Continuing my palate cleanser (from Armour) my efforts on this ancient Airfix kit, the Seahawk:
As mentioned on my WW2 piece, not a great example of the modeller’s art, but that was never the intention; I just wanted to tackle those kits from my early modelling days, yet try and finish them as I would have liked. So seams, poor fit, over-sized rivets etc, all stand.
Nicely done 
Looks great. I think sometimes we need a no nonsense build to cleanse the pallet after a more tricky and complex project.
The Seahawks is one I’ve never done but really need to. It’s pretty little jet.
Thanks Stephen; it is an attractive aircraft isn’t it? I’m sure the more recent Hobby Boss version is much better, but I quite like trying to get the best out of these older kits. That’s not to say I won’t enhance where possible, for instance I always like any ground attack aircraft to have stuff hanging off them, so in this case the bombs are resin, two of which, obviously, are replacing the fuel drop tanks. Was the Seahawk ever thus configured? I have no idea, save that it looks the biz a bit more with weaponry. Talking of which, a shame that for whatever reason, Airfix covered over the 20mm cannon apertures.
It does look good with the 4 bombs. A tank would probably be the more usual norm, but there’s nothing wrong with arming your model to the teeth! It’s what we all did as kids so I like the spirit!
Also good to see the 804 Squadron markings. Winkle Brown during their transition period from Sea Furies to the jets. It’s been a while since I read his autobiography, but I think he was very fond of the Seahawks.
I’ve had a quick look at the Hobbyboss and it does look a good kit. Has options for a Suez aircraft, an often neglected war.
I suspect Suez is neglected for good reason(!) Not our finest hour - albeit interesting from a modeller’s perspective perhaps: all those Champs, yet still Jeeps, Cents, LVTs, AMX 13s, uniform variations, let alone the air and navy input.
Re the bombs on my Seahawk. I note that (for whatever reason) Airfix modelled an aircraft based at RNAS Ford in Sussex (now a nick). I’m assuming that at some stage in their training cycle pilots had to qualify in the art of dropping bombs; where that might be I have no idea. However, to maximize the training value (and further assuming that they used live ammo from WW2 stocks - which would need using up - as opposed to practice bombs) I thought it perfectly reasonable for the aircraft shown to be carrying the maximum load. It also looks mean as you identify(!)
Next up: a Mig 17 - which I started around 25 years ago.
Also in the stash - an F-84 with a nuclear weapon. Natch
Which Mig-17 kit are you building ? Scale ? Markings ?
It will be the 1/72 Hasegawa one - Fresco E - started, as I say, so long ago. I will replace the missiles for resin ones, and have already tarted up the cockpit. I’ll probably need to repaint that area, as I understand that it was more likely in a bluey-grey than the turquoise scheme.
I’m no aircraft expert but as I say, I’m just trying to bring some of these fairly old kits up to a spec that I would have liked to have done when young.
It will be in Soviet markings.
You are correct, the turquoise color was a few years later, not with the Mig-17 nor Mig-19
Very nice looking Seahawk. Well done.
Jim
Thanks Jim - glad you liked it.
I do aircraft too as a kind of palate cleanser- they make a welcome change from wheels and tracks! I have to agree with @phantom_phanatic - it is a very photogenic shape and paint scheme.
The thing is Karl, I mustn’t start enjoying the diversion too much, I’ve still that Land Rover and trailer to finish! Oh, and a Sherman; how the hell did I get sucked into that campaign?
