exdraken Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 (edited) Want to show some of my Vampire refurbishing project: This is an old Hobbycraft Vampire kit with all its know errors I never finished. Found it in the attic some time ago and decided not to throw it away (yet) so I tried to correct the dihedral/ anhedral issue, and hope to improve the front canopy- fuselage transition. some pics: the canopy itself will be a big challenge though...... Thanks for looking and any kind of comment!! Edited November 28, 2014 by exdraken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted June 15, 2013 Author Share Posted June 15, 2013 although no too many replies till now, I will keep on posting some progress, hope you don't mind! mainly cleanup and seam work, the canopy was also troubling me quite a bit! hope you start to like her a bit more now 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve27752 Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Yes, I like it. There is something about the lines of an early jet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I think the too bulbous nose is making the canopy appear to sit too high. I think I would try adding a few mm to the nose. Although your model will then be a little too long, it will allow you to rework the nose to the more pointed appearance of the original and might make the canopy look a bit more in proportion to the nacelle. The other thing you could try, if you can get the canopy separated from the model, is to have it open. This will break up the outline of the aircraft, thus drawing the eye away from the problem. Hope that helps a bit. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted June 18, 2013 Author Share Posted June 18, 2013 Thanks for your input Martin! actually I did not know about those inaccuracies till now!! but crosschecked with my CA kit I had somewhere in my stash to build at a later date... the canopy is hardly comparable to say the least not sure if I can improve on that now at the same time I noted that my intakes are not too well either.... Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarcococca Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I`ll stay tuned as I like british jet trainer of the sixties! I built this kit too, and it was a lot of fun to improve this kit. I`ve built one in restoration condition with wooden structure, a fact what make this airctaft absolutely fascinating. It`s not an easy task to built this old canadian kit, but if you like this one, so there is no obstacle. I`m curious what`s coming out! Greetz Dirk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bradley Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I posted some walkaround shots of a T.55 over at UAMF: http://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=7162 Hope they might be of some use. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 14, 2013 Author Share Posted July 14, 2013 thanks for the detail pics! very helpful! one of the main problems i think I have found, is that the front windscreen is too steep on the hobbycraft kit ... no way I can correct this.... I try now o correct the shape transition between the fuselage sides and the canopy, as it slopes? down in a characteristic way... maybe the nosejob will also improve the looks... we will see! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share Posted November 28, 2014 hmmmmm nearly binned her, but finally sanded a lot, and a lot more.... and decided to give her one more try canopy was also remodeled, to a not so good effect.... looking better in black, but still no beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 It might have it's foibles but just enjoy it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radpoe Spitfire Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'd heard it had faults, but don't give in, every model is a blank canvas to which you sculpt and paint to your satisfaction. So far it's looking good. The Vampire is yet another type that operated locally- about a mile behind the house I lived in at RAF Worksop- a bit before my time though, I was born 7 years after the station closed for good. Remember as well, the T11 is preserved in large numbers and many uk museums have at least 1 example. Regards Rad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted September 6, 2016 Author Share Posted September 6, 2016 not sure if I should even update this thread... repainted her again, maked the lower wing numbers, not sooo great. marked the tail for a white fin flash base and painted with tamia rattle can and Revell enamels.. both only worked partially well red will be next.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Yes, please keep at it. I have something similar on the go and this may help me to carry on. It is a truly horrible kit but the only game in town unless you have the Aeroclub offering (I don't). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyverns4 Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Looking good and, more importantly, it looks more like a T.55 now. I tried doing the same whilst in Sweden and worked on and off on it over six years. Very little of the original kit remained. Unfortunately it was 'Mombasa's' when we moved to Kenya... Just might have to get another and crack on again... What am I saying... Christian, exiled to africa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FZ6 Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 Keep at it. I have a Classic Airframes Vampire in a similar state I really must finish........ Regards, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a disease Posted September 8, 2016 Share Posted September 8, 2016 If you don't finish this kit, all the work so far...... WASTE OF TIME! Good luck....... When it is done, you will be happy....at least in the knowing that you've finally finished it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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