Jump to content

1/72nd Tamiya Thunderbolt Mk.II, 73 OTU, Egypt,.....lets try again!


Recommended Posts

Hiya Folks,

Having already tried to build a model of KL328/ 14 of 73 OTU in its silver scheme and fallen foul of shoddy research on my part by adding a dorsal strake to the model when this aircraft didn`t actually have one (doh!.....I didn`t check my photo!) I`ve decided to build that model as something else and start again using this Tamiya kit. To save time I`ve applied the basic interior colours this morning using a rattle can with Trainer Yellow used as an undercoat for Zinc Chromate which I`ll brush on next and here it is so far;

DSCF7439_zpswf3nsioz.jpg

I`ll do the rest of the interior using a brush,

Cheers

Tony

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Tony.

Please see the post I made on your other build, I have a photo of a NMF SEAC Thunderbolt with the fillet so all is not lost!

A really nice quick start at this rate you'll have a trio of builds in the gallery!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers Rich,

Yes the Revell kit is keeping its fillet and will now wear SEAC markings and this one will represent the 73 OTU aircraft,.....it needs the underside of the wings altering to represent a P-37D-30 with an i/d light on the outer wing and small air brakes behind th wheel bays,.....but rather than spending £10+ at Hannants I`ll have a go at doing it myself.

Cheers

Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is an update on this one too......

DSCF7444_zps5t4ifuc5.jpg

Here is a clse up of the cockpit detail;

DSCF7446_zpscd2a5fgn.jpg

In order to convert this model into a P-47D-30 variant I have filled in the parts seen on the sprue, ready to add speed brakes on the inner wing parts and the outer wing part will be drilled to make a downward facing light.

DSCF7445_zpsncuafkqa.jpg

Cheers

Tony

Edited by tonyot
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am indeed Rich,.....this morning I sanded the model down and finished off the mods for the P-47D-30 conversion,......scribed in some air brakes and added some masking tape to raise them slightly from the surrounding plastic;

DSCF7462_zpsbv9hljvw.jpg

DSCF7463_zpsgpimb0ah.jpg

and afterwards the rattle can silver was applied;

DSCF7473_zpsmrwdg4pi.jpg

Next thing is to apply the Olive Drab anti glare panel,......the thing is,.....did it extend onto the rear fuselage? There are faint signs of this but the area in front of the cockpit is much darker,......so was the forward section repainted, leaving the rear section faded,.....or was the rear section removed, but leaving faint traces behind? Mmmmm?

Cheers

Tony

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

unless there are some actual photos of the aircraft you're building that clearly show this area, then who can say whether you're right or wrong to add the rear section or not!

She would look pretty smart with it added I think.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers Patrice and Rich,.....here is the real aircraft;

8b-raf%20thunderbolt%202_zps5hkwa7m7.jpg

what do you think about the rear anti glare panel,......most silver Thunderbolts did have one after all.... so has it been removed or is it faded? I cannot decide whether the Sky band has also been removed too,.....as per the SEAC machines.

Cheers

Tony

Edited by tonyot
Link to comment
Share on other sites

from the photo the rear OD panel, to me appears to still be there just! I think as it sits really high on the top of the fuselage it's sort of lost in the glare, but I equally suspect that it is very faded and worn almost off, along with the Sky band. As the nose OD panel faded over time I would have expected it would have been touched up, but the rear as probably the original factory paint!

The side rego is still very clear and if the Sky band was still there I would have expected to see it.

I would almost say that over time the serial numbers have been touched up, or changed, but everything else has been left original.

That's a tough question, whether to go factory fresh looking or used?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cheers Rich,....you have confirmed some of my own suspicions, so thanks very much for that,.....I also thought that the forward OD panel would have been touched up leaving the rear one to fade away,.....the Sky band is puzzling me though,....you see almost the same `look' on some SEAC machines,.... but I may just go for a faded Sky band.

All the best

Tony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good morning Tony

As far as I can see I would say that the rear Od panel has faded away , as for the Sky band I see it but I find it strange to find a Sky band on a Nmf machine but I am not a specialist on Raf Jugs ..

Patrice

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hita Folks,

The end date of this STGB crept up on me,....oh well! Here is how far I`ve got with this one,....at least I got the 73 OTU markings on it!

DSCF7742_zpsdvo32u9w.jpg

Cheers

Tony,

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...