Fleet Air Arm Group Build

TANGO 1

 

"Yes Captain, the FAAGB signal is active.............."

 

TANGO 1

 

"Yes Captain, the FAAGB signal is active.............."

 

(cross posted on Swanny's as well -- I forgot this was still alive...)

Hello again -- I'm putting the finishing touches on the 1/72 Swordfish started over 1 year ago (The one of my mother-in-law's first boyfriend - tail number L4R at Taranto November 11, 1940)

Decals have been applied over a Future base except for the tail number and this is where I need some tips if you would be so kind ....

I purchased Colorado Decals RAF/FAA serial / aircraft number decal sheet (white) and discovered to my horror that

a) the offered sizes are either too big or too small to fit the tail.
b) wrong font

I've looked all over for white letter decal sheets in the correct size/font and have been unsuccessful. Now I'm not sure what to do.  Options I've considered are:

1) Use white decal paper and cut out really carefully the '4' and the 'R' from a computer-prepared stencil of the correct size/font. Risk - Cutting error or weak-edged decal

2) Locate dry transfer lettering in the correct size/font (dubious) and carefully apply. Risk - uncorrectable alignment error

3) Mask the tail in the correct font and airbrush white.  Risks: Masking mistakes will be all-too obvious. Tail is quite dark so many coats of white will be required.

4) Ask a custom decal shop to make them for me on their ALPS printer. Risk - Perhaps none but expensive and time-consuming

5) Create a stencil and affix the stencil to the tail, then airbrush the '4' and 'R'. Risks - stencil not firmly up against surface so paint bleeds through away from stencil edges

Since it has taken me so long to get this model done, I'm chary of taking a step that leads to disaster.  Your previous experience much appreciated here.

The included photo is an example of font/size from one of the squadron mates in 815 Sqn.

Thanks so much

Howdy Eric!

Sorry to have missed this post earlier!  After looking at the photo, I would go with the stencil (last) option.  Since the lines are all straight, it should make life easier than if they were rounded.  If you are careful cutting them out, you should be OK. 

Also, when spraying the codes, before painting the white- first spray the color of the areas surrounding them.  This way, any bleed under would be the same as the surrounding color.  Also, thin your paints well and spray in this, misting coats.  This will minimize any bleed under too.  I used these methods to paint the code letters on my 234 Sqdn. Spitfire a couple of years back.

Has everyone gone over the side?

Or has the rum been issued and I ain't been invited

Never fear John...

I always keep a stash o' the good stuff hidden, just in case! 

Suzanne... if you would be so kind...

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

jeaton01

Has everyone gone over the side?

Or has the rum been issued and I ain't been invited

I am still here. And last night a Marine element was here bearing rum....I imbibed a tad too much, but was able to pull out the Sea Harrier today and resume work on it...

I modified the engine nozzles and removed the molded in slats and thinned the side walls with my Dremel. The kit ones were horribly thick and had gaps in the center where the halves joined. I will be replacing them with some ones I will make from sheet styrene.

I completed the engine. It is pretty basic, like much of the kit.

And began adding more of the Eduard zoom photo etch set. The canopy locking handles here.

The rudder pedals and panel to the IP and finished the ejection seat and cockpit details except for the HUD and Instrument Panel itself.

I also took a pair of decent AIM-9LSidewinders from a Monogram Blue Angel F-18, since that kit will not need those and theTamiya ones are pretty poor.

Hi Folks:

I've a question and hoope someone can help ...

I'm building a Sea Fury for a Korean War group build ... the coding and info I have is: 1831 Sqn, a/c/ WE683, 1953 ...

 I always like to get some background information on anything I build, hence the nature of my request and not being familiar with the RN, I'm at a loss how to proceed to find that addtional information on this fighter ...

Can anyone tell me what carrier this might have flown from in 1953 - how are your air wings set up - if any are familiar with the Trumpeter 1/72 kit of this airplane, are the markings accurate or ?? ...

Thanks ever so much,

Pepper

Garland, TX

USA

PS  Hiya stikpusher !!

and  little more progress for the evening (all that I will do tonite)...

I opened up the tail scoop with some needle files

thinned the trailing edges of the wings

sanded the seams on th drop tanks- although now I need to re scribe the lost detail...

and finally created the slats in the exhaust nozzles

Here's a good start:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Sea_Fury

http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/Index.html

Mmmmm...

Sure is good to see WIP photos over here, bee a while indeed!  Lovely work on that Harrier Carlos, a fitting tribute to the last ones to fly off the deck of Ark Royal two days ago...

Great work, especially those louvers!  Much better looking than the kit supplied ones.  And the office is coming along smartly as well.

Merry Christmas to all of you in the Fleet Air Arm GB!  I am sitting here this morning looking at my Christmas tree, and thought of all of you.  I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and hope that each and every one of you is surrounded by family and friends, and are enjoying the Spirit of the Holiday. 

I would also like to say thank you to all of those who are unable to be home for Christmas, like all of the soldiers out there defending our right to be at home and comfortable.  To the police men and women out there keeping our neighborhoods safe, and the fire personnel and EMT's on duty in case we need them.  To all of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Know that you are remembered and thought of here.  Thank you.

Just a quick bump to get this ship back on page one where it belongs.  How's that Harrier coming along, any progress pics?

FLY NAVY! 

Greetings to the crew of HMS FAAGB! I sincerely hope you are as drunk as I am! May I wish all of you a very happy, healthy and successful New Year.

CHEERS!

Best wishes,

CAG.  

Some progress pics of recent work.

cockpit sides with a coat of aircraft Grey

Pegasus Engine with aft end and exhaust nozzles in MM Metalizer Burnt Metal and front end in Metalizer Steel. Still need to paint the mid section and details...

cockpit tub and IP face in Aircraft Grey with Ejection Seat in base color Flat Black. Lots of detail painting needed here...

Good progress! I think ye have earned yer tot o' rum!!

It's Friday! Grab yer grog and forget yer troubles lads! CHEERS!

If anyone is looking for me for the next ten hours I'll be debriefing my staff in my quarters.................

Goodnight Chaps!   

Since it is such a lovely day out here, I'll be enjoying me tot out on the balcony in the sunshine with some of the fellas here...

"NOW HERE THIS!"  "NOW HERE THIS!"

"THE CAG WILL BE CONDUCTING HANGOVER DRILLS ON THE ISLAND!" 

Sweepers to the flight deck... Sweepers to the flight deck...

Oh crap, hangover drills...

We better get the mess from last night's party cleaned up before we commence flight ops.

That's right you scurvy dog's! You'll do drill before you get anywhere near an aircraft after that last bender you went on!! 

Chief!! Get these Officers beasted!!

"Right you miserable lot!" Get changed into your PT kit!" "NOW!!"

Now you must atone for your sins...

Found this on YouTube, the new carrier design for the Royal Navy. Just a bit shorter than a Nimitz class, they will be the largest warships that the UK has ever built.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AqHysV7s5Q

I look forward to when the Fleet Air Arm fixed wing squadrons return to sea!

TANGO 1

I look forward to when the Fleet Air Arm fixed wing squadrons return to sea!

HERE HERE!

I too look forward to that day.  In the meantime, me thinks an FAA subject would be a wonderful next build!

Really?  Do tell..........................

Mmmmm... Corsair... Hehehe...

What? Corsair?  Corsair as in Corsair..............?  You? Building a Corsair? Did I read that right? 

Man Alive! He's going to build a Corsair! This calls for a celebration!

Bring on the rum!!!!!

Hurrar!!  CHEERS!

Ahhhhhh................a Corsair in the proper colours! 

Damn! I'm good! 

Now...........where's that other Corsair I know?