Iraqi Backfire

McGreig · March 03, 2008, 05:06:59 PM

Finally made my mind up and decided to go with the Backfire. I wanted to build one with the original MiG-23-style intakes and it didn't seem beyond the bounds of possibility that a few of these early Backfires might have been supplied to Iraq to replace their aging Blinders. (I also had a nice Iranian scheme in mind but I don't have any decals).

However, now that I've started, I'm not sure that I've made the right choice. I've built this kit before (with the wedge shaped intakes) and my memory was of an inaccurate but relatively simple kit that should provide a quick build for its size. What I hadn't remembered was the absolutely appalling fit of the parts, poor moulding and the amount of PSR required.

Very frustrating, especially as this kit is one of the original Esci boxings, bought on its first release, so the mouldings should be fairly sharp.

The photos show where I've got to so far. I've inserted plastic beams across the rear fuselage to give some rigidity to an otherwise flexible join and I've done a major filling and sanding exercise - the photos show all the filling and puttying required. I've since sanded all this down and have now detailed the cockpit, added the canopy and done some more filling to deal with the areas needing further treatment.

It might be ready for an initial coat of paint by tomorrow evening, but don't hold your breath - - -

cthulhu77 · March 03, 2008, 05:14:41 PM

That is like building the Constitution in one week...I've been working on a Backfire for months now, still incomplete. You, sir, have really taken on the inconceivable!!!!

Shasper · March 03, 2008, 06:07:57 PM

Dude, I've got one in the top of my closet at home, now I have nightmares. . .

Shas

Captain Canada · March 03, 2008, 06:30:36 PM

Awesome ! Love the new intakes...what did you use to accomplish that ?

McGreig · March 04, 2008, 02:08:38 AM

Quote from: Captain Canada on March 03, 2008, 06:30:36 PM
Awesome ! Love the new intakes...what did you use to accomplish that ?

They came with the kit. When Esci first issued this kit in the Eighties it came in three versions, two of which had the original style of intake. I know that AMT reissued it in the USA and Canada, but the only AMT boxing that I've seen was of the Backfire-C with the wedge intakes, so it's possible that the version with the early intakes never made it beyond Europe.

The recent Italeri reissue was also just of the Backfire-C. This is a pity because, while it's still too short and slightly too deep, the nose, wing and fin are more accurate for a Backfire-B.

The PSR is now finished, but I've had to remove the canopy as some gloop found it's way in during the wet sanding

. Still, it doesn't seem to be a big problem, so I should be back on course tonight.

John Howling Mouse · March 04, 2008, 05:18:46 AM

A 1:72 Backfire in a week. Heh, heh. I'm surrounded by people who are just as crazy as I am. Heh!

Looking very promising already!

Radish · March 04, 2008, 06:32:37 AM

Terrific.....Backfire in a week?
Cool

Ed S · March 04, 2008, 08:17:31 AM

Looks like a good project. I'm curious how the vacuform floats in the first picture are related to the Backfire?

Ed

Captain Canada · March 04, 2008, 09:19:48 AM

I was just wondering the same thing, Ed !

Supertom · March 04, 2008, 10:00:30 AM

FLOATPLANE BACKFIRE!!!!!!

Shasper · March 04, 2008, 10:34:40 AM

Do I detect a CFT project in the works?

Shas

Brian da Basher · March 04, 2008, 12:34:17 PM

If anyone can pull this off in time, it's you McG!

Brian da Basher

McGreig · March 04, 2008, 03:30:13 PM

Quote from: Ed S on March 04, 2008, 08:17:31 AM
I'm curious how the vacuform floats in the first picture are related to the Backfire?

Sorry everyone, the Aeroclub floats are interlopers and red herrings

and have nothing to do with the Backfire.

I had four projects in mind for the GB - a Maverick-inspired Turbo Il-10, a Revell Rufe seaplane fighter, a floatplane Il-2 and the Backfire. I couldn't find the parts that I needed for the Il-10 and the Rufe was discounted because (ironically, given the Backfire's problems) of poor moulding and fit. This left the Il-2 floatplane and the Backfire and, when the photo was taken, I hadn't finally decided against the Il-2 and its floats were still on my workbench.

Although there were genuine proposals for seaplane versions of the Bison and Bounder, so a flying boat Backfire is a possibility. But not for a one week GB - - - -

McGreig · March 04, 2008, 04:27:44 PM

Quote from: Shasper on March 04, 2008, 10:34:40 AM
Do I detect a CFT project in the works?

Not this time, but that's a great idea that hadn't occurred to me. I've got several Blinders and Backfires in my stash and CFTs might be an interesting way to alter their appearance - - -

McGreig · March 05, 2008, 11:38:00 AM

The marathon PSR session is now over and these pictures show the Backfire on its undercarriage legs, ready for painting. Since taking the photos I've masked off the canopy and sprayed the underside. This has shown up some minor touch up filling and sanding that needs to be done, but finishing inside the one week target is now looking more realistic.