Novo Gloster Javelin 1/72

[Mark4700]

Here's a build that I finished last month, but have only just had the time to Photograph. This is the Novo 1/72 rendition of the Gloster Javelin.

 

I built this very kit in the 80's straight from the box and painted it in gloss paint as per the instructions. I remember is being an ill fitting kit and once finished looked very toy like. Fast forward to last year and I came across the kit for an acceptable price on eBay. I was overcome by nostalgia and wondered if the current self could bring the kit up to date.

 

For those who don't know, the box is quite weighty for its size. Once opened is apparent why. Flash is everywhere and the sprues are as thick as pencils. Also the mouldings themselves seem very thick. I treated myself to some metal antenna/pointy things for the wingtips and a replacement corrected nose.

 

The kit has been fully rescribed with some pane lines added that were missing. The kit itself went together surprisingly well with the only real problem areas being where the wings connected to the fuselage.

 

The decals were less than useless. Despite my best efforts they just basically turned to dust when soaked. I put a shout out for help and a huge thank you to @Navy Bird for coming to my rescue with the decals I needed to complete the build.

 

I used Vajello model air on the upper surfaces, Alclad 2 for the natural metal underside and finished it all off with a Flory wash. To be honest I'm hugely pleased with the result and it looks magnificent in my display case.

 

Many thanks to all for looking and enjoy the photos.

 

[Wulfman]

Excellent build on the old Frog !

 

Wulfman

[Navy Bird]

Great work tarting up the old gal. The scribing must have been a real pain - ask me how I know! Removing all the flash must have been tedious as well. I couldn't believe how much there was when I opened my kit. Man, we really need a modern new tool Javelin in 70-tooth scale.

 

Glad I could help with the decals. They look better on a model than than do sitting in an old shoe box.   

 

Cheers,

Bill

[Tallyho]

Lovely build and end result! Really enjoy seeing people having a crack at old kits also, KP/Kopro next? 🙂

Edited May 4, 2022 by Tallyho

[Lightningboy2000]

Fantastic work rescribing this Frog kit. Really nice to see one of these completed. I rescribed this kit many years ago & foolishly ended up removing the cockpit tub with the aim of scratch building a new one. Back in the box it went & that's where it has stayed for years. 

Excellent work.

 

Martin

 

[Mark4700]

11 hours ago, Navy Bird said:

Great work tarting up the old gal. The scribing must have been a real pain - ask me how I know! Removing all the flash must have been tedious as well. I couldn't believe how much there was when I opened my kit. Man, we really need a modern new tool Javelin in 70-tooth scale.

 

Glad I could help with the decals. They look better on a model than than do sitting in an old shoe box.   

 

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks Bill. I actually forgot what an imposing aircraft it was. Also the history of the aircraft surely makes it a deserving subject for a new tooled kit. Come on Airfix, downscale your 1/48

[Doc72]

Your Javelin looks great! I agree with the others: The Javelin is one of the largest remaining gaps in the 1/72-market today. We need a state-of-the-art kit for all those of us who do not possess your skills and patience to rescribe and update the Frog Javelin.

[Pete in a shed]

Great upgrade work. The end result is a very fine rendition of the old kit.  It would have been interesting to see the first one you built all those years ago next to it, expect its long gone though.

Pete

[Mark4700]

12 hours ago, Tallyho said:

Lovely build and end result! Really enjoy seeing people having a crack at old kits also, KP/Kopro next? 🙂

Me too now.  I really wasn’t looking forward to this one, but really enjoyed bringing it up to date and making my own mark on it. I’d highly recommend anyone having a go, the sen e of achievement when it’s completed is fantastic

[Mark4700]

3 hours ago, Pete in a shed said:

Great upgrade work. The end result is a very fine rendition of the old kit.  It would have been interesting to see the first one you built all those years ago next to it, expect its long gone though.

Pete

I wish I’d still got it, unfortunately it’s long gone. Probably met the same sad fate as a lot of real aircraft, used as for target practice, but in this case my mates air rifle. 

[Hairtrigger]

Tremendous.   To take such an old basic kit to that level must be very satisfying..

[Vultures1]

That's an exceptional result from the old Frog/Novo kit.  The panel line scribing alone is outstanding and the overall finish is first class - well done!

[bentwaters81tfw]

Scrubs up OK doesn't it? I have one in the stash to do. And one original built but not scribed. Very tempting to have a go with a pointy thing.

You have made an excellent rendering of the old Flying Flatiron.

[Mark4700]

21 hours ago, Hairtrigger said:

Tremendous.   To take such an old basic kit to that level must be very satisfying..

Thank you. It is very satisfying to make an old kit look acceptable next to modern kits. I'd recommend everyone build an old kit now and again. 

 

20 hours ago, Vultures1 said:

That's an exceptional result from the old Frog/Novo kit.  The panel line scribing alone is outstanding and the overall finish is first class - well done!

Thanks for your comments. 

 

20 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said:

Scrubs up OK doesn't it? I have one in the stash to do. And one original built but not scribed. Very tempting to have a go with a pointy thing.

You have made an excellent rendering of the old Flying Flatiron.

Thank you for your kind comments, I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. To be honest the scribing was relatively easy as there are nots of straight lines and flat surfaces. Go one, do it. Have a go. You know you want to 😈

[Ray S]

That is a fantastic result on this lump of plastic. I know what you mean about the box feeling rather heavy when the plastic was inside!

 

I have one of these under my work bench and, being a Novo boxing I just need a set of transfers for it, one day, one day. I will be very happy if mine turns out half as good as yours.

 

Ray

[TallBlondJohn]

Superb. I now want one. Airfix, see to this immediately. Thank you.

[Ptmvarsityfan]

Super build!

[Bertie McBoatface]

Well done!

[Mark4700]

On 05/05/2022 at 18:39, Ray S said:

That is a fantastic result on this lump of plastic. I know what you mean about the box feeling rather heavy when the plastic was inside!

 

I have one of these under my work bench and, being a Novo boxing I just need a set of transfers for it, one day, one day. I will be very happy if mine turns out half as good as yours.

 

Ray

Thanks for you kind comments Ray. There’s nothing too difficult about it, it just needs a little patience and TLC. I really enjoyed building it. 

[trigger39]

I'm told by my wife that I rain on peoples' parades, but many are interested in accuracy rather than artistic licence.  A superb job like this deserves accuracy so XH839 was not an FAW9R and could not carry underwing tanks.  The FAW9R

wearing the CO's MHM was XH872, one of the nine that took part in the final flypast (as did XH839 wearing code W). XH 839 had been the COs mount before 60 Sqn inherited 64 Sqns 9Rs in June 1967.

[Horatio Gruntfuttock]

You have certainly done the old girl proud - great re-scribing and finishing. Now, as a 60sqn 'Flying Flat Iron' , was this the one that 'accidentally' shot down the Indonesian Herc??

[Duncan B]

Your Javelin looks great, all your hard work has paid off. It looks like there is still a lot of demand for a new 1/72 scale Javelin and Airfix have the CAD so come on guys give us that flying flat iron in 1/72 scale (or do I have to build my collection of Novo kits?).

 

Duncan B

[Linus]

Wonderful work, with a fantastic re-engraving, be careful there is a Polish (platyk ZTS) company on the market, which re-proposes the engraved frog/novo!

[David Womby]

I love seeing old moulds built well and the Javelin is a favourite of mine.  Such a hefty looking beast.

 

David