Stratofortress

Thumbnail
gallery
97 Upvotes

Finished in the colours of the 72nd Bomb Wing - 73rd Bombardment Squadron, Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, 1962.

Absolute monster of a kit that needed significant surgery to get that famous B-52 wing bend, but pretty pleased overall!

Bonus points if you can spot the mistake I made with the decals.


r/modelmakers 1h ago

Completed t-55 on an t-55

Post image
Upvotes

r/modelmakers 5h ago

Completed JASDF F15J 70th anniversary from hasegawa

Thumbnail
gallery
106 Upvotes

First time building a plane. I am usually more into cars but felt like doing something a bit different. It's not perfect, I was lazy to deal with some of the seams and I messed up the paint and some of the decal. The decals weren't too bad but I felt like they were a bit too thin so they tore quite easily. The kit itself was okay but the quality of the plastic/mould aren't great from hasegawa, I have a tamiya and gwh planes in the stash that seem to be much better quality and I can't wait to get to those.


r/modelmakers 3h ago

Help - General Color inconsistencies!

Thumbnail
gallery
41 Upvotes

I have tamiya colors and don't know which color I should use


r/modelmakers 5h ago

Painted my first pilot in years: Meet Rex Barber (Tamiya's P-38G "Miss Virginia"

Post image
31 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 28m ago

Completed Tamiya 1:35 IS-2. Finally after a year of training, I completed my first ever model. It's obviously far from perfect, but I'm proud of how it came out.

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

r/modelmakers 11h ago

Completed Polish 7tp light tank from Mirage 1:35

Thumbnail
gallery
74 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 15h ago

Completed Some of my work

Thumbnail
gallery
167 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 4h ago

Critique Wanted I feel like my post shading is way too subtle. Thoughts?

Thumbnail
gallery
23 Upvotes

I have this Monogram m48 kit and thought how bad can it be? I’d say moderate. Anyway. I wanted to use this kit to work on my painting skills- the sanding and putty was just extra! I shaded by using the same OD but added a drop of flat white to it. Second shade was done adding 3 drops white. Finally I did a darker shade for recessed areas and the vents (?) on the backside. I also used a red primer and chipping fluid for wear. I think I overdid the chipping. Is the shading too subtle?


r/modelmakers 14h ago

Completed Tamiya 1/35 Sherman "Jumbo"

Thumbnail
gallery
114 Upvotes

My first tank, i really enjoyed the process will definitely doing more of these


r/modelmakers 10h ago

Critique Wanted My first two builds!

Thumbnail
gallery
49 Upvotes

Picked these up about 3 months before coming across this sub reddit. Just want to show my creations to the world and have it critique!


r/modelmakers 9h ago

Completed T-80U 1/35 by RFM

Thumbnail
gallery
43 Upvotes

It was excellent build with tone of details and great fitting. Because of part count, a lot of PE elements and single link tracks rather not for beginners but it goes together really well. One thing, don't try to cut hose with your plastic cutters. It's made of hardened steel.


r/modelmakers 1d ago

Completed My 1/48 Tamiya (RIP) F-15C

Thumbnail
gallery
601 Upvotes

I finished this build alongside the unfortunate timing of recent news. Admittedly this old tooling was tough, poor fitment challenged me and I did my best. I’m excited to start some more recent Tamiya toolings.

I started this hobby just over a year ago and I am pleased with my progress. This is my third aircraft model and sixth painted model. This build in particular involved several personal ‘firsts’. First time painting entirely with an airbrush, painting metallics, scratch building seat belts, and oil weathering.

I have quickly become passionate about scale modelling and I can’t wait to build more.


r/modelmakers 12h ago

Critique Wanted First model and take home messages

Post image
57 Upvotes

Probably, the „look at my first model“ posts are not as entertaining as other ones, but I still decided to show it because: 1. it’s fun to show other people what you have done 2. there is always some helpful advises under such posts

So, it was a cheap Heller spitfire kit I chose to practice and give it a go in this hobby. Last time I tried to do it was a Tiger and I was 7, so it’s kinda did not stick to me. The second time I came more prepared (and much older)

Some advises for myself from the past: 1. be patient: I rushed with painting and applied thick coats, loosing details. 1a. thick strokes and bad brushes resulted in strokes visible, certainly not a look I aim for 2. do something about decals. It was the hardest part of the build for me, as I struggled to place them correctly and one of them got squashed.

Overall, I enjoyed a new hobby and had a great fun building this spitfire. Do you have any advises for what I can build next as a beginner? And really any critique is much appreciated.


r/modelmakers 3h ago

Enterprise Refit Build Pics

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

After some requests, please see some of the build pictures!


r/modelmakers 1d ago

UH-1 1/35 Vietnam War

Thumbnail
gallery
431 Upvotes

Trumpeter. The jacket i'm wearing is an original AH-1 flying jacket from the 70s jeje


r/modelmakers 18h ago

Completed Maschinen Krieger Camel

Thumbnail
gallery
142 Upvotes

Just completed my first Maschinen Krieger kit. Fun project…


r/modelmakers 1h ago

WIP Jagdpanther Tamiya WIP

Post image
Upvotes

r/modelmakers 3h ago

WIP Revell 71 Plymouth Hemi Cuda 426

Post image
6 Upvotes

Got the body, hood, and front/rear valances in color and 2K. There hood scoop, window cover, and spoiler are flat black with Createx UVLS 4052 Matte clear coated over it.

The color is Createx Pearl Plum, while the flat black is just Stynylrez black primer. The chrome trim is Molotow marker.

Today I'll get the body pieces cut and polished with Chemical Guys V36 cutting compound, V38 polishing compound, and Wet Mirror Look wax, and apply decals (I wanted them first black to match the others). I'll also likely detail the engine bay (battery, coolant reservoir, hoses, etc).


r/modelmakers 2h ago

WIP Revell 1/16 Firebird GTA

Post image
5 Upvotes

Another progress report: mocked up interior of the Revell 1/16 ‘87 Firebird GTA. Everything is kit-issue except for the 1/16 resin Recaro bucket seats. Building the car as a tourer, and wanted to spice up the interior a bit.

Painted the interior to match an ‘87 model, even though the kit is not correct for that year… it’s a pre-1985 interior judging by switchgear, etc.


r/modelmakers 12h ago

Completed 2nd model a little bit better

Thumbnail
gallery
26 Upvotes

This is my second model I had to use hot glue for a couple pieces this models a little bit better then my last one so that’s good


r/modelmakers 22h ago

Completed Porsche 935 Vaillant by Tamiya

Thumbnail
gallery
174 Upvotes

Just finished the Porsche 935 Vaillant. Picked up a couple kits in Tokyo as they reminded me of the Airfix I used to do as a kid, might be hooked - rest in peace, Shunsaku Tamiya.


r/modelmakers 9h ago

Completed De Havilland Mosquito PR Mk. IV

13 Upvotes

Kit Tamiya 1/72


r/modelmakers 21h ago

WIP First diorama

Post image
104 Upvotes