Airfix 1/48 Sea Hurricane

[StuartClark]

Really looking forward to this kit.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[youtube]1aQbtAa2zX8[/youtube]

[StuartClark]

I've started work on the Sea Hurricane. Life has been very busy so I've only had 15-30 min at a time with this kit. However, this has worked out well as the cockpit area consists of quite a few steps where you glue a component on and it's best to wait until it is set completely. So the past few nights have been one step at a time.

I decided to do steps 13-16 first and then put the subframe on the lower wing before building up the cockpit frame. This allows IMHO for easier alignment. The test will be when the fuselage halves go over the assembly later on.

Now that most of the subassembly is done, a coat of Tamiya XF-56 is sprayed on. Quite pleased with the results at this point.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Next up with be some brush painting of some other colors in areas and gentle weathering.

[StuartClark]

Test fitting the various Yahu cockpit panel bits. They are true works of art.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[ElCapitan]

Test fitting the various Yahu cockpit panel bits. They are true works of art.

You're not wrong!!

Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the build goes

[shortCummins]

I've used Yahu IP's a couple of times, their now the first after market I look for, great stuff

rgds
John(shortCummins)

[Vindicare]

i really must try those panels!

[StuartClark]

They are great panels and they really improve the look of the kit if you don't want to dive too deeply in the aftermarket stuff. I wrote a blog post several years ago about my feelings on this and it still applies.

http://blackfire.ca/2016/09/05/aftermarket-is-optional/

[StuartClark]

Turning toward the fuselage halves. First up is spraying and detailing the cockpit sidewalls. Since it is now very difficult to get the Gunze Aqueous interior green around here lately, I've switched to the Vallejo Model Air 71010 Interior Green which is a very good match.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[StuartClark]

Also starting to look at these great looking paper-based seat belts which I got at Ultimate

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[StuartClark]

Belts installed to the seats, still two buckles to go in this picture but I was getting cross-eyed. These paper-based sets are much easier to work with then photo etch and IMHO look more realistic.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Also did a quick test fit of the fuselage onto the wings, as other reviewers have noted, the fit is very precise.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wow
Some great detailing going on in here

[StuartClark]

Got the wings and fuselage together. The fit was very good. There might be some filling required for one small area.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Fuselage and wings were put together, the fit is very precise but after a few minutes, it got put together. There was some filling required at the wing roots but overall it came together well.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[StuartClark]

Final assembly was completed and a coat of Vallejo black surface primer was applied.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

I then proceeded to paint the propellor. Tamiya yellow was sprayed first, masked and then Tamiya semi-gloss black was applied.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Once the primer had dried 2 light coats of Tamiya sky were sprayed on.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Now to let it set for at least a day or more before masking for the upper colors.

[StuartClark]

Real life is intruding into modeling time at least until the new year. At least I've found a short-term contract.
Put the first coat of XF-22 RLM Gray on tonight. The color is darker then what the picture is showing.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[StuartClark]

As predicted Dec. with working 2 jobs (and 15 hour days) gave no time for work on the bench, followed by catching the flu over Christmas/New Years.

Got the Montex Masks on over the space of a few days. They go on very well but I didn't realize some are oversized particularly in the tail and wingtips. Once I figured that out they went on very well.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

XF 63 was then sprayed on and allowed to dry. The masks lifted off very well with only one small spot where the underlying paint lifted. This was fixed in short order.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

I am very impressed with the Montex masks and would use them again.

[Cymru]

I am very impressed with the Montex masks and would use them again.

Yes, me too!
Great to see you back at the bench with more progress

[DrSprue]

Oh that is really looking like an awesome build and excellent detailing!

[StuartClark]

Decaling has started, no problems with these Airfix decals, going on quite smoothly.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[mick]

good work

[Stokesy44]

Looking good. I’ve had similar experiences with their decals on the new tool kits. No drama at all, decal work almost becomes enjoyable - almost!

[demarcation]

Great work!!

[StuartClark]

Video update

[youtube]oZziKKMEwhM[/youtube]

[StuartClark]

Calling it done.

Overall quite happy with it, best build in 1/48 I've seen for a while in terms of fit and amount of gap filling I had to do. The paint and canopy masks and other aftermarket gave it a level of detail and ease of build I was looking for. I would definitely build another one.

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

Untitled by Stuart Clark, on Flickr

[DrSprue]

Superb!!

[chief5437]

nice work, looks great

[aur0ra145]

Very nicely done!