Confrontational (1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter FGA.9)

[Procopius]

How dull it is to pause, to make an end,

To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use!

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Ulysses"

'They might say, it seems to me, "you are rich; we are poor...You have had the past; let us have the future." Above all, I fear they would say, "you are weak and we are strong."'

-- Winston Churchill, 16 November 1934

Mr Edward Heath (MP for Bexley): Can the Secretary of State be certain when confrontation over Indonesia will end or when the certainty of the independence of Malaysia can be assured?

Mr Dennis Healey (MP for Leeds East): No, I cannot be certain about everything but, I think that it is possible to take some decisions now and that a Government with any sense of responsibility to the British people must take those decisions which it is possible to take...

-- Hansard, 7 March 1966, "Defence"

During the 1960s, a curious sort of undeclared war was waged between Indonesia on one hand, and Malaysia, Singapore, and their western guarantor, Great Britain on the other. In early 1960s, the Indonesians had fought a similar war against their former colonial masters, the Dutch in an attempt to gain control of what was then Dutch New Guinea. This had involved paratroops, aeronaval combat (a Dutch P-3 and surface warships sank three Indonesian torpedo boats), and ultimately attracted the attention of the Soviet Union, who supplied a Sverdlov-class cruiser to bolster Indonesian naval capabilities. (This was the Ordzhonikidze, which Lionel Crabbe had famously been killed while trying to secretly inspect in 1956.) Ultimately, the overstretched Dutch, who had won every battle, were persuaded to give the Indonesians everything they wanted in a 1962 peace conference. President Sukarno was confident this strategy would work again.

As it happened, things didn't quite work out that way, and in a remarkable campaign, conducted largely on the cheap, the British, along with their SEATO allies from Australia and the Malaysian and Singaporean people, emerged triumphant. One of a handful of RAF squadrons to participate (and one of a very few to fire weapons in anger after WWII) was 20 Squadron, whose motto is, appropriately, "Facta non verba". During the Confrontation, they flew Hawker Hunters, a jet which, to be entirely honest with you, has never been my favourite for looks, but I still have at last count nine Revell 1/72 kits of it, so here we are.

I'm using a RAFDecals aftermarket sheet, and Freightdog's corrected wheel set -- I can't see the difference, but I trust Colin on this one. God knows how long it will take to build.

[RJP]

The Toronto Star's late lamented political cartoonist Duncan MacPherson summed things up pretty well, or so I thought at the time.

A lion, union flag flying from its tail, is in a zoo with its cub Malaysia. Sukarno is seen channeling young Albert Ramsbottom in the Stanley Holloway piece. "Took 'is stick with its 'orses 'ead 'andle and stook it in lion cub's ear."

Was it really 50 years ago?

[Navy Bird]

Was it really 50 years ago?

Yes, which means that I was only eleven years old and still playing cowboys and Indians. Our young master historian Procopius wasn't, um, born yet.

Cheers,

Bill

PS. "...never been my favourite for looks" - curb your tongue, knave!

[LDSModeller]

Ahem -you forgot to mention New Zealand being involved

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-malayan-emergency

Look forward to your build

Regards

Alan

[amblypygid]

Interesting choice, looking forward to seeing it all come together.

God knows how long it will take to build.

How long's a piece of string? It takes as long as it takes.

[fatalbert]

How long's a piece of string? It takes as long as it takes.

Twice it's distance to the middle :-)

[CedB]

Great intro as usual PC - I'm in!

Take your time and use this as a 'bolt hole' from the (soon to be easier) parenting...

You know my views on 'everyone else makes them like this' modern jet design and I think this one still has some character - easily recognised and hey, it has a cool name too (get me, all 'street talk').

(Parenting advice moved to other thread!)

[keefr22]

Excellent intro. once again Edward, however...

(a Dutch P-3 and surface warships sank three Indonesian torpedo boats)

...I think it was a little early for a Dutch P-3, more likely a P-2 Neptune?

I've built a couple of the Revell Hunters & think it's a lovely little kit & it goes together very nicely. Just needs (as do all Hunter kits I've built) a little care in putting the intakes/wing roots together. The kit wheels are a bit small in size, Freightdogs are meant to correct that. I have a few Freightdog sets (but not quite enough for my remaining 14 kits!), but have to admit I've never thought to compare them sizewise with the kit's wheels!

Keith

[Duncan B]

I'm sure this will fly off the table as it's a fine kit to make. Just watch out for the wingtips as they are too fat compared to the wing so need shading down, the rest is a breeze. (and if you don't want to make any more I'd gladly take a couple off your hands).

Duncan B

[Procopius]

Yes, which means that I was only eleven years old and still playing cowboys and Indians. Our young master historian Procopius wasn't, um, born yet.

My dad was ten at the time. I understand he was little different from now, except shorter.

How long's a piece of string? It takes as long as it takes.

Actually there's a chap come 'round from the British String Council, and he's got a very interesting chart for us.

Ahem -you forgot to mention New Zealand being involved

Eep!

...I think it was a little early for a Dutch P-3, more likely a P-2 Neptune?

Double eep! Indeed it was. Apparently the Indonesians have issued a postage stamp commemorating the action (the great thing about fighting a colonial power as former subjects is that if you win, you win, and if you lose, well, it was a heroic attempt in the struggle for national liberation) and the task force commander, who was killed in action when HNLMS Evertson (ex-HMS Scourge) surprised his force of torpedo boats.

I think I would probably have about the same expression if a Dutch destroyer appeared out of nowhere in front of me with hostile intent.

You know my views on 'everyone else makes them like this' modern jet design and I think this one still has some character - easily recognised and hey, it has a cool name too (get me, all 'street talk').

I've always felt the Typhoon looks fairly distinctive (I know there are several other jets similar to it, but none on this continent), but I get you, I get you. Hawker always managed to get good names for their fighters: (Hart aside, what was up with that?) Hurricane, Typhoon, Tempest, Hawk (though that one seems a bit like they weren't trying very hard), Harrier, etc. etc. Then consider the others: Swift. Javelin (something that goes nose first into the ground -- unfair, as the Javelin usually did so in a flat spin). Sea Vixen.

I'm sure this will fly off the table as it's a fine kit to make. Just watch out for the wingtips as they are too fat compared to the wing so need shading down, the rest is a breeze. (and if you don't want to make any more I'd gladly take a couple off your hands).

I'm sure we can work something out, like modelling Farm Aid.

I dipped the canopy into Future last night and clipped some bits off the sprues, and left it at that, exhausted by my herculean labours.

[Cookenbacher]

Oooh, the mythical Revell 1/72 Hunter - good on you PC, and thanks for the background info.

[Ascoteer]

During the Confrontation, they flew Hawker Hunters, a jet which, to be entirely honest with you, has never been my favourite for looks, but I still have at last count nine Revell 1/72 kits of it, so here we are.

A very strange stance to take for someone who describes themself as a 'Wannabe Briton'.

Aesthetics is one of the nobler virtues don't you know.

Wash your mouth out youg cur!

How long's a piece of string? It takes as long as it takes.

Twice it's distance to the middle :-)

How High is a Chinaman...

[perdu]

Is allegedly so!

As Hunter is my very favourite Hawker machine (this year) I expect I'll be around heckling and throwing in unnecessary an no doubt unwise anecdotery

Do watch for the wingtips, if too heavy they make the whole beastie look ungainly

I suppose this is going to make me ressurrect my Frog FGA9...

Edited July 5, 2016 by perdu

[CedB]

Interesting stamp PC; did that commander later model for the Airfix Spitfire pilot do you know?

Not to dishonour their efforts, but what are those guys doing at the back?!! Some of them look a bit simian to me...

[Tomoshenko]

Yessss....

although "...a jet which, to be entirely honest with you, has never been my favourite for looks..." I guess we can't agree on everything, but still think you need to chew on a bar of carbolic soap. Only for a little while though as you are a nice bloke, and you are about to build a Hawker Hunter.

Oh and how long's a piece of string? Here's the answer.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/how-long-piece-string/

[Teeradej]

Interesting history which is largely overshadowed by the long war on the other side of South East Asia... Looking forward to see this kit built.

[AdrianMF]

Thanks for the history, and I'm looking forward to the build. So how many Hunter kits would you have bought if you did like the aeroplane?

Regards,

Adrian

[rob85]

God may know, but let him keep it too himself! Time scales do not bother britmodellers! Half of us can't finish a GB on time! I say half I actually may just mean me....

It's all about the journey....maaaan!

Nice opening post as ever me p and it looks a cracking subject!

Rob

Edited July 6, 2016 by rob85

[TallBlondJohn]

20 squadron Hunter? Here's one I made earlier, but its Airfix, sure you can do a lot better. I scribed it and used a vacu-form canopy for the Revell, Aeroclub I think. It was too big and had to be brutally cropped, but I'd already wrecked the original. Its worth a thought if you want to show the cockpit. Paint is Xtracrylics, had a lot of trouble with masking lifting but that may have been my primer.

Edited July 6, 2016 by TallBlondJohn

[rholland]

An interesting "confrontation", as you say. The Malaysians used HP Heralds for leaflet dropping (escorted by RAF), so I am thinking that I could get away with a Malaysian Herald v Indonesian Mustang "dogfight double"...

Richard in NZ

[Kitsticker]

Hi PC,

Nice to see you back in the saddle and enthusiastic for a new project - I'll be following

Have to say your disparaging comments about the look of the Hunter surprised me, I've always thought of it as the prettiest of jets.........à chacun son goût

I know that, as usual, you will make this an educational, inspiring and un-missable build, with regular Winston updates etc - that's what we like!

Cheers

Geoff

[Engineer66]

Good grief man!

'...a jet which, to be entirely honest with you, has never been my favourite for looks...' Was this a copy and paste error from another thread on a different subject perhaps?

If it weren't for the excellent modelling and entertaining updates I'd be refusing to view it any further.

You want to be careful young chap before the 'mods' catch up with such blasphemy !😀😉

[Supertom]

This is near and dear to my heart.....can't wait to see it done PC! Think you'll have it in time for Butch?

PS How's the kiddo

Edited July 7, 2016 by Supertom

[Procopius]

PS. "...never been my favourite for looks" - curb your tongue, knave!

A very strange stance to take for someone who describes themself as a 'Wannabe Briton'.

Aesthetics is one of the nobler virtues don't you know.

Wash your mouth out youg cur!

although "...a jet which, to be entirely honest with you, has never been my favourite for looks..." I guess we can't agree on everything, but still think you need to chew on a bar of carbolic soap.

Have to say your disparaging comments about the look of the Hunter surprised me, I've always thought of it as the prettiest of jets.........à chacun son goût

If it weren't for the excellent modelling and entertaining updates I'd be refusing to view it any further.

Well it certainly seems I've put my foot in it. All my friends hate me. I imagine I know how Jeremy Corbyn (or Michael Gove, keep this bipartisan) feels right now. Assuming they have feelings, of course. I don't think copper-blooded reptiles do.

Moving along, I got started on the kit, but tentatively, since I'm getting a bit rusty.

I used Tamiya NATO Black for the Hunter's interior, and am debating trying to paint all the dials and whatsits rather than using the rather largish decals supplied by Revell, because I'm an idiot and have an exaggerated appreciation of my abilities.

Also, I've been punished by cruel fortune for not loving the look of the Hunter more, as the postman (who I've been playing a deadly game of cat-and-also-cat with for nearly a week now) has finally been persuaded to drop off this:

Hardly seems fair, does it?

Think you'll have it in time for Butch?

To preserve what little remains of my self-esteem, I don't enter contests, I fear.

PS How's the kiddo

I just received a video text from my wife in Michigan of him pushing a wagon towards the camera at high speed, naked as a jay. The film ends when his groin collides with the camera. Thanks, honey.

EDIT: Also this more conventional image:

[Tomoshenko]

I'd paint the dials or dry brush em - David Icke's revenge

Have to say the Eduard Spit really looks the business, but ya gorra finish the Hunter first though.