Tom's Dragon F.1 **Finished**

[TomW]

Okay, for this GB I've selected the recent-ish kit by Cyber-hobby / Dragon of the Meteor F.1. I've read a few reviews and nothing is mentioned of any major nasties or inaccuracies so I've got my fingers crossed. however I'm sure I can find something to mess up along the way for your amusement


Box art






Very nice but sadly no V-1 is included



Sprue shots









Lots of detail and fine engraving in evidence, its quite clear that slide moulds were used for gun barrels etc. Careful painting will be needed to avoid obliterating the surface details.


Extra bits






A two part canopy is present to allow an open option if wished as well as two small PE aerials for the fuselage spine. Two marking options are included, one is for 616 squadron as might be expected but the other is for EE210 which was exchanged with the USAF for an Airacomet for trials work at Muroc Air Base. As the RAF roundels are very bright and I fancy something a little different I'm going to build the trials aircraft:







I plan to make a start this evening once I get in from work

Regards

Tom

[PaulBradley]

Very nice - welcome aboard, Tom!

[splash]

I like the look of those engines are you going to use them?

Regards Splash

[TomW]

I most certainly am Alan, the upper wing panels are meant to be detachable so they can be displayed.

Regards

Tom

[Martin R]

Tom,

I'll follow this build with interest; I've got a Mk III from the same manufacturer in the stash to do "some day". BTW, my boxing didn't come with any engines

regards,

Martin

[TomW]

Just a quick post to say that I haven't forgotten about the Meteor, slow progress has occurred as I've built the engines and painted the cockpit ready for installation. I'll try for photo's tomorrow.

Regards

Tom

[TomW]

Finally managed to get some photographic evidence that I do occasionally build models


A couple of shots of the cockpit, nothing fancy in here regards to paintwork, just Tamiya NATO black with a grey drybrush to lift the details:







I made my first mistake of the build with the cockpit, the kit comes with two different control columns; a spade grip and an alternative early 'joystick' style. The instructions called for the spade grip but in a moment of madness (I blame the heat 27oC is not good for my concentration) I've used the joystick style, but its my model so


Also made a start on the two beautiful engines:





They'll need a little cleanup and careful painting to do them justice but should look cool once in place.

The fuselage is now together at this point and the fit is very impressive, like so many modern kits tolerances are very tight so care is needed during preparation of parts. But its time well spent to avoid lots of filling and sanding later:





A nice touch is that the rudder assembly is meant to be a working feature :






So far I am seriously impressed with this Dragon kit.

Regards

Tom

[JamesPerrin]

Are you going to leave one of the nacelles open to show off the engine, else it's a lot of faff for a front face and tailpipe?

[TomW]

Yep that's the plan James, seems a shame to waste the opportunity of showing off the detail by hiding them away.

Regards

Tom

[splash]

That looks a great little kit.

Regards Splash

[PaulBradley]

Good start there, Tom.

[TomW]

A little progress, mostly painting and test fitting:






Hopefully a big leap will happen soon.

Regards

Tom

[Molly-new]

Looking good Tom, I love the engines.

[bluesteel]

I'm amazed that's 1/72nd Tom, it seems to have the same level of detail as the Tamiya 1/48 Meteors. Well impressed.

[Clashcityrocker]

Hopefully a big leap will happen soon.
Regards Tom

You going bungee jumping?

Nigel