MickE Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 After building 5 Star's Scud A kit I decided my next build would be a little easier however for some reason I pulled this from the stash! This is Firing Line's 1/35 Rapier FSB Towed AA Missile System. I intend to include it in a diorama of a display I saw at the Waddington Air Show back in 1979 when I was a raw RAF recruit. This is the figure that will be in the diorama. I made a start on the launcher: The launcher body was missing a bracket so I fabricated one from plastic card. Then moved on to the Blindfire Radar. I tried gluing the two parts of the antenna face but they kept coming apart when I bent them so I soldered the assembly with 70 degree low melt solder. And these are the shock absorbers for both the launcher and the Radar units. I had to solder these as well as the superglue was not man enough. That's all for now. Mick 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 This looks good, I might have a follow of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper-30 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Count me in too..I've two of these tucked away ..way back I provided a shed load of information on this it was originally being made by Dartmoor miniatures and was passed on to David ...nice looking kit. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyC Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 Never even knew there was a kit of this! Will watch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted August 26, 2015 Author Share Posted August 26, 2015 The resin is excellent with no pour stubs or bubbles, just a few small nubs that are easily cut or sanded off. The white metal is a bit brittle though. I have broken a couple of pieces already. Terry have you checked all the pieces? Mine has four of the eight rail pieces for the launcher arms missing. I have had to fabricate replacements from wire as Firing Line will not supply replacements because I bought the kit second hand. Do you still have the information available as I could do with some more details particularly of the optical tracker and the launch rails. The tracker does not have the binocular optics included, that area is blank so will need scratch building. Regards Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted August 30, 2015 Author Share Posted August 30, 2015 I have now built the launcher arms. The rear vertical bracket is completely incorrect so I scratch built a couple from some silver solder as it was the right diameter and was soft enough to be able to form the V shape on the ends. This is the kit bracket (the end broke of when I was trying to file the other end. And this is the one I made: I used a picture of the launcher to make the bracket which I was going to post so you can see what it should look like but I was not sure about the copyright so I decided not to. This is one of the launcher arms (you can see the bracket in place at the rear). Regards Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 The Launcher unit is finished and ready for paint. And so is the Radar Unit. I am leaving the feet off until the units go on the diorama. I will also add the various cabling after painting as well as the missiles. Mick 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 I have made some more progress. This is the Pointing Stick minus the chain that hangs down in the middle. and this is the chain supplied with the kit. I am sure I can do better than that. I have also built the two generators. This is one of them. The large handle for the other one broke when I tried to straighten it even after I heated it first to make it more malleable. I am not too impressed with the standard of the white metal in this kit. That's it for this time. Mick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 I have made a start on the Optical Tracker however I do not have much information or photos of it and the detail on the kit regarding the operator's sight is lacking. Is there anyone out there who can help me with this? TIA Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hootch732 Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Is this the optical tracker you need? https://www.flickr.com/photos/roblovesey/10383066746 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Yes that is the one. Thanks for that. I have that picture and it shows some of the detail, unfortunately the tracker is incomplete and I need to see the front of it as well. There aren't many pictures out there. Cheers Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 These any use? http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/gunther_neumahr/rapier/index.php?Page=1 HTH Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 9, 2015 Author Share Posted September 9, 2015 Yes they are just what I need to show me where all the cables go on the radar and launcher units. Thanks Andy Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I have made a better chain for the Pointing Stick. Does anyone know what it is used for? I first thought that it was an anchor chain but then I thought that maybe it was a kind of plumb bob used to ensure that the stick is vertical. Next I built the CDU. Which left the tracker and the missiles. I will leave the missiles until the launcher is painted and ready for them - less chance of breaking wings off that way. Thanks to someone who used to operate Rapier I found that the binocular sight seen in the picture of the tracker in the Newark Museum is normally enclosed by a padded cover - which is the piece included in the kit. I therefore adapted the kit piece to include the sight. Once the tracker is finished I can start on the painting. Thanks for looking. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmick Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 That's a beautiful kit properly assembled. We borrowed a towed rapier from REME Borden it was green when we got it but we're allowed to paint it, so sand it became, at a show we were told they were desert pink but had no reference pictures. Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 Hi Mick Have you seen one built? I Couldn't find any pictures of it. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Looks good, nice to see you making progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmick Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) I meant we borrowed a real one. This one. I've looked for pictures but not found any built ones, looks nice and wouldn't mind one now I've seen it. Edited September 19, 2015 by Bigmick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share Posted September 19, 2015 Mick I guessed that you meant a real one :-). Looks like I am the first then. Thanks phildagreek I took the kit to the Farnborough show today but there was no room on our table (Salisbury) to display it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmick Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 I think you are the first as I've had a proper trawl and there's nowt. Wish I'd known as I was at Farnborough on the Earley Risers table, are you doing Abingdon on the 3rd. Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Not this year, I think the next show I am going to is Telford and I hope to have it finished for then (fingers crossed). Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmick Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 I'll see you and the finished article at Telford then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Here is the operator's chair. That's everything built except the missiles. Time to put some paint on. Mick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Oops I forgot to add the tracker photo. Mick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickE Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 I am having problems matching the colour. This is the colour I want: Any ideas anyone? Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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