Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Aeroplanedriver on February 18, 2019, 10:22:31 AM
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After the ordeal that was Revell's 1/48 Tornado, it's time for a Shake-n-Bake kinda kit. From what I've read Tamiya's Meteor F.3 seems to fit the bill.
Off to a nice start this evening. Markings will be either the OOB all over white scheme worn by the first three F.3 sent to Europe, or a USAAF scheme,Busy week at work, so I'll have plenty of time before that decision needs to be made.
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/6/o5A2g1.jpg)
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Like getting started picture. Now we know to await for more.
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USAAF! :smiley:
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USN... ;)
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After an evening of decent progress with this quite nice little kit I'm leaning strongly towards a USAAF '46 type build in OD over Neutral Gray with some good nose art.
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USAAF! :smiley:
Yes, USAAF
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Engines are done. I didn't put much effort into detailing them or painting them since I intend to glue the engine covers on. The just got a coat of Testors Metallizer Stainless Steel from a rattlecan and black accessory cases. A little black wash and silver dry brushing on the accessory cases will make it look good enough given the limited amount visible from the intakes.
The engines are the early RR Wellands, but I intend to use the supplied shorter tailpipe and extra nacelle scoops to produce a later Derwent-powered Meteor. They look close enough to not matter with the nacelles closed up, but different enough to make sure they nacelles are closed up.
Apparently the supplied belly tank was not used until the F.4, but it does look like it might make a nice cannon pack with four extra 20mm guns to make this Meteor the scourge of Nazi armor as a high speed, 8-gun tank-buster...
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/9977/8lJPRi.jpg)
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WOW what a result.
Testors Metallizer Stainless Steel from a rattlecan --- had no idea. Will try when the aircraft is right.
Thanks for the tip.
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Re US one:
(http://aviadejavu.ru/Images6/AI/AI58-8/22-1.jpg)
(https://weaponsandwarfare.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/mmmmetttt.jpg)
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Converting the belly tank to a cannon pack to increase the firepower to six 20mm cannons for tank busting...
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/6721/kzmjIL.jpg)
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More firepower for teh win!
Great stuff, AD!
Brian da Basher
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After 24+ hours of hand wringing over how to paint this thing, I went with my first (and long planned) idea of USAAF in the ETO c.1946 during the hard fought battle towards Berlin.
(Other ideas considered included RAF Coastal Command, USMC, and RAF SEAC)
It's in the pretty standard Olive Drab over Neutral Gray. Decaling may take a little while since I couldn't piece together the necessary bits from the stash/spares, so I ordered a P-47 sheet that will work perfectly. The wait will give me time to get the gear done and 8 5" HVARs painted up nicely.
For now, here she is painted. Belly cannon pack is not installed yet. Haven't decided if it will be gray or leave it NMF.
(https://imageshack.com/a/img922/7480/g5Q0cM.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img921/5600/zbxeUK.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/2395/Rlw7jO.jpg)
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OOOH YES --- :smiley:
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WOW what a result.
Testors Metallizer Stainless Steel from a rattlecan --- had no idea. Will try when the aircraft is right.
Thanks for the tip.
I'm a big fan of Testors Metallizer in the rattle can. It's delicate and doesn't stand up well to a lot of handling, and doesn't look right under a sealant (to mea anyway) so when I used it on a full model it's one that will sit on the shelf and not be picked up much. Having said that it is easy to use (providing a nice smooth surface to spray on. I'm not sure how it would look on some of the pebbly plastic you find in some Airfix kits, but my last effort with it was a smooth-as-glass Tamiya F-84, seen here...
(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/5543/PZvijP.jpg).
It also doesn't hold up well to masking. A post-it note is about all it will handle. In the past I've had decent luck with wet newspaper too. For this kit I masked and painted the OD strip on the nose/spine first, then when it was dry masked it before spraying the Testors Aluminum.
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OOOH YES --- :smiley:
Wot 'e said!
Shaping up to be a real stunner, AD!
Brian da Basher
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Looks great
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Keep the the gun pod NMF for some variation in color. Just my $0.02.
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Keep the he gun pod NMF for some variation in color. Just my $0.02.
Sounds/seems right !
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Yeah. After some thought I think NMF for the gun oack will look cool.
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Ace! 8)
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(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/5929/RyCs3d.jpg)
I like the gun pack in NMF. Time to start some decaling.
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That gunpack looks great, AD!
Your details are always a treat.
Brian da Basher
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After discovering I didn't have appropriate decals in the stash for the way I wanted this to turn out, so it's been sitting for a couple of days while I waited for some to arrive.
With decals on this afternoon, it's down to some weathering tomorrow and getting the fiddly bits attached (including 6 x 5" HVARs), and then she's ready for the shelf. Quite pleased with it so far.
(https://imageshack.com/a/img921/2905/fUBh3q.jpg)
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Damn, that's good! 8) :smiley:
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Damn, that's good! 8) :smiley:
Seconded!!
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You should be well pleased indeed AD!
That bird is shaping up to be a real stunner!
Brian da Basher
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Beyond how fine model is, which it is. It captures "time". Just know there is 1945 or 46 calendar on wall nearby. Can sense it.
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:smiley:
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This is looking awesome! The gunpod looks great.
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So this very enjoyable build is done.
Better pics tomorrow, but here is one shot and the backstory.
(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/5200/R1EFxK.jpg)
As 1945 drew to a close the allied advance into German held-Europe had slowed to a crawl. Germany’s late 1944 counter attack and the crushing allied defeat in the Ardennes combined with the historically bad weather experienced throughout Europe in 1945 had left the war almost in a stalemate.
Germany continued V1 and V2 missile attacks, with Britain a main target, but allied held areas of France seeing heavy attacks too. With rumors of new, more advanced German missiles in the works and new jet powered aircraft entering service the Allies were under pressure to match the German technological advances.
With the allied efforts to produce an atomic weapon also experiencing difficulties after the tragic death of project scientist Robert Oppenheimer in an automobile accident, the allies were pinning their hopes on a fleet of jet aircraft and other advanced weapons to break the stalemate and bring the war to an end in 1946.
The USAAF had been eager to match the RAF by bringing a jet fighter into service in 1945, but he Bell P-59 did not live up to expectations so American hopes were pinned on the promising P-80 built by Lockheed.
Germany had other plans though, and on the night of July 24th, 1945 German commandos landed via U-Boat on a remote section of the northern California coast. Two weeks later, in the early hours of August 8th they managed to launch a devastating attack on Lockheed’s secretive Burbank factory, leaving he P-80 production line almost totally destroyed.
With no other suitable US jet aircraft ready for deployment, the US turned to Britain and ordered 140 Meteor F.3s. The first aircraft were diverted from RAF orders and rushed into service with the USAAF in January 1946, designated the P-74 Meteor in US service.
The first US squadron to operate the Meteor was the 61st Fighter Squadron in early 1946, replacing the P-47 Thunderbolt. Meteors of the 61st performed well during the last year of the war and were credited with destroying a large number of V1 and V2 missile launch sites. Equipped with 6 20mm cannon (four in the nose, two in a removable underbelly cannon pack) and 5-inch HVAR rockets, the P-74 was also an effective tank buster in during the Allied push into Germany in Spring 1946.
This particular model depicts P-74 s/n 462111 flown by Captain McCauley, who was credited with the first US jet-on-jet aerial kill in May 1946 when he shot down an Me262 over the German border near Cologne.
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Story of events surrounding P-74 bring gazing upon build into even better focus.
Lot to absorb in model and story. :-*
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Beautiful build & credible back story. All-round winner! 8) :icon_alabanza:
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:smiley:
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As promised, here are a few better quality pics. This was a very enjoyable build. Just what I needed after the last one!
(https://imageshack.com/a/img923/4462/4Gktmo.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/2489/jIaktM.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img924/7938/kRbupf.jpg)
(https://imageshack.com/a/img921/7717/PsGtog.jpg)
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Very nice Nick :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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Very nice. Great backstory too :smiley:
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That's a magnificent Meteor and a gripping back story to go right along with it!
Outstanding, AD!
Brian da Basher
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Beautiful build & credible back story. All-round winner! 8) :icon_alabanza:
What he said; a very credible back story. Though I could see the IJN using their I-400 class submarines to mount an air attack against Lockheed's plant from an unexpected direction as a backup to the German attack.
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Or even a disastrous, accidental fire made worse by inappropriate firefighting techniques, cant capsize and sink a factory in the same manner as an along side ocean liner but maybe water on a fuel fire spreading instead of supressing the blaze.
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Was well pleased to see this fantastic model featured over on the Aircraft Resource Center.
Linky (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal16/15101-16200/gal15160-P-74-Walton/00.shtm)
Well done, AD!
Brian da Basher