BAe Hawk Mk.120D BAe Systems Demonstrator 2008

[Andy Mullen]

Started 22 August 2009 - Completed 02 Sep 2009

 

 

This is another of the new tooling from Airfix for 2009. Another quick construction build, with little filler required. After masking up the canopy, I laid down a primer coat of Tamiya XF-19 to check out any build errors I may have made. I had decided by this point I was not going to use the black decals provided, as I didn't feel confident enough in the application after my attempts with the Red Arrows boxing.

 

So I printed two scans of the decals and using a cheap lightbox, Tamiya masking tape and a new blade in my scalpel, I created masks instead. After I had painted the model with Tamiya XF-1 (Gloss Black), I sealed this in with 3 coats of Klear, and then applied my makeshift masks. Searching through my paints I found I did not have any Humbrol #53 (Gunmetal), so I used Tamiya X-10 (Gun Metal) which turned out to be a little too dark. I also applied the Humbrol #56 (Aluminium) which turned out to be very Matt. If I had known I would have added Klear when spraying. In the end it took about a further 3 coats of Klear to enable me to give the Aluminium area a Satin sheen suitable for decalling.

 

The decals I did use went on great, and were sealed with another coat of Klear. I removed the canopy masking, and then fitted the wing stores, antennas, attached the vertical stabs, and the tail and fuselage winglets. After applying some white decals to the canopy framing, I drilled some holes for the Airfix stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2017 by Andy Mullen
Old link lost, substitute added

[coolhand]

Good looking build. Nice job with the paint scheme

[chaoslord]

man, this looks beautiful! love the paintjob, hadn't seen this scheme before.

[borz666]

Thats a cool jet, and a lovely job there mate!

Chris

[Murdo]

That looks fantastic, excellent paint job!

How did you get the det cord in the canopy done so neatly?

[Rob M.]

Smashing stuff! Looks like 951 to me!

Cheers,

Rob M.

[Andy Mullen]

Thanks for the comments

That looks fantastic, excellent paint job!

How did you get the det cord in the canopy done so neatly?

The canopy is similar to the 1/48 version, and the det cord is moulded into the inside as a recess. I liberally apply some Humbrol #166 (Lt Aircraft Grey) Acrylic into the recess, let it dry for about 10-15 minutes, then with a spit soaked qtip, wipe away the excess. Once happy, dip as usual into Klear and she is done.

[Notdoneyet]

That looks great Andy!! Very crisp masking :clap2:

Ian

[Phartycr0c]

That is really really nice. superbly executed build. I like that a lot!

[Doug]

Hi Andy,

lovely kit and just love that colour scheme, It is of no difference now but Humbrol 53 (Gunmetal) is more akin to Tamiya XF-56 Metallic Grey when it dries than it is to gunmetal. Try it next to Humbrol Metalcote Gunmetal, you'll see what I mean!!!

Doug

Edited September 3, 2009 by Doug

[Murdo]

The canopy is similar to the 1/48 version,

Oops sorry! I thought that was the 1/48 version.

Even more impressed that it's 1/72!

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering how to paint the det cord on the 1/48 job I'm building so I'll try your method. Hope I make as nice a job of it.

[Murdo]

Thanks Andy!

I tried that tonight and it worked great. Very neat and clean looking.

Also, well done to Airfix for such a beautifully neat line on the det cord. It really is very nice.

I'll post some pics soon.

[Andy Mullen]

On 02/09/2009 at 5:18 PM, Andy Mullen said:

BAe Hawk 100 Series - Airfix [1/72]
Started 22 August 2009 - Completed 02 Sep 2009

This is another of the new tooling from Airfix for 2009. Another quick construction build, with little filler required. After masking up the canopy, I laid down a primer coat of Tamiya XF-19 to check out any build errors I may have made. I had decided by this point I was not going to use the black decals provided, as I didn't feel confident enough in the application after my attempts with the Red Arrows boxing.

So I printed two scans of the decals and using a cheap lightbox, Tamiya masking tape and a new blade in my scalpel, I created masks instead. After I had painted the model with Tamiya XF-1 (Gloss Black), I sealed this in with 3 coats of Klear, and then applied my makeshift masks. Searching through my paints I found I did not have any Humbrol #53 (Gunmetal), so I used Tamiya X-10 (Gun Metal) which turned out to be a little too dark. I also applied the Humbrol #56 (Aluminium) which turned out to be very Matt. If I had known I would have added Klear when spraying. In the end it took about a further 3 coats of Klear to enable me to give the Aluminium area a Satin sheen suitable for decalling.

The decals I did use went on great, and were sealed with another coat of Klear. I removed the canopy masking, and then fitted the wing stores, antennas, attached the vertical stabs, and the tail and fuselage winglets. After applying some white decals to the canopy framing, I drilled some holes for the Airfix stand.

 

 

Edited September 26, 2016 by Andy Mullen
Update broken image links

[Kes]

Good job on a great kit with highly challenging decal scheme not only because of their size and shape but super critical positioning, the margin of error being tiny and it being a kit from an era when Airfix panel lines were? erm? substantial shall we say? Your solution turned out really well!  Nicely done, great subject, like it lots!

 

 

 . . . Kes