Italeri's 1/72 Short Stirling Mk.III (Full Build)

[@CharlieNoodles]

My Grandfather flew the Stirling during the war. As I understand it, owing to it being designed and built before the outbreak of war, it’s wingspan was limited to allow it to fit into the hardened hangers that the RAF had built. This made the aircraft effectively obsolete due to it’s limited ceiling. As such my Grandfather mostly flew supply missions for the Dutch underground. Flying alone in the dead of night over occupied Europe. He was also involved in Operation Market Garden, towing gliders into Arnhem. An ill conceived plan in a terrible war that he and his crew made it through miraculously completely unscathed.

[@ndenyer]

That's glorious. My uncle died in a Stirling crash in July 1943 - 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF. I'd love to build one of these as a remembrance - but yours has put anything I could do to shame. Great stuff.

[@ninus17]

My uncle lived near a church where three airmen are buried. Their sterling crashed into the water close to the town he lived in. Beside their grave is a propeller from their plane. And it is in remarkable good shape considering that the plane crashed into the water. Last time I saw the graves the propeller hub had been removed, I think the entire prop will be going through some conservation this winter. And I think next year it will be the 80th anniversary of the crash

[@70053morayfirth]

My last kit was made 35 years ago using a tube of polystyrene cement and four little cans of Humbrol enamel. This vid was a revelation - all that detail, some of which you probably cannot see. Well done!

[@gandalfuno]

Congrats!!!

[@rafaelj.benero4880]

Great job Greg...thank you for talking just what was necessary, some fellow modelers keep talking and talking and talking...

[@ericmitchell1532]

Hi Greg - I have a way to deal with dimples (and other such problems with clear parts). They can be filled with clear two-part "five minute" epoxy glue. After applying to the part, make sure there are no air bubbles. Once hardened, this can be sanded and polished smooth.

[@maxclickenhof1049]

Thank you for this build. My father, who died last year, served in the RAF and worked on the Stirling in the last war.

[@teriday954]

Great job!!

[@williamsmith7340]

I was worried at first that this might be a re-boxing of the old Airfix kit, but was pleasantly surprised to see the better fit from the new mold, and improved decal sheet from the newer Aliteri effort. You did a really nice job.

[@stephenrose1343]

My dad and I built the Airfix Sterling back in the sixties. Black plastic leviathan that hung from the ceiling in my bedroom. Dad was in the REME during WW2, at one stage seconded to USAF. We built B-17 "bit ol lace" and he regaled me with stories of the plane together with mustangs and Thunderbolts. Great kits and a wonderful Dad who I still miss.

[@mig-ij6mg]

I must say, for a Italeri kit the final result is just amazing

[@jonmccormick602]

Lovely model! This brings back some distant memories for me too. In 1975 I started going to my local Methodist Church and discovered one of the stalwarts was the widow of a Stirling crew member and had been since 4th September 1943. She never remarried. Her late husband was Sgt. Robert Otley Lander, RAFVR. He was lost with his comrades in Stirling Mk III S/N BK774, markings LS-K of 15 Squadron The aircraft was lost close to the Danish coastline on a mine laying sortie. Sgt Lander and some of his comrades are buried in Frederikshavn Cemetery. What brave lads. And what pain Sgt Lander’s young wife must have gone through, like so many others. She talked to me about this just the once and, I think, only because she knew I was interested in WW2 history, particularly the RAF.

[@HarborLockRoad]

Building mine from scratch using thin cardboard sheet, but had no idea of what the interior looked like, now i do! Thank you, itll really help. Yes, i make every part myself. To be different, im making the mk2 that would have been Canadian built with American engines.

[@tomsenior7405]

I built the Airfix Short Stirling, purely to get my hands on the tractor. That would have been in the mid 1970s. Sadly my Stirling has long since been lost to the sands of time, but I still have the tractor. I was delighted to see this Italeri build. A lovely trip down memory lane. Cheers Greg.

[@kolbenfresser8489]

Thank you for not spending any time on excessive weathering. Those birds didn't grow old over German skies.

[@ChristianGurney]

A new video from Greg always brings a smile to my face.

[@bullgrim]

Hey, Greg! Manuel here from Spain sharing the same feelings with that old Airfix Stirling kit. My father and I went to the models shop and it was love at first sight. We built it together, black plastic and huge wings! Still one of my favorite moments with plastic models, thank you for this wonderful video. Lots of good memories are back.

[@70053morayfirth]

Just watched this again. I love the detail in the cockpit, such as the navigator's table. This aircraft must have been a real handful to land, with such tall undercarriage.

[@dalemartell8639]

My great uncle was killed in a Stirling from 199 Squadron, Sept 15-16, 1944. I was always looking for a kit to build and now, especially with the 199 squadron aircraft shown in the decal sheet I have to find this one an build it. Thanks for posting. Cheers