Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Group and Themed Builds => Kitbash / Frankenstein GB => Topic started by: Robomog on January 29, 2025, 05:49:00 AM

Title: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on January 29, 2025, 05:49:00 AM
Hi all
Throwing my hat into the ring

I was at Telford last year and had a great time. There was only one black cloud. I came across a stall with lots of kits and what appeared to be bargain bins on the outside, I found some transfers and an Airfix Auster kit not in the original bag. The stall holder quoted me a large mount of money which he subsequently reduced a bit and I paid thinking I had got a kit I had been after for some time ( of course I didn't know Airfix were going to repop it a few months later.  :-\).

Anyway long story short got it home and found that bits were missing most I could replace but the vital clear roof of the main canopy to which the wings attach was also missing meaning I had brought an expensive bag of spare parts. :icon_twisted:.

Feeling I had been royally shafted I threw it into a box of random bits that I would probably sell on, and forgot about it.

Until now........

Getting in touch with my inner ericr and finding an incomplete Fouga Magister in my parts stash I had to do something with those elegant wings and the Jet Auster was born.

Here's a quick mockup (no glue till Saturday!) ....

(https://i.imgur.com/v0xUMqm.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/J5sNBV9.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/18pvwkQ.jpeg)

I am still looking for some tip tanks, undercarriage parts and a possible nose extension to take the nose wheel.

Plus, of course, something to complete the cabin roof   :o

All in all a win win as I've found a use for something I had written off as an expensive mistake.

More when it happens.......


Mog
>^-.-^<


Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: The Big Gimper on January 29, 2025, 06:48:25 AM
A very nice assembly of very random parts!
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: raafif on January 29, 2025, 07:24:03 AM
I'll have to show this to the couple of Auster pilots in my club ;D

No doubt their reaction will be  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on January 29, 2025, 08:34:03 AM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think their reaction will be "this modeller must die !!"

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 30, 2025, 12:43:38 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: ericr on January 30, 2025, 01:32:12 AM
Getting in touch with my inner ericr ...

 ;)

have fun !

Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Dr. YoKai on January 31, 2025, 12:37:09 AM
 Looks promising-the wings are gorgeous.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Kerick on January 31, 2025, 01:10:39 PM
That looks great! The end of a drop tank glued to the front should work. What would we do without them.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 01, 2025, 12:56:21 AM
This reminds me a bit of the Cirrus Vision SF50:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Cirrus_Vision_SF50_N124MW_cn_0009_%2828664083278%29.jpg)
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 01, 2025, 02:51:17 PM
Hmm never seen that one before  :smiley: :smiley:

Thanks for the comment guys.

Dr Yokai :- Absolutely and curiously they are almost exactly the same length as the original Auster wings.

Kerick - yep you can never have too many spare drop tanks

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: ericr on February 01, 2025, 04:43:18 PM

not to forget the cm.88 Gémaux (twin fuselage !) :


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzFMR6cXsA4PZ3I.jpg)
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 01, 2025, 07:07:07 PM
Wow never knew that on existed, you can see the Fouga Magister heritage in that  :smiley: :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 02, 2025, 12:41:17 AM
Looks like the basis for some weird, Luft46 ground attack plane
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on February 02, 2025, 03:23:41 AM
Oh, yes, this is going to be a 'Mog special, I can feel it . . .  ;D


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on February 02, 2025, 03:25:42 AM

not to forget the cm.88 Gémaux (twin fuselage !) :


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FzFMR6cXsA4PZ3I.jpg)
ISTR that the idea was for the section of wing between the two fuselages was to be replaced with a test section, as a sort of 'flying wind tunnel'.


cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 02, 2025, 08:47:08 AM
Wherever it goes, the usage of bits, looks pretty good so far
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 07, 2025, 06:23:19 AM
Hi all

For once in my kitbashing journey I just got lucky. One of the big problems I had to address was the big hole in the top of the canopy.

I really wanted to keep it clear but If all attempts failed I would give it  a hard top using plastic card.

My salvation came in the shape of a spare Fiesler Storch canopy, it was almost perfect fit and with a bit of careful cutting and sanding I got a reasonable fit.

So this ......

(https://i.imgur.com/yrOyFdf.jpeg)

Became this....

(https://i.imgur.com/um8IOyr.jpeg)

I have filled any gaps with Clearfix but I still have two small holes, one either side of the front join. I may devise something to put in them of fill them like the other gaps. All the joints will be further hidden under framing.

Thanks for looking ......

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 08, 2025, 07:28:15 AM
Hi all


A bit more progress,........

Worked out some detail in the sparse cockpit with some seats and a control panel.

(https://i.imgur.com/JUtHawo.jpeg)

It's going to have a  nose wheel to get away from a tail dragger configuration so i'm currently creating a template to position the nose wheel box

(https://i.imgur.com/CQXnTBf.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/BGUmWZT.jpeg)

More when it happens.....

Mog
>^-.-^<






Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 09, 2025, 08:26:03 PM
Hi all

Made some more progress

The wings are complete and only need a bit of sanding to marry them to the fuselage, I've removed the half wing tanks and substituted some thin tanks from the spares stash, I think they came from a Fiat G91.

(https://i.imgur.com/yXGzFIs.jpeg)

The fuselage is also together, including the nose wheel box and some weights to make it sit on the nose wheel.

(https://i.imgur.com/JowS0v2.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nl4blJX.jpeg)

I think the fuselage parts were slightly warped but this has worked in my favour as the wheel box has slightly opened the join at the nose.

This was quite fiddly to put together as there were no locating pins

Next job, PSR and forming the nose

Thanks for looking.?...


Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on February 11, 2025, 03:21:00 AM
Looking very good, and a good job on the canopy . . .

cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 13, 2025, 09:13:56 AM
Thanks robunos  :smiley:

Some more progress.

Into the major  PSR  now and apart from the alterations the basic fit required a lot of filler.

Thus.......

(https://i.imgur.com/FBgYhSa.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/SVmd8Vw.jpeg)

Became this .........

(https://i.imgur.com/6WulR0V.jpeg)

A rather elegant nose,, even if I say so myself..

I've also extended the pylon on the engine this is ready for attachment

(https://i.imgur.com/LyEyt0A.jpeg)

That's all for the moment, more when it happens.........

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Dr. YoKai on February 13, 2025, 09:27:49 AM
The fuselage shaped up very nicely.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on February 15, 2025, 02:41:01 AM
Some nice PSR work ( I HATE doing PSR . . .)

cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 15, 2025, 03:40:18 AM
I must admit when I'm doing PSR I find it quite therapeutic, especially when it involves shaping.  :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 15, 2025, 03:41:19 PM
Hi all.

I seem to be getting some unprecedented bench time on this one.

I'm going to depart from my usual process of fixing the canopy last. It is quite a big canopy with lots of framing and does not fit very well. So I have decided to mask it out prior to painting and install it early so that I can carefully fill some of the bad joints.

(https://i.imgur.com/s2eeyxn.jpeg)

In addition to that, the wings are on !

(https://i.imgur.com/kLQeD3p.jpeg)

Next job is to extend the tail a bit and install the tailplanes.

Thanks for looking.....

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Old Wombat on February 15, 2025, 11:52:33 PM
That's a LOT of canopy for a little aeroplane! :icon_surprised:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 16, 2025, 06:16:00 AM
Sure is.

But curiously I have not altered the dimensions of the canopy at all and the fuselage/wings have all been made slightly bigger (half an inch on nose and tail. The width of the tip tanks on the wings), so it should look smaller  ???.

I can only think that in the high wing original design it's size is hidden by the wings  ::).


Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: raafif on February 16, 2025, 06:46:12 AM
Definitely a spacious four (or six?)-seater - good family transport  :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 16, 2025, 08:50:24 AM
It's actually laid out for three and space for equipment but could easily seat four :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on February 17, 2025, 02:45:29 AM
Noice . . .
looking forward to seeing your replacement tail feathers. Did you consider using Magister ones ?

cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 17, 2025, 07:05:37 PM
I did, but on this dinky fuselage they looked massive   ;D ;D ;D

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 19, 2025, 03:48:27 AM
Hi all


Aaaand as if by magic the tailplanes appeared !!

(https://i.imgur.com/RTXScbG.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/vXAc9ei.jpeg)

Closely followed by a cloud of primer

(https://i.imgur.com/96wdif4.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/93yp5LD.jpeg)

First inspection shows some rough bits on the filler and a few small pits but overall, it's looking good.

Another puff of primer then off to the paint shop.

Not sure of the finished color yet but it will probably be overall yellow as a nod to its previous existence.

Thanks for looking......

Mog
>^-.-^<

Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: apophenia on February 19, 2025, 11:23:41 AM
That is dead impressive, 'Mog!

But now the poor thing is just crying out to be turned into a jet flying boat  ;D
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: finsrin on February 19, 2025, 02:17:13 PM
Marvelous concept and kitbash  :smiley:
Look forward to seeing more  :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Frank3k on February 19, 2025, 11:40:57 PM
It's really coming together now that it's under a coat of primer!
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on February 26, 2025, 07:38:40 AM
Hi all

Just a little teaser.

The Jet Auster is out of the paint shop, I'm currently deciding on the decals. I'll probably keep it simple, in line with other aircraft of the same era.

(https://i.imgur.com/vBBNwSR.jpeg)

The next post will probably be the final article

More when it happens....

Mog
>^-.-^<

Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: ericr on February 26, 2025, 04:18:00 PM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on March 10, 2025, 02:24:56 AM
Vey nice, reminds of the Miles Student . . .

cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on March 11, 2025, 05:37:40 AM
Thanks chaps.

Like the Franken Biplane the Jet Auster is finished

Here's the pics:-

(https://i.imgur.com/GE2mHFz.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/swLEJ1X.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/9NPlhNc.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Gwqu9em.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/6OM04XO.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1u4hVWI.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/nwBtjGZ.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/oCbXxQs.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/OAbF0zW.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/c82MUQS.jpeg)

And of course the scale shots with Arthur Brain and a matching yellow Landrover

(https://i.imgur.com/FJ6WiO1.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/3s2PFPE.jpeg)

Like the biplane this was another project that just went together and felt "just right" that includes my first ever attempt at masking a canopy by cutting the masking tape myself. No back story here i just can't think of anything.

As always all comments and criticisms gratefully accepted.

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: robunos on March 11, 2025, 05:46:59 AM
Ooh, Me Likey Dat . . . :smiley:

cheers,
Robin.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Old Wombat on March 11, 2025, 11:28:28 AM
Gee, a jet! ;D

Nicely done, sir! :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Frank3k on March 11, 2025, 12:41:26 PM
It really came out nice! Gee a jet for Inspector Gajet?
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: The Big Gimper on March 11, 2025, 06:23:30 PM
It really came out nice! Gee a jet for Inspector Gajet?


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Go go Gajet TurboJet!
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: ericr on March 12, 2025, 04:25:34 AM

a very elegant front wheel  :smiley:
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: apophenia on March 12, 2025, 05:56:33 AM
Nice work, 'Mog! And love the scheme  :-*
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Dr. YoKai on March 12, 2025, 06:12:02 AM
That is a charmer! Really nice colors, and a very nifty look.
Title: Re: Jet Auster
Post by: Robomog on March 14, 2025, 04:28:52 PM
Thanks for the comment chaps, much appreciated

Mog
>^-.-^<