My wife has always been interested in family history and I’ve always been interested in military history. In 2009 I decided to build two models of WW II aircraft where members of my wife’s family had a personal story. One of these was the Fairey Swordfish, a seemingly obsolete biplane torpedo bomber that became famous for a successful surprise strike on the Italian battle fleet at harbor 13 months before Pearl Harbor. My mother-in-law’s wartime boyfriend was an observer on one of the 21 Swordfish that made the attack.
With this as genesis, I got back into airplane modeling after an absence of 40 years. The ‘art’ of fine scale modeling is highly developed now – making my efforts as a youth look truly amateurish. The chapters that follow outline my immersion in this hobby craft and provide perspective to anyone else embarking on the same course. Those who built models as a kid and wonder whether they ‘still have it’ to do an adult-quality job should find this illuminating. Serious modelers may find this ‘entertaining’.
Chapter 1 – Inaugural Remarks
Chapter 2 – Research
Chapter 3 – Kits
Chapter 4 – Aftermarket Parts
Chapter 5 – Cockpit and Interior
Chapter 6 – Fuselage and Wings
Chapter 7 – Engine and Oil Cooler
Chapter 8 – Rigging
Chapter 9 – Painting and Decaling
Chapter 10 – Torpedo
Chapter 11 – Diorama and Flight Deck
Chapter 12 – Finished Model
Cropredy Swordfish Project 