Model Mutt Accessories

[Model Mutt]

I´m looking at doing a range of afordable 1/72 aftermarket parts and conversion kits, i was just wondering if it´d be worth while doing and if they´d be much interest? I´ve already got a lightning F.1 conversion set ready to produce and looking at doing a Lightning T.5/T.4 set and maybe a harrier T.4 conversion. Obviously there´d be a discount for what if members orfering through the site.

[McColm]

The English Electric Lightning is a popular model to build and the two seater Harrier is a rare beast. A limited trial run might be your best bet.

[Model Mutt]

I´d started out to use them on my own projects after seeing how expensive it is for the conversion parts and thought there has to be a cheaper option for others who model on a budget. I´ll probably do a trial run with the F.1 sets as they´d be the cheapest, £3.99 for a resin replacement fin and white metal polished nose ring and maybe display pylons as well

[PR19_Kit]

What are you using as the base kits for the Lightning and the Harrier? That would make a difference to how you'd produce the conversions of course.

We came across this quite recently when trying to mate the resin tandem 2-seater Hunter nose, originally made for the Matchbox kit, to the more current Revell kit. From personal experience it was a BITCH of a job, but eventually our own rickshaw managed it and very good it looks too! 

A decent 1/72 two seat Lightning, either T4 or T5 or maybe both, would go down well I think as the only kit that was anywhere near was the Matchbox T55, and that needed cross-kitting to produce an RAF version. Again the T3-T4 Harrier only existed in a mass production kit as the Heller Bobcat offering and that was rather basic, to put it mildly!

Of course there have already been some commercial, low production rate, conversions for both of these (and I've got most of them!) but very few have stood the test of time.

[Model Mutt]

I´ve based the f.1 parts on the airfix f.3 but i´m sure it could easily be made to fit other kits. Not decided on how i´m going to break down the t.4/t.5 yet but i´ll do them as a  t.5 set and then a t.4 set including the parts from the f.1 set. I´ve got the heller kit for the harrier and i´d use the airfix frs.1 as a base and produce the navy version at a later date. Hopefully if theres enough demand i can try other converions and keep the overall cost as low as possible.

[PR19_Kit]

Of course the Airfix Lightning F3 originally WAS an F1. 

Picking those two as base models gives you bags of scope I'm sure, good idea. 

[Model Mutt]

.that´s where i´d got the idea from but it didn´t come with the pointed fin, so now i´ve made one it could be used with the t.5 kit when i make it to build a t.4. Hopefully if i can get another f.3 this week i´ll have some photos of the f.1 set in place and a few ready to sell.

[Model Mutt]

if anyones interested and wants to know more they can email me at Model.Mutt.Ltd@gmail.com

[deathjester]

Maybe some resin / white metal British missiles?  Anything NOT on offer mainstream, really!

Great idea - I wish you luck!! 

[Model Mutt]

i´ll look into that tomorrow and see what i have in the weapons drawer that could be corrected and used

[PR19_Kit]

And here's me with more than one F1 kit and needing an F3 fin.............

[rickshaw]

I'd be interested in such kits at a reasonable price.

I'd also suggest some turboprop nacelles - they are I believe a big missing gap in the inventory.  Apart from the Heritage Dart and various T56 nacelles the only option for others is to butcher kits or scratchbuild.  Some RR Tynes would nice.

[Model Mutt]

Thanks Rickshaw, i´ll look into that today. Had an idea for another set this morning for a harrier gr.3 conversion kitfor the airfix frs.1.I´ve had a search about and found the what i´m guessing to be reboxed airfix kits and fujimi kits. Not sure on this one either but if it were to be produced, it´d a solid one peice resin forward fuselage with a clear resin canopy provided and a cockpit plug and any other relevant details for around £3.99

[PR19_Kit]

ESCI and/or Italeri did a GR3 IIRC. I think I have one up in The Loft somewhere.....

Tynes would be good, they were a big, reliable powerful engine and would be a great update for almost anything from a Lancaster onwards. 

AFAIK the only injection Tynes ever moulded in 1/72 were the pair from the Heller Transall C-160 though.

[The Wooksta!]

I'd hang on for any decision for early Harriers until after Airfix announce what they're releasing next year.  Whispers abound over new tool GR1/GR3.