John Wolstenholme

“You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear”. Well, very much looks like you have. Purely a personal preference, for me the base/background colour doesn’t do your model proper justice with little fill-in flash to all that ordnance etc. Great conclusion. John.

Steve, formed from tubing. Having got both sides of the centre wall up to the same stage, it is now fixed to the base with the aft door jacks ‘plumbed-in’. Back wall is re-detailed, but haven’t a clue what the twin round thingies (electrical?) are for. Started on doors by fitting the P.E. parts which look far better than the kit renditions, but they are a PITA to remove. I am in need of a kit-kat, so good opportunity to catch up on some RC glider modelling for a change.

Thanks Brian, appreciate the ‘navy’ dropping in. Seems like all (?) the wiring goes through the weapons bay. Finicky job and still to be repeated for t’other side, but at least moving in the right direction.

Hi Jake and Steve, thanks for dropping in. Both sides of the centre wall(s) well on the way, now started with the plumbing. Redone the jacks to match the new bay ‘roof’ with doors placed. Probably end up using more ‘bits’ in the weapons bay when complete, than the number of kit parts to be used!

Most of the plastic card detail redone to stbd inboard wall. The hydraulic pipes will now run to the weapons bay door jacks, rather than as the kit into the ‘electrics box’.

My understanding is the GBU-24 was too big for the 117 weapons bay and the -27 is slightly reduced in length and with smaller fins. Committed to a nearly full refurb of the weapons bay so piping and wires are not set into the frames. Looking at the limited number of photos, the ‘roof’ exhibits varying depths. I have removed some spurious detail to the roof and all from the inner wall, then shaped it to the stepped roof. Interesting how you can still 'see' the moulded detail even though it is perfectly flush.

A straightforward WIP without methodology. A cursory glance at the kit gear bays and weapons bay and looks like this is gonna be a long haul. Made a start with 2x GBU-27s and removing all the moulded 'detail' on the weapons bay front wall.

My post of 21 March was to test the ‘temperature’ and it is what I expected. The End Who knows Mike, I think I fancy a 1,1,4+3.

Kev Futter ( https://www.klp.com.au/ ) contacted me a while back regarding the possible publication of an e-book on my Echelon Lightning F.6 build. My thoughts are this wouldn’t have legs due to it being a vacform kit and it’s very limited availability. However, unlike the magazines I contacted, Kev is enthusiastic about doing this for the Harrier GR.7. Below I list the modifications and additions to the Trumpeter kit and Aires resin sets: (A) Fuselage ● Aires AV-8B cockpit set, MFDs corrected so as not to be vertically offset. For the ejection seat, I used the Wolfpack

....and there I was, thinking I was heading for an all time record, >450 views without a single comment. Many thanks to all those who have taken the time to contribute during the course of this protracted build. Hello Tim, back in the saddle January 2017. Which leads onto the following.......

Some from yesterday’s photoshoot. There is additional subtle weathering to the ARTF on the wings which can be seen with the eye, but doesn’t really show in the photos. That’s it folks.

Thanks for taking the time guys. The modelling gods must have read my post yesterday, just had a suitable day for photos and let the digital camera rip. I still marvel at the flexibility of digital cameras, shoot as many as you like at no cost and see instant results. I do bracket exposures and all that, so got to sort through >100 photos. Matt, I have no idea, just know I am six years older! Karl, with the age of the Trumpeter GR.7 kit and who knows how many times it has featured in magazines, the only thing in my favour to get something published is if I have somet

It’s been a long and sometimes bumpy road, but there is completion. Final task is to get some decent photos, but need good natural light with fill-in flash, not this continued dreary weather.

Finally on the home straight having done as much as I intend regarding ‘weathering’. Had to sand/repaint the nozzles having found back in 2014(?) the nozzle/shroud clearance was insufficient to stop the paint rubbing off. Then found the Zotz arrow head decals are very noticeably small relative to the nozzles. Fortunately, I had some Microscale trim sheet of suitable grey to cut new ones. Into some freewheeling attaching the stores. I am going with 2x CBLS-100s having seen this on two GR.7s, but making the port one removable. Still to finish second one.

Ah, but John I never had what it took to fly military jets.

Hi Chek and Crackerjazz, appreciate you dropping in and your comments. Finally sorted the port nose rescue arrow etc. No decal with Zotz for nose wheel door opening, used Airframe cut into 5 pieces to fit around actuator. Refuelling probe/housing now fixed in place. Some serious ‘staining’ below and aft of the refuelling point with fuel, hydraulic oil and ARTF paint ‘interaction’. Yep, the white had worn off the intake lip.

Cannot take any credit for those, they are the Zotz decals. Though still thinking about toning them down a little!

Many thanks Chek. The nose leg door proved to be a bit of a challenge, but after burning holes in my monitor came up with this. The one piece Zotz rescue arrow/fold-out steps decal was cut into 6 pieces in order to fit/align. At least the still to do list is getting shorter.

Hi Steve. Sorry to read about your knee and prolonged hand issue. I am assuming @10 yrs means ~10 yrs. Keep going Steve, but maybe you have to make some compromises as I do from time to time. Those Mk.83s and pallets look the business, as does the rest. Best wishes John

They say a change is as good as a rest. Not turning out to be the case. Started to apply decals in areas other than where ‘weathering’ is still to be done or completed. The Zotz decals for the fin flash and Fire Panels are slightly out of register, so a very thin edge of white showed, which stood out on the dark grey – used Airframe instead. Then I noticed a problem of my own making. The masking size for the Rescue arrow (port side) – I did not use the dual language version, so that will need correcting. Think I am get a little weary of this project and take a break.

Scratch built AIM-9 Acquisition pod from plastic rod and using various bits of decals and 24x 1mm letters for ACQN. Airbrake and jack installed after reducing the length of the jack, otherwise it hung down too low for my liking. Probably, like the Hunter it would drop to full extension with time. Another detail still to do is the nose leg door. This should hinge outside the leg recess on ‘extensions’, not just hang on the back of the leg. I have just noticed an oversight with the outrigger gear doors. Looks like they have rubberised bottom edges t

The covers are mostly off and nose gear doors, main gear doors and cross-dam LID in place. All small details requiring masking and painting done eg Zeus ECM housings, pitots, aerials etc. Back to the ‘weathering’. Need to make an ACMI/ACQN unit which I overlooked when making the other ordnance back in 2012.

Folded 2000 W&D (wet) held with 'blunt' tweezers to remove the worst, then lint free cloth to polish, ensuring cloth piece is folded/held so you don't scratch the canopy! Depending on severity, the cloth piece with toothpaste may return the shine. Needless to say have a go on a spare/waste canopy, or similar material, first. A pair of pairs eh. Oh my they do look excellent. So what about the F-14s Joe? Regards John

Progress is slow, had about 3hrs of suitable light for airbrushing in the last 10 days and I don’t get much done in an hour! Working on the ‘weathering’ effects, some of which can be seen in this photo. This is the most difficult scheme I have done and being 5 years since my last airbrush job with the A-7E doesn’t help. It was a good decision omitting the refuelling probe/housing* as it was difficult enough to paint under the LERX. Also, unlike the other Harriers the white doesn’t go over this*. Recently noticed I am missing the ‘rail’ on which the canopy opens. H

Many thanks for the input and photos. This area around and below the refuel/defuel point and a similar area on the stdb side seem to be a common feature. But you only need one decal to (partly) lift with no replacement(s) available and you really are up the proverbial creek. My feet are blocks of ice at the prospect.