Blog post articles:
A lack of inspiration (I’m not doing this for fun Pt II)
‘I’ve only got 30 minutes’ (Productivity Pt II)
Welcome to my website. I created in 2004 for the following reasons:
- As a virtual showcase. Whilst I’m fortunate enough to have a very understanding wife who is happy to allow 90+ models to be on display in our living room, the collection I’ve created is way bigger than that. Nothing lasts forever, and many of these models have been disposed of in various ways. A website allows me to keep the collection alive as a collection and to view it wherever I am in the world.
- As a record of my journey. The collection here was started in 1994 and my evolution as a modeller is tracked within the pages below. I hope there’s been some progression and the newer, better models mean I’m not ashamed of the older, poorer ones. This is the whole lot, warts and all.
- I wanted a reason to learn html4 in between submitting my PhD thesis and my viva, but that was a long time ago now and it’s just easier to use an online blogging site.
I’ve made plastic models since I was about five, my first kit being a 1/72 Spitfire or Hurricane (I forget which) in the early 1980s that my mum bought in a jumble-sale. Since then, more plastic has passed through my fingers than I care to imagine. Early favourites were the Matchbox series of aircraft kits in 1/72 that I could just about afford if I saved up three weeks’ pocket money (they cost £1.10). Those kits were great because they were moulded in several bright colours which were very pleasing to an eight year old when stuck together with good old tube cement — no paint necessary; that would merely delay the point at which the plane could be flown around the house.
Unlike many others, I never had a break from modelling and kept it up through my teenage years. A big leap in the quality of my models occurred when I was twelve and discovered Hasegawa 1/72 kits. These were lovely and at the time very reasonably priced (Hasegawa’s Tomcat, including photo-etch, was about £12). This phase was marked by building exclusively US Navy planes. A couple of years later I obtained my first airbrush, a Badger 200, and discovered that the finished article looked a lot better if I made the effort to sand and remove the plastic seams and paint the airframe as a finished assembly rather than in its component parts.
The aircraft shown on this website is my current collection of aircraft in 1/48. I build only military aircraft post-World War II, and only one of each type, or subtype. The oldest model in the collection is from 1994. The aircraft are organised in reverse order in which they were built — the newer, and thus (hopefully) better, models are towards the top of the list.
Update June 2020:
I’ve made the decision to upgrade this website to remove all advertising. I hope this is a welcome change. It does, however, come at cost to me. If you would like to support this blog, feel free to chuck me a couple of quid on Paypal to jonbryon@yahoo.co.uk and it would be much appreciated. Thanks!
(Academy)
(Eduard)
(Tamiya)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Tanmodel)
(Trumpeter)
(Academy)
(Kinetic)
(Revell)
(Revell)
(Mars Models)
(Airfix)
(Airfix)
(Classic Airframes)
(Revell)
(Eduard)
(HobbyBoss)
(AFV Club)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Kinetic)
(Hasegawa)
(AMP)
(Revell)
(Special Hobby)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Airfix)
(Sky Models)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Great Wall Hobby)
(Kitty Hawk)
(Monogram)
(ICM)
(Hasegawa)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Kitty Hawk)
(Monogram)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(AMK)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Trumpeter)
(Eduard)
(Eduard)
(Eduard)
(Trumpeter)
(AMK)
(Revell)
(Trumpeter)
(HobbyBoss)
(Trumpeter)
(Revell)
(Gavia)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Trumpeter)
(Airfix)
(Classic Airframes)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Occidental)
(Tamiya)
(Revell)
(Italeri)
(Airfix)
(Tamiya)
(Academy)
(Airfix)
(Eduard)
(Academy)
(Hobbycraft)
(Eduard)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Classic Airframes)
(Classic Airframes)
(Classic Airframes)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Italeri)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Dynavector)
(Academy)
(Revell)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Tamiya)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Promodeler)
(Revell)
(Revell)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Revell)
(Special Hobby)
(Revell)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Italeri)
(Academy)
(Academy)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Revell)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Aeroclub)
(Airfix)
(Tamiya)
(Airfix)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Airfix)
(Academy)
(Academy)
(Tamiya)
(Academy)
(Tamiya)
(Hasegawa)
(Tamiya)
(AMT)
(Hasegawa)
(Italeri)
(Airfix)
(Monogram)
(Tamiya)
(Monogram)
(Academy)
(Revell)
(Hasegawa)
(Airfix)
(Italeri)
(AMT)
(Hasegawa)
(Tamiya)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Hasegawa)
(Academy)
(Tamiya)
(Italeri/Hasegawa)
(Academy)
(Monogram)
(Italeri)
(Italeri)
(Academy)
(Italeri)
(Italeri)
(Airfix)
(Airfix)
Jon's Models 
Great build article on Hyperscale of the Trumpeter Mig-23M. I would like to get a copy of the text and photos from the ARC site you mentioned. Thanks in advance. Mike
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Hi Mike; thanks. I’ll need your email address to send it to you. You can find my email address in some of my replies to comments on the MiG-23 on the HS forum.
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Linking from HS ,i get to your blog site, and spent some time enjoying yours modells.Yours collection of models is great, but my attention is first on your presentation and biographical links with every model you build, complete story. For most of my modells I can’t even recall when and where did I buy them. For me, very interesting concept. Once more, my admiration.
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Have you ever found out what the difference is between blue and red colored letters on a Soviet Mig-21?
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Hi David, no idea I’m afraid! Cheers, Jon
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Liked your Glenview Corsairs. We moved to Glenview in 1953 when I was 11. We lived a mile south of the Naval Airstation in line with the North-South runway and I can well remember these guys coming in on Sunday eveneings. Weekend Warfriors . I don’t remember that the planes were that shiny in 1954, but I’m sure you must have adequate support for the gloss. I think the Corsairs were replaced by Panthers, and later Cougars. They were also flying Privateers from there and conitnued to do so for some years.
The Cougars were nototriously underpowered. When they were taking off to the South I doubt that they’d reached 1500 feet by the time they passed our house. My Mom thought she could recognize some of the pilots, but of course with their masks this was unlikely.
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Hi Jon, I’m 85 years old and still build all types of models both static and flying types with the flying type going back to about 1939 and the plastic back to the 1940’s I just read your bashing of a Phantom kit by Hasegawa. You do build beautiful models but I don’t think you and many other builders don’t realize the outstanding kits available now-a-days to the builders and complain about nit s— things that a true builder, not a shake and bake assembler, would take in stride but I guess it take all kinds in todays world. Charlie
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Liked the thoughts on your 3 blogs especially decals and closing canopies and dispensing with dangly things under wings. Wonder if other decal softeners what I have got will work, will have to try it.
Chinese modelling , what a saga. I moved out to NewZealand in 1994 and happily I met other anoraks and model shops , trade me and Hannants keep it happening.
On building the whole stash, I think I’ve got over building them all, probably won’t , by buying quality that will build easy.
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Jon, if you think the Monogram P-80 is a pig of a model it’s too bad you weren’t around for the early years of plastic such as the Aurora kits, then you would know what a pig really is. Charlie
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I do not understand the point or the purpose of this comment.
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Hi Jon can you send me your email i have a few questions but they are a bit longer to post here.
Thank you.
Best regards André
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I’m happy to answer questions but I’m not going to post my email address here. You can find me on Facebook as Jonathan Bryon and contact me that way if you wish.
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I don’t have facebook,
can i sen my email from here ?
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Yep, if you want to write you email out I’ll email you. I’ll then delete your comment.
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Hi Jon – just read you article on the Seafire XVII on Hyperscale. Your standards are way out there man! I thought I was pretty intense when it comes to detail research and modelling, but I think you’ve outdone me here. Anyway, brilliant result – great interpretatiuon of old pictures.
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Thanks Chris 🙂
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That tiger striped A-4! Your search for perfection is inspiring. I’m glad it’s not just me
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Just found your site, so much to look at. Wonderful post on living in china! Oh… and great looking builds!
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Wow! Incredible builds. Just listened to your interview on the PPP, really enjoyed it. I built model aircraft as a kid in the UK and really focused on output. Now after a 40 year gap I started back in the US, but this time is an armor modeler and diorama builder, and having great fun. I still love aircraft though and really appreciate seeing great models like yours.
Looking forward to seeing you next builds,
take care,
kindest regards,
Martin Drayton.
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Thanks for your reply Martin, I am honoured! I’ve seen your builds on FB and very much admire the dynamism you impart through your dioramas. I’ll definitely be keeping track through that and your excellent communiques with the various podcasts! I hope our paths might cross one day if you are back in the UK.
All the best
Jon
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Hello Jon, just wanted to comment on your build and review of the Revell 1/48 Rafale. I followed the build notes with interest having recently completed the two seat version and at the painting stage of the M version. My interest isn’t really in making the most accurate model of the real thing – more trying to do the very best I can with what the kit offers. I will use resin seats from time to time but that’s it for me. Having seen you build I have to say I’m really impressed with you finish and painting. Despite your problems with the canopy it has turned out brilliantly and is an inspiration to me. I have just ordered a couple of Syhart decal sheets for the single seat M which look very comprehensive – too much for one kit so I may have to build another! I find the Rafale has really hooked me – it’s such a beautiful aircraft! I was interested in your choice of grey – there seems to be a wide variety of opinion as to what is the correct colour but yours looks very convincing. Thanks for sharing a really great model – and the rest of you work is just superb too!
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Hi David,
Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it when people give feedback on the website.
The Rafale is a great looking aircraft and the Revell kit is pretty good. I certainly don’t claim any authority on the grey colour and simply went with what I felt looked good. Every so often I am tempted to try and get find a B model, but then the stash is already so big! I hope you continue to enjoy making your M – any photos anywhere online that you’ve shared?
Very best
Jon
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Hi Jon, I’ve only just found your reply to my messages so excuse the late response. Thank for expressing an interest in my attempts at a Rafale! I did finish the M but was disappointed in the kit as it really represents an early version without the ECM fitments so isn’t accurate. Normally, that doesn’t bother me too much as I said earlier, but I was annoyed to find that their boxing of the single seat airforce version contains all the parts to build a Marine version too! Anyway, here’s a link to my M:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/crumblebuilders/permalink/2057522677784192/
Any the B:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/crumblebuilders/permalink/1991814727688321/
I revisited your site today as I currently building a Hasegawa F-4G and, having done what I think is a reasonable job on the camouflage – following their instructions – I think that the colours are wrong. I’m pressing on with what I have but annoyed with myself for not doing more research! I was looking at your grey one and think it’s excellent!
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Love the Duck build Jon. Great scheme, great model, expertly written up and photographed. When you say you paint the markings with tamiya, can I assume you’re thinning them with X20A white top rather than the yellow top lacquer thinners?
Bruce
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Thanks Bruce. I actually thin Tamiya paints with Mr Leveling Thinner. HTH!
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Nice work on this interesting optic. Thanks for your efforts.
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