Popular Post general melchett Posted December 5, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted December 5, 2018 Hi again all, Back in August I was asked to build the all-new 1/48th Airfix Hunter F6 to feature in the December issue of Airfix Model World and the Key Publishing Combat Machines special on the Hunter, released in time for the Telford show. It's a very straightforward kit, easy to assemble with no fit problems or issues worth mentioning, (although I did have a problem with the nose cone being slightly too large and needing sanding to shape, however after having a word with the Airfix guys at SMW they assured me that the production kits part fit perfectly, so I'd put this down to the pre-production nature of the kit. On offer are two tail cones, one plain one with parachute fairing, so an F6A can be modelled following references and a couple of Matra rocket packs, along with the smaller 100gal wing tanks used on this variant. I'm sure other versions will follow, including both straight wing and dog-tooth variants, though no trainers are to be expected. As usual, there were no decals included with the test-shot so an after-market sheet was provided instead. The editor decided he liked the look of the yellow marked Day Fighter Combat School aircraft based at West Raynham circa 1962 and so Xtradecals X48189 Hawker Hunter F.6 Pt1 was used in the build as these included them. Interestingly many colour palettes and model companies like Revell have the scheme depicting yellow tailplanes to go with the striking yellow spine and fin but noticed that Xtradecals portrayed them as being camouflaged. This piqued my interest and so I decided to research the scheme further and found very few colour images of XG204 online and these proved inconclusive. Luckily Martin Derry's excellent tome ‘Britain’s Military Aircraft In Colour, 1960-1970’ included two high-definition images and an excellent 4-view profile showing the aircraft taking part in an airshow at Finningley in 1962 and Lo and behold the tailplanes were indeed camouflaged. Although rocket rails and Aden gun muzzle deflectors were fitted by this time the editor wanted the model to be as out of the box as possible so these weren't added, (although I did add the two yellow DME Rebecca 8 aerial rods beneath the fuselage along with upper wing whip aerials, (apparently the aircraft didn't have the two spine-mounted or single under-fuselage whips often seen on F6s). The model was painted using MRP acrylic lacquers and due to the heavy usage by the DFCS at the time, weathering was applied using a mixture of Abteilung oils, MIG Oilbrushers and pastels and AK oil and kerosene stains. Once again thanks for looking, hope you like it and decide to buy a few...for those of you tempted, you won't be disappointed... Cheers Melchie 120 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 That does look fantastic! Great build of a classic aircraft and good to see the new Airfix kit lives up to expectations 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12jaguar Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Now that is a thing of beauty lovely rendition General John 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 I have seen a test sprue in the flesh and i was impressed by the enginering and fit... It almost looked like Tamiya kit..... Nice build, i like it a lot!! Cheers, Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Cor! Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crobinsonh Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Lovely job Andy - looked even better in the flesh at Telford. I do love the Hunter - such a classic design. Best, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robgizlu Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Wonderful!! And just the right amount of weathering Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovely Pig Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Very nice indeed! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 WOW! If that doesn't sell by the bucket load there's something wrong with the modeling community. Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Thanks guys, glad you like it. Quote I have seen a test sprue in the flesh and i was impressed by the enginering and fit... It almost looked like Tamiya kit..... jan, it's certainly one of Airfix's best efforts to date, almost falls together, very impressed with the fit. Quote looked even better in the flesh at Telford. I do love the Hunter - such a classic design. Totally agree Colin...almost up there with the Bucc! Quote WOW! If that doesn't sell by the bucket load there's something wrong with the modeling community. Thanks Keith, you're dead right, I have a feeling it'll sell well, in fact, Matt, the lead designer told me that the response to the model at SMW had been extremely positive, which is great news for all of us as it'll mean a better chance of future projects from the company......now, where's the Buccaneer! Melchie 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Stunning mate, can't wait to get my hands on one of these although I'm not sure where I'll stick the 4 props 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Awsome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomkil Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Superb! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Very very nice! I will certainly have at least a couple of these. And hope for more versions to come! I like your weathering and the research on the tailplanes. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbag Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 2 hours ago, woody37 said: I'm not sure where I'll stick the 4 props 😂 I'll call you with a suggestion Neil. That's a damned fine looking model Andy. Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 General, She's a beaut! I love your choice of scheme, too! I'm not a 1/48 modeler, but from the look of the finished product and your glowing comments, I'm going to be very, very tempted! Your usual outstanding craftsmanship. 👍 Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Just beautiful - nothing more to say. Cheers, Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted December 5, 2018 Author Share Posted December 5, 2018 Quote although I'm not sure where I'll stick the 4 props Cheers mate......Chris beat me too it! Quote And hope for more versions to come! I like your weathering and the research on the tailplanes. I'm confident there'll be more versions coming up...the inside of the wings, (along the dog-tooth area) have score marks which could well indicate straight wing versions in the future. Thanks, the research is half the fun. Cheers Chris, appreciated...be gentle with him, poor lad! Quote I'm not a 1/48 modeler, but from the look of the finished product and your glowing comments, I'm going to be very, very tempted! Thanks Mike and Michael, to be honest even if you're not a quarter scale modeller the finished model isn't really that big, so I don't think you can go wrong by adding one of these to the cabinet. I'm very much a 1/48th type by preference and so will definitely be adding a few more to the stash... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Beautiful Hunter sir .. Just Beautiful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Great looking model with very realistic weathering, well done,- damn, another one to add to the list. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Superb Hunter! And I do like the choice of livery that breaks up the almost too harmonious lines of the Hunter and makes it look a bit more business like, as it were. Splendid PR for the Airfix kit! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Very nice! I've just finished reading the article, good work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Absolutely stunningly made kit, and a beautiful aeroplane. I've managed to find Italeri and Academy Hunters in 1/48 for around £10 each on ebay - with my lack of ability a £30+ Airfix one is a waste, but in the right hands it obviously looks utterly brilliant. For an average (at best) modeller who just wants a big Hunter with nice RAF markings, is there a huge difference between those kits and the Airfix one? I wish West Raynham was still operational; it's really close to my mum's house! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 I said to myself, when it was announced, there's no way I'm spending £30+ on a Hunter when the Academy/Italeri one is available for half that......And then I see this........Ok, I'm convinced! As for a twin seater, someone was showing a conversion at Telford for this kit..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted December 6, 2018 Share Posted December 6, 2018 That's really rather wonderful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now