Dunny Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 Hi All, I'm after a nice, uncomplicated build for the holiday period, so inspired by @AliGauld's lovely recent build I decided to purchase the Sword Avenger Mk.I. Here's the box art: I forgot to take any sprue shots as I just dived in this morning! I'm going to model this as an Avenger Mk.II JZ402 of 853 Sqn FAA in 1945, as shown on the below Xtradecals sheet: Although I cannot find any photos of this aircraft here is another Avenger Mk.II wearing a similar scheme (photo is of a 711 Sqn aircraft): As this is a Mk.II, and therefore an Eastern-built aircraft, the cockpit will be painted in standard Interior Green (as opposed to the Bronze Green of the Mk.I), with the engine bay in Zinc Chromate yellow. I shall also fill the groove in the cowling for the cowling gun (incorrect for the Mk.II), and drill holes for the wing-mounted guns. The Observer's position is also incorrect in the model, so I shall offset it to port, which will allow for a cutout in the bulkhead behind the Observer. I've marked up the area to be removed from the cockpit floor: Here's the 'after' shot with the bulkhead cutout: Here's a shot of the fuselage halves with Interior Green and ZCY applied: Here's a final shot showing the cockpit coming together: A most pleasant day inside with an eye/ear on the Australia-South Africa test match at the MCG (but not out, where it is 40C today!) Happy Holidays to all! Thanks for looking, Roger 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritag Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 40C 😱 Only 10 times the 4C in London right now then. Anyways, cracking looking scheme. I’m in, Roger. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandie Dinmont Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 Nice looking scheme Roger and a great start. I shall follow this with interest! Craig. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 What a great idea for a build Roger. By coincidence, I bought one of these no so long ago & have similar plans to yours. Carry on. Steve. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 27, 2022 Author Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 hour ago, Fritag said: 40C 😱 Only 10 times the 4C in London right now then. Anyways, cracking looking scheme. I’m in, Roger. Cripes - stay warm Steve! Down by 20-odd degrees tomorrow... 1 hour ago, Dandie Dinmont said: Nice looking scheme Roger and a great start. I shall follow this with interest! Craig. Welcome aboard Craig! It looks like a cracking little kit... 45 minutes ago, stevehnz said: What a great idea for a build Roger. By coincidence, I bought one of these no so long ago & have similar plans to yours. Carry on. Steve. Can't go wrong with an Avenger Steve - I look forward to seeing yours! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 Ooooooo this is a lovely surprise Roger, got this kit in the stash too. Great start, I take it that the observer Cockpit is incorrect for the Mk.1 too as also needs modding? Looking forward to this one. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 27, 2022 Author Share Posted December 27, 2022 21 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Great start, I take it that the observer Cockpit is incorrect for the Mk.1 too as also needs modding? Chris, you are correct. For a Mk.I the cockpit & observer positions are Bronze Green (modified by Blackburn), with the remainder Interior Green, with the cowling interior Grumman Grey. There's a bit of scratch required for the radar gear - not difficult but it all makes a difference, Cheers, Roger 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 20 minutes ago, Dunny said: Chris, you are correct. For a Mk.I the cockpit & observer positions are Bronze Green (modified by Blackburn), with the remainder Interior Green, with the cowling interior Grumman Grey. There's a bit of scratch required for the radar gear - not difficult but it all makes a difference, Cheers, Roger Brilliant thanks Roger, that is very helpful indeed. I will get the instructions out in a bit and make some notes. Thanks for your help fella. Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 What a way to get up. A surprise build in a belter of a scheme and correction work already underway. Really looking forward to this as i know you'll do a fantastic job with it. 40 degrees, you say. I got to my work last night to find the car park had turned into a skating rink. Cheers, Alistair 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 27, 2022 Author Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 hour ago, bigbadbadge said: Brilliant thanks Roger, that is very helpful indeed. I will get the instructions out in a bit and make some notes. Thanks for your help fella. Chris Chris, not sure if you remember my Hobby Boss Tarpon build from a couple of years ago - that may be of assistance? 30 minutes ago, AliGauld said: What a way to get up. A surprise build in a belter of a scheme and correction work already underway. Really looking forward to this as i know you'll do a fantastic job with it. 40 degrees, you say. I got to my work last night to find the car park had turned into a skating rink. Cheers, Alistair Alistair, Thankfully a cool change is blowing through and we should see a balmy 15C overnight. Please take care on the rink, Cheers, Roger 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 minute ago, Dunny said: Please take care on the rink, I got a tip from a Canadian many years ago, and they know a bit about the frozen stuff. She told me to curl my toes in my boots and then walk as normal. Don't ask me, but it works. Cheers, Alistair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 27, 2022 Author Share Posted December 27, 2022 7 minutes ago, AliGauld said: She told me to curl my toes in my boots and then walk as normal. I believe that probably applies to life in general. Wise people, those Canadians... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 hour ago, Dunny said: Chris, not sure if you remember my Hobby Boss Tarpon build from a couple of years ago - that may be of assistance? Hi Roger, yes I remember that lovely build and was going to turn to your build as well. Thanks fella Chris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted December 27, 2022 Share Posted December 27, 2022 Aaaand Roger is back with an Avenger !! Nice start Man, can I take a seat ?? Okay, I'll restart mines... Norway operations, great choice, I used that same pic as a guide.... Thanks for the internal colors tip !! Dully saved !! Sincerely. CC 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 On 28/12/2022 at 01:15, corsaircorp said: Aaaand Roger is back with an Avenger !! Nice start Man, can I take a seat ?? Okay, I'll restart mines... Norway operations, great choice, I used that same pic as a guide.... Thanks for the internal colors tip !! Dully saved !! Sincerely. CC We should do a GB CC!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 Hi All, Some good progress on the Avenger yesterday and today! The cockpit was detail painted, and harnesses added from painted Tamiya tape: There is no instrument panel decal, so I just dry-brushed the moulded part and glossed the instruments: Far from my best work but as the canopy will be closed I'm not sweating it too much. Here's the single-piece engine painted up: I'm sure that'll look fine under the cowling! With much dry-fitting and checking the fuselage was buttoned up: There's a bit of fettling and filling required but doesn't look too bad? I did manage to snap the tail wheel off in the process though . The wings and stabilisers were then assembled - the undercarriage bays each assemble from 4 pieces, with little to locate them properly so proceed with caution. Also, the tabs for both wings and stabilisers are too wide to fit the mating slots, so the said slots were made a little wider. Here's the assembly: There are some fairly big gaps which will need filling: Other than that, no major dramas. In other exciting news, I was rummaging through the spares box to see if I could find 'ROYAL NAVY' decals in white (I think they're probably too small for the Silhouette to cut), when I found the very scheme I'm modelling on the Xtradecals 'Yanks in Roundels Pt.1!! 🤩 This sheet was the result of an incorrect purchase a couple of years ago when I was sourcing decals for a 1:48 Tarpon (some wine may have been involved), so to find this now is a rather happy coincidence. I will still cut the masks for most of the markings but I can use the serial decals as is!! Tidying up tomorrow, and I may get some primer down with a following wind, Thanks for looking, Roger 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Fantastic progress Roger, cockpit internals look good and it's great to see the fuselage together and wings on too. Looking forward to seeing some paint. Wow what a bit of luck re the decals the drunken purchase came good. That's brilliant. Great work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 6 minutes ago, bigbadbadge said: Fantastic progress Roger, cockpit internals look good and it's great to see the fuselage together and wings on too. Looking forward to seeing some paint. Wow what a bit of luck re the decals the drunken purchase came good. That's brilliant. Great work Chris Thanks very much Chris. It's a nice little kit - a few foibles but nothing too bad. Of course the purchase was all part of the master plan 🤣 Cheers, Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Wow, You're going to finish it before 2023.... Great job my friend !! Purchasing decals sheet for a project, and then buying a kit which contains that same paint scheme is funny too.... Guess how I know it ??? Well done Sir !! CC 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Just now, Dunny said: Thanks very much Chris. It's a nice little kit - a few foibles but nothing too bad. Of course the purchase was all part of the master plan 🤣 Cheers, Roger Of course😉😄 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Looking rather splendid Roger. 5 hours ago, Dunny said: the tabs for both wings and stabilisers are too wide to fit the mating slots, so the said slots were made a little wider I probably should have mentioned that. Sorry. Then, again I pour my life and soul into one of these and then some chap from the Southern Hemisphere comes along and shows everyone how it should be done. Effortlessly, I hasten to add. So, just for that, you're on your own mate. . Seriously, though, sterling work and looking fantastic so far. Cheers, Alistair 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 11 hours ago, AliGauld said: So, just for that, you're on your own mate. . Seriously, though, sterling work and looking fantastic so far. Thanks very much Alistair. It's no shake & bake, but as you ably demonstrated the finished result can be well worth the effort! Cheers, Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliGauld Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 3 minutes ago, Dunny said: Thanks very much Alistair. It's no shake & bake, but as you ably demonstrated the finished result can be well worth the effort! Cheers, Roger Thanks very much Roger. That is extremely kind of you to say, but, I have absolutely no doubt that this will be another stunner. Cheers, Alistair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 16 hours ago, corsaircorp said: Wow, You're going to finish it before 2023.... Great job my friend !! Purchasing decals sheet for a project, and then buying a kit which contains that same paint scheme is funny too.... Guess how I know it ??? Well done Sir !! CC I'm not sure I'll crack it this year CC, but I won't be far off! Glad it's not just me that stuffs up... Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 Hi All, Some progress on the Avenger. I spent a couple of hours designing the stencils for the markings, and as I have no aftermarket masks for the glazing I thought I'd cut them too. Here's the canopy masked up: Looks like a bought one (well almost!) There were a couple of panels which were slightly too small, so I duly corrected them: That's better! Here's the greenhouse in place: Lots of scribing and cleaning up, and I also remembered to drill the holes for the wing guns: That's a poor photo - apologies! Curiously the wing panel lines are correct for wing guns, but no holes - hey ho! The turret requires one to cut the port for the gun - the plastic is pretty solid at this point so I chain-drilled holes through: And here we are once the slot was opened up and cleaned: I did do a little more work on it after this shot was taken, so it now looks a little less bobbins! With that the airbrush was fired up, and some Interior Green laid down on the glazing: Once that had dried the first coat of primer was laid down: That's almost dried so I shall sort out the usual minor defects before I preshade (Nato Black for the upper surfaces, EDSG for the white lower surfaces). Might get another update in later... Thanks for looking, Roger 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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