Fearless Phil

Excellent work, very inspiring. (Also brings back happy airshow memories)

Thanks. Trouble is, now it's nearly done . . . . what next?

Got to add the observers windows with Clearfix, which will be a first for me! And managed to scratch the pilots canopy just before it went on. Gee wizz.

Hi all. After a ludicrously long absence, I have got back into the gllueing / spraying and made progress on my Gannet. The fuselage has been sprayed Light Aircraft Grey / Sea Grey (got rid of that stupid Japenese green/Grey - man what was I thinkin0. Not being a rivet counter my models tend to have their own slant on things but I'm quite pleased. It's going to be displayed in flight.

Hi Gazza. Unfortunately I had to take a break from making kits but I am aiming to get back in the saddle shortly. Got any pics of your progress? Phil ps belated Happy New Year to all

There has been a distraction (see background) Work progressing, and trying to smooth out that join on the radome

Fuselage halves together, cockpit in, and exhaust fairings on. Had a preliminary fit of the wings to fuselage, and the locating tab may need to be removed.

Hi guys. Got the cockpit together. Must remember to add the control column. Did a bit more fettling with it, then decided to get it in the fuselage. Grrrrrrrrr Didn't go well! The cockpit side walls prevented the assembly going into place, and the instrument panel went nowhere near the its intended position. But some of this is my fault, I suppose I am more accustomed to the regular kit makers and everything going together well. More soon. I need a beer.

Slow going, but hope to do a lot more this week. Getting close to finishing the instrument panel.

The whole Ark Royal air group thing has always been a favourite since watching the series "Sailor" as a lad. Wouldn't be the same without a Gannet AEW. I will be a lot more happy when I have the cockpit done and fuselage halves sorted. It'll be plain sailing then

Started on the instrument panel. Also tried a dry test fit of the fuselage halves with cockpit inside. Another gap.

Well. Time for a confession. It isn't Sky, but to me it is a very close match. I was in a model shop a while back, it was closing down, and loads of Tamiya cans were going cheap at a couple of quid each, so I bought them all whatever the colour. To me, Japenese Grey/Green is quite a close match. I know the purists will object but as long as it looks right, I'm happy! If it ends up not working I will think again.

Thanks shipmate. I think it will be an interesting journey

Decided, for interest, to post a couple of old photos, taken by me, of (to the best of my knowledge) the last flying Gannet XL500. Note the absence of drop tanks.

From what I can see from the interweb, the Gannet had a control column, not a spade type grip. Some plugs to get rid of inside the wings. And a test fit of the fuselage halves, and of course all is great EXCEPT for the radome. Ha. I think when the time comes, superglue and a firm push will close the gap. And some initial spraying. I use rattle cans from Humbrol, Tamiya or Halfords, as well as enamel tins where it suits. The grey always looks terrible but a coat of lacquer will bring out the detail.

Many thanks for the words of encouragement Might as well start in the traditional manner, with the cockpit. I notice the instructions show a spade type grip, but the part on the sprue is a regular stick (to the left of the air scoop).

And an injection canopy.

The Gannet AEW is here. Happy days indeed.