Murdo Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Hi all, Sorry, bit of a long post this... Whilst on leave over the last couple of weeks I bought the Revell 1/32 Hawker Hunter expecting to do a quick build over a weekend but was surprised by the fit and detail on the kit and instead I decided to redo some parts and go for a proper build. The first thing I did was dipped the canopy in Klear. I then promptly dropped the canopy on the carpet. Saying some naughty words I rushed to the sink, frantically washed the canopy, dried it and re-dipped it… Then promptly dropped it on the carpet again. That pretty much set the tone for the way this build progressed. Someone has put a curse on this model. Anyway, here’s the basic cockpit. The instrument panel detail is very nicely done. The main aircraft is actually built in four stages (Fuselage section, Engine and intakes, cockpit and nose, wings) and it all sort of slots together (very neatly too) at the end. Here’s a pic of the cockpit and engine dry fit. As Revell have just marked out the control surfaces I cut them all out and reset them to different positions. I spent a fair bit of time happily painting the cockpit and dials etc but then found that as Hunter cockpits were black inside and fairly enclosed, once the fuselage is together and the seat in place very little can be seen so it’s probably not worth the bother… Considering how beautifully and finely detailed the cockpit panels are the Bang Seat was incredibly basic with the straps molded on and no pilot figure. The straps were scraped off with a blade and the seat painted as an ex RAF pilot described it to me. This however looked a bit naff so I did an internet search then redid most of the seat with Milliput, styrene and tinfoil from a takeaway. I’m a bit happier with this one. Whilst it was securely masked, something got on the canopy and did this: After a lot of gentle scraping with a razor blade, very patient sanding, polishing with toothpaste (Herself thinks I’m insane) and some Klear I ended up with this. It has a very, very slight misting but I’m happy with it: Having faffed around with all the cockpit painting I had to head back home. I secured the almost fully built Hunter to the car parcel shelf with Blue Tack (however it’s spelt) and headed off. Heading down through the Highlands I got a puncture and opened the car door to Midge hell. The place was absolutely INFESTED with the evil little $££^&*! To anyone that doesn’t know… A Midge is a tiny, tiny little blood sucking fly that arrives in swarms and makes life misery. Naturally, the spare wheel was under all the cases, toys, clothes, kitchen sinks etc which my beloved and kiddies can’t go on holiday without. Twenty near demented minutes later the wheel was replaced, accompanied by many naughty words, waving of towels around my head and frantic scratching of arms and legs (the Midges were by now in my hair, inside my shirt, in my ears, my mouth, up my nose and getting very, very personal) and the burst was chucked into the boot followed by the cases, clothes, sinks and a few million Midges. The kids were by now bitten stupid and crying in the back. Slamming the boot shut I raced to the front of the car, jumped in and drove off, frantically opening the windows to blow the evil little sods out! However, whilst the spare wheel was a “space saver”… The Alloy wasn’t. Thus the parcel shelf was now a damn sight higher up and much closer to the rear window. When I slammed the boot shut the Hunter was flattened! Being now £150 lighter for a new tyre and having slammed the boot on my lovely Hunter and flattened it, I then rebuilt the undercarriage and re-attached half the tail and nose and I finally started on the paint job. That was an even bigger trial than the Midges… Well almost… Nah, not even close. As I’d originally intended this to be a quick build I’d bought a few Airfix rattle cans - dark gray, dark green, aluminium and satin varnish in acrylic, an enamel gloss varnish for decaling etc - and a can of enamel satin varnish to seal it all off. First I applied the Aluminium on the undersides. Lovely job!!! The aluminium and dark green went on like a dream and produced a superb flat, very thin surface. So I then masked with Blu tack and tinfoil and applied the gray. After all the waffle it’s time for another pic! The blue tack stuck to the green paint and left a strange line all around it. As I was now home, I masked the gray with Tamiya tape and re applied the green. The stuff went everywhere! I’d finally had enough of the rattle cans and used my airbrush to paint the thing green. I sprayed it with the Airfix enamel clear gloss, (yeah, another can, I’m a lazy modeller) which went on very well and I applied the decals (20 large and about 300 tiny ones) and then the weathering. Here’s an example decal pic, it consists of one top and one bottom decal. The register is spot on! With aching eyes but very satisfied with the results I gave the underside a final spray with the Airfix Acrylic Satin Varnish rattle can and prepared to apply it to the top. I watched in horror and despair as the lovely, smooth Aluminium took on a crazed marble effect and all the weathering on the panel lines disintegrated into blobs. Chucking the rattle can in the bin I frantically wiped away the mess and applied Klear like my life depended on it. The Klear seems to have worked and the paint and varnish has stabilised. If you do intend to use these Airfix cans do not apply them to your model till you have tested them on scrap first! This really is a lovely kit apart from the Ejection seat which to be honest, isn’t really all that bad for a 1/32, £20 kit. It really goes together beautifully and (despite my misfortunes and because I’m mildly insane ) one I intend to build again as a “Black Arrow”. The ONLY problem I’ve found with this kit is that it has a weak undercarriage… Half a car slammed on it or not. Anyway. No more waffle! Here’s my finally finished Revell 1/32 Hawker Hunter. Comments and (polite) criticisms welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 You know Murdo - I'd have lost my rag and binned the thing by now! But I admire your perseverence in getting this kit complete no matter what. And you know - you've done a superb job. One to be proud of. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan the rabbit Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I am having similar pain in my arseholes with Revell Spitfire 1/32nd yes.. Yours come out very nice looking. Chenquieh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desmojen Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 You know Murdo - I'd have lost my rag and binned the thing by now! But I admire your perseverence in getting this kit complete no matter what. And you know - you've done a superb job. One to be proud of. Well done! What he said, well done Murdo. That's a nice build and all the more so considering the problems you've had Jen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 You did well all things considered. Lovely Hunter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plastic Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) That's a superb looking Hunter & well worth all the aggro. My FGA9 has just been primed & has shown up the fit issues with the wing tips (or it might just be my sausage fingers causing the problems) so out with the can of Humbrol silver for the undersides after another attack with the sanding stick & scriber. Sorry to be a nit picker but I think the rear edge of the canopy was glass, not framed. I had this pointed out to me as I did the same with my Academy 1/48 Hunter. (Buggritt!) Pete Edited August 16, 2008 by Buzby061 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gibson Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Nce job Murdo. If I'm not mistaken, I think I can see a midge in the port intake and another on the windscreen. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 Thanks to all! Sorry to be a nit picker but I think the rear edge of the canopy was glass, not framed. I had this pointed out to me as I did the same with my Academy 1/48 Hunter. (Buggritt!)Pete Yeah, I know. Found out after I'd dunnit! (Double buggrit!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 Thanks to all! Yeah, I know. Found out after I'd dunnit! (Double buggrit!) There was no actual metal frame at the rear but there was an interior seal, probably inflatable. Let's just say it's that we're seeing! Nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted August 16, 2008 Author Share Posted August 16, 2008 There was no actual metal frame at the rear but there was an interior seal, probably inflatable. Let's just say it's that we're seeing! Nice job. Thanks Graham. What's annoying is... The destructions DON'T "tell" me to do that. I just assumed the rear metal frame was there and painted it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Well done on finishing it mate. The big Revell Hunter is one of my favourite ever kits, and should never be as hard as yours has been! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Turned out nicely after all the aggro. There's me muttering about the 48th Lindberg/Nichimo abomination I'm fighting with. That will be a Black Arrow too. Nice to know about the canopy frame. Good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamienB Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Lovely, lovely job but Hunter airbrakes are disabled when the gear goes down, so you wouldn't see one this far open on the ground unless it had been abandoned for months with associated loss of hydraulic pressure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek burton Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I`m afraid i can see one thing that aint as it should be, the underwing serials they should read from the rear on the stbd and the front on the port also they should "cross" over the u/c doors. Cocked two sets of codes on the 1/72 version last night they locked on where they touched couldnt slide them. Dek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 (edited) Lovely, lovely job but Hunter airbrakes are disabled when the gear goes down, so you wouldn't see one this far open on the ground unless it had been abandoned for months with associated loss of hydraulic pressure... Thanks Damien, airbrakes snipped and reset in the closed position. I`m afraid i can see one thing that aint as it should be, the underwing serials they should read from the rear on the stbd and the front on the port also they should "cross" over the u/c doors. Cocked two sets of codes on the 1/72 version last night they locked on where they touched couldnt slide them.Dek. Hi Dek, as I'd attached the wheels twice I was getting to the desperate stage and just stuck the decals on where I could find space rather then cut them to fit the doors. Sorry to hear about your decals. That must have very frustrating. Do you use Micro sol / set? If anyone else builds this kit I'd recommend leaving the entire undercarraige off, Blue Tacking the u/c doors in the closed position then painting, decaling and weathering the plane. Once done carefully slice the decals across the door slits and assemble the u/c. Hope this helps somebody unless there's a better way to do it?. By the way... Did Brit Hunters ever carry missiles of any sort? The kit comes with two AIM9 missiles but I'm not sure they should be fitted. Edited August 18, 2008 by Murdo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenMG Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 By the way... Did Brit Hunters ever carry missiles of any sort? The kit comes with two AIM9 missiles but I'm not sure they should be fitted. No they didn't, at least not guided missiles anyway only unguided RPs (Rocket Projectiles). There were various trials of guided missiles and even a plan to remove two of the guns and mount a pair of Sidewinders on the gunpack Lightning-style, but they never went into RAF service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek burton Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I dont use Sol/set on xtradecal until they are in place, normaly i wouldnt put the pylons on till after decaling put well it was one of those big finger nights, i`ve seen a photo of that sidewinder/gunpack idea, might be usefull for a whif. Dek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig S Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Cracking job, but with a build like that I don't know you hadn't topped yourself first! Sadly I know all too well the effect you describe with the rattle can, it had the same effect on my Dominie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHIL B Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Lovely job Murdo. Only thing is, do I have to go through all your trials and tribulations to get a result as good as yours? Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 Lovely job Murdo. Only thing is, do I have to go through all your trials and tribulations to get a result as good as yours?Phil. Nah Phil, you should be safe enough, Midge wise anyway. I think all the evil wee bastar poor beasties have drowned this year... Shame innit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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