My dad and I built the Airfix Sterling back in the sixties. Black plastic leviathan that hung from the ceiling in my bedroom. Dad was in the REME during WW2, at one stage seconded to USAF. We built B-17 "bit ol lace" and he regaled me with stories of the plane together with mustangs and Thunderbolts. Great kits and a wonderful Dad who I still miss. Loved this video.
My Grandfather flew the Stirling during the war. As I understand it, owing to it being designed and built before the outbreak of war, it’s wingspan was limited to allow it to fit into the hardened hangers that the RAF had built. This made the aircraft effectively obsolete due to it’s limited ceiling. As such my Grandfather mostly flew supply missions for the Dutch underground. Flying alone in the dead of night over occupied Europe. He was also involved in Operation Market Garden, towing gliders into Arnhem. An ill conceived plan in a terrible war that he and his crew made it through miraculously completely unscathed.
The thing about hangar doors is a myth. Much more complicated reason but essentially it was a weight issue. The Stirling had to requirements that the other heavies didn’t have to meet
It's just possible that your grandfather met my late parents as Dad was an engine mechanic and Mum a WRAF on Stirlings. They would talk about them setting off towing gliders for Operation Market Garden and the Dutch relief flights you mention. Dad converted to Merlin engines and was sent to the Japanese theatre.
That's glorious. My uncle died in a Stirling crash in July 1943 - 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF. I'd love to build one of these as a remembrance - but yours has put anything I could do to shame. Great stuff.
Don’t let that stop you building yours! My grandfather died in a Wellington crash. I made a model of it as tribute but it would never make it to CZcams! 😅
My last kit was made 35 years ago using a tube of polystyrene cement and four little cans of Humbrol enamel. This vid was a revelation - all that detail, some of which you probably cannot see. Well done!
Building mine from scratch using thin cardboard sheet, but had no idea of what the interior looked like, now i do! Thank you, itll really help. Yes, i make every part myself. To be different, im making the mk2 that would have been Canadian built with American engines.
Lovely model! This brings back some distant memories for me too. In 1975 I started going to my local Methodist Church and discovered one of the stalwarts was the widow of a Stirling crew member and had been since 4th September 1943. She never remarried. Her late husband was Sgt. Robert Otley Lander, RAFVR. He was lost with his comrades in Stirling Mk III S/N BK774, markings LS-K of 15 Squadron The aircraft was lost close to the Danish coastline on a mine laying sortie. Sgt Lander and some of his comrades are buried in Frederikshavn Cemetery. What brave lads. And what pain Sgt Lander’s young wife must have gone through, like so many others. She talked to me about this just the once and, I think, only because she knew I was interested in WW2 history, particularly the RAF.
I built the Airfix Short Stirling, purely to get my hands on the tractor. That would have been in the mid 1970s. Sadly my Stirling has long since been lost to the sands of time, but I still have the tractor. I was delighted to see this Italeri build. A lovely trip down memory lane. Cheers Greg.
Just watched this again. I love the detail in the cockpit, such as the navigator's table. This aircraft must have been a real handful to land, with such tall undercarriage.
Every time you start your videos and you do that "hi" with you arm, it reminds me of driving in the rain and watching my windshield wipers go back and forth !!!
I was worried at first that this might be a re-boxing of the old Airfix kit, but was pleasantly surprised to see the better fit from the new mold, and improved decal sheet from the newer Aliteri effort. You did a really nice job.
My uncle lived near a church where three airmen are buried. Their sterling crashed into the water close to the town he lived in. Beside their grave is a propeller from their plane. And it is in remarkable good shape considering that the plane crashed into the water. Last time I saw the graves the propeller hub had been removed, I think the entire prop will be going through some conservation this winter. And I think next year it will be the 80th anniversary of the crash
Hey, Greg! Manuel here from Spain sharing the same feelings with that old Airfix Stirling kit. My father and I went to the models shop and it was love at first sight. We built it together, black plastic and huge wings! Still one of my favorite moments with plastic models, thank you for this wonderful video. Lots of good memories are back.
Hi Greg! I have to confess truly... most of your builds are not the object of my interest BUT each of your clips is really a pleasure to watch... keep on 👍🏽✌🏽
My great uncle was killed in a Stirling from 199 Squadron, Sept 15-16, 1944. I was always looking for a kit to build and now, especially with the 199 squadron aircraft shown in the decal sheet I have to find this one an build it. Thanks for posting. Cheers
I really enjoy your videos and especially your methodology, no nonsense, no pontificating on the best way of modeling. I like your choices in subjects as well. Keep these video’s coming!
I have been entertained! I reckon Italeri owe you big time- a huge thank you and a hand signed card every xmas at the very least for sorting this one. Awesome work!
One of your build videos dropping on a weekend is a real treat to watch with my morning coffee. Takes me back to Saturday morning TV as a kid. The video is exactly as long as it needs to be and packed with information and tips and a friendly, no-nonsense approach to each build. The builds are always outstanding, but I’m also impressed by the way in which you know what you want to build and you put in the work to do it that way. Thanks Greg - impressive stuff.
Man, you have great memory. I don't have the guts to remove everything from a sprue and try to remember its adjacent number as I might get it confused. LOL! Man, o man, your kit looks very realistic as always! Great job Greg!🤠
Thank you so so much for this video Greg. So many tips and tricks I will use when building this, my first kit in about 20 years! I couldn't believe it when I (Tom) spotted this kit in a local model shop the other week, and the decal sets included, Goosebumps everywhere. EX-G - The Gremlin Teaser was my Grandads aircraft, so seeing it reproduced brings back a huge wave of emotions. And as an extra bit of nostalgic magic, he was also Squadron 199's artist, so painted the very distinct nose art, including the lady who my Gran was VERY much not a fan of! He also painted the Stirling mural housed in RAF Hendon. The squadron has a very interesting history, and was involved in operation Window during D-Day, dropping vast amounts of aluminium strips as a radar decoy. (so the bomb loadout might be incorrect) Currently researching all the kit and best paints I need to give this build my best shot, as a tribute to a talented artist and engineer, who I sadly never got to meet. Thanks again, excellent build.
Wow! another beautiful build Greg, a little bit of scratch build mixed with an impeccable paint job. Always look forward to your videos. I grab a coffee and I’m ready to go.
Every time i see a built model it always strikes me as something that belongs in a museum for many others to see and appreciate because of the craftsmanship and the history it represents, but also because it's such a thing of beauty.
I had one oif the Airfix Stirlings you mentioned. The plane it'self is long gone, but the tractor now lives, battered and rusted besides a barn on my model railway.
Amazing work as ever Greg, and truly hypnotic watching your videos. What a great looking bomber. I was looking at this kit myself, but now I’m coming to the end of Italeri’s 1:48 Wessex Uh-5 coastguard, it’s put me Italeri for life 😩 Thanks for sharing as ever. Jase 🇬🇧
Per ardua ad astra, Outstanding example of your skills and perseverance. Always a treat to watch your build progress. The series of photos are wonderful. 'Target for Tonight."
My dad and I built the Airfix Sterling back in the sixties. Black plastic leviathan that hung from the ceiling in my bedroom. Dad was in the REME during WW2, at one stage seconded to USAF. We built B-17 "bit ol lace" and he regaled me with stories of the plane together with mustangs and Thunderbolts. Great kits and a wonderful Dad who I still miss.
Loved this video.
My Grandfather flew the Stirling during the war. As I understand it, owing to it being designed and built before the outbreak of war, it’s wingspan was limited to allow it to fit into the hardened hangers that the RAF had built. This made the aircraft effectively obsolete due to it’s limited ceiling. As such my Grandfather mostly flew supply missions for the Dutch underground. Flying alone in the dead of night over occupied Europe. He was also involved in Operation Market Garden, towing gliders into Arnhem. An ill conceived plan in a terrible war that he and his crew made it through miraculously completely unscathed.
The thing about hangar doors is a myth. Much more complicated reason but essentially it was a weight issue. The Stirling had to requirements that the other heavies didn’t have to meet
It's just possible that your grandfather met my late parents as Dad was an engine mechanic and Mum a WRAF on Stirlings. They would talk about them setting off towing gliders for Operation Market Garden and the Dutch relief flights you mention. Dad converted to Merlin engines and was sent to the Japanese theatre.
Likewise my father was with 190 and 620 squadrons Great Dunmow .sadly gone but not forgotten ❤
That's glorious. My uncle died in a Stirling crash in July 1943 - 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF. I'd love to build one of these as a remembrance - but yours has put anything I could do to shame. Great stuff.
If you could find out the ID letters on Uncle's plane it would be a touching tribute to build it.
Don’t let that stop you building yours! My grandfather died in a Wellington crash. I made a model of it as tribute but it would never make it to CZcams! 😅
My last kit was made 35 years ago using a tube of polystyrene cement and four little cans of Humbrol enamel. This vid was a revelation - all that detail, some of which you probably cannot see. Well done!
Building mine from scratch using thin cardboard sheet, but had no idea of what the interior looked like, now i do! Thank you, itll really help. Yes, i make every part myself. To be different, im making the mk2 that would have been Canadian built with American engines.
I must say, for a Italeri kit the final result is just amazing
A silk purse yet again Greg! Brilliant modelling.
Thank you for not spending any time on excessive weathering. Those birds didn't grow old over German skies.
Lovely model! This brings back some distant memories for me too. In 1975 I started going to my local Methodist Church and discovered one of the stalwarts was the widow of a Stirling crew member and had been since 4th September 1943. She never remarried. Her late husband was Sgt. Robert Otley Lander, RAFVR. He was lost with his comrades in Stirling Mk III S/N BK774, markings LS-K of 15 Squadron The aircraft was lost close to the Danish coastline on a mine laying sortie. Sgt Lander and some of his comrades are buried in Frederikshavn Cemetery. What brave lads. And what pain Sgt Lander’s young wife must have gone through, like so many others. She talked to me about this just the once and, I think, only because she knew I was interested in WW2 history, particularly the RAF.
I built the Airfix Short Stirling, purely to get my hands on the tractor. That would have been in the mid 1970s. Sadly my Stirling has long since been lost to the sands of time, but I still have the tractor. I was delighted to see this Italeri build. A lovely trip down memory lane. Cheers Greg.
Just watched this again. I love the detail in the cockpit, such as the navigator's table. This aircraft must have been a real handful to land, with such tall undercarriage.
Every time you start your videos and you do that "hi" with you arm, it reminds me of driving in the rain and watching my windshield wipers go back and forth !!!
A new video from Greg always brings a smile to my face.
Always!.
Great job Greg...thank you for talking just what was necessary, some fellow modelers keep talking and talking and talking...
I was worried at first that this might be a re-boxing of the old Airfix kit, but was pleasantly surprised to see the better fit from the new mold, and improved decal sheet from the newer Aliteri effort. You did a really nice job.
...who will ever rebox airfix trash
Another museum quality job by a master. RESPECT!!!
Thank you for this build. My father, who died last year, served in the RAF and worked on the Stirling in the last war.
My uncle lived near a church where three airmen are buried. Their sterling crashed into the water close to the town he lived in. Beside their grave is a propeller from their plane. And it is in remarkable good shape considering that the plane crashed into the water. Last time I saw the graves the propeller hub had been removed, I think the entire prop will be going through some conservation this winter. And I think next year it will be the 80th anniversary of the crash
,where iS this town?
Kudelstaart by any chance? Lived there as a kid and we had a similair story
Hey, Greg! Manuel here from Spain sharing the same feelings with that old Airfix Stirling kit. My father and I went to the models shop and it was love at first sight. We built it together, black plastic and huge wings! Still one of my favorite moments with plastic models, thank you for this wonderful video. Lots of good memories are back.
😎👍
*This Italeri kit is fabulous and you put it to the top! Very good work on the paint and the details.*
Lovely crisp details and camouflage.
Beautiful result.
Once again a sublime build Gregg and a truly wonderful finish. You’ve really done the aircraft justice
Love the nostalgia surrounding this kit.
Beautiful model great finish
Super build. Lots of insights!
Another superb outcome, Greg.
Hi Greg! I have to confess truly... most of your builds are not the object of my interest BUT each of your clips is really a pleasure to watch... keep on 👍🏽✌🏽
Thanks, will do!
Amazing to see one of these kits assembled properly.
You really are a master of your craft Greg, I always really look forward to your videos, whatever the subject! Thank you.
Wonderful build and finish. I occasionally hand paint the window framing as you have done here. I find a dark pin wash will further define the frame.
Awesome build. I learn so much from your builds
Absolutely wonderful build Greg 👌👍
Stunning build as ever Greg and I always come away with a few hints and tips for future builds, so thank you! Looking forward to your next build :)
😎👍
Just watched this again, even better than the 1st time , well done mate
I love the paint job.
Realistic and attractive, yet simple.
Takes artistic skill to do that.
Lovely Greg, a work of art.
Beautiful and cunning work as usual. It always brightens up my weekend even more when one of your builds appears.
Thank you
Strangely calming watching you do this. Excellent result.
Thank you! Cheers!
Now know where I was going wrong all those years ago. Gute Arbeit!
Superb idea with the brass!
Another stunning build Greg!
Great kit, good detail. Good video. Great job, good skills.
Another well executed build Greg👍Top notch modelling as always👌
I think you're a God of modeling and true artist beautiful planes man.....
Beautifully executed. Wonderful subtle weathering...
Thank you so much 😀
A stunning result from a less than stellar kit. Fantastic mate!
Really enjoyed this build, thank you for your no nonsense approach great looking model thanks 🙏
My great uncle was killed in a Stirling from 199 Squadron, Sept 15-16, 1944. I was always looking for a kit to build and now, especially with the 199 squadron aircraft shown in the decal sheet I have to find this one an build it. Thanks for posting. Cheers
A sterling job Greg - really nice build of this WW2 bruiser!
I really enjoy your videos and especially your methodology, no nonsense, no pontificating on the best way of modeling. I like your choices in subjects as well. Keep these video’s coming!
This is exactly what I thought!
Morning Greg, another fine Build of a great subject, keep em coming.
I have been entertained!
I reckon Italeri owe you big time- a huge thank you and a hand signed card every xmas at the very least for sorting this one.
Awesome work!
It's just a shame that some manufacturers don't think about the build process when engineering a kit. Airfix seems to manage this 👍
Absolutely awesome work.
Built mk4 glider tug 3 years ago. Really great kit from same manufacturer!
Blooming excellent 👌
That was a most enjoyable and fascinating watch, thank you. Beautiful end result 👍🏻👏🏻👌🏻
Thank you 😎
What a superb job. I am very impressed.
Beautiful job
Superb result.
Your presentation is excellent!
Looks great!
Immaculate work and very entertaining content!
One of your build videos dropping on a weekend is a real treat to watch with my morning coffee. Takes me back to Saturday morning TV as a kid. The video is exactly as long as it needs to be and packed with information and tips and a friendly, no-nonsense approach to each build. The builds are always outstanding, but I’m also impressed by the way in which you know what you want to build and you put in the work to do it that way. Thanks Greg - impressive stuff.
Thank you very much Martin, it's a pleasure 👍
I think that is a really good representation of the Sterling. Well done. From Ireland.
Another great build. Well done.
I have this kit in my stash and you've inspired me to crack on with it. You have made a beautiful job Greg, fantastic work, looks stunning! 👏 👍
Thanks Robert 😎
I can't build those small scale kits anymore, getting too old. You did a wonderful job!
You did a good job with that. Apart from a few things you pointed out, that looks like a contender for 'best in scale' for a Sterling.
Constantly inspired, thanks Greg.
I made up the Airfix Stirling in 1968 and I agree the addition of the tractor and bomb trollies was a nice bonus.
Man, you have great memory. I don't have the guts to remove everything from a sprue and try to remember its adjacent number as I might get it confused. LOL! Man, o man, your kit looks very realistic as always! Great job Greg!🤠
Cheers, it doesn't always go my way, every now and then I end up in agony city 😎
you are a master. un believable... a true professional modeler..and you are so modest...
Greg, just one word, FABULOUS!
looks great!
Enjoyed watching that and picked up a few tips.
Thank you so so much for this video Greg.
So many tips and tricks I will use when building this, my first kit in about 20 years!
I couldn't believe it when I (Tom) spotted this kit in a local model shop the other week, and the decal sets included, Goosebumps everywhere.
EX-G - The Gremlin Teaser was my Grandads aircraft, so seeing it reproduced brings back a huge wave of emotions.
And as an extra bit of nostalgic magic, he was also Squadron 199's artist, so painted the very distinct nose art, including the lady who my Gran was VERY much not a fan of!
He also painted the Stirling mural housed in RAF Hendon.
The squadron has a very interesting history, and was involved in operation Window during D-Day, dropping vast amounts of aluminium strips as a radar decoy. (so the bomb loadout might be incorrect)
Currently researching all the kit and best paints I need to give this build my best shot, as a tribute to a talented artist and engineer, who I sadly never got to meet.
Thanks again, excellent build.
Thank you so much, Greg
Congrats!!!
Great job !!
Hiya Greg, awesome vid I enjoyed very much thanks for sharing this bit of nostalgia
Excellent work!😉👍
Thank you! Cheers!
A silk purse from a sow's ear Greg, you are a craftsman!
I had a go at the airfix Stirling yonks ago I liked the box artwork with the bomber being loaded up it is still so memorable
Wow! another beautiful build Greg, a little bit of scratch build mixed with an impeccable paint job. Always look forward to your videos. I grab a coffee and I’m ready to go.
Many thanks!
Every time i see a built model it always strikes me as something that belongs in a museum for many others to see and appreciate because of the craftsmanship and the history it represents, but also because it's such a thing of beauty.
Thank you
I had one oif the Airfix Stirlings you mentioned. The plane it'self is long gone, but the tractor now lives, battered and rusted besides a barn on my model railway.
another nice job ... well done.
Amazing work as ever Greg, and truly hypnotic watching your videos.
What a great looking bomber.
I was looking at this kit myself, but now I’m coming to the end of Italeri’s 1:48 Wessex Uh-5 coastguard, it’s put me Italeri for life 😩
Thanks for sharing as ever.
Jase 🇬🇧
Great work as usual!
Outstanding!
Nicely done - looks fantastic. Thanks.
nice avatar!
What a great way to start my Sunday morning!! Once again, spectacular build! My favourite modeller on CZcams... hands down! Thankyou and take care
Always a pleasure to hear from you Edward; take care 👍
The detail on these 1/72 scale mobel kits have come a long way since I built them as a young teenager back in the late 50's early 60's.
Nicely done
My uncle was killed over Holland in 43 in a Stirling ,jumped by night fighter nice work on this kit
Per ardua ad astra, Outstanding example of your skills and perseverance. Always a treat to watch your build progress. The series of photos are wonderful. 'Target for Tonight."
I struggle with the final photos with builds, but these hit the spot, thanks 😎
Very well done Greg, like IT. 😀 The painting is done very nice, with ligts and shadows just at the right place. 👍
Cheers Stefan 👍
Great job Greg, you really did the old girl justice!
Really GREAT videos!
Thank you for your content!
You are an artist!
Thank you very much👍
Excellent