"Caçador" - Hawker Hunter in the PoAF - FINISHED - PAG.7

[zenrat]

No sinkmarks on mine DFZ but the tips needed a sand.  I lined them up so the tops were flush and all the sanding was underneath.

[DogfighterZen]

No sinkmarks on mine DFZ but the tips needed a sand.  I lined them up so thetas were flush and all the sanding was underneath.

Well, mine had a few chunky parts and the dogtooth bits are no exception...
Anyway, those were glued on but i still have to do some sanding to get them flush. In the meantime, i cut out the flaps' corner as i'm having them deployed.



So, the major assembly work was done, time to  turn to the ordnance loadout and after quite a few hours of reading and looking at photos on google and various sites to find out what bombs and missiles would be feasible, i finally decided what it would be.
That would force me to scratchbuild a pair of pylons, that were made up from two Revell F-14D wing glove AIM-9 pylons and a pair of PJ prods' Mirage III missile pylons left over from my Mirage VEPL build. Those were cut and sanded to adjust the shapes.





And this will be the final configuration...
2X 230gal drop tanks
2X AIM-9P Sidewinder
2X AGM-65 Maverick
2X Mk.82
 


Still have to make a decision on the scheme... 

 

[NARSES2]

Looking good 

[DogfighterZen]

Thanks, Chris! 
I've changed my mind regarding the weapons load... Although i did confirm that AIM-9P Sidewinders were used on Omani Air Force Hunters, i've decided to go back to the old B version, which in this case will be the upgraded European version designated as AIM-9F. These were externally identical to the older B models but were built in Germany, with more modern technology.
I don't think Portugal would spend money on state-of-the-art missiles when they already had the stock of AIM-9B bought for the F-86F, which also plays a part in the scenario i'm imagining for the Hunter in PoAF service. The B could be upgraded to F standard so that's what they did in 1970. 
I also reworked the pylons as they were too long and the launchers were sticking out past the back end of the missile.



Now, another decision, the color scheme...
I'm building this one as i imagine it could've been by the middle of the 1980s, after having recently been through the Portuguese equivalent of the "Hunter 80" modernization program done by the Swiss Air Force to their Hunter fleet.
In the real world, in the 80s, the PoAF received the A-7P and standardized the SEA camo of that fighter as the main scheme used on most of their tactical aircraft.
At first, the original SEA camo with the light grey underside, which then was changed to the wraparound version sometime during the decade but, i believe that if the A-7 hadn't been acquired, that change probably wouldn't have happened and the schemes would've stayed the same ones they were using before the A-7's introduction.
With that idea, i figured i had two options:
A) Go with a real world scheme i imagine would be used in the chosen timeframe
B) Choose something else based on personal preference
Today, while going through the decal stash, i found the sheet for a G.91 of the 301 FS "Jaguares" in the 80s, with the wraparound SEA camo but these markings would do just as well on most other camo schemes so, i have the decals for the build, no matter what.
The canopy is ready to be masked and glued in place, glue all pylons and after that is done, all that's left is the decision of which scheme to use and start painting.

 

[DogfighterZen]

Good thing there's an extension...

[NARSES2]

Where ? I can't see it   

[DogfighterZen]

Where ? I can't see it   

 
No physical extension on this one but the time extension was a good idea so i thank whoever asked for it.
Regarding the "Caçador", i've to touch up some spots of the camo before i proceed with the build so i'll try to get that done tomorrow as i'll have the day off for working today, which is a national holiday, for pizza night at the farm.

[DogfighterZen]

Well, another one that missed the deadline... Could the mods move this one to the Current and finished aircraft section? It will be finished... someday...

[NARSES2]

Moved as per request

[DogfighterZen]

Moved as per request

Thanks, Chris!
Well, i got to the detail painting stage on the airframe and didn't move forward because of the nose section. I totally messed up the painting of the cannon ports and had to take a step back or else i'd ruin the rest of the work so i put aside for a few days until i feel in the right mood for the task.

[Old Wombat]

Moved as per request

Thanks, Chris!
Well, i got to the detail painting stage on the airframe and didn't move forward because of the nose section. I totally messed up the painting of the cannon ports and had to take a step back or else i'd ruin the rest of the work so i put aside for a few days until i feel in the right mood for the task.

Good idea!

[DogfighterZen]

Haven't posted here for at least 120 days...
That has to change so, today i took the Hunter to my local modelling club meeting and finished fixing the mess i'd done before with the gun ports.
Also got the flare dispensers painted so, i guess that's the painting done for now, i'll save the nav lights and antennas for later in the build.




Next will be a gloss coat and markings.
I already have decals for what i want to do set aside so i won't waste time with that now.

[NARSES2]

Looking nice and neat 

[Old Wombat]

I think we need some post-club-meet photo's, so we're kept up to date!  

[DogfighterZen]

The pics i posted yesterday were taken after the meeting, when i got home...
Today i've sprayed a gloss coat on and as the temps are mid 20sCº, it's warm enough for it to be totally dry by dinner time, which means i should be able to start getting the markings on it tonight.