224 Peter Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Another kit that has sat, waiting for attention, for more than 20 years. Back in 1999 I was, as they say, between jobs, so I bought the then relatively new Revell kit. I've always had a fondness for the Hunter, since 111 Squadron performing as the Black Arrows at Farnborough Air Show. I got the main structure of the kit finished and bought a sheet of Xtradecal transfers, XD05-32. The new job started with house move and the kit, well it went into the same place as the others. I finished the Tomcat...so time to start. up the Hunter. This is where I am with the kit... There is quite a bit of surface work needed, the next stage is to prime and see how much more work is needed. I will finish her as XE552, with 54 Squadron at West Raynham in the early 1960s. Why? Because I want to model an aircraft with an aluminium underside!! The airframe had quite a long life of 25 years, first flying on 10 January 1956 and sadly ending with a write off on 23 February 1981 when with 2 TWU she dived, inexplicably, into the north sea 20 miles offshore from RAF Lossiemouth. The pilot was never found. More as it happens... sooner than later, I hope. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Nice, will tag along , such graceful lines. I have the same kit for a FRADU machine, which keeps staring at me in the stash. Looks good so far and a very impressive size. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 Mine will be a Swiss machine if I ever get around to it, meanwhile I'll watch yours if I may. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted February 28, 2022 Author Share Posted February 28, 2022 Some progress... this is with white primer, rather better than I expected and not much further cleaning up needed. A couple of points to note, based on a good look at Hunter XF375 at BDAC, Old Sarum. The small rectangular vent on the wing, just aft of the intake, is the splitter bleed vent, and should be open. Revell have moulded really good boundary layer splitters inside the intake and a close look between the blade and the fuselage should show daylight... The undercamber behind the leading edge extension is rather overstated, it is almost imperceptible on XF375. I could fill and sand, but I don't think it is worth the effort. The Air Brake actuator sits in a recess in the fuselage on the real aircraft. Revell has left this off, so the actuator sits on the surface of the fuselage. The solution is easy: fit the air brake closed! Next is to spray the underside silver, followed by the upper in grey, before painting the green by brush! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 And now with the underside in. "High Speed Silver". This was a paint, not polished metal and was more glossy than not. Getting a good representation on a model isn't easy: there are multiple routes, but my experience is that they are all fraught. I've seen models that look perfect, but I've always struggled. For this large area I brush painted the wheel wells in dull aluminium, and then masked them off. For the main surface I used Tamiya Gloss silver, applied in multiple light coats: i'm not really happy, but it will do: comments most welcome. The photo makes the surface look duller than it really is. I did say I'm not happy painting silver? Anyway, over to the upper surface in grey and green, that I know I can do! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted March 15, 2022 Author Share Posted March 15, 2022 The upper surface painting went well, brushed with Humbrol traditional paints..... From the starboard side... ... And from above... There are brush marks, if you zoom in closely, but I'm happier with this than the sprayed silver under side. Next.... a couple of bits to touch up, then legs and stuff. After that, transfers and finally, fuel tanks. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonH Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 Very nice! It's a lovely kit and you are turning it into a thing of beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbo88 Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 I have had the same kit sitting on the shelf awaiting finishing for over 20 years too. Definitely one of the best Hunter kits available....but so large. No idea where I will display it when I finally get round to finishing it. Talking of Revell Hunters, has anyone else made their 1/72 offering and found the canopy sits too high if fitted in the closed position? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 Nice going Peter, you've brought this along really well. 👍 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 You’re a brave man brush painting such a large area. I sometimes brush paint 1/48 kits then airbrush the varnish which helps to reduce the brush marks. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 12 hours ago, Biggles87 said: You’re a brave man brush painting such a large area. I sometimes brush paint 1/48 kits then airbrush the varnish which helps to reduce the brush marks. John A light polish with wet and dry paper then airbrush gloss varnish before transfers. I struggle with an airbrush, getting the coverage even and how I'd want it. Silver is the colour of the devil, on the Hunter thankfully it is on the underside. Tamiya rattle can I can use, silver in the airbrush is always a disaster. The U/C is going on now, more photos soon! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted April 6, 2022 Author Share Posted April 6, 2022 The kit has a million and one microscopic details on the transfer sheet, most so small that they will be invisible at more than a few feet, so I plan to ignore most. What is the group view on this issue? The rest of the model is developing nicely, the main markings are in place and the U/C fitted, so photos soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted April 6, 2022 Share Posted April 6, 2022 Looking rather Spledid, nice brushwork. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
224 Peter Posted April 13, 2022 Author Share Posted April 13, 2022 Here she sits on her wheels... Gear doors, drop tanks, canopy framing and a few more stencils to add, plus paint the nose radome and fin dielectric panels "almost black". The U/C is complex and Revell's designers seem to have put accuracy over ease of assembly and strength! The next post will be in "Ready for Inspection"! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 Looks lovely with the decals on . Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now