Airfix Hunter F6 1/48

[Graham T]

Just completed this & very happy with it!  Every bit the Hunter!  Well thought out & engineered parts breakdown, nice cockpit as opposed to the too shallow effort from Academy.  I was forewarned here about the wing pylons which are way to short in height so I got hold of the Aeroparts replacements which are simple & low cost improvements & well worth it.  My only “complaint” about this kit is the choice of markings provided; one “front line” RAF machine in a 63 squadron Hunter with the black/yellow chequered tail, an unarmed 4FTS machine & an RNAF machine in the standard RAF colour scheme.  Why, with all the RAF units & overseas air forces that used the Hunter did Airfix lumber us with a duplication of an already available scheme & add a pair of rather non-descript alternatives.  Maybe I’m being a bit “bah-humbug” because otherwise, it’s a beauty!  Me being me, I forgot the recommended nose weight so I’m afraid it’s a tail-sitter

 

 

[Dr. Quack]

Good looking Hunter. Lovely finish.

[Max Headroom]

Lovely example👍🏻

 

I’m building one one at the moment and it literally clicks together in places. I’m taking my time so as to get a good result.

 

As to the markings, the second RAF example in the kit was the one on a pole outside Humbrol’s factory in Hull, so a bit of nostalgia perhaps?

 

Trevor

[redcap]

Excellent job and nice 'tight' camo lines too.  I agree also 100% with the comments about the completely uninspired decal options in the kit itself.

 

Gary

[RMCS]

Lovley 

[Lord Riot]

Beautiful Hunter! I recently managed to get a good (by my own standards!) model from the Academy kit, though it took some work. The Airfix one looks to be far better, just need to get very lucky on ebay to find out!

 

I completely agree about the decal choices, very uninspiring especially for such an apparently well made kit. Nice aftermarket decals on yours though, very colourful; 19 sqn I assume? If I ever get one she'll be done as 56 sqn I think.

[Spitfire31]

Captures the seductive lines of the Hunter to perfection!

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

[Gary Brantley]

Great model Graham!  She's a beauty for sure. I bought the Academy Hunter off a consignment table at a hobby shop, and it has an aftermarket resin 'pit.  I can only hope it turns out half as nice as this!   🥃

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Excellent looking Hunter.  ... I agree about the Markings but I'm guessing Airfix did that because they know theres always A/M sets for us to go to. 

[Timbo88]

Lovely end result. Not got hold of an Airfix 1/48 Hunter yet, but it's on my Christmas wish list. 

Always tricky to know what the optimum decal sheet should contain. In my dreams Modeldecal are relaunched and all those wonderful 1/72 schemes come back in 1/48 too. If only...

[albamac]

Hi Graham,

A lovely model of a 19 Squadron airyplane. Top marks for the finish but just a teeny, weeny criticism. The rear of the canopy appears to have been painted or has a seal. I served on a Hunter Squadron overseas and can't remember any of our aircraft having that as it was generally clear. That doesn't detract from an otherwise excellent model of a classic aircraft. Keep up the excellent work. Best wishes.

Regards 

Albamac 😀😀 

[Flankerman]

This topic has cropped up on various discussion groups - so I deliberately sought out the Hunter at the recent RIAT 2019 show and took this photo.....

 

 

It shows cleary that there is no metal frame at the rear of the sliding canopy.

 

I spoke to the pilot - and he confirmed that, as the canopy slides forward, the thin black-and-tan arch at the rear of the canopy slides over the buff-coloured hoop at the front end of the spine (note the dip in the spine) - which then inflates to form a seal between the spine and the canopy rear end.

 

Hope this helps all you Hunter builders...

 

Ken

[Max Headroom]

Thanks @Flankerman. On mine there was a distinct groove between the bulkhead and the front of the spine. I thought it was either me inserting the pit incorrectly or else bad engineering, so I applied filler and smoothed it out!

 

Ah well, I’ll just paint a buff strip in its place.....

 

Trevor

[petetasker]

Nice - just ‘trying’ to finish mine off. Got it when the kit first came out and were still not over the finishing line!

[Graham T]

23 hours ago, albamac said:

Hi Graham,

A lovely model of a 19 Squadron airyplane. Top marks for the finish but just a teeny, weeny criticism. The rear of the canopy appears to have been painted or has a seal. I served on a Hunter Squadron overseas and can't remember any of our aircraft having that as it was generally clear. That doesn't detract from an otherwise excellent model of a classic aircraft. Keep up the excellent work. Best wishes.

Regards 

Albamac 😀😀 

Yes you're right.  I realise there was no actual frame but an inflatable seal which I erroneously though was on the canopy but as pointed out below was actually on the spine.  I'll have to get rid of it.  Airfix have correctly provided the canopy with a line just like the real thing which I THINK represented a slightly thicker area of the canopy?