Lord Riot Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 It's back to the 50s again and another old bargain, the Matchbox Meteor night fighter. I'll be making this one out of the box, as WS810 of 264 Sqn, an NF.14, the version which I've always considered the nicest looking of all Meteor variants (along with the F.8). The decals look quite good for an old kit, and there's no flash on any of the parts or sprues. I've made notes to use the same nose as the NF.12 (ie. not the extra long one erroneously purported to be for the NF.14) and the wider engine intakes. I'll be painting the Meteor in its 50s colours of dark sea grey/dark green camo and medium sea grey lower, I believe for this aircraft with the high demarcation line. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Looks interesting! Cool with an old Matchbox kit! Håkan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro1 Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 You could maybe consider using an after market decal sheet for a Belgian AF one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 AFAIK Belgium didn’t operate NF. 14s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 I think the Belgians only flew earlier NF versions. Mine will definitely be RAF, 264 Sqn from Linton-on-Ouse, as the kit decals, they look pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magua87 Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Nice choice, Riot. Agree that these and the F8 are the best looking Meteors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry_the_Spider Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 (edited) There's one for £12 Inc delivery on eBay. It has taken some effort, but I have resisted. There's a CyberHobby/Dragon one for £11 in my LMS, but I'm having that once my resolve crumbles. Edited May 9, 2018 by Harry_the_Spider 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 10, 2018 Author Share Posted May 10, 2018 (edited) Always safer to belt up ... Pilot's instrument panel. I painted it all over then just dabbed on a kitchen towel to gently wipe off the layer over the instruments themselves. Matchbox didn't include any cockpit decals. Edited May 10, 2018 by Lord Riot 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 The top of the fuselage needed a bit of filling where the top section joined front and back. I found out it's best to sand the dry filler before removing the tape as that saves filing away the surface detail next to the gap. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magua87 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Are you trying to preserve the raised detailing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 No, the detail is indented, but if I rub too hard it disappears (!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 The intake covers aren't the best fit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 (edited) Nor the wings! Edited May 11, 2018 by Lord Riot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Not unexcpected, but you seem to have it under control! Håkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 12, 2018 Author Share Posted May 12, 2018 Wings, upper fuselage and engine nacelles filled and sanded. Just need to do the same for the nose! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Looking good! Keep it up! Håkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 I think this is close enough to medium sea grey. Looking at photos it looks as though quite a few Meteors had faded paint too. I'll mask and spray the upper surfaces dark sea grey then hand paint Tamiya XF-81 dark green. Unless anyone knows of more realistic colours for Meteor NF.14s? I assume they were the same upper colours as Meteor F.8s, Hunters and Javelins? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 I can't resist it, once the Meteor is done I'm going to make a start on this absolute beauty! ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Looks okey to me! Nice choice of kit! Love the Harrier! Håkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) Masked then dark sea grey spray applied. I'll let this dry overnight now then hand paint the dark green. Edited May 14, 2018 by Lord Riot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud4444 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Nice work so far! Please do a WIP on the Harrier. I'm interested in how it builds up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 I will do Thud, definitely! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 This looks good! Definitely not one of Matchbox’s finest hours fit-wise. I’ve just finished a PR.10 conversion using an Aeroclub conversion set so know all about filler! First time I’ve carved off filler........ Trevor 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 It's a small cockpit but I've tried to make it as detailed as my ability allows. Matchbox didn't provide any instrument panel decals for this one. I used a cut up Attacker instrument decal for the nav's panel, and painted the little green screen in there. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azgaron Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Looks good! Håkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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