Paulaero

Research has paid off, going for XT 865, from the xtradecal sheet. this A/C first flew on 07/04/68 and had the distinction of being the first FG1 to launch from a carrier, HMS Eagle on 02/06/69

Pick a Phantom, any Phantom There seams to be a massive variation between manufactures, here we have the original Fujimi, Model Allaince. the Italeri kit decals and xtradecal. Variations in size and font of the nose deck numbers and the Royal Navy lettering. Time for some research

Now really starting to look like a Phantom.... tail burnt metal areas in a combination of Humbrol aluminium metalcoat and Tamyia smoke, the latter is my go to as its self levelling and you can build up layers to darken the shade. It also gives a less uniform colour assocaiated with burnt metal areas.

Yeap, am sure it will look great next to some USN versions I have tucked away in the loft.

Cheers mate, I've never had a issue with xtra colour, as long as its warm and left some where warm to dry it always comes up really well.

Xtracolor worked as advertised again and masking removed, just time to let the paint harden before more masking for the nose and tail.......... Resisting the urge to start decaling, my favourite bit.

Cheers John, the Shars's can't be included in the GB one is a very old ( original release) hasegawa which was recovered from the spares box. the second is a fresh build of an esci kit which will be finished in the original EDSG/White using the decal sheet from the Airfix kit, I won't mention what happened to the rest of it !!

That's great job on one of the last 'meatboxes' Still amazing the short service life these had showing how rapidly technology was advancing those days. You have a nice collection going there too !!

That's a very nice job there, particularly like that you've researched the underside staining so it's prototypical and not gone for over weathering the whole airframe and highlighting every panel line. I you wanted to add a touch more accuracy you could replace the US Crew with some nice resin RAF one's. Soo good to see a traditional looking 'trembler'

After what feels like an eternity masking off, finally ready to spray some EDSG, a couple of little friends have jumped on the bench for a coat at the same time, long overdue compleation but thanks to this GB they can join the background

Time to start masking.... As they say a picture paints a thousand words, taken performing at the Nottingham Airshow in 1968

Seats installed , ready for closing up

Now that's a great example of proper and realistic weathering especially the exhausts

Can't agree more with your comments about the weather beaten and distressed look, which is so over done at the moment giving that 'scrap yard' appearance , its very artistic but not realistic.

Excellent work and I can only echo the comments that the weathering looks spot on for the age of the machine as at the time of the raid. I too think the current 'in vogue' over weathering and highlighting of panel lines make models look more like .......models .

Great work, a masterclass in masking and patience !!

That's a very nice neat build and really nice to see that it hasn't been over weathered to look like it's ready for the scrap yard

After just less than an eternity I have finally made some progress.... These days I seem to be doing job lots and have just finished about ten various seats. Unfortunately the Mk5's were mostly various shades of dark green so it's difficult to make them look interesting.

Seats done and ready for installing. This is normally the last part of a build as I rarely do closed canopies.

Not much progress but I did remember that this issue of the kit came with rubber tyres. Am not normally a fan of these but they have got decent tread pattern so I will weather them and see what they look like...

No pressure worked as advertised and dry !! The white paint really highlights how fine the detail really is. Now that's the white stuff on, I am off for some of the black stuff and I don't mean paint !!

let us spray..... Major assemblies ready for some gloss white, a Chipmunk has managed to jump in as the gloss white is out. My tried and trusted go to for a really shiny hard gloss finish. Yes I know it's not the latest wonder acrylic but these have never let me down. I know of some who have had a poor experience with them not drying for ages but this really works. Xtracolor likes to be warm, so I warm the tin up on the above light whilst I sort out what needs spraying. This also warms up the plastic on the bench and the heat thins the paint so it doesn't' need too much thinners. By misting on a number of thin coats it drys' really quick. I leave it for about ten minutes for it to go sticky and then apply a really thin wet coat which gives a brilliant shine.... Well that's the theory we'll find out in about an hour !!

A few really busy days with work have slowed progress but have managed to get the etch wingfolds prep'd and attached. Hoping to get painting underway later......

That's very true Colin, the aim was to do nine of them in the same colours and I have been thinking up some 'could have been' user schemes.

Thanks Thom I thinks its one of those aircraft that looks like it's at speed standing still... Even more so without the outer wing panels !!