JET AIRCRAFT
Plate 1. Tornado GR1, Gulf War markings
1/32 scale Revell 04705
This kit is generally accurate and fits quite well. However, its moving wings and rotating wing pylons make for a very challenging build, when trying to get optimal alignment. Not for beginners.
Plate 2. Tornado GR1
Panavia Tornado GR.1 'Debbie' (ZD790) is a famous aircraft from 15 Squadron. It was flown during the 1991 Gulf War (Operation Granby). The allocated crew were Flight Lieutenant Teakle (pilot) and Squadron Leader Buckley (navigator). The aircraft was previously part of 31 Squadron and carried an image of its mascot, Snoopy, on the port nose area.
Plate 3. Tornado GR1, Gulf War, Debbie
Debbie late in the war after it got even dirtier!
Plate 4. Tornado GR1, Gulf War, Debbie
Blown up shot of the nose. Note the zigzag painted areas. Ground crews used rollers to touch-up the paint, creating roller-sized zigzags.
Plate 5. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF (Photo: Jeff Wilson)
1/32 Vac-form Echelon BAC Lightning, with Flighpath update.
This was the most complex kit I have ever built but the end result was fantastic. Every decal required watered down white glue and masses of Sol and Set solutions, but they flattened perfectly.
Plate 6. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF (Photo: Jeff Wilson)
Finished model with Flightpath entry ladder, Red Top missiles and intake covers. The wheel hubs were also etched metal plates from Flightpath.
Plate 7. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF (Photo: Jeff Wilson)
Cockpit with printed dials
Plate 8. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF (Photo: Jeff Wilson)
Rear-quarter view showing the engines mounted one on top of the other. Very unique. I cut out the flaps and lowered them. This was non-trivial with a vac-form kit.
Plate 9. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF (Photo: Jeff Wilson)
Natural finish underside. The refuelling probe is shown well in this shot. The Red Top missiles are from Flightpath.
Plate 10. BAC Lightning F.6, RAF
Photographed on my back door step, which fortunately resembled an aircraft hard-stand. Somehow, the background colours provide an optimal contrast against the paint scheme.
Plate 11. Republic F-105D Thunderchief, USAF, Vietnam
1/32 Trumpeter TR02201.
Republic F-105D Thunderchief.
This kit certainly had some hidden challenges. The most diffiuclt part was the undercarriage. I purchased metal legs, otherwise they would have collapsed. This is a massive model (611mm in length)!
Plate 12. Republic F-105D Thunderchief, USAF, Vietnam
One of my favourite US aircraft, the F-105 'Thud' flew around 75% of all bombing missions inside North Vietnam from 1965 to 1970. It was replaced by the F-111. From 833 built, 335 were shot down over Vietnam. Another 47 were lost in operational accidents. Whilst a bomber, this massive aircraft shot down around 28 North Vietnamese Migs, all with its M61 cannon.