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tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

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tc2324
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tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Mon Oct 07, 2013 12:37 pm

Welcome to the `other` aviation unit love of my life, the USN`s VF-111 `Sundowners`.

This `project` seems to have got away from me as I threw myself into getting a few 74 Sqn types in the display case. With the Hurricane finished and a Korean War Group Build started on another forum, this seemed the perfect time to kick start this off. Well..., when I say kick start, I have already got this one displayed which I completed just under a year ago.....,

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Now the main honor for the `downers` is the fact that they can claim the worlds first jet on jet air kill which took place on the 9 November 1950 when a MiG-15 was shot down by Lieutenant Commander William T. Amen flying one of these.....,

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Decals are from Victory Productions and so far I`ve only just got round to pre-painting the cockpit areas. More soon.
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paddyboy
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by paddyboy » Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:37 pm

Hi TC :P

I suspect you will have big fun with this one ;)

Keep us mere mortals posted, mate :thumb:

Best regards

Patrick :clap:
XH558, always the first lady in my life
Just remember, please don't tell the wife


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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Wed Oct 09, 2013 1:53 pm

Thanks Patrick. :D

Progress so far and it`s a very nice kit to put together.

The Tamiya USN blue has come out quite light in these pictures. It is in fact a much deeper blue to the eye.

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by EGDR » Wed Oct 09, 2013 4:11 pm

Looking forward to seeing the end product as always! :D

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by paddyboy » Wed Oct 09, 2013 6:19 pm

Hi TC :P

She's lookin' cookin' so far :thumb:

Just goes to show how superior the Mk 1 eyball is to any camera sensor ;)

Best regards and keep it coming :thumbs:

Patrick :clap:
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Just remember, please don't tell the wife


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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:22 pm

A couple of update pics with the articifial light showing a better representation of the deep USN blue.

Now the big question....? Wings up or down?

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by paddyboy » Fri Oct 11, 2013 4:45 am

Hi TC :P

Wow! you would not believe that is the same colour, would you :O

Cheers

Patrick :clap:
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:14 pm

Today`s update shows about 98% of the decaling complete.

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by paddyboy » Wed Oct 16, 2013 4:46 am

Hi TC :P

Oh yes, she looks neat and trim :thumb:

Cheers

Patrick :clap:
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by BP2324 » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:28 am

tc2324 wrote:Now the big question....? Wings up or down?
Must be up mate!
not to late is it? ;)

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by Dave Smith » Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:25 am

In the interests of a blanced response - down. :P

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:21 pm

BP2324 wrote:
tc2324 wrote:Now the big question....? Wings up or down?
Must be up mate!
not to late is it? ;)
After turning away from the model last night, then turning back to find my 2 and half year old holding it by the tip tank..., I`d say no...! :lol:

The little wotsit`s getting quicker these days. :D
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:59 pm

And so with my `what if` fix now complete in the shape of the USN Vixen, it`s time to get back to my VF-111 project.

Hopefully with a bit of luck, a little modification and some degree of scratchbuilding, I`m going to be turning this kit......,

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........ into one of these......,

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Thats right, the wonderful looking North American FJ-3M Fury. :)

So far, after a bit of research, I`ll need to get the tail planes horizontal, rebuild the u/c and IMPO the best bit, turn six .50 cal into four 20mm canon.

Not much then..... :O :lol:
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by paddyboy » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:02 pm

Hi TC :P

You do like a challenge, don't you :lol:

I will be peeking ;)

Best of luck (not needed, really, having seen that lovely DH110) :thumb:

Cheers

Patrick :clap:
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by steve149c » Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:30 pm

Great choice there TC!
Amateur modeller
Canon 7D2, 100-400mm IS L lense, Icom R6 and alot of luck!

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by waghorn41 » Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:23 pm

Lovely work as always tc :thumbs:
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by PaulN » Thu Nov 07, 2013 3:25 pm

Hi TC

You do realise the Fj3 and F86E are completely different aeroplanes ? The FJ2 was a navalised F86E but trying to make an FJ3 out of an F86E is not even close. Sorry to sound negative but facts is facts.
The only real representation of the FJ3 is done by Collect Aire the Esci one is nowhere near again they based it on the F86E

Hope this helps a little bit only trying to help you

Cheers

Paul

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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by Sparts99 » Thu Nov 07, 2013 3:54 pm

Yes I thought the fuselage was a different shape and the fin and rudder had a higher aspect ratio on the Fury.
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by tc2324 » Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:39 pm

VIDAR700 wrote:Hi TC

You do realise the Fj3 and F86E are completely different aeroplanes ? The FJ2 was a navalised F86E but trying to make an FJ3 out of an F86E is not even close. Sorry to sound negative but facts is facts.
The only real representation of the FJ3 is done by Collect Aire the Esci one is nowhere near again they based it on the F86E

Hope this helps a little bit only trying to help you

Cheers

Paul
Sparts99 wrote:Yes I thought the fuselage was a different shape and the fin and rudder had a higher aspect ratio on the Fury.
Sorry guys, I think your getting your Fury designations mixed up.

The FJ-2 and FJ-3 were based on the F-86 design while the FJ-4 was the variant that was redesigned. ;)

FJ-2:
Although less extensively altered from the basic Sabre than later Furies would be, the FJ-2 was by no means merely a hooked F-86E. The undercarriage had to be strengthened, the nose gear lengthened, and the armament changed to a quartet of 20mm cannon.

FJ-3:
Outwardly resembling the FJ-2, the FJ-3 was quite different under the skin, reflecting the use of the Wright J65 engine, a liscense built Armstrong Siddely Sapphire. Like the land-based F-86H, the FJ-3 required a redone fuselage to perimit a deeper intake, as the J35 required more air than the J47 of earlier aircraft. The XFJ-3 prototype, flown in July 1953, was a conversion of the fifth FJ-2, and production aircraft began arriving in December of that year.

FJ-3M/MF-1C:
Eighty aircraft refitted to carry a pair of Sidewinder AAMs.

FJ-4:
Although sharing the Fury name, the FJ-4 really only shared its powerplant and general configuration with the FJ-3. The fuselage profile was much deeper, opening up volume for a greatly increased internal fuel load, and the wings and tail were larger. VMF-451 took delivery of the first operational FJ-4s in 1956. The FJ-4B or "Fury Bravo" had a stengthened wing with an additional pair of hardpoints, and was equipped to deliver tactical nuclear weapons via loft bombing delivery. For conventional missions, AGM-12 Bullpup ASMs and their associated director pod could be carried.

FJ-4 piccie showing the longer tail fin, different canopy plan as well as the fuselage plan which you can compare with the FJ-3 picture in my original post.

Image
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Re: tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

Post by PaulN » Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:15 am

Sorry guys, I think your getting your Fury designations mixed up.............not at all
Sorry TC dont agree the fuselage was much deeper for a start just look at the intake profile the on the FJ3. For a really good run down and description of the FJ3 I suggest you get the Steve Ginter FJ3/3M book on the subject with a good review of available kits
Not talking abouut the FJ4 that is completey different again
Im very sorry I was only trying to be helpful at the end of the day if you you are happy with it that is all that matters thats what its all about
Paul

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