Avro-Lockheed Griffon Growler MR.1 ++FINISHED ++

[McColm]

This is a kitbash of a Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2 and the Hasegawa Lockheed Neptune.

The build so far:
I have the front and rear ends of a  built Hasegawa Lockheed Neptune with the vertical tail from a Matchbox Privateer (B-24 conversion) which fits the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2 when cut to size although the weapons bay is slightly smaller than the MR.3 but longer than the AEW.2 which includes the radome if you use the one in the kit. Fortunately for me I have accumulated a few spare parts from the Frog Avro Shackleton MR.3. There's not too many gaps
(which is surprising (especially for me).
Freightdog used to sell the decals for the Lockheed Neptune MR.Mk1 but I haven't been able to find them on their website so alternative decals will have to be sought or use the ones in the kit provided.

[McColm]

The wings from the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2 have been glued on and the weapons bay doors from the old Revell Avro Shackleton MR.3 cut to size and also fitted,  on the vertical tail fin sits an ECM pod taken from a Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic. Green Putty used to fill the gaps.

[McColm]

Sanding using 120 grit wet and dry papers was carried out in the early hours of the morning, I had to stop as my fingers were hurting but the friction of the sanding has made the old Revell Shackleton MR.3 weapons bay doors pliable so they blend into the new business end. At the rear end more PSR is required. So far no problems with the Revell Avro Shackleton AEW.2 kit.

[McColm]

Slow and steady wins the race and I get a mornings free workout on sanding this build.

[McColm]

I've got an idea for the Avro-Lockheed Griffon Growler MR.2, I will be using a 1/72 Avro Shackleton MR.3 kit. The Revell MR.3 will be idea as the nose/cockpit is separate from the main fuselage. The plan is to build as per instructions which will mean that the model will be slightly longer than the one I'm building at the moment. The parts from the Hasegawa Lockheed Neptune should fit better on the second build, meaning that the nose wheel landing gear will be used and the spare parts should form a Shackleton nose, Neptune fuselage, wings and engines with the twin tail fins from the Shackleton kit. Well that's the plan.

[McColm]

Painting has begun using Airfix acrylic tubs from various kits. Five of the six contra-rotating propellers have been painted black, the tyres have also been painted black, that's when I stopped as I have run out of 33 acrylic paint.

[Captain Canada]

That's a neat looking machine !

[McColm]

That's a neat looking machine !

Thanks Captain 

[McColm]

Black Sabbath with it's new paint scheme.

[Captain Canada]

Sinister.

[kerick]

I've always liked the look of the Neptune canopy. Night strategic recon mode?

[McColm]

Propellers have been fitted.
Having seen photos of the Black Knights a variant of the Lockheed P-3 Orion flown by the C.I.A., I think that the low-viz markings of the USNAVY would be appropriate.

[McColm]

It's been a while but I've dug out the latest photo of the build so far.

[McColm]

I'm calling this build finished.