Duel 1/48 Airfix (Sows Ear) F.3 Tornado

[Vic Balshaw]

For a number of years I have been slowly constructing all the aircraft related to on particular squadron from their founding in the Royal Flying Corp in 1917. 56 Sqn, known as the 'Firebirds' (a name conceived in 1963 when the were selected as the RAF display team), the squadron badge is a phoenix and derives from the squadron being disbanded and regrouped a number of times in it's history, hence the "Phoenix" rising from the ashes.

The squadron flight line can be seen on thread
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/modeling/56-firebirds-squadron-raf-20403-3.html


In continuation of this theme I have two Airfix 1/48 F.3 Tornado's which will complete the top end of the flight line up to 2005. Sadly since April 2008 this great fighter squadron which has served on the front line in England and overseas since 1917 has been re designated 56(R) Sqn and places on Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operational Evaluation at RAF Waddington.

In the past my model building has usually been straight out of the box, with no enhancements or weathering, the only deviation being the decals used in the aircraft livery so that the models to match that of the squadron theme. With these two Tornado's I've decided to stretch my wings a bit and try my hand at using photo etched, resin and scratch built parts in an effort to improve my skills and my models.

With the use of my limited camera skills I hope to provide a pictorial history of my progress with written comments. I also invite the more skilled operators in this forum to pass comment and criticism on my work, believe me, your advice and suggestions will be appreciated and very welcome.

So, lets get modelling.

The kit.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Initial stages.

Knowing that this is a bit of a botched kit, I thought the best thing to do was check out fuselage fitting and panel lines.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Fixing the tail fin and navigation lights

 

[109ROAMING]

Thats some serious kit hardware mate

Builds looking good

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thats some serious kit hardware mate

Builds looking good

Yeah, kind'o scares me a bit!!!

 

[Lucky13]

Awesome work Vic!

 

[B-17engineer]

Way to go Vic!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks guys

 

[Wurger]

Excellent work so far.Keep it up.

 

[Wayne Little]

Certainly starting with an ordinary kit there Vic but you are making good initial progress to get her up to scratch mate!

 

[parsifal]

Good luck Vic, I will watch this with interst.

I only ever saw a Tornado once at an airshow in Richmond, I think back in 1993. I have the photo somewhere. It was an RAF unit, but other details are unkown

 

[Airframes]

Been waiting for this Vic, great stuff! Just what I need in the way of 'warnings' when I come to do my Tornado. Now that I've seen the major problem areas, it doesn't look as bad as some of the horror stories I've heard in the past. Still not a 'walk in the park' though, but I'm sure you'll get it sorted.
BTW, if it isn't too late, in addition to the extra 'lugs' you've used to help locate the fuselage sections, how about using 'spreaders' to push out the sidewalls, so that they align better, and take some of the strain off the 'spring' of the parts? Cut some lengths of sprue to fit cross ways inside the fuselage bottom half, just enough to 'spread' the walls so that they meet, and stop them wanting to spring back inwards. These, together with the vertical 'lugs' you've cemented in place, should give a better joint which, although it still won't be perfect, will be easier to fill, and won't 'cave in' when sanded.
Looking forward to the next installment mate, and I wouldn't mind some info on the decal sheets you've got there when you have the time.

 

[Heinz]

Great work mate! Certainly looks like your on your way to making it up to snuff!

 

[parsifal]

Great work Vic, your showing some real skill i think.

Have a question.....what sort of beads are you using in your Nav Light mods?

 

[ian lanc]

Vic' i'm with you 100% that the Airfix kit is a load of .... crap, i had one two years ago and because it was that poor i couldn't even be bothered to try and put it together, so i gave it away

this will be a nice addition to your collection.

ian.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks guys. Am a bit stuck in the cockpit tube at the moment, haven't quite made up my mind which way to tackle it and I'm not to bright today with a nasty head cold and not much sleep last nigh.

BTW, if it isn't too late, in addition to the extra 'lugs' you've used to help locate the fuselage sections, how about using 'spreaders' to push out the sidewalls, so that they align better, and take some of the strain off the 'spring' of the parts? Cut some lengths of sprue to fit cross ways inside the fuselage bottom half, just enough to 'spread' the walls so that they meet, and stop them wanting to spring back inwards. These, together with the vertical 'lugs' you've cemented in place, should give a better joint which, although it still won't be perfect, will be easier to fill, and won't 'cave in' when sanded.
Looking forward to the next installment mate, and I wouldn't mind some info on the decal sheets you've got there when you have the time.

No Terry. it's not to late and I had given spreaders some thought, the problem is the upper half that's been remolded to big, the resin is quite thick but can be pulled in a little. Re thinking the problem, I can put spreaders in the bottom so that the top is not only pulled in a little by the pegs, but the bottom pushes out a little as well. I'll give it a try and thanks you spawned a brainstorm. As for the decals, I'll scan them and send them to you, as I believe you can make your own, it could save you a bob or two.

Have a question.....what sort of beads are you using in your Nav Light mods?

Thank Parsifal. The tail fin navigation lights my friend are the tips from some LED lights in red, green, orange and yellow that I picked up out of an RS Catalogue many years ago, the lens tip is about 1mm dia and deep, I just cut it off. I've only positioned the lens for the photo, it will not go back on until the build is almost finished. The spine light has been made fro a bit of toothbrush handle, and filed down.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Had a little spurt of activity over the past week prior to joining a group build. Spent most of today fiddling with resin ejector seats (all four of them) hope to post pics tomorrow.

 

[Lucky13]

I say old boy! Jolly good show! Carry on!

 

[Crimea_River]

Serious surgery there Vic. Looks good though. I like the pit.

 

[Airframes]

Nice work old boy! The resin seats have got to better than the inaccurate lumps in the kit!! Going to do some major surgery on mine when I get around to that build.