1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter FGA.9

Currently building a Hunter and hopefully should be finished in Lebanese markings,

The build up until the addition of the gun/ nose wheel section and the nose had been going very well,

The cockpit had some great detail, and hopefully I have done it justice,


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter Cockpit by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

However, as stated above, when I added the parts highlighted in the picture below the shape just doesn't look right. So there is a comparison shot without the lines to show what I mean. Along the red line I believe, and have been told should be filled and then the bottom of the red highlighted piece (the gun/ nose wheel) should be sanded down to a smooth curve?


1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr


1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

And the general progress so far


1/72 Revell Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

This is my first contribution to this forum, so any comments would be much appreciated

Nick

Nick,

Good to see you on here - Welcome to the firum and I hope you contribute as much as you can and feel the benefit of other members on here

You are right, the nose section and the section above the canons needs filling and fitted flush. I am pretty sure that the cnons on the FGA 9 were in place but cannot find any reference photos for the Labanese Air Force (Sorry). My guess would be to fill those panel lines in.

Look forward to seeing more soon

Glad to be here James, and do hope to contribute as much as I can, around school work and other activities etc.

Anyway on with the reference shots and build, last year someone posted pictures on Fighter Control of Lebanese Hunters, the first images are apparently the first, the Lebanese authorities granted permission to be "published", the link is http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=47107&hilit=Al+Quwwat

Now James to feel the benifit of the other members

I am not the best at matching colours to an image, FS wise, so could someone be able to identify the colours in question for the single seat Hunter in the images

Nick

They look like the standard RAF Colours (Aluminium/Hi Speed Silver underside/Dark Green/Grey upper surface. What type of paints do you paint with as it might be easier to give you those instead of the FS Numbers?

Hi Nick and welcome aboard,

The Lebanese Hunters are for the best part painted in the standard RAF colours as James mentioned above although they are heavily weathered.

Found these for you as well, note the shark fin antenna behind the cockpit and the towel rail antenna under the mid fuselage
http://www.lebaneseairforce.info/hunterphotos1.htm

Haven't had a chance to locate decals yet.

Well the aircraft is definitely going to be Lebanese , and there has been some more progress I have the engine piece made up ready for attachment.

Colour wise, for the paints I use Tamiya and Vallejo Model air so if anyone could reference the image to these paint types that would be much appreciated.
Also there are varying colours of the internal side of the flaps on the internet, so what are the standard colours for the inside of flaps and also, the wheel bays?

Regards

Nick

Tamiya XF-81 Dark Green 2
Tamiya XF-82 Ocean Grey2
Tamiya XF-16 Aluminium

Wheel Bays and flap inserts should be Aluminium

I've posted up a link in the "Reference" section to an article about the Lebanese AF, great detail shots of the Hunters (click on the small pictures for larger versions).

James thanks very much for those colours, although would you say that the underside of the single seat hunter in the pictures is in fact an off white colour rather than the aluminium that is seen on the two seat Hunter in the reference photos

Regards

Nick

More progress on the Hunter with the scratch built elements being applied, the large antenna behind the cockpit and the 3 part to the underside "T" antenna seen on Lebanese Hunters. Following lots of research and finidng a book on the Hawker Hunter, I have been able to decide what the colour scheme is to be for the top camouflage Xtracrylix XA1001 and XA1004 and for the underside XA1015. These were the standard RAF colours at the time of the delivery and were kept by the Lebanese air force.

I have also located some decals, thanks Scott, so they are on the way too

Main progress - wings added, cockpit glass masked up,


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

Large antenna added behind cockpit


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

T Bar antenna prep


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

Painting will start as soon as the colours arrive in the post

Nick

Well it is in the title, I have got the decals and xtracrylix throiugh from Hannants very quick service I must say
I don't know what I am doing wrong but had real problems spraying Xtracrylix something I have experienced in the past so hopefully it is a decent enough job on the paint work

A few pictures,
XA1001 and XA1004 camo


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

XA1015 underside with Tamiya Metallic mix for the wheel bays


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

I am planning to paint the serials on, how would you recommend doing this, masking and spraying or hand painting?

Nick

Looking good Nick, although I would try and tighten up those demarcation lines between the Green and the Grey. If you're not confident enough to try it free hand, you can always use the Blu-Tac method which will also give great results.

As for the serials what are you after as I have Black Arabic numerals in the spares box, give me the approx size and I'll see if they will match up.

Looking good Nick,

The demarcartion should be pretty sharp, so I would recommend trying the blutack method and this will look great.

If I can give you pointers how to do that, let me know.

As for the Xtracrlix - i have always found it is awful to spray - you really do need to thin the paint 60/40 thinners/paint to get it through the airbrush...

Ok so would that mean just outlining what I have already done with a sharper line?

And due to a shortage of blue tac in my house that method is out of the question although could someone explain how to do this for future reference

Scott the Arabic numbers and the English equivalent are both half a cm in height.
The code being L280 and The Arabic equivalent being visible in the reference photos you posted
Nick

Yip, the line between the Green and Grey should be sharper. I would go and buy some Blu-Tac, your local newsagent will probably stock it and it will last for several models.

I have a look later for the numbers busy painting the living room just now.

Scott thanks very much for the help once again,

I have managed to find some blu-tac so should I just make "sausages" of blu-tac and then just wrap it round the green camo shapes and spray the edges of the blu-tac?

Nick

Nick,

Small sausage shapes, about 5mm thickness pushed gently onto theh edge of the camouflage. Mask odd the bits you do not want sprayed.

Ensure you spray at a 90 degree angle and this will ensure you get the demaraction that you are after.

Give me a shout if you need more advice

Hopefully, this is the effect you were talking off they definitely seem sharper with the eye and I hope you think it is looking good because I'm personally quite pleased with this build so far

The main parts of the undercarriage are complete, as well as the fuel tanks and so are the tailplane pieces.

It is coming along nicely and decals will be applied fairly soon

The picture to show the mentioned above,


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

Nick

Nick, the lines are looking a lot better now - how did you find the technique? Something you could use again?

Looks a lot better, not perfect but it's a very good result for your first time using the Blu-Tac method. It's a cheap and easy way to achieve the proper look don't you think? The trick behind modelling is it's learning curve and with time and your willingness to learn you'll crack it and get better with every build, you've even got a bit of post shading going on there have you.

I haven't looked for the decals, so I'll do it right now.

Once again great result


Ok, I've got the Arabic numerals in 4mm and 6mm. I don't have any Arabic letters but you could easily make the "L" with a little bit of surgery from what I've got. PM me you address and I'll get them out soon as.

Thanks very much, I think it is great and there is a definitely a notable difference. The slight problem I kept having was keeping the airbrush perpendicular to the blu-tac every now and then I think I lowered the angle of the spray resulting in a slight bit of rough edges.

And thanks very much Scott

Nick

See post above, Nick.

Well it is finally finished and thank you to everyone that has helped during this build, particularly Scott, it has been much appreciated.

Just the one picture for now, a few more will be posted in the completed build gallery tomorrow in natural light


Revell 1/72 Hawker Hunter - Lebanese Air Force by Nick Thompson95, on Flickr

Nick

Only too happy to help out Nick, that's what this site is all about. Thanks has to go to James as well for explaining the Blu Tac masking method, something I think he is going to do a more in depth tutorial on in the future.

But at the end of the day it's down to your own willingness to learn and listen to the advice given that has produce a very nice build. Look forward to seeing more from you.