silverburn

Rattled through a few things today. Masked up the glass, and blue-tac-ed them onto the fuselage. Makes painting easier, and protects the pit. Before glueing the main fueselage together, I reinforced the rear; it felt really flimsy. Also bridged the gap at the engine intakes. EPC vent was cut . Wings were primed, sprayed the joints grey, and prayed the whole lot would go together with too many problems.... And here we go! glued the whole lot together! Looking like a plane now! And it's big alright... And finally, after some sanding, adding the intakes etc, here it is. Nose blue-taced (I plan to run it open). Leaving it to dry overnight, then a bit more sanding tomorrow, especially around the tail. Some really fine lines which I'll run over; gonna have to try my hand at some primitive scribing! Then it's onto the detail...engines, GR1 considerations (suggestions???), other bits from the FP kit. Still waiting on the metal legs, and still to order the correct LGB's, but on we go? Also looking for a supplier to do me a rattle can of the desert pink - I suspect that'll be the bit that holds me up.

Hi guys, I'm not starting this one yet, merely giving advanced notice - I have a tornado to finish first! Essentially I was watching the program on BBC about the wartime factory which built a Washington bomber in 24hrs. Apart from being stunned, I had the idea that this would be the good idea for a model. So I intend to replicate the endeavours by building my own Wellie in 24hrs modelling time. That includes paint drying etc, just like the real thing. I've got some decals to get for LN514, but more importantly, I need some advice on what major stuff I need to do to the kit - this is a mark X, and I'm still on the hunt for the version of LN514, and what mods I need to make. The kit was chosen for no other reason than it was the first one I saw, and it revived the idea.

And we're starting to close it up! Wee bit of drybrushing to do on the rear displays and pilot IP, but we're just about there. For my megre abilities, I'm quite happy with my painting, though I wish I could replicate some of the stunning work others have done. Seems almost a shame to close it all up.... Only a few real problems to solve from here - some sanding was required on the pilot pit, and some re-enforement needed on the rear; I didn't like the way it was "suspended" by super glue alone. So I jammed in some junk resin in there to keep it propped up Also used some card on the floor of the two fuselage halves - a bit more strength, and it helped keep the seam line tidy (ish...it still needs a bit of work). Final snag is the resin "TV screens" for the rear...the piece is too narrow, and there's notable gaps (see last pic). Will ponder that tomorrow. Oh and before anyone asks - yes, I know I should have given them a quick dust before photography. Though my main concern is actually setting up good shots. Will definitely pull something better together for the RFI shots.

Ok, more progress, but didn't finish the pilot IP, as I got called out at work. So here we go: Rear pit & seat now done (bar a decal for the seat), and seats washed. Front pit waiting for the IP. Which was a b(*$&Wrd btw - that resin was soo tricky to saw, without breaking the corner IP. Thankfully the big wedge of resin will come in handy when it comes to fitting, as there's fresh air between the IP and the pit bottom!

Ok, got fired into the seats tonight. Just about finished too...only the under thigh "yellow" to do, then attach the eject ring pull. A few tiny bits to tidy up (I'd like the passenger head rest straps to be a little straighter, and minus the red smudge...and there are some tiny bits of paint missing round a couple of buckles, but that's the level we're talking about). Then onto a wash to pop the 3D and detail, and maybe a dry brush. Gotta say - I enjoyed doing these seats, even if I did go through a few trees worth of toothpicks... Apologies if these are a tiny bit blurred - the wife ran off with the tripod!

Evening all, Started on detailing the pits this evening, as you can see below. Probably took a liberty painting some of the cables in red & yellow, but hey ho - I figures they needed some colour. A bit of a wash on right now, so this will tidy up ok - wash is still wet here. I suspect I might dry brush the panels though, to bring out the fine lines. Resin pits have been great, but the the pilot's buttons haven't come out as well as I wanted - I managed to be a bit blobby with the tooth pick for some reason. I'll change the lens on the camera, once I've completed the wash and the drybrushing, so you can get a proper close up. There appears to be two very fine bits of resin missing (the 2 missing white cables from the pilot pit), which I'll need to replicate somehow. Looks rubbish without them. Started on the seats waiting for stuff to dry in the pits. Very early doors though. Strangely, these seats have different headrests to the Paragon & kit seats. The black head pad does not come all the way round...

thought I start tackling the resin this evening, and lay down the basic paint options for the pit, as you can see here. Got the right colours this time, though perhaps the green is slightly too dark (especially in this photo). It's a toss up really - I've seen black pit floors, to "flash over brightened", and I recon this is somewhere in the middle. The sides are dark gray, and the IP bits are middle gray. Much happier with the colours now. Resin everywhere, sawing off the bases, but it's done, and the detail is fantastic! The front side panels were a nightmare; the resin is so thin, and the stub is too sturdy. I broke the bottoms of both bits, even with 'gentle' sawing. Can't wait to get some detailed painting on these tomorrow. Seats primed too, but doing the pits first. Thus:

I can see now it's been an oversight on my part - I just saw them on hannants and thought "yeah that's those 1000lb laser jobs" and bought them. no great loss though - can easily use them on the next one ;-)

Standard flightpath paveway III's. I've seen a photo with live paveways fitted in the desert scheme, but can't see enough of them to verify the type (can only see the noses). Come the end of the day, standing 2 ft away, I doubt many will notice if I have got them slightly wrong

Glad you think so, but hopefully that's just the warm up! Made a few mistakes (easily correctible), but I've had a serious case of "modellers envy"...I've seen some absolutely magnificent stuff on here for Tornados, so I though I'd cheat a wee bit to close the "quality gap", and take some more aftermarket assistance. Over and above the flightpath kit...in the shape of: 2 x paveways The Avionix resin pit A soldering iron, flux and low-temp "coil-y stuff" A eduard mask (yes, I know this is definitely cheating!) A full set of metal 'karts (due soon) Some card (I intend to reinforce the main fuselage; it feels dead flimsy Only thing I can't get is the Sky Shadow ECM - Dave at flightpath won't be online until the end of this year with them! So I'll proceed as is, and I'll put caveat in when I move it to RFI, assuming I'm finished before then. This does mean theres some duplication of parts, but frankly - if I can get the resin Pit and IP's right, I can use the flightpath for solder practise (this is my first one). Sounds expensive way of learning, but I don't intend to make a mistake requiring it being flung in the bin! It'll just go into the next 1:32 Tonka (UK native colours this time) Visited Halfords to investigate the rattle-can colour ideas from the guys above, but the single-brain-celled amoebas were on duty, so I got load of blank stares (and some drooling and nose picking), but basically nowhere. Will try again.

Lol, yes, yes - all in good time! Always manage to find other uses for the cash though unfortunately!

Hi again all, Just had one off those "oh god!" moments...something has been nagging me the last few days, and I couldn't work out what it was, and then it came to me - I don't have a sky shadow pod! Doesn't seem to any aftermarket, but then again I've only looked on flightpath and hannants...can anyone help?

Cheers guys! Will try that tomorrow. And in the meantime...the Flightpath is here! One serious disappointment - no dedicated rear underkarts in metal! The front's good - just wish there was the rears too - for £50, I was kinda expecting it. I'll need to sand down the kit seats and IP's before adding the FP kit, but that's hopefully not a problem. Wow - serious etch overload though...so I thought I'd start off easy, being a etch newbie and all. So I started on the jets. And boy...talk about fiddly! However, managed both "back plates" and one of the engine exits. Mostly ok, but alignment is off in one "corner" of the inners (left of picture). I have a nagging suspicion it'll be the join though, so probably won't be as quick as I'm expecting. I'll glue these down permanently tomorrow (primed here for visual idea of alignment etc). Soldering iron and 'folder' definitely required I think for future, which will be an all new skill to learn too!

Still no flightpath yet, so more bits and bobs. And a serious snag.... Tail-fin seamed and smoothed. Can you be too anal about seams? No, didn't think so... Tanks...I've seen them in the lighter colour, and like that idea, so that's what I've gone for. Simple base coat for now, but a wash will be needed. All the pics I've seen show them "dirty" - oily and dirty, even. Tips on best method for doing this? Also the front wheel bay is finished, just needs "dirtied". Now...the snag. Being rattle-can based, I don't have a massively flexible palette. And it's stung me here - I can't get the desert colour right! It's a bit "pink" in the reference pics, compared to mine. While pic 1 looks a close match here, it's actually far too "yellow". And the next shade up is far to brown! Any tips on rattle can matches? I need to order a load of cans anyway (out of white, black etc), so fire on with the suggestions. While all this stuff dried, I've decided on part of the load out - 2 x paveways (more business for flightpath...) on the belly, 2x sidewinders and the usual GR1 tanks and pods.

Yep, all in hand. Reference pics are great - got exactly that grey on hand, and the 3 shades of green (floor, seat & seat cover). Can't wait for the flightpath now! I see some shadow storms fitted to the belly in the reference pics; anyone know if they were deployed in the gulf?

Yes, I've already noticed this - I'm hoping much of the flightpath stuff replaces this, as this has been a bit of a dry run. And yes, I thought the grey was too light too, and I'll go a shade darker on the resin (or just start again on this one). I might skip the sandpaper, but will definitely go with a more relevant floor colour. And i'll be making a much better effort with the resin seat, don't worry! Thanks for the spots though. In other news, tonight progress has been on bits and bobs, while I wait for the flightpath kit. Have noticed a few issues... First, the easy stuff - Radome and internals done. Gloss black will "tighten" overnight - this is fresh gloss. Now...the saga begins... Part 1: The pylons. These look dreadful. You can drive a bus in the gap in the leading edge when the wings are swept back, and they're unbelievably loose when swept forward. The general attachment system is pretty weak, considering I *may* run resin loadouts. Suggestions? Here's the culprit: ...and from the top... Part 2: The fuselage. Attached the tail to the top (seems safe to do, and performed a dry fit of the two halves. And look what I saw - a massive gap between the (horrid) engine fronts panel, and the top. You can squash it down, but I shouldn't need to. Is this gap normal? Should I worry? Only the two halves just now, but feels pretty flimsy. ...and some sanding due after the tail-fin added - it was gap-tastic.

Yes please mark, that would be great. In the meantime, photo's as promised. Nothing glued, and some bits not fitted - need to see how much I'm getting in the flightpath first. Spent much of time paint with a toothpick! It works ok, but I still managed to "overdo" some wires/cables and buttons. I also "wobbled" with the furry a few times too. Would love to know how you guys manage to get yours so beautifully consistent and realistic (I've still not sprung for that airbrush yet - so furries and rattle cans for me). If it's just pure skill, I'm deeply envious.... Instruments filled using a toothpick, and dripping in black, adding a drop of gloss on top. Or just using gloss black. Disadvantage to this, is you must dilute, or the paint swamps the underneath detail (so it won't appear when trying to "raise" it). Ho hum. Ideally you want a plain flat back panel, with some decalled instruments, and a overlay with holes for the instruments. If you're crap like me that is...

Fraid not - these came without decals by design. I was planning to paint the lines on myself, and scavenge some generic text decals from other kits. I may still be using these, I'm afraid... ...on my 1:32 swordfish maybe... The ordinance on my table is actually a combination of 1:32 stuff, from my (now dusty, half completed) av-8b, lightning and hunters. And this kit obviously. Photos of oob tub and seats to follow, once the muppets at talk talk get my broadband running again (currently on 3G on iPad). Good job I got the practise in before the flightpath stuff arrives...I'm rubbish! Lots of splurgy buttons and instruments, and wobbly seatbelt lines. My drybrushing isn't up to scratch either, but you'll see shortly.

Cheers spike & mike, thanks for the pointers! I've managed to contradict my own ethos almost immediately by springing for the full flightpath set, coming to my postbox in the near future. Oh well. Figured that'll equip me with all the parts i need, so any mistakes will be down to my muppetry, pure and simple. mark and I will rummage through his material for suitable squadrons and load outs; hopefully there will be a "Scottish" one in there, but I'll not be too bothered if I have to go "English" ;-) Much to do - but as a modeller i recon its sometimes good to try and be as accurate as your ability allows, and a tornado is a good place to start. :-) Kicking off whats left of this afternoon on a oob pit build, to get my eye in before the flightpath one arrives.

Hi again all, An end of day pic. - Rear wheel bays painted and in - Front bay painted - Pylons assembled and seam tidied - All stores built and smoothed, some even primed (the tanks mainly - wanted to check my seams) - Wheels built - Tail components assembled and seam-tidied All pretty easy stuff so far, nothing too much out of shape. Wheel bays a little lacking in detail though. I think the main news is - I may spring for the "big" flightpath kit for this; a lot of the finish leaves a lot to be desired. The IP especially will be hard to work with (for me, anyway). PS - anyone know what this big tank-style thing is in the kit? There's only one of them, and can't find any build instructions. Seems to have little details front and back compared to the wing tanks, and the obvious hole at the back.

Hi all, Well, after a summer of racing and generally good weather, I've eventually got back behind the modelling desk! And wow, you should have seen the dust...and the unfinished ship, I was adamant I would get proper sail material for and finish. 6 months ago... But I thought I'd kick off with this one instead, since I started my modelling last year as a "plane man". While it's the Tiger meet edition, I figured a desert scheme would be more appropriate. Something in the "Iraq: the sequel" theme (all suggestions/reference material links welcome). Also, I prefer my models to be OOB where possible, but I can make exceptions, where the after market is an exceptional improvement on the original. So suggestions please! Being a relative newbie to the modelling scene, I've been conscious of avoiding the stalwarts - spitfires, hurries, Corsairs, Fxx's and tornados. Purely because some of the work you guys do is stunning, and the inferiority complex kicks in! So it is with some trepidation I start this one. I'll have this one on the ground "all out" - mainly because it cost £25, and I want my modelling money's worth, so if it's in the kit, it's getting built! A huge steaming pile of....plastic. Woah, Decal overload..: I always like to kick off with ordinance, and this one is no different. So here is my combined 1:32 boom stick collection including stuff from this kit, in various states of non-completion. I'm open to suggestions on load-out, but I do like a fully laden beast where possible. Hopefully you can make out all the various bits. If you can't see a good loadout here, just shout one out anyway - I'll go aftermarket if need be. I wanna see the underkarts groaning under a full loadout

Ok, put me down for one... A militarised EC 145. 1/32. Which military, is yet to be decided. It'll look something like this: ..but with pointy boom sticks. Lots of them.

Just 4??? Try 6... http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.p...1086&st=180 Remember to "rotate" your LITENING for a UK version!

Ok, construction is proceeding, but I've spent most of the day correcting a problem... Essentially, the pit section wouldn't join the main engine/fuselage section without massive gaps. I filed, I trimmed, I shaved...and only just got it to a "putty-able" distance, top and bottom. Only to find when I got there, the top section curvatures were not the same! You can just make it out here: The intakes threw in another problem, because if the main pit wouldn't fit neatly, neither would the flap "legs". I had the choice of either: a ) attach the pit, then the intakes, and putty the intake join b ) attach the intakes to the pit first, and join/putty the lot once attached. I chose b ) - I figured making the small legs neatly finished was easier than trying to butcher the complex intake innards. Plus I've already painted the innards... It's been a long day, but just about happy with the fit lines. A few small ones to do, and the belly pit/fuselage join needs further work - it was a good 1-2mm adrift! That front underkart is right in the way though, but I couldn't not attached it, given the design; Trumpet could have come up with a means surely - the rear can be added after the fuselage is together? Anyway...to the pics.... ..and after some work...the "intake legs" and the upper join are now neat and tidy! ...and here's progress at end of play; wings and tail fins are only dry fitted for now (wing will not be secured anyway).

PS - no load-out votes at all from you chaps, so I'm going with: - 2 x tanks - Inner pylons - 6 x 500lb LGB's - Middle pylons - xxxx - "leg" pylons not in kit. Booo! - 2 x rocket pods - outer pylons - 1 x spoiler, and 1 x pylon with laser guiding, ECM doohickey wotsits etc on the belly, in place of the guns. What exactly are these btw? And who makes them in 1:32? ....OR.... - 6 x 500lb LGB's - Inner pylons - 2 x rocket pods - Middle pylons - xxxx - "leg" pylons - 2 x AIM9's - outer pylons