Paul's Frog F.4 ** FINISHED **

[PaulBradley]

As I'm not having as much fun as I'd thought I would with the PJ NF.11, I decided I'd have a little fun build with the old Frog F.4.

No need for boxart and sprue shorts - others have posted those. Needless to say, it is a simple kit, not much detail but basically accurate. I started by adding the cockpit floor and nose weight. That should keep the nose wheel on the ground....



I won't be adding much in the cockpit - just the kit seat with basic belts and perhaps an IP. It'll all be black in any case.

I made the wings. Added some light detailing in the wheel wells and re-scribed the panel lines, while also filling the sink marks and the gaps where the wing halves don't slot together...



I have decals from the very old Modeldecal sheet 7 for an F.4 of 63 Squadron. They still look great - hopefully they'll still work great...

[Martin R]

Paul,

I have recently bought one of those, too. I dare you to do yours in a SEAC (green / brown / white stripes) colour scheme.

regards,

Martin

[PaulBradley]

Sorry, Martin - as a rule, I don't do whiffs. Call me an old fuddy-duddy......

[Martin R]

Sorry, Martin - as a rule, I don't do whiffs. Call me an old fuddy-duddy......

You're an old fuddy-duddy.

You also do not understand the true power of the dark side.

regards,

Martin

[bluesteel]

The Frog Meteor is one of the few I don't have in my Meteor stash, I keep on missing out on eBay. It doesn't look too bad Paul, and a very Classic British Kit indeed. You are doing a sterling job so far.

[PaulBradley]

Cheers, Julian. It is quite a nice little kit.

You're an old fuddy-duddy.

You also do not understand the true power of the dark side.

regards,

Martin

Oi! I resemble that remark!

[PaulBradley]

Made some progress this weekend - the airframe is together and a coat of grey primer on:



Needs a little filler on the tailplane, I see...

[Martin R]

Paul,

Nice job so far. I've got that in the stash and it will be wheeled out when I want to add some extra detail to it. It looks like it's a good shape, though.

regards,

Martin

[PaulBradley]

Shape is pretty good, Martin - the nose looks a bit fat and blunt, but otherwise it seems fine.

[PaulBradley]

OK, so I was able to make some swift progress today - mind you, it IS a simple kit...

Added the cockpit 'detail' = basic seat with painted straps, stick and a paper IP. Undercarriage is an old Aeroclub white metal set - help with nose weight. Thinned the kit's undercarriage doors. Future'd the canopy ready for masking. Added the kit aerial post, after thinning. Drop tanks added. I think that's about it! Oh, and I drilled out the cannon fairings. Anyways, she's complete, as far as adding parts is concerned (just the canopy, but I can't add that 'til it's masked).





The black was pre-shading - then I remembered this was going to be an Aluminium aircraft.... (The green is what I happened to have in the airbrush when I wanted to check seams.)

So, I'll get the canopy masked and glued in place tonight, then a quick coat of Aluminium tomorrow morning and, hopefully, some decals tomorrow evening.

[PaulBradley]

Almost there.......

Got the Aluminium done early this morning, and just finished the decals:



Still needs a little weathering and the tyres painted, then a final gloss coat.

[Molly-new]

That looks quite striking in the Aluminium finish, I may have to do another one.

[PaulBradley]

It is a nice scheme, eh? Simple and effective.

[jssel]

Looking good Paul.

[PaulBradley]

Calling it done - it actually needs a final gloss coat, but that will have to wait until next weekend now....





A very simple kit with little detail, but the outline is basically correct and fit is pretty good. The 40 year old decals worked surprisingly well, both the kit roundels and the Modeldecal individual a/c markings. Overall, a nice little build.

I'll take some better photos for the Gallery tomorrow.