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Hello guys

This is my first attempt to show you some progress on my current project. Thats why the pictures are not on a high standard. I have no experience in shooting at all. Please apologise. I decided to share this project because I am interested in some feedback and still have a few questions I would like to address to a competent audience.

Now to the project: I decided to build a Super Etendard modernisé which participated on the Operation Harmattan over Libya. It will be a long term project because I do not have a lot of time at the moment to make big steps. I bought the Academy special edition kit and a few extras namely the Eduard and the Extra Tech photo etched parts. I also bought the Heller kit to compare with the Academy one.

It is e conversion built too, because the kits and the photoetched parts represents a Super Etendard not a Super Etendard modernisé. Mainly the cockpit needs to be done newly.

First of all I had to decide if I want to go with the Heller or the Academy kit as my base. Here we go...

0bb308f3-2499-486c-81ef-eb2c83726ff4_zps9769dd77.jpg

d704dcc7-ce3b-4308-b109-a1cb2825318c_zpsf54e3312.jpg

I decided to go with the Academy kit even if the engraved panel lines are almost all at the wrong place. The plastic quality was key.

2012-12-07212654-2_zps09e53f61.jpg

DSC_2959_zps46c9276c.jpg

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Etendard6_zps30b6d2ed.jpg

2013-05-10142054-4_zpsa6feba3b.jpg

To be continued with the air intakes and the cannons...

Edited by 72scaler
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Hello,

I just finished building my 1/48 Airfix Super Etendard and posted the pictures in the display case today.

My link

I will watch your build with interest. Also I have a 1/72 scale Academy kit which I will build one of these days.

thanks

Vivek

Edited by vivkulan
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The cannon section of the Academy kit is done very badly, so I had to work on that.

2013-05-08230811-2_zps4c119d61.jpg

2013-05-08195348-5_zps6992677b.jpg

After sanding it down I was very pleased with the result, even if the cannon mouth is probably still a bit short in length.

2013-05-10141552-1_zpsd19dda9a.jpg

2013-05-10141704-1_zps9715d4b4.jpg

At the end I have a question. Does anyone knows, when the wheelbay doors are open and when they are closed? I saw pictures of the Super Etendards (standing at the ground) in either way.

Thanks in advance

Rob

Edited by 72scaler
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Hi Rob,

Nice work! I am no expert on the Super Etendard, but looking at photos I surmise that the inner main gear gear and aft nose gear doors are closed if there is hydraulic pressure on the aircraft (ie, engine is running)and open for the retraction and extension cycles only. On a static aircraft they probably bleed down as system pressure dissipates, and at a rate undoubtedly peculiar to each aircraft.

Here is a sequence showing the end of a catshot off CDG. In the first two, the aft nose gear door and the two inboard main gear doors are obviously closed. In the third, the retraction sequence has just begun and the main gear doors have opened, the nose gear door is not visible.

9454.jpg

9455.jpg

9465.jpg

In case you would like a really dramatic scene setting for your model, here is the beginning of the sequence:

9453.jpg

And here are two more that show the doors closed just after liftoff and open during the retraction cycle:

13spang0705-1_zps1404f75e.jpg

13spang0705-2_zps72d37d20.jpg

HTH,

Tom

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Hi Guys

Thanks a lot for the encouragement. You have built a very nice Super Etendard Vivek! :thumbsup:/>

About the gear bay doors...

What you are telling makes perfectly sense to me Tom. I intent to display a SEM on board of the Charles de Gaulle during the operation Harmattan in a static condition. (Without engines running and hydraulic pressure.) Something like this...

SEM2_zps9648415f.jpg

As you can see in this picture, the gear bay doors are open. I was hoping that it is also common that the doors are closed. This way the shape of the Etendard is better visible plus it is way easier to built. Scratch building the gear bays is a lot of work. Unfortunatly most of the pictures I saw shows the SEM with de gear bay doors open. Especially short before takeoff. But I also found this one...

SEM1_zps1a61332a.jpg

I know it was not taken on the deck of the carrier but it shows a SEM short before takeoff I guess. Therefore I still don't know if I can close the gear bay doors. I don't think so because I guess the doors have to be open for a check before takeoff. Is there anyone who can confirm that?

Thanks a lot

Rob

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Hi Guys

Thanks a lot for the encouragement. You have built a very nice Super Etendard Vivek! :thumbsup:/>/>

About the gear bay doors...

What you are telling makes perfectly sense to me Tom. I intent to display a SEM on board of the Charles de Gaulle during the operation Harmattan in a static condition. (Without engines running and hydraulic pressure.) Something like this...

SEM2_zps9648415f.jpg

As you can see in this picture, the gear bay doors are open. I was hoping that it is also common that the doors are closed. This way the shape of the Etendard is better visible plus it is way easier to built. Scratch building the gear bays is a lot of work. Unfortunatly most of the pictures I saw shows the SEM with de gear bay doors open. Especially short before takeoff. But I also found this one...

SEM1_zps1a61332a.jpg

I know it was not taken on the deck of the carrier but it shows a SEM short before takeoff I guess. Therefore I still don't know if I can close the gear bay doors. I don't think so because I guess the doors have to be open for a check before takeoff. Is there anyone who can confirm that?

Thanks a lot

Rob

Dear Rob,

I know nothing of the SEM. However, if you look at the picture that has the two SEM on the carrier the one furthest away with the FLIR pod on the center pylon, that one has its gear doors closed. But it does have its engine running. If the SEM has an APU chances are that hydraulic pressure is available before the engine is running so the doors could very well be in the closed position even though the engine is not running. The second picture withe the SEM in the desert is proof that the doors can be in fact closed on the ground before engines running. I am sure it is reasonable to think that it can happen on the carrier.

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One more thing, the elevators appear to be drooped and the rudder is deflected, that is an indicator that there isn't any hydraulic pressure on yet the gear doors are still closed. When I flew on DC-8's, I know nothing to do with SEM's the gear doors were hydraulically operated but they had a latch that prevented them from opening. A mechanic would walk by, when hydraulic pressure was off and manually unlatch the doors and they would open. Maybe this plane does the same thing?

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Thanks Rob.

In my model , I have built the nose geardoor open .

IMG_3963_zpsdf5d8e77.jpg

Question: So if I wanted to depict my model ready to roll to the catapult area with the pilot in the cockpit and engine running guided by the ground crew, will it be accurate with the nose geardoor down?

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Thank you very much for those thoughts Gonzalo. After that I guess I will go for the closed gear doors.

Hi Vivek in the circumstances you described I would say the gear doors are almost certain closed. At least all the pictures I saw suggest that.

Meanwhile I made a little progress working on the cockpit...

Etendard12_zpsb25e1743.jpg

Etendard13_zps91f84744.jpg

Rob

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Hi there

Trying to find out more about this subject I wanted to ask some questions

* Please notice that there is 2 details sets on this particular subject both of them made by Olimp Resins in 1/72 scale one that claimed to include all parts required and decals to SEM upgrade the Super Etendard here the link from Hannants http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ORA7216

ORA7216.jpg

*the other one is related to Frech Aircraft catapult aslo from Olimp resin for the Charles de Gaulle http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ORA7206

ORA7206.jpg

ORA7206_1.jpg

I'm stil wonder if this set is for late Charles de Gaulle or the modern nuclear powered Charles de Gaulle and if the distance between the tiedowns are the same

Best modeling

Armando

PS Still wondering if someone made a resin set for the small american football looking under fuselage fuel tank?????

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi there

Well Last Friday I got my order and got at last the items for the SEM Super Etendard Modernize, well first of all let´s says there is no assembly instructions on both kits and no decal placement instructions also so here I belive a big miss....

The resin detail and the packing are first class

Regarding the Charles de Gaulle Aircraft Carrier set no instructions or only instruction mentioned that set suitable for SEM and Hawkeye (bigg loss here because the Rafale jet plane)

For the SEM you got 7 weapons pylon one modern Damocles targeting pod (but you can also reemplace it with an Atlis pod) a couple of LPG intended to be instaled on middle wing position in contraposition to a fuel tank (supplied by the kit) on a twing rack but this can also be installed on central fuselage station with GP bombs (actual used by Argentinan Naval Air Arm) 2 chaff /flare dispensers and a Remora ECM

Best day

Armando

Edited by RAGATIGER
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Hello guys

Thank you for the kind words and sorry about my late answer. Unfortunately I am very busy these days. I made some little progress working on the cockpit and hope I can post some pictures soon.

About the centerline external fuel tank, as far as I know there is none on the market. I made that suggestion to quickboost approximately two weeks ago but received no answer so far. Let's see what happens.

Happy modeling

Rob

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Hi folks

I'm here today with some cockpit progress pictures. There is no aftermarket cockpit for the SEM in this scale, so I had to scratchbuilt the whole thing...

7d9c3732-3f31-4ea5-91a6-3385a9c4daa9_zps06422ea6.jpg

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Etendard11_zpsd0d5fb71.jpg

It takes a lot of time and nerves but I'm almost done now and quite satisfied with the result.

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  • 1 month later...

Hello guys

I was working on the wheel bays and nose gear. Therefore I would like to show you some little progress I made. It was a lot try and error involved. A lot of the work I had to do at least twice.

Etendard13_zpsbbf6ab2c.jpg

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I hope I can show you the finished nose gear soon.

...until then I whish you all happy modeling

Rob

Edited by 72scaler
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  • 2 weeks later...

Here I am again to show you the progress I made concerning the front gear. It is almost done now.

Etendard19_zpsa8693589.jpg

Etendard20_zpsdbd099fe.jpg

At the beginning of most of the parts you see, a plan was drawn. Usually ten times bigger then the origninal part. Afterwords the drawing was broadcast on a evergreen plastic sheet and cut out.

Etendard21_zps7f70a92f.jpg

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Those pictures show the use of the "sandwich technique". One part was cut out and glued on the other part, then the two parts were cut out and glued again...

Etendard23_zps686b5b06.jpg

The first two pictures show the beginning of the part at the bottom, meanwhile the part at the left is the endresult of the pictures two and three. I also had to rework the wheel as you can see.

Etendard24_zps726356e2.jpg

An assembly of all the parts for the front gear.

Etendard25_zps5f1ca0ff.jpg

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And some detail shots.

To be continued whith the whings and the rear gearbay and gear. I am also looking forward to paint the cockpit and the front gearbay and to glue the two halfs of the fuselage together.

Happy modeling

Rob

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Hi Rob,

To be honest it took at least twenty minutes to understand your modelling approach and I'm still not sure that I succeed to understand for 100%...

Amazing landing gear.

I will watch closely your WIP while I have the Etendard in my stash, it seems that I will have a reference for my build.

Keep the pictures coming.

Regards,Laz

Edited by Tripio
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Hi Rob,

To be honest it took at least twenty minutes to understand your modelling approach and I'm still not sure that I succeed to understand for 100%...

Amazing landing gear.

I will watch closely your WIP while I have the Etendard in my stash, it seems that I will have a reference for my build.

Keep the pictures coming.

Regards,Laz

Thank you Laz. Nice to her such kind words from a 1/72 specialist. Your Sea Dragon built is very impressive indeed! I must admit, that it is not a proper step by step advice how you scratchbuilt the landing gear of a SEM. I just intended to give an idea of the development process, which let to the present gear. In the future I have to pay attention that the single steps are better comprehensible.

Incredible job!, after you showing this, I'm sure I'll not show mine , btw are you going to fold the wings?

Thank you Grüner Punkt. As you can see on one of the pictures above, I intend to fold only one of the wings. But I'm not yet 100% sure. Are you working yourself on a SEM currently?

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Thank you Grüner Punkt. As you can see on one of the pictures above, I intend to fold only one of the wings. But I'm not yet 100% sure. Are you working yourself on a SEM currently?

72scaler, Currently I'm not working on a SUE but being Argentinian I have great interest on it, shame you're doing the modernisè version because I have a nice book bout the SUE but is about the older version, more specifically about the Argentine old version

This one:

monografias-nunez-padin-super-etendard-argentinos-libro_MLA-F-145693696_2847.jpg

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72scaler, Currently I'm not working on a SUE but being Argentinian I have great interest on it, shame you're doing the modernisè version because I have a nice book bout the SUE but is about the older version, more specifically about the Argentine old version

This one:

monografias-nunez-padin-super-etendard-argentinos-libro_MLA-F-145693696_2847.jpg

Ah, the famous argentine Etendard! Of course. I was very much inspired by the built of cruiz My link. I hope we will see his argentine Etendard in all it's beauty one day.

best regards

Rob

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  • 2 months later...

Hello Guys

I'm back with some update on the front gear. It was pain in the ...! A lot of parts had to be made at least twice. :bandhead2: But finaly the gear is now almost ready for painting.

Etendard29_zps5904b7c7.jpg

On this pictures you can see the older parts to the right and the newer ones on the left hand side.

Etendard30_zpsee53ac2c.jpg

Finaly the new wheelbay with the backside of the front wheelbaydoor.

Etendard31_zpsc981549f.jpg

Currently I'm working on the fuselage (where I'm rescribing some panellines) and on the canopy. I hope I can show you some progress soon. Also I'm very keen to put the two fuselage parts together. :woot.gif:

Best regards

Rob

Edited by 72scaler
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