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

[tc2324]

Thank`s Paddy.

The FGR is now on her legs, just the AIM 9`s and cockpit/canopy to go.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Love the oil/fluid streaks and all the general 'muck' that comes with use

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

With my PC at the repair shop at the end of last week and then spending yesterday sorting out the `Whiffie Awards` polls over on the What If Forum, I`ve been quietly cracking on with a BoB Spitfire 1a.

Still got the canopy, antenna and tail wheel to sort out, but her she is at present.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

By your standards, I would say she is only great

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Obviously while awaiting the paint for the Hellcat I had a few days to start tinkering with another `Tiger` mount.

74 Sqn started life at Northholt as 74 Training Depot Sqn, (TDS), in July 1917 with Avro 504`s and this is the subject of the build. I have plenty of serial numbers to go by, but pictures and schemes are a little non existant, so a bit of guess work is in order as to colours.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

You just can't resist it can you

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Had to use the kit decals on this. Very fragile and oversized on the rudder so could prove a challenge when it comes to trimming them.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

I have said it all before, so I will just say we are not worthy and keep it up, mate

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Pretty much finished this kit and it`s gone together quite well considering it`s age. (Although the decals did show their age and were pretty useless).

As mention previously, this is strictly a `guesstimate` on the scheme of the Avro 504`s used by 74 TDS.

The only things to finish off are the serial number and rigging, although rigging is an art form best done when one is in the mood and I can confirm that presently..., I`m not.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

See what you mean re the decals

Never mind, she still looks good

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

While I await a replacement canopy for the F-14 build, courtesy of a BM member, it`s time I got back on the horse, or Tiger, with the 74 Sqn project.

As you all know, the collection so far was displayed at the recent 74 Sqn reunion and one of the first people I met was a lady by the name of Janet Southward. Her husband Jack was a pilot on the sqn during the late Meteor/early Hunter days and sadly passed away in 1992.

Knowing that I was starting the F.8 Meteor soon, I felt it would be very apt to build it as Jack`s aircraft and display it for next years reunion. An email recently from Janet stated the following aircraft in Jack`s log book.

'W' WA 997
'F' WA 891
'K' WA 874
'T' WE 885
'J' WL 163

Plenty to choose from then.

Step in Ian Cadwallader who flew with Jack in those days and was a New Zealander on exchange with the RAF. He has supplied me with the following pictures, some not previously published, for reference and has suggested that 'S' WA 824 would probably be the correct serial to use in Jack`s case.

The first picture is an air to air and shows Ian at the controls of `J` WL 163.



`P` VZ 524 June 1956



`Y` WF 656 Belgium 1956



'K' WA 874



The coloured ones were all taken from colour slides hence the various tones but still good for reference work.

Now for the kit.







Your `bog standard` Classic Airframes kit with a mish mash of plastic and resin.

IIRC from my CA Meteor F.4 build, the cockpit section is going to give me a headache.......!

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

You know, I am really looking forward to just how you proceed with this beast

I will be peeking

Very best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

So it`s taken me a week or so to start this kit and an extended weekend visiting extended family members has meant that progress is rather slow. (although time really isn`t an issue as I have a year to complete it...).

As you may already know CA produce kits of types in 1/48 that are not exactly `mainstream`, hence why they can be so expensive on the secondary market at times. Of course the price you pay with CA kits might not be wallet related but rather quality and fit.

As I started the resin cockpit section, the not so good memories all came flooding back. This kit is prep, prep, prep and prep. Really, one of the final things you do with this kit is put it all together. (And yes I know that's what model building is all about, just more so with this particular kit).

Prep, prep and prep......



Cockpit and fuselage and now one and with so much ballast needed, it`s incredibly heavy. 60g in total and no place to put it.



And yet another canopy issue........!

When I bought this kit I was going to do the all silver scheme which would of been exactly what this kit was being an `early` version of the F.8. If I want to complete this as one of Jack`s mounts it needs to have the later versions canopy.



As you can see the early canopies were only glazed half way along which is no good as I need to have the fully glazed canopy.

If anyone has the CA Meteor F.8 (late version) and doesn`t mind doing a swap or if anyone has the FR.9 kit and wants to sell it, then please PM me.

Of course if anyone has a spare or knows of an aftermarket source, that would really make my day.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

All the best with your canopy search

Keep us mere mortals informed as to the progress

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers Paddy.

I can sum up the last two days in three letters...., P-S-R! (Aaaaaagh!)

When I built the F.4 kit I remember the cockpit being a bit of a pain but the rest of it as I recall was quite pleasant. It would seem the opposite with regards to the F.8 kit. Will be interesting what the T.7 kit throws at me?

So we ended up with this after a fair amount of work with a fair bit more to be done as well I might add....,



.... but even then, it still didn`t want to play ball......



.... so with a bit of careful sanding in all the right places, I managed to complete the main build.



Getting there..., slowly.

[tc2324]

All glossed up with the decal process well under way.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

To use the vernacular, or 'Narfik speak'......

She's lookin' boo'iful booy

She looks great already, mate

Can't wait to see the finished article

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Tonight`s update.

Pretty much everything is complete, even got the ballast CoG right this time. Just the main u/c doors and various fiddly bits to add. Hopefully finished pictures will be Tuesday and another `tiger` will be added to the collection.

[kjshaw01]

Wonderful build of a wonderful aircraft from a wonderful era

less wonderfuls required do you think?

Kev

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Sorry, I have to disagree with Kev

Not enough 'wonderfuls'

Super work as always, buddy

Best regards

Patrick