The RAF/RAAF F-111C/K

[Leading Observer]

A slight rework of the timeline means the RAF get a version of the F-111C. Opening shots:

[PR19_Kit]

And it had longer wings of course................. 

[buzzbomb]

Working on a venerable kit... looking forward to it.

[Leading Observer]

I had thought about putting some Reskit pilot figures in the tub, but I would have to cut so much away there would be virtually nothing left! So I will use the OOB figures as not much will be visible through the canopy anyway

[kerick]

Is that the kit with the F-111B nose?

[Leading Observer]

Is that the kit with the F-111B nose?

How do I tell?

[Gondor]

Going by scalemates the difference would be, other than the decals, part 35. The Australian aircraft should only have the long nose whereas the TFX kit has two different part 35's, a long and a short version.

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

Is that the kit with the F-111B nose?

The original Revell F-111 kit had the short nose as well, but it was the wrong shape apparently. Not that I know what was the correct shape, but so rumour has it.

[Leading Observer]

Going by scalemates the difference would be, other than the decals, part 35. The Australian aircraft should only have the long nose whereas the TFX kit has two different part 35's, a long and a short version.

Gondor

Thanks Gondor - this kit only has one long nose

[kerick]

The F-111B was the Navy version that never went into production. The short nose was to make the overall aircraft length shorter to make life easier on the aircraft carrier flight decks. I still have a short nose from the old Revell kit rolling around here. It doesn't fit any other F-111 kit even close and the B canopy was different also so not useable for kit bashing a B. Still, I have a plan.....

[Leading Observer]

Slow progress is being made, Very VERY carefully following the instructions for construction of the undercarriage assembly - I knew the real thing looked complex, but building it 72 times smaller is taxing my brain, eyesight and co-ordination! Took me two days to get one step sorted out until I woke up Saturday morning with the cry of "masking tape!" rather than "Eureka!"

[PR19_Kit]

I did a review kit build of the original Revell F-111 kit for Scale Models Magazine back in the 70s, and said that the main landing gear was difficult to assemble back then. The editor said I couldn't say that or Revell would pull their adverts!

So I wrote a rude letter (remember them?) to Revell themselves and suggested they do some better instructions for later versions. They obviously didn't...... 

[Leading Observer]

I think the main problem is that the kit dates from the time when moving parts such as retractable undercarriage were in vogue. The gear will retract up into the fuselage if left as per the instructions. I think I will be fixing it in place for strength

[PR19_Kit]

Oh yes, that was exactly the case. Sorry I forgot to mention that. I glued it all together too, it was far too fragile otherwise. Somewhere I still have the review model, now converted into an F-111E.

[Leading Observer]

Some progress has been made. The undercarriage still folds away at the moment - easier to keep it tucked up inside the fuselage whilst I am handling the model. I removed the Radar mount from the front wall as the nose has been glued in place, so the parts go into the spares box just in case.