Faraway

Greeting from a sunny and windy UK. This is the best forum for all your modelling problems. Jon

Well, that's the silver/aluminium/shiny grey underside masked off. And the first camo colour (dark sea grey) sprayed on the topside. And yes I know, I've sprayed over the unmasked canopy, but Airfix provide two. One for closed, see above and one for open, I've masked the open one and will be sprayed 'off plane'. Also, I've ordered some camo masks which I will use to cover up the grey, when I spray the green pattern. I used something similar on a previous build and as long as I remember to really press them into panel lines, they work well. So not much will happen for the rest of the weekend, but hopefully the camo mask will arrive on Monday. It does mean the grey paint will have time to harden off. Jon

Not much done today. Just a coat of silver on the underside, not sure if it's an accurate shade, but I like it. Once the paint has hardened off, I'll mask it and give the top side a coat of Sea Grey in preparation for the Dark Green camo. Jon

Ah, but it has a metallic sheen.

I’ve got some Vallejo Metal Colour ‘semi Matt aluminium’ which I used on a Nieuport. Think I’ll give it a go. Jon

A few more bits and bobs done today. Once I'd finished the cockpit, assembling the rest was very quick and straight forward. And everything fitted together well, not like some Airfix kits I've built. The plan for tomorrow is to paint the underside silver, not sure whether to do it dull or bright, what do you all reckon ? Jon First one then the other lower skins on the wings. Then the tail is finished. Followed by, what I presume are the gun blisters. And finally the application of masking tape. the camouflage from the top surfaces appears on the leading edge of the lower surface, so a thin strip of tape applied. And the top, all covered up. And the drop tanks.

I had a similar seat problem with my current build, a Hawker Hunter. By the time I’d added PE belts etc, to the seat, it stood to high and the canopy would fit over it. So I shaved off a lot from the base, that cured it.

Day two of the build and moving on quite quickly. Finished the cockpit and installed in the fuselage, which was then glued together. Remembering to put in the nose weight BEFORE gluing the halves together. I read or heard somewhere, that assembling the wing upper surface to the fuselage can be problematic. The only problem I had was getting it off after I dry fitted it, a very snug fit and has glued on well. So, now it's looking like a Hunter. Jon. The nose weight is in two parts, one under the seat and the other behind it. I thought it made sense to get it as far forward as possible.

I know what you mean, I nearly did the same. But my OCD wouldn’t let me.

I’ve only used a little resin, not keen. But I do like PE, although most of what I put into cockpits disappears. Seat belts are my usual, with the occasional instrument panel. I used to use CA glue, but developed a sensitivity to it, so now use epoxy, pva or uv glues.

Hah, I wish. Would save me a fortune, and give me more space. I struggle to see 1/48, I’d need a microscope for 1/72

What have you got ?

I got very confused with the instructions for the seat belts, but @Troy Smith came to my rescue, with this info. “ejector seats have two sets of belts, one straps you into the seat, the other is the parachute harness, they are different colours as you really don't want to mix them up! the blue are for the seat, buff are the chute straps”

Welcome. I’ll try and do it justice, I try to build a bit everyday, so I’ll post photos when I do. Jon

I thought I'd have a rest from aeroplanes with propellers and build my first jet. And what better to start with than the legendary Hawker Hunter, I remember seeing these when I was a bit younger, beautiful aeroplane. You have to admit, that when we Brits put our mind to producing memorable aeroplanes, we do it with style. Let’s hope I can do a good job with this kit, my attempt at my Zero was ok, my latest attempt at the Hurricane was a complete disaster. If it could go wrong then it did, as someone said, some kits just don't play fair. Anyway, here are the instrument panel and ejector seat, with many thanks to @Troy Smith for pointing me in the right direction with regards the seat belts. The belts and instrument panel are Eduard PE.

Your explanation has made things very clear, now I understand and the instruction sheet makes sense. I was really scratching my head. Many, many thanks. Jon

I’ve just started building the 1/48 Airfix Hawker Hunter F.6 and as I usually do, I’m using Eduard PE seatbelts. But I’m finding them VERY confusing, there seem to be more belts to fit than could be used when sat in the seat and I’m not sure if some of them are optional, but the instructions are not saying this. So if any of you out there have used these parts and know the answer, I will be forever grateful. The seatbelt set is Eduard Zoom FE 970. Jon

Nice Mossi. I did mine in black. Jon

Welcome from the western end of Britain. If you have questions, this is the place to be. Jon

Welcome ripper. Whatever your question, someone here will have an answer. Jon.

Thanks. This was the first I’ve really had issues with. Just means having to think a bit. Jon

1940. I believe it was supposed to be a bomber, at least I guess so from the tail decal. But by the time I'd decided to go for the Finnish Airforce livery, I'd stuck on the guns, which replace the bomb bay. So it's probably not 100% accurate. But in reality it was a test piece for using stencils and not decals. Jon

Thanks. I thought so, nice to be different. Jon

Not my most favourite build. Not very good part to part fit in places and lots of flash. It started out as being an RAF night fighter version, but while I was building it, I came across a company, Montex, that produces decals and stencils. One of the packs they do is for a Finnish Airforce Blenheim, so I thought to give it a go. This is my first go with stencils and I made a few cockups, like taking them off before I should, and not making sure they were pressed well into any groves. I had lots of paint bleed under them. But in the end I got there. Not my best result, but as a learning experience it was interesting. Not sure I'll use stencils instead of decals again, but you never know. I will welcome any advice and criticism on the use of stencils, as I've got some for doing the camo on my, soon to be built, Airfix Hurricane. Jon

That looks good. I’d forgotten those clear stands, that brings back memories. I used to spend my pocket money, on an Airfix kit in a plastic bag, every Saturday. Now that WAS a long time ago. Jon