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46 Squadron Flashes - Javelin


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Morning!

I'll be converting a Frog Gloster Javelin FAW9 into an FAW4 using the Heller T3 pen-nib tail (no maintrack conversions to be found!!) to re-build the long-departed XA801, but the one thing I'm short of are a set of 46 squadron red/white arrow fin-flashes (in 1/72).

Does anyone know who specialises in this kind of thing, or if they're available? Or am I :deadhorse:

many thanks

Chris

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Morning!

I'll be converting a Frog Gloster Javelin FAW9 into an FAW4 using the Heller T3 pen-nib tail (no maintrack conversions to be found!!) to re-build the long-departed XA801, but the one thing I'm short of are a set of 46 squadron red/white arrow fin-flashes (in 1/72).

Does anyone know who specialises in this kind of thing, or if they're available? Or am I :deadhorse:

many thanks

Chris

I don't think there's any available. When I did mine years ago, I did the version with a single red arrow on a white rectangle and just cut the arrow from red decal sheet. Nowadays you could probably print it on white decal or get some made. Last year I had some decals made by Paul Parkes for an F-111B and they were very good if you want to get them made.

David

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I don't think there's any available. When I did mine years ago, I did the version with a single red arrow on a white rectangle and just cut the arrow from red decal sheet. Nowadays you could probably print it on white decal or get some made. Last year I had some decals made by Paul Parkes for an F-111B and they were very good if you want to get them made.

David

Ah well, I suspected as much. I'll just have to see what I can create. Whilst we're on it, anybody know of any glaring inaccuracies for the Frog FAW9 that need to be corrected - i.e. shape, profile?

Thanks,

Chris

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Were there any on the Javelin decal sheet given away with Scale Aircraft Modelling back in the early 80's? I thought I had the sheet but I must have given it to someone.

Hi Paul, Yes, but only for the FAW.7/8 & 9 - and none for 46 Sqn.,

(I think it was for 33 Sqn, the OCU and maybe one or two others)

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I'll be converting a Frog Gloster Javelin FAW9 into an FAW4 using the Heller T3 pen-nib tail (no maintrack conversions to be found!!)

If you haven't already started, you may want to think about using the Heller back end as a master, getting some rubber and resin and casting a few more for future use.

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If you haven't already started, you may want to think about using the Heller back end as a master, getting some rubber and resin and casting a few more for future use.

Not a bad idea - ideally I really wanted the Maintrack conversion, but they seem to be like rocking-horse **** with those on fleabay going for silly prices.

Cutting off the tail of a perfectly serviceable T3 isn't the best plan but needs must, etc etc To be honest as well, I only planned on making the two Javelins, based on what's in my stash already - so one will be the FAW9 and the other the FAW4 conversion.

I could always go into business I suppose - they seem to be in demand! :thumbsup:

Chris

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Ah well, I suspected as much. I'll just have to see what I can create. Whilst we're on it, anybody know of any glaring inaccuracies for the Frog FAW9 that need to be corrected - i.e. shape, profile?

Thanks,

Chris

There are some notes regarding the accuracy of the Frog Javelin in a Modeldecal instruction sheet. I don't have my set available (I'm not at home) so this is all from memory. The sheet is number 30 and has options for 41 and 85 Squadron Javelin FAW.8s.

According to the notes the Frog FAW.9 nose is too short for an aircraft with the British radar but is close to the correct length for an aircraft with the US radar i.e. an FAW.8. The instruction sheet gives 1/72nd scale dimensions for the nose of an FAW.8 - I think you have to remove about 0.8 mm from the Frog kit nose.

As to the SAM decal sheet for the Javelin, it came with Vol 4 issue 4 January 1982 and had markings for 23, 33, 85, 89, 141 Squadrons and 228 OCU/137 Sqn

This has been edited in light of Howard's comments below

Edited by rod mcq
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There are some notes regarding the accuracy of the Frog Javelin in a Modeldecal instruction sheet. I don't have my set available (I'm not at home) so this is all from memory. The sheet is number 37 or 38 and has options for 41 and 85 Squadron Javelin FAW.8s.

According to the notes the Frog FAW.9 nose is too short for an aircraft with the British radar but is close to the correct length for an aircraft with the US radar i.e. an FAW.8. The instruction sheet gives 1/72nd scale dimensions for the nose of an FAW.8 - I think you have to remove about 1.5 mm from the Frog kit nose.

As to the SAM decal sheet for the Javelin, it came with Vol 4 issue 4 January 1982 and had markings for 23, 33, 85, 89, 141 Squadrons and 228 OCU/137 Sqn

actually rod iirc its sheet 30.

also has dutch navy US-2, a couple of early RAF F-4's and some 17 sqn jaguars as well.

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actually rod iirc its sheet 30.

also has dutch navy US-2, a couple of early RAF F-4's and some 17 sqn jaguars as well.

You are quite correct Howard and I got the dimensions wrong as well.

According to the Modeldecal sheet the Frog Javelin nose is 3.9mm short for an FAW.9. The FAW.8 was 13.5 inches shorter that the FAW.9 which is equivalent to 4.7mm in 1/72nd scale which means that you have to take 0.8mm off the Frog kit to get the correct length for an FAW.8

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  • 3 weeks later...
Not a bad idea - ideally I really wanted the Maintrack conversion, but they seem to be like rocking-horse **** with those on fleabay going for silly prices.

Cutting off the tail of a perfectly serviceable T3 isn't the best plan but needs must, etc etc To be honest as well, I only planned on making the two Javelins, based on what's in my stash already - so one will be the FAW9 and the other the FAW4 conversion.

I could always go into business I suppose - they seem to be in demand! :thumbsup:

Chris

You might not want to re-invent the wheel just yet...

At Telford last November Whirlybirds stand were selling two conversions for Javelin rear-ends. There were no instructions with them because they were prototype test shots but they said that the full conversion would be on sale in January. They were flogging the test shots cheap so I picked up one of each, I think they were £3.50 each or so. A straight tail-end like Mk 4 and pen-nib like Mk 7. As they were test shots it is pointless comparing them to the Maintrack conversions but the resin quality was very good, no pin holes obvious.

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Did you pick up any contact details for Whirlybird at the same time as they seem to be a tad shy...!

Many thanks for the tip-off

Chris

I thought I picked up one of their catalogues but cannot lay my hand on it at the moment. If it turns up I'll post the details. I imagine they will be at the Milton Keynes show in about a month....

I found their catalogue. Contact details are: Christ Church Vicarage, Doncaster Rd, Ardsley, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S71 5EF; 01226 203784 [email protected]

Edited by Dogsbodyx
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