IanHx

Don't know what it is about google photos... image URLs from there just won't embed properly for me... back to Flikr...

Some pictures tomorrow... for now "what's taking so long ?" I hear you ask. Let's put it this way... just found the miniscule individual throttle lever photoetches that I have to glue x4 to the pilot's right front console.... Current state of play : * tailgunner station fitted to fuselage * front interior deck assembly assembled but not fitted * next up : navigator station complete with 4 part telescope, cockpit seats & consoles. Followed by fitting of the previously mentioned to front interior deck assembly !

Started work on the flightdeck. One thing that becomes apparent when comparing instructions with pictures of the real thing is that the ejection seat armrests are upside-down in the instructions. Edit: Oh no they aren't. The raised edges of the armrests are just really small in 1:72.....

It's all gone quiet in here.... so here's my excuse : apparently the number of solar rotations since getting hitched has a special significance, demanding extra effort, money and time when it gets to Humbrol 11. Right, back to modelling : First, good call on the gloss varnish Col, really brought those panels to life. Second : call me skeptical, but I'm having a hard time believing the rails and top of the ejector seats were bright yellow like the instructions say. A bit of googling makes me think that the whole seat was a dark colour and the seat padding ( won't call them cushions !) were yellow... Third : starting on tailgunner bay, and some hefty ejector pin marks to sand down.... Fourth : really wish there was a Humbrol "32 and a half" for faded black. Don't want the hassle of mixing paints as I'll never get the same shade twice...

I might have to think about getting some in for next time !

Predictions of superglued fingers proved to be surprisingly accurate !! What I'd be tempted to do in future is forget the transparent film for the dials and just paint the plastic dark gloss black, and then glue the photo-etch straight onto the plastic. In two minds whether to attempt to tidy up the panels with very fine paint brush, or leave it for a 'well-worn' look.

Well it's been a delayed start due to seasonal cold ( I mean, NOBODY wants me to sneeze on the kit before taking pictures ! ) , so here we go with a "what's in the box" picture : First step is to paint the photo-etch instrument panels. And then somehow detach them. And then superglue the plastic, photoetch and film transparency to my fingers......

2020 : Airfix release a range of 1/12 figurines of Star Trek characters. Press release says "we listened to the modelling community, and they kept asking for a new tool Vulcan"

While seeking inspiration for the cockpit on the Internet, found these... Co pilot station Pilot station

Opened the box to have a look inside and a quick read of the instructions. Instructions talk about plastic parts, resin parts and...what's this.... metal parts ? Turns out there's some photo- etch in there for instrument panels, steering yokes etc. And some of the most detailed diagrams of pilot & co pilot panels I've personally seen in a kit. So, quick trip online to the Big H to stock up on CA glue ( and a few more kits accidentally jumped into the basket !)... hopefully arrives before the start of this GB since the first bits requiring assembly are - you guessed it - the aforementioned instrument panels. Decals provided for Op Jiu-Jitsu 1 and 2.

Decided to take the easy route and choose something that is well-documented as being in-theatre. Some historical background here : https://spyflight.co.uk/operations/#Jiu_Jitsu 1:72 kit from Valom

followed eventually by

I'm happy that the family is safe and house intact after the builders re-fitting a bathroom managed to cut into the main gas pipe with a circular saw.....

yyy? (just kidding) New tool Buccaneer looks interesting. Wonder if that means a new tool Op Granby S2B boxing will be waiting in the wings ? Lots in the list to be happy about, looks like 2019 could get expensive.

Hasegawa 1:72 Grumman F11F Tiger.

Finished. Decals were pretty horrible - Tamiya tape would have been better for some ! Probably a reflection on the age of the kit.

Wheels on. Looks a bit like a scaled-up Gnat to me....

Thanks for the info, will watch out for that when i get there. Speaking of which.... this would have been a great kit for a blitz build. You open the box (end-opening) and the bits practically assemble themselves

Time for a bonus build..... this time Hasegawa's 1:72 Grumman F11F in Blue Angels guise

Hasegawa 1:72 Mohawk OV-1B. Completely OOB apart from the liquid gravity. And the self-cast replacement flare dispensor top. And the paint Build thread here

Decals on, going to call this one done. Mohawk left side Mohawk photo-bombing foot selfie Mohawk on the right Blurry Underside Front 'Artistic' shot 1 'Blinded by the light'

That looks so much easier to put together than the Amodel.... if only I'd waited a few years ...

Gratuitous progress picture....

Today I learned that you have to fit the overhead canopy panels BEFORE you fit the front windshield.......

Sad news indeed. Marvel films won't be the same without his cameos.