discussion Dave Ward's 1/72 Revell Kfir C-2

[Dave Ward]

This my entry for this GB - 46 parts, so it's not going to be a lengthly build.
For those unfamiliar with the Kfir ( Lion Cub ), it's a derivation of the Nesher - an unlicensed copy of the Mirage V. The Kfir had a wider fuselage to house a larger engine, and canards to improve handling. It was in service from 1975 to the mid 90's. It was exported to Colombia, Ecuador & Sri Lanka.
The Revell model is an updated reboxing of Italeri's 1987 F-21 Lion, as such, it has aged very well..................
Sprue shots.................

Only one finish version, and a nice decal sheet

One thing that is welcome - on the bottom right FS numbers for the colours!!



A\few detail shots

A few sink marks here & there, and a few injector pin marks, but engraved panel lines.
I will look in my spares box to see see if I can replace this...............

All ready for the off-----------
Dave

 

[Steve Jones]

A mini wingy thingy. Looks like a lot of fun with those decals. Good luck sir

 

[yak face]

Nice choice dave , good idea to replace the seat , especially as the large canopy is crystal clear . The kit one looks like a very comfy executive office chair! I wonder if the fs numbers on the instruction sheet are because its a rebox of an Italeri kit , and thus a reprint of their instructions too , or has Revell finally cottoned on to the fact that not many people use their paints and even less are prepared to mix up daft ratios of several different colours to get the right shade , and started to put fs numbers next to the colours on their paint guides?

 

[Dave Ward]

Tony,
given that this boxing is from 2019 ( date on the decals ), we can hope this is now a feature for Revell - all that remains is to get rid of the flimsy boxes
Dave

 

[Guest]

Still looks very modern to me. Good luck and no tracks !

 

[Guest]

has Revell finally cottoned on to the fact that not many people use their paints

That depends on where you are, I suspect. If it wasn’t for mail order, the only model paints I would be able to get within reasonable travel distance would be Revell, for example.

 

[Dave Ward]

Found a replacement for that poor ejector seat
It's white metal, so it will help against tail sitting.........
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Made a start - I realised that the ejector seat above was too tall - I couldn't have closed the canopy over it - so another rummage turned up another prepainted one. Tub has the joystick & instrument panel added, painted & decal added

Fuselage joined, sandwiching the tub - not very good, the tub has no real positive location, and the fuselage halves are warped. The wings are assembled & dry fitted, looks like there may be a gap at the wing root.
Just 8 parts into this build, and already I'm seeing a need for some filler - I've been spoiled by not using any in my last two builds ( both Tamiya!)
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Wings & intakes added. Out with the filler..................
I'll let all this dry off before sanding back
Dave

 

[stillp]

Hope you've got a big tube of filler Dave.
Pete

 

[Dave Ward]

After a little work on the joints - on with the primer

I've left off the canards for the moment, they'd complicate the painting
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Underside sprayed pale blue................

I'm going to search through my paints to find the nearest match to the pale tan, which I'll spray over the top surfaces. The Red-Brown & Pale Green will be brush painted - masking on a small model is more trouble than careful brushwork.
Dave

 

[Guest]

Painted blue? You could have fooled me — I thought it was a shot of the underside in bare plastic

 

[Dave Ward]

That's why I primed in white, so I could see where I had sprayed the pale blue! Several times I've managed to miss large areas, because the primer & basecoat are indistinguishable when wet! When the basecoat dries you immediately see the problem.............
Dave

 

[papa 695]

Coming along nicely Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Top surfaces basecoated & canards added

I'll let this dry thoroughly, then out with the brushes
I've looked at pictures of the Kfir, both real and models - one thing I noticed that models show the main & nose gear doors open - which photos of the real thing show is incorrect. The instructions show them closed.............
Photo references are essential ! One mistake I have seen loads of times is the gear doors & flaps on the P-51 Mustang.
On the aircraft, whilst the engine is running, the main gear doors are shut, and the flaps are in the raised position. After the engine is stopped, the hydraulic pressure gradually bleeds off, and the main gear doors & flaps slowly drop. You can see this if you look at any videos of a Mustang start up. After the engine fires up, the main gear doors close & flaps retract. So any model should have flaps & doors closed, or open!
The same thing can be seen on the F-86 Sabre ( but with airbrakes as well )
Dave

 

[stillp]

I believe that Mustang pilots are instructed to dump the hydraulic pressure when parked, to prevent the undercarriage being raised while on the ground.
Pete

 

[Dave Ward]

First pass on the Camo. Vallejo Model Color Pale Green - looking a little streaky, as still wet

Difficult to see where the camo edges are, in places, due to the large decals............
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Second pass - AK Red-Brown. Even though it is supposed to be brush/airbrush, it doesn't cover very well, using the hairy stick.
All the colours will need touching up - not the most successful painting sessions!
The finish looks a little garish - I'll tone it down with a little neutral grey in the gloss varnish coat ( I mean a little! ). Those decals cover about 50% of the surface - they may have to cover a few slip ups!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Ready for decals...................
You can see how much of this small model will be covered. - Decal Solution at the ready - joint session with the PR Mossie!
Dave