Vintage Model Conversion, Airfix DH4/DH9 Blue Rider Conversion in 1/72 Scale

[@lordofdunvegan6924]

I remember these kits in the 1960s simply wrapped as shown. Easy to assembly for a kit at the time. Growing up with these types of models kept me going as a hobbyist. I am 71 and still assembling models. Thank you for the video.

[@barryconway]

Gosh. Memories right there. The 'conversion' might be from 1988, but the Airfix packet kit is likely from the mid- to late 1960's? I bought mine from the local Chemist (Pharmacy) which was also, and around the same time, the place where you bought Lucozade (which was marketed then as a tonic drink) and also where I bought the film and flash bulbs for my little Kodak 110 camera. You're right, those Airfix bags were displayed on hooks on shelves - or, in the case of my local shop, on one of those revolving racks (like you see postcards stored on?) - what a treat on a Saturday. And lordy, the money being asked now for some of the kits that I blew up with fireworks, back in the day ((o; Look forward to seeing you build this. For the true authentic experience, tube of glue, and plenty on your fingers eh? ((o;

[@lappin6482]

Hope you build this soon.....we'd love to see it!

[@bobhastings6464]

Those old Airfix kits really bring back memories (some good and some not so good) They were the only kits available in my area when I started building models way back in the 60s. I’m enjoying the channel! Keep up the good work and congrats on the Silver, well done! Cheers from Canada Bob

[@davidrobinson4118]

A couple of times a month in the early seventies I used to nip round to the local newsagents with my well earned pocket money. He had one of those rotating rack things with these card and plastic bag packaged Airfix kits on. Also with Frog and Revell stuff. Happy days. Love the channel Jason.

[@raytheron]

I grew up as a modeller with only those kits being available. They're worth small fortunes nowadays, I believe. I haven't yet tried it, but a modeller with a great deal of experience with vintage decals once told me to give the decals a coat of gloss varnish before trying to use them.

[@codycoyote6912]

I hope you do a build video on this one.

[@FredWilbury]

Look forward to seeing this build 👌😎 Fred ps make a promise I’m 73 and might not be around

[@johncrome2698]

These Airfix kits used to be about 2 shillings a pop!.

[@darnick54]

That artwork on the earlier DH4 kit takes me back to the Sixties when I built it……wonderful stuff, many thanks for the memories as well as the conversion advice.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Blue Rider! Sweet, sweet memories about their decal sheets. What a walk down Memory Lane, mate. Never had a problem with BR decals. Sometimes they're offset, but never exploded on me. Pewter/white metal pieces were a staple of british cottage kits in the last twenty years of the past century. If you were brave enough at the time you could always build some Pegasus or Magna Models kits. The latter were mostly resin, with metal props, landing gears, etc. The gun ring is the Scarff. It served in various Marks for some 20 years until replaced by more modern mountings. That conversion is quite interesting. Especially due to most 9s being re-engined at some point in their lives with anything looking even slightly more reliable than the Puma. Maybe a challenge for 2023? Cheers.

[@Spacewolfdad]

When a new model was released Airfix Magazine would run a series of articles on how to modify and convert it. I remember the DH4 very well and they covered all the different types including converting it to a DH9 using balsa wood for the nose section. Unfortunately all my old Airfix Magazines were destroyed in a fire, so I can’t tell you which ones contained all the articles. Happy days, with lots of good memories.

[@barrythatcher9349]

I'm really interested in old kits and especially WWI kits. Would love to see you build it.

[@damien5748]

Love Vintage and oop (out of production) kits so this is right up my street...cant beilive you were only 1 in 1988...i was 14 at the time.....and thank god it has an Irish Army Air Corps option the decal sheet......yes im from Ireland.🙂🙂🙂

[@stephenrose1343]

I have this kit, Ardpol resin made a lovely DH9 in 1/72, which I am hoping to build soon. There are many really accomplished modellers, like yourself on KZbin, but few who scratchbuild or kit bash. I think it would be great to see you make this. My own interest are WW1, inter War and Spanish civil War. Keep doing what you do.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Ardpol produced some of the finest resin kits I've ever had the pleasure to build. Their P.W.S.-10 was outstanding.

[@nikbarr1721]

had a go at that model when i was 12 made a right pigs ear of it but fun all the same still not that good now but i have fun and enjoy trying new methods out thank you for the vids they are very informative.

[@beeperbugs6535]

A Wow video, and thank you for sharing!

[@simongee8928]

I wasnt keen on the 1960's Airfix biplanes as the inter wing struts were individual and getting them in line to put the top wing on was not easy - ! Later on the struts were manufactured in pairs which mad the process much easier.

[@Dean-Trower]

Really interesting project, looking forward to seeing this develop.

[@JamessModellingChannel1992]

I have one that I bought from the U.S. partly built a while a go me and my brother require two each for a series we're doing, we're building all the aircraft exhibits at IWM Duxford.

[@theoriginalrecycler]

I actually had this airfix when I was a kid, and a Westland lysander

[@mc2594]

Unusual to see a conversion set like that, Merlin Models and Aeroclub were two names who usually offered the whole kit covering the more obscure A/C not offered by the big names like Airfix, like yours they came with plastic main parts plus white metal details, still tends to be mostly detail sets from a healthy number of companies like Eduard, CMK, Alley Cat, 3D Kits, Kitsworld, Vector and many others. Airfix actually did a few themselves but for their 1/32 Car kits to convert them to 12v slot cars which included a bagged car kit to part use. As a collector I often add a few extra's in here and there to the newer ones but those bags tend to be holier than thou to most collectors, I make my own from ragged remains but would still advise in that kind of condition if unopened the bagged DH4 issue you have (type 3) is a sound investment for the future and becoming more scarce now .. the white box 'Vintage Aircraft' issue would suit much better if you decide to build the conversion, prices are buyer friendly at the moment and quite low on the less collectable issues, that would be the easy part sorted at least before it goes on your workbench 😅 I could never get the top wings on those even without a new fuselage so good luck, fortune favours the brave.

[@mattjohnson1427]

Hi Jason. You could try applying liquid Microscale Decal Film on that decal sheet which might help protect them for application.

[@Mishn0]

It says "injection molded" right on Blue Rider's label. Low pressure injection molding using copper dies was pretty common. Probably still is.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

Even hard rubber was used for some of the molds on early short-runs, especially in Eastern Europe.

[@hauptmann1391]

If it's only a picture on scalemates, would probably be cool to document all that you can for history there? Make photos of the conversion, scan the instruction and so on.

[@Lee0568]

Oh how I miss the bagged airfix kits.

[@javiergilvidal1558]

Oh how I miss the England that produced the bagged Airfix kits!

[@FinsburyPhil]

Thanks for the inspiration Jason, I've just grabbed an old Airfix Avro 504 on ebay. First of the stash for an idea I have to build the representative aircraft from the history of an RAF squadron - probably 19 squadron to start with. I feel like I want to have a theme to my modelling. I'm currently going to do a few 'first and last variants' starting with the Spitfire to get me going and maybe some 1939/1945 manufacturer contrasts (e.g. Gladiator to Meteor).

[@t55a2]

You’ll need to fix the fuselage length, plenty of plans out there to help

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@t55a2 Thanks - how far out is it?

[@t55a2]

@@FinsburyPhil Between 4-6mm too long: the A-model kits are the same

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@t55a2 ok, substantial then!

[@t55a2]

@@FinsburyPhil Not beyond anyone’s capability, sir

[@DutchDaveModels]

I think Kovozavody Prostejov just released a 1/72 Airco DH-9A. But this looks challenging

[@whtalt92]

They do, but that is not a version with the Puma engine - and is likely based on the resin CMR kit, which makes it suitable for an early DH-9A Ninak (not a late inter-war one as the fuselage would have to have a larger hump at the dorsal gun position).

[@jeffmack2667]

That,s a museum peice I paid about 56 cents Australian about 1973

[@guidor.4161]

Its called a "Scarf ring mount"

[@toboldlygosmodelworks1973]

yikes I built the Vintage Aircraft boxing of the DH.4 in the late 80's

[@bouboo59]

Hello and thanks for your new video. I have many vintages modelkits in my stash (Airfix, Revell heller Hasegawa etc .). With a little help and Time, I could make more vintage box review on my Channel. Greetings Renaud (from France)

[@СергейАртёмчик-ю5н]

..ретро коплект..