Sea Vixen and Phantom FG1 reference needed.

Hi Snibble,

Can't help with the sea Vixen , but for the Phantom, here goes:

Based on 1/72 plans in Warpaint No 31, the length of the 2 fully extended Oleos on the FG.1 undercarriage is about 125cm (Full size) from the base of the main nose U/C leg to the centre of the nosewheel. Obviously, as there are 2 extending Oleo sections, there are 2 sets of torque links to consider (On the front for the upper Oleo section and on the rear for the lower).

Converting into 1/48, the total length of the extended Oleos converts to about 26mm (From the base of the nose leg).

Other points to consder when modelling an FG.1 are:

The catapult hook aft of the underside of the Starboard engine intake,

3 lights on the nosewheel door in a vertical strip green at the top, amber, then red at the bottom.

No RHWR fairing on the vertical fin tip.

Finally and probably most importantly, the FG.1 featured a slotted stabilator, which may or may not be included in the Hasegawa kit!

I'd recommend you get a copy of Warpaint Series no 31 - McDonnell Douglas F-4K and F-4M Phantom by Steve Hazell, as, for me this is the definitive reference on UK Phantoms.

Hope this is of use,

Cheers,

Rob M.

I don't know if you've been to this website, but I think its a great resource to post war British aircraft:

www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk

It has sections on all major British postwar military combat aircraft including the Phantom and Sea Vixen. Lots of great pictures and each aircraft's section has links to other reference sites particular to the aircraft it features.

Hope that helps

snibble, not much immediate help I'm afriad, but I went to Yeovilton last year, and am absolutely near certain I have a 35mm shot of that Phantom front strut. The prints are probably in the garage at the moment as I moved house in the autumn, but if you still need a visual reference, I'll try to dig it out and post it.

Nearly forgot!

Good photo reference for UK Phantoms can be found here:

http://www.f4aviation.co.uk/Hangar/Phantoms/phantoms.htm

Photos of virtually every Phantom operated by the RAF or FAA.

Check out the one of XT596!

Cheers,

Rob M.

Just raided the files, and I thought I could help with the Sea Vixen, but no. I have an article from Scale aviation modeller international - building the Revell/Frog kit, I knew there were photo's of the real thing & there are. They are of XN 685 at the midland air museum near Coventry. But, foiled again, no shots of the flaps, though a shot of the tailpipes looks like the flaps are up, so, saved you a journey there then. Oh yes, no date on the article, but it's pages 736 to 740 & would be at most, two years old.
Hope this helps in some small way
Pete

Team Tornado, have you got one in your shed or what? Maybe you should build it for me! I agree the "Thunder and lightning" site is excellent, I spend a lot of time there as my special interest is in the FAA and few sources seem to cater for anything with a hook on that isn't an F4, talking of which, thanks again TT. The phantom site is now in my favourites. As for the Vixen, I suppose my next move is to request a 12 hour pass from wing commander Darling to visit the one at Southampton. May your eyesight never fail.

Cheers Snibble,

As I'm too young to really remember the Lightning, the F-4 was my boyhood 'metal of choice'!

As an apprentice aircraft fitter at Biggin Hill in the mid 80s I managed to get up close and personal with a few during the Air Fairs.

I have an YF-4E on the bench in mid build at the moment, and another 20 or so of varying marks and nationalities in the cupboard.

Guess I'm hooked!

Cheers,

Rob M.