TeeELL

Completely forgot about this! I will try to remember to post the photos. If you like the look of the turret I can ‘up-scale’ the turret and operating mechanism to 1:32! the is a couple of photos of the finished (well nearly finished’ item in the ‘ready for inspection’ section.

I thought I had posted this previously but a search suggests otherwise. I have a theme of ‘Aircraft of 29(F) Sqn’, the last bi-plane flown on the Sqn was the Hawker Demon ‘turret’ version. Having purchased an AMG 1:72 Hawker Demon, I thought a conversion to a ‘turret’ version could be achieved. This is the end result: no more ‘Triple X’ (or any other number of Xs for that matter) just the ‘standardised’ motif in a spearhead on the fin (home made). The turret is a 3D printed part, as is the rather complex gun support/turret operating unit. The above shows an early ‘test fit’ to make sure everything was in proportion, in the background my old Airfix Demon in ‘full’ XXXXX glory.

Yes Eric. Details here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235113746-airfix-javelin-faw9-3d-printed-parts/page/8/

Wow!, this is the first model I’ve seen finished that used my conversion set for the rear fuselage. Looks great.

Oh, in reply to your post, I’ve sets of Javelin transfers (although I have 3 to build : Heller T3, Airfix FAW9 and Airfix FAW9 as a FAW6) I will see what is spare and get back to you. To be honest, having seen the price of PrintScale and wanting only 29(F) Sqn transfers, I am inclined to print my own! What markings are you after? I can send you non generic Sqn markings I am sure.

Ray, For the Heller T3 there are improved U/C legs, lowered flaps, extended or flush airbrakes and seamless intake trunking with compressor faces available. If you ever get hold of an Airfix FAW9, then a completely revised and corrected rear fuselage plug with associated parts is available.

On another forum a modeller was enquiring about the availability of a 1/72 scale WE177B for a load out on his Tornado. Whilst there are models available - the prices are a bit OTT. By chance I happened to be passing the Hack Green ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’, Northwich and they have examples of the WE177A and B/C versions. I was able to get ‘up close and personal’ to take detailed photos and measurements and earlier this week designed a CAD drawing in Fusion360. It took a few tweaks in both dimensions of fins and ‘bolt holes’ plus printing supports but I’ve created an acceptable final product.

A view of a recent print session of PR7 and B6 parts

Very shortly my PR7 forward fuselage conversion with be mentioned in a build feature for Scale Aircraft Modelling (I believe). In addition, I’ve had a number of orders for the parts already. I figure that it would make sense to list the parts I produce with the associated prices, here goes: NOTE: The interiors are a slide-in fit and include a detailed nose U/C bay. If you wish to create a significantly more detailed cockpit, all the fuselages can be supplied as port and starboard ‘halves’. Please add £2 for this option. For the Airfix B(I)6 or B-57 kit CA1. Corrected forward fuselage (B6/B2)+ basic interior + vac-form nose transparency + fitting ring £10 CA2. As above but Forward fuselage for PR7 (PR3) including camera ports. CA3. B6 As above but with ‘open access door’. £12 CA4. PR7 Ditto The Vac-form nose transparencies are supplied on their ‘buck’ which has a cutting guide. CA5. Set of 3 detailed nose wheels (one with axle) plus extra fine mudguards. £4 CA6. Pair of detailed starter bullets/IGV face B6/PR7/B8 type. (3 shot) £3 CA7. As above for B2/T4/PR3. (Single shot). £3 Hope this is useful. As for my own PR7 build - when I started it I had only designed and printed the B6 forward fuselage and didn’t have the correct dimensions/positions etc for the forward camera ports, so my PR7 camera ports are a bit out! Rest assured that my printed PR7 fuselage benefits from detailed measurements of the airframe at Newark and the forward fuselage section (with camera ports) at Doncaster.

The WE177 B/C ‘nukes’ have been printed and they seem to be OK.

Hi Rob, which version WE177 do you have at BDAC? Oh, I don’t think I’ve flown ‘your’ Hawk as it doesn’t seem to have been rotated through 4FTS during its life.

Thanks for that info on the ‘red cylinder’. As the request is for a ‘load out’ I am not including the ‘red cylinder’. Rob, thanks for the info. I live in Wiltshire so ‘popping down’ isn’t a difficult option but, if I need any additional dimensions, perhaps you might be able to supply them for me? I certainly will be visiting, but not until after SMW, Telford. Tony.

Following a querie from a modeller on another forum about sourcing a WE177 for a Tornado model I, by chance, happened to be travelling south on the Shropshire Union Canal and was able to moor near the Hack Green ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’, Northwich. It just so happens that they possess examples of the WE177 A and WE177 B/C and the staff very kindly allowed me access to take measurements. (I was very careful, difficult ‘cos I had my fingers in my ears in case it went off!!). But seriously, I’ve all the dimensions and will design the CAD drawings for printing - yes, I know there are ‘after market’ available, but the price!! Mine will be about 50p plus P&P!

I am willing to print resin parts for fellow modellers UK based, for the cost of P&P and a small contribution towards electricity and resin. To do so for folk overseas becomes prohibitive due to the cost of postage. Maybe, you could find a local modelling club, or similar, and someone there would offer you a similar service?

Rich, I made a scaled version template based on the 1/48 scale Alley Cat conversion. Obviously I cannot send you a copy as I am heading for Liverpool (6 days to go).

Rich, I though I should update you on the Javelin cockpit - it has been ‘on hold’ as I’ve been busy with parts for the Canberra conversion. I am now on my canal boat so nothing will be done for a while (I rather wish I had bought the parts with me to work on!)

Just to let you know, there are absolutely no cushions whatsoever on an ejection seat - the nearest is a ‘comfort pad’ made out of a thin foam or lambs wool both of which compress when sat on. The ‘cushions’ are the parachute pack and the fibre-glass survival seat pack. For interest, cushions would comprehensively destroy a spine if used on an ejection seat! OK, apart from that fact, everything is coming together very nicely Brian. I am looking forward to seeing the end results, I might well be enthused enough to finish my ‘grey’ Hawk (Revell kit but the canopy was distorted so been awaiting a sound replacement - that took 2 attempts as ‘quality control’ failed to check them). I have a red/white/blue/grey to do and a 208 Sqn black Hawk to build in the serial of my very last Hawk flight, oh! and a wrap round cammo from back when I did ‘TAC Weapons’. Have you secured the canopies yet? If not then the shoulder straps should actually be attached to ‘snubber units’ either side of the small head box - I cannot remeber how we secured them on the wider head box though - sorry. (I confess that I’ve not done that with my previous builds though).

Thanks galgos.

I have all but finished the Demon, I need to work out the best way to represent the R/T aerial as it is different to that on my previous Demon. Overall, it is a nice kit but I rather get the impression it was rushed to market. Anyway, here itbis:

Brian, I have just come across your post. As a retired RAF pilot with over 4,500hrs on Hawks, I am always interested to see builds of this great little aircraft. I am building a variety of Hawks myself, representing schemes used during my 24 year association with the aircraft. In addition, I have models in the schemes of Hawks I have flown other than in the RAF. A couple of things, if I may. Where did you source your ejection seats from? (I could do with printing some myself). On the issue of ejection seats: those you have currently printed need the ‘tubes’ that are up by the ‘head box’ removing (these were Tornado mods), if you are planning on building early versions of the Hawk, then they were fitted with the dreadful wide head box (made it very challenging to see forward for landing as an instructor. Finally, given the work you are doing, then you must research the 4 different tail-end/tail boxes fitted to the aircraft during its life span. The variations between the initial design and final design are very, very different. Hope this has helped! Sorry if it hasn’t. regards Tony Oh, I have the Mars 2 Pro, your printer has an ‘after market’ resin bath by the look of it, my friend’s Mars 2 and mine were delivered with aluminium resin baths. I have also used Sunloo standard grey resin as I have found Elegoo resin a little bit more ‘fussy’. Model of the first Hawk in which I flew solo back in 1983 Hawk in which I flew several times in 1983 whilst ‘holding’ prior to my Phantom course. The aircraft I flew whilst on a Central Flying School visit to Finland circa 1988 Aircraft I flew on an instructors ‘refresher course’ with 19(R) Sqn.

I am working on the rather complex turret gun support. I’ve a number of photos of the example at Hendon but no dimensions, so it is all a bit of guesswork. I live just that bit too far away to justify driving there unfortunately

I did contact Silver Wings to point out their error but I don’t know if they ever did anything about it. It is all but impossible to rig the landing wires as they suggest, because of the swept-back upper wings.

Something that AMG forgot was the slat actuators, 3 on each side of the outboard front of the upper wing. The marks for their positions exist but not the parts as a consequence I designed and printed a set (with spares - fortunately, as one fell off when I dropped the model). Three of the 6 are visible fitted to the port wing with an additional 2 spares on the right. The one removed from its printing support was used subsequently.

Wow, I had forgotten about this thread! Since the last visit I have fitted the lower wings and the struts. I used Hypo glue to fix one leg of the struts in place - it allows for some flexibility. The jigs to hold the struts were lying around from when I built the Airfix Demon. The next challenge was attaching the upper wing and for this I used the rigging lines. They would hold things together and allow me to use them to center everything. You will see the ‘Silver Wings’ rigging diagram underneath the model; whilst useful, there is one very significant error with the ‘landing wires’. SW indicate these to be 2 independent wires when, in fact, they are a V (as you will see on my model). Tamiya extra thin was used to fix the struts into the upper wings and cyno then used to secure the other strut into the lower wing. The rigging held everything tight and square whilst the various glues dried. The next job involved tensioning and securing the rigging. I fabricated a device to hold the model with the lines under tension and, using a fresh bottle of ‘Rocket Hot’ cyno, applied tiny amounts to the holes. The tension is created using the weight of the model plus the 2 tweezers holding to opposing pair of lines. I used broadly the same technique for all the rigging lines. with the fuselage to wings rigging complete, and the lines trimmed this is the end result: I am now going to trim the lines flush with the wing surfaces and apply a spot of Mr Surfacer. Once that is dry it will be a final gentle sanding before the paintwork is completed.

Well, I can report a little bit of progress. The PR7 has received several thin coats of Humbrol Gloss Cote which will get polished with micro-mesh 12,000 to a high shine ready for transfers. I am busy with another build just now which should be finished today.