Author Topic: Airfix QE2  (Read 15642 times)

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Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Airfix QE2
« on: Jun 08, 2012, 09:23 PM »
I kinda want to do a review and progress of the airfix qe2 model kit before it dies out completely so anybody who has one, look after It.
After i developed an interest in the qe2, i wanted to seal my memories in a case, but the question was how. I had cunard items i wanted to include as well as my pictures but i wanted a model to go with them. I had built the japaneese version of the ship but to be honest it did not look complete when it was completed as i founs it lacked detail for 1:450. I knew airfix had a long out of production model but did not think i would get a hold of one to be honest so i decided to go for the 1:1200 qe2 revell have as the detail was fabulous and its pocket size was even more appealing to me anyway. Then i found an airfix kit. I was very excited when i got it and to think i must have looked at that box a hundred times and turned my nose before it went out of production.
The box itself in my view is very exciting with the original 1960's artwork depicting the the qe2 gaining momentum.
The model is based on qe2 when she was first completely designed and was updated to 1968. It is about 49cm long so quite big.
This runs at a disadvantage as well because any amendments made to the ship after 1968 before completion have not been factured into the model.
Also you must remember that the molds are hand made from 1968 so errors are apparent, no updating here. The model kit has a round 123 parts, flash is very apparent and sink holes present so have your filler and craft knife to hand.
The hull is in two section and this is where you encounter your first problem. The hull pieces do not align at the stern correctly and the joins at two deck are not a consistant size so out with the above named.
The prow on front of the flagstaff also bows up at the join and that also gets a chop. The two deck on the bow right up to sun deck wall is in one piece but contains adequite detail as normal with airfix but is ripe for customisation as the model is a good size. It does lack the two small cranes and anchor chanes but i will be addin my own anyhow.
The pool decks are also in good detail and are seperate pieces but need some convincing to fit. Customisation on two deck required for accuracy as the lido deck does not extend the correct length and the two staiways are open to the elements which is wrong.
The boat deck has good detail as does the sports deck. The front wall of the sun deck under the bridge is missing so requires more scratch build and filler. The windows on the enclosed superstructure on the boat deck are missing so have to be created both starboard and port, as are two windows either side of quarter deck.
The mast has this huge arial on top of it which also gets the chop as it did not exist on the ship.
The funnel is done very well but the cap which is the exausts also need a chop as the are too high.
The sun deck walls do not connect to the bridge  very well so need convincing and filler to line up correctly.
95% of the windows on the model are indented or raised and have to be filled in with black pen depending on your color prference in true airfix fassion which can be dissapointing depending on your point of view but when complete are convincing to say the least, well i was happy with them.
With the paint work, i went traditional and hand painted.
The colors you do need to do our research so here are two resources and here they are.

http://www.worldshipny.com/qe2mv09.shtml
this link gives great pictures of the ship in new your after the maiden voyage including the foredeck and boat deck which have consistant colors and the davits which thought to black are in fact brown.

http://rmsqueen.blogspot.ie/2008_12_01_archive.html
this link if you scoll down two thirds of the page shows an arial picture of the ship front and back on a 1970 brochure.
Both are adequite enough to complete the model.
the following pictures are of the progress of the model and the box with kit.
Will keep posted on progress.

Offline QE2forever

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #1 on: Jun 09, 2012, 07:45 AM »
Very interesting read & pictures, thank you!

The Airfix QE2 was one of the first kits I built (badly!) when I was 10. Sadly it's long gone.

I have a new, unbuilt model that I purchased on board QE2 in the 1990s, but never started it and preferred the 1/450 Japanese model instead. I agree it's lacking some detail for its scale, looking more like a travel agent than a museum model, but it's more impressive and accurate than the Airfix one.

To me, the most disturbing feature of the Airfix model is the exaggerated distance between the Quarter Deck and Upper Deck windows. But this is rather difficult to fix: all the Quarter Deck windows should be repositioned 1.5 millimeter higher!

Your model is looking beautiful anyway. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #2 on: Jun 10, 2012, 10:05 AM »
Hi q,
Thanks for the response, yes you are totally right, the gunze is more accurate but what attracted me to the airfix was the fact that it is so directly linked to the ship itself. The model in its raw state is a disaster which makes me want fix the flaws to have one cool model, there will be a fair amount of customization in this model. Even when you look at the paints suggested, they are totally wrong. Unfortunately i wont be doing the windows, too much of a hard task.
Hopefully you will like the result.
Kind regards
James

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #3 on: Jun 10, 2012, 10:16 AM »
Hi all,
The latest updates are.
I have finally got the bridge to attach to the main deck, the bridge supports are not the same side and had to chop the starboard side. The wind sheilds on either of the wheel house now align to the wings and are ready for filler. A very difficult fit.
It also important to remember at this point before sealing down the ports deck to add the transfers for games, very difficult to transfer otherwise.
The prow has recieved a trim to show true.
The sun deck bullwark has been added.
The radar mast detail has been added.
The cranes have been added.
The Funnel detail has begun by adding the navigational light supports, customized of course.
The funnel exhausts have been chopped down.
The anchors have been added.
The paintwork on the starboard side has been started.
The waterline on the bow port side has been corrected.
The custom wind deflector on top of the wheel house has been added
I plan to do the cranes next, then filler and paint work will begin before adding the lifeboats.
The life boats themselves unfortunately are incorrect as they did not have covers on them but will just leave white.
It seems to be the perseption that the tenders had orange on them but in fact the did not as legislation was not a requirement so apart from windows will be white.
Will post more when done.
Kind regards
James
« Last Edit: Jun 10, 2012, 10:23 AM by jamesatmaisonverre »

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #4 on: Jun 10, 2012, 07:06 PM »
Looks brilliant James, well done!

I am in awe of your skills and patience to be able to do this, it is totally beyond me!
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #5 on: Jun 11, 2012, 08:02 AM »
Hello James, Your model is a really good example of the ship and is a credit to your own skills as a model maker. I have kept your "build instructions" and will refer to them when i do get round to building my own models. I have i think 3 or maybe 4 of these Airfix kits in the house to build (sometime) not sure when as i am at the moment building my model of the QE2 in 1/450 scale.It is the Gunze-Sanyo model that i was lucky to find. I am also lighting it up and have been given invaluable help by Rob and numerous other members of the Forum. Your model is a joy to behold and must have given you a lot of satisfaction to build. Congratulations on a GREAT model.

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #6 on: Jun 11, 2012, 10:26 AM »
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the response, glad you like it. To be honest you don’t need patience for something you love and I am also an artist as well in my spare time. When you see the finished product its absolutely stunning, makes it all worth while. I built the 1:700 qm2 and it worked great, took along time, the qe2 is much shorter. What makes it sweeter is the airfix kit is the old time equivalent of the revel qm2 model to commemorate the ship and is now in my view a piece of history so it is important to show it off at its best and preserve it, do you do model building yourself

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #7 on: Jun 11, 2012, 10:33 AM »
Hi Bobso,
Thanks for your response and admiration. Before I joined the forum I was reading the posts and saw your plight in finding the gunze model. You certainly got a great deal with that model and the minicraft model of titanic as well, what a find. I am interested in looking at your finished qe2, I saw your Britannic and it looked very cool lit up, well done. I will be posting a summary with pictures at the end of the post for the airfix on all the colours and custom sections that are required for the complete build. I also have the minicraft titanic which I completed last year after 6 months work, I built a case for it and it is inserted with a piece of titanic coal. I will post pictures down the line at some point as well as my qm2 model. Pictures of all three together will be posted at the end. I also have a gunze Lusitania but it is in terrible condition, that is my next project, to rebuild it.
Look forward to seeing pictures of the gunze.
Kind regards
James

bobso

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #8 on: Jun 11, 2012, 06:13 PM »
Hi James. You have managed to achieve a level of model making that many others never reach. Your skill is evident in the models you make. Again--well done. :)

I have also sent you a message to your E-Mail address. Hope it reaches you.
« Last Edit: Jun 11, 2012, 06:16 PM by bobso »

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #9 on: Jun 12, 2012, 10:14 AM »
Hi all,
In this post I wanted to show the raw amendments before touching up.
The first image is a repair on one of the biggest flaws with the kit on the lido deck
You can clearly see where the airfix kit ends and the new section of deck begins. The amendment was done with clear plastic sheeting doubled up. I made this while the deck was attached to the model which in hindsight was a mistake as it was ten times harder. I recommend doing this when the deck is not attached. Filler will now be used on the piece before sanding and painting.
The second image show the additional funnel detail. The supports on the side of the funnel have been added which was originally used to hold guide cables which I will add later. They were created with steel wire and a plyers and glued to the side of the funnel. Also I used plastic sheeting for the funnel overlaps near the base. These just require painting and sets the model off nicely once complete.
The third image shows the additional details added to the foredecks. I have added the anchor chains as the existing ones were too soft due to ware on the molds that airfix used.
The original flagstaff next to the chains were missing a bar at the top that support cables, I have also added the two missing cranes on the port and starboard side sides which you can just about see of the cargo hold. These were created with plastic sheeting and wire and when painted will set the model nicely.
Will keep you posted.

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #10 on: Jun 13, 2012, 10:36 AM »
Hi All,
The following images show the starboard hull paint work nearly complete. There will be no more paintwork on the hull until the assembly and rigging are complete. This is because the paintwork will get slightly tarnished as the model completes. And it is pointless completing paintwork if it is going to get soiled.
The bow sprits, stabalisers and props have been added and paint detailing has begun on the upper decks. The parts that were added in the previous post have now been painted and look part of the model.
The flag staffs have also been added.
A few points to note in the assembly.
The prof shafts will require filler.
The anchors are too large for the haus pipes so require trim or they will bulge excessively out of the hull.
The boot line bordering the hull and the superstructure is inaccurate on the airfix kit and should be angled more towards the prow tip.
The bulwark behind the funnel does not exist in this kit so has to be created.
As assembly is nearly complete, we will start the filler before working on the davits as excessive work needs to be done on these.

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #11 on: Jun 18, 2012, 07:48 PM »
Hi All,
In the next stage of the model I decided to focus on the boat deck, davits and life boats. Now in the airfix kit, the davits are no short terms a disaster. As you can see in the first image, the davits have this ridiculous horizontal bar which stretches along the deck when in place which leave no space for the passengers to walk. To remedy this I filled in all the holes on the boat deck. Now most modellers use putty but as a filler I don’t. You probably think I am mad but I use no more nails. I find it more maluble and easier to use with a craft knife. After I filled in the holes, I cut the horizontals off the davits and glued them in place. Then I painted the deck which covered up the filler.
Then I mounted the life boats. The shore craft had no windows so I drew them in with black pen. The following images show the process and the effect after completion which looks a lot better than the out of box method.
I have now started to do the railings, they did not come with the kit. I could use photo-etch but for the purpose of this demonstration i am going to keep it simple for the novice builder. I used doner parts from other models and trimmed to scale. One thing i noticed was i should have done the raillings before i mounted the lifeboats but will do this on the port side.
You learn from your mistakes.

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #12 on: Jun 18, 2012, 08:06 PM »
You are making good progress.  It is fascinating how building from a kit is not as easy as you would think as there are lots of decisions to be made to improve on the original plans. 
I was proud to be involved with planning QE2's 50 year conference in September 2017 in Clydebank

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #13 on: Jun 19, 2012, 10:12 AM »
Hi Lynda,
She is progressing nicely alright. I wish it was as simple as out of the box alright but when you get an itch you just cant help but scratch. This molds for this kit were produced in a time when the internet did not exist so detail was no scrutinised as much. Now we can see what she looked like at the click of a mouse which is why details have improved. However, this is a good kit because the most important piece, the hull is relatively accurate and can be made into a fabulous model with most mistakes easily corrected. This is why I chose this kit. If you look at the gunze kit closely, you will see that the funnel is completely wrong. The black stack is too tall and the white cowl around it is too small. The bow is not good either. The curvature of the bow is too severe and the bulbous bow is too prominent. I think airfix have mastered this better as these mistakes are not easy to fix at all. Coupled with the fact that the gunze kit is astronomically expensive considering the sparce detail you get in it. With the airfix kit, you can have a great representation of the model for €35.00 as opposed to the €150 for the gunze model at market price.

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #14 on: Jun 20, 2012, 10:25 AM »
Hi all,
I was looking through the rest of the kit and got me thinking about the transfers and flags. In the box there were no flags included and also the transfers were not complete.
Now I did buy the kit second hand and it is possible the flags went awol but it led me to a bit of a conundrum. So have decided to print the flags off myself as a work around. The second issue with the decals was a little more difficult as the qe2 name was missing from behind the funnel and that was there for the entirety of its life, also I realised I had painted over the names of the Lusitania on my other model so I hit the ground running and found out I can make my own waterslide decals. You can by the sheets from amazon and the craftycomputerpaper.co.uk or amazon. Just make sure you buy the right paper as there is paper specifically for inkjet and laser printers. I would first print on standard paper to make sure what your printing matches the model in way of font and size. Once printed on the decal paper, let it dry for an hour to be safe. Then you need to get some acrylic glaze. You can buy in spray cans. Spray the surface of the paper and I would leave dry over night. Then you can cut and dip in the water for 30-45 seconds before putting on the model. Hope these tips help.

Offline Alistair

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #15 on: Jun 20, 2012, 11:45 AM »
Enjoying watching your progress on the Airfix kit James. I built one last year but more or less as it came out of the box and yes there were a few bits missing and I had problems lining up the hull too.
My transfers were luckily all complete even though they were seperate from the plastic bag full of extruded parts. Maybe that's how yours went awol. Anyway I am fascinated that you can make your own so thanks for that tip. Wish 'd known about that when I was doing the gunze model a few years ago. The transfer for "Queen Elizabeth 2  Southampton" which is supposed to go on the stern was done in black lettering!   doh!

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #16 on: Jun 20, 2012, 04:13 PM »
Hi Alistair,
Glad your enjoying. No fear of a bag in this box im afraid but that was the chance I took when I bought it. I did not realise the gunze came with black text on the stern name plate. That reminds me of the revel kit. To be honest I think the revel kit is an exact scaled down version of the gunze kit as it also has the black nameplate on the stern. Yes the transfers are really handy because you can now put in details that don’t come with model kits like tennis courts or even do the hole red cowl for the funnel which would be mad but it would work.
Glad you like the tip
Kind regards
James

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #17 on: Apr 08, 2013, 12:00 PM »
Hi All,
Sorry I have been absent for a while but have been distracted with other builds, moving house ect….
I have been following the plight of the qe2 in recent months and to be honest and dismayed but not surprised by the outcome. I think in my own humble opinion that qe2 will not return to the uk for the simple reason that pride on the dubai side of things. They would be surrendering the ship back to the uk for far less than they paid and I think that is just it. I have completed my model of the qe2 so here are a few picks. Hope you all enjoy. Just forgot the flags though. Also threw in a picture of my 1:1200 qe2 which i could not resist building.

Alan.C.

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #18 on: Apr 08, 2013, 05:22 PM »
Nicely made, nice clean lines. I agree with you re Dubai's pride stopping the QE2 returning home, I hope we are both wrong though!

Online Rob Lightbody

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #19 on: Apr 08, 2013, 08:02 PM »
Beautifully done, well done!!
Passionate about QE2's service life for 40 years and creator of this website.  I have worked in IT for 28 years and created my personal QE2 website in 1994.

Offline highlander0108

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #20 on: Apr 09, 2013, 01:04 AM »
Well done!!  You've almost shamed me into starting my own Airfix model of QE2, which has been hanging around since she was retired and with me not having the enthusiasium to see it through!
"There will never be another one like her" QE2's last Master Ian McNaught
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Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #21 on: Apr 09, 2013, 10:55 AM »
Hi Lads,
Glad you like the kit. It took a while but that’s because I had other builds on as well. I am collecting as many ocean liners as possible. The QE2 was a special build for me because of my personal association with it. I am doing a display called the four queens. The QE2, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QM2. I am up against a few challenges though most of which I have overcome. You can see the back of the Queen Elizabeth in the above picks. This model I found very difficult to get. I remember I had this model over ten years ago and it cost me £10. It ended up in the dump which I am ashamed of now but in hindsight I just did not have the modelling maturity to appreciate it. This time is cost me 4 times more on ebay but was well worth it in my view considering how hard it is to get this model now. The second obstacle is the Queen Mary. There is no good model of it out there so I am scratch building most of the revell kit which is working out well. For those interested, you can follow the progress at the following link.

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=147366&p=0&e=0&sid=1cb982479b666b205b4df6ab77bde0bf

This is a slow build alright but will be fabulous when completed. I have to say my favourite ship is the Queen Elizabeth, such a shame it got destroyed. I will post the pictures of it when it is finished.
Highlander, you should definitely get cracking on your kit, it actually does not take that long to build. The hardest part is the bootline but after that your sailing. (excuse the pun).
I also built the 1:1200 qe2 qnd I have to say it took 3 days and what a model it is. I have decided to do another display of the revell 1:1200 series and QM” is the last one to be finished soon. You can view pics and review of the QE2 on the below link.
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=144860&p=561030&hilit=1%3A1200+qe2#p561030
Alan I definite think QE2 wont be coming home unfortunately and will become a victim of the dubai pride. It china gets her, she is ruined. They will turn her into a floating Chinese restaurant. The Chinese are not exactly fans of the british conception, nostalgia and design. You only have to look at the rubbish that’s exported out of there from your local pound shop. Dubai are also going to try and make their losses back hence the 10 year lease and rent. It’s terrible when you consider how trashy and Americanised the Queen Mary has become even to the point of riding motor bikes on the ship. How disrespectful can you get. I hope she returns to the UK but I am not optimistic. Money always wins unfortunately. You only have to look at what it has done to the Titanic.

Offline jamesatmaisonverre

Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #22 on: Apr 09, 2013, 12:09 PM »
Hey Rob,
Just noticed your builders model pics on flickr, hope you donet mind me using for my models.

Offline skilly56

Rare Airfix QE2 Model
« Reply #23 on: Sep 05, 2014, 12:58 PM »
I didn't realise I had a 'quite rare one' in my cupboard :D

Had actually quite forgotten it was there until I saw this post - then I went and pulled it out again.

Just have to paint the funnel in the colours we know (and prefer), and glue the stabilizer fins in the correct way around (the hull moulding has the trailing edges set to the front end).

It will look good with my solid resin (Chinese made) Concorde above it.

Cheers

Skilly

Offline June Ingram

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Re: Rare Airfix QE2 Model
« Reply #24 on: Sep 05, 2014, 01:47 PM »
Oh, Skilly, we absolutely must have photos when done and with the Concorde above.  Very exciting !

June   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Adam Hodson

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Re: Rare Airfix QE2 Model
« Reply #25 on: Sep 05, 2014, 07:01 PM »
Oh, Skilly, we absolutely must have photos when done and with the Concorde above.  Very exciting !

June   :)

Yes definately! :)
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"QE2 and Concorde, a partnership that lasted almost 30 years... two stunning pieces of engineering, never to be forgotten!"

Offline skilly56

Re: Rare Airfix QE2 Model
« Reply #26 on: Sep 06, 2014, 03:13 AM »
If you could see my office you may understand why I say it could be a couple of years before my QE2 model gets assembled.
I have 3 sons - when younger, they all made models to hang on their bedroom ceilings. Then we renovated the house, so all the models came down from their ceilings and got shifted into my office (which is fairly large - think big rumpus room size), where they all got in the way of work!

So I strung some of them up to the ceiling, stuffed others in cabinets, draws, etc (there are over 50!) until such time as the boys all buy their own homes, which is now just starting to happen. Then they will get them back pronto!

However, the eldest lad now drives Boeing 777s for Air New Zealand, which means he is regularly in Shanghai, where he has found a place that sells 500 mm long solid resin models that weigh 2-3 kgs. These are only about 17 pounds each (NZ$35), but they look superb so he bought home a 777 painted up as one he flies regularly (painted for the All Blacks & World Cup), and has now said he will bring me a Concorde for Father's Day.

He's not silly - if he gives them to me for birthday's and Father's Days, he knows they will get looked after, and he will get them back when I snuff off!

So, at the moment I really don't have anywhere to show the QE2 model once I build it, so it has stayed in the cupboard - probably until I retire!.

Cheers
Skilly

Offline June Ingram

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #27 on: Sep 08, 2014, 05:51 PM »
Hi Skilly -

Thanks very much for telling us about your (son's) models and for posting the pictures.  They are great !  Wonderful collection !

June   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !

Offline Ian Davies

Re: QE2 Merchandising in the 1960s
« Reply #28 on: Feb 24, 2020, 03:23 PM »
From the Cunarder 1840-1969

Adverts for QE2 jewellery, medals, and model kit

Offline June Ingram

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Re: Airfix QE2
« Reply #29 on: Feb 25, 2020, 04:16 PM »
Thanks, Ian, for posting !  Great information here !   :)
QE2 - the ship for all of time, a ship of timeless beauty !