Hawker Hunter J-34/F.50

[RLWP]

OK, I'm in. I'm hoping to have a bit of a mojo reboot with this one

 

I've got a huge blue, top-opening box of plastic, some Flightpath stuff on the way, Moose Republic decals in the post and a resin tailpipe being delivered. There's a book out there in delivery space too

 

With a bit of luck, and with not too many references available, I'm hoping to recapture some of my teenage joy in building models with this one

 

 

 

Richard

 

Question - what is the AWACS plane at 2:06?

Edited October 22, 2021 by RLWP

[Panzerwomble]

I heard that the Swedish Air Force demanded that Hawkers had to deliver them flat packed ....

 

 

The other aircraft I think is a pregnant SAAB 32 C Lansen 

 

Swedes made some really neat looking aircraft , pity less of them are available to make . 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_32_Lansen

 

Quick Potted Biog

 

Nice restored one

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2021 by Panzerwomble
Spwillongs

[Alain Gadbois]

Nice project! Not many Swedish models made so will be great to follow.

Great video, what an impressive underground complex! Stunning the way they disconnected the tow bar while going at a good speed!

 

Alain

[mozart]

Worth watching Richard since I'm planning to build my Echelon Hawker Hunter F6 before too long.  Tell me about the resin tail pipe please, didn't know such a thing existed! I am SOOOO tempted to get this one too, must resist, must resist!  but in my opinion it's a steal at that price. 

Edited October 24, 2021 by mozart

[RLWP]

16 hours ago, Alain Gadbois said:

 

Great video, what an impressive underground complex! Stunning the way they disconnected the tow bar while going at a good speed!

 

Alain

 

Presumably this is so they could scramble to intercept Soviet aircraft during the Cold War. Being so close to the bloc, they wouldn't have much time to get airborne. Hence the engine spool up in the hangar and dropping off the 'plane at speed

 

I also wonder if that right turn after release from the tow truck is intentional - if the engine wasn't running up correctly the pilot could coast straight ahead clearing the path for his wingman to get airborne

 

Meanwhile, fun with photoetch!

 

 

I love photo etch

 

Richard

[RLWP]

And another question:

 

 

Are those bomb winches available as AM from anywhere? I could do with three

 

Richard

[RLWP]

Little bits of plastic and some more etch:

 

 

Richard

[RLWP]

Much excitement - the Blackbird Hunter set has arrived!

 

 

One small bore exhaust, a pair of leading edges, a pair of wingtips and a pair of flaps. So, how is the fit:

 

 

In plan, not bad. The wingtip is short because this is an early kit with the wrong ailerons. The resin tip shows where the aileron should end. The leading edge is a little short, nothing too hard to fix

 

 

This is a little bit more challenging and is going to need a bit of thought. Initial fiddling suggests it will probably work with a bit of persistence

 

And the back end:

 

 

Can't argue with that!

 

 

This side I need to do a bit more on the locating spigot. What is surprising (and pleasing) is all of the necessary panels lines for an F4 are on the fuselage even though many are covered by the parachute fairing

 

The flaps - I now have etched, resin and plastic flaps. I'm intending to model them closed, so I suspect I'll go with the Revell parts

 

All this for £15 - bargain!

 

Richard

[RLWP]

Cockpit is, as expected, a symphony of black:

 

 

The Flightpath etches are nice:

 

 

Richard

 

Cruel close-ups!

[mozart]

Yep, close ups give no quarter Richard do they, but it’s looking great.  I’ve just managed to get a True Details cockpit set for my Echelon Hunter, the one for sale on eBay is still there and I’ve managed to resist so far! 

[RLWP]

4 minutes ago, mozart said:

Yep, close ups give no quarter Richard do they, but it’s looking great.  I’ve just managed to get a True Details cockpit set for my Echelon Hunter, the one for sale on eBay is still there and I’ve managed to resist so far! 

 

AM cockpits are odd stuff. When doing a build, a well finished cockpit seems to be vitally important. On a finished 'plane it's rarely the cockpit that is the interesting part. I've sneaked a few bits onto the sidewalls to break the plain surfaces, otherwise I think the top of the ejector seat is far more important

 

If I can get the 'fitting the gun pod' thing right, I doubt the cockpit will be the focus of interest

 

Richard

Edited November 4, 2021 by RLWP

[Smeds]

On 10/25/2021 at 9:54 AM, RLWP said:

And another question:

 

 

Are those bomb winches available as AM from anywhere? I could do with three

 

Richard

Those bomb winches are type C hoist, might help in your search.

[RLWP]

2 hours ago, Smeds said:

Those bomb winches are type C hoist, might help in your search.

 

It does help find images, thank you

 

I don't think there are any 1/32 winches unfortunately

 

Richard

[RLWP]

'I know, I'll cut out the panels under the cockpit - what could possibly go wrong?'

 

 

 

The answer is - the front fuselage defines the shape of the front of the rear fuselage. Left to itself, the rear goes elliptical and becomes too tall. Plan A meant that there wasn't enough front left to hold the rear to the right shape. So I took it apart again

 

 

This new bulkhead holds the fuselage in shape and provides a flat surface to attach the front section to. Simple - as long as you leave out the engine inlet ducts...

 

Richard

[mozart]

Yep, good old vac-building technology there Richard, a solid bulkhead or two to hold things firmly to shape! Great stuff.