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  1. Something I've been working on when I get chance, seeing as the 32nd Sabre is still missing parts from Kinetic, the Alcock & Brown phantom has stalled due to the decals self destructing, I've had this on the go to keep me ticking over. Going to be OOB apart from a master model pitot. Comparison between a 32nd and a 48th scale Hunter - A mod I've put on, first photo shows what it comes as with the kit. Hand painted the IP, No decals used here Rest of the cockpit finished. Some detail was added to the flight stick as it was a bit bland and shapeless before. Started on a weathered base for the underside LAG Then made a start on the top surface Grey. I've got some references that show some really beat up Hunters, so that's what I'm working towards. Trying to throw half an hour or so at a time for now, so it's a slow burner. Should be a good first 32nd though!
  2. Good morning, as some of you may know, I finished the Hunter in a rather quick period of time. Actually, it was my fastest build ever! A few details about the model: it's the well-praised Hunter F.6 from Revell, which unfortunately is a bit hard to find nowaday. It was built strictly OOB, I only added two rods connecting the nose wheel leg to the gear door, and added some transparent nav lights, no resin, no PE. Painting was done with Gunze acryls and Tamiya flat alu, oil wash after some gloss cote, semigloss at the very end. Decals had to be altered a bit, as the front part of the pizza slice is straight, not curved (see WIP in the Hunter GB) Still, the confidentional "internal error list" is rather long, but I guess I will have forgotten the most items after a few days. Thanks for watching! Alex
  3. Good afternoon, as mentionned in the chat, wife and kid are outside, so I will try to do a quick build on the Revell Hunter. The start, at 7:30LT After one hour, the seat, tanks and wings were glued, some recesses filled. The first colour, black for the cockpit area. Pic is overexposed to show the details. After 3.5 hours, workbench looks like this. Wings needed much time and filler, but it may have been my mistake. First round of silver (tamiya flat alu) Dashboard ready for installation. Just some tire black for the main part, some drybrushing and gloss black for the dials. Cockpit ready for the fuselage. Fuselage halves glued together. Nose, gun bay and exhaust were added later. The intakes are a bit tricky, as it's best to paint them beforehand. So, again, a short burst of alu, one side green, the other grey. Such parts need time, so I will let dry the glue overnight. Time so far: 10 hrs total, including some breaks, lunch and taking care of the flat. Some 8 hours net building time. Next step is putting the parts together, preshading, colours and then off we go. Hope I'm finished by this weekend! Alex
  4. Hi folks Does anyone know if there are any Hawker Hunter T/7/8 or the like on the horizon? This is one of the dual seaters I sooo would like, that I would actually bother with a vacuum formed canopy if only there was a conversion set available? Best would offcourse be a new injection moulded kit though
  5. Well, Dan Jones, who lives a stones throw away from me has come up with the idea of a buddy build... We share this kit in common, although I'm not sure if Dan has all the extra greeblies that I do... We shall post regular updates on progress, as I am certain that Dan will start his own thread once we take steel to styrene tomorrow. Without further ado... The aforementioned victim.... Box art Extra greeblies Sprues & Destruction sheet Let battle commence.....
  6. I'm planning to do a 1/48 Hunter T7 in the future using the Heritage conversion kit. Seeing what is available on evil bay, what is considered the best kit to use. Academy FGA9 Academy F6 Italeri F6/FGA9 Lindberg F? Nichimo F6 Thanks for any input. Rob.
  7. Hi Everyone, I am working on a project to build five 1/72 single seat Hunters in aerobatic team colours. Whilst I've completed the Belgian 'Diables Rouges' aircraft using Daco decals 72-45, and have decals in the stash for a 'Black Arrows' F.6 and a blue/yellow/silver 'Patroille Swisse' F.58, I would also like to complete an F.6 in 'Blue Diamonds' liverie, and an F.56 in the Indian 'Thunderbolts' liverie. I haven't been able to locate decal sheets that would cover these, so if anyone could help with naming any sheet that includes either or both, and even a stockist, I would greatly appreciate it. Cheers Tony
  8. As a side topic to the 'what should Airfix be making' and the inevitable 'why?' and 'why not' posts that follow can you list your personal wishlists in 3 categories: Near term - those you feel are likely to come to fruition in a year or two, even if you won't be buying it Medium term - within say 5 years, and can include those models You want to see that are a faintly realistic proposition. Long term - when you will be planning a release from your cryogenic chamber. (note: whilst the long term plans may include unlikely makes or marks, or even a corrected version of a current bestseller please try keep them fairly realistic - I doubt Airfix will be making a Tibetan homemade glider at any point despite the clamouring for one) .... Ok I'll start off (and I'll try to keep it as new kits only not rereleases) Near: Single seat Vamps P-47 (razor and bubble) D3A Val (extending the pacific WW2 niche) Buccaneer (a big UK seller and the old one is aged) Meteors (including at least 1 each T & NF) 2 seat Lightning (so many fighters, needs a matching trainer) Medium: Whirlwind (the forgotten WW2 fighter) DH106 Comet (4s please, RAF & Dan Air schemes) Victor (much demanded to replace the aging Matchbox) F-4 Phantoms (a European sized hole will persist unless FujiGawa get cheaper, or Revell add to their F) Panther/Cougar - (expanding the USN theme in to post war) Long: Vulcan (old mould is creaking) Wellesley (Forgotten type, fits with a WW2 desert theme) Gazelle (hard to find, simply needs updating to modern standards) Wasp/Scout (a missing link so long oop) Viggan (actually pretry much any Saab as the reborn Heller seen reluctant to mass market, and non-Gripens aren't commonplace) *I reserve the right to change my mind if I think of new options (and given time I could extend to top 100s!)
  9. At long last I have a 'new' desk which although smaller and lacking drawers/cupboards will at least allow a restart after a too-long break. And what dropped through my letterbox this morning but another early suprise...(although mine is rather more crumpled in appearance) The (not so) mighty Mechanical Horse aka Scammell Scarab which using the kit options would build up to this: I see there is a walkaround (yay!) but only one build thread (aww) so it will fit in nicely as being different to the normal 99.9% of kits seen. Now I just need to get bits and pieces sorted in to place before deciding on RAF, RN or civilian scheme (and another excuse to get to Antics searching the paint stands...whilst ignoring the 'wall of plastic' of course:)) One question/request... Google (and Bing) bring up a few pix of models or museum vehicles in military dress but nothing of real vehicles in action. Whilst I'm still umming and erring on my Dinah build I thought it might look good sat next a 50s or 60s Hunter or Gannet or...
  10. With the 2015 show just around the corner I thought I better pull my finger out and post some of my 2014 shots! More of the wings can be found here: http://www.hanger51.org/airshows/2014/dunsfold-wings-and-wheels/ And all of the wheels here: http://www.hanger51.org/the-garage/dunsfold-wings-wheels-2014/ Hunter XL577 by tony_inkster, on Flickr Canberra PR.9 XH134 by tony_inkster, on Flickr P-51 Mustang by tony_inkster, on Flickr Spit & Stang by tony_inkster, on Flickr D-Day flypast by tony_inkster, on Flickr Great War Display Team by tony_inkster, on Flickr Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight Foundation B-25 by tony_inkster, on Flickr Vera by tony_inkster, on Flickr Lancaster summer by tony_inkster, on Flickr Gnat G-RORI (XR538) by tony_inkster, on Flickr Dogfighting Vulcan style by tony_inkster, on Flickr Breitling Wing Walkers by tony_inkster, on Flickr
  11. Evening - can anyone point in the direction of any good archive material on the Hunters used at the Fighter School in the 1960's? I am looking for photo's in the main and also to get a sense of what, if any weaponry they may have used for my next Hunter F6 project thanks Chris
  12. Good evening. I'm wondering: how loud is the Hawker Hunter compared with a Tornado flying at the same altitude? One is flying at the Wings and Wheels airshow at Shuttleworth on Sunday, so I really need to know as I have a phobia of loud noises (particularly low flying jet aircraft). Thank you in advance.
  13. Hi all, I thought it was about time I did a WIP after lurking and posting for so long. Last year I built the Matchbox Sea Venom and enjoyed working in 1/32 so added a couple more big scale kits to my stash with the idea of doing one or two of them a year. This years kit will be this one: I've started, as is customary, in the cockpit and have added a few bits and bobs to busy up the kit parts, which are very good all things considered. My guide in this is the Modellers Data File on the Hunter and I'm just trying to achieve the impression of busyness rather than 100% accuracy: I think that will be enough extra's as most will be barely visible once the cockpit is closed up, next step is to paint it all black which will help to make all the additions disappear. The kit seat isn't too bad but it will need detail adding and the moulded on belts removing and replacing. So I'm considering an aftermarket item but will make my mind up later in the build as the seat can still be fitted after the fuselage is closed up. More as I make progress Regards Tom
  14. After many years of building plastic kits it has been a totally new experience and a pleasure to be involved in the restoration of a life size example of one of my favourite aircraft. WT722 has been with Classic Air Force at Newquay for while, stuck outside and rather neglected it was decided to repaint her in the colours she wore during the 1970s. The departure of Classic Air Force from Newquay has been well documented, the remaining aircraft will form part of a new museum at Newquay. WT722 will be kept under cover along with the Harrier GR3 and another airframe in a HAS which will be open to visitors. The VC10, BAC111, Varsity, Canberra, Sea Devon etc will be parked on the disused runway. January, removal of old markings. All the old markings were measured and photographed prior to removal: Further preparation and application of primer was carried out in HAS5. Due to uncertainties with the future location of the museum we vacated HAS5 and moved back to 404 Hangar in April: April 28th, back in 404 Hangar and the first coat of Light Aircraft Grey: Masking: This is where we are at the moment, the fuselage roundels were masked and sprayed during the last couple of weeks. Wing roundels, codes, serials, stencils all planned for the next few weeks.
  15. Close to the end of my Hunter T. 8M build (a Frog/ Matchbox 1/72 kitbash), and working out the things under the wings. I have seen photos of the large tanks on FRADU Hunters, and what appears to be Sidewinder rails on the outer pylons. The port station has what appears to be an aquisition round mounted. My question is: if these are indeed Sidewinder rails, and assuming that the store is a dummy training round, were the weapon pylons wired for live Sidewinders, and did the T.8M ever carry Sidewinders? I have not been able to find photos of them in place. TIA
  16. Hi everyone I am looking for some Sura rockets for my Fly Model 1:48 Strikemaster (the Omani option). I know this is a big-time long shot, but if I remember right, someone was able to get a set from a Hunter from someone on this site. If someone can help me on this Lord of the Rings-type quest that would be great, thanks from Josh.
  17. Hi, Has anyone used white metal legs on this kit. I have managed to lose one of the kit legs, part 71, and wondered if the white metal legs were a good replacement? I guess I could always try Revell for a replacement, but I think it takes about six weeks. Happy 2015 to all. Cheers, Mike.
  18. Right gang, having built a number of the Revell 72nd scale Hawker Hunter kit this year I find myself starting off 2015 with the promise of more, this GB - not to mention the generosity of its creator Cliff - gives me the chance to model a Hunter F.52 used by Peru. Starting point will be the F.6 kit and a set of suitable roundels Cliff gave me. The F.52 was basically a Mk.4 so the usual backdating will need to be done again as it was on my Swedish example. Will try to get some photos taken later in what passes for daylight at this time of year.
  19. Finally finished my fourth Hunter of the year. As per the previous 3 it's made from the Revell 72nd scale kit but this time back-dated to an F.5 Initial plan was to finish this one as a 34 Sqn machine but checked my references too late into the build and realised the one I had decals for didn't carry the link collector bulges under the cockpit so second choice was a 263 Sqn machine. Decals came from an Xtradecal sheet for F.6s suitably modified and supplemented with Modeldecal serial codes. a little extra detail was added to the cockpit and undercarriage, Backdating to an F.5 includes removing the wing leading edge dog-tooth, changing the mid-fuselage vents, adjusting the airbrake proportions, then reducing the tailpipe diameter, Also added the wing tip and tail fairing tip lights from clear plastic. The Hunter fascination will continue next year with at least two planned for GBs
  20. Another Hawker Hunter of the workbench using the Revell 72nd scale kit as a basis. This time a PR.11 of 764 Sqn. at Lossiemouth during the late 60s and one that my father flew on a few occasions. Used the Model Alliance Decals Senior Service Hawker Hunters sheet number MA-72136 but have mixed feelings about this. On one hand it made modelling this machine simpler as I didn't have to raid several other sources to get the decals required and they went on well but the white of the fuselage roundels isn't strong enough to hide the demarcation between upper and lower camouflage colours and none of the many stencils carried by this aircraft after conversion to a PR.11 are provided. While some can be taken from the kit decal sheet that doesn't cover everything. I'll say 7 out of 10 for them. Modifications to the kit were forming the camera nose using the standard kit part built up with plastic tube and filler then the side looking ports glazed with Micro Kristal Klear, filling in the cannon troughs, changing the mid fuselage vents and intakes, and reducing the diameter of the jet pipe with plastic tube and sheet. The airbrake proportions were changed and the arrestor hook made from locking wire that used to come in bicycle brake caliper sets while the pitot probe was turned from some brass rod. The usual extra details inside cockpit and undercarriage were supplemented by a set of 'Remove Before Flight' covers on the intakes and the undercarriage locks. The covers were plastic sheet and fusewire with the straps made from metal foil from a chocolate coin (the joys of having a child ) while the u/c locks were from the same foil and some very thin fusewire. Was also intending to add a P P Aeroparts boarding ladder as well but can't for the life of me find where I've put it so lets call her done as is.
  21. Hi, some weeks ago I posted a question regarding the 3‘‘ rocket-rails used on many Hawker Hunters. I asked if anybody knew where to find scale drawings that explain the exact position of these rails under the Hunter’s wing and their size. Unfortunately nobody could help (or everybody considered the question too dumb). So I was left to my own devices. I chose some inflight photographs that were taken more or less 90° from below and enlarged them to 1/72 scale on a photocopier. Then I took the measurements of the attachment points and the rails. Using the attachment points for the outer wing pylon of the kit (it all has to be parallel!) and the panel line close to the leading edge as an orientation, I drilled additonal holes into the wing. The rails were made from stretched sprue. It is recommendable to build more than you need, so you can sort out those which didn’t turn out fine. In my case, I made about 16 rails because I wanted 12 rails (for two Hunters). This is the result so far: Obviously, the project would have benefitted from more precise workmanship, but so far is this all I could do with my stubby fingers. Thanks for looking, Ole
  22. Finished another conversion to the Revell 72nd scale Hunter kit. This one is WB202 as the F.2 prototype when fitted with four dummy Firestreak missiles. A couple of fellow Britmodellers were kind enough to give me spare missiles from their Matchbox Lightning kits and all the other changes to backdate the F.6 were scratch built including the pylons and narrow bore tailpipe. Decals were a mix of kit roundels with Modeldecal codes and the raked fin flashes also from a Modeldecal sheet intended for a Lightning. Painted with Alclad and Humbrol enamels.
  23. Revell hunter F Mk.6/Freightdog practice rounds. 1/72 Kit built before I discovered milliput, I was used to squadron type putty which attacks the plastic, I didn't want to risk damaging the detail on this kit, which I think is excellent, shame because I can't find another one to build, so I have the wing root join which is not so good. Decals were good except the white portion of the roundel/flash is slightly transparent. Freightdog bits. I'm a first time user of this firm, I thought these were so good (excited by ordnance) I bought 2 sets on the first day I saw them. One set may end up on a harrier as both early and later bomb types come with the set. Good enough firm, I'll probably get some more things in the future. The details are good enough for me. Kit took ages to paint as I used humbrol for each colour. First I painted white and yellow then masked this off, second the top colours were painted, I can't remember which went on first, finally the silver was painted. After removing masks the black was applied along with the nav lights etc. Maybe the bombs should be blue? Not sure when they started painted dummies blue. I figure that at some time this may have been a viable load out. Maybe the gun flash reducers are bright orange? Standard practice for decals, gloss first and a satin finish, humbrol paints were used. Decal soft from revell. Airframe XG204, (From uk serials) First flight 25/09/1956, awaiting collection 22/10/1956, delivery date 25/10/1956, write off 15/08/1969 after flying into the ground at Rhosneigr after take off from Valley, Anglesey. The Lebanese pilot was killed. (From 8Sqn history 1963 @ www.radfanhunters.co.uk) On the second relocation to Sharjah, a simulated Kuwaiti-style operation was executed immediately on arrival. The opportunity was also taken for live-firing practice on the range, 50 miles north up the coast at Jeb-a-Jib. Throughout this second attachment to Sharjah, the squadron was accompanied by a team from the Day Fighter Combat School (DFCS) at West Raynham, together with two of the units F.6s (XG204 and XG209) and a pair of T.7s (XL591 and XL595). The team flew as members on most sorties and a programme was run that included low level, cross-country interceptions, operational R/P and cannon air-to-ground firing, and high-level battle formations and tactics were practiced and assessed. (Edited, three sets bought, two sets fitted to kit, one set spare, one set is two carriers and four of each bomb type)
  24. First finished model of the year and it's only half way through Based on the Revell Hawker Hunter F.6 kit modified to represent a Swedish Air Force J34 late in their service.
  25. Hawker Hunter FGA-9/Mk-58 Revell 1/32 History The Hawker Hunter FGA 9 was the RAF's main close support or ground attack aircraft during the 1960s, having replaced the de Havilland Venom FB.4. The Hunter was chosen for the role after competitive evaluation trials that were carried in Aden in 1958. At first the contest was seen as being between the Hunting-Percival Jet Provost and the Folland Gnat, both in use as RAF training aircraft, but the Hunter F.6 was added to the contest, and easily outclassed its competitors. In 1958 Hawkers received an order to convert forty F.6s to the new FGA.9 standard. This was followed by five more contracts to convert a total of eighty eight aircraft, for a total of 128 aircraft. The F.G.A.9 had a stronger wing than the F.6, allowing it to carry a wider range of stores. The inner pylon could carry a 230-gallon drop tank (with an extra strut for support), but required a cut-out to be made in the flaps for clearance, two 25lb practice bombs, one 500lb or 1000lb bomb, up to 6 3in rockets or a battery carrying 24 or 37 two-inch. The outer pylon could be replaced by four Mk 12 rocket rails, each of which could carry three or four 3in rockets. In 1967 this was replaced by the 68mm SNEB rocket pod, which carried eighteen individual rockets. The FGA.9 also carried extra oxygen, improved cockpit ventilation and cooling (to cope with the high temperatures in the areas it was expected to operate in) and a tail landing parachute to help on smaller Middle Eastern airfields. The first F.G.A.9 made its maiden flight on 3 July 1959, and entered service with RAF Strike Command (the former Fighter Command) in 1960-61, joining No.8 Squadron at Khormaksar (Aden) in January 1960. No.208 received the type in March 1960 and used it from Kenya. No.43 received the FGA.9 at home then took it to Cyprus in June 1961. No.20 Squadron received the type at Singapore then used it during the Indonesian crisis of the mid 1960s. At home Nos.1 and 54 Squadrons received the FGA.9 in 1961. The FGA.9 began to be phased out towards the end of the 1960s. The last few squadrons to use it as a front line aircraft were No.1, which transferred to the Harrier from July 1969, No.54 which was disbanded then reformed as a Phantom squadron in September 1969 and No.8 Squadron, which lost its aircraft on its return from the Gulf in 1971. The aircraft was then used with a number of training units before finally retiring from that role in 1980. The FGA.9 was the basis of a large number of export versions of the Hunter, while twelve were sold directly to Rhodesia in 1963. The Swiss meanwhile had taken delivery of their FGA.9 equivalents, the Mk58 in 1963 having ordered 12 modified Mk.6 aircraft and 88 new builds. Swiss Hunters were operated as interceptors, with a secondary ground-attack role; the outboard wing pylons were modified to carry two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. In the ground-attack role, the Swiss Air Force maintained an arsenal of conventional iron bombs, a number of compatible napalm bombs were also maintained for intended use by the Hunters. In the interceptor role, the Hunters were supplemented by a surface to air missile (SAM) defence system also procured from the United Kingdom, based on the Bristol Bloodhound. A portion of the Hunter fleet was permanently placed in reserve as "sleeper squadrons", housed in remote mountain-side hangars. It was planned that in a large-scale conflict, these aircraft would fly from adjacent highways, using them as improvised runways. By 1975, plans were laid to replace the Hunter in the air-to-air role with a more modern fighter aircraft, the Northrop F-5E Tiger II. The Hunter remained in a key role within the Swiss Air Force; like the RAF's Hunter fleet, the type transitioned to become the country's primary ground attack platform, replacing the Venom. While the Swiss Hunters already had more armament options than the RAF aircraft, being cleared to carry Oerlikon 80 mm rockets instead of the elderly 3-inch rockets used by the RAF, to carry bombs from both inner and outer pylons and to launch AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, the change to a primary air-to-ground role resulted in the Hunter 80 upgrade, adding chaff/flare dispensers, BL755 cluster bombs and the ability to carry AGM-65 Maverick missiles. The Patrouille Suisse flight demonstration team were prominent fliers of the Hawker Hunter for several decades. Squadron aircraft were fitted with smoke generators on the engine exhausts and, later on, were painted in a distinctive red-and-white livery. The group officially formed on 22 August 1964, and used the Hunter as its display aircraft until it was withdrawn from use in 1994. The Model The big Hunter FGA.9 was originally released by Revell in 1998 and whilst there are rumours on how it didn’t sell as well as was predicted, it still seems to be a popular kit, particularly since there are a number of conversion and aftermarket sets available to make other versions and improve the kit ones. Revell have kindly decided to re-release this as it was getting relatively hard to find, although I know a few stashes where quite a few are held. The kit comes in the same style of top opening box that the original did, but with a slightly different box art showing a very nice artists representation of the aircraft “flying” out of the box and a photograph of a Swiss aircraft in the bottom right hand corner. Inside, the two sets of sprues, standard hunter parts and FGA.9 specific parts, are contained in large poly bags. This at least means that any parts that come away from the sprues are safe, even if there is more likelihood of the parts being damaged. Fortunately the clear sprue is held in a separate poly bag. All told there are six quite large sprues of light grey styrene and the one of clear. The moulds still appear very fresh as there is no sign of flash or other imperfections. Although some of the details do appear a little soft, particularly in the cockpit. The external details such as panel lines and fasteners are really finely done, some may say too fine, but the Hunter was a clean looking aircraft with good fitting panels, well, certainly the GA-11’s I used to see a lot of when based down at RNAS Yeovilton were. Now while I’m sure many people know this kit intimately this review will be written as if it’s a completely new release for those who haven’t had the opportunity to see it before. The build begins with the cockpit and the ejection seat in particular. The instructions give the modeller a choice of two seats, depending on which version of the Hunter they intend to build, but in reality it looks like the only difference is in the colour scheme and stencils used. Each seat consists of the seat pan, back rest, and seat squab to which the main gun frame and head box is attached and finished off with the addition of the central seat pan firing handle. As you’d expect the instrument panels are different between variants, but since the details are quite soft they would be better replaced with something from the likes of Airscale and their excellent instrument and bezel packs. The instrument panel, rudder pedals, forward bulkhead and joystick are then assembled to the cockpit floor with the side consoles moulded integrally. The ejection gun unit is then fitted followed by the ejection seat itself, along with the rear bulkhead. The completed cockpit assembly is then sandwiched between the two nose fuselage halves. To this main assembly the cockpit coaming is attached along with the gun sight and gunsight glass. The nose wheel bay is then fitted with the nose wheel leg and its retraction jack and attached to the inside the nose wheel panel, which is then affixed to the underside of the nose assembly. Moving on, the front engine fan disk is fitted to the two halves of internal intake ducts, this assembly is then attached to the lower portion of the intakes along with the forward duct sides after which the upper intake section can be added, and for the RAF version a pair of sensor fins. The complete intake assembly is then added to the rear of the nose assembly. The nose cone can then be filled with the appropriate weight and attached to the nose. With the appropriate holes opened up in the lower wing sections the wing halves can be glued together. The optionally positioned flaps are then attached, as are the wing tips, navigation lights and leading edge dog tooth extensions. The rear fuselage also requires certain holes to be opened up if the Swiss version is to be built. The two halves can then be joined together. The engine exhaust nozzle is now assembled between the two rear tail cone halves and the upper and lower sections of the horizontal tailplanes are glued together allowing the main structures to be assembled. The nose assembly is joined to the rear fuselage assembly followed by the tail cone, tailplanes and wings. Lastly the upper fuselage spine is attached, and runs from just behind the cockpit to the spine join just in line with the wing trailing edges. The already assembled nose undercarriage leg is fitted with the nose wheel, moulded in two halves, and the completed with the fitting of the other half of the axle yoke. The rear bay door is then attached to the fuselage and joined to the nose wheel leg by two struts; the front bay door is then attached to the front of the bay. Too pose the doors closed you will need to remove the retention lugs before fitting to the bay. The main wheels are each made up of two halves, which when joined together are completed by the addition of the inner hub. This assembly is then attached to the main oleo axle along with the separate scissor link and the upper bay door, which has to be separated from the lower door as it is moulded as one piece to aid fitting if posed in the closed position. The middle outer door is then attached to the wing and connected to the oleo by two struts, then the lower bay door is attached the two legs of the middle door. The completed main legs are then fitted into their respective positions followed by the inner bay door and its associated actuator jack. Final fitting out of the model includes the attachment of the airbrake, in either open or closed position, tail bumper, windscreen and canopy, alternative aerials and sensors, depending on which version is being built, rear bullet fairing tip, and the optional types of cannon link chute fairings. Revell have provided a pair of 230gal and two 100gal drop tanks, each of which are made up of two halves, with the 100gal tanks also having two stabilising fins attached to the rear. Each pylon is also in two halves and when attached the 230 gal tanks are fitted with a support strut. The kit also has the option of having two 68mm rocket pods fitted in place of the 100 gal tanks on the outboard pylon. These are assembled again from two halves with a separate nose cone. For the Swiss version the kit provides for an extra pylon, practice bomb unit, 675ltr drop tanks, two Maverick missiles and different cannon muzzles. Decals The single large decal sheet provides a complete stencil set for each version of the aircraft plus all those required for the different tanks and weapons. The markings provided are for the following:- Hunter FGA.9 of No.1 Squadron, Royal Air Force, West Raynahm, England, September 1963. Hunter F.58, Fliegerstaffel 21, Swiss Air Force, Emmen Air Base, March 1994. Conclusion It’s very nice to see this kit re-released and it’s still a fabulous looking kit. Not being overly complex it shouldn’t take too much to make a good looking model out of it. I have heard there may be fit problems in some areas, but with a bit of care and patience I’m sure they won’t be too bad. It will certainly be an impressive model for any collection. Plus the fact that so there are so many lovely aftermarket sets available the world is truly your cuttlefish. Highly recommended. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or
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