I'll try my hand with this:


And I've already gotten something done!

Seats put together. For some obscure reason, it's a job I loathe


Grey on the tub. The un-painted patches are where the seats will go.

Need to dig some pilots up. As you can see, Fudgeme decided to use white styrene for this, that's always fun

A bit more

IPs and filling on one intake and the pylons


Tub


Aux. intakes


Seats


Enjoy

Errrr....are you going to modify the nose?

Not quite sure I follow you mate - if it were to have the doppler-nose, I'd need to cut the nose off the fuselage as is and fit the doppler one.

The kit you have as a basis is the A&AEE FG1 XT597 which was unique in having the 'flat' on the bottom of the nose. The service FG1 did not have the 'flat' and was a different shape overall so you'll need to check plans if you are going to do a 111 a/c.

Rich

I know, but to get the flat nose, you have to remove the original nose and attach the parts for the doppler(?) nose. The fuselage, as supplied, have the standard nose.

I'll get my ! I didn't know that, sorry to wind you up Hatchet, I misunderstood!
Enjoy the kit, it's a beauty.

Rich

It's ok Rich, I had an idea of what you meant! Takes more to wind me up

For anyone interested, the XT597 nose is surplus to my needs, as is the PE, WM, vinyl, decals and open canopy

nice start mate!
Good luck with the rest!

Thank you Periklis!

I would definitely be interested in the nose, what do you want for it?
I've already built XT597, but without the nose mod.
email me with your requirements to admin@500phantoms.com

Thanks Hatchet
Ted
Nice build by the way.

Thanks Ted! E-mail on the way.

Ooh ooh, Martin,

The white metal and the open canopy would be greatly appreciated here! Need some more pilots? Seriously, if they're still available, fancy sending the u/c and canopy (I take it you mean the four pieces as opposed to the single part) downunder? Will pay with plastic 'stick actuators'....

I like the way your build has started, hope it's kicking along as I type. I especially like the way you've not wasted any time in the cockpit by painting those parts obscured by bang seats. Looking forward to more progress shots. Is the FG.1 you're doing pre-ESM fintop fit? I've had a sudden thought that Treble-One's FG.1 jets (as opposed to their initial FGR.2s) were ex-RN and had received the fintop fairing. Of course, this is a simple conversion if relevant to your build. Apologies fo r the digression, just typing out loud.

Cheers for now,

Andrew.

You're welcome to them Andrew! Will need your addy (again )found the addy

Actually, the main-reason behind not painting those parts, was to give the glue something to 'bite' into

The kit's got the ECM-fin

Will do more to it tomorrow - not much getting done when working 2 jobs! Fortunately that's only in odd-numbered weeks.

You think you know a kit..........

Thanks very much for the bits, is it too late to claim the PE as well? What would you like in exchange?

Hope you get the opportunity to tackle the kit again soon, as I'm looking forward to seeing your progress and the Treble One CO's jet done (I take it you're doing XZ574 'Z' ?). All the best.

On a different topic, who's the lovely lass in your avatar pic? Is she Danish? Does she live next-door? Would she like to visit Australia?

Cheers,

Andrew.

I sent the letter today, sorry mate Remind me next time we do an exchange

Yup, 'Z' it is!

As to the pleasing lines on display in my avatar, look here. There's a link somewhere in one of my posts for the piccies that were modded. Her name's Mascha by the way.

-I might make a theme for my mobile with her, replacing the Jenna Jameson one I have now

Good start Martin - keep us posted

Well Andrew, looks like you do know the kit - never mind that I'd just been looking at the damn thing!

Oh well, need to break out the plasticard I guess

A bit more done. I kinda forgot to take pictures

Nice progress, Martin.

Plasticard is your friend, and it's such an easy conversion. Keep at it, and I'm sure you'll end up with a lovely special-tailed Phantom.

Andrew.

Hey Martin,

I missed this one, why didnt u gimme a nudge Shes looking good matey, as you know Im rather partial to the odd Twin Spey Lady now and again, cant wait to see her finished

Bexy

Thanks Bex, was wondering why you hadn't jumped in

Andrew, I might get some different transfers for the bugger, negating the need for the plasticard

I'm gettin' a bit hooked on these big-bore Phantoms, I can see the need for more kits!

Now we're talking! Plasticard may be friendly, but decal alternatives are easier still.

If you need a hand for markings or even another kit (late FGR.2) just let me know. Kick on regardless and I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Andrew.

PM incoming!

Nothing to show, white styrene and all, but I've sanded some seams and rescribed the lost panel lines. Going into another 2-job week, so there probably won't be much progress during that.

I like hatchets aVATAR its chardonnay time!

nice progress mate!
Its coming along nicely!

Got a bit more done, even with two jobs

Airbrakes on


Underside of the fuselage. The front part wasn't an easy fit, but I got it done ok


Gasbags and gunpod. the bags have just been glued together, the gunpod is, more or less, ready for paint. The black doodad is for the stand


Academy Display Stand for Aviation Models (that's what the instructions say!)

Progress!

-even if it's slow

I spilled some glue on the wing. After it had cured, I sanded it down and filled the sink-marks from it with "Gekko-Filler" (sprue dissolved in glue, first time I heard of it was from Richard aka Gekko-1)


Then sanded it down and rescribed

Sorry about the blur, but it looks almost as good as new

Then fitted the wing





Instructions (-we don't need no stinkin' instructions!) calls for the intakes to be fitted firs I hope I haven't buggered it up Quite a seam where it joins with the front-lower fuselage.

All for now

looking good martin. I just hope that little mistake buggers it for you, but i am sure you can over come the intakes.

Martin, how's it going all going with the Phantom now? Only 13 days left now! Are you going to get it done from there?

Karl.

I have some putty/plastic drying on it right now, will do more tonight or tomorrow. I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. No decals yet, but I've been told not to worry

Looking good Martin, not far to go now so keep going matey

Bexy

Once the intakes are sorted out it's plain sailing from there on... keep it up!

Karl.

Any tips for those? Or just a question dry-fitting 'til I'm blue in the head?

I would say dry fitting, then abit more dry fitting, oh and then a bit more dry fitting, then glue

I guessed as much!

So, have I been unlucky and gotten a kit where those small inlets on the nose looks like poo? I might as well have used two square pieces of plasticard Oh well, they're on now and sanded to shape.

Bet they look better than my nose will, dont forget, youve seen a photo no one else has seen Dont give in now Martin, its a Phantom, you cant do a MC Sean The Hammer on it

Bexy

Don't worry, I've come too fecking far to smash it now!

Pictures!

Scratched the HUD-frame thingymajig




Those pesky inlets, whatever they're for. I think I did ok




Underside, after putty and re-scribe


Put the ailerons on too


Finally, an overview


All for now, enjoy

Looks pretty good to me Martin, especially the little intake thingys on the nose

Bexy

Thanks Bex

Nice work, Martin.

It must be very nearly ready for paint; looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us.

Andrew.

Gettin' there!

Intakes attached, canopy masked and glued on




Doors for the aux. inlets tacked on




Front view - you can just about see that there's actual paint in the inlets, not just white plastic

Looks pretty good to me so far Martin, I like the look of this one Intakes look nice and smooth too

Bexy

looks amazing Martin, see you managed those intakes alright. Think you get her done in time?

Yes indeed, it's painting time.....

Great stuff, Martin and keep up the effort. Sorry if I've missed something, but what scheme did you settle on? Looking forward to it whatever it might be.

Andrew.

The gloss grey/green/light grey one, hopefully 43 sqn XT874/J, '72

Black on. Did some "pre-shading" to a couple of select areas





A couple of scuff-marks on the nose, but nothing to worry about

Looking good Martin, what are you gonna load her up with?