Jinxman Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Here's my offering, the Airfix kit first issued in 1972.. ..minus the long-lost canopy, so this should come to the rescue.. ..with the AZ etch panel, and Renaissance etch set for some aded detail.. ..and a lovely set of decals from Berna, (well I can't find the kit ones - what else was I to do?).... Hopefully I'll have time for some sort of diorama base, we shall see, cheers 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Good grief!!! I had all forgotten about the French build!!! Where the hell have I stashed my Mirage III? I am just in process of ordering this SMB2 from a model shop that still stores it!!! Yes, time travel is one of my hobbies. Beautiful plane, really. Are you going to do a NMF or camo version? Both have such panache! Good luck JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Looking forward to seeing this one. About 35 years ago I built one of these in camouflage using Modeldecal sheet 46. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 When I first mooted the idea of a French GB I had it in my head that I'd do exactly the same project (albeit with EC.12 markings from Modeldecal 32), unfortunately my current studies preclude me devoting the time needed to such a project. Needless to say, I'm very pleased that someone else is taking this subject on so I'll be paying particular interest to this. Gòod luck with it. Wez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEMPESTMK5 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Good morning Jinxman I am looking forward to see you building of this venerable Airfix kit .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Lovely choice of subject ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Into the breach over the last couple of days - the Renaissance etch set is the inspiration for this build - lovely detail and looks like a bit of a challenge. Lots of options, some of which are unusual, e.g dropped main u/c doors which were not seen often on SMB2s on the ground. So the premise for the build is SMB2 no. 124 is on the ramp at BA 110 Creil having a few hydraulic issues which are being carefully checked over. Started with some cutting out of the u/c bays so they can be refitted with more realistic dimensions, which showed a size/position issue with the kit openings after checking photos and plans, and similar stuff with the airbrake- again the etch is ok, the kit is wrong, and so I started on an access ladder whilst I pondered why I didn't go ahead with my Heller Br693 instead.. ..back at it tomorrow.. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 It will all turn out for the best in the end Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Cliff - you are right - teddy just needs to get back in the pram! A little bit of progress made - I started reworking the airbrake bay - it is too deep on the kit, I also cut out the NACA duct positions in the correct places ready for the etch parts, not sure how these will be finished yet as the etch instructions suggest building up the pieces with epoxy, but I think doing that is beyond me, and so I plunge moulded some using modelling clay, (should have let it dry a bit first in hindsight - the detail is a bit soft), and got the parts ready to build up the port airbrake 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 All I can say is... WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Airbrake assembled - slight issue as I didn't secure a part properly when soldering so it moved. In an attempt to correct it I broke it, so it needs a bit of fettling, Also tidied up the nose wheel bay with more scale-like edges and so on. Started putting together a more accurate wheel bay. Again, the etch parts for the doors are accurate so using these for the correct dimensions and so on. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary West Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 One of the unsung Cold Warriors but a fine aircraft (wish we had a good one in 1/48) - will watch your progress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 There is a lot of work going on here, which is to a very high standard. I do really like though the work that you have done on the airbrakes. Keep it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 When I was considering one of these I baulked at just how much rescribing I'd need to do, it's a good job I'd never had the idea of doing what you're doing. This is great work and I plan to save this thread as a reference thread once you're done. Keep up the good work! Wez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 hi all, thanks for your comments and interest in this one - the SMB2 was a great aeroplane for its time I think - and a good looker to boot. I reckon its worth the effort to refine it a little as it is basically a nice kit with some good touches. I have had my head stuck in this for a week, thinking through how it will come together and I think it just needs some modelling time applied to it - unfortunately with the bit between my teeth I am off to Cosford tomorrow and then Lossiemouth for a few days for Joint Warrior with the camera... Progress is small, ..the DAS clay NACA ducts are consigned to the maybe pile. The material is too fibrous and doesn't take a knife or filler very well. I tried again using FIMO - much better and I think this is the solution, ..the nose u/c bay main door was soldered up and a plasticard backing added to give it some shape and depth - just need to tidy up the edges before the outer skin is applied. It also allowed a check on whether it would fit with the re-profiled edges of the u/c bay which it does, (phew).. ..to show the kit who was in charge the stabilators will be slightly inclined - lots of photos show the SMB2 like this when parked up. The lugs were hacked off the fuselage, and glued onto the main pieces, and tidying up has started. Even though the raised detail is gone the impression is still there - hopefully it can act as a guide. The metal bits are pieces of syringe so I can insert one side into the other once the fuselage is joined, ..and some tidying started on the fuselage, with the (roughly) correct position of the main u/c doors shown so I can think about adding some card to the sides of the existing plastic to get it built up, so it can be cut down to size, cheers 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Very impressive modelling. I like how this is turning out. Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 Still plodding on at my usual pace - here is where I have got to with the SMB2.. The kit is a little plump in front of the windscreen, so a little sanding sorted this out. The sides of the nose are a little skinny so this still has to be sorted with some card/filler. The raised area in front of the windshield is part of the Falcon canopy so the kit part is hacked off, ..NACA ducts in a better position and more accurate shape on port side, ..tip of the fin built up with CA and acrylic nail powder to get a better shape, and rudder removed so that the characteristic gaps can be portrayed, ..the shape and thickness of the rear fuselage needs a little refining, so a bit of plastic added here and there, .. after much head scratching thinking of ways to get the right position and shape for the main gear doors, the simple solution was to glue in the kit doors, smooth down with CA/acrylic as filler and start to cut out and thin the rear to scale, ..and onward with the wings - gear door glued in place ready for cutting out, indicator light glued in, dog tooth in a more accurate position, and aileron cut out so it can be repositioned slightly. The outer part of the leading edge needs to be curved down as well. cheers 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 A golden oldie that will look stunning with all of your updates. I have fond memories of building this when it came out, finishing it in what turned out to be a spurious camouflage scheme. Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene K Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Are you still working on this interesting build, Jinxman? Gene K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 Are you still working on this interesting build, Jinxman? Gene K hi Gene, Thanks for asking! Just about to get going with it again after the sumer getting in the way - reckon I'll be starting a WIP in the next couple of days, cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene K Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Just about to get going with it again after the sumer getting in the way - reckon I'll be starting a WIP in the next couple of days, Thanks - looking forward to that. Will you be starting a new thread, or continuing this one? Gene K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinxman Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 hi Gene, Off we go! Started a new WIP - just need to do some modelling now.. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene K Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 ... reckon I'll be starting a WIP in the next couple of days, Great - already following! Gene K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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