I have also taken a mould of the FLIR pod found on GR4s. I'll make some resin additions to 'convert' the GR1s to GR4s.
Last flights and tributes group build
Last flights and tributes group build
Group build rules/guidelines:
- All entries must be a tribute to an aviation related event, person/organisation; or
- The last flight of an aircraft or person/organisation.
- Builds must commence after 25 December 2020.
- There is no limit to the number of entries per person.
The group build is designed to be enjoyable and fun, where possible we will accept any entry that loosely fits into the guidelines.
Leon's Entry
RAF Tornado GR4 Force Finale
The idea for this build must have been planted in my mind in the early 80s! I have a vivid memory of when a first met a Tornado, a GR1 at the time.
It was at the RAF St Athan at Home day on a sunny September afternoon! My father had taken me to my first airshow. The big star of the day was the RAF's latest fast jet. My father did a brilliant job of building my anticipation and excitment. He told me how it was going to be loud, fast and memorable. He was not wrong!
The skies fell quiet and after what seemed an eternity it flew from behind the crowd, low fast, wings swept and broke into a spiralling vertical climb. It sounded like the air was literally being torn apart and thown out of the afterburners. I fell in love with it on that day and it remains one of my favourite aircraft of all time.
So it would be quite fitting to do my tribute to the Tornado's final flight(s).
Here we have the reference material, kits, WiP and decals:
Progress update: Some good progress on the bench, the cockpits, and pilots are painted. The fuselages have had the undercarriage doors and air brakes fitted, wings, tailerons are prepared and cockpit assemblies are installed. Next step will be to close up the fuselages. I have already noticed that there are going to be some horrific seams and joints to deal with... When joining up I’ll try to keep them flush but it is not going to be easy.
Final point of interest. Here we can see the different taileron profiles between the Revell (middle) and the Airfix kits. I think Airfix have got it right. I don't think I'll do anything about it as the difference is very slight and hard to correct. I'll have a think though.
The FLIR pods the have been cast and the bomb racks are ready to go on...
The FLIR and bomb racks are fitted and all primed. Then the trouble began!! The resin cast FLIR pods will not take paint. Evertything Leon tried, Mr Surfacer, primer, even direct will not dry! They have now been sealed with super glue, which seems to have done the trick! Leon is now sanding them smooth before painting.
Progress has been very slow this summer but at least we finally have some paint on! There a few touch ups needed but overall happy enough. Work has started to tidy up the sub assemblies and meanwhile Leon will paint the black spine and tail fins and also start the camouflage Tonka!
WE HAVE PAINT! Finally, the colour is on!
After a very long period of slow progression we now have the final colours on all three Tonkas.
Leon will now gloss coat each in readiness for the decals.
Under wing pylons, tanks, stores and exhausts painted too.
Only a few pitot tubes, antennas and fins left to paint.
All finished!! See model gallery for individual photographs.
Vince's Entry
Cambrian Airways
Douglas C47A
Douglas C47A
Registration: G-ALCC
Construction Number: 10106
Operator: Cambrian Airways (CS)
Airport: Manchester - Ringway (MAN / EGCC), UK - England
Ex BEA Pionair. Served Cambrian 04.61 to 03.69. Here operating CS248 to Cardiff via Bristol wearing the final scheme worn by Cambrian's DC-3 fleet.
