Richard Cawsey Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 I haven't done many jets recently, but I have memories of the pre-Hawk era of the Red Arrows, and these were on offer at the local shop for the same price as the 1/72-scale Gnat. I was pleasantly surprised to find the sprues in standard pale grey plastic, unlike the red usually found on kits of this type. The only significant change made was to extend the fairing for the tail navigation light along the port side of the fin so it matched the starboard side. The cover for the nose compartment was slightly ill-fitting; it was left off till late in the process in case it needed any ballast in the nose, but it didn't. . . Though not having an airbrush, I wanted to get a smooth unblemished finish as far as possible, as an earlier attempt on a 1/32 Red Arrows Hawk resulted in a very lumpy texture. This had been finished with Fiery Red (Revell 31) which looks just right (from a distance), but appears too orangey for the Gnat. The Arrow Red (Humbrol 238) recommended for the Airfix Gnat looks very similar. The panel lines seem rather overdone, so they were reduced in depth by having a lump of Polyfilla rubbed over them. Then two coats of matt Scarlet (Humbrol 60) followed by two of gloss Bright Red (Humbrol 19), rubbed down after each layer. Then a few coats of Klear before and after adding the decals. The final step is to add the nose probe (otherwise it is certain to get broken at some stage). The end result seems a bit toy-like, but I think the original aircraft also gave that impression. Even in this larger scale the Gnat is smaller than a 1/72 Lightning. Photographing in direct sunlight tends to show up all the imperfections in the gloss paint, so I waited for some thin cloud to go across. . . 32 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Juliet Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 Brings back some fond memories of going to air displays with my dad! Lovely model, Richard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 That is really very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 It is a nice kit to build and you have done a grand job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-WobblyHands Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 That is great, a lovely looking Gnat in iconic colours. Definitely need one (I wonder if I can find a 1/48 lady 6ft height in civvies to sit in the pilots seat ? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted September 14, 2020 Share Posted September 14, 2020 8 hours ago, Alpha Juliet said: Brings back some fond memories of going to air displays with my dad! I had exactly the same thoughts. Dad used to take me to the displays at Coltishall (Lightnings then). The reds would be there with their Gnats. Great build Richard, Cheers Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Lovely work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted September 15, 2020 Share Posted September 15, 2020 Great Gnat! 🥳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire madman Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 Super looking Gnat 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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