KLu Hawker Hunter

 

The subject of the kit supplied decals, only this was later in its carreer, while flying with 325 squadron.
According to my refferences N-283 was taken into service in 1959, with registration 3P-27. After an overhaul in 1962 it was returned to service with 324 squadron, with shown registration.  

 

 

Of course the decals are out of register, will have to search for a replacement unit badge, or try and paint the missing parts in red 

Ejection seat of the Hunter, as it looks in the flesh  

Cockpit parts ready for the photo etch parts 

Sidewalls got some pe as well, melted into place with Tamiya extra thin  

Seat with the Eduard parts added, the top ejection pull will be added last  

 

Eduard dashboard always look great  

Cockpit ready for installation. 

Hull closed 

Filled the knock out holes, as I'm not sure what is visable after completion.
Still trying to figure out which colour to use, pictures show a dark grey, so maybe dark sea grey? 

First wing joined  

Nose and tail added, with as much lead as possible crammed into the nose  

Wings with the tooth added  

It is starting to look like a Hunter. 

 

 

 

Edges of the 'Glass' picked out in black to make them look thinner. 

Shield and HUD glued in place  

Comparison of the SBS and the kit wheels, front.. 

...and back, no match. 

Primed in Tamiya white  

Underside painted in aluminium  

 

 

Including the flaps, where the filled sections are still visable... Hopefully this won't show when the are in place ? 

Sidewinder in white  

And there is paint  

 

 

 

 

 

Reworked camouflage pattern  

Exhaust picked out in natural steel  

Started on the decals  

Revells decals are quite good, settling in well with some Microset applied  

Tried to fill out the missing red parts of the squadron logo, luckily I hadn't drunk any beer yesterday ? 

More decalling done  

Squadron badge turned out good. 

Part of the stencils are from a Flevo decals sheet, as the ones in the kit are for the British Hunter. 

Still wet from the Microset  

Washes applied to the top... 

...And bottom  

 

Sidewinders ready for installation  

Drop tanks installed  

Undercarriage doors too. 

Flaps installed 

Wheels painted  

As the SBS nose wheel is a lot thicker than the kit wheel, I had to file the fork paper thin, and needed a shim to fill the leg  

Main undercarriage in place  

Armed and dangerous  

Nose gear in place, still needs to get weathered  

Pitot glued in place, picked out in chrome silver, navigation lights got some clear gloss.  

Up on it's feet  

 

Seat and canopy in place, this is now done.
I'll put it aside to dry, and make some final pictures when the light is better. 

 

 

 

Final pictures made