Trojan Thunder Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Hi all, Well I thought I would pipe in with something different. I have a Revell 1/72 Mirage IIIE I will convert to a Recce nosed RAAF machine. I have started by chopping off the radar section of the nose and replaceing it with a 'Plane Bits' Recce nose. My resin piece was a little bent and even heating it and reshaping did not do much to correct the shape. So I will have to be clever on how I fix it. I have a couple of ideas. I am also replacing the instrument panel and seat with items from 'Plane Bits'. I hope to have some pictures up soon. If I have time I might also pipe in with a Hasegawa RF-111C as well. Here is a picture of the Mirage with a Recce nose ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Very interesting subject! <_< The tanks on that Mirage are huge! :unsure: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewS Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Good to see Ray. I hope it goes well for you, and glad to hear that an RF-111 might also grace these pages. Which markings will you use for the Miracle? Andrew. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted February 25, 2008 Author Share Posted February 25, 2008 Here are the progress pics, not that much yet just a shot of the panel and seat. Andrew, I will either do it in the colours of the picture above or a grey 75SQN jet that we installed the nose on for an exercise in Darwin back in '85. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewS Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Nice progress Ray, especially on the nose; looks like you've successfully addressed the nose issue. A grey 75 jet with that nose would be interesting, as I didn't realise they were using it that late. All the best. Andrew. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) Finally got back to this build... I have assembled most of the fuselage parts, it was a real pain to get the instrument panel in and sitting right so there was enough room between the panel and the windscreen frame. I ended up stuffing bluetak into the area behind the panel to give it something to sit on while the glue was applied. I wll be do this one as an inflight display model with 2 supersonic tanks and a centreline jug. All will need to be modified. The supersonic fuel tanks on the Revell kit are RPK-10 bomb carriers. They are not quite the right shape of the 'super' fuel tanks fitted to RAAF Mirages. I have attempted to reshape them to look more streamlined. The pylon for the centreline jug is different to the wing mounts and will have to be scratchbuilt. Back to the build Edited June 25, 2008 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Looking good Ray. Keep the progress shots coming. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 Looking good Ray. Keep the progress shots coming.Regards Andrew Thanks Andrew, Have made some progress since these shots were taken, some pictures to follow soon. I have finished the seat and am just adding a few details the Revell kit lacks or does not portray correctly. Such as a intake scoops on the fuselage and under the wingsand fuel drain onthe rear fuselage. Then I need to redo the glazing for the camera port, it is a blob of green resin at the moment which will be cut out and filled with Testors clear cement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Good to see you're back at it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack-Swiss Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Nice work there...cant wait to see more of it! Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Thanks Andrew,Have made some progress since these shots were taken, some pictures to follow soon. I have finished the seat and am just adding a few details the Revell kit lacks or does not portray correctly. Such as a intake scoops on the fuselage and under the wingsand fuel drain onthe rear fuselage. Then I need to redo the glazing for the camera port, it is a blob of green resin at the moment which will be cut out and filled with Testors clear cement. Whose decals are you using for it? Have you decided what a/c you're doing? Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 Thanks guys, pictures will be up shortly, I have to get them off the camera. Whose decals are you using for it? Have you decided what a/c you're doing?Regards Andrew Andrew, I am using a Hawkeye sheet, best I can recall the aircraft was A3-51, so it will be 51 in an overall grey scheme. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 For Andrew, Here is a picture of the jet in the flesh. It was taken in 1985 with a very average camera. The Recce jet is the one with canopy open. Now here is an update. Ejection seat painted and windscreen installed. Underside shot showing modified bomb rack as a centre line fule tank pylon and carved out camera bay window on nose. Some scribing to be done on the nose gear doors. Next I will be adding a few intake scoops on the fuselage and wings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Looking good Ray, lookin real good. Now, if my memory is right A3-51 was at Point Cook awhile back and I believe may now be in storage there, this a/c was Air Marshall S. Evans' ride just before the withdraw from service. The Recce nose had been replaced by the time it reached P.Ck. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 26, 2008 Author Share Posted June 26, 2008 The Point Cook jet was in a green/grey scheme. I thought it was a serial in the 70s, 72? The recce nose was only fitted when required. I can only remember doing about 3 or 4 nose changes in the 2 1/2 years I was at 77SQN, after that they converted to Hornets and the noses were retired. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Ray, P.Ck have/had three (3) Mirages to the best of my knowledge. A3-72 on the Academy parade ground, A3-92 in the rear hangar. Both of these a/c were three tone lizard. A3-51 was all over grey and was inside the main Museum hangar with the Phantom II until the Re.8 and Avro 504 arrived. Then it was moved out but then again it may have been sold to the Pakistanis as it was still airworthy. I have a picture of it at home if you're interested? I'll just have to scan it. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 28, 2008 Author Share Posted June 28, 2008 Thanks Andrew, I forgot about the Mirages 'out back' at the Musuem. I will have to do some research to find out if the RAAF Museum still has 51. And thanks for the call it was good to chat. Hope you do well at Expo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack-Swiss Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 I just love this thread everytime i check it for new updates...really interestin!!! Cheers and keep up the great work! BTW how's that tamiya putty white??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted June 29, 2008 Author Share Posted June 29, 2008 I just love this thread everytime i check it for new updates...really interestin!!!Cheers and keep up the great work! BTW how's that tamiya putty white??? Thanks, The putty seems to be fine, I have not been using it long. I have heard it shrinks over time, though I have not noticed any shrinkage yet. I am used to the grey stuff but the local shop has stopped stocking it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Thanks Andrew, I forgot about the Mirages 'out back' at the Musuem. I will have to do some research to find out if the RAAF Museum still has 51.And thanks for the call it was good to chat. Hope you do well at Expo :) :lol: Hi Ray, Here's my picture of A3-51 at Pt. Ck back in the 90s before they got the Avro 504 and SE5A (not RE8). I was going to do this a/c in 1/48 when I do my next one. Still might too. Got a commended for my A-10, nothing for my Blackhawk or Squirrel, but young Chris won two of the junior sections with his F16 and his Crusader AA tank. A1 won 1/48 enhanced jet and helo section as well as best Italeri kit. hopefully we can catch up next year again. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Some progress to report, After mucking around with testors clear to fill the camera port I decided to go the clear shaped sprue path. It has been glued in with future. I just need to mask it off and fair it in with some putty. I have test fitted the fuel tanks and added an etch brass antenna on the spine. I still need to add the pitot probes and few other bits before painting starts Here are some pictures Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 That's looking good Ray. And you've included a belly tank too boot with the supers! The base looks effective as well. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Looks great so far! Like the in-flight display! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 Looks like I am doing everything possible to not finish in time! I had it ready for paint and left under a heat lamp, didn't even realise I did it. Now I have a mad dash to fill the 'reshaped' fuselage and get it done by Friday Wish me luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cagie Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Trojan, Sounds like you would also know how reliable the radars were on the miricle also.. or dare I saw not reliable. Love your work so far mate, though i concur re your regret on the heat lamp issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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