Chiefs 1/72 Airfix FG.1 phantom

[chief5437]

This is what I’ll be building (actually, it’s already started).

Just some box shots for now, I’m at work.





Just a couple of decals!!!



I’ll post more when I get home.
Thanks for looking guys

[DrSprue]

Oh that looks really fun! Count me in Chief!

[ElCapitan]

That's a lot of decals! Good luck keeping your sanity when it comes to that stage!

Looks like it'll be a great kit though

[Stokesy44]

Holy Smokes - those stencils

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking forward to it and will follow along

hmm, I have a 1/72 Black Bunny Phantom that needs to be made

[TommyKillander]

Yeah!

Got this in my stash so I will follow the build with interest!

Good luck, mate!


Tommy

[Tomcat64]

Man that's a shedload of decals!

Thanks for getting the ball rolling for us chief - looking forward to seeing how it comes together

[aur0ra145]

That is a non-insignificant amount of decals. Should be a fun build!

[chief5437]

hi fellas!

time for an update on this.

I'll start with a moan about these new airfix kits.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

first page of the instructions shows three of the 'many' build options for this kit. the first two being 'in flight' and 'ready for launch'. airfix have made a lot of fuss about the ready for launch option, with the dropped slats and flaps, and the extended nosewheel strut. its even used for the boxart.

now it seems obvious to me, that 'in flight' and 'launch' would both require pilots? but airfix have decided to omit the figures. not surprising, you may say. but for years airfix have been one of the only manufacturers to include pilots as standard, which i always liked as it gave the modeller the option of having crew or not.

i recently got the new release airfix mitchell bomber as well, no aircrew in that either, so it seems thats the way forward for airfix, but its a step back in my eyes!

right, rant over! lets get this thing built!

im building this oob, so in no time at all, the cockpit was done, and fuselage halves together. i stuffed a load of lead shot in the nose, its not mentioned in the instructions, i did it 'just in case', lol!

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

so heres the first problem with the kit, the intake parts dont fit very well at all. keeping them flush with the fuselage, results in a fairly large gap where they meet the rest of the intake.
dont get me wrong, its an easy fix (i hope), and an area that is notorious for bad fit on any phantom kit, but i was kind of hoping that airfix wouldve come up with a better solution rather than a rehash of old ideas.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

so, with that fixed (i just used filler, and gave it a rub, to give the impression of a panel line), up pops another obstacle!
the canopy is missing the little window detail on the part that sits between the two crewmen. i know that on some aircraft, one of these windows was covered and had a periscope sight fitted, but i havent seen any royal navy phantoms with this. also, on the paint callout sheet, the windows are clearly visible.
i'm hoping that its a simple case of cutting some masks to suit. but i wont know until i take the masking off at the end of the build

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

it took a bit of filling and sanding to get the canopy to sit right, but we got there in the end!

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

then it was on to primer. i used Ultimate black for the main, and Ultimate gloss black for the metalwork at the rear. then vallejo Metal Color was applied to the exhaust area.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

i used tamiya x-2 gloss white for the underside, and Mig Ammo Medium gunship grey for the uppers.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

once that had dried, i applied some of the larger decals, two reasons for this. one, to make it look pretty, and two, just to try and make a dent in the sheer amount of decals still to come!!

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

so thats it for this update guys, ive got a load of the smaller parts in primer at the mo, ill post more in the next update.

as ever, thanks for having a look!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking amazing
You have done yourself proud battling the gaps....isnt this a new tool?? Should be better fit than that
I support your rant on no figures
Though they had to be severely modified to look like humans, at least they were a start at putting in crew

[DrSprue]

Oh wow, that is looking really nice so far!

[Tomcat64]

Great start - well done on sorting out those dodgy intake joins, they look really tidy.

I'm with you on the lack of pilot being a pain; I still like to pose aircraft flying for the most part so a driver is essential - really disappointed Airfix have joined the ranks of "no crew in kits" manufacturers.

[Quax]

Looks great Chief although I hope you do realise that if you keep building at this speed, Tomcat will expect you to build at least another 3 in the duration of this sig!?

Cheers

Paul

[EricM]

so whats your overall take on this kit? i was excited to see this at telford when i was there and have thought about picking this up to build to go with my hasegawa 48th kit in the works.

[alextheblue]

Some great progress there chief, you've always had a great eye for detail.

And that decal sheet, I filled my pants when I saw it! , you know me, as an AFV builder I break out in a sweat if there's more than four decals!

[chief5437]

so whats your overall take on this kit? i was excited to see this at telford when i was there and have thought about picking this up to build to go with my hasegawa 48th kit in the works.

Overall it’s pretty good, so far anyway! Apart from the things I mentioned earlier, which are common (in my experience anyway) with phantom kits. I’d definitely recommend it, it’s the best 1/72 Brit phantom out there!

I’m also building this to go along with my other Brit phantoms. 1/32 f-4j, 1/48 fg1, can’t find a Brit f-4 in 1/144 though

[chief5437]

Hey fellas! Just a quick post to let you know I’m still alive!

Cracking in with the stencils...



Phew!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Holy shite

[Stokesy44]

Me no build jets, me still sane!

Looks good though

[chief5437]

hi fellas long time, no see

calling this done, so last update then ill put pics in the reveal section.

having got all the decals on, i sealed them in with a coat of x-22.

once dry, i gave the panel lines a going over, and added a little weathering. used a mix of Mig Ammo and Ultimate washes.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

then i gave it a satin coat, and finally, added the undercarriage and stores.

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

Untitled by rich applegarth, on Flickr

and thats it done! thanks for looking in guys

[Twokidsnosleep]

That is a pretty damn impressive bit of modelling my friend
Top marks

[TommyKillander]

Looks fantastic, Chief!


Tommy