1/48 Hunter build review

[Ratch]

Following on from my In-Box Review here is my take on the build.

I will follow the instructions, unless I foresee and easier method, and paint the parts using Humbrol paints in my possession, or the nearest colour I have by any other manufacturer. 

[Ratch]

There is a choice at step 2; we may fit a simple, plain seat cushion in the ejector eat, but I chose the alternative part with detailed safety harnesses moulded as detail.

This was painted. 

After step 10 we really need to know which aircraft we intend to finish the model as. The first kit issue was as an F.6 with the Avon 200 series engine. The FGA.9 and FR10 were developed from this airframe. It was re-issued as an F.4 with the Avon 100 series engine, and the GA.11 was based on this airframe. I am unsure of which fuselage is depicted. I assume it’s closest to the F.6 and therefore will build this as option B, the FR.10, XF459 of No. 4 Squadron, RAF Gütersloh, West Germany, 1961.

20g of nose weight is recommended.

[Ratch]

I could omit step 11 as this is specific to the G.11 (option C). I brush painted the nose interior. 

Fitted the compressor fan and main intake on the port side. 

I could then see where to fix the nose weight. I have used a 20g and 5g tyre weights, erring over the 20g advised on the instruction sheet. The weights were fixed with epoxy resin. 

Moving on to the starboard fuselage, some operations are repeated, as on the port section; some (for option C) are omitted, and cylinders are fixed in the nose. I do not intend to display the model in-flight and do not need to drill holes for the stand (sold separately).

I test fitted the mating of the fuselage and was please with the positive fit. 

One area of concern for me was the two slots under the rear of the fuselage. 

Scanning forward to steps 60 – 64 I can see that these are for the air brake. My curiosity satisfied, I cemented the two halves of the fuselage, holding them closed with tape, until the glue had done its job. If building option C the gun ports will need filling with the medium of your choice. Mine would be plastic putty, your may be something else, but I can omit this operation.

There are two options for the jet pipes, presumably for the Avon 100 and 200 series. I painted and assembled the appropriate parts for option B.

[Ratch]

There is a choice of tail pipes for the Avon 200 and 100 engines.

Various location points require opening with a pin vice, depending upon which variant you are modelling. 

It's looking like a Hunter to me.

When the lower wing is offered to the locating slots, they look to be ill-fitting. 

This is rectified by clamping whilst the glue sets.

[Ratch]

The next few steps are simple additions of flying surfaces and related parts. 

Again, the components differ for the build options. I have decided to undertake the main paintwork before adding undercarriage and weapons/stores. All interior surfaces of undercarriage doors were duly brush painted.

[Ratch]

I assembled the drop tanks, this is a dry fit.

I then masked both canopy sets and tacked the full canopy in place with PVA; this one can be replaced after spraying. 

All the bits were then primed.

[J-346856]

Looking good so far!

I've always liked the Hunter, there used to be some based at RAF Chivenor across from where my parents live in Devon. Many happy memories of the old airshows.

[Ratch]

Thanks.

I went to an airshow at Chivenor many years ago, while on holiday. Nice place.

Silver

[paul71]

looking good ratch,

did the wings give you any more problems once they were clamped.

paul

[Ratch]

Thanks. Not so far Paul.

[Ratch]

I masked off the lower areas and airbrushed Vallejo Model Air 71053 Dark Seagreen

[Ratch]

I then masked the disruptive camouflage pattern.

[Ratch]

I have some touching up to do.

[Ratch]

Ready for a gloss coat then decals.

[paul71]

its looking well ratch, i don't usually do 1:48 scale even though i do have a few waiting to build, i do like this one

[Ratch]

I don't usually do 1/48 either, Paul, though I can see the attraction.

[Ratch]

Having sprayed with Klear, I noticed that the wing tips should be white and painted them by brush.

[Ratch]

I brushed Klear over the wing tips and started applying the main markings using DecalFix.

[Ratch]

Come on chaps, pay attention! I only started to apply the wrong markings! Luckily, I soaked the offending decals and applied the correct markings for FR.10, XF459 of No. 4 Squadron, RAF Gütersloh, West Germany, 1961.

I have painted the tyres.

[Dominic Thomas]

Ratch, just to show that I am paying attention, I’m wondering about the roundel placements.

The ones on the fuselage look a little high to me, although this could be the angle of the photo. I always thought the datum was the bottom of the central red of the roundel, which should be at or just above the upper/under camouflage demarcation line. This puts the whole roundel just about in the middle of the fuselage, as in the Airfix profile (added next).

Also , I always thought the upper wing roundels had the blue overlapping the ‘ejector’ fairing. This was always a difficult thing for me to a) get the roundel to fit and b)paint the fairing the correct shade of roundel blue.

All that said, I’m enjoying the build, so thank you very much for sharing.

[Dominic Thomas]

As promised, the Airfix profile:

• check the location of the red dot of the roundel wrt the upper/under demarcation. This essentially places the base of the roundel just above the air brake.

[Ratch]

Maybe a little high, maybe my demarcation line is too low, or a combination of both. Anyway, too late to fix. I finished applying the main markings, 

then repainted the wing tips and the wrap around under the leading edges of the wings.

[Ratch]

Painting parts before assembly can cause real problems with fit. Unfortunately, there are circumstances when this is unavoidable, in my view. Parts need to be cleaned back in those areas that will affect the seating, such as the lugs on the undercarriage legs.

At least the nose-weight is sufficient.

[Ratch]

The stencil sheet depicts alternative markings for schemes A and B. Study them carefully to ensure the appropriate markings are applied for the aircraft you wish to represent. You may think I have stalled on the build, but I have had three sessions of about an hour each, which has brought me to this point. Still, plenty of stencils to apply.

[Ratch]

After seven sessions approximately one hour each, I have applied all the stencil decals.