The base kit for this project is an oldie but a goodie, the classic 1/72 scale Matchbox Hawker Fury I biplane.
isn't that box art great? Makes you feel like you're on the field at the Hendon air show in 1931.
Speaking of box art, it could vary somewhat over time...
What's inside the box is a bit basic by modern standards, but quite colorful.
Decal quality probably depends on storage conditions over the last 40-odd years.
There's an excellent paint guide on the back which of course I entirely ignored.
This Hawker Fury was going to turn out just a little bit different.
I went for a more streamlined look by adding a drop-tank half as a bubble canopy and incredibly intimidating spatted landing gear.
The spats were cut from card and have wheel halves stuck inside with a dab of putty over the small gaps.
The landing gear struts were swiped from the stand included with a Monogram P-36. I can't remember where the prop & tail wheel came from.
It took me about three days to get this far.
I wish I could've figured out a way to keep it in it's natural colors, but alas my imagination failed me here.
The old hairy stick was trotted out and loaded up with a lot of Model Masters Flat Black acrylic. The canopy was done in Jet Exhaust and Steel was used on the tail wheel strut. The grille was done with a cheap, craft-store metallic and given a dry-brush of Flat Black. The prop was painted Aluminum and the exhausts given a custom rust mix.
Decals were mostly re-purposed RAF squadron markings from a Glencoe Vampire but the codes are from a 1/144 Academy Avro Lancaster.
Rigging was done with busted steel guitar strings (one nice thing about having a musician for a neighbor) stuck in place with a combination of Lock-Tite gel and Gator Glue.
If you wondered what I've been up to the past week or so this is it.
I'd like to thank Seņor Ysi for bravely moderating this GB and the rest of you who are playing along or just taking a look.
Coming soon, the Cornish contingent.
Brian da Basher
