Swift gets closer to completion

The Rat · February 09, 2011, 05:57:54 AM

Quote from: rickshaw on February 09, 2011, 01:27:40 AM
I never realised the Swift was quite so, well, "rotund" might be the best word to use to describe it.

If I recall correctly it was originally designed around a centrifugal flow engine, meaning the fuselage had to be a little more porcine.

PR19_Kit · February 09, 2011, 07:34:35 AM

So was the Hunter, developed from the Sea Hawk, but Hawker took the opportunity to slim down the fuselage when they switched to the axial engine. Interesting that the Swift had about twice the range of the Hunter, so maybe they used the extra volume to carry fuel?

Gondor · February 09, 2011, 10:43:03 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 09, 2011, 07:34:35 AM
So was the Hunter, developed from the Sea Hawk, but Hawker took the opportunity to slim down the fuselage when they switched to the axial engine. Interesting that the Swift had about twice the range of the Hunter, so maybe they used the extra volume to carry fuel?

They did

Gondor

The Rat · February 09, 2011, 01:30:54 PM

I have a few plans in mind for the others in my stash, and a dedicated ground attack is definitely one of them. They were hopeless at altitude, but down low they were superb, a much better machine than the Hunter when they were on the deck. Which reminds me, I've got to restart my Royal Navy example, it was well on its way before I went into a slump.

The Rat · February 20, 2011, 10:19:49 AM

Most of the detail painting has been done, a bit rough but at least I'm back at the bench! Sharp-eyed RAF afficianados will recognise which squadron had the stripes slapped over its markings. And no, I didn't paint over decals, just masked and painted, still need to do a wee bit sticking out from the back. Dimensions of the markings? Bah, wasn't going to fret, just eyeballed it:

James · February 20, 2011, 10:25:32 AM

Suez stripes make a model look ever more awesome than RAF roundals do.

Always loved the shape of the Swifts wing.

Gondor · February 20, 2011, 10:38:34 AM

For a second I thought you decided to make the aircraft Polish

Gondor

The Rat · February 20, 2011, 10:49:01 AM

Quote from: Gondor on February 20, 2011, 10:38:34 AM
For a second I thought you decided to make the aircraft Polish

Gondor

LOL! Never thought about that, but it does bear a striking resemblance. But it's actually 56 Squadron, here's a pic of a lovely one from Andrew Jones over at Britmodeller

The Rat · February 20, 2011, 06:42:08 PM

Just had to literally lift and pull the serial number decal off the backing paper with a #11 blade, even after a full 10 minute immersion! They made them tough fifty years ago.

The Rat · February 21, 2011, 05:29:22 AM

Fin flashes now need to be masked and hand painted. Let the swearing begin!