Tomjw Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Hi all. It's been a long time since I've posted anything on Britmodeller and so I really need to change that as I enjoy spending time on here. This is my Kinetic Hawk Mk.127 Lead In Fighter (LIF) of the Royal Australian Air Force. I spent several wonderful years working on this aircraft during my previous career working for BAE Systems. The kit was okay, although the plastic is very soft. Ironically you can't make a Mk.127 out of the box mainly due to deficiencies in the cockpit, so I managed to acquire the Kinetic (Eduard) colour printed PE set to correct this. I also added PE seat belts from a TMk.1 set, master probe, Reskit wheels and Brassin AIM-9L's Thanks for looking. All comments welcome... Cheers, Tom 47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 That's very tasty. I like the paintwork very much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share Posted May 7, 2022 32 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said: That's very tasty. I like the paintwork very much. Thanks Bertie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis pacheco Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Very nice. I have built the same model some years ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 7, 2022 Author Share Posted May 7, 2022 1 hour ago, luis pacheco said: Very nice. I have built the same model some years ago. Thanks Luis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 Very effective, very nice paint job. I thought the canopy on mine was quite badly fitting but you seem to have done much better! I liked this kit very much, and since got one of the Revell boxings to build as an RAF version. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 8, 2022 Author Share Posted May 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Alan P said: Very effective, very nice paint job. I thought the canopy on mine was quite badly fitting but you seem to have done much better! I liked this kit very much, and since got one of the Revell boxings to build as an RAF version. Thanks Alan. I must admit that I found the fit of the canopy difficult also. There's a lot of filler in there. If I did another one, I'd leave the canopy open. If you don't already have one, I recommend the cockpit PE set which is applicable to the Mk.127 and the T2... https://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=KIN-K32003 Very reasonable price and shipping cost. Cheers, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike c Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 That's very nice indeed.👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Robin Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 As I've said before, not a fan of jet aircraft, but that is very, very well done. Regards Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 8, 2022 Author Share Posted May 8, 2022 33 minutes ago, mike c said: That's very nice indeed.👍 22 minutes ago, Pete Robin said: As I've said before, not a fan of jet aircraft, but that is very, very well done. Regards Pete Thanks gentlemen. Very much appreciated. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy350 Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 Really nice build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Blievers Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 Tomjw - that's a gorgeous model, however there's a "gotcha" with RAAF Hawks in that they all carry BOTH user squadron's markings. Your model is correct in that on the RHS Hawks carry 76 Sqn markings (a panther's head superimposed over a black/red/black/red/black stripe). However, on the LHS they carry 79 Sqn markings (a gold phoenix over a yellow/red/yellow stripe). I'm sorry to have to point this out; I was blissfully unaware myself until I saw them operating out of RAAF Williamtown (76 Sqn) several years ago... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 8, 2022 Author Share Posted May 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Andy350 said: Really nice build. Thanks Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 8, 2022 Author Share Posted May 8, 2022 9 minutes ago, Rod Blievers said: Tomjw - that's a gorgeous model, however there's a "gotcha" with RAAF Hawks in that they all carry BOTH user squadron's markings. Your model is correct in that on the RHS Hawks carry 76 Sqn markings (a panther's head superimposed over a black/red/black/red/black stripe). However, on the LHS they carry 79 Sqn markings (a gold phoenix over a yellow/red/yellow stripe). I'm sorry to have to point this out; I was blissfully unaware myself until I saw them operating out of RAAF Williamtown (76 Sqn) several years ago... Hi Rod. That's something I wasn't aware of. My last trip to Williamtown was in 2003 and I don't think that was the case back then, but things have clearly changed since then. Hopefully others who build this kit in the future will pick up your advice and not make the same mistake as me. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano353 Posted May 8, 2022 Share Posted May 8, 2022 Very good looking plane and model. Are the wings bigger on this version than the standard version? They look awfully big. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 16 hours ago, Deano353 said: Very good looking plane and model. Are the wings bigger on this version than the standard version? They look awfully big. Thanks Deano. Yes, the Mk.127 has the seven station wing whereas the T Mk.1 has the smaller span five station wing. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 9, 2022 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Lovely work, looks very cool 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 9, 2022 Author Share Posted May 9, 2022 5 hours ago, F-32 said: Lovely work, looks very cool Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motty Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 On 5/9/2022 at 6:53 AM, Tomjw said: Hi Rod. That's something I wasn't aware of. My last trip to Williamtown was in 2003 and I don't think that was the case back then, but things have clearly changed since then. Hopefully others who build this kit in the future will pick up your advice and not make the same mistake as me. Cheers, Tom G'day Tom, The tail markings are correct for the colour scheme you have done. The RAAF Hawks were originally operated in a lighter, matt scheme with individual unit markings as you have done. Around 2011 / 2012 we began to repaint them into a darker, gloss scheme where gunship grey replaced the top colour. That's when they began wearing the different unit markings on each side of the fin (79Sqn on the left and 76Sqn on the right). Cheers, Motty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatesy64 Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 Lovely job, excellent finish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 10, 2022 Author Share Posted May 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Motty said: G'day Tom, The tail markings are correct for the colour scheme you have done. The RAAF Hawks were originally operated in a lighter, matt scheme with individual unit markings as you have done. Around 2011 / 2012 we began to repaint them into a darker, gloss scheme where gunship grey replaced the top colour. That's when they began wearing the different unit markings on each side of the fin (79Sqn on the left and 76Sqn on the right). Cheers, Motty. Ahh, that's after my time. I left BAe in 2006. All good advice and I hope others benefit. Thanks Motty, very much appreciated. 37 minutes ago, Gatesy64 said: Lovely job, excellent finish Thanks Gatesey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Blievers Posted May 10, 2022 Share Posted May 10, 2022 I stand corrected! Thanks for the clarification Motty. I spent a few days at Williamtown around 2014 and (you're right) they were in darker greys then. Another change was the newer font (horrible IMHO) for the serials.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 Lovely rendition Tom. 🏆 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted May 11, 2022 Author Share Posted May 11, 2022 6 hours ago, Rod Blievers said: I stand corrected! Thanks for the clarification Motty. I spent a few days at Williamtown around 2014 and (you're right) they were in darker greys then. Another change was the newer font (horrible IMHO) for the serials.... I have to agree with you regarding the darker greys. I'm not sure where in or around Australia the darker grey camo is supposed to work. Maybe in close proximity to a whale? That's why I went with the original camouflage scheme. 1 hour ago, Romeo Alpha Yankee said: Lovely rendition Tom. 🏆 Thanks Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motty Posted May 11, 2022 Share Posted May 11, 2022 2 hours ago, Tomjw said: I have to agree with you regarding the darker greys. I'm not sure where in or around Australia the darker grey camo is supposed to work. Maybe in close proximity to a whale? That's why I went with the original camouflage scheme. Thanks Ray. G'day Tom and Rod, No worries. Glad it helped. The new scheme is actually meant to be a compromise between camouflage and better visibility. The greys give it an element of camouflage and helps develop the skill of visual acquisition during the introductory fighter course done by 76Sqn while the high contrast and gloss finish help to make it a bit more visible (than the old scheme) in the circuit area at Pearce (79Sqn) where there are co-located basic training units with less experienced aircrew. It's also more durable. I know it sounds counter-productive but I've heard it works reasonably well. Cheers, Motty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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