A new Falklands conflict? An ongoing project.

[Big Bird]

Thanks guys, yes I have heard of this tactic and remember it being reported in the press.
I have the AEW islanders and when I bring in the Hawk 200 I can have a MFF type setup with the AEW islanders controlling the whole battle.

[Big Bird]

I've dug this one up again.
All sanding done. I've pinched a couple of Phantom pilots for it. I'm wondering whether to do it wheels up or down now.

I've got myself some decal paper so soon i will have a go at making some decals for it.

[Brian da Basher]

Great to see you back at the bench, Big Bird!

My vote is for wheels up. This way, your Hawk can swoop down on its target from the ceiling for added realism! Secondly, gear up is simpler and will probably be more fun!

Whatever you decide, I will enjoy seeing the final results!

Brian da Basher

[sotoolslinger]

Yea Big Bird is back.  I vote wheels up I likes my planes flyin

[Big Bird]

I'm thinking of having it flying over the sea as it's going to be having a Sea Eagle hanging under it.

[Big Bird]

I'm going with wheels up.
Now the U/C doors don't fit so in goes the filler!


Fun huh?

[sotoolslinger]

As Saur would say your putty fu is strong

[Big Bird]

And on we go...
More filler

And sanded

A it more sanding, a few little bits to stick on. Then paint the crew, canopy on and I can start painting.

[Brian da Basher]

As Saur would say your putty fu is strong

I think her "sanding-fu" is stronger.

Great to see this project back on track, Big Bird. Looks like PSR to perfection!

Brian da Basher

[Big Bird]

A small amount of work today.
Stores pylons, and a few smaller bits stuck on, canopy dipped in Klear and have started painting the crew.
Also the Sea Eagle and underwing fuel tank have been dug out from the spares box and built.

[Big Bird]

Part 3 of the story, Sorry it has taken so long.

Regrets and Repercussions

As Thatcher 1 turned and made her way back towards Mount Pleasant Matt jettisoned his long range tank and immediately noticed the improved handling of his hawk. There was no 'chatter' between Matt and Gary, both of them realised the enormity of their actions. Within a few minutes Matt received a message from Spiker 1, the voice of the operator was excited. "Thatcher 1 you've done it, we've heard a Mayday from the contact, she has multiple fires is listing badly and all hands are abandoning the ship". Matt just acknowledged the message. In his back seat Gary couldn't help think of all the men on the ship he had just destroyed.

When they landed at Mount Pleasant they was immediately surrounded my just about everyone on the airfield whooping and hollering. As they got to ground Gary looked at Matt and said "what the hell have we just done"? "Our job Gary, just our job". As both men walked back to 'ops' just about everyone they passed said well done or slapped them on the back. They was met in 'ops' by ex RAF Squadron Leader Peter (Winnie) Winchester.
"Well done guys, were just heard that La Argentina has sunk". "What about the crew sir" Gary asked. "Spiker 1 has seen life rafts in the water and we have despatched a survey ship with some marines onboard to pick them up, I think we'll get there before the Argentineans". Gary nodded as they entered Winnie's off for their debrief.

Out of the crew of 200 on the La Argentina, 54 didn't make it to the life rafts. Most of them was in the battle ops room when the sea eagle struck the ship just above the waterline amidships. The resulting explosion blew a 10 metre hole in the port side of the ship. She immediately listed to port and the fires soon were beyond the ability of the crew to fight them. The captain gave the order to abandon ship.
All the survivors were picked up by the oil survey ship Southern Explorer V and was returned to Port Stanley before being repatriated back home via Chile.

The Argentinean Government protested to anyone that would listen and asked the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on the Falkland Isles. In a move that surprised everyone Great Britain used their veto to block the proposed resolution.
Argentina announced to the world they would "sort the matter out themselves".
The Argentinean  Aviación Naval (Naval Aviation) were told to ready Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Exploración P-3B Orions for an aggressive mission.

[Big Bird]

Good progress on the Hawk today.
Canopy masked with Parafilm donated by Peter Marshal. I must say this is easier to use than masking with tape.
I thought I'd have a go a preshading (again). Alas nothing showed through the paint work.

The camouflage patten just developed as I sprayed

Right next job is to printout the decals and put a coat of Klear on both.

[Big Bird]

Decals printed out and a coat of Klear on both the decals and the Hawk.

[sotoolslinger]

Absolute Beauty I ALSO learned something , MASK THE CANOPY ,paint ,THEN spray Future
Thanks

[Big Bird]

Well the hawk is done. I shan't be putting any decent photos up as it's not that good. The kit is rally very good, the canopy doesn't fit too well and the decals are not that brilliant.
However I have used this build as a proof of concept and have learned from it.


I will build another Hawk in the same colours in due course, in fact I have two more Hawks to build for this project.
However the next build will be:

Which I want to turn into:



I'll be starting this in the new year.