AndrewR's Basement Lab

[AndrewR]

I'm not sure Toby, I always assumed that it was because it was small, light and had a high thrust/weight ratio. The aviation equivalent of the Mini Cooper

Other activity on the bench, which will be covered in detail on the Charity Build GB - two Airfix Spitfire Vb in 1/72, with US markings.



Cheers

Andrew

[AndrewR]

Exciting stuff today. NOT. The Spitfire parts got washed and rinsed, the belly tank and bombs on the Jug got resprayed and I made possibly the most boring display base in the world.



It's for a forthcoming build of this Matchbox Alphajet. It represents a smooth white floor in an exhibition hall. We had some self adhesive craft foam left from Halloween costume making

The Matchbox Alphajet was based on the pre-flight mock up, and there are quite a few differences to the operational versions.

In fact Matchbox changed the tooling, to try to address some, but not all, of these differences. The kit number PK-5 did not change though, so you have to spot the difference from the choice of decals.
The very early kits have two almost identical schemes, both red and white, one with German markings and the other with French. This kit is actually a pre-production sample kit which went out to potential customers.
This kit (early version) was the first kit that my younger brother made, so this is an exercise in nostalgia, once again.

I'm planning to build it with some Pavla resin ejection seats and a vac form canopy opened up. As it's a mock up, the instrumentation will also be mocked up. I hope to build some steps and a viewing platform at cockpit level. The idea being that is the mock-up being displayed indoors at some Trade Convention.
The Pavla bits have been ordered, so I won't be starting this in a hurry.

Cheers

Andrew

[Dazzled]

Sounds like a cool project Andrew. I tried something similar years ago but with no am bits available and after making a complete sows ear out of the nose I gave up on it so I'm looking forward to seeing how this one goes.

[Asoka]

Hi Andrew,

This sure is a coincidence! Over the weekend I too dug out the old MB Alpha Jet (original 1972 issue!)and thought I'll build it as the mockup, for my first build of 2014! I plan to do this OOB, and using only the mini paint plan. (A la P12e!)

You are right about the later PK-5 having changes, it's mainly to the fin tip, which is squarer, less raked, and has a small strake near the top. The later "Patrouille de France" boxing has the changed plastic. Another interesting change is that the colours on the sprues were reversed to match the new paint scheme. (Red wings being the original)




Hope you don't mind me landing these pics on your thread, Andrew!

Cheers,
Asoka

[TobyC]

Looking good. Any decals or are you gong for the anonymous look?

[AndrewR]

@Asoka. Excellent, that shows the differences perfectly. And if anyone was going to have both versions in the stash, then it was bound to be you!

@Toby. There are a few decals, and I'll probably use the French version of the mock-up.

Cheers

Andrew

[PaulBradley]

Some 'trade show' figures on the base would help with atmosphere. Preiser probably have something suitable in their range.

[AndrewR]

Some 'trade show' figures on the base would help with atmosphere. Preiser probably have something suitable in their range.

I have a few civilian figures. Preiser sets are out of my budget range! If nothing else, a few techs in overalls setting up the display would do.

[jssel]

I can not remember for kit number but I build the German one in grey and green plastic. Great kit to build.

[Marek]

Andrew, I have not been around for a while to post anything but have to say your bench is a busy as always! Some cool projects going on. Good to be back and see the plethora of goodies produced on daily basis.

[ShaunW]

I like the Alphajet display idea - good thinking that man, there is life in the old Labrador yet

[AndrewR]

I like the Alphajet display idea - good thinking that man, there is life in the old Labrador yet

Got any scooby snacks?

[Asoka]

@Asoka. Excellent, that shows the differences perfectly. And if anyone was going to have both versions in the stash, then it was bound to be you!

@Toby. There are a few decals, and I'll probably use the French version of the mock-up.

Cheers

Andrew

Fer shore!

Started on mine too, will post the piccies soon... (enjoying a nice head cold right now...)

Cheers!
Asoka

[AndrewR]

The underside got a spray of white in a few places, after a bit of sanding. The back half of the Shrikes got the same treatment.



Things have slowed down a lot, the new teaching schedule is eating into modelling time, particularly early in the week

Cheers

Andrew

[AndrewR]

Decals on the port side, apart from the nose.
Xtradecal national insignia, everything else is home made.



I tried to put the red danger flashes around the intakes from the ESCI set, but they disintegrated in the water. So I tried the ancient Airfix ones from the kit and they disintegrated too.



I also stuck the canopy back on, after a little sculpting of the edges, to encourage it to sit better.



Cheers

Andrew