Chip's Plan "B", Red Arrows Gnat.**Finished**

[Migrant]

Nice, I'd be tempted to leave it yellow it looks so good.

[Migrant]

Nice going. Do you think kits like the gnat have horribly oversized part holders/sprues? I didn't buy this kit for that very reason.

The new Airfix kits do have thick sprues but I wouldn't let that stop you buying the kits, the pros far outweigh the cons. I managed to snap the joystick on my P-51D, even though I knew it was likely and was taking great care, but that was the only casualty. As Chip suggested, cut a bit further back from the part and either trim with a knife or sand it down.

[BlohmWolf]

Nice going. Do you think kits like the gnat have horribly oversized part holders/sprues? I didn't buy this kit for that very reason.

The new Airfix kits do have thick sprues but I wouldn't let that stop you buying the kits, the pros far outweigh the cons. I managed to snap the joystick on my P-51D, even though I knew it was likely and was taking great care, but that was the only casualty. As Chip suggested, cut a bit further back from the part and either trim with a knife or sand it down.

Actually, it wasn't for the sprue gates, I just mainly wasn't interested in purchasing a gnat. I do however, love the amount of airfix's new kits. I started doing Airfix in 2012, with of course, a spitfire mk 1. I just expected that they needed to be big when they are produced in the factories.


I was perfectly fine with the large sprue gates on my Bf-109 E, I too snapped the joystick. But of coures, I sanded it back with fine grade paper until it was even.

[sdweier]

Nice going. Do you think kits like the gnat have horribly oversized part holders/sprues? I didn't buy this kit for that very reason.

Can you confirm that you didn't buy an excellent kit, because the sprue attachments are "oversize"? Man, this hobby must drive you crazy.

Shane

[jssel]

Hi Chip. I like your work on this. Everything looks to be going well. And yes that color looks quite tasty from my vantage point. I still think of HotShots when I see the Gnat. I sure would like to log a few hours in one. But only after a few hours on a Chipmunk and Tiger Moth.

No doubt a couple of these in my kit collection and soon.

[PaulBradley]

Ironically, one of the HotShots Gnats is now painted in Red Arrows colours at the Santa Paula museum in California...!

[Molly-new]

Nice, I'd be tempted to leave it yellow it looks so good.

Agreed, I will definitely be doing another of these as a Yellowjacks Aerobatic Team member.

Ironically, one of the HotShots Gnats is now painted in Red Arrows colours at the Santa Paula museum in California...!

Embarrassingly I have never seen Hotshots, but I get your point.

I sure would like to log a few hours in one. But only after a few hours on a Chipmunk and Tiger Moth.

Me too. My claim to fame is 15 Hours in a Chipmunk whilst applying to transfer to the Army Air Corps. Absolutely awesome experience.

Back to the build, I have now put 3 thin coats of red on, and a coat of klear ready for decalling:



I used the pot of red that came with the kit. In the pot it looks quite pink but has covered really well with the yellow undercoat.

[splash]

This might explain what you have been missing by not seeing Hot Shots

[jssel]

Yeah, they just don't make 'em like that anymore. Red Arrows, gnaturally.

[BlohmWolf]

*Nuclear powered facepalm in thinking I shouldn't buy airfix kits because of sprue size*

OT: Looking good with the red. I didn't know yellow could be used for undercoat.

[Molly-new]

This might explain what you have been missing by not seeing Hot Shots

Errrm, not really my cup of tea, but it would probably give some good shots of the Gnat for research purposes.

I didn't know yellow could be used for undercoat.

I was once told to do this as it gives the red a richer colour and it has always worked for me.

I spent last night putting the decals on



and I learnt two very big lessons

1. After removing the masking from the areas where the decals go, take the time to check for a build up of paint.

2. When using a hairdryer to settle the decals into the panel lines DO NOT get it too close to the tailplane.



I have sent an email to Airfix for a replacement tailplane so I should get it in time to complete this build.

[BlohmWolf]

Oooh, that's bad. Looks like it's been in an airshow dogfight.


On a lighter note, I always found Pink with 2 drops of black works as a good red undercoat.

[Molly-new]

This one is as finished as it can be,


I am just waiting on a replacement tailplane to finish it completely.



I am tempted to do a Poppy Wreath for the display, as it was when I visited:



I will see how well I get on with the Spitfire first.

[BlohmWolf]

Good finish!

Shame about the tailpiece though.

[Molly-new]

Woohoo, tailplane arrived today, a big thank you to the Airfix spares department.

New piece fitted, awaiting painting:



I should make the deadline easily with this one now.