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Airfix 1/72 E-8C JSTARS 93-0597 Conversion


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I started this for the Recce Birds, Part Deux GB back in July last year

 

Build thread here .

 

After seeing @Nanook's thread on his Revell build I dusted mine off to continue with it.

 

So I will continue the build here (until I lose interest again :rolleyes: )

 

Hmmm.... 8 months on the side table of doom, not bad!

 

As in my usual manner, I see @Nanook building the same type as me (different scale in this case) I decided to drag mine off the side table of doom (no room on the shelves at the moment) and see where it is at.

As I recalled I had to confirm some nose antenna placements and stopped there.

 

Out came the kit and the Pe and I decided to finish installed the antennas. I pretty much sorted out the positions of the antennas and fitted them. Then I realised why I had stopped, the PE antennas in the conversion set are too big, they almost look 1/48 rather than 1/72. I could live with it along the fuselage but they looked far too out of place below the radome.

 

34877696483_0c93329ce1_b.jpg

 

So there placement under the nose was short lived and I replaced them with smaller plastic replacements. They need some cleanup and final shaping after the glue sets.

 

35299567830_16040a4bfd_b.jpg

 

This meant I could use the oversized ones elsewhere. The conversion set is lacking a few extra antennas that have been fitted since it was released.

 

34877695523_e73c54b778_b.jpg

 

I also added some more plastic replacement on the lower rear fuselage since I found it easier to make replacements out of strip and fit them.

 

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I also carved ou the lower surround of the front port door and added a PE part, hinges and door handle have to be installed as well to this and rear port door in due course.

 

35517897142_cc10432446_b.jpg

 

Looks like the area needs a tidy up as well. More soon.

 

 

Edited by Trojan Thunder
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Wow, glad I could inspire you to dust this one off as it's an impressive build! Nice attention to detail and I agree that the PE antennas under the nose looked far too large. I'm on the fence about replicating the small antennas on my build as it is such a smaller scale. 

 

I assume the PE is from Eduard? What markings are you using? I am using the ones from the Minicraft kit for the JSTARS that was in Desert Storm.

 

Later,

 

Lee

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Thanks for helping me get this back on the road. The conversion set is from Flightpath and includes the resin antenna fairing, some white metal scoops (which I replaced) and trailing Edge HF antennas.

 

The decals I am using are from WolfPak sheet 72-077 for aircraft 93-0597 which in a previous life was a QANTAS B707-338C VH-EBU.

 

The aircraft was scrapped in after a 2009 a mid-air refuelling incident over the middle east where a contractor maintenance error caused the fuel tanks to rupture. The aircraft landed safely but was deemed uneconomical to repair and was eventually disassembled.

 

 

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1 hour ago, pminer said:

Pics wouldn't show. Could you check and/or repost? Thanks.

Not his fault. Issue with Photobucket change of rules so no 3rd party hosting unless you pay lots.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Some progress has been made. I was not happy with the rear intake so I have been reshaping it; putty, file, sand, repeat....
35211770603_91fe71ac2a_z.jpg

 

The engines were given some more work and I started to attach them to the wing, in boards first
35182878384_0e44523fc8_z.jpg

 

The out boards were bugging me, the rear edge had been damaged on both so I attempted to repair them with some card and super glue. After a few applications, I was still not happy with them so I robbed another kit of the rear nacelle sections and replaced them.
35888814261_10b7ec85df_z.jpg

 

Once the putty has been tidied up and the pylons rescribed they can go on the wing.

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looks great Ray - certainly coming along.

I have no idea where you put all these massive planes once you've built them though - you must have a dedicated room for them?

I have a KC-135 that I'd like to build as well but I have no where to display it. I shall enjoy watching you build this one instead :)

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Thanks, Si. I do have dedicated man cave but space for larger models is limited (something I will have to sort out soon).It looks like I will have to relegate some models to the garage for storage when the time comes...

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I have almost finished all the mods I am making, One more item to scratch build before a final putty and rescribe.

 

I have added a few ports to the rear fuselage (Under the rear door), they have warning markings around them so I think they are some sort of exhaust ports?

 

Image from Prime Portal

e-8c_97-0100_15_of_31.jpg

 

 

35960019642_bd35e0ff63_b.jpg

 

The final engine is installed

35288325414_5be6c46b57_b.jpg

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  • 8 months later...

Some...

 

I have a thread in the Shelf Queens GB for it. Been tinkering with it a little.

 

 

Must get it finished since I am starting an E-3D for an RAF 100 GB on another forum.

Edited by Trojan Thunder
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