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The subreddit dedicated to the hobby of plastic model kit building and painting. Other Reddit channels here: @r_channels. Contact @reddit2telegram for creating one.
I'm constructing an AT&T Long-Lines communications antenna (1:87)
https://redd.it/1vczfjr
@r_modelmakers
Workbench is going
https://redd.it/1vd0lol
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Tamiya KV-2
https://redd.it/1vcpm1x
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GWH Mig-29A 1/48 scale. Not a easy kit to build but you can get a great result.
https://redd.it/1vcoqi8
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The Weekly Small Questions Thread! Got a burning question? Looking for some tips on your build? Ask away!
The Weekly Small Questions thread is a place for everyone in /r/modelmakers to come and ask questions. Don't be shy.
​
You might have a burning question you've been meaning to ask but you don't want to make your own thread, or are just seeking some input or feedback from your fellow builders! This thread is aimed at new builders, but everyone is welcome.
​
If you haven't, check out our local wiki and the "New to the hobby" thread, which might be of help to you!
https://redd.it/1vcja1c
@r_modelmakers
My first proper diorama, C&C welcome!
https://redd.it/1sgo2ie
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Heinkel He 219 A-7 UHU
https://redd.it/1sgdntm
@r_modelmakers
them:
Saab JAS 39 Gripen Origin: Sweden User: South Africa
BAE Hawk Mk.120 Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
F-16 Fighting Falcon Origin: United States User: Morocco
JF-17 Thunder Block II Origin: China/Pakistan User: Nigeria
M-346 Master Origin: Italy User: Nigeria
A-29 Super Tucano Origin: Brazil User: Nigeria, Mauritania
MiG-23 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe
Su-27 Flanker Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia
Su-30K Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia
Su-25 Frogfoot Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia
Chengdu F-7 Origin: China User: Nigeria, Zimbabwe
Hongdu JL-8 (K-8) Origin: China User: Zimbabwe
Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Origin: Switzerland User: South Africa
C-130 Hercules Origin: United States User: South Africa, Ethiopia
CASA C-212 Aviocar Origin: Spain User: South Africa, Zimbabwe
Mil Mi-24 (Mi-35) Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe
Mil Mi-8/17 Origin: Russia User: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe
Atlas Oryx Origin: South Africa User: South Africa
AH-2 Rooivalk Origin: South Africa User: South Africa
Westland Super Lynx Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
AW109 Trekker Origin: Italy User: Nigeria
Bayraktar TB2 Origin: Turkey User: Ethiopia
Wing Loong II Origin: China User: Ethiopia
Milkor 380 Origin: South Africa User: South Africa
Here are 20 notable aircraft types that have been retired from service in various African air forces:
Atlas Cheetah Origin: South Africa User: South Africa
Dassault Mirage III Origin: France User: South Africa
Dassault Mirage F1 Origin: France User: South Africa
English Electric Canberra Origin: United Kingdom User: Rhodesia, Ethiopia
de Havilland Vampire Origin: United Kingdom User: Rhodesia
Aermacchi MB-326 (Impala) Origin: Italy User: South Africa
Douglas C-47 Dakota Origin: United States User: South Africa, Rhodesia
Northrop F-5 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia
Lockheed T-33 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia
MiG-17 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia
Douglas A-20 Boston Origin: United States User: South Africa
Fairey Battle Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
Vickers Wellington Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
de Havilland D.H.9J Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
Bristol Blenheim Origin: United Kingdom User: South Africa
Reims 337 Lynx Origin: France User: Rhodesia
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma Origin: France User: Ethiopia
Mil Mi-6 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia
Mil Mi-14 Origin: Soviet Union User: Ethiopia
North American T-28 Origin: United States User: Ethiopia
**Potential Participants:**
dakleton: 1/72 Piaggio P166 Albatross
1/72 Aermacchi Impala Mk! or Mk2.
KG\_modelling: Mig-17
https://redd.it/1l19gs5
@r_modelmakers
Revell Tomcat 1/48
https://redd.it/1sfc406
@r_modelmakers
Tamiya 1:32 P-51D
https://redd.it/1sf12s7
@r_modelmakers
100BG vignette 1:48
https://redd.it/1nq0gne
@r_modelmakers
Revell USS Olympia
https://redd.it/1npxff6
@r_modelmakers
Trumpeter T-80Bvm
https://redd.it/1nprhee
@r_modelmakers
Scratchbuilt Scfi ship made from styrene, plastic junk and an old vaccum cleaner
https://redd.it/1npqpx1
@r_modelmakers
I started modeling 1 year ago, here’s the progress
https://redd.it/1npnhxh
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1/72 Frog Fiat G.55
https://redd.it/1vd230n
@r_modelmakers
My first, second and third completed model
https://redd.it/1vctodx
@r_modelmakers
Meng M3 Bradley water crossing
https://redd.it/1vcnlvk
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Airfix English Electric Lightning
https://redd.it/1vchvm3
@r_modelmakers
I Finnish this kit recently
https://redd.it/1vce0dk
@r_modelmakers
Finally finished my second diorama ever!
https://redd.it/1sgi18y
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1/35 Tamiya M151A1 & Takom M114 Diorama "Wrong Turn"
https://redd.it/1sfpskl
@r_modelmakers
Group Build - African Military Aviation
\* THIS GROUPBUILD IS ON!!!\*
PLEASE SUBMIT A POST OF YOUR KIT BEFORE STARTING IT AND GIVE US A QUICK IDEA OF WHAT YOU WILL BE BUILDING AND IN WHICH MARKINGS ETC.
THERE ARE NO LIMITS TO AFTERMARKET ITEMS OR SCALE.
THE IDEA OF THIS GROUPBUILD ARE TO HAVE THE PARTICIPANTS BUILD SOMETHING THAT THEY MIGHT NOT NORMALLY BUILD AND HOPEFULLY TO GET AN IMPRESSIVE LINEUP OF AFRICAN AIRCRAFT AT THE END OF THE GB
MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE FUN!!!
Start Date: 1 July 2025
End Date : 31 December 2025.
Any scale is acceptable.
Subject: African Military Aircraft.
Era: Past/present
Participation: Please comment under this post stating your interest and which subject you plan to build.
[\( Photo: Defence.pk via F-16.net \)](https://preview.redd.it/7v89qmhq2g4f1.jpg?width=970&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b554075edceb293e3125c0d6cecf10f316e4454a)
[\(Photo: \\"Dr Watson\\"\)](https://preview.redd.it/7jn8obby2g4f1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b75c2ac9e286d72821380d32392d5fa213fa5ce)
***\*The original post was removed as there was an issue with me offering a model kit to be raffled under those who finished a build in this GB. This offer/suggestion has been removed so if you did read the original post, please take note that this post has been updated and the raffle/model has been excluded\****
I would like to announce a group build for all the military aviation builders under us. As a South African with a father who flew in both the Royal Air Airforce and the South African Air Force, African aviation has a special place in my heart. Besides a plethora of different civil aircraft among which many ex Soviet types, military aviation in Africa has also had it fair share of unique aircraft since the first military aircraft, ( Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and Henry Farman biplanes in 1914) were taken into service by the South African Airforce.
Military aviation in Africa has evolved significantly over the past century, shaped by colonial legacies, regional conflicts, and shifting geopolitical alliances. The African continent, comprising 54 internationally recognized countries, is home to roughly 30 active national air forces today. Early military aviation on the continent was dominated by colonial powers, with local forces primarily operating as auxiliaries. Following independence movements in the mid-20th century, many African nations began developing their own air forces, often with equipment supplied by either Western or Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War.
Historically, the South African Air Force (SAAF) stood out as the most advanced and powerful air force on the continent, especially during the apartheid era. Backed by a strong domestic aerospace industry, including the development of indigenous aircraft like the Atlas Cheetah, the ORYX (AS330 Puma upgrade), the ACE (All Composite Evaluator, one built and written off) and Rooivalk, South Africa maintained a technologically superior fleet and operated under advanced doctrines shaped by decades of regional conflict and embargo-driven innovation.
In the modern era, the Egyptian Air Force has emerged as the largest in Africa by both fleet size and combat capability, fielding hundreds of aircraft including F-16s, Rafales, and MiG-29s. On the opposite end of the spectrum, several smaller nations such as Lesotho or The Gambia, maintain only a nominal air wing or no formal air force at all, relying instead on small utility aircraft or foreign support for aerial operations.
Today, African military aviation is marked by a mix of legacy platforms, locally upgraded systems, and increasingly modern acquisitions from countries like China, Russia, the U.S., and Turkey. The trend is slowly shifting toward multi-role fighters, indigenous drone programs, and international cooperation as African air forces seek to modernize in response to evolving security challenges.
So , what can you build? Well below is a selection of over 20 aircraft types currently operated by African air forces, detailing their origin and the nations employing
AMK 1/48 MiG-31 Update
https://redd.it/1sf3bxh
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Hasegawa 1/72 F/A-18D Hornet
https://redd.it/1sevjkq
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B-17G 909 getting there
https://redd.it/1npwyoi
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I decided to built and X-Wing
https://redd.it/1npuwq4
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Not my best one. 1:72 Airfix p-51
https://redd.it/1nprhdq
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Sub Hunter: 1/48th Classic Airframes Hudson
https://redd.it/1npo8fq
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Tamiya 1/12 Honda RC166
https://redd.it/1npkdec
@r_modelmakers
