JamesP Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 (edited) So this build has been going on for 6 years on and off ( mainly off ) is finally coming to the close. In fact I started playing with the plastic and making plans 3 years before that! My intention with this build was to find the gem of a TSR2 kit that we saw in the original (resin?) pattern that appeared in the magazines of the time, that was hidden beneath some rather indifferent tooling. Made in the pre-CAD days the fit of the parts left a lot to be desired and often caused the details that were there to be obliterated by liberal applications of filler. I wanted to try and show that if the parts were properly prepped and fettled then the amount of filler and sanding could be dramatically reduced. In the meantime everyone else got on built the kit or fifteen! I'm not one for building whiff schemes usually as they often stretch reason to breaking point so but I had originally intended to build the Empire Test Pilot scheme in it's famous white, red and blue as I felt this was a plausible outcome where the production was still cancelled but the airframe was used for test and research work. I came across a build of this kit in this scheme ( admitted not well painted ) but the dark blue obscured all the detail in the underside making it look 2 dimensional and put me off it. I do love these scheme but will try it on a model with less time invested in it. So I decided to plump the early service scheme provided by Xtradecal (40 Sqn, RAF Coningsby, early 1968). In my mind though the saga of the TSR2 was just extended by a few years; a few service acceptance machines made were constructed and made it into the hands of the RAF who quickly repainted them from the factory anti-flash white to the camouflaged upper surfaces that was just starting to be applied to other service aircraft, the undersides with their low vis stencils were untouched. This was a vain attempt to make the TSR2 look like a part of the modern RAF arsenal. The airframes didn't even get fitted with the refuelling probe before the political rambling that had being going on for many years finally came to an end and cancelled the order for the production machines. Apart from the improvement to the fix of the main parts here is summary of the additional work done. Details added/replaced: Fin intake added Intake boundary layer guide vanes, replaced (vague moulding) Correct bogie retraction arm location Replaced pitot tube Nose and main leg cabling, nose steering jacks Accessories: The pre-painted Eduard "Zoom" PE had great details but poor colour choices, maybe try painting them MSG and using the kit decals Xtradecals were disappointing in that they broke up as well a the lack of stencils and other small decals for the camo schemes. The Model Alliance whiff sets look better but focus on RAF schemes. The Palva seats were lovely, and could be used to build a museum setting, they of cause need the inevitable trimming to fit. AIM ladders worked well too, though I replaced the poles with brass rod. Hind sight is a wonderful tool, however there things that I could have done better: Fixed the undersized bomb doors, before attaching Replaced and detail the ill fitting cockpit rear bulkheads Sanded the rear fuselage with the exhaust fairing in place so the contours match Better clear coats, I think the slight silvering places is down to the texture of my gloss coats As usual the final assembly threw up a few issues but I'm pleased I fought to get the cockpit canopies, probe, legs and tail all in alignment to be able to take the head on shot. I'm very happy with the camo and weathering and the overall look of the model, but at the moment mainly glad that it is finally finished. tl:dr here are the photos ( under dull, winter light unfortunately ) ... and here it is on the shelf with all my other pointy British jets. Edited December 31, 2020 by JamesP 70 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 TSR looks fantastic with camouflage. I love it and must point to subtile weathering, very appropriate. regards Djordje 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 That looks superb! Lovely work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scearsy1964 Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 It looks fantastic, great work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecov Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Lovely build, James. 👍 I am about to start a TSR2 what-if in a RAF "snow" camouflage scheme, a build that I have been planning on doing for donkeys years! If it turns out half as good as yours, I will be more than happy. Dave 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 That has worked really well the model looks very well made indeed - a really interesting take on what might have been, the colour scheme looks great with the white underside. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertielissie Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Cracking work on a fantastic British design. I like all those "pointy British jets" too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 A great looking TSR2 James. A real "what might have been". A nice collection of jets there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 It was worth the wait. One of the best I've seen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomLover Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Amazing.. would love to see it in the air.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Lovely build.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Having built (and long since chucked) this kit I am in awe- seriously good work to get it all lined up with no massive gaps let alone looking this fine! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James88 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Absolutely love it in the camo scheme. I’ve got one to build and think I’ll just stick to the white scheme. Just wondering what you used for the canopy tint? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Highly skilled build of a wonderful aircraft. Well done James... Serkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesP Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 3 minutes ago, James88 said: Absolutely love it in the camo scheme. I’ve got one to build and think I’ll just stick to the white scheme. Just wondering what you used for the canopy tint? Thanks. I’ve built the excellent Pitroad 1/144 kit in the original white scheme. I tinted the canopy with Tamiya clear orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James88 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 8 minutes ago, JamesP said: Thanks. I’ve built the excellent Pitroad 1/144 kit in the original white scheme. I tinted the canopy with Tamiya clear orange. Thank you. The airfix instructions say Humbrol 1320 I think it is but from the look of it it has been discontinued and I couldn’t find an alternative 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveWilko Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) Delightful Sir,every inch a "service"jet. If one remembers correctly,the resin model one refers to,was out in the early nineties and made by a company called "Resitech". It was (allegedly)very accurate and had etched brass cockpits and undercarriage details,plus main undercarriage components done as white metal castings with white metal ejection seats. One believes that all the etched brass work was done by Tim Perry of the then highly regarded "P.P Aeroparts"range of etched accessories. Having seen the kit built up at a show some years back,it certainly made a very impressive looking model. Whether the kit is still available is a question to be asked,as to it's price,one would imagine it to be quite expensive nowadays. Edited December 27, 2020 by DaveWilko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesP Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 I do just about remember the Resitech kit but I was referring to the Airfix mould master that they released photos of. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monday Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Brilliant result from what is apparently a poor kit. Even so, I'd love to see Airfix release it again. BM. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Exquisite work on a difficult model. I really like the service test paint scheme. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Fantastic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Beautiful build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 Wow! Nice job, it looks good in that scheme. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 A fine model,she looks beautiful. Your cavalcade of jets is fantastic, well done 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamS Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Mmm, not sure how I missed this one. Lovely, absolutely lovely. Graham 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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