tc`s 74 Sqn `upgrade to 1/48` Project

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Now this one I can't WAIT to follow

'F' 'Vark in Tiger colours

This is going to be one great 'WHIF'

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Front end cockpit is now done with plenty of weight thrown in......



..... just need to tidy the edges.

Also started work on the wing mechanism shown below for those of you that like to see the innards....



With this kit they have also given you the option of rigging it so that the pylons move with the wings.....



I haven`t gone for this option as from the beginning I decided that my model would be `clean` as if just delivered from the factory mainly because I`m not really sure what weapons may have been fitted to the type. Add to the fact that 74 are an historical fighter unit and it`s a can of worms I`m not willing to open.

[paddyboy]

HI TC

Nice start, mate

Keep it up

Cheers

Patrick

[steve149c]

Awe great job TC- those ejection seats look sweet.

Looking forward to seeing this one come together

[tc2324]

Thanks guys.

Pretty much the last picture prior to the paint going on.



As you can see a little filler has been used where the front end meets the main fuselage. The fit is not perfect on the this kit and you need to play around with it a bit to get it all level.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC



Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

And so now for the scheme reveal.......

.... with the main sqn markings thrown in. (still WIP)



So now to answer some questions.

Why silver? Well as I mentioned prior, in 1966 the `rumour mill` was mentioning 74 as a possible recipient of any F-111 purchase.

As we know, 74 is historically a fighter sqn so I felt that any delivery scheme would probably be similar to the standard silver of the RAF interceptor sqns at that time.

Now whether the RAF would of used the aircraft in the interceptor roll is open to speculation.

IMPO I doubt it.

I based the sqn marking decal placement on that of the Lightning as I felt this would be a reasonable facsimile to the real thing if the purchase had gone ahead.

I`ve also used the smaller black/yellow dicing bands as again at that time RAF sqn`s were being ordered to tone down their markings. This order would also incorporate the lack of black tail.

One problem I am having is finding out if any serial codes were allocated to any possible RAF F-111 buy? Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me can let me know.

[PaulN]

Hi Steve

67-0150/XV885 to 67-0152 XV887 Due to be TF-111K

68-0152/XV902 to 68-0158/XV947 Due to be F-111K

68-0181-68-0210 and 68-0229-68-0238 never allocated RAF serials Details from Don Logan's superb F-111 book published by Schiffer

Hope that helps

Paul

[tc2324]

Hi Steve

67-0150/XV885 to 67-0152 XV887 Due to be TF-111K

68-0152/XV902 to 68-0158/XV947 Due to be F-111K

68-0181-68-0210 and 68-0229-68-0238 never allocated RAF serials Details from Don Logan's superb F-111 book published by Schiffer

Hope that helps

Paul

Who`s this Steve bloke..???

Cheer`s Paul, thanks for the info and I`ll be opting I think for one of the trainer versions.

Tony

[PaulN]

Sorry Tony

Brain meltdown not concentrating

Too many paint fumes

Paul

[tc2324]

Too many paint fumes

Paul

House or modelling?

[PaulN]

Oh definatley modelling

Many apologies again

Cheers

Paul

[tc2324]

Don`t worry about. I wasn`t offended in the least.

[steve149c]

He's got Steve on the brain!! Don't know if that is good or bad.

TC - Lovely project, though I am not sure on the silver. The Lightning was polished metal. Id have opted for a white, like the Vulcan/TSR2 fleet, as the Aardvark could well have doubled as Nuclear Strike.

But that just means you will have to build another one

Steve

[tc2324]

TC - Lovely project, though I am not sure on the silver. The Lightning was polished metal. Id have opted for a white, like the Vulcan/TSR2 fleet, as the Aardvark could well have doubled as Nuclear Strike.
Steve

Cheers Steve.

As regards to the silver, it would be an acquired taste.

Thing is, I just can`t see 74 reverting to the ground attack role if this had all come to fruition. It would of stayed in the fighter role and probably given a fighter paint scheme which would of been the standard silver/polished metal of the day.

After a coat of mat varnish it all looks toned down now and a dark wash should complete the look.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

That is one 'WHIF' I would have loved to have come to fruition

Imagine those gorgeous beasties based at my beloved Coltishall

Loving this, mate

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Pretty much finished this....,



...., just need to add the serial numbers and I`m also playing with the idea of adding a couple `Redtops` to complete the look.

[steve149c]

That looks better TC - the toning down has worked very well

Steve

[tc2324]

F-111 finished pics now in gallery.

In other news....,

.... the fore mentioned looking worse for ware Lightning F.3 is in the process of getting it`s markings.....,



..... and providing the old mince pies are good enough, I`m looking to recreate the Tiger striped R/F probe as seen here on 74`s F.3`s when they displayed at the Imperial Iranian Air Force Day in October 1965.

[tc2324]

Moving on to my next 74 project...., the Iron Fist Tiger.



The Gauntlet stands out in 74 Sqn`s history as the very first aircraft to have the black/yellow dicing applied which S/L Brookes designed and then had trouble convincing the Air Ministry to accept it as they considered it `dangerously unconventional`.

Here`s the instructions....,





...... a bit of night time reading with a few piccies to look at.

The kit itself is a mix of white metal, resin and plastic....,





Now for some reason I have a tri-plane Gauntlet. Haven`t read through the destruction's yet, if you can call them that, so it might be that the earlier Gauntlet might of had a slightly different wing shape? They look the same to me though so it`s probably just a mistake.

The one obvious thing that Aeroclub seem to got wrong about the decal sheet is the inclusion of the long black/yellow dicing along the top wing which you can see in one of the pictures above. Looks rather pretty, but here is no evidence to support it and that 74 copied other RAF Sqn`s at the time.

Here`s K5337 and you can see the top of the wing is plain silver as any zig-zag dicing would have shown up.



Here`s another `posed` picture of the boss Squadron Leader `Brookie` Brookes briefing the Sqn pilots. We know it`s posed as he later said that he would never brief the aircrew on the tail of an aircraft.
Standing directly behind him is a certain Sailor Malan in his early days with the Tigers.



More soon.