El pibe vitina Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Matador! Hi mates, Time to introduce my entry to this GB. Im building a "Matador", a 8 Escuadrilla´s Spanish Navy Harrier received during the seventies. As early Spanish Harriers from first batch, I will not include the RWR and other ECM devices. The kit is the oldie but nice ESCI AV-8A. Despite this mould had 20 years old, the ESCI Harrier family is the most accurate, beating Hasegawa, Fujimi and Airfix releases. Smooth engraved panel lines and a respectable in details, the kit is almost perfect. The only disadvantages are a sparse cockpit, and inaccurate decals and AIM-9 for the Spanish version. So I started adding some details in the cockpit (not to much, I will close the canopy) and turning the strange ejector seat into a Stencel type. I cut and opened the auxiliary air intakes. The front wheel leg was cutted to decrease the angle when the aircraft is on ground. Several pieces were glued and sanded to be ready for next stages in the build progress. I will use some extras... a refuelling prove from ESCI GR3, a pair of AIM-9J from Hasegawa weapons set and decals from other sheets and custom made by myself. Well... time to continue this model. Cya. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pappy121 Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 G'day, I'm looking forward to see how the Esci Harrier builds up, as I have a couple in my stash. I'm also glad to see someone else in here, it was getting a little lonely! Pappy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted September 29, 2007 Author Share Posted September 29, 2007 G'day,I'm looking forward to see how the Esci Harrier builds up, as I have a couple in my stash. I'm also glad to see someone else in here, it was getting a little lonely! Pappy By chance, Im looking foward to see how your Italeri Wessex builds up. I have three in my stash. This will be my first Harrier family subject, I have a GR3 and a FRS1, both ESCI too. You are not walk alone Pappy! Cya Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Looking forward to this! The light grey and colours of the markings make for a great paint scheme! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 Some progress in my Matador Several improvements to the fine ESCI kit. Add some details with styrene and wire in the cockpit. I will close the canopy so I didnt work too much in the pilot´s office. The basic seat included in the kit was transformed in a Stencel one, used by Spanish first batch AV-8s. Then I opened the auxiliary intakes and add the shutters did with plasticard. The outriggers legs had an inacuratte extra arm, so must to cut it. Finally, I found in my decals files a sheet very usefull to replace those ESCI wrong roundels. And Im drawing some extra custom decals to print soon. Cya! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richuk Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Wow, very impressive. I love the work you've done on that seat. Can't wait for the updates....and all in 1/72. Nice. Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
X-RAY Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 lookin' good. Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi all! More progress during past days. Before close the cockpit, I add a half circle shaped styrene to close the rear cockpit zone, and place the seat and the gunsight. Inside the fuselage I painted the engine blades and main intakes. All pieces fits ok, but the wing and the fuselage join zone shows some big gaps. Easily filled and sanded with Tamiya putty. Before painting it, I add some exterior details as formation lights, cockpit intakes, etc. At this moment this bird is preshaded and ready to paintjob! Cya! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 Nice work on your Spanish "Matador" so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
X-RAY Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 I like how the cockpit and nose look with out the body. Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted November 22, 2007 Author Share Posted November 22, 2007 Hi mates! Time to show my progress on this bird. After the preshading with Extra Dark Sea Gray, I painted the whole model with Gull Gray + White (90%/10%) for upper surfaces and White for the lower. The only other colours I used were Medium Gray for some panels in ventral rear fin and Aluminium for wheel and airbrake bays. All remaining pieces also were painted with Gull Gray and White, Light Gray for undercarriage, Medium Gray for the missile launchers, Blue for the dummies Sidewinders, Black for the tires and Gun Metal for rear engine exhausts. All paintwork was did using the airbrush, masking, painting, masking again and more painting. Im really bored at this stage, so next days... time to have fun using those old loved brushes to add more details. Last week I printed my own custom decals, and finally I choosed other Matador subject (my first choise was the 01-814), the 01-805. I seized the opportunity to print my custom decals for other future projects. Finally, I add formation light panels, painted in White. Sorry about today´s poor quality picts. Im really hurry to finish this model! Cya! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TF51GREGWISE Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Looking real good Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 A decal´s nightmare. Hi mates, Some progress at the final stage of this build. After brush paint the small pieces and give the model some Future coats, was time to apply the decals. The ESCI kit decal sheet shows its age. I exposed them under the sunlight during a couple of weeks to remove the yellowish colour and it works pretty well. But the troubles started when I try to apply them. No glue, no stick and no adjust to round aircraft shapes. Micro Set solution was very useful to fix them, but Micro Sol didnt work and made some decals unusuable. Fortunately I had the decal sheet from both ESCI Harrier GR3 and SHAR and I used them (mostly stencils) as replace for those destroyed during the decalling process. The ICM I-15 Spanish roundels and my custom decals works without any problem and give me a moment to relax and breathe again! During next week I will apply some paint details, Future coat, glue undercarriage, aerials and refuelling probe, washes, satin barnish and..... finish it! Cya. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richuk Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 WOW. Well done mate, you've done an amazing job on that Harrier. Hurry up and finish!!! Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rampage55 Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Very nice. Those markings look cool on that earlier Harrier. Well done, Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted December 24, 2007 Author Share Posted December 24, 2007 (edited) Crossing the finishing line Hi mates! Ok, here is the Matador finished. Last touches were a light wash, glue the aerials, pitot, probe, airbrake, external load and undercarriage. A special attention must be payed to align carefully the 5 wheels trying to avoid see the Harrier "dancing" in two or three legs. The trick: glue the front wheel first and then the outriggers, all aligned. Then test fit the main ventral wheel modifying the leg´s height to place it. More and better pictures in completed builds section. Thanks to Group Build`s organizers and hope to see all you again in other enjoyable projects! Happy New Year. Cya. Edited December 24, 2007 by El pibe vitina Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Very nice Matador! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richuk Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Absolutely superb. Well done mate, it looks real!! Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewPerren Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Lovely work. Great detail in 1/72. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El pibe vitina Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Very nice Matador! Absolutely superb. Well done mate, it looks real!! Lovely work. Great detail in 1/72. Thanks chums! Glad to read your comments. Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Great build! Looks absolutely great! :o Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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