(ex)Sgtrafman Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Evening everyone I've been plodding away with my Javelin and I'll be honest it hasn't been a marriage made in heaven. Having reached step 20 I duly test fitted and glued the cockpit tub and air intakes onto the fuselage bottom and this is what happened (excuse the green stuff on the cracks that's just some home made filler) Cracks appeared in three places? I figured that this must be a problem with the kit so I scoured the Internet looking for other examples of this happening and guess what I couldn't find one! Not to worry I've got the upper and lower fuselage half's together so I'll let it dry and tackle the cracks once everything has fully cured. Yours aye Iain 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Ooh, that's not good; bad luck. The cockpit tub looks pretty well fitted now, though, so do you have any reason to think it will be repeated? Like you, I haven't heard anything but good reports of this kit, but I do know from my Airfix Vixen that tolerances in their modern too longs can be pretty tight. Are you sure you had no paint on any of the mating surfaces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Love the work you've done on the pit. Sorry to see the kit has some cracks, wonder if they were a result during manufacturing but were just not visible to start with. Seems odd there's one on the intake opening too.....being a separate area. When I built mine it went together a dream (sorry), looks like you're on top of it though, maybe if the fuselage isn't glued I'd glue some thin plastic card on the inside to help strengthen it. Best of luck, I'll follow with interest. Jer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Ooh, that's not good; bad luck. The cockpit tub looks pretty well fitted now, though, so do you have any reason to think it will be repeated? Like you, I haven't heard anything but good reports of this kit, but I do know from my Airfix Vixen that tolerances in their modern too longs can be pretty tight. Are you sure you had no paint on any of the mating surfaces? Love the work you've done on the pit. Hi Ex-FAAWAFU I honestly don't know how I've managed to make such a pigs ear of it? I thought I was being very diligent with my clean up of parts and test fitting but I'm really at a loss...however it's not the end of the world the cracks are filled and sanded flush all I need do now is rescribe the lost detail, which isn't that much, and crack on with it! All the best Yours aye Iain Sorry to see the kit has some cracks, wonder if they were a result during manufacturing but were just not visible to start with. Seems odd there's one on the intake opening too.....being a separate area. When I built mine it went together a dream (sorry), looks like you're on top of it though, maybe if the fuselage isn't glued I'd glue some thin plastic card on the inside to help strengthen it. Best of luck, I'll follow with interest. Jer Hey JerI'm sure it will all come good in the end? It's something that I've managed to induce I just dunno how. Still I'm still enjoying the kit it's just gonna take a little longer to complete tis all. Cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hampden80 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Very nice work.Really impressed with the seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breaker Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Agree with Jer, that's some really weird places for the crack to occur! Some reinforcement would probably help as said, some card or sprue/glue pasted onto them. Checked the other half of the kit for any signs of stress fractures or being too thin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 That is the first time I've heard of that happening with the Javelin kit., Bad luck, but it looks like you've managed to work around the issue anyway. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob G Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Maybe this particular one was actually moulded by Heller? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Maybe this particular one was actually moulded by Heller? I thought that too! I think the cockpit photos turned out as well as could be expected for black on black. Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Three separate cracks in what look to be unrelated locations would suggest manufacturing faults rather than operator error. I'm sure you'll sort it and no-one will be able to notice anything. Very odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted February 1, 2015 Author Share Posted February 1, 2015 Evening everyone I haven't been able to spend as much time as I'd liked on my Javelin but I have managed to make some progress. The problems that I encountered with the fuselage cracking have been fixed, the wings and nose cone are on and the tail has been assembled. I've masked and painted the canopy and painted the wheels. The assembled kit is gonna quite a heavy weight so I think I'll replace the kits plastic undercarriage with a set of SAC metal items. I'm really enjoying this kit, even with the problems I've had and I can't wait to get her painted. Anyway just a few pictures to show where I am as of now.. The tail is only dry fitted and it will stay that way until its painted and decaled just for ease of handling as are the canopy's (the rear one needs its white border to be added) which I'll attach once the main painting has been finished and I've added the firing handles for the ejector seats. A quick question does any body know if the canopy framework had rear view mirrors fitted front and rear? Not a lot I know but hopefully I'll have more bench time this week. Iain 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commontsar Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Looks brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Some very neat work going on there. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goggsy Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Nice work, looks like you're making good progress. I'm battling on with my Javelin at the moment, having had numerous problems that were largely of my own making such as using halfords gloss lacquer over alclad (don't even be tempted). I also struggled with the fit of the nose section to the fuselage, no apparent reason but the damn thing just wouldn't come together. I had to spend 2 hours shaving bits off before I was anything like happy with it and it still isn't perfect. My main beef with this kit however is the appalling decals which are overly thick, refuse to sit down on the plastic, refuse to conform to even the gentle curve of the fuselage sides, silver even when applied to a high gloss surface and are noticably out of register in places. People keep going on about how thoughtful it was that airfix provided little holes in the over wing roundel for the vortex generators but then there is a whacking great lump of plastic right in front of them that isn't accounted for. It wouldn't matter if the decals were flexible but they simply crack at the slightest pressure. It occurred to me, maybe someone at Hornby thought it would be a good idea to outsource decal production to Academy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Evening everyone, well I can't believe its been a month since my last post. Unfortunately I haven't been able to spend that much time at the bench, but I have managed a little progress. The tail is finished... It just needs weathering and a semi gloss coat. The access ladder is also finised.. From images I've seen on YouTube they could get quite beaten up so I used the 'Hairspray' technique to achieve the desired result And I've made a start on the camo work on the air frame.... Well that's that! I'm only really updating my post just to prove that I am still working on her and enjoying it immensely. Hopefully Ill be able to get more bench time over the next week and really get stuck in! Cheers all Yours aye Iain. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Evening everyone A small update for you. The camo work is completed so I'll let it cure for 24 hrs before I mask it off and spray the lower fuselage high speed silver (Citadel Mithril silver) followed by the nose cone and jet intakes in rubber black with a hint of dark brown, then its a gloss coat, decals and weathering....sounds sooo easy! I'm getting there though Yours aye Iain 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Crusty one Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Very very nice Iain mate,not a big jet fan but there are a few that float my boat,seeing yours just added another to my list! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hey Crusty Cheers mate. The Javelin is one of those planes, like the Hunter and Lightening that epitomize the Airforce and Airfix have made a cracking job of reproducing it in 1/48th. TBH though I'll be happy when this one is completed as she seems to have been on the bench since forever. Tonight I'll hopefully get the lower fuselage masked up and the high speed silver applied, well thats the plan anyway! Cheers Iain 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Looks great, I think I need to save up my pennies and get my hands on one of these... FF 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hi Iain, I was wondering what had happened to this and I have to say you're doing a cracking job on it. The steps and camo look amazing! Well done. Good to see it back in progress. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hi Iain, looking good (as expected), I especialy like the steps. I havn't airbrushed Citadel paints myself, I'll be interested to see how it turns out. I too would like one of these but I just can't bring myself to pay nearly 50 squid for a 1/48 kit, especially with postage to France. Perhaps if I wait long enough I'll find one at a discounted price. Keep up the good work John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Great job on the painting Iain. What paint did you use? I am struggling to find a good match for those colours in the Mr Hobby range so will need to look elsewhere. Duncan B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Great job on the painting Iain. Agreed. That's a beautiful paint job Iain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 Looks great, I think I need to save up my pennies and get my hands on one of these... FF Hey ForestIt really is a great kit. It's blummin big mind but it definately looks the part so go on get one Hi Iain, I was wondering what had happened to this and I have to say you're doing a cracking job on it. The steps and camo look amazing! Well done. Good to see it back in progress. Kind regards, Stix hey stix thanks for looking in mate. Yeah I've been very quiet lately but I have been watching your builds with interest, great stuff. The javelin is turning out better than expected but it will be nice to get her finished. Hi Iain, looking good (as expected), I especialy like the steps. I havn't airbrushed Citadel paints myself, I'll be interested to see how it turns out. I too would like one of these but I just can't bring myself to pay nearly 50 squid for a 1/48 kit, especially with postage to France. Perhaps if I wait long enough I'll find one at a discounted price. Keep up the good work John hi john thanks for the comments, yeah I'm pretty happy with the steps just a little general weathering and they're done. I agree £50 is a lot for a 1/48 kit but you do get a lot for your buck and she just looks so good when assembled. Great job on the painting Iain. What paint did you use? I am struggling to find a good match for those colours in the Mr Hobby range so will need to look elsewhere. Duncan B hi Duncan I using the Tamiya RAF range XF 81 and 82 I think? once I've bleached them and given them s little weathering they will look passable. I'll be using MR metal for the tail pipes great stuff.Thanks everyone for the kind words they are all really appreciated Iain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(ex)Sgtrafman Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Evening all A small update for you. Yesterday I painted the underneath Citadel 'Mithril silver' to represent High speed silver and I'm quite happy with the results... ....there is very little tidying up to do, which considering how kag handed I can be when it comes to masking is a minor miracle!! Tonight I've painted the radome XF-85 mixed with a little XF-68 and the exhaust cans were painted with Mr Metal Color 212 Iron. Tomorrow I'll mask and paint the lips on the air intakes the same colour as the radome and correct any problems before I give her a coat of Klear ready for decals over the weekend... Yours aye Iain 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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