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Hawker Hunter F.6, XE599/D, No. 74 'Tiger' Sqn, RAF Horsham St Faith, Norfolk, 1957.


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XE599 was delivered to the RAF on 1st May 1956, serving with numbers 8 and 208 squadrons as well as 74 squadron, before being converted to an FR.74 (serial no. 535) for the Singapore AF. Her nose is now preserved in Australia in those markings.

 

This model reflects her in the halcyon days of the RAF, high speed silver flashing over the East Anglian countryside, a glimpse of the famous tiger stripes that 'fear no man'. 

 

The Tigers received Hunters in March 1957, with the F.4 version replacing Meteor F.8s until the F.6s arrived in November of that year. They flew from RAF Horsham St Faith alongside 245 squadron until moving to Coltishall in June 1959, in preparation for receiving Lightnings in 1960. 

 

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The old Airfix kit is over 50 years old, with little cockpit detail, and some parts seem a little thick, but I think it's a nicer shape than the Mistercraft one:

 

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Colours used were dark sea grey spray, Tamiya XF-81 and auto-spray silver. It needs quite a bit of nose weight and will still tail sit even now if tipped back. 

 

WIP here: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Lord Riot
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A splendid build of that old Airfix classic.

 

I have very fond memories of East Anglia in the late 1960s, early 1970s and the exciting mix of USAF and RAF aircraft that came over every day but we were too late unfortunately for the locally based Hunters.

 

But one of the most thrilling memories I have was the spectacle and awesome sound of three Hunters howling low over our school in Whitby one morning in 1972.

 

regards,  adey

Edited by adey m
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3 minutes ago, adey m said:

A splendid build of that old Airfix classic.

 

I have very fond memories of East Anglia in the late 1960s, early 1970s and the exciting mix of USAF and RAF aircraft that came over every day but we were too late unfortunately for the locally based Hunters.

 

But one of the most thrilling memories I have was the spectacle and awesome sound of three Hunters tearing low over our school in Whitby one morning in 1972.

 

regards,  adey

Fantastic - it must have been a wonderful time to be there. It's so quiet there now even compared to the 90s. ☹️

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Nice clean build, brings back memories of having spent my pocket money and being sent to stay with my Grandparents for the weekend with my latest purchase from the local model shop “The good old days” when there was a local model shop. This is one kit I always remember building. Thanks for sharing 👍👍

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