Etendard Fg.1

[Spey_Phantom]

after a long time thinking, i went to my LHS and finaly bought my entry or the Falklands build. the model is a 1/72 Academy Super Etendard (in argentine marking of the falklands) witch will be become the Etendard FG.1 in full Royal Navy markings. to fullfil this i got:

-1/72 S. Etendard
-ESCI Royal Navy markings
-multiple fresh pots of paint
-possibly some sea-skua anti shipping missiles (option)

im just about to start on the cockpit construction, i will post pics as soon as i get my camera back from my brother  B)
backstory is also to follow soon.

[Archibald]

Why didn't we thought about that before ?    Super Etendard on the "good" side...

Just imagine that your british SE sink the Hercules or Santissima Trinidad...
type 42 destroyers ?
       

[Spey_Phantom]

yesterday i finished pre-assembly painting the panel, seat, cockpit and landing wheels.
today, cockpit, fuselage & wings were pasted together, the upper-fuselage has now been painted and decalled, tomorow the aircraft will recieve the pylons, landing gear doors and (if the gleu dries as quickly like today) painting of the lower fuselage. als i will be have to start woking on the painting of the weapons, witch will be 2 CVR-7 rocket pods and 2 sea-skua or iron bombs.

meanwhile, while im waiting for the camera to return, here's the Back story  ^_^

May 5, 1982: supporting troops over objective "Zembla".

8.00AM, it was raining really bad, officers and pilots on board the HMS Hermes were starting to wonder if the Royal Marines will ever make it to Button Bay, a landing craft left the ship about an hour ago, to re-conquer an army base that was designated objective: "Zembla". meanwhile a storm was brewing and the sea was getting quite restless. waves were literly washing of the deck as the deck crew was lowering a phantom FGR.2 to the maintaining hangar below.

8.30AM, the tower of HMS Hermes recieved a radio call from the marines that they managed to land on the beach, but were taken heavy fire from argentinian placed guardtowers, witch surrounded the base. the commander requested immediate air support to take out the guns to secure a safe entrance to the base. the alarm was sounded and pilots scrambled to there Etendard FG.1's witch were prepared specially for such an emergency.

8.45AM, 5 Etendards and 3 phantoms were standing by, awaiting take off from the carrier. the phantoms have been mobilised as escorts to the etendards, in case any Argentine fighter aircraft would get there to shoot them down. 10 minutes later, all aircraft have left the ship and were heading at supersonic speeds towards Button Bay. meanwhile the troops called in that they already lost 3 of the 30 marines assigned.

9.05AM, the Etendards finally reached the troubled troops and fired there CVR-7 and SNEB rockets at pillboxes, guard towers, AAA, SAM batteries and enemy vehicles. the Phantoms managed to shoot down 2 Argentine Mirage F-1's as they were closing in to support the occupants, however 1 phantom was hit by a Super 530 misille, destroying the aircraft, both crew managed to eject safely into the murky waters and were later picked up by a RN Seaking.

9.35AM, after some serious fighting, the argentines finally surrenderd the base to the british. the Marines took the argentine survivors as prisoners as 2 troop transport chinooks were on there way from Port Stanley, carrying additional reënforcements. the Navy aircraft were ordered back to the ship as the mission has been called a succes, but at what the price. the brits have lost 3 men and 1 phantom and had 12 wounded, the Argentines lost more, with the sacrifice of 30 men, 2 mirage F-1's, 3 M-113's and 9 wounded.

14.00PM, the Commander of the Royal Marines task force, debriefed the crew at HMS Hermes and thanked them for there support over the battlefield, he also noted that one of the Argentine prisoners told that as soon as the Etendards flew over, all of hell broke loose and many started to panic, as the aircraft is known to strike with inmense presision and effectivnes.

the next day there was a small ceremony at the base, to say goodbye to the 3 men that lost there lives during the battle. many troops were hoping that any day soon this war might end and no blood would be shedded anymore as the war continued.

[Spey_Phantom]

ok, its picture time, since i got my camera back  B)

see here, she's about 70% complete, the paintjob has been done and the main decals have been applied. still need to do some work on the weapons, some minor detailing and she will look like a winner.

[GTX]

Now that's certainly different.

Regards,

Greg

[Archibald]

SWEET!!!! This SE is gorgeous      

[Mossie]

Blimey, I must be trapped in some kind of paradoxical universe or something, I could have sworn it was Argentina that flew the Etendard!

Good job Nils, it does look right in RN colours!  I can't quite make out the Sqaudron markings, which is it?

[Spey_Phantom]

update:

i havent found the time to continue work on the Etendard, but i managed to find some time today. the rest of the day, i will be working on the model and i will be using a new detailing technique ive been testing on a 1/144 MIG-31. the technique is to use a No2 pencil and use it to darken the panel lines. here's a pic of 1 side of the aircraft with the new pencil detailing  B)  the result still needs some work  ^_^

@mossie: the marking are from a french AF decal sheet, as i didnt have any 800 or 801 NAS markings, but i plan to remove the lion for a more suitable marking  B)

[Mossie]

Thanks Nils, I thought it might be a RN squadron other than 800 or 801 NAS, an older one ressurected.  I've got to admit, NAS markings are not my strong point!

[ysi_maniac]

I like the result of your paneling. Fine job!
       

[Brian da Basher]

Woah she's a looker Nils! That pencil panel-line techinque is a great idea!

Brian da Basher

[Spey_Phantom]

thanks, although the result of the paneling could have been better if i used matt paints. im still having problems about the choise of the armament. i still want to use the CVR-7 rockets, but ive been thinking of replecing the Mk83 bombs by sidewinders  B)  

[elmayerle]

Thanks Nils, I thought it might be a RN squadron other than 800 or 801 NAS, an older one ressurected.  I've got to admit, NAS markings are not my strong point!

804 NAS would be a good choice, IMHO, with their Tiger markings.

[Archibald]

What, mon dieu, c'est magnifique!!    

[Spey_Phantom]

i managed to get some work done today, as over the next weeks i wont be able to work on it (late- and nightshifts). i fitted the weapons, i didnt remove the lion on the tail as i first wanted, but i decided to keep it.
well, here she is, all done.  B)