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

[tc2324]

I hope I don`t disappoint Kev...

Bit of a geeky modelling post tonight. I know that some people are put off swing wing models as sometimes the wings just don`t want to `swing`. (No sniggering at the back please.....!)

I remember a few Tornado`s and F-14 kits that have made me want to pull my hair out because they won`t do what their told and the manufacturers haven`t helped with their various assembly designs.

Not so with this Academy kit.

As the following pictures show, the fittings are very snug with everything staying put and not wanting to fall out.





So snug in fact, even the wings are fixed into position which is very handy when putting the two fuselage half`s together.



You eventually end up with this........,



........... but as you can see, `lacky bands, clamps and tape are still essential to ensure any gaps remain minimum.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Sure you will work it out with no probs

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Interesting lesson in logistics and forward planning the last day or so.

First the logistics.

Down to my last blobs of glue, which as you might gather is rather essential to model building. Then I noticed I`m all out of Tamiya masking tape which means a fair few bits can`t be done until next week when my order arrives.

So...., I started looking at the bits I could do and this is where the forward planning went a tad wrong..., but in a good way..., kinda.

I noticed that this kit comes with decals for the pilot figure helmets and I couldn`t resist. Usually I don`t do pilot figures unless it`s absolutely vital to the build itself. Unfortunately this meant a bit of troublesome work as you are supposed to put the figures in their seats prior to joining the fuselage together. Que an hour of frustration reworking the cockpit area.

Anyway, here`s the results.





Also completed the `sharks mouth` belly tanks....,



Weapons and u/c next.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Nice work, buddy

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers Paddy.

Principle spraying complete. A few usual `touch ups` needed, but other than that, decals are next.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

She's coming together nicely

Cheers

Patrick

[kevos1]

tc, your models are fantastic mate . I will be keeping an eye on this thread

Cheers

Kev

[tc2324]

Thanks guys.

Now for the next update and decals have improved the look of the kit and given it it`s own identity. I`m about half way through so far.



And now for the bad news and a really awful bit of model making on my part.

I used a spare canopy mask I had and this is the end result.



As you can see there is run off`s all over the place and I very much doubt it can be fixed. My fault for using an old mask.

So my next question is...., has anyone got a spare 1/48 two piece canopy they would like to send me as a replacement. Happy to send a few quid their way.

[tc2324]

Using both the cocktail stick and toothpaste method, I`ve improved the look of the canopy although I`ll probably still look to replace it with new as it`s still bugging me. I`ll post pictures of it shortly.

As for the rest of the build?

Wash now complete, just need to add a bit of weathering to it and Molly`s just about done before I add the u/c, weapons, etc.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

IMHO, you have got that weathering spot-on

I know you are a perfectionist, but I wonder just how 'bad' that canopy looks after the tweaking

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Ok, so here she is now with a full set of legs. Just the u/c doors, pitot`s and weapons to go.





Oh..., and that pesky canopy FUBAR.....!



While it does look a tad better than before, it`s still SNUFA in my eyes, so it will be replaced.

Thanks to all with various fix suggestions.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Sorry, it looks like another cracking build to me

Are you telling me they landed that beast, with those jugs attached, on a carrier

Super work as always, mate

Very best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers paddy....., and yes they did.

Pretty much completed, just waiting for the canopy issue to get resolved and then I can post the finished pictures.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

She looks a mighty beast

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Now some of you may remember my rather audacious effort at modifying an F-86 Sabre into an FJ-3 Fury last year......



Admittedly it looked OK from a distance but it was always my intention to actually get a proper kit and replace it.

So with this is mind I set up an alert on eBay that tells me when a Collect Aire or Fonderie Miniture 1/48 kit came up for sale. In the last year or so only one of these kits has emerged and that was in the States going for very silly money. Not a surprise really as these are the best kits to get if you want a proper Fury.

I`ve settled in the end for this....



Now the ESCI kit is not perfect and is largely based around their F-86 mould. However it is going to be at best the only kit I`ll be able to afford to lay my hands on until someone else produces a kit with better definition.

So a bit of pre-assembly and painting later comes to this.....



..... and I`ve often wondered how well I did with my F-86 conversion and if I got any of it right.

Well......, judging by the fuel tanks........

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Looks like you have a real job on your hands there

Keep us all informed

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

.... and another picture update from me on the Fury.



Note that the nose section is just fixed into position and not glued in yet.

This has all been painted with a big hairy stick as I have a number of enamels tins in the required colours that needed to be used up before they possibly go `off`.

Now for a quick compare with my F-86/Fury conversion.....



Apologies for the state of the F-86 kit, but as soon as my youngest son found out it was `surplus to requirements`, he want to `look after `it for me.

Well, I think we all know how well that went..??

Saying that, for a 3 and a half year old, it is in better shape than I thought it would be.

And now for a couple more comparison shots to see how well.bad I did on that F-86/Fury hybrid....

First up, the pylons.....

The Fury kits pylon is at the top of the picture.



Oh dear....!

..... but what about the shape of the intake..?

Fury kit first...





.... well...., to be fair.., I did say at the time there was nothing I could do about that so I`m pulling myself off the hook on that one.....

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Seems like you have removed the images, so I will await an update

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

Hi TC

Seems like you have removed the images, so I will await an update

Cheers

Patrick

Sorry mate, had one of those Photobucket moments.....

[paddyboy]

Got 'em now

You do like a challenge, don't you

Cheers

Patrick