RidgeRunner Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 Hi all, Being encouraged by the recent kit release and a new-found generous local contact I have decided to kick-off a WIP of the above kit, setting this post as my placeholder. I had previously built a model of the subject (see below) but now, with the seemingly more accurate kit, I intend a second attempt. Over the next few days I'll set out some images of the sprues etc, although they are fairly well known now (I think). As I described in the above RFI, the machine was used as part of Operation Danto '88. This time round I have better evidence of the weapons load configuration and will make the most of what's available in the kit, and by drawing in other items from the aftermarket scene that are applicable. There isnt much yet but I think there is what I need. I haven't yet seen a build thread for this kit on BM (only an RFI) so it will be a voyage of discovery for me. The SMB2 is one of my all time favourite jets of the time. I have two more on the shelf ready to go at some point as French machines! Making use of the variety of underwing tanks etc that come with the kit. I'll be back soon with more ..... Martin 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 How many do you have on the go now... Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) Probably too many, Stuart. My enthusiasm gets the better of me! My Mustangs will keep running and this Mystere will continue my parallel build plan, which is currently the MiG. That is nearly done. My general rule is that one I get a model to the GlossCote stage for weathering stage I commence another. Madness, I know! Martin Edited January 3, 2020 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 3, 2020 Share Posted January 3, 2020 Pulling up a chair and following this thread with great interest as I plan to model a couple of Honduran jets once I have the luxury of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 Time? Well, that is always my issue. I am just enthused by a recent contact and now want to start! A week or so will see my current MiG finished and I can get started. :). Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) Just bringing things together - here is the excellent kit overview by @Julien. I post it here because it seems wrong not to acknowledge his work and also to then repeat it myself (which I couldn't do). My plan is a build with the MERs on the outer pylons, tanks inboard and Shafrirs on the inner fuselage rails. They did operate with four loaded MERs but I want a bit of variety. Martin Edited January 4, 2020 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) Adding to my last, it appears they almost always flew with the 160 gal tanks, the Shafrirs (as they flew AA missions) and rocket tubes on the outer pylons. I have acquired an image of an SMB2 with 16 x 500lb bombs on the four wing pylons but I think it was a set up for an open display or similar. Apparently the FAH aircraft never flew with 500 pounders. On operations when bombs were needed they were carried by A-37s escorted by the SMB2s with cannon and AAMs. Now, I also need to source a Martin Baker JM6 seat! Edited January 4, 2020 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) On 03/01/2020 at 22:55, RidgeRunner said: Now, I also need to source a Martin Baker JM6 seat! Martin, The Buccaneer used a Mk6 seat, with the Airfix Bucc' having been recently released there may be some after market examples floating around. Just a suggestion. EDIT: There's these NeOmega ones Edited January 5, 2020 by Wez link added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 Thanks Wez @Wez. Looking at the site they dont seem to be the same as those in images I have of FAH SMB2 seats. Admittedly I dont have a completely clear shot, though. I'll bear these in mind. I have ben told on another thread on BM that the Mk4 was visibly similar to the Mk6. I have a few of those! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Yes, I've been following the same thread too, (Andrés Spanish Mirage F.1). There are always slight variation in parachute pack and padding depending upon installation, those Mk.6 seats in the previous link look Buccaneer specific (with the canopy breakers on the headbox). I've not seen a picture of a Mk.6 seat as fitted to a Sa'ar uninstalled, only the upper part of the seat as seen when the canopy was open, the late Mk.4 seats shown here look a bit more like them. If you've got a suitable Mk.4 I'm sure you'll be able to come up with something. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) My other challenge will be - for much later - the Honduran tail flag. Previously I used the AZ kit. Its a task for later. For now I near to clear space and get started Martin Edited January 5, 2020 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 32 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: My other challenge will be - for much later - the Honduran tail flag. Previously I used the AZ kit I was genuinely surprised that Special Hobby didn't include these on the decal sheet for the Sa'ar, they wouldn't take up much space - perhaps they've got that planned for a future release? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Cool choice! Following along .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Wez said: I was genuinely surprised that Special Hobby didn't include these on the decal sheet for the Sa'ar, they wouldn't take up much space - perhaps they've got that planned for a future release? Probably - just as I'm decalling this one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) Hi all! I couldn’t hold back my excitement anymore. So, after giving the next Mustang a Glosscote (ready for a wash and weathering in a week or so – once it has cured) and the MiG a Glosscote (ready for decaling – tomorrow, hopefully), I opened the box and started investigating. Time today has allowed me to get to Stage 4 of the instructions. This covers the inlet ducting, the jet pipe and engine faces, plus the cockpit. For the Inlet ducting it has been a matter of clean up and then airbrushing the interior prior to closing the two halves. For his I have deviated from the instructions, which show this to be grey (Vietnam-ish). However, I’ve gone for a Polished Aluminium Metalcote as the photos that I have seem to show NMF – I could be wrong! I certainly see demarcation between the internal ducting that the FS36622 that was used for the undersides. That now needs to cure overnight, a polish with a rag and then I can get this together. The next job was the jet pipe. A simple affair. Consisting of two halves and an engine facing. Both this and the inlet facing are airbrushed Metalcote 27002 Steel. I will give them a wash once cured and polished. Again, I’ll get to that tomorrow. The next job was the construction of the well detailed cockpit. I am presuming it is a French configuration, but it’ll be enough for what I need. I’ve gone for a black interior. Below you can see a few shots of my progress today. You canm see that I've found a seat. It was from my spares and is as close as I need to get, I think. It is a Mk4 whereas the SMB2 Honduran Sa'ar had a variant of the Mk6, I believe. The next thing in my mind is the tailplane, or whatever some others call it 😉. Like my previous SMB2, I want this to have the correct “sit” when parked. This will require a little butchery of the lovely, detailed fin. My thoughts are currently to fill the gap left in the fin for the installation of the tailplane. The plate will need sanding away and a replacement made with thin Plasticard. Then I would drill a pivot hole, with corresponding holes on each tailplane section. I think it’ll work. It certainly did previously 😊. You can see how it should sit here: I'll be back on this tomorrow Martin Edited January 6, 2020 by RidgeRunner 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, RidgeRunner said: The next thing in my mind is the tailplane, or whatever some others call it 😉. Like my previous SMB2, I want this to have the correct “sit” when parked. This will require a little butchery of the lovely, detailed fin. My thoughts are currently to fill the gap left in the fin for the installation of the tailplane. The plate will need sanding away and a replacement made with thin Plasticard. Then I would drill a pivot hole, with corresponding holes on each tailplane section. I think it’ll work. It certainly did previously 😊. I now realise that this is going to be more of a challenge than the AZ kit was. The problem here that the inner part of each tailplane is moulded within the fin. Therefore my plan would not work. The only way that I can see around this is to carefully cut out the plate and tailplane housing from the fin, re-set it at an "at rest" angle and repair the fin thereafter. Any other ideas? Martin Edited January 6, 2020 by RidgeRunner tyops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 5 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: My thoughts are currently to fill the gap left in the fin for the installation of the tailplane. The plate will need sanding away and a replacement made with thin Plasticard. Then I would drill a pivot hole, with corresponding holes on each tailplane section. I think it’ll work. It certainly did previously 😊. You can see how it should sit here: 4 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: I now realise that this is going to be more of a challenge than the AZ kit was. The problem here that the inner part of each tailplane is moulded within the fin. Therefore my plan would not work. The only way that I can see around this is to carefully cut out the plate and tailplane housing from the fin, re-set it at an "at rest" angle and repair the fin thereafter. Any other ideas? Martin Martin, You've highlighted the only aspect of this kit that disappoints me (so far). Thinking about it, if SH had moulded the tailplane as it is on the aircraft the scuff plates would either be very thin and prone to damage or far too thick but at least we could do something about it. I have given the matter some thought over the months since the kit was released, I did think about carefully shaving the tailplane mount off trying to maintain as much of the structure as possible before sanding the fin surface flush and then rebuilding the tailplane. I also thought about casting the end of the tailplane in resin before cutting everything off and sanding the fin surface flush etc, etc. As it's going to be several months before I get around to making any of my kits I'm hoping some enterprising after market manufacturer will come up with a solution, or I'll end up giving it a stiff ignoring and disguise the matter with paint (the latter will irk me though). Going back to your build, I agree with you, the intake is likely to have remained silver/natural metal, there's no good reason for it to be otherwise. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Wez said: (the latter will irk me though) As it will me, Wez. I think I will cut out the scuff plates (as you call them), re-position and fill around. Easy peasy ..... or maybe not! I will need to protect the panel line detail. How hard can it be!! . I have to say, though, that the kit is a triumph. My only difficulty so far has been getting parts off the sprues as the plastic is so hard. It could be worse! Martin Edited January 6, 2020 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 6, 2020 Author Share Posted January 6, 2020 I had a spare hour so I got some basic jobs done.... 1. Added the wire ducting on the port side 2. The main undercarriage bays are installed 3. The wings are cleaned and assembled 4. The J52 fuselage extensions attached So far - and I dont want to start counting any chickens - this is a straight forward build. The build will slow when I get to the fin/tailplane, which is coming up fast! Martin 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Not my subject Martin but your builds are interesting to follow. If I understand you correctly about those fin plates, just hack'm off and replace with thin plasicard...you can do it. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 Thanks for the confidence, Stuart @Courageous. I guess we are all reluctant to take a saw, sander or drill to a pristine kit and so I'm nervous about it. I think, having chewed it over a fair while, is that I will - as you say - sand off the current plate and fill the gap. I'll then remove a section of the locating tab on each tailplane, remove the excess locating tab, and build up the void with, as Wez @Wez says, with card and filler. Thereafter I'll drill the holes for the rod. Hmmm ........ let's see how that goes. Whats the worst that can happen? ;). Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 5 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: Whats the worst that can happen? ;). You can't make an omelette with cracking eggs as I'm doing on my Frog 'Pony' but then again I didn't pay anything for it . Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 True, mate. And I have more in the pile if I really need spares ....... check email 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 An hour or so done today.... 1. Polished the inner faces of the inlet duct. I have added TAmiya tape along the front edge to give me a clear line when I airbrush the model later as the camouflage application only went as far inside as this line. I will then remove with tweezers once done. The two halves were then cemented, as well as the forward engine facing. 2. The jet pipe is polished 3. My poor attempts at detailing the cockpit. I added silver and red here and there, followed by a silver dry brushing and a wipe over with Tamiya Weathering Powders. It is actually much better in reality! 4. Installed the jet pipe, cockpit and engine inlet duc, cementing one side at present with the two fuselage halves dry fitted so that the internals set correctly. Now, how about that fin! ......................... Lunch first!!!! Martin 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 (edited) 9 hours ago, Courageous said: Not my subject Martin but your builds are interesting to follow. If I understand you correctly about those fin plates, just hack'm off and replace with thin plasicard...you can do it. Stuart Easier said than done Stuart, the lozenge shaped plates are the scuff plates but the horizontal moulding you can see in the middle of it is the mounting tab for the tailplane and forms part of the span of the tailplane, but... 5 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Thanks for the confidence, Stuart @Courageous. I guess we are all reluctant to take a saw, sander or drill to a pristine kit and so I'm nervous about it. I think, having chewed it over a fair while, is that I will - as you say - sand off the current plate and fill the gap. I'll then remove a section of the locating tab on each tailplane, remove the excess locating tab, and build up the void with, as Wez @Wez says, with card and filler. Thereafter I'll drill the holes for the rod. Hmmm ........ let's see how that goes. Whats the worst that can happen? ;). Martin ...Martin, that's one approach, I don't know it's whether I'm sad or just trying to come up with helpful suggestions (let's pretend it's the latter)? My latest idea (and what I think Stuart may be alluding to), is to: 1. Add the material to the tailplane root end which would account for the lost tailplane mount from plasticard, file and sand to shape and rescribe the lost detail. Add the scuff plate from plasticard. 2. Remove the moulded detail and rescribe any lost detail. 3. Robert is your mother's/father's brother! Would that work? Nice work so far BTW. Edited January 7, 2020 by Wez 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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