Thorvics'Blog

[Thorvic]

Well SMW 2014 is over I managed to get the CVA-01 Buccaneer and Sea King completed in the last weekend before the show, so that was cutting it fine. I was also distracted by doing a trio of Airfix Hawks for the Hawk SIG as I'm a member of that and I was getting a lift from the SIG leader (All real world builds, but I managed to get the FAA 736 squadron done which was topical as the Fradu Hawks are now under a FAA squadron, complete with markings  )

Anyway whilst manning the Project Cancelled Stand with Hobbes, TSRJoe, Martin H and Chris P, I noticed that I only had the VG Phantom as a new scratch-build over the past 12 months, which is a bit below par for me (not as much free time and freedom to kit bash as I used to have). So I have resolved to try and address the situation in this next 12 months if I can.

However before the kit bashing begins I do have a quick What-If build to get sorted this month, inspired by the Hawk builds, last month. Just got the Cockpit to finish off and canopies fitted before it goes in the paint shop and then its a case of sorting out the markings.

Whilst that's been curing I've been getting my bits and pieces together for my next Scratch-build, I've decided to re-address an old subject again and this time do it correctly making use of the data I have had access too since the last time I built one. Yes I have decided to redo one of my signature builds with a fresh attempt at the Fairey Delta III (FD-III) the winning submission for the F.155T requirement for a supersonic, all weather heavy interceptor. I already have the banana warped Heller Mirage IV as a basis for the fuselage that I used in the previous build, it will make use of a Lightning cockpit as the two-seater options are much better with the sword kit out now, and plastic card wings with the correct in built undercarriage bays. (Yes the older builds are flawed as the drawings used never showed the undercarriage so they were incorporated into the fuselage rather than the wings  ). Aircrew are on order, armament from Colin's sets and need to check undercarriage options to see what's best.

Updates will appear once I get stuck in, after the Whif build is finished.

[Thorvic]

OK manged to get a couple of builds done post SMW, the first follows on from the RN 736 sqdn Hawk T1 i did for the Hawk SIG, as the RN FRADU unit became a proper FAA Squadron again last year and their Hawks have now begun to adopt Traditional FAA unit markings.

With the decision to switch to the F-35C in the SDSR 2010 the RN aquired some USN T-45C Goshawks for the Royal Navy pilots to use to bring them upto speed on CATOBAR carrier operations. The Goshawk T3 was assigned to 738 Squadron working alongside the standard Hawk of 736 Squadron from RNAS Seahawk at Culdrose in Cornwall.

[Thorvic]

The other build was the new Airfix Supermarine Swift.

Following their early withdrawal from servive by the RAF some of the Swift FR5s were passed onto Airwork limited for use with the Royal Navys Fleet Requirements Unit FRU. The study Swift being able to perform the high speed threat profile to train RN ships in handling modern air attacks, where the swept back supersonic Swift could emmulate the Soviet Migs.

[PR19_Kit]

I like the model and the scenario of the Hawk T3. 

So what's the Swift like to build? We, the great unwashed (and unprivileged) British modelling public, need to know........

[Thorvic]

I like the model and the scenario of the Hawk T3. 

So what's the Swift like to build? We, the great unwashed (and unprivileged) British modelling public, need to know........

The Swift is quite nice to build, like most of the new kits its got plenty of detail, but as a result it does have some very fine tolerences so test fit every time and again after painting as some surfaces may need to be cleaned off to fit. Have the intake trunking ready to slot in when joining the fuselageas its fitted afterwards but is handy to ensure the fuselage sets correctly so the wing can drop into place when ready.

It is actually a very nice kit, its only let down being the limited use of the actual aircraft thus the FRU choice to leave some of the RAF and export options open to the rest of you. As and when it finally appears in the UK that is !!!!

[kitnut617]

Very nice builds Geoff, I like that T3 especially --- 

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks for the Swift comments Geoff, I'm looking forward to getting some, for RW builds and Whiffs too. 

[Freightdog862]

Great builts Geoff, I wouldn't have spotted the Goshawk if you hadn't mention it, other than the twin nose wheels...

Give me a couple of months and you will have some other Swift marks to work with, will see if I can get one set ready for Huddersfield.

Colin

[Martin H]

I like the idea that possibly the first Airfix swift built in the UK (out side of Airfix and the modeling Press) is a whiff  

[PR19_Kit]

I like the idea that possibly the first Airfix swift built in the UK (out side of Airfix and the modeling Press) is a whiff  

Hehe, I hadn't thought of that, but it's pretty wonderful. 

[Thorvic]

I like the idea that possibly the first Airfix swift built in the UK (out side of Airfix and the modeling Press) is a whiff  

Well i had to really as were going to see lots of 79, 2 and 4 sqdn real builds we had to find something different to play with.

The other marks Colin has lined up should make things as bit easier as i know Paul Lucas has been investigating the Swift and should hopefully have lots of 'Counter Factual' data coming out that should provide inspiration for PC/Whiff builds 

[PR19_Kit]

The other marks Colin has lined up should make things as bit easier as i know Paul Lucas has been investigating the Swift and should hopefully have lots of 'Counter Factual' data coming out that should provide inspiration for PC/Whiff builds 

Would you reckon there's enough there to produce a 545 conversion or would that be a step too far? The real thing was at Cranfield when I was there and it was a serious looking aircraft, much more so than a Swift I thought.

[Thorvic]

The other marks Colin has lined up should make things as bit easier as i know Paul Lucas has been investigating the Swift and should hopefully have lots of 'Counter Factual' data coming out that should provide inspiration for PC/Whiff builds 

Would you reckon there's enough there to produce a 545 conversion or would that be a step too far? The real thing was at Cranfield when I was there and it was a serious looking aircraft, much more so than a Swift I thought.

Its a step to far Kit, i looked at using the Xtrakit Swift for the Type 545 when i got the Airfix one and theres not alot that you can use for the Type 545. I have the prototype and F1 (Sabre Dog look alike) drawings to scale and the swift is too small and of different shapes for any practical value  . 

[PR19_Kit]

Thanks for that Geoff, saves me buying tons of Milliput and hours if frustration. 

[Captain Canada]

Love 'em both. The T3 looks perfect. I'd love to see that. I love the Goshawk. Take a beautiful wee bird and make it carrier tough !

The Swift looks great like that as well. Modern. I think I'd like to add that wing to Hunter fuselage.