Scratch that

Having just installed a new SSD on my MacBook recently I was going through some old folders to see what could be archived and I came across these images, the only remaining evidence of my teenage modelling years. These would have have been built some time between 1976 and 1978, so I'd have been 16 – 18 years old. The images have been scanned from some (very dusty) 35mm slides, so they're a little grainy.
The first is a 1/72 Airco DH9, scratch built from some plans published in 'Scale Models' magazine. Every element of the model was scratch built, even the prop, engine and wheels, the latter 'cast' from car filler (probably David's Isopon) in plasticine moulds. All the markings were painted on, and stretched sprue was used for the rigging.

The other model is a Revell 1/72 Spad XIII, which was given a detailed cockpit and replacement struts. The challenge with this build was the color scheme, which I freehand painted with a fine brush (no masking). My references at the time didn't show the undersides, so I took the easy way out and painted them light grey.

What I find interesting is that today, despite 35 years' more experience, I'd consider a scratch building project like the DH-9 as being too ambitious or difficult, which is a shame as I derived great enjoyment and fulfillment from it.