FG.1 Leuchars 1970 Fujimi 1/72

[almac]

Thanks @Jabba and @dad's lad. The separate nose cone is only for the commemorative aircraft seen at the Greenham Common air show in 1983. For the standard FG.1 as I’m doing you don’t use it.

 

Cheers Allan

[dad's lad]

22 hours ago, Jabba said:

Nice piece of painting.

 

@dad's lad if you notice in the instructions on one of the earliest posts, you have to cut off the nose. If I remember rightly the radome on this aircraft was a unique radome, as it was a test aircraft.

Ah thanks, I missed the icon showing the removal of the nose and assumed it was showing the parts being attached.

 

Clive

[roy107]

On 04/10/2025 at 22:38, almac said:

Hi everyone, my glacial progress continues. Tonight I painted up the metal tail parts with Vallejo model air aluminium and gun metal. As I'm progressing with the painting I'm noticing quite a few mistakes with the build I didn't notice before. As a result my enthusiasm for this build is waning a bit.

 

 

Don't let the enthusiasm wane Allan, that's some really nice work so far! That metal and camo combo looks particularly good.

[almac]

Thanks @roy107. I’m making slow progress, almost at the decal stage. Hopefully some pictures soon.

 

Cheers, Allan 

[almac]

Morning. Just a small post to show the start of the decal stage. The bigger ones on the upper surface are on. Tonight I’ll attempt the serial numbers that overlap the gear doors. I’ll need to source the stencils appropriate for this era of the FG.1 as the kit ones are for  the commemorative markings. Some of the stencils I could use but I’m not keen on using old Fujimi decals so new stencils will need to be bought. 
 

 

Cheers,Allan

[PeterB]

Hi Allan,

 

As you probably know Hannants Xtradecal range has 3 stencil sheets - Navy, RAF Green/Grey, and RAF Grey overall. I am not sure if there is much difference between the first 2 and I just used the Navy kit decs on mine, leaving out a few that were not applicable.

 

Pete

[almac]

@PeterB. Yes, I’ve ordered the RAF stencils from xtradecal this morning. It gives me a few days to get the mindset for the decal marathon in my future. 
 

Cheers Allan

[Jabba]

Well done in starting the decals.

[almac]

The underside serial numbers are on and I need to cut round the gear doors which sounds tricky. If I mess there are spares on the stencil sheet I’ve ordered if I need them.

 

Cheers Alln

[almac]

Hi every one, quick update tonight. I was about to start the stencil decals and was looking at photos of 43 squadron phantoms and I realised I have made a mistake with the painting. On my model I have painted the demarcation between the upper and lower camo on the splitter plate. This should have only the upper colour on it, so I will have to repaint that before proceeding. ☹️

 

 

A lesson learned - pay attention to the evidence that is staring you in the face.

 

Cheers Allan

[Jabba]

Oops, but al least it was noticed and repairable.

[almac]

Hi everyone. Another quick update. I sorted my paint error on the splitter plates and started the stencils - this will take a while.

 

 

Cheers Allan

[almac]

Evening all. I've been making very slow progress with the decals. As we all now know the Phantom is literally covered in stencils and it's taking a while to complete. I'm now painting the missiles white, a colour I seem to have difficulty spraying. I've tried various acrylics and have yet to find one I'm happy with. It didn't help that both my airbrushes were needing a deep clean but tonight I hope to finish the weapons. 

 

 

[John_W]

Beautiful.

I lived in Leuchars during the 70s, and regularly saw (and heard!) these aircraft flying over the school on their way out to intercept a Bear over the North Sea.

[Jabba]

Very nice indeed. As a hairy stick user I usualy use a rattle can for white, so much more easier.

[Parabat]

@almac - nice work on this. Have a look at Zero Paints' 'Pure Brilliant White' - it is an excellent white that covers exceptionally well without obscuring details (does not need thick, heavy layers). 

[almac]

@Jabba @Parabat Thanks. I was thinking of using Tamiya white primer for my next US Navy build. I've not heard of Zero paints, are they acrylic?

 

Cheers Allan

[Parabat]

48 minutes ago, almac said:

@Jabba @Parabat Thanks. I was thinking of using Tamiya white primer for my next US Navy build. I've not heard of Zero paints, are they acrylic?

 

Cheers Allan

Ah, no Zero paints are solvent based and more akin to matt lacquer. 

[almac]

7 minutes ago, Parabat said:

Ah, no Zero paints are solvent based and more akin to matt lacquer. 

Thanks for the suggestion anyway.