OK, now I've definitely decided that I'm going to be very brave and do a 1/72 Jaguar ACT (the one that was the Fly By Wire test bed for the Eurofighter program, and is now preserved at Cosford). I'll be using the Revell GR.1A kit as a base for it.

It will require a little scratchbuilding as the main difference is that there are large strakes added to the front of the wings. Never really tried to do anything serious like this, so it's a bit of a first. I may also need to make up some 'homemade' decals for parts of it, again something new! Now you see what I mean by brave!

Spent the day at Cosford today getting some shots of the Jag in order to work out exactly what it looks like. Managed to get some elevation so that I could get some photos of the top of the wings etc. That was fun waving the camera around on the tripod above my head!

Before I start though, I wanted to ask a couple of questions that some of you may be able to answer...

1, Does anyone know of any scale plans that include the ACT version? or even some slightly detailed drawings? And also if there are any 3 view colour drawings around?

2, Does anyone know of any good shots of the badges that were on the nose of the ACT during it's flying days? The refurbed version at Cosford doesn't have any of these on it.

3, What decals are available for Rasberry Ripple Jags as some of these may be very helpful to me?

4, I believe that Maintrack models did a conversion kit for the ACT, was it any good and what did it have in it? What would be the chances of coming across one? and how much would it be likely to set me back? (could save a lot of effort!)

If anyone can throw any light on these I'd appreciate it.

Regards,
Karl.

I'll have a dig around, but if you look on ebay you might be able to get the generic decals from the MATCHBOX T2 ETPS. The paint scheme is fairly easy. I'll have a dig around and get back to you.

OK then, time I got cracking on this one. I've tried asking around for the Maintrack conversion set for this ACT, but only 1 person had got one, and it wasn't for sale. Anyway, they've kindly provided me with the instructions from the set, and also some great artwork for the decals. I now have all custom artwork I need to create the decals.

It was also mentioned that Whirlykits got the moulds from the Maintrack stuff? Anyone know is this is so, and if they have these?

All that I have left to find now is some generic decals, such as the white serials for XX765, and a tail flash with the white outline that'd fit a Jag.

I've been to Cosford to get some shots of the top of the ACT. There were no pics on the web of these, so I've put some here so that you can see what I'm trying to do...










Right, onto the build. here we go...

Part 1 of a 1001 ways to bugger up a perfectly good kit

First thing needed is to cut out a section of the wings in order to fit the wing extension.

Before...


After...


I've never chopped a kit before, so it was a bit nerve wracking to start cutting it up... managed not to balls it up yet anyway. I've also glued together some pieces of plasticard to the thickness required, and these will need to be cut and shaped to form the wing extensions.

I was going to use an old Aeroclub metal seat, but it's about 2mm too wide to fit in the cockpit tub. I can't be bothered to really mess around in there, so it's going to have a wonderful kit seat in there at the moment... is there an AM seat that will fit into the narrow tub on this kit?

Karl.

Well the photo's you've got there are fine, all the exterior detail you'll need. The site i use for photo's was down, but when it came up was incredibly slow - hence not getting back to you. I have an old matchbox kit you could have?

Cutting the shape out was not as difficult as expected, by drawing the shape using a paper template I was able to get it just about right.

Cutting out the wing extension...


Done, all it needs now is the shaping on the leading edges etc.


And by some miracle, it seems to fit pretty well! Just a little bit of tidying to do and it'll slot in just fine.


YAY! Still not buggered it up yet anyway.

Karl.

Nice approach Karl - are decals available or will you have to do some DIY?

Heyup Karl,

Me & Nige have just been looking at the lerx, and reckon they may be a bit far forward. From the pics at Cosford, they seem to begin at the blow in doors, but (without seeing the sides of the nacelles) yours seem to be further forward. Worth a check & measure before you get too far in

All of the decals on the nose, the BAe, Marconi, Dowty badges, and the RAE crest are all going to be DIY jobs, as well as the ACT on the tail. Other decals will be sourced from what I can get (speedy's helping me out there!). I've been given some artwork from which to make them, now all I need is the decal paper! The last issue will be getting the serials in white. I've got a few black ones, but no white.



Yep, you're right, it needs to come back a little bit (about 2-3mm). Easily fixable anyway!. I must admit that I'm working mostly by 'eye' as I couldn't find any plans at all. The sides of the nacelles are not quite true on the kit, there's a slightly larger gap between them than on the real thing. That may have sent me a little off track on the position of it. I'll re-cut it tomorrow before shaping.

Thanks for the 'spot' on that anyway. I wasn't paying enough attention! Not bad for a first attempt though is it!

Karl.

Just in case you hadn't seen these Karl, some good ACT pics on that Jag site HERE

Yeah, I had a look at those, covered everything except the top of the wings etc.

I got my shots by extending the tripod above my head with the camera on timer! Worked anyway, even if it was unconventional! I think some of my 'topside' shots are now going to be added on there soon...

Karl.

Nice start there Karl, it's looking good.

It will be nice to see a jag with some colour

4 eyes are better than 2 (unless they're all yours & you're not a spider)

Nice work so far Karl, you're off to a flying start!
Once you get the decals sorted out would you consider running off a few sheets for some of us? I for one would be interested in buying a sheet.

...and you could get someone to cast up some of those LERXes (?) if they come out ok... Charge people a fortune for a set & you're well on your way to your first £million

Well, dunno about the Million. £10 maybe?

Spiders have multifaceted eyes, so work that one out , snot pickers....

Absolutely spectacular scratchbuilding there!! Now what you need to do is send those pieces off to someone to cast them in resin!! I think I know just the guy.....ME!!!

Hmmmm Ideas, Ideas... I'll make a couple of sets up then and see where we go from there...

Karl.

OK, I've re-cut the LERX thingy a bit, what do you think now?





Remember that it's got to be thinned yet on the leading edge. I think that's about right now, but see what you think...

Karl.

Still look a bit too long to me... I thought they stopped just about level with the trailing edge of the blow-in doors? Hang on, I'll have a look at the pics again once I've posted.

Somewhere between a 3rd & a quarter of the way past the trailing edge of the blow-in doors. You have them just over half way from what I can see. Probably doesn't need much cutting off, and you're right about thinning them - they'll look less intrusive at the correct thickness.

Quick comparo:

I noticed that the blue tack bubble should be on the top!

Take a look now, I've highlighted the doors on the side. The LERX is also thinned a bit now.





Here's a couple of comparison shots, I'm sort of happy with them in this position, but it always looks a little different in every shot I see! What do you reckon after seeing these?







Hmmm, I thought I was doing well until now...

Karl.

Don't you start as well!

Karl.

That yours is 1 - 1½mm too far back - sorry
I think you're doing bloody marvel(l?)ous!

Thanks to Karl I published your 18 photos on my pages

http://sepecat.info/b/2007/10/11/jaguar-ac...-karl-robinson/

and my 63 photos

http://sepecat.info/images/32-cosford-act/

Radek

I think they're about right now... highlighting the doors helped. From some angles, it could be said that they're a bit far back, but as we don't yet have a square-on shot, it's difficult to say. They look a whole lot better than then did though

I've had a look at my pics & there's not much I can bring to the party on the LERX, but I've got some nciely detailed shots of the landing gear when you get to that area

Just make sure to make the airfoil nice and tightly tapered. They seem to be in the right location now. My only question is if they seem too far forward because they seem a tad narrow??

That's probably just the angle, but a bottom up shot like the one in the pics would be useful to compare size/shape - Go to it Karl!

OK, I've done an 'upwards' shot that I think you meant. Hmmmm.



The more I look at this, the more it looks wrong now. I was well happy with it earlier as well! Looks like I might be starting again! I'm beginning to wonder if there were 2 slightly different shaped LERX's fitted at different times. Some of the shots of it in service tend to make it look a lot further forward than it looks preserved. And the curve looks to be less at times... could all be a trick of the eye.

I took the curve from the photos of the Maintrack parts, guess I'll have to go by 'eye' on this as well...

It looks poo now!

Karl.

Actually Karl I think it looks better now. I was mostly concerned with the width of the LERXs....wing to fuselage depth. I think you may actually have it. Don't over think this. Pictures can be quite deceiving depending on light and angles. What you need are some good drawings!!!

Oh I'd love some drawings of this! Couldn't find anything at all on the ACT.

I'm going to try again tomorrow and see what I can do a second time. Now I've got a bit of confidence in it, it shouldn't take long now.

Now ive seen the underside shot and your project, i think you also need to review the curvature contour, yours i think is a bit sharp?

Here's a comparo:





I would say that the length is looking good, but I think they're a bit too square... they should taper in a bit towards the front of the nacelles...

I think the radius of the curve at the front's a little narrow too... it needs to sweep back further

Yep, I agree with you both there. Looking at it like this shows they are a little off. I'll be having another go as soon as the plasticard sheets have glued OK.

Karl.

Cool. Unless you've got accurate plans, it's gonna be trial and error all the way. You've got everyone's respect for giving it a go though fella

OK, a little tester here... just a new paper one to test the shape first.



New one is the lower one...


A lot closer now me thinks!

That's it! You got it now by my eye.

My eye reckons it's looking good too... however, it's me glass one

Right! Cutting to commence soon then.

Thanks!

Karl.

Not sure how accurate this is, but I found this plan view at www.wingweb.co.uk



I was looking for info myself on the ACT demonstrator as I am toying with the idea of doing a what-if operational version sometime next year.

Cheers

O.K.

I've re-cut the extensions and shaped them as appropriate. I'm pretty happy with these new ones now, these look pretty spot on to me against the upwards shot. Again a comparison... (we'll wear this picture out with how many times it's been used so far!)







What's the consensus on these then? I think they're about as good as I'm going to get.

Now to make those blisters on the top... I tried finding something from a kit that would look the same shape, but couldn't come up with anything. Once again, more cutting, shaping, sanding...

Karl.

Taking shape Karl - I hope your enjoying yourself

They're looking pretty good, but I reckon the long edge (along the thrust line) could do with sloping in towards the centre a little bit more. The curve of the "nose" is looking much better

GOD! ARE YOU NEVER HAPPY!!!! (Only kidding! you know I appreciate the input!)

I think I know what you mean anyway... is this along the right lines...

I thought from this shot that the long bit was pretty much straight and parallel with the wing fences.



But looking at this one, the long edge seems to kink inwards very very slightly, just after the leading edge. (this actually shows it well and I hadn't noticed before)



Is this what you were on about Mike??

Karl.






Yes I'm loving cutting and sanding these bits... (cough, cough, cough... I've never known sooooo much dust and crap!)

Karl.

Yup! You've hit it right on the head... good pic to demonstrate it too

You can blame my Dad for giving me his joiner's eye... he can spot a crooked line from 100yds!

I thought that's what you were on about... I'll get it sorted.

Karl.

OK, I'm back to working on the Jag.

I've re-profiled the wings as per Mike's second spot on the long edges of the extensions. I'm now happy with them and I'm going to move on before I bugger them up completely!

Here's the 'new' profile of them... (with comparison shots again)












I'm definitely leaving them like this because I'm already about a foot deep in plastic shavings and dust. Although I've still got blisters to shape, and also a funny little bit under the tail (see below, any ideas what it is??)



Karl.

It's a cookie jar with wind-deflector... or "I don't know" as normal people would have said

btw... those winglets look S P O T O N now

No, It's no cookie jar, I looked and there was none there!

Cheers! The extensions are correct due to your inherited 'joiners eye'! Thanks Mate!

Karl.