Airfix Hawker Hunter FGA9 1/72 Scale

Looks nice. One little thing that would help make the next one look better – the cannon ports should be almost black, not white. Just as an example:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Hawker_Hunter_F.Mk.51_2.jpg

I am sure you will notice the errors and ommissions but I am quite pleased with how my first proper build went.

She aint perfect but then neither am I.

Here she is in all her glory.

Side view

I love the reflection of the fin flash in the tail on this one.

Other side. Same effect.

Other side view.

Underside. Notice the obvious lack of underwing serial numbers. My fault but it will not be left out in future models. Better planning required.

I have to point out here that the black blob on the nose was actually painted freehand so if it looks wobbly its because it is and not because of paint bleed.

A view of the pods and tail section.

Close up of the cockpit area. I need to try and get rid of the dust inside the cockpit next time.

Well I had fun building this model and it has inspired me to keep going and to try and be a little faster next time if I can be. I think I have gain a little confidence in my work and I am sure I will be having even more fun with the next one. Be sure to look out for the next build thread.

Thanks for watching this one.

So here we have the decals applied but before her top coat of Klear.

Nothing really more to add.

Oh other than in the end I did leave the underwing serial numbers off as trying to put these on with pylons and undercarriage on would have resulted in a blood clot to the brain so I made the decision that better planning on the next model I do will result in all the decals being put on. After all this was a bit of a training model. And I learnt a fair bit from making her.

So here are the photos.

I know the flash and serial are a bit off but I had the flash placed and didnt realise it was so off until I went to put the serial on a couple of hours later so decided to leave it where it was. As I said a training aircraft for me to practice on. It was all the decal diagrams fault and the way the wing root looks in it. Thats my story.

Tail view

Cockpit view complete with 1 cat hair ready to be sucked into the intake. Should have had better FOD routines.

Thanks for looking. Next update with the complete item.

Thanks for the comments guys.

She is now looking a lot better than what I could have hoped for. Not bad for a first attempt.

After the last update I gave her as coat of New Formula Klear.

To be honest I am not sure that there is much of a difference with the new formula. I never encountered any of the problems that some folk do.
All I would say is that if you coat a little too much on and it pools and drys on the underside it looks a little like dirt staining or a hydraulic leak.
This was made slightly worse by the fact that it was on a light grey surface. Over all the finish looks ten times better than I thought it would be.
At one stage I was ready to put this in the bin.

1st side after Klear

2nd side after Klear

Underside after Klear. I am sure you will be able to see the staining.

Next update really soon.

Looking good, Merlin. 🙂
That happens to some of my canopies too; I tend to get sanding dust and other detritus stuck to the inside. A quick blast with an air duster through any suitable opening usually shifts most of it (or a quick rinse and swim before painting).

Oh and if the camo scheme looks a little funny its because I appear to be camo scheme dyslexic and read the paint number the wrong way round and then painted it in reverse so to speak.

To be honest, I didn’t notice.

Different if nothing else. 🙂

Nothing wrong with that. 😉

Cheers,

Don

She’s looking well mate!

Oh and if the camo scheme looks a little funny its because I appear to be camo scheme dyslexic and read the paint number the wrong way round and then painted it in reverse so to speak.

Different if nothing else. 🙂

Its been so long since my last update where does time go.

Anyway here is the latest. I have got her paint on and she is nearly ready for decals.

A few problems with the enamels not being mixed enough althought I dont know why because I mix for 3-5 mins from the bottom of the tin too. This resulted in the dark green going on far too thick. Something I wasnt going to correct as it would have been very messy. I have a few bits to finally paint and 2 of the external stores to glue but then she will be ready for decals. She is a practice model too and I have learnt a lot during this build. Anyhow here is how she looks now.

Side view showing attached stores.

Cockpit view. Taken from its best side. Ended up getting rubbish on the inside of the glass somehow. No idea how as I was very careful. I suppose dust gets everywhere.

As this is an aircraft model I am essentially practicing on it will be a few day before I will actually finish it with decals because I am waiting to get my micro sol and set so I can have a go with that. I know its not going to need it because this model is pretty rough but at least I can get a feel for the product before using it in anger so to speak.

Hope you are enjoying this build and maybe even getting a giggle at it.

Thanks for watching.

Thanks for the support guys.

Waghorn I am really looking forward to seeing her finished too. Will be glad to get the paint on.

Blue to be fair I only really started back into doing models a few months ago and it has taken from october to get her this far. I believe slow and steady is the way forward to me and also as and when I want to pick her up too.

Critter yeah me too I really wish she was finished by now she should have been but life takes over sometimes. This next week all being well she should be finished.

Nice work so far, Merlin. 😀

Look forward to seeing her ‘clothed’, as it were… 😉

Nice work on the Hunter.

I was beginning to think I was the only modeller on this forum!

Looking good Merlin, now if i can get any of my Hunters to come out as well as yours I’ll be very pleased. Really looking forward to yours being finished.

Thanks. I do my best. Not up to a lot of peoples standard but I have fun with it and am not too serious about it all. If I mess it up its only anoth £3.99 or whatever to have another go at it.

As for the models section that what I am trying to do. Trying to get more use out of this section of the forum. Far too much under useage on this part of the forum.

Nice work and good to see more models in the errrr, model section 🙂

Been a while since my last Hunter update so here are a few shots.

Underside ready for painting having been filled and sanded to the best of my abilities.

Next we have the canopy and front end. Canopy fixed with Kristal Clear. Something I wish I had years ago when glueing canopies.

Finally an over all shot. All I have to fix in are the wheels, pitot, aerial and external stores and then we will have one complete model ready for decals. I am going to fit these parts after painting.

Looks pretty neat so far I think. Obviously could be way better but I am getting there.

Correct that man it is a Hurricane.

1/72 Academy Hurricane. Cant remember which mark right now but will look at the box when I take it out.

Its a very nice detailed kit so far as I can see. A lot nicer than the airfix on the hunter.

On that note the Hunter is coming along nicely. Quite pleased with most of it but some bits I am slightly less than impressed with. Mostly painting next. Not looking forward to it but here we go.

Hunter’s looking tidy 🙂

Complete shot in the dark, is the cockpit a Hurricane?

Hi people,

Arthur I dont know if the underwing decals come seperate or not but that is a good call and I will check it anyhow. If they dont I can always cut them so the are seperate as I dont like a lot of clear round my decals anyway.

Here are a couple of pics of the Hunter progress so far.

Blisters attached and wings joined to the fuselage. Undercarriage has also been fixed in place.

A couple of pics of my new project just started while waiting for glue to dry. Anyone guess what it is?

The seat is not fitted yet as I thought it would be easier to paint without it.

I will give it until tommorrow and then let you in on it and start a new build thread.

Night people.

Do the underwing serial decals come as seperate bits or are they one piece? I ask as it easier to put the decals in place before putting the main gear legs on.

Keep on with it Merlin! Looking forward to seeing it finished.
The Miss D is being done using hairy stick, patience and much careful paint blending. It’ll be in my thread soon hopefully…
Love the T7 floatplane!
Oh look, what’s that my mate Ian’s brought me back from Telford? A Hunter T7 kit? Hmm…!!! :dev2: