Geo1966 Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 (edited) My Uncle Frank flew Meteor NF11’s in the early 1950’s, so I am building this to show and remind him of his fly boy days. He told me when he joined the RAF he first learnt to fly a Tiger Moth, then moved on to Havard’s. Once he had passed that he was straight into a Meteor! He said it was scary to put it mildly! Apparently, a lot of guys didn’t return from training flights in those days. Frank is 93 now and although he remembers flying NF11’s he is a bit unsure of which Squadron he was with or where they were based. I will try and find out more over the coming weeks, as it would be nice to do this as one from a Squadron in which he served. Not sure which scheme I will do yet, depends on what I can glean from Frank. There are four options. George Edited January 12, 2023 by Geo1966 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 A great back story to go with your build. I have all all three of the SH NF Meteors in the stash and look like great kits. Will follow with interest. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 This is only my second aircraft build since I was a lad (40+ years ago). The first a couple of months ago was an Eduard 1/72 Spitfire, but I managed to break the front windscreen part of the canopy while masking it, so it ended up being binned. Hopefully I will have better luck this time and to be on the safe side I have invested in a canopy mask. I have been building 1/35 AFV’s since I returned to the hobby about 3 years ago, so have a bit of experience, just not with aircraft builds. George 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 34 minutes ago, Geo1966 said: Frank is 93 now and although he remembers flying NF11’s he is a bit unsure of which Squadron he was with or where they were based. Surely you could contact the RAF and with Franks consent (thank you GDPR) make enquiries. Must be really nice to build something with a family connection like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 15, 2022 Author Share Posted October 15, 2022 27 minutes ago, Marklo said: Surely you could contact the RAF Thanks Marklo, i am going to try and get a copy of his flight log book from his Daughter, so fingers crossed that will reveal all. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Welcome aboard George, I salute your Uncle’s service. If you find out I do have some of the Modeldecal’s sheets for Nf. Meteors. I may have the squadron if you don't. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 16, 2022 Author Share Posted October 16, 2022 Thanks @Corsairfoxfouruncle thats really kind. I am speaking to Frank later today, so will hopefully get some more info. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 On behalf of the Scottish section of BM, surely it: "has te be the wee aircraft wid the Saltires eitha side o' the roundals" 🏴 Cheers Pat 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 Sorry I am English, so didn't understand a word of that 🙃 George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 1 hour ago, JOCKNEY said: On behalf of the Scottish section of BM, surely it: "has te be the wee aircraft wid the Saltires eitha side o' the roundals" 🏴 Cheers Pat Thats the one Im going to build someday Pat. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 (edited) Have made a bit of a start on this. Lovely detail in the cockpit. Painted with Tamiya NATO black, then dry brushed with gun metal. In a couple of references i saw the harnesses were blue, so i went with that for a bit of colour. George Edited October 18, 2022 by Geo1966 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 My first question to the BM collective, how much weight do i need to put in the nose please? George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Nice start The cockpit is really well detailed for 1/72, that could easily pass for 1/48. Not sure about the nose weight. Just shove as much into the nose as you can! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 5 minutes ago, franky boy said: Just shove as much into the nose as you can! Thanks James. Strange they don't mention it in the distructions. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Nice interior, makes my matchbox one look rather basic, time for some detailing I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 52 minutes ago, Geo1966 said: My first question to the BM collective, how much weight do i need to put in the nose please? George George, My approach to establishing the required weight is to get the fuselage built but not joined together, then tape the fuselage together. Add the lower wing temporarily then put some matchsticks in the undercarriage mounting points so that the model pivots on that point. With it teetering like this you can see how much weight you need (depending on the construction of the model you may be able to drop it into the fuselage or you can tape a small bag to the fuselage and tip it in there). Once you have established how much weight you need, add a bit more weight for good luck. Now you've established the weight you need, you just have to find room for it, you need to place it as far forward as possible, fortunately the Meteor has a nice long nose you can put it in. I've got some lead shot and sheet I use for providing the necessary weight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 That cockpit really is lovely for 1/72, and you've done a nice job on it James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 I tend to just put as much lead shot as will fit much less scientific but it’s worked so far for everything except my TA154 which needed weight in the front of the engine nacelles too. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 19 minutes ago, Marklo said: I tend to just put as much lead shot as will fit much less scientific but it’s worked so far for everything except my TA154 which needed weight in the front of the engine nacelles too. Which is OK if the undercarriage is nice and sturdy... ...trust me on this. George, Nice start on that cockpit, the SH kit is well detailed in that area. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 Thanks for the info on the nose weight Gents. Spoke to my Uncle at the weekend, but he is very confussed about Squadrons, locations, etc. He is 93 so it is understandable i guess. Also he has no idea where his flight log book is. My plan now is to build the Meteor and show him it when completed, thinking that perhaps it will jog his memory. Perhaps wasted some time and paint on the engines as i don't think much will be seen. At least i can sleep easy knowing they have been done. George 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Might I suggest asking the RAF. Maybe they can get a hold of his records and tell you the units he served/flew with ? It might not work but could be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 Thanks @Corsairfoxfouruncle, yes that might be worth a try. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Might I suggest asking the RAF. Maybe they can get a hold of his records and tell you the units he served/flew with ? It might not work but could be worth a try. George, It will help if you can get Frank's service number, ask him, it'll be so ingrained that it will trip off of his tongue, its something you never forget. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 There's some nice detail on those engine parts James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted October 20, 2022 Author Share Posted October 20, 2022 Got some weight in the nose, hopefully its enough. Also, if you look carefully, you will see the lack of locating pins, which is going to make getting the fuselage together a challenge. Forgot to show the monstrous ejector pin marks on the engines. Not a major problem, as they cleaned up ok ish. George 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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