A blast from the past

[zak]

Whilst at the Northern Model show I bought the Airifx re-release of the Guards in 1:76 scale.
I was obviously feeling nostalgic and remember having these as a youngster, they were marching on my model railway.
I was disappointed on opening the boxes, they were worse than I remembered, the same moulds and they are in bright red plastic.
As I had been doing some 1/72 stuff and figures I did think that I could produce a diorama with these on.
Here ares some pictures.
One figure straight from the box.

The moulding is pretty poor and the detail, what detail.
Well I will see what I can make of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were 5.95 per box, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.

[Bigkev]

Hi Zak,
Look at it this way, you'll only need a few colours........Black, White, Flesh and Silver
Be interesting to see how they look after a session in your hands.
Kevin

[chriswil42]

You'll transform them Dave.

[zak]

Well, the polythene is of a really shiny variety, even after a wash in detergent the undercoat( a Vallejo product, a acrylic/polyurethane primer) refuses to adhere.. I have had no problems with Italeri, Zvesda and other figures.
I think these will be a real challenge, or they may end up in the box of shame.

[Bob C]

See you bought some tick tocks but they do look smart, you?ll make a job of them.

Bob c

[chriswil42]

You'll sort it Dave.

[Bigkev]

Hi Dave,
Have you thought of emailing Airfix with some polite advice as to best type plastic to use?
Or would it fall onto deaf ears.
Kevin

[zak]

Hi Dave,
Have you thought of emailing Airfix with some polite advice as to best type plastic to use?
Or would it fall onto deaf ears.
Kevin

I did think about it, but haven't bothered yet.

[zak]

How now e mailed them and  await a response!
E mail below:

Hello,
I am a 72-year-old modeler, now going down memory lane, I bought the above items at a model show in North Shields.
I have washed the figures and find that the plastic is so slippery that I cannot get paint to adhere.
The figures are much worse than I remember as a kid and the paint seemed to adhere better.
I attempted to undercoat with a Vallejo acrylic/urethane primer - no luck.
I attempted a acrylic spray primer, not much luck.

I feel that I need some advice.

The quality of the moulding leaves something to be desired, I realise that this is a re-release of an old kit, but.......

I look forward to hearing from you.
No painting instructions on the box either!

Dave Smith
(I am an experienced modeler and often have articles in the IPMS magazine)

[zak]

While I wait for Airfix Technical Department to get back to me, I have persevered.

[chriswil42]

Not bad at all Dave.

[Bigkev]

Not bad at all Dave.

I think Dave has done a great job.
Kevin

[zak]

Well just the edging to paint now.

[MSea]

Great - all in a line and in step and NOT a zombie in sight

[zak]

Have you spotted the one with only half a rifle?
Careless with the scalpel again!! No blood this time!