Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 History The Folland Gnat was ordered by the RAAF in August 1965 after it was decided there was a need for high-performance jet training to prepare pilots for the EE Lightning then entering service. This was part of a trend that developed in the 50s and 60s to implement an "all-through" jet training syllabus, with pilots going from ab initio to advanced training on jet aircraft. Of a total of 97 Gnats operated by the RAAF, the first 20 were assembled in Australia from UK production, with the remainder produced by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and Hawker de Havilland with an increasing level of local components. By aircraft A7-031, production aircraft contained approximately 85% local content. In addition, CAC also built the Gnat's Bristol SIddely Orpheus turbojet engine under licence. The Gnat's main operator was No 2 Flying Training School (No 2 FTS), operating the type from 1970 until the final course on the type in 1991. In addition, the Gnat was operated by the Central Flying School (CFS) to train RAAF flying instructors and also in the lead-in fighter role by No 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No 5 Operational Training Unit, and Nos 25, 76, 77 and 79 Squadrons. The Build I will be using an Airfix 1/72 Starter kit for my build. It will be OOB except for markings. I have a scheme in mind but need to confirm the decals I have for the build will be suitable (gives me an opt out for the planned scheme and an opt in for another if the first don't work out ) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 So I jumped out of the gate a bit with this one and have not taken many pictures. I am building a second Gnat for another project along side it but I still managed to stuff a couple of things up. Tip one, make sure the cockpit tub is in the correct position before glue sets When I went to fit the wing I had to adjust the rear cockpit bulk head (file it down). I got the wing on eventually. The I have started to paint the crew so I can get the canopy on. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Nice start Ray. I'm interested to see the markings you decide on. I see a Gnat every day I go to work at Hamble. Joe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 You've got off to a great start to realising that cool Back-story Ray. I'm off to add Australia to the list of Lightning operators in my thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 I have checked the decals and it looks like plan A will work. Here is a hint... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynamo11 Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Gotta love the Gnat, looking forward to the scheme it's in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hockeyboy76 Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Gotta love the Gnat, looking forward to the scheme it's in Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 Some progress.... Pilots painted and installed. Not my strong area I am afraid.... and canopy attached (after some persuasion) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Nice one Ray, you are certainly out of the blocks fast on this, loving the scheme you have chosen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 Thanks Graeme, This one goes together quickly, I am building a second in parallel for the club display. So double the stuff ups are occurring I wanted to get the canopy on so I could mask and prime to see how much work I have on seams and rescribing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 That's a cracker idea you have there Ray. I really like it. Hmmmmmm maybe I should do a What if RAAF Gnat as well. Cos I really need another project right now LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Canopy 'sealed', gluing it down did not seal it totally so I ran some gator grip into the gaps. Got it masked up and a coat of primer onto it. When the prime dries I will be trying to restore the detail I destroyed with my ham fisted assembly 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Coming along really well 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Would look nice in camouflage. I have a pair of Gnat starter sets myself and will be painting each one in a different scheme as part of a hypothetical RAF "Aggressor" squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Would look nice in camouflage. I have a pair of Gnat starter sets myself and will be painting each one in a different scheme as part of a hypothetical RAF "Aggressor" squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth Allan As featured in the Film 'Top Haggis'....? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 Final assembly completed (pitot and antennas fitted) and paint applied. I almost stuffed it up at this stage. I decided to use a Tamiya spray pack and with poor light in the spray booth ( turn the light on next time Ray!) I overdid it. I realised my mistake and wiped the excess off and let it dry. I then rubbed back the worst of what was left and resprayed (with airbrush his time) a base coat of flat white followed by gloss coat. By the time I get back to it the paint should be well and truly dry and set and ready for some detail painting and decalling. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 and pictures with the actual gloss coat applied.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Looking good there Ray. Nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Nice work Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Just about got this one finished tonight. The decals I used (of which I have another set to actually use on a Macchi MB326H (if I can find the kit)) Just need to make a stand, fix a broken antenna and give it a final gloss coat. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Moff Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 cool - lovely job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrtpaul Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Fantastic Ray. A very nice job indeed. The paint scheme really suits the Gnat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 That works 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 That works so well it should have happened. Lovely job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 Thanks all. Finally made up a base for it. So I am officially calling it done. Some more pictures in the Gallery thread 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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