Hawker Postolka FGA.9

The Rat · February 06, 2016, 05:42:27 PM

From the back story:

QuoteThe 'Prague Spring', which began on January 5, 1968,
caught the USSR completely unprepared. Faulty intelligence
had not only failed to predict a win for the liberal forces of
Alexander Dubcek, but had utterly underestimated both the
strength of the movement and its resolve. It was apparent
from the outset that the Czechoslovak military was in full support
of the government, and would offer stiff resistance in the event
of Soviet intervention.

This will be a straightforward build of the venerable Airfix Hunter FGA.9, with a different paint scheme than normal, and Czech markings. As such, I won't bother posting any in-progress pics, as there is nothing out of the ordinary as far as the actual construction. Anyone who has built this kit probably has both fond memories, and wonderment that we were once happy to have it. There are certainly better kits out there, but this one was in the stash so it has been pressed into service.

Steel Penguin · February 07, 2016, 12:56:21 AM

a clever line of thought there, and looking foreword to the coloured in version

PR19_Kit · February 07, 2016, 03:34:47 AM

Almost ANYthing looks good in a Czech scheme, even an Airfix Hunter! Should be great when you've done it.

The Rat · February 07, 2016, 07:45:22 AM

Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 07, 2016, 03:34:47 AM
Almost ANYthing looks good in a Czech scheme, even an Airfix Hunter! Should be great when you've done it.

This won't be in a standard Czech scheme, just a hasty paint job to get them in service quickly.

Captain Canada · February 07, 2016, 08:52:00 AM

Sounds good Rat !

The Rat · February 10, 2016, 04:59:48 PM

Decaling has begun. Heart came up through my throat when I got the first one on and then remembered that they are 'handed', but Lady Luck smiled on me and the 50/50 chance went in my favour.

zenrat · February 10, 2016, 11:56:15 PM

Chances are no-one would have noticed and if they did you could have claimed it was an extra level of whiffyness.

What I can see there looks good. Nice detailing around the gun muzzles.

The Rat · February 11, 2016, 04:38:34 AM

Quote from: zenrat on February 10, 2016, 11:56:15 PMNice detailing around the gun muzzles.

Thanks, but up close it looks fiendish. I seem to recall seeing pictures of Hunters with the gun ports outlined in bare metal, so that's what I tried for. The depressions were filled with black paint, and the outlines done with a silver Sharpie marker, but that may get covered over. I've also seen pics with the gun ports painted the same as the rest of the underside, so I'll probably go with that.

The Rat · February 11, 2016, 03:01:11 PM

Crappy phone picture, but roundels are all done. Some indeterminate numbers will be attached once I go through the decal stash, and there is still some detail painting and touch-up to do before the landing gear is affixed. The paint is Polly Scale 'Signal Green', bought it decades ago, can't remember why. But I thought it was quite a nice colour, and looks bright without being garish, and couldn't resist doing an entire aircraft with it. It looks brighter in this picture, better ones may show the true tone. Decals are from the sheet that came with a KP MiG-19, out of register but they went on easily, just a few seconds in the water and slid off the paper without a fuss.

zenrat · February 12, 2016, 01:59:48 AM

Odd, but it doesn't look like a Hunter in that scheme.
Maybe its just me?

NARSES2 · February 12, 2016, 05:58:42 AM

Quote from: zenrat on February 12, 2016, 01:59:48 AM
Odd, but it doesn't look like a Hunter in that scheme.
Maybe its just me?

No I understand what you are saying. Looks like a prototype or special high speed version ? Has the look of a manufacturers model of a projected version to me

Captain Canada · February 15, 2016, 05:43:23 AM

Looking good Rat ! Sleek. Does look funny tho. Not ha-ha but peculiar.

The Rat · February 15, 2016, 09:21:52 AM

The modeling gods have smiled upon me. Discovered yesterday that the starboard inner gear door was missing. Scratch one, or send away to Airfix for a replacement? Decisions, decisions... Headed into the basement to change the laundry, and on a whim decided to check a box I had recently brought over from Dad's place. Sitting right on top was an Airfix Hunter that I built about fifty years ago! Gluey fingerprints, horrid paint job, rotten decal placement... AND A STARBOARD INNER GEAR DOOR! An application of Humbrol thinner, sit for a while, gentle prying... And there it was, nestled in my hand. Not an exact match, the FGA.9 was probably a reworked mold, but close enough. Clean up, dab o' glue, and it's on.

Almost makes me forget that KP MiG-19 canopy. Almost.

PR19_Kit · February 16, 2016, 09:20:30 AM

Quote from: The Rat on February 15, 2016, 09:21:52 AM

.....the FGA.9 was probably a reworked mold, but close enough.

It was.

DogfighterZen · February 16, 2016, 02:01:14 PM

I like that color combination of the scheme with the roundels... besides, the Hunter is beautiful in any color!