Building with my son - Airfix 1/72 Tomahawk

[ElCapitan]

Hi everyone. As I'm currently on furlough, I thought it would be fun to introduce my 4-year-old son to modelling. Just some basics, of course, but something to keep us both occupied.

I gave him the choice of three 1/72 Airfix kits - a Spitfire MkV, a Hawker Typhoon or a Tomahawk that I picked up in Aldi before Christmas. Pleased to say he picked the 3rd option, as I would rather put more effort into the others!

So here's the box (I let him take the picture too):



We started by painting the cockpit walls - using brushes at this stage to keep it simple for him. First primer and then Tamiya Desert Yellow. Is this a normal colour for tropical aircraft? I would have expected them to keep the interior colours as standard, but I'm loosely following the instructions.



Then we put together the cockpit itself, which is assembled on the lower wing piece. The wee chap did some of the gluing and I did the fiddlier bits.



Speaking of instructions...whats with the wee symbols here in place of part numbers?!



Thanks for looking - we'll see how we get on with this.

[Hawkmoon]

Nice start on the kit

[matto21]

Built one of these myself a couple of years ago. Great little kit and a lovely start!

[Kevthemodeller]

Excellent way to get through lock down off to a good start mate

Brings back memories with my 2

[ElCapitan]

Thanks for looking in guys.

The build phase is almost done - just a few small pieces to add. I'll be honest, I did most of the work since the last update. He's only 4 so loses interest quickly! All he wants to do is the "stickers"!



I used the Humbrol paints supplied with the kit to paint behind the glass panels. It actually brushed on really nicely, much to my surprise! I may use it for the full kit...

[Kevthemodeller]

Lovely to see, I think my eldest was about the same age one tube per kit almost

[ElCapitan]

Haven't done much on this lately except mask the canopy. This is now ready for primer, so I'll probably let the wee guy have a go of the airbrush - with my control of course.

[BigWall]

Great dad and kid time! It's looking good!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
Love seeing kids get into the hobby

[Hawkmoon]

Looking good and nice work there

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good and coming together very nicely Rob.

[ElCapitan]

It's taken a while for my wee boy to take an interest in this again, but today I encouraged him to paint the underside using the airbrush. He did a pretty good job too, a bit heavy handed maybe, but I even it out afterwards.



The colour is humbrol 157 which comes with the kit. It sprayed really nicely too.

[BigWall]

Nice! Did he enjoy using the airbrush?

[ElCapitan]

Nice! Did he enjoy using the airbrush?

Seemed to. His hands are a bit small so he struggled with getting the grip right, but it was all over in about 20 seconds

[ElCapitan]

Now done the first camo colour. Decided to paint it overall to keep it simple. We didn't get a very good coat unfortunately - I think it went on a bit thick as the paint has drawn back slightly from edges and panel lines. Not the end of the world though.



I'll mask off the pattern myself and he can help apply the second colour.

[robwuk]

Nice work on this build - was never able to get my son interested...

as for the symbols rather than numbers, that really looks like a typographical issue - assuming the parts on the spure dont have symbols but have numbers

[BOABModels]

Fantastic to see!
I've built a few easy kits with my son this year - we even just made a video about one!

[Tomcat64]

That's coming along really nicely Rob - and his airbrushing looks pretty damned good to me

[BigWall]

Very nice! I love working on projects with my kids. I've just got to remember to move at their pace

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Your little boy must be happy to have such a father! Great job for this basic but excellent beginner's kit!

[ElCapitan]

We're calling this one finished. No weathering this time, just paint, decals and varnish.



Camouflage marking wasn't my finest hour, but it'll do. All decals were done by the boy, with only slight repositioning by me.

Thanks for looking!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looks fabulous
The camo pattern looks great in the photo
Nice job to you both

[BigWall]

Great job to you both! It looks great!

[Kevthemodeller]

Great result there mate your son should be proud of that effort

[digger303]

Very sharp and I love that desert camo.

[Tomcat64]

Awesome result Rob - cracking work from both of you

[Garion77]

nice work ! my son is getting old enough to finally start one. Can't wait too. I've been letting him choose my last projects to get is interest up.
Again nice work and hope you had fun

[RIO]

Great job.....