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Classic Airframes DH Sea Hornet NF.21


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Great work and lessons for us all with a love of Hornet's and Sea Hornet's.

Thank you. I hope to use this thread to show how to detail any Hornet kit, by highlighting what is correct and what is not. So far, the Classic Airframes kit has the least errors I've found in both of the injection moulded kits that have been available in 1/48 scale. If someone could measure a Dynavector kit for various dimensions I would really appreciate it for comparison.

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Thank you. I hope to use this thread to show how to detail any Hornet kit, by highlighting what is correct and what is not. So far, the Classic Airframes kit has the least errors I've found in both of the injection moulded kits that have been available in 1/48 scale. If someone could measure a Dynavector kit for various dimensions I would really appreciate it for comparison.

Hi David

I have both Hornet kits by Dynavector and Classic Airframes, so can compare photgraphically as well. What dimensions do you want? If easier PM me your requirements..

I'm interested in know what tweaks on what kit for my own use as well.

cheers

T

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That's interesting to know. Even though I had never measured one, finished examples always look more proportionally correct.

Actual length for the NF21 in this scale should be 248.2mm

So,

Classic Airframes is 240mm.

Dynavector is 244mm.

Should be interesting to see what the Trumpeter comes out as.

Edited by David A Collins
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For comparison, the Trumpeter hornet F1 fuselage is 222mm long, where as the actual aircraft should be 227mm in 1/48 scale. Their base model is 5mm too short, but the wing and tailplane are out of position aswell, making it much harder to correct.

Edited by David A Collins
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Thank you to everyone who are following this thread.

Yesterdays progress on the kit was limited to gluing the fin and tail plane parts together. While checking the elevators, (I thought they needed extending) I've discovered a measuring error on my part. So apologies to all.

The Classic Airframes NF21 elevators are the correct length = 119.4mm from tip to tip. My "school-boy" error here was not accounting for the fuselage width itself when I measured them. This is where the missing 9mm was hidden. Doh!

So to recap, it looks like the CA kit's only major error so far, is that it is too short.

Edited by David A Collins
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The Dynavector Sea Hornet is 244mm in length.

Actual length for the NF21 in this scale should be 248.2mm

So,

Classic Airframes is 240mm.

Dynavector is 244mm.

For comparison, the Trumpeter hornet F1 fuselage is 222mm long, where as the actual aircraft should be 227mm in 1/48 scale.

Perhaps this is covered earlier in the topic, but when speaking of "length" I assume we mean "furthest forward bit" to "furthest backest bit" (with aircraft level) while fuselage length is NOT the overall length. Just thought I'd better clarify since there are a bunch of numbers now getting tossed around!

bob

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Hi Bob,

I am just talking about fuselage lengths here. The prop spinners/wing position is not involved yet! Later on in the build this will add a further layer of errors between kits.

So just to clarify, all of the length measurements I am talking about here are fuselage only.

Any differences between marks are therefore pretty straightforward:

Prototype with a short tailcone.

Mk3 and F20 had long tailcones.

Nf21 had long tailcones and the radar.

Edited by David A Collins
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I have assembled the fuselage halves and attached the lengthened tail section, and cannon fairing today.

Everything lines up ok still.

Plastic card has been used to plug the gap to the extended tail assembly.

While still in this basic form, I will add some further details to the front:

Stowed pilots ladder.

Head pad extension and damper.

Instrument panel combing.

Gun site.

Scratch built radar, support frame and glycol tank.

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This is the lengthened tail assembly and fin added to the fuselage.

I've given the top/bottom fuselage joins a light sanding and some light filler where the rear fuselage has been extended.

The tailplane fairings were filed out of the existing ones moulded in the fuselage sides, so I didn't need to make new ones..

37328773022_801a5797e2_b.jpgDSCN8929 by hornet project

The cannon fairing was added after cutting an opening into the fuselage.

One thing to note: Classic Airframes have made the mid-fuselage reinforcement band go completely round the fuselage. This should only be above the wing, an not underneath. I have therefore sanded it flat underneath, just ahead of the belly door.

23507234238_2e2bb0b01a_b.jpgDSCN8928 by hornet project

Edited by David A Collins
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This is the radar and windscreen de-icer tank installation for an NF.21 Sea Hornet.

37328709812_d95e50b78d_b.jpgIMAG1420 by hornet project

Sorry for the blurred photo, but this is a ladder I have scratch built. It is shown in its "collapsed" condition. In 1/48 scale it measures 20.3mm long.

37102531920_7e3a8aed12_b.jpgIMAG1422-1 by hornet project

This is my original:

36649580454_f2f08003f3_b.jpgIMAG1421 by hornet project

Edited by David A Collins
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This is the ladder fully extended. When used, this hooks into the leading edge opening of the radiators. Just goes to show how tall this aircraft is!

37328709252_d9d1b273da_b.jpgIMAG1423 by hornet project

This is the ladder and head pad fitted. The differences between the Hornet and Sea Hornet installation are as follows:

The Sea Hornet ladder is stowed horizontally over the ammunition boxes. When viewed from above, it has a slight diagonal orientation to avoid some equipment fitted behind. This was made from sprue off-cuts. (The RAF Hornet ladder is stowed vertically down the rear face of the pilots armour plate).

The Sea Hornet head pad is mounted onto an adjustable/damped tube. I have scratch built this from an unused axle in the spares box. (The RAF Hornet has a fixed head pad).

 

37102540210_e522a6da88_b.jpg. by hornet project

 

37311605236_35fac8eb26_b.jpg. by hornet project

. by hornet project

Edited by David A Collins
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This is a most educational build. I am learning a lot about the Sea Hornet that I did not previously know.

Martin

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