Done: Fiat G.91R/2 '14-03' of Esc. 143, Ala de Caza 14; Spanish Air Force, 1975

Dizzyfugu · April 07, 2015, 01:48:34 AM

Hmmm, since there's a bit of time of the GB left, I might try to get another 1:72 aircraft model together. Have an idea and all ingredients in stock, and "the more, the merrier".

Details to come soon...

Dizzyfugu · April 07, 2015, 02:09:22 AM

Was not certain if time would suffice (even though I deemed two simple models in a week realistic, anyway

) - but the Spitfire got together THAT quickly that I might try a second build. A bit more complex than the Lebanese Spitfire, since it will be more than an OOB build, but also with a Mediterranean touch.

Bungle · April 07, 2015, 02:50:58 AM

I suggest tying one of his arms around his back. Maybe that will slow him down to our pace !

Supertom · April 07, 2015, 08:59:28 AM

Showoff

Dizzyfugu · April 07, 2015, 10:12:34 AM

The next kit, hopefully to be finished until next Sunday: a vintage (1981!) Airfix Fiat G.91R/1 (of Japanese production and with mint boxing), which will be pimped with some donation parts from the respective, more modern Revell kit and in Spanish use.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com #2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Progress and mixing of parts in various sections - only the Airfix core will be used, many small parts (cockpit, landing gear) will be replaced by Revell parts or scratched placebos. The Airfix kit is REALLY primitive, it lacks e .g. a jet nozzle or anything inside the air intake, and the seat is just a funny, L-shaped thing...

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com #2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Adding lead to the nose, around the cockpit tub from the Revell Gina kit. Fits, somehow.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com #2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

kitbasher · April 07, 2015, 03:30:06 PM

So if you have Revell G.91 in the stash, why struggle with the Airfix kit? Or has the G.91 either seen better days or given up parts to other builds?

Dizzyfugu · April 08, 2015, 12:32:27 AM

I have some Revell sprues... but nothing more; these are/were not complete kits (anymore, some parts were already donated), and the canopies were missing from the start.
But in this case they come in handy to literally fill the gaps of the vintage Airfix kit. Works well so far, progress is good - the kit is about to stand on its own feet.
More pics probably today in the (local) evening hours.

Weaver · April 08, 2015, 06:04:06 AM

Primitive though it is in detail, I'm told the Airfix kit is actually more accurate in basic shape than the Revell one. The latter had some major errors, including getting the wing sweep angle wrong.

Dizzyfugu · April 08, 2015, 06:20:34 AM

IMHO, the Airfix Gina has a good shape, but it horribly lacks details - e. g. the characteristic air scopps under the guns are simply not there, not even as seperate parts. The fin is utterly thick, there's NOTHING inside. You have to be desperate or have fun with scratching to make something from it. The Revell kit is more delicate, has good fit and lots of surface and interior detail, but has its weaknesses, too. For instance, the optional gun panels are tough to mount, they sink too deep into the fuselage - many built kits you see show this weakness. Cannot say anything about the Meng kit, though, expect for its irrational price tag that kept and keeps me from trying it.

Weaver · April 08, 2015, 06:27:23 AM

I managed to pick up two of the Meng kits for reasonable prices, but havn't tried them yet. They look very nice in the box. They MIGHT end up as both RAF: one cammo, one Red Arrows.

Dizzyfugu · April 08, 2015, 07:19:25 AM

Both great choices!

I also have another Gina plan: build a G.91YS for Switzerland (a prototype existed, but things did not get any further) from a Matchbox kit.

Dizzyfugu · April 08, 2015, 09:42:04 AM

Updates from beyond space and time...

Yesterday's body work on the vintage Airfix Gina. Note the new air intake's upper wall.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The outer pylons come from the Revell G.91, the inner ones are original but considerably reduced in height. Canopy only loosely fitted; will be cut into pieces for open display.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

On the underside, a styrene plug covers the "belly button" for a display, and the missing air scoops under the gun ports are mimicked by halves of streamlined 500 lb bombs. A bit large, but they do the job well.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Ordnance collection from the spares box. Not settled yet, but appears suitable for the early 70ies.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Parts of the landing gear fitted this morning. Covers come from the Revell kit, as well as the complete front and main wheels. Only the main struts come from the Airfix kit, and they aren't bad at all. Note the new jet nozzle - the OOB kit is empty, there's just a gaping hole!

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Dizzyfugu · April 09, 2015, 02:02:09 AM

Detail work finished yesterday, I added some small, scratched air scoops and vortex generators on the hull, since it is rather bleak.
Basic painting started, too - the Gina looks very good in an "Asia Minor" scheme!

Dizzyfugu · April 09, 2015, 09:08:54 AM

Proof for the progress made: Canopy parts glued into place, dashboard will need some final treatment.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Since the Airfix kit is void of surface details I manually added some small air scoops and vortex generators at the fin's base.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

And now for the Minor Asia scheme: First tone is Humbrol 74 (Linen), a very good simulation of the pale, yellow-ish tone.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Second color: Humbrol 29 (RAF Dark Earth, as approximation to the real tone which is rather brownish):

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Third color: Humbrol 116 (FS 34079)

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Finally, this morning: lower side with Humbrol 129 (FS 36440); should rather be FS 36322, but that was IMHO too pale since I want to have some room for lighter shading.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Looks tasty!

Dizzyfugu · April 10, 2015, 09:06:35 AM

Things become more concrete... Hard to tell but here a very light washing and some panel shading has been done. Colors look more pale, esp. the yellow-ish sand tone.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Close-up into the cockpit. Dashboard has been improved, the ejection seat (from the Revell Gina) has been dry-fitted.
The cockpit will be polulated by the OOB Airfix figure - probably the best piece of the whole kit!

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

No OOB decal was and could be used - 35 years took their toll! Anyway, the decals come primarily from a Heller Mirage III, as well as some additional stencils e .g. from a BAC Lightning (Xtradecal sheet) and many red stripes or the camera ports, which were cut from TL Modellbau decal stripes.

"One Week Group Build" at whatifmodelers.com No. 2: a Hispanic Gina by dizzyfugu, on Flickr