jenshb Posted June 23, 2007 Share Posted June 23, 2007 Very nice John. You're making the upgrade look easy. Jens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Nice work so far John.Can't for the life of me figure out why we don't see more F-111s being built. I think in 1/72 the kits are hard to get hold off, and in 1.48th the kits get a bit of a bad rep. The academey kits are not the easist to build, most really need a good pit and the sqn canopy if you want it open, plus wheel bays and intakes. The FB-111 comes with the wrong pylons and all come with the wrong tanks. Scaledown do some really nice stuff which is now going to be marketed by ozmods. Julien. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entlim Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Last couple of weeks were slow going, after CA'ing the flap & slat inserts and cleaning up the flaps & slats I discovered the slots in the slat inserts did not match the slat tracks. I had to fill the slots with .050 stock and CA and sand smooth. Re-file new slots to match the tracks which were made from .030 I channel. This was done after straightening the warping of the slats. Do this 2X and you can see where 10 evenings disappear. The flaps were a drop fit, no problems. Here are the wings finished, primed, and waiting to be glued to the lower fuselage. Don't forget to add some stiffeners from sprue runners to the lower fuselage, there is a lot of empty space in the rear fuselage and another one on the inside joint between the front and rear fuselage join, once again cheap insurance. Also, glue the kit wing gap inserts flush, they will give extra area to secure the top rear fuselage and add a solid surface to CA the PE wing seals to. I added the louvres to the vents on the upper rear fuselage from individual strip, that was a PITA. I believe Eduard made a PE set that had the louvres, but it is out of production. All things considered it will start to look like a Vaark after this weekend. looks good to me Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 I made some real progress and now have the wings and the rear top fuselage installed. The fuselage was a bear to tackle as it was slightly warped with a slight twist to the left at the rear, but nothing some squeezing, clamping, and CA could not overcome. It is real solid with the internal re-inforcements and plastic shims on the joints. no fear of stress cracking along the fuselage joints. I made new wing glove inserts from .050 stock, using Paragons for the pattern and new wing seals from .010 stock, again using Paragons PE seals for the pattern. I used surgical tape stuck on the seal to simulate the fabric. I had been thinking about this for years and it works great. After I affixed the surgical tape on the seal, I brushed the tape with Tamiya Clear. This will encase the outer fabric with a coating so when you trim the seal the fabric won't fray and pull. I anticipate it will look realistic once it is painted, judge for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Looking good, I will be interested to see how your wing seals turn out. Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skii Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 Really nice to see such precise and methodical work, this is going to be one stunning vark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary West Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 Loving staying in touch with your build John. The wing gloves look really good even without paint. How about a Upper Heyford bird from the 80's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted July 1, 2007 Author Share Posted July 1, 2007 Here are some better pix of the seals after last nights adjustment. The upper portion overlaps the lower slightly when the wing is in the forward position and appears slightly bulged. Assuming this is on a seal that is newer and has not had years of wear and tear. The gap only starts to develop when it is nearing time for replacement. Studying photos shows many variations, but I like this one best. I just used the PE template and another strip of surgical tape and made the upper portion again for both sides stuck, it in place, coated it with Tamiya Clear, allowed to dry then trimmed the upper edge slightly. Definately going to be Upper Heyford circa 1980's. I learned how to drink and chuck the ole arrows from 1978 -1986, 1990 - 1993 in Oxon, N'Hants, & Bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 Wonderful stuff John, such a clean build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenshb Posted July 1, 2007 Share Posted July 1, 2007 I can only see red crosses... Jens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted July 12, 2007 Author Share Posted July 12, 2007 Still plonking away, doing a lot of little stuff and getting closer to primer and paint. Here is how she sits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periklis_sale Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 WOW this is an amazing build my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cannot wait to see it finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John the Yank Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 Here are the latest on the UH Vark, getting close to deciding on a tail number and squadron. I'm thinking most of the hard work is passed, but I thought that once or twice before. As she sits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchet Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 looking great John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Wow what an excellent job all round! I thought the wings looked a bit fat too, as I remember they looked quite slim when they used to do those snazzy half circuits at Lakenheath. But now they're on with the flaps and slats they look spot on! Very nice bit of detailing work too, the wells and pit look superb. Cheers, Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary West Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Take a bow John, that is one fine F-111. Canopies open surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliver Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Brilliant Vark you've got there. And those wing seals came out a treat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Very impressive work. I love what you've done in the U/C bay. It's really coming together with the paint work now. Varks just look right with all the flaps ,slats and spoilers sticking out, don't they. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Cannot believe I let this build pass me by.... anyhoos, great work John, looks like a real 'labour-of-love' thing that you got going, there. Bringz back some wonderful memories of sitting on the outer peri track at the east end of UH (with other like-minded souls) in the late 80's whilst the 'varks roared in-and-out all day....... ahhhhh happy times. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedtaylor Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 (edited) John that looks fantastic, you put a lot more into it than I did for mine take a look. this was my second attempt with those slats and flaps Edited August 15, 2007 by tedtaylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenshb Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Lovely work John - almost on the home stretch now... Jens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil @ Flory Models Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Super work there John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periklis_sale Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 John this is an amazing work so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy K Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 Cracking build! I love the scratchbuilding in the gear bays. Great stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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