Airfix RRS Discovery White Box Kit Review - Finding Airfix Rare Kits

A gift from my subscriber Ross was a surprise rare white box Airfix 1:144 scale sailing ship kit the RRS Discovery. The box had suffered some water damage and this ruined the instructions, so did this mean the kit was a right off as well? You'll have to watch to find out and see if the plastic is still worth building.
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[@brianartillery]

I remember this being a popular kit when I was at primary school - Robert Falcon Scott was, and probably still is, a fascinating heroic figure. His 1912 race to the South Pole against Amundsen, who, I believe, used his own airship, the 'Norge', didn't end well. I shan't spoil it for you, but it's a classic British 'Heroic Failure' type of ending. We loved the Airfix kit of the Discovery, as it had tiny figures and sleds - when you're seven, that sort of thing is important. You play with them whilst your dad swears his way through building the ship, with mum offering encouragement like: "Peter! He doesn't need to hear language like that!" Such happy days. 😆😆😆 Great video. Made me really happy. Thank you. 👍👍👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Great story Brian, and yes Scott used her initially as well as many others including Australia and New Zealand to explore the Antarctic waters.

[@babylonsburning1]

I was never really interested in boats, but Harry, your enthusiasm for the subject and the models that you have been building have got me hooked. A big thank you from Blighty.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

My pleasure matey… they do get under your skin… must be the salt water.

[@maxcorey8144]

I built this and the Airfix Bounty as a teenager in the early sixties. They came out looking pretty good.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you Max… they were great kits for their time

[@greenoup1]

I remember building this in the 70's. I even had a dio with the sled and dogs on the ice. Come on Airfix, release this as a vintage classic .

[@Duececoupe]

That looks like a delightful pile of Airfix styrene! 😍🥰😎

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Better than a bucket of possum pee.. hehe

[@petermilburn1214]

I remember building this kit round about 1971 or 72. I was in my element😊

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It was a classic even back then Peter

[@goforitpainting]

Cool kit.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks

[@MrMuskegman]

I have been looking for that model kit for years and still haven't been able to find one. Many years ago when I was a young lad in England in the early 70,s we had a tour of that ship when it was docked in London.I have never forgot it. I have always wanted to build that model.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

The Airfix kit is out there if you are patient, otherwise the Italscary and Super Hobby kits are newer and a little more detailed, but also with their own jerks and qwerks

[@mrjockt]

Visiting Dundee gives you the chance to visit two historic ships, as well as the Discovery there is also H.M.S. Unicorn a sailing frigate, although she never had her masts fitted, built in the early 1820’s and is one of the oldest ships still afloat.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I would love to visit one day. My dream holiday is a trip around the world visiting all the major museum ships. Sadly I’m a bit old for flying, but could go by cruise ship, which is even better.

[@marnet72]

I just finished building the original issue kit last year. Was given to me by my aunt who used to build kits in the 70s. Still had the $9 price tag on it! Great to see a review.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Lovely story. Thanks for sharing

[@johntreloar8203]

Captain Houdini, I love it, great way to start the week, watching your videos.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks John

[@4ngu54110tt]

Nice score there Harry. Cheers 🙂🐈‍⬛👍

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

A very generous gift from Ross… I am blessed with many great donations from my supporters. Keeps me doing the videos.

[@davegreenwood7575]

That would build up to a great looking model...slightly different but with all the good bits. Great vid work as always. 👍👍👍👍😎

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Less cannons to worry about Dave.

[@davegreenwood7575]

Yep, no Vikings but a funnel. I like a funnel. 😳

[@syrmalcolm]

Nice HH. Bad box. Cool kit. Awesome.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes Mal, never judge a kit by its cover… or so they say.

[@PiperStart]

Great review. I will make my kit of the Discovery soon. I plan a 1/144 Antarcticorama😂

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks and good lick with your build

[@paulprice1994]

nice review Harry, thanks for sharing

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

My pleasure Paul

[@leslieschramm6252]

I've been to see it in Dundee, it was in use exploring till the 1950's Not somewhere I;d want to be working, small and very cold. Ice could form through the walls and frreeze men into their bunks.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Yes Leslie it was used by Australia and New Zealand for exploration. Had quite an illustrious history, but I didn’t elaborate in the video, save time to show the plastic.

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

Groovy and it looks as the ship has already attacked by Woodworms.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Only the cardboard box and paper instructions… they don’t eat plastic Michael LOL

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

@@HarryHoudiniModels I`ll make a note of that.😜

[@usssaratogacv3lefevre978]

Very nice fine, thanks for sharing.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you matey… it was a fun kit to explore

[@PiperStart]

You say you're not building it for a few years. I am now hunting for one to build next week. What a great subject for a kit!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

It is quite a surprise Max… and one kit I am looking forward to building in a few years.

[@davidrobinson4118]

Really interesting subject. The dog team sold it for me! Going to seek this kit out to add to my to do list. I'm currently building Airfix's HMS Victory from the Vintage Classic's range after completing the Revell Bounty recently. I also have some lovely old Heller ships as well waiting in line. You can't have too many sailing ships in your stash! Take care Harry and happy modelling.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

The more ships you have, the happier you are David…

[@raysvendsen5026]

You luck basted. All was wanted one. Can't wait for the duild

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Best not sniff the glue fumes then text mate ;)

[@garylawless3608]

A nice kit by the look of it Harry, and one you obviously will enjoy building. I am not into ships, sail or otherwise, but I must say I thoroughly enjoy your build videos on these subjects, and your kit reviews. You obviously have a lot of ‘ship’ knowledge, which makes them interesting. Keep them coming mate!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Gary… I do like these Classic Airfix ship kits

[@jaws666]

​@@HarryHoudiniModelsships are not really my thing but there is 1 i would like to build (if i can find it as its long out of production) and would love to hear your opinion on the kit.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

@jaws what ship kit is it?

[@jaws666]

@@HarryHoudiniModels the Matchbox 1/72 scale flower class corvette..reason i like that kit is two fold....1/72 is my prefred scale and back in the 1950s the Irish Naval Service used them....yes im from Ireland

[@rossdavis397]

@@jaws666 sorry I cant help. I sold mine years ago, a mistake I know, Does any one know what happened to the matchbox moulds for the Flower class.

[@sammy_dog]

Another FARKing great Discovery Harry

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

I do try to pull one off now and then Sammy

[@cosmarendy8417]

Thanks for sharing Harry, have fun.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Good on you Cos

[@rossdavis397]

Thanks for the great review, Im glad at last it will get built by some one who has the skill set to appreciate it---sorry about the possum piss

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Just adds to the patina Ross.. I was so chuffed to find the plastic in pristine condition, and so cleanly moulded. Thanks again for the gift.

[@Sarah-JaneR32]

Discovering a Discovery ?, there's a joke hiding in there somewhere, well done, nice to see the damage hasn't sunken your spirits, spirits ? ooh yes please, but has wetted your appetite to build it.

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Every kit I review has me excited to build it now! But I must try to finish the ever growing pile of work in progress first Sarah-Jane.

[@Sarah-JaneR32]

@@HarryHoudiniModels try to finish is a problem I have, currently I have 36 models on the go but I’m a twat anyway :) there is a reason behind it though, honest. Keep up the good work and just build what you want that gives you joy, model on

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Sound advice!

[@paulcorrigan649]

You ever fancy a visit let us know you're coming over

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Thanks Paul…

[@PhilipJames_B]

I've got the 1988 release in my stash...sealed box still so I don't know whether there is any flash on it

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

You would have to expect a little flash Fozanze… but that’s only 18 years after the initial tooling, so should not be too bad. At least yours is not soaked in possum pee.

[@randytaylor1258]

Captain Harry, a question: What is your theory? Pai t the plati g on the hull copper, as it would have appeared in the grading dock? Or paint it green aside it were actually used? There aren't t that many models that are fi ished without any weathering at all, so where do you start and when do you finish?

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

All depends on the look you want to achieve. I’m not usually one for heavy weathering. However I will add some shadows and light effects to give my model interest. As for the copper plating; a little green scum along the water line, then a wash to tone done the bright copper would be all I would do for a model on a stand. If I make the diorama, then the hull is under water. So just some light weathering again at the waterline. Most traditional sailing ship models were not weathered at all. They were display pieces. Sure, overtime they would get a patina to the wood, cloth and copper as the model aged. Plastic models however don’t naturally weather overtime, maybe just some fading of paint if the display is in sunlight. So just choose the look that pleases you. There are no hard and fast rules.

[@lostsock9852]

Captain Houdini? More like Captain Birdseye 😉

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Would you like some frozen fish fingers?

[@lostsock9852]

@@HarryHoudiniModels A fish finger sarnie (white bread, none of that healthy living stuff) would be very welcome!

[@HarryHoudiniModels]

Coming up with mayonnaise!