Airfix E-3D 8/23(R) SQN ZH103

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

This is  my first entry, I am running the same thread over on UAFM forum for their RAF 100 GB (it thought I would share the love if that is OK?)

 

I had already done some prior work on this, assembled the cockpit and engines (well under the 25% rule)

 

So on with the build, the previously assembled engines got a splash of putty to correct my dodgy assembly

 

I added a splash of paint to the cockpit

 

And assembled the out wing sections as I will have to do some surgery to add the new tips with the sensor bulges on them

 

I also did a bit of a test fit and the whole wing assembly to the fuselage and it looks like some gap filling will be required (with card most likely)

 

All this happened at a build night at a mate's place, to my surprise he had a part started Heller B707 kit he no longer wanted. So I had to take it off his hands On inspection of the work already done I noted he had added the Flight Engineer's station and another station to the cockpit.

 

So I thought I would give it a go (so much for an OOB build!)

 

 

There much better, that empty space now filled.

[PhantomBigStu]

Watching along  

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

I have painted the new additions to the office and added some black decal patches to simulate the different boxes.

 

I also finished up puttying and sanding the engines and added the fences/vortex generators

 

Feeling quite proud of my achievement I added some putty to fair them in a little better, but then something made me check some reference pictures and I realised that Airfix will have you install the fences too far forward on the nacelle! So off they came and repositioning was carried out (left side unmodified, right side repositioned.

 

I also noted that the curve on the leading edge is not quite right, so I will attack them with some flies once they set properly.

 

The final mod was to open up a vent hole on the lower nacelle that Airfix moulded as a raised ridge (one on the right modified)

[Geoff Arnold]

Hi Romeo 

             The decals in picture 1 are for 8 / 23(R)  Sqdn  the training arm of 8 Sqdn

 

 

Geoff Arnold

[pdsvidioman]

I have this kit in the stash so I'll tag along if that's ok. Paul

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

14 hours ago, Geoff Arnold said:

Hi Romeo 

             The decals in picture 1 are for 8 / 23(R)  Sqdn  the training arm of 8 Sqdn

 

 

Geoff Arnold

 

Thanks Geoff, I Googled the operating units and the RAF website came up with 8, 54 and 56SQNs.

 

I am a numpty when it comes to RAF units. I will update my thread title

[nimrod54]

Nice work on filling the cockpit up Ray, it looks a lot better.

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Thanks, John.

 

So on with the show, the office is in place along with the nose wheel well.

 

Airfix recommend 85grams of weight in the nose! I had 95 grams on hand

 

and installed 

 

The fuselage was then assembled, I installed the fuselage clear parts and drilled out a few holes first though. The vertical stabiliser also was attached

 

Dome and main gear parts assembled

 

 

The engine vortex generators got some more attention. After relocating them I noticed the shape was not quite right
 

The pencil mark shows what I was removing. The right engine (below) has been modified and the left yet to be done. I also took a bit off at the rear angling the rear edge a little. I can't tell from images if this is the case on the real thing but it looks better and more aerodynamic to me.

 

I also thinned the vortex generators as well.

 

[nimrod54]

Ray,

I have this set this of 1/72 SAC metal legs that may work for this, it says that they are for the Heller kit but I suspect that they would be OK for the Airfix kit too. I won't be able to use them so you are welcome to have them, it could just take a little while to get to you in Aus, drop me a PM if you would like them.

 

by John L, on Flickr

[Geoff Arnold]

Hi

The Heller and Airfix kits are the same moulds so you should have no problems using them on this model

 

Geoff Arnold

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

9 hours ago, nimrod54 said:

Ray,

I have this set this of 1/72 SAC metal legs that may work for this, it says that they are for the Heller kit but I suspect that they would be OK for the Airfix kit too. I won't be able to use them so you are welcome to have them, it could just take a little while to get to you in Aus, drop me a PM if you would like them.

 

by John L, on Flickr

Mighty kind of your John, will PM you. If it does not make this build then I have 2 more E-3s to build

14 minutes ago, Geoff Arnold said:

Hi

The Heller and Airfix kits are the same moulds so you should have no problems using them on this model

 

Geoff Arnold

Cheers Geoff,

I have both Airfix and Heller boxings of the E-3 in the stash so I was aware they were the same moulds. I actually noticed a Heller stamp on the inside of the fuselage piece on the one I am working on. Thought Airfix might have tried to remove it like I have seen with other manufacturers.

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Not much progress since I had another project to finish over at the Boeing 737 Group Build.

 

But in that time I did tinker a bit with this one. I managed the first round of filling and sanding and the second round is in work now.

 

A bit of a Boeing Fest happening here, with the E-3 about to come back on the bench,

 

More work done now, wingtip surgery started

 

Waiting for the glue to set so I can tidy up the joins and modify the leading edge near the pod to the correct shape and profile.

 

Main gear legs installed

 

And engine vents drilled out and filled so the depression can be reshaped

Edited October 3, 2020 by Romeo Alpha Yankee
Dead links

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

I have attached the antennas. I checked some images for the aircraft and found the antenna fit has changed a bit since Airfix/Heller released this kit back in the 80s.

 

 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

The wing tip surgery is complete, lots of putty to correct the leading edge shape and some rescribing.

 

I have also attached the starboard wing (with a little help from Mr tape and Mr Clamps)

 

[Colin W]

Always get a warm fuzzy when the wings go on a model this big.

 

[zebra]

Looking good Ray. Would like to build one of these but it’s a bit on the big side!

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

21 minutes ago, zebra said:

Looking good Ray. Would like to build one of these but it’s a bit on the big side!

Only one?

 

This No.3 707 (in 1/72) based build for me, RAAF B707 (Complete), USAF E-8C (in paint shop) and this one... Only another 4 (2 B707s and 2 E-3s) left in the stash

[Robert Stuart]

Looks worryingly big to me Ray, and you are planning eight of these?

I'd have difficulty storing one of these.

[andyf117]

Content withdrawn - I will NOT be threatened by a moderator, simply because I queried the actions of another...

Edited June 27, 2020 by andyf117

[Dermo245]

She's a big 'un alright...enjoying following this one.

 

Dermot

[ivand]

Watch out for the engine pylons. IIRC, they will make the engine pods hang too low if you don't take appropriate measures: slimming down the pylons where they attach to the wings or tilting them to one side...

[ivand]

It's mentioned in a previous build:

 

[nimrod54]

That's a Big Rascal, Ray. Definitely not enough room in a bungalow for a kit that size, well not until Mrs N lifts the ban on them being hung from the ceilings.

 

 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

On 5/19/2018 at 3:59 PM, ivand said:

Watch out for the engine pylons. IIRC, they will make the engine pods hang too low if you don't take appropriate measures: slimming down the pylons where they attach to the wings or tilting them to one side...

 

On 5/19/2018 at 4:07 PM, ivand said:

It's mentioned in a previous build:

 

Thanks, Ivan. I was aware of an issue with the engines and was going to look for the thread(s) that mention it. You have done the hard work for me  

 

Need to get back to this one now both wings are attached.

[ivand]

You're welcome! I have recently acquired one if those myself, so I'm very interested in your build, even if I'm certain I can't match your level of execution! 😊