OT's Crusader *** Fini ***

[Old_Tonto]

Look what Santa gave me:



I am a very happy boy.

Not sure which scheme to go for although I am leaning towards the French Navy just because I like the roundals. I might even go for the all over grey/blue scheme they wore in the 90's?

Anyway, I hope to get started on this sometime today.

Anyone know what colour the cockpit should be?

[MerlinJones]

Just looked at my Heller kit.
Interior is Gris Perle (Pearl Grey and I'd probably use H129)
Seat and i/p's are Noir (black), with Vert Armeé, (Army Green and I use H150 for this), for the seat cushions.
My Academy kit concurs, although the i/p's, for which there are decals, are the same colour as the rest of the interior.

Regards

[Old_Tonto]

Thanks Merlin & happy Xmas.

[ara398]

Nice SS choice!

Will be watching this build with interest ("pssst, do the French version" he whispered)

Adrian

[AndrewR]

Definitely the French Connection!

[Dirkpitt289]

That's a purty one . I look forward to seeing that get built

[Narayan]

Nice one OT, I'm sure it will be nice whatever scheme you choose.

_________________
Narayan

Would it help if I got out and pushed?

A:B
2012 18:04 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 191:50

[mightymikeD]

Le système Français sont le meilleur, naturellement. Parce que c'est Français!

[Old_Tonto]

Le système Français sont le meilleur, naturellement. Parce que c'est Français!

Here mate, you seem to have written that in a dead language! Controversial.

By popular vote I will go with a French Naval scheme but not the one in the box.
This one has taken my fancy:



I think I may even have a couple of Matra Magic missiles in the spares box to add a bit of authentisity.

So here we go with the box contents:









So I made a start with the cockpit:



Not much detail so once I have given the seat another lick of paint I will add a harness
& some of those black & yellow ejection pull things (the name of which escapes me )

A quick dry fit reveals an excellent fit. Looking forward to this.

[Saxon]

A subject I have never built! Looks good, I would go for the French scheme as well blue grey looks pretty shmick.

[Old_Tonto]

I have decided to go with the French Blue scheme & in flight too.

[Narayan]

Nice choice OT!

_________________
Narayan

Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn't take Lorraine out that he'd melt my brain.

A:B
2012 18:04 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 191:50

[Old_Tonto]

Nice choice OT!

Thanks Narayan, I just hope I can pull it off. I can't find two photos that show the same shade of blue.
I guess they faded a bit in the sun.

I managed to get an hour or so on theis yesterday. The U\C doors are a pretty good fit so I stuck them in place,
added the cockpit tub including pilot & glued the fuselage halves together.



A very nice fit although a little sanding is needed at the underside join. I am working on the canopy today.
It's very think & clear so I may add a few more details to the pit before I close it up.

[Narayan]

Great start OT, any close ups of the cockpit / pilot, looks real good from above.

_________________
Narayan

May I kill him?

A:B
2012 20:05 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 193:51

[Old_Tonto]

Great start OT, any close ups of the cockpit / pilot, looks real good from above.

Looks can be decieving. Here you go:



Sorry about the quality of the pic, using my phone. It is a lovely PJ productions figure, 1960's pilot & I didn't do it any justice but it does cover up the horrible seat & fill the office a bit. It should look fine through the canopy which is thin but a little distorted.

I have just about finished closing all the U\C doors & sanded things level.
The next step is the canopy - the front part will not mate up with the rear part & the fuselage at the same time. It does however fit fine to either individualy. I hate sanding canopies as I always seem to break them.

Then the missile rails will need some attention as I don't think the French Navy use the twin launcher so I will have to make single launchers for the Matra Magics. Nothing too complicated, I am enjoying this and can't wait to get some paint on.