RW FRADU Hunter GA.11

[AeroplaneDriver]

My latest effort...Airfix 1/48 Hunter F.4 built as something I have wanted to build for a long time.  A Royal Navy Hunter.  I considered Whiffing it into a carrier capable fighter, but I think I may do that with one of my Revell 1/72 kits so I can use some of Colin's resin extras on it. 

Since the GA.11 was a conversion of the F.4 I assumed it would be an easy modification, but it was even easier than expected when I discovered that Airfix have secretly included the parts to make a GA.11 in the box.  Main changes from the F.4 was the dogtooth leading edge wing, an arrestor hook for land-based training catching 'the wire', removal of the cannon pack and "Sabrinas", and the Harley light in the chopped-off nose.  All these parts were right there in the box, which was a very pleasant surprise.  Cannon troughs were filled with Milliput, but left visible since the real thing had the cannons covered with a metal plate and still apparent.  The only aftermarket addition is a resin seat with Eduard PE firing handles.  Decals are a mix of the kit decals for roundels and stencils and various spares including from Xtradecal's white RAF letters and numbers sheet.  It was a little frustrating that I could not find large enough decals for the "834" nose number so it's a bit smaller than on the real thing, but I'm not losing sleep over it.

Anyway here she is as XE716 as it appeared in the late 70s serving with FRADU at Yeovilton.  This particular aircraft was destroyed in 1983 when it suffered an engine failure at low altitude over the sea.  The pilot ejected safely. 

Overall a really nice kit.  It's a word of difference compared to Academy's offering.  While Academy's is an 'ok' kit that can be built up quite nicely this one makes the job a whole lot easier.  The way the wings go together is especially nice.  I'll be adding more to the shelf in time. 

[Gondor]

That's nice 

Gondor

[chrisonord]

Very nice indeed 
Chris

[Captain Canada]

Great job as always Nick. Love that scheme. And thanks for pointing out the differences, learn somat new every day ! Cheers

[Pellson]

Beautiful. It's easy to forget how nice the lovely lines of the Hunter marries the strict camo scheme of the FAA.

[Old Wombat]

Sweet!

[NARSES2]

Beautiful. It's easy to forget how nice the lovely lines of the Hunter marries the strict camo scheme of the FAA.

Exactly what I was thinking. A truly gorgeous aircraft  Great piece of work 

[Dizzyfugu]

Very well done, I like the subtle weathering a lot. 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

Good job!

[DogfighterZen]

A beauty indeed!

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thanks chaps! 

A lovely little kit that I highly recommend for all manner of Real World or Wiffery fun. 

[kitbasher]

Beautiful. It's easy to forget how nice the lovely lines of the Hunter marries the strict camo scheme of the FAA.

Exactly what I was thinking. A truly gorgeous aircraft  Great piece of work 

Totes 👍

[Knightflyer]

Thanks chaps! 

A lovely little kit that I highly recommend for all manner of Real World or Wiffery fun.

I suppose a question to ask is whether Colin (Freightdog) can be persuaded to release all (or some) of his various 1/72nd Hunter conversions in 1/48th scale?

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thanks chaps! 

A lovely little kit that I highly recommend for all manner of Real World or Wiffery fun.

I suppose a question to ask is whether Colin (Freightdog) can be persuaded to release all (or some) of his various 1/72nd Hunter conversions in 1/48th scale?

I would love that and I've asked him about it before but it sounds like the costs involved would be prohibitive. 

[Mossie]

Pretty.