What if

GROUP BUILDS => The Captured G.B. => Topic started by: wacek85 on December 25, 2020, 03:09:08 PM

Title: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on December 25, 2020, 03:09:08 PM
In 2002, in Swidnin, 1st Tactical Wing there were classified excercises under codename "Eastern Surprise 2002". After NATO accepted Poland to it's structures, eastern polish border become also eastern border of NATO. It became clear that forces of fast response are more than needed, as soon as posssible. So polish Su-22's trained with british, american, australian, french and german airplanes in order to work out a way to cooperate in case of possible conflict. Su-22 in 2002 was already obsolete so it was important to know it's eventual strenghts in combat.

After whole maneouvers all planes got bact to home bases...except two australian F-111's. Probably their pilots flew home onboard C-17. Why they forgotten their "Pigs" , unknown.
It's possible that airplanes were lost during evening bridge game. Someone had bet too much...

When crew of 1st TW found that they had two airplanes more, they tried to return them. Why this offer wasn't accepted is also unknown. F-111 were fully operational. Airplanes have been repainted and put into service with Su-22.

After this stupid as h...ll story I'd like to thank mods for allowing me to take a part in GB :)


So...I have Zhengdefu kit of FB-111A in 1/48. Because it's so inaccurate then only way to make in usable is to whiff it :)
It has longer wings but this is only change. it rather depicts F-111C.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z0fp7le.jpg)

Cockpit is quite nice. I'm not going to open in, I'll use some spare decals to make it more eye-friendly.
(https://i.imgur.com/ryYhCCX.jpg)

Intakes are a pain to put together. A hint after dryfitting, if you considering buying Zhendefu's F-111: glue intake cone to round outside part first. Then glue it to fuselage and after everyting will be dry and solid slip splitter plate betweeen intake cone and fuselage. This will save you a lot of sanding work and time.
(https://i.imgur.com/7572AVL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xQpeWoH.jpg)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: rickshaw on December 26, 2020, 05:44:01 PM
You are aware, aren't you that the RAAF operated F-111Cs and F-111Gs (equivalent to FB-111s)?  They both had significantly longer wings than the F-111As.  Check out the difference.
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: Dizzyfugu on December 27, 2020, 02:42:59 AM
Quote from: rickshaw on December 26, 2020, 05:44:01 PM
You are aware, aren't you that the RAAF operated F-111Cs and F-111Gs (equivalent to FB-111s)?  They both had significantly longer wings than the F-111As.  Check out the difference.

That's what he stated above?  :unsure:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on December 27, 2020, 01:00:04 PM
Quote from: rickshaw on December 26, 2020, 05:44:01 PM
You are aware, aren't you that the RAAF operated F-111Cs and F-111Gs (equivalent to FB-111s)?  They both had significantly longer wings than the F-111As.  Check out the difference.

The wings in this kit ARE longer. As I wrote before:
Quote from: wacek85 on December 25, 2020, 03:09:08 PM
So...I have Zhengdefu kit of FB-111A in 1/48. Because it's so inaccurate then only way to make in usable is to whiff it :)
It has longer wings but this is only change. it rather depicts F-111C.

After very little sanding intakes came out not so bad:
(https://i.imgur.com/l2b8FD5.jpg)

Cockpit after painting is not horrible too:
(https://i.imgur.com/7ezpq3t.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/IideizQ.jpg)


...but this model will be one big advert of putty:
(https://i.imgur.com/L0jiCfy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sIene0D.jpg)

Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on January 23, 2021, 07:31:59 AM
I had a long struggle with wings and top fuselage part fit. With Tamiya Extra Thin it was possible to mount everything but...well...look at second photo - that's how looks fit near wing pivot. I wonder if I should buy another putty tube...Welcome in the world of Zhengdefu!

(https://i.imgur.com/5AmmyB6.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/lW1rh0l.jpg)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on January 27, 2021, 01:12:12 PM
Big, beautiful...and fits like a nightmare. After fourth puttying and sanding session seams started to look better.
(https://i.imgur.com/1wMQ5yC.jpg)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: Old Wombat on January 27, 2021, 08:43:54 PM
The RAAF didn't call it the Pig for nothing. ;)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: rickshaw on January 29, 2021, 02:01:02 AM
Quote from: Old Wombat on January 27, 2021, 08:43:54 PM
The RAAF didn't call it the Pig for nothing. ;)

That was more 'cause of it's flying - always down, with it's nose in the weeds, rather than because it was a pig to work on.  Interesting how that piece of mythology is being lost in favour of the USAF name...   :banghead:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: Dizzyfugu on January 29, 2021, 02:04:27 AM
"Aardvark" is not much better...  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on February 02, 2021, 12:31:35 PM
Black radome and light blue bottom are left to paint tommorow. Looks like a variation of SEA camo now.
(https://i.imgur.com/JD96xCD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ddb80tA.jpg)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: Dizzyfugu on February 03, 2021, 01:02:27 AM
That's looking very good.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: NARSES2 on February 03, 2021, 06:27:14 AM
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on February 03, 2021, 01:02:27 AM
That's looking very good.  :thumbsup:

It is indeed
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: wacek85 on February 09, 2021, 01:52:53 PM
It's over! This is F-111 "Wizard of Oz". Stupid story in "Finished Models" section in a few minutes, all photos below:
(https://i.imgur.com/RxwNKuH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GDX4Qw6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RJSFBcd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lAgBXs0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PgL3R1y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JuVr7ZH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YsZiQ2W.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kgz3Gv3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wNgUNWf.jpg)
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: PR19_Kit on February 09, 2021, 02:59:25 PM
Excellent piece of work there Wacek85.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: Old Wombat on February 09, 2021, 07:23:58 PM
That's awesome, Artoor! :thumbsup:

Love the name! ;D
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: buzzbomb on February 09, 2021, 09:48:25 PM
Nice stuff, really well done
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: NARSES2 on February 10, 2021, 06:59:58 AM
Looks terrific  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Ex-Australian (now polish) F-111 - 1/48 Zhengdefu
Post by: zenrat on February 11, 2021, 03:04:03 AM
Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

Very good.

:thumbsup: