Gary's Fujimi 1/72 Phantom FGR.2 'Firebird'

[gweller]

While waiting for the filler to dry I drove myself cross eyed painting the very small nose wheels (which look better in real life than in the photos , honestly!!) the main wheels and begun with some prima coats on the fuel tanks, sidewinder pylons and tail planes.

[Richard48]

Hi Gary.
I did make a start this morning on a Phantom.Didnt get much done just faffing around filling ejector pin marks on the insides of the engine intakes.Probably not worth the hassle as i thought about making some intake blanks like the Squadrons did.Will cover ejector marks and dont need painting.Its a real PITA that Fujimi didnt offer seperate Airbrake panels and closed up Air auxillary doors on the centreline area.I did a bit of research and these doors always were open slightly on the ground.So got to try and scribe the panel and cut it out and make a new panel.Im not sure if the airbrakes were open when the jets were at a standstill.Im going to handpaint the cockpit and drybrush the panels and dials etc.Im not sure if i will do a build log,Be a bit erratic as my back and leg issues really curtail my time at the bench.I think i might try and sell a few of my Firebird kits on E.bay.Im sure i dont need 8,Plus its the same old every build doing the auxillary doors.Ive seen them on E.bay around 28 quid but realistically id put mine up 20 each.
Your Fgr is coming along leaps and bounds.
Richard

[gweller]

Hi Richard, sorry to hear about your back and leg problems. Yes, the ejector pin marks are a right pain, not only in the air intakes but also on the wheels and a few other places. Things like that let you see that this is an old kit. Couldn't look myself in the eye over the front wheels so had another stab at them, this time they look a bit more presentable.

[Richard48]

Hi Gary.
Wheels look good mate.I will try and do an hour tommorow if back allows.I think i shall bite the bullet and scribe and open the air auxillary doors underneath.Im on a Facebook RAF Phantom group with ex aircrew and they said the auxillary doors are open when jet is on the ground.Im not so worried concerning the Airbrakes but overall as i say its a model and id rather have a fairly decent painted model then 100 per cent perfection.

[gweller]

Totally agree with that Richard! At the end of the day it's just a model, a representation of the real thing. No matter how much we try there is always going to be some discrepancy between the model and the actual aircraft.

[Richard48]

Well Gary i bit the bullet and have started my build log so you have Phantom company now.As you can see i did open the Air auxillary doors,Went well as i was worried id make a cock up slipping with the drill but my wife bought me a little rechargeable one which is just right for models.

[Richard48]

Hi Gary.
Hope you continue on the Phantom.Im going to drop off the radar for the time being.Quite a lot going on but i shall try and do a bit more to my jet.The heat not great to model in our oven of a flat and my backs not good.
Catch you later.

[gweller]

Hi Gary.
Hope you continue on the Phantom.Im going to drop off the radar for the time being.Quite a lot going on but i shall try and do a bit more to my jet.The heat not great to model in our oven of a flat and my backs not good.
Catch you later.

Hi Richard, take care of yourself mate, hope to see recovered and back at the bench asap. In the meantime I will carry on posting here and if you want to chat anytime just pm me.
Cheers!
Gary

[Richard48]

Hi Gary.
Back seems to be slightly better after wife put some Voltarol gel on it.I might try and do a bit in my Phantom.Try and get the pylons and spare fuel tanks put together and fill the Sink holes and ejector pin marks.

[gweller]

Hi Gary.
Back seems to be slightly better after wife put some Voltarol gel on it.I might try and do a bit in my Phantom.Try and get the pylons and spare fuel tanks put together and fill the Sink holes and ejector pin marks.

Good to hear that Richard! I'm busy with the fuel tanks as well, along with the replacement gun pod, Sidewinders and Sparrows from Reskit. Airframe still needs a bit of TLC but is also nearly ready. Will post some pics when I have something interesting to show.

[gweller]

At last some progress and some photos. The fuel tanks, inner pylons and gun pod have all been painted and given a gloss coat ready for the decals. Not too happy with the finish on the gun pod, but the decals will hide the imperfections I think.

[gweller]

Sidewinders and Skyflash missiles have also been painted and ready for decals.

[gweller]

The replacement Reskit exhaust pipes and the tail planes are also ready to be fitted.

[gweller]

The airframe is also ready and has had two undercoats and the underside has had the first finishing coat. In the other photo you can see the brass replacement pitot tubes on the vertical fin. Painting the airframe is a slow process because as it is hand painted it will need 3 or 4 thin top coats for each colour

[gweller]

Just noticed from the last photo that I need to rescribe a couple of panel lines...