Oldgitian Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Having recently finished a Tamiya Wildcat I started to search through my stash (or the NARNIA CUPBOARD as my wife calls it) to find my next project. I spotted the old issue Airfix Buccaneer I've had for some time. I've made no secret elsewhere on this forum of my disappointment at the cost of the soon to be released new version so thought I should put my money where my mouth is and actually build the one I have in stock. I must admit that some of the mouldings look a bit rough around the edges but they certainly give the appearance of what could become a model of one of my favourite aircraft. I hope to carry out most of the build form the box but decided to replace the original wheels with a resin set from ARMORY. Just getting underway now, so will add to this as things progress. Ian 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Are those the kit intakes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted March 29, 2022 Author Share Posted March 29, 2022 1 hour ago, David H said: Are those the kit intakes? Yes, intakes and everything else except wheels are form the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulaero Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Although this kit might have it issues, it does build into a great brick at the end The Neomega resin cockpit is still about and its a worth while addition 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Ah, this is what we like to see Ian, a proper aircraft! Any Buccaneer build has my attention, whatever scale, so I'll let you off doing one in 1/48 😁 Will this one be an overall EDSG version or an earlier take with a large dash of white underneath? Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dambuster Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 Ian, Just been putting one of these together and this is how I tackled some of the construction issues. To get a better alignment of the fuselage halves I glued the two wing ribs into the upper half first, parts 38 and 39. Add the relevant bomb bay door, gluing front and back first, and once set, gradually along the sides keeping the outer edges aligned and level. Next constructed the cockpit and installed into upper fuselage. This took some work to get a good fit and placement. I removed the two sections of the intakes that are on the lower fuselage half and glued them into the intakes, using some scrap to keep them level on the outer surface. This makes it easier to get a good finish before attaching the front intake parts. To glue the fuselage halves I clamped (not glued) the outer edges of the wings together, getting a positive location on the two ribs. Then I glued the front fuselage and rear fuselage, taping as necessary. This leaves the intakes and wing stubs still free. To construct the intakes, I added some small locating tabs from scrap plastic card inside the top, outer middle and bottom of the intake fronts, plus a strip along the inside of the upper intake only inside the fuselage. This piece is deep enough to form an attachment inside the intake join between upper and lower fuselage halves. The intakes and trunking can now be dry fitted to the fuselage - mine required some slight sanding on the surface that mates with the fuselage. Once fit is satisfactory they can be assembled and added to the fuselage, using the three locating tabs to hold the fuselage bits in alignment with the top, bottom and middle. Once glued, this left virtually no step around the intake parts, and a small gap along the side which is easy to fill - The strip inside adds some backing and reinforces the joint. Finally the inner wings can be glued ensuring that they appear level on both sides from the front. I added a strip of plastic card inside the very front of the two fin halves so that the finished width matched the fuselage spine, and another strip between the two locating tabs to tighten the fit into the fuselage opening. Good luck with your build. Peter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I’ll be following this with interest, having just retrieved my box from the top of a cupboard, planning a slow build I can dip into between group build entries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 Peter, Thanks for your words of wisdom. I must admit that when I tried to match the fuselage halves, I thought for a moment that the upper and lower parts had come form two different kits. They only fit where they touch and they don't touch very much. I'll be building with the wings folded so will substitute parts 38 and 39 for 36 and 37. Otherwise I like the sound of your suggestions. I'll be back with more as things progress. Ian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Hi Ian, Was just wondering where this build might be given the release of the new tool one? Terry aka curious of South Dorset 🙄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve McArthur Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 The price of the new kit is a bit more than this variant is worth to me. I'd rather wait to spend that kind of money on an Op Tellic boxing. But, I've been checking e-bay and a couple days ago what I expected happened. Someone dumped their original boxing of this kit cheap. I got one still sealed for $40+shipping where they are typically listed at $125+ with the new edition is being listed on e-bay around $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted August 22, 2022 Author Share Posted August 22, 2022 Terry, After a three month hiatus away from kit building (there are other things to do during a summer as good as we're currently experiencing) the release of the new Airfix offering has nudged me into returning to the work bench and continuing the assembly of the Buccaneer. Having spent some time detailing the cockpit interior using the Airwaves brass etched set, I moved on to attempt the joining of the fuselage halves. Taking some of Peter's advice I tried clamping the wing sections together but struggled with the alignment so decided on a slightly different three stage approach. Firstly the nose section as far as the air intakes was cemented and clamped, whilst leaving the wing and rear fuselage sections to go their own way. After a twenty four hour break, to ensure the bond was rock solid, I returned to the rear fuselage and cemented that as far as the wing trailing edge. More clamps required. I left that to cure overnight and then cemented and closed the bulging gap between the upper and lower stub wing sections. The end result was far better than I originally expected and the fuselage now looks in good shape. I'm now into the filling and sanding stage before adding air intakes and jet pipes etc. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 It’s far from the worst kit I have built. I would say that the intakes & exhaust parts do need a bit of blending in no matter how much you tab and dry fit them. I left the bomb bay until last so I could fit the exhaust housings and push the exhaust tubes in after painting. The only point in favour of the new kit would be if it costs more for after market wheels, cockpit etch, decals etc plus the cost of the second hand kit exceeds the cost of the new kit. And the new kit has all the markings you are after of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 15 Author Share Posted January 15 A recent commission build had delayed progress on the Buccaneer but I'm now back on track and things have moved on. Unfortunately I've got dragged into replacing a few more of the kit components than I originally intended. Paragon seats, Airwaves air brakes and Flightpath ladders and FOD guards have added to the cost, which is precisely what I was aiming to avoid. Airwaves air brake detail for rear fuselage. Airwaves etched details for air brakes. Flightpath crew ladders. Flightpath FOD guards. After repeated bouts of applying and sanding filler I've now arrived at the priming and pre-shading stage. The surface detail is rather heavy so I made extra effort to reduce the effect by running "Mr Hobby 500 surfacer" into all of the deepest trenches. Time consuming but I think worth the trouble. Primed with white "Mr Hobby 1500 surfacer" and then pre-shaded with "Tamiya XF-1 black" I've since applied several thin colour coats of "Xtracrylix XA1005 EDSG" and will start to add the decals after a sweep with "Xtracrlix gloss varnish. This is the point when I get nervous. Previous bad experiences with varnish and decals always get me apprehensive, but here goes. Ian 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 Pleased with the colour so continued to the decal stage. Used the kit option of XV869 from 809 NAS in Ark Royal 1976. All went OK but spent a nervous few minutes trying to lay down the engine access stencils, having removed all the carrier film from the centre of each decal. This left a very delicate "picture frame" which wanted to curl up rather than lay flat. Persevered with lashings of Micro Set and eventually got the result I wanted. On now to aerials and undercarriage. Trying to decide the best sequence to avoid damage to fitted items during handling. Definitely intend to leave the wings and air brakes to last. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 She's coming on great Ian, definite progress on the vesrion I saw emerge from the boot of your car a while back in Wimborne! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 Thanks Terry. All sorts of things emerge from car boots in carparks. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Very nice work Ian this has really come together. Will it be at the Poole Vikings Show in April? Stay safe Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 Thanks Roger. Yes, barring any catastrophe it will be finished and on the Poole Vikings stand at the show. See you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 4 hours ago, Oldgitian said: Thanks Roger. Yes, barring any catastrophe it will be finished and on the Poole Vikings stand at the show. See you there. Looking forward to April and seeing your Buccaneer as well as the show Stay safe Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Hartmann Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Stunning Ian. On first glance you’d be fooled into thinking it was the new kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 18 Author Share Posted January 18 Very kind Ben. I only hope you feel the same way when it's finished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham T Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I really like the old Airfix Bucc! Yes it's quite challenging but with care (and a Neomega cockpit) it does build up into a nice model. On the other hand I can't wait to start the new tool (despite having I think FOUR old toll kits in the loft!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 I think you're right Graham although I haven't actually seen a completed new tool version in the flesh. It's difficult to make a direct comparison. I originally started this project as a personal protest against the cost of the new tool but I think I've spent more on this when I include all the added extras. Never mind, that's what hobbies are all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldgitian Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 The Buc stops here. 😜 Well actually the Buccaneer is complete. The final bits and pieces have been added and overall I'm happy with the result. It was always going to be a tricky build, as everyone told me, but at least I think it looks like a Buccaneer. I'll add my final thoughts and more pictures of the finished result to the RFI section. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Great result Ian, looks every inch a Buccaneer! Stay safe Roger 1 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