Navy Bird Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Hello mates, Another side project to build along with the big Spitfire! I think it's time for another resin kit, which I'm really growing quite fond of, and what better choice than a Sea Fury? Probably the most beautiful propeller driven fighter aircraft ever made, if you ask me (which no one ever does). I know that @NAVY870 wasn't particularly fond of working on these beasties, but hopefully he'll stop by and make sure I do this properly. So, right, the kit - it's a resin model in God's scale from the Japanese company Aki Products. I ordered directly from the maker in Japan, and let's just say that it wasn't inexpensive. I think the money was well spent, as the resin casting is beautiful. Aki didn't spend much money on the box, though, as the following photo demonstrates. This is the way the box looked when I received it, and it didn't get this way from surviving a few tornado-driven roof blow-offs up in my loft. I love the legend on the end of the box - handmade indeed, I have no doubt about that. I was quite surprised to see that Aki did not use the typical resin casting pour blocks, but instead actually made resin "sprues" that contain the parts. This is quite clever, and I wish all resin kits were like this. Did you see there's a full engine? I hope I don't have to detail it like the big Merlin engine I just finished! Here are the fuselage halves and the tyres (by the way, I hate vinyl tyres so I might replace these): The interior of the wings have an incredible amount of detail, not only for the wheel wells but also the cannon bays and flaps (note that are also alignment pegs and holes, not often seen in resin kits. The fuselage halves feature these as well. The outer wing surfaces: Now, look really close and you'll see something you don't normally find in any kit, let alone 1:72. The flaps are moveable, with the metal hinge rod actually cast in place. Wow, it looks delicate so I better not play with it much. Sounds like something my mum would say. And on top of all that resin-y goodness, you also get to learn another language - if you want to follow the instructions anyway. Hmm, Hauker - must be a phonetic spelling. The kit stickers offer FAA and Iraqi schemes, typical of Sea Fury kits: However, I'll be choosing a scheme from Xtradecal sheet 72074. Which will it be? A couple of these jump out at me - first, the RCN scheme of Dark Grey 1-9 over Light Grey 1-13. But what are those colours? First I've ever heard of them. Second, the overall Oxford Blue RAN scheme. Nice and simple, yet elegant - plus, it's got roos in the roundels! Ah, decisions, decisions. I'll worry about that later. So that's my new side project. I hope I don't screw it up, since I blew up my retirement portfolio to acquire it. Cheers, Bill 35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Cool! And a first row seat! Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 22 minutes ago, giemme said: Cool! And a first row seat! Ciao Err ... budge up a bit could you? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procopius Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Oh my god, an Aki Sea Fury! Do they still have any on their site? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Taking a seat ... The R.A.N. Oxford blue looks to be a very nice choice, i hope you opt that route. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I have seen one build some time ago and i must admit that this one of the finest Sea Fury kits available in the world... Enjoy your build , Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 May I join the party? That's a hell of a kit!!! I'll be watching closely!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I saw one at SMW quite a few years ago, but my finances were not up to it. It is a lovely looking kit and best of luck. Can join, I promise I will sit at the back and be quiet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Very nice, Bill! I look forward to seeing your craftmanship on this beauty! I vote for the Australian bird. Regards, Jason 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 This kit loos gorgeous! Following as usual. Martian 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 That is one beautifully engineered kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Bradley Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 It is THE BEST 1/72 Sea Fury by a long chalk! Built one a few years ago for the book - lovely kit! Just remember to thoroughly wash the parts before assembly, otherwise the model might fall apart on you - ask me how I know....! The only thing I added was the cowling props. 22 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 1 hour ago, giemme said: Cool! And a first row seat! And drooling already. Only the most cultured are admitted to my builds. 1 hour ago, Procopius said: Oh my god, an Aki Sea Fury! Do they still have any on their site? I bought this a couple of years ago, but I did a little digging for you. It turns out that I remembered correctly buying it from Japan, but incorrectly from whom. It wasn't from Aki but rather from Model Factory Hiro. Alas, it is no longer on their website. I checked some other Japanese shops but couldn't find it. So I went back through my emails and found the order thread. At the time (2016), the kit was listed on Hiro's site as "discontinued" but to inquire for availability. I sent them an email and got a response that they would would see if Aki had any or could still produce it. Hiro found one somewhere or somehow, and offered it to me for $100 plus $25 for shipping. Based on the condition of the box, I suspect it wasn't new inventory. So there may still be some lounging around somewhere, but methinks it will be a tedious search. I think the reason why I thought I bought it from the maker is because the emails from Model Factory Hiro were signed "Hiroshi" who I suspect is the owner. 52 minutes ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Taking a seat ... The R.A.N. Oxford blue looks to be a very nice choice, i hope you opt that route. I'm leaning that way myself. No, wait, I'm leaning because I'm old and my spine is shot. 48 minutes ago, janneman36 said: I have seen one build some time ago and i must admit that this one of the finest Sea Fury kits available in the world... Thanks. That seems to be the consensus of the online reviews - I hope I can do it justice! 39 minutes ago, Massimo said: May I join the party? That's a hell of a kit!!! I'll be watching closely!!! Thanks - everyone is welcome! But don't watch too closely because you might catch a boo-boo, and that would hurt my rep. 33 minutes ago, Mr T said: I saw one at SMW quite a few years ago, but my finances were not up to it. It is a lovely looking kit and best of luck. Can join, I promise I will sit at the back and be quiet. Mr. T is going to sit quietly in the back? Not in any episode I ever watched! 32 minutes ago, Learstang said: Very nice, Bill! I look forward to seeing your craftmanship on this beauty! I vote for the Australian bird. Thanks, Jason. Another vote for the roo - all I need is @NAVY870 to stop by and that will convince me. I don't think I have any Oxford Blue paint though... Cheers, Bill (who is just about to put the exhaust pipes on the big Merlin) 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedders Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Wonderful. I'm in. Justin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Is there room for one more please I'll sit at the back quietly taking notes. Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I've always been interested in this AKI Sea Fury kit so will join the long list of followers of your build - you'll have quite an audience - I seem to remember that AKI did a Firebrand too? - shame they are no longer produced. CJP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme H Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 OK I'm in, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Sherratt Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 That looks really interesting! I look forward to following it. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Mine’s another vote for the Oxford blue RAN machine. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I've always wanted one of these and didn't they also produced a Blackburn Firebrand Mk.5, which I also covet! I'm along for the ride on the off chance that I ever find one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob S Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Definitely watching this one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAVY870 Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 (edited) There are only two unforgiven sins when building a Sea Fury young Bill Leaving the footstep down with the first hand hold on the fuselage still closed and painting the interior yellow bits Zinc Chromate. Looking forward to this one. Edited January 30, 2019 by NAVY870 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Look at the crowd, something interesting must be about to happen. No seats, need a ladder, sorted...GO! Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 4 hours ago, NAVY870 said: There are only two unforgiven sins when building a Sea Fury young Bill Leaving the footstep down with the first hand hold on the fuselage and painting the interior yellow bits Zinc Chromate. Looking forward to this one. Hmmmm ......... excuse me a mo, chaps - must go and check a foot step or two .......... bu**er. ........ Oh well, I believe field mods were quite common in 1:1 scale as well! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FZ6 Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 That looks like an amazing kit. I might have to get one. Look forward to following your progress, Mark 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