Skii Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 That is looking fabulous John, love the high contrast paintjob on the u/c bay, and the overall paintjob is sublime. I salute you sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 It's been a long job, but worth the wait for every update... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 Thanks for all the encouragement, but there is a lot of little stuff to do to really bring it alive. I have to keep Murphy's Law out of the build, he always tries to creep in. One thing I discovered during this build is the use of Latex gloves for handling, way better than the white cotton gloves, no lint left behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 John that looks fantastic, you put a lot more into it than I did for mine take a look. Cheers Ted, Your pair look great, LN though, only kidding. I prefer the Chilterns and Cotswolds so UH it will be. I did a similar build of a Hasegawa 1/72 FB-111A Dark Vark diorama in 1990. It actually traveled across the pond 2X on my last UH assignment 1990-1993 with no damage. (Self-Packed) in my household goods. I still have it and dust it off every couple years. The best thing about it is: it took first at the 2003 IPMS US Nats for Dioramas Large Scale Composition Aircraft, totally blew me away 13 years after it was built. If only Hasegawa would treat some other subjects like their F-111, like the Vulcan, Lightning, and a few others so we could all be happy. JTY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 Back on the clock, up on its legs with all the tedious and fiddly work to go. The latest pix. Academy's MLG is pretty good, robust and accurate. Verlinden's update has the necessary PE for the main wheels and only actuating arm and speed brake/MLG door cylinder had to be extended due to the scratch built wheel bay. The nose gear strut had to be dressed up, it is inaccurate, nothing too extreme just some Evergreen tube, I channel, and landing lights. How she sits, next up after the LG doors will be the unit markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Good to see this one again John, fine work as always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary West Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 I was at Duxford in the summer, and stuck my head up into the main gear bay - ENORMOUS, enough for a family to live in. Job well done John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Looks awesome! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric2020 Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Very nice Vark!!! I remember seeing Varks here in the Netherlands. I have one old Koku fan, and there I saw an Vark of Upperheyford with no squadron markings and no fintipcolour and white tailcode and serial. Code UH serial is 68-060 Hope that is usefull for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanrgb Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 very nice work John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Well, I also can't believe I've missed this thread before. One word - stunning!! The wing seals are a brilliant idea, brilliantly executed. As is the rest of the build!! Waiting to see this one finished! Keef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 Decaled & glossed, detail painting, weathering, burners & cans, and externals and canopy. Plenty left to do, can't cut corners, time to bring it to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 G'day John, Great work. I have a very soft spot fro the 'Vark (or "Pig" as it is known down-under) I have been following this thread with interest. I have a question though. What paint (brand) did you use? The reason I ask is that there is not much contrast between the two greens (FS 34079 and FS34102), I can make it out, just. Perhaps the pictures don't bear the contrast out, but there should be a marked tonal variation between them. I really like the work you have done to the landing gear as well. I have made a start on my own Academy kit. I have attached some progress pictures. It has the verlinden cockpit as well, but I also managed to get a hold of the Scaledown undercarriage set as well. cheers, Pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 (edited) Hi John, Your efforts thus far have me gobsmacked at your incredibly resourceful build, not to mention your perserverence..... Thanks for sharing the pics and descriptions along the way, and best of luck for what's left of the work to your model. Pappy, Please keep us informed of your progress, as the shots above indicate that yet another masterpiece is on the way. The Pig is one of my favourite air superiority fighters (I know, bad joke). Cheers, Andrew. Edited November 11, 2007 by Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 G'day John,I have been following this thread with interest. I have a question though. What paint (brand) did you use? The reason I ask is that there is not much contrast between the two greens (FS 34079 and FS34102), I can make it out, just. Perhaps the pictures don't bear the contrast out, but there should be a marked tonal variation between them. I really like the work you have done to the landing gear as well. I have made a start on my own Academy kit. I have attached some progress pictures. It has the verlinden cockpit as well, but I also managed to get a hold of the Scaledown undercarriage set as well. Pappy Pappy, I was concerned about this at first, but the more photos I looked at I felt relieved. The gloss makes the seperation between greens blend together more than the flat final finish will. I used Testors Model Master Enamels for the SEA jungle scheme. The UK based Earthpigs received PDM at either BAe Filton in Bristol, England or Sacramento ALC, California. I have seen both distinct color seperation or hardly discernable seperation on aircraft that were just back from Depot Overhaul so my best guess is both are correct, just depends on the tail number. Looking at pictures of other SEA jungle scheme aircraft the same conclusions could be drawn. It comes down to where was it painted, what company provided the paint etc. etc. The subject of my build is on www.airliners.net, search for F-111E, it's on page 1. The color is washed a bit but that's me story and I'm sticking to it. I will certainly be following your build, your beginnings look top notch. I would love to get my hands on the Scaledown stuff, but it is hard to find in the States. I guess I'll have to contact Stephen when I get another urge to build a Vaark, this time I had to use what I've collected, the CE intakes forced me to scratch the WW. Maybe we will get a new 1/48 F-111, I just hope it'll be a scaled up Hasegawa, but I wouldn't say no to a 1/32 Trumpeter. My wife's younger sister and husband emigrated to Oz from England this year. I am planning to visit in the next couple, three years, looking forward to some bonzer Ozzie tucker and amber fluid. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 looking forward to some bonzer Ozzie tucker Mate - you're going to be disappointed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 G'day John, If you are building from a picture, fair enough. The Aussie Pigs had a very distinct difference in hue, but as you say, this will very much depend upon local paint specs and conditions. I noticed that on the F-111C's, the tan would fade to a very light shade. I would love a scaled up 1/48 Hasegawa Pig, it would immediately cancel all other builds and I would buy about 6 of them!! A 1/32 Pig, well that would mean a new house, the thing would be massive! I hope you enjoy your time 'down under', the beer is probably a little stronger than what you are used to;P, but the seafood is great! cheers, Pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I'd add to a shout for a 48th Hasegawa earth pig, but I'd be equally happy if they'd re-issue the 72nd ones! In the meantime,at Telford Academy were showing re-issues of the whole of their range of 48th 'varks. OK, I know it's not Hasegawa, but John has shown what he can do with such a mediocre kit!! (even if mere mortals like me can't!! ) Absolultely lovely work John! Keef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted November 21, 2007 Author Share Posted November 21, 2007 All externals are finished and ready for mounting as is the wing gloves and stabs. I should have everything mounted by tomorrow leaving only the windscreen and canopy to be cut open and detailed. Here are some pix of the fuel tanks and augmentor nozzles. Paragon nozzles with the Monogram F-14A nozzle affixed to the rear, looks funky on the outside but gives depth when looking through the rear. Creative license and anyway the F-14 used the same motor as the Vark. 600 gal fuel tanks from the 2 Monogram A-10's The Academy tanks are horribly undersize, the A-10 tanks are slightly underscale but much better than the Academy ones. The Verlinden ALQ-131(V)3 Jammin' Pod affixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Wow! I'm afraid to start my F-111F as it won't look that good. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted November 27, 2007 Author Share Posted November 27, 2007 Last in progress shot before I snap some pix of the completed build. Verlinden internal frames painted, canopy cut and painted. Last few bits plus some minor details to tie it all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Somewhere, if I still have it I have an F111 in Aussi colours. Only trouble is. It don't look as good as yours. Nice job, look forward to seeing it when it's finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary West Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Can't wait to see the finished pics John. Canopies open I presume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skii Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 Simply outstanding work John, its all in the detail, and the detail is immaculate on this build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 I'm really looking forward to those "ready for inspection" pics... you've done a fantastic job with a less than stellar kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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