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Airfix 1/48 Meteor F8 - A pioneering build for a friend!


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The Airfix 1/48 Meteor 8 is the first 1/48 model I have completed in over 40 years! The build was a kind of commission for a friend, Bob. The model was bought for him as he had an uncle who served in 85 squadron on Meteors back in the day. Although Bob likes to build the occasional model, he is not by his own admission an experienced modeller and he found the contents of the box and the instructions quite daunting. He wanted it to be built by an experienced modeller, and he couldn’t find one of those so he chose me!

 

The brief was simple, straight out of the box, no additions, no super detailing, just the kit as is. Since returning to the hobby around 7 years ago, an OOB build would be a pleasure, as I just can’t stop myself from deviating and adding detail.

 

My first reaction having built almost entirely 1/72 and 1/144 aircraft, was that this was big!

 

I’d like to say construction was straight forward, but it was not. It’s a nice kit, with excellent detail, but this one had some serious warping on the rear fuselage, which took some heavy clamping and superglue to fix. I also found some of the fit of parts not the best, but at least it comes out looking like a Meteor, and I’m certainly intending to build more 1/48 aircraft now, and probably more Meteors, having a Sword NF14 and a Classic Airframes FR9 in the stash, both 1/48. Those will not be OOB.....

 

Although I did not do a WIP for this build, I did keep a reasonable photographic record on the way, so some of that is shown here.

 

I used Vallejo metallic for the first time ever, probably a risky gamble on someone else’s model. They were ok(ish) but needed sealing as soon as possible for handling. They tended to rub off quite easily Dull Aluminium was used for the whole airframe and Dark Aluminium for the U/C internals.

 

Initially the whole airframe was given several light dustings of Ammo Satin Acrylic. This was not a good result for me, remaining sticky and weirdly white slightly white in appearance. I left the model for some weeks deciding what to do, then on some recommendations gave the model a coat of Mr Hobby GX gloss, which hardened the finish and seemed to resolve the white issue. Phew!

 

The Airfix decals are simply superb, if just a tad (hugely) numerous in the stencil area. This process took over a week, doing areas step by step, using the proven Micro set and Micro sol processes. The one area where I did not use the decals was for the yellow rectangles along the cockpit canopy bottom edges. Too many very small shapes to line up, so I masked them off and sprayed them yellow!

 

A final sealing coat of Humbrol Acrylic gloss, followed a few days later by Humbrol Acrylic Satin.

 

So here are some of the build pics, followed by a good few completion shots. And @Fritag @bigbadbadge @keefr22 and @RidgeRunner  and any others who made such gracious comments in my glider build, the wait is over, hope you enjoy!

 

So this is the box of parts that Bob gave me to work with:

 

20191210_220316

 

First up, the dreaded warping, easily discovered during test fits. This part looks ok.......

 

20191211_082450

 

But look at the rear!  An out of focus shot, but you get the idea...

 

20191211_082454 20191211_082647

 

Lots of other clamping needed:

 

20191222_204147

 

Fuselage fixed and wing to fuselage gaps filled with slaters finest:

 

IMG20200519200745

 

Some primer in the engine bays:

 

IMG20201029171823

 

Cockpit and seat painted with instrument detail picked out with paint. The internal detail on this is pretty good as it comes, although I would love to have used an aftermarket seat!

 

IMG20200512120011 IMG20200512120022 IMG20200512120214 IMG20200512120228 IMG20200512120240 IMG20200519200800

 

Bob wanted the Derwents in, to be displayed. I used the basic kit parts, with paint to bring out details. These would be crying out for superdetailing!

 

IMG20210808163920

 

Primer coat used was Mig Ammo one shot grey.

 

IMG20210218163402

 

First coat of Dull Aluminum:

 

IMG20210220151001

 

And finally, much decalling and sealing later, we have a Meteor F8, OOB!

 

IMG20210921172434 IMG20210921172409 IMG20210921172204 IMG20210921172109 IMG20210921172043 IMG20210921172021 IMG20210921171937

 

Just noticed I need some black pin wash in those gun ejector chuts!

 

IMG20210921171924 IMG20210921171535 IMG20210921171502 IMG20210921171437 IMG20210921171432 IMG20210921171424 IMG20210921171146 IMG20210921171137 IMG20210921171125 IMG20210921171117 IMG20210921171109 IMG20210921171041

 

And now with engines exposed

 

IMG20210921170531 IMG20210921170523 IMG20210921170425 IMG20210921170024 IMG20210921170020 IMG20210921165947 IMG20210921165935 IMG20210921165841

 

Thanks for looking.

 

Terry

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That's a real beauty! All your hard work has paid off as it looks every part a Meteor. I can agree with you about the fit of some of the parts as i have an FR9 about 75% complete which took a little more effort than anticipated to get to the painting stage by which time i sort of ran out of mojo and confined it to the shelf of doom but looking how yours has turned out had y given me inspiration to finish her off.

I have an 'on-off' relationship with 1/48 scale and usually build 1/144 or 1/72 instead, so i know exactly what you mean when you go back to the larger scale...boy they initially look huge! But they do look very convincing when complete and the latest range of Airfix kits in the larger scale certainly are very impressive indeed. I wish i could always model in 48th scale but time and space constraints prevent this unfortunately.

Once again....full marks on your Meteor here...look forward to seeing of your future builds 👍👍

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47 minutes ago, Terry1954 said:

hope you enjoy!

 

I certainly do Terry, she's an absolute beauty! Really lovely Meatbox - and I look forward to seeing more of your fumble thumbs scale models in the future! :)

 

12 minutes ago, giemme said:

I concur with Chris @bigbadbadge, your friend will be very pleased with this!

 

 

If G & Chris turn out to be wrong, I'll happily take it off his hands and give it a loving home! 🤣

 

Top work!

 

Keith

 

PS - that warp in the fuselage is awful. Airfix really do need to drastically improve their QC....

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Really nice Meteor. I couldn't help but notice the clamps you used. We think modeling and think of small clamps but I have a couple of big clamps too and they come in handy...often.

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That is beautiful and a very impressive looking Meteor! I did notice the ‘chop here’ decal under the cockpit windscreen is upside down but no-one will probably notice! 
 

That cockpit is a bit special, doesn’t look like any aftermarket is needed, it looks amazing! Very, very nice!

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11 hours ago, bigbadbadge said:

, awesome looking Meteor Terry,

 

Thanks Chris. I'm hoping he will like it!

 

11 hours ago, giemme said:

That Meteor is something special, 

 

Really appreciate that Giorgio.

 

11 hours ago, 28ZComeback said:

Absolutely stunning!!! 

 

Thanks!

 

11 hours ago, binbrook87 said:

That's a real beauty! All your hard work has paid off as it looks every part a Meteor. I can agree with you about the fit of some of the parts as i have an FR9 about 75% complete which took a little more effort than anticipated to get to the painting stage by which time i sort of ran out of mojo and confined it to the shelf of doom but looking how yours has turned out had y given me inspiration to finish her off.

I have an 'on-off' relationship with 1/48 scale and usually build 1/144 or 1/72 instead, so i know exactly what you mean when you go back to the larger scale...boy they initially look huge! But they do look very convincing when complete and the latest range of Airfix kits in the larger scale certainly are very impressive indeed. I wish i could always model in 48th scale but time and space constraints prevent this unfortunately.

Once again....full marks on your Meteor here...look forward to seeing of your future builds 👍👍

 

Thanks. Glad it has given you inspiration for that FR9. Would like to see that one soon.

 

11 hours ago, keefr22 said:

If G & Chris turn out to be wrong, I'll happily take it off his hands and give it a loving home! 🤣

 

 

Very kind of you Keith. Lets see what Bob thinks!

 

9 hours ago, SAT69 said:

Really nice Meteor. I couldn't help but notice the clamps you used. We think modeling and think of small clamps but I have a couple of big clamps too and they come in handy...often.

 

Thanks. As you say clamps are key for what we do.

 

9 hours ago, Lord Riot said:

That is beautiful and a very impressive looking Meteor! I did notice the ‘chop here’ decal under the cockpit windscreen is upside down but no-one will probably notice! 
 

That cockpit is a bit special, doesn’t look like any aftermarket is needed, it looks amazing! Very, very nice!

 

Thanks for your kind comments. I had not noticed the stencil inversion. It is the same on the other side. I applied some of them without glasses and they are almost imposdible tobread even with glasses. It is only in that photo that i saw it too. Oh well, lets hope Bob doesn't notice!

 

Thanks again all for your very kind words.

 

Terry

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On 9/22/2021 at 8:58 AM, RidgeRunner said:

Very nice, Terry. Of all the Meteors I love the F.8. You’ve done a great job there.

 

Martin

 

Thanks Martin. I agree the 8 seems to have the edge in looks!

 

On 9/22/2021 at 4:43 PM, F-32 said:

Superb job, looks awesome

 

Thanks, really appreciate the comments!

 

Terry

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On 9/24/2021 at 10:10 PM, mackem01 said:

Lovely finish on a great build. Your pal will be well pleased with this.

 

Thank you. I hope he will!

 

On 9/24/2021 at 10:48 PM, Ad-4N said:

First 1/48 model in 40 years??????  Aw come on!  Something as good looking as the Meteor is only the product of someone who cranks them out once a month.  

 

Well, that sounds like a compliment, thank you! Yes it really was that long. I have been back building 1/144 and 1/72 aircraft for about the last 7 years, plus a few AFV's in 1/35 and 1/72. I do have two more 1/48 Meteors in the stash, an FR9 and an NF14 plus a 1/72 NF12, so maybe I should start cranking them out!

 

Terry

 

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On 9/26/2021 at 8:48 PM, TheBaron said:

Lucky friend to have this gem coming his way Terry.

 

Thanks Tony! I'm looking forward to presenting it to him.

 

On 9/26/2021 at 10:01 PM, wellsprop said:

Absolutely superb job! 

 

Thanks, appreciate that.

On 9/26/2021 at 11:44 PM, Flight Line Media said:

Stunning Meteor! Awesome work, Terry!

 

Thank you!

 

I'm just in the process of deciding the next 1/48 build, likely to be one of the following:

 

Airfix Gnat trainer

Airfix or Heritage Aviation Chipmunk

Tarangus S.A. Bulldog

 

You can probably deduce I'm fancying a training aircraft but there is also a Seafire looking very "build me" at me!

 

Will get that one going soon.

 

Terry

 

 

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Whilst preparing the Meteor to be boxed and given to Bob this Tuesday, I noticed that I had omitted to paint the wingtip navigation lights!

 

So out with the paints this pm and voila..............

 

IMG20211017140823 IMG20211017140812

 

Seeing that starboard light on camera suggests it will need a tiny bit of cleaning up at the edges, so need to sort that!

 

Ready to go then I reckon!

 

Terry

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  • 1 year later...
39 minutes ago, Back in the Saddle said:

Just seen this, whilst doing some research for my own build of this kit. Somehow I missed it the first time around…! :blush:
 

Stunning build Terry, she looks excellent. I too have warped fuselage halves, so hoping mine turns out as well as yours! 👍

 

Thank you Matt, and also for your recent kind comments on the gliders. I can't believe it's over a year since I built this one!

 

Interesting that you have the same problem re the warping. I seem to recall clamps and step by step superglue resolved the issue. I also didn't want to close the nose up with the undercarriage sticking out, so managed to cut that down, for re-assembly into the upper part of the gear, later in the build!

 

It was my first 1/48 for a very long time and although I liked the kit, the fit of some parts around main gear bays etc, were a bit "fiddly". Maybe it was workman blaming tools syndrome!

 

Going to check your build out now!

 

Terry

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