Gloster Meteor FR9 Israeli Air Force

[81-er]

Build number two for this GB, this one is going to be an Israeli FR9. So another photo of the box of an Airfix Meteor FR9 kit (which is a different box as it’s slightly more battered than the other one):

 

 

Sprues still sealed in their bags:

 

 

Aftermarket is being kept more minimal on this build than the Brazilian one, limited to some PF belts, resin wheels, and a 3d printed cockpit set. Having said that, as mentioned in the other thread, any unused bits from that build may still appear in this one:

 

 

Again, I’m using FCM decals for this one, going for the blue & sand scheme. These decals are for an F8 rather than the FR9, however I’ve discovered that one of the FR9’s was coded 11, which means I just need to mask and spray two vertical lines on each side of the fuselage:

 

 

I’m looking forward* to battling with the FR9 nose, I’ve heard it’s a pig to make it fit.

 

James

 

*There may be a large degree of sarcasm in that statement

[Retired Bob]

4 minutes ago, 81-er said:

I’m looking forward* to battling with the FR9 nose, I’ve heard it’s a pig to make it fit.

Hi James, I haven't built the FR.9 version, but if it's a tight fit to align like the F.8 nose, it helped to trim the nose leg frame parts D3 & D21.  It seems Airfix forgot that the plastic nose parts are thicker than the real aluminium nose.  

[81-er]

Thanks for the tip  I've seen plenty of builds on the FR9 to inform me that there will be much filling and sanding in my future, as the fit is about as good as using an aftermarket part designed for another kit. Except this one comes in the box from the manufacturer 🤣

 

James

[John Laidlaw]

I can confirm the FR.9 nose is a bit of a git to fit, plus the camera transparencies did not fit well at all on mine (which is why the build has stalled). I'm sure you'll get it done, but good luck!

[Marlin]

Interesting project James @81-er 

I would have been here with the same project if this GB hadn't clashed with the renovation of our flat. 

As it is now I can only watch other having fun since the bench and all kits, and the rest of our belongings, are in storage until mid November.

Have fun, and good luck with your build. 

 

/Bosse 

[CliffB]

It's great to see another 'small air force' Meteor from you James.  I'm pleased that you've chosen the blue and sand option too 

[81-er]

2 hours ago, Marlin said:

Interesting project James @81-er 

I would have been here with the same project if this GB hadn't clashed with the renovation of our flat. 

As it is now I can only watch other having fun since the bench and all kits, and the rest of our belongings, are in storage until mid November.

Have fun, and good luck with your build. 

 

/Bosse 

Thanks you, Bosse. I hope the renovations are done on time so you can get back to it. All going to plan (ie solicitors doing their bit quickly) I'll be moving partway through this build as well, which could be interesting!

 

2 hours ago, CliffB said:

It's great to see another 'small air force' Meteor from you James.  I'm pleased that you've chosen the blue and sand option too 

Thanks Cliff. I'm definitely drawn to "less usual" subjects in general, and I'm developing quite a thing for desert schemes it seems. I've got plans for an Israeli Spitfire in the same colours, as well as a few other desert-themed builds too

 

James

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

9 hours ago, 81-er said:

Thanks Cliff. I'm definitely drawn to "less usual" subjects in general, and I'm developing quite a thing for desert schemes it seems. I've got plans for an Israeli Spitfire in the same colours, as well as a few other desert-themed builds too

Ive got five builds in that scheme planned myself. The Meteor, Mustang, Spitfire, Avia S.199 which I believe I have a photo. Last will be an AT-6 Texan in the same scheme. I will start the meteor and once my hellcat, Hornet, and P-38 are finished. I will start the next builds. I also have a unique taste for desert camouflage. To be honest I actually like visiting desert’s. If the world was a nicer place Id drive across the Sahara someday. 

[81-er]

Those sound like some nice projects there, Dennis, and a nice road trip (if dependant on people not being so awful). 

 

In terms of desert themed builds in the stash on top of the Meteor and Spitfire, I've got plans for a Chilean Vampire, a Rhodesian Vampire, both a British and an American tropical Spitfire, another Ar 555, and very likely the Hunter in some desert-based user scheme. The Me 262 and B&V P-194 I've got on the go will both be desert themed as well

 

James

[Luke1199]

Definitely looking forward to this build James, good luck with it- I'm a sucker for an Israeli scheme

[81-er]

Thanks, Luke. I'm definitely developing a taste for them as well

 

James

[81-er]

I’ve made a start on this one as well. Whereas I’ve started on the cockpit with the Brazilian machine, I’ve chosen to start with the lower wing and landing gear bays with this build for a change:

 

 

 

A small start, but it’s a start.

 

James

[81-er]

I've not forgotten this, I'm just being strategic with my timing. Assuming everything goes somewhat to plan, the current thinking is to be moving at some point in the first two weeks of December, which is also conveniently smack bang when the P-38 GB is due to end. So, my plan is to put the Meteor’s on hold until after the move as they’re both relatively unstarted and containable within the original boxes, and to prioritise the P-38’s to get them (hopefully) finished before the move. That should give me a month solid on the Meteor’s on the other side. In theory…

 

James

[Celestialsphere]

Meteor build theory = ○~2|56²|{56¡《¾/[9/2°]}

 

Therefore ok 👨‍🎓😁

[Wings unlevel]

12 hours ago, 81-er said:

That should give me a month solid on the Meteor’s on the other side. In theory…

Sounds a sound plan, James. Good luck with packing and moving, always a stressful time!

[81-er]

Thank you. Stressful? Not half! Currently being chased from both ends of the chain to set completion dates ASAP after months of delays on their part. The onward purchase especially, as they're splitting up and are fully at war with each other and want out. If only they'd got the building regs signed off* BEFORE putting the house on the market... 🤦‍♂️

 

James

 

*They still haven't been signed off 

[Wings unlevel]

2 hours ago, 81-er said:

Currently being chased from both ends of the chain

So many complex pieces have to fall into place transacting property, I guess one good thing with modelling is it develops your project management skills!

[81-er]

Stage 1 of the move (selling the house and moving back with my parents temporarily) is done, and I’ve set myself up a temporary workspace until I can move into my flat:

 

 

Last night was spent getting an awful lot of bits off the sprues and ready for paint (as I haven’t set up the booth yet), so there really isn’t much left on the sprues for this one now. Hopefully I can get the booth set up this evening and start laying some primer down.

 

James

[81-er]

Some more progress has been made. I painted the cockpits in Mr Hobby H301, FS 36081 Grey, as it was about the darkest grey I had. From my Vampire build, I’ve learnt that by the time it’s assembled, washed with a dark wash, and installed in a cockpit, that looks pretty black by then. The bang seats will be black, which should help them stand out against the ‘pit a bit more. Partway through detail painting, I had this:

 

 

Which quickly turned into these:

 

 

You might spot I’ve added some styrene strips to hint at the rudder pedals.

 

As this is going to be a desert bird, after a wash with Citadel Nuln Oil, I used some Tamiya sand weathering pigment where the pilot’s feet would be:

 

 

 

The only thing holding me back from closing up the fuselage now is the IP. I’ve decided to give the kit decals a try after seeing the results others have got:

 

 

They’ve had a bit more softening solution since that photo and are bedding in very nicely. Once they’re properly dried I’ll find a suitable instrument decal to stick over the orange thing.

 

Engine and landing gear bays have been painted in AK Xtreme Metal aluminium, which has enabled me to get the wings together:

 

 

 

It was a huge pain trying to get the paint into the recesses of the landing gear bay, so I’ve learnt my lesson and painted the parts for that before assembly on the Brazilian build.

 

Not pictured, but the CMK bang seats have been primed, and the Eduard resin wheels have received a coat of tyre black. The next step for those will be masking to have the wheel hubs painted.

 

James

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

The office is starting to take shape, so are the IP’s. 

[81-er]

Thanks Dennis  I've started painting the seats now too, I got the base colour on the padding last night. I used to hate detail painting as I never thought I was particularly good at it, but I'm starting to enjoy it now my skills are improving

 

James

[TEMPESTMK5]

Mery Christmas

Very good job so far James

Best regards

Patrice

 

[John Masters]

Looks very nice. I like the sand in the cockpit.

[81-er]

Thank you, gents  Merry Christmas! 🎅

 

James

[John Masters]

9 hours ago, 81-er said:

 Merry Christmas! 🎅

And to you too!