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

[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.

[B-17engineer]

Wonderful wonderful!

[Vic Balshaw]

Worked on the Martin Baker seats for the last couple of days, now completed and have shown Airfix kit seat for comparison. Thank goodness for resin seat.

The build is now on temporary hold while is direct my energies to the Heavy Hitters build.

[Heinz]

Looks great so far!

[Airframes]

Very nice work Vic. The kit seats are really a poor representation, don't know where Airfix got the shape from! On my kit's instruction sheet, there's a 'Thank You' note to RAF Leeming for their help in the production of the kit. I presume Airfix can only mean with the Squadron markings, as the entire cockpit is inaccurate!!

[parsifal]

All i can say vic is ...wow. i wish i could get my cockpit seats looking that good. i am gobsmacked

[109ROAMING]

Beaut work Vic! detail painting like that makes me envious

[Crimea_River]

Seats are A1 man.

[B-17engineer]

Airfix looks , oh who am I kidding, that's a piece of s***

[Vic Balshaw]

Wow guys, thanks you've kind of got me all of a.....

[lesofprimus]

Hot sh!t so far Vic, the seats look tits....