Well, this will be a very simple build of a Matchbox 1/72 Saab J-29F Tunnan with 1950's Portuguese markings. I already have the backstory as it's a part of my alternative PoAF history since WWII, but i'll leave that for when the model is done.
So, what if the PoAF wanted a swept-wing jet before the Sabres in 1958? They had De Havilland Vampire trainers since 1952 and T-33As since 53, why not get a swept wing fighter to patrol Portuguese skies back then? ;D
I haven't started work so i'll be posting pics when there's enough done.
:cheers:
Built a Matchbox Tunnan as a kid. Can't remember what happened to it. Something unfortunate probably.
This'll be good.
Is the M'box kit the one with the afterburning engine?
Yes, it's the last operational version (with the dogtooth wing, too). The kit is pretty basic, AFAIR, and need lot of nose weight. And a cover/bulkhead for the air intake is needed, because you can look directly into the cockpit...
Perhaps a cross-kit with the Heller one would work well? I think I have both of them in The Loft somewhere....
And there's the Airfix kit (with camera option), but IIRC that's just the Heller kit reboxed?
Tarangus did an early Tunnan (with the normal wing), but this one is rather costly.
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 28, 2016, 08:16:54 AM
And there's the Airfix kit (with camera option), but IIRC that's just the Heller kit reboxed?
Tarangus did an early Tunnan (with the normal wing), but this one is rather costly.
I think you're right, yes.
I've just come down from The Loft and can't find either of them, but that's hardly surprising seeing the state of the place........ :banghead:
Hey, guys. I see a lot of you have built this kit, it was one of the few kits i built in my first modeling incarnation when i was 7 or 8.
This kit is probably one of Matchbox's best, right? Shape and fit are good, only thing not up to today's standards is what you all know, the panel tren... lines. ;D
I'm enjoying this simple build, in the cockpit all i did was the ejection ring on top of the seat from a bit of scrap styrene and paint it up. I didn't make a bulkhead for the intake but made a tube of styrene sheet and glued it on the inside of the intake lip, you can't see much in there and it really doesn't bother me too much that one can see the front of the cockpit floor. ;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_17781.jpg&hash=dc9e9fc0ae025183032b2523d84b8cd4b1bf57a0) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_17781.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_17811.jpg&hash=f2480d2aff4f87dc91c466c4cac4fdd5b096a9d8) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_17811.jpg.html)
Nose weight was in form of two balls of blue tack below the cockpit, just aft of the front landing gear bay, should be enough as the model always nosedived when held by the main landing gear's center of gravity. :thumbsup:
So now, the intake lip needs to be puttied and sanded down to be flush with the rest of the fuselage so i'm leaving the wings off to make work easier.
:cheers:
Had pondered a Czech Tunnan (Czechoslovakia stayed neutral post-WW2, no communist coup in 1948). One in the stash but doubt if I could get it done for the GB.
It's moulded in green and white? :unsure:
Never seen that, I only know grey/Sky S styrene on this kit?! :blink:
BTW, yes, totally agree that the cockpit is one of the better ones from Matchbox. The F9F Panther has also a nice interior.
Quote from: Dizzyfugu on January 28, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
It's moulded in green and white? :unsure:
Never seen that, I only know grey/Sky S styrene on this kit?! :blink:
BTW, yes, totally agree that the cockpit is one of the better ones from Matchbox. The F9F Panther has also a nice interior.
Yeah, it's molded in dark green and a very light grey. I'm really surprised with the kit, haven't used putty and the main construction is done, even the intake lip was easy to sand down to right shape and thickness, and didn't need any putty at all. Wings and tail were glued on after sanding the intake lip, again, no need for putty. :thumbsup:
The canopy will need proper fitting and maybe a little bit of styrene to close a small gap where it joins the front fuselage.
Didn't expect this one to be so quick, it's nearly ready for primer but i can't upload pics cause Photobucket is out for maintenance... :rolleyes:
:cheers:
So this is how it looks at the moment...
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_17881.jpg&hash=68d187ab2af91748a669d4444b3f9a247549dd34) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_17881.jpg.html)
The intake lip was easy to sand down, it now looks more like the real intake. I think that all it's lacking is a small sanding session on the wing roots and it's ready for paint. :thumbsup:
:cheers:
Looking good. Nice job on the nose.
:cheers:
Thanks, Captain! :thumbsup:
The Tunnan sits as it was in the pic, work was hard this past week so i've been getting home really beat, but i think i'll have some time during the weekend to get some modeling done.
:cheers:
Finally got to do a little bit on this one, just a few holes... :rolleyes: Now just some light sanding to do on the gun ports and it's ready for primer.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_17951.jpg&hash=5c6f29465e40dd2aa6bd95a9a226b9eec0c2a858) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_17951.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_17971.jpg&hash=12c14c6dc2e7640e9a1c9d76fec481e304399edf) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_17971.jpg.html)
:cheers:
Nice. Glad you're back at it ! :cheers:
Thanks, Captain! :thumbsup:
I've been thinking of fitting a pair of winders under the wings but i'll have to scratch-build pylons for that. It doesn't seem like it's a big task so it will probably happen.
:cheers:
Ya that will look good on that aeroplane, give it some bite too !
So, i didn't have to do much, just a quick dump of the weapons bag and out of the pile come airfix F-86 drop tank pylons, cut and sanded to shape(in the pic, the one on the left is finished and the one on the right was corrected after i saw the pic :banghead:), and also a pair of AIM-9C from the Hobbyboss kit which became my Portuguese F-5PM. From a Hasegawa US air to air missile set came the LAU-129s that had the rear end cut off about 3mm shorter to match what i saw in the few pics of the real one carrying missiles.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18191.jpg&hash=6cedab7c8a354a73a3bdc432454dad9eab172678) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18191.jpg.html)
The pylons will be glued on tomorrow as the top side of the cockpit was finished today with XF-69 Nato black, so after that i just have to mask the canopy and glue it in place to give some paint...
:cheers:
Ok, finally ready for paint... :thumbsup:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18391.jpg&hash=b5340d3b1238fb58fe2eaa79310a3647bd1a946f) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18391.jpg.html)
:cheers:
Well, spoke too soon... the canopy fits ok, but left a millimeter wide gap between the rear framing and the fuselage. At first i was thinking of using a bit of putty but then i remembered that, a couple of months ago, i bought the Testors window maker and clear parts glue so i used that to test it and see if it would fill the gap. It did the job but not on the first try. Anyway, now it's finally ready to go to the paint shop.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18451_1.jpg&hash=cb6b8507abe39e1d9139bb0084cf64079716c8b3) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18451_1.jpg.html)
:cheers:
Looking forward to see paint on this one! :thumbsup:
My friend, your wish has been granted... :thumbsup:
Ok, crank up the Stones!! ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18471.jpg&hash=889dd58f0b0c097878e0f2b9ecfcc2d4a794b717) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18471.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18491.jpg&hash=460dc5fed3ef72737419e6ef669a82612a3eb5bd) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18491.jpg.html)
Spidey was on hand to help out and inspect the work done... used Tamiya acrylics as always, X-1 undercoat and then the X-11, which is one of the colors i use for the F-16 P&W nozzle.
So, it's going to be in a normal finish for the period, but i now have to chose if the rest of the scheme will be Tunnan or stolen from PoAF F-86s... i'll probably end up a mix of the two. :rolleyes:
While looking for pics of the Tunnan, i stumbled across Gaetan Marie's aviation profiles site, haven't seen the rest of the profiles yet but the tunnan's were nice and he has a Whif! :thumbsup:
http://www.gaetanmarie.com/en/j29.htm
I'm hoping to get the rest of the painting done over the weekend, bad weather means no work for me so i should have some quality time for modeling.
:cheers:
Some more paint sprayed on this afternoon... :thumbsup:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18501.jpg&hash=4bc3b79da13e85228d580d7bbcc3eb4c0a32519b) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18501.jpg.html)
:cheers:
This is looking pretty neat! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Old Wombat on February 28, 2016, 02:58:04 PM
This is looking pretty neat! :thumbsup:
Thank you very much! :thumbsup:
I've been looking at the usable decals in the stash and it seems that i'll have to re-work the backstory just a bit... :rolleyes:
:cheers:
Quote from: DogfighterZen on February 26, 2016, 04:47:00 PM
My friend, your wish has been granted... :thumbsup:
Ok, crank up the Stones!! ;D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18471.jpg&hash=889dd58f0b0c097878e0f2b9ecfcc2d4a794b717) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18471.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18491.jpg&hash=460dc5fed3ef72737419e6ef669a82612a3eb5bd) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18491.jpg.html)
Spidey was on hand to help out and inspect the work done... used Tamiya acrylics as always, X-1 undercoat and then the X-11, which is one of the colors i use for the F-16 P&W nozzle.
So, it's going to be in a normal finish for the period, but i now have to chose if the rest of the scheme will be Tunnan or stolen from PoAF F-86s... i'll probably end up a mix of the two. :rolleyes:
While looking for pics of the Tunnan, i stumbled across Gaetan Marie's aviation profiles site, haven't seen the rest of the profiles yet but the tunnan's were nice and he has a Whif! :thumbsup:
http://www.gaetanmarie.com/en/j29.htm
I'm hoping to get the rest of the painting done over the weekend, bad weather means no work for me so i should have some quality time for modeling.
:cheers:
Excellent choice of music sir! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Leading Observer on February 28, 2016, 03:49:48 PM
Excellent choice of music sir! :thumbsup:
Thank you, my friend! :thumbsup:
Well, today was unmasking day and everything went well. Just finished spraying on a good coat of gloss varnish to get on with the decals. :thumbsup:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18531.jpg&hash=605863bdbb2f51fc17a95bef30290621ea578297) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18531.jpg.html)
:cheers:
lol Go Spidey ! Funny stuff. Looking good !
:cheers:
Quote from: Captain Canada on February 29, 2016, 12:48:04 PM
lol Go Spidey ! Funny stuff. Looking good !
:cheers:
;D :thumbsup:
Decals on, tomorrow is another coat of gloss varnish. :thumbsup:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18551.jpg&hash=749b8ef0e89c9aa6a3e34a4b7c6b621da51c54ec) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18551.jpg.html)
The Santa Cruz Decals, printed by Colorado/Carpena, are really thick, they needed a lot of microset, maybe microsol would work better but i only have the set solution. Besides not conforming properly to panel lines, they tend to tear easily after you apply microset. The fuselage roundels kept splitting in 2 bits each but i decided i was just adjusting them the best i could after the 3rd pair was ruined... :banghead:
Surprisingly enough, the old Matchbox decals went on with little problems, just a bit of yellow glue which was washed off with microset and it was just a few small data decals.
I know the Tunnan didn't have a very shiny finish but i wanted mine to look more like the F-86 Sabre, maybe it could fool a few JMNs... :wacko:
:cheers:
:thumbsup:
Pretty! :lol:
Thank you, guys! I admit, it is a pretty barrel... ;D :thumbsup:
Well, finally got the antennas and landing gear assembled, all it's missing is a pair of missiles.
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18651.jpg&hash=d0908913d34b141ae4d98f23ca087f0b463c1bfb) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18651.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18661.jpg&hash=9c3fadd40a7167b3d78dfddec6ccd6ec34fe92af) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18661.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18711.jpg&hash=5540376aad288258cd5f37e65f999bf5b6aec4e2) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18711.jpg.html)
:cheers:
Ok, my first whif GB entry is finished! :party:
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18761.jpg&hash=219247188439ef1b5bec924fb794981e3afba689) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18761.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18791.jpg&hash=a27d8539172ea26d6360c25533e0829e2c59d7ca) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18791.jpg.html)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18811.jpg&hash=0a288d18b7cc7561a3b8c5531c440985ae2f24a1) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18811.jpg.html)
I'll have the backstory and a few more and, hopefully, better pics in a few days. Hope you guys like it, i enjoyed this simple build and also, sticking to the original plan i had for this kit since i bought it.
Thanks for looking! :thumbsup:
:cheers:
Thats awesome DFZ. You've done a great job.
Every time I see those roundels i am reminded of the strip Nemesis the Warlock in 2000AD comic. The bad guys (led by Tomas De Torquemada) had similar imagery.
That looks great ! Surprising how sleek she looks in those colours and markings. I think the Sidewinders help as well.
:cheers:
Thanks, guys! Glad you like the barrel! :thumbsup:
BTW, being a Portuguese barrel, it would probably be filled up with red wine... ;D That brings to mind another nickname for it besides Barril... ;D
I'll try to have the backstory tonight along with a few more pics.
Quote from: zenrat on March 10, 2016, 02:44:46 AM
Every time I see those roundels i am reminded of the strip Nemesis the Warlock in 2000AD comic. The bad guys (led by Tomas De Torquemada) had similar imagery.
I didn't know that comic, looked it up and found Torquemada's roundel to be very cool! Would make for nice markings on an aircraft. :thumbsup:
Quote from: Captain Canada on March 10, 2016, 04:43:14 AM
Surprising how sleek she looks in those colours and markings. I think the Sidewinders help as well.
:cheers:
She does look rather sleek for its rotund shape... ;D And i agree, the winders do help with the looks, i had to have them on but it wasn't easy to find pics of the Tunnan carrying them for reference.
:cheers:
Come out really well :thumbsup:
Quote from: NARSES2 on March 10, 2016, 06:51:00 AM
Come out really well :thumbsup:
Thank you! :thumbsup:
:cheers:
"In 1952, with the creation of the new Portuguese Air Force, fighter jets were the first acquisitions since Salazar acknowledged its potential and possible effect that would have on the control capacity of the colonized territories. After the introduction of the F-86 jet and the Mig-15, pilots around the world knew these were the state-of-the-art aircraft of their day and obviously, interest rapidly started to grow among PoAF generals.
Since the agreement that would bring the F-86 to Portugal was still to come in 1957, the PoAF's Generals were told to first looked among its NATO allies in Europe. After being turned down by the European NATO countries due to his colonial policy, Salazar finally listened to his Air Force generals and gave them the green light to procure outside of NATO.
After tough negotiations, also due to Portugal being a colonial country, a deal was finally made with Saab and the Swedish Government, which resulted in 5 J 29B fighters delivered in 1953 and 15 in 1955, which would already be the F version, with a "dog tooth" on the leading edge of the wings and the afterburning engine DeHavilland Ghost.
In 1961, the Portuguese Colonial War begins in Angola and Salazar decided to display force to what he thought was only a minor terrorism wave, so 8 Sabres were dispatched to Guinea in August, 1961. The Tunnan was to remain in Portugal and not see service in the war because of the ever-growing pressure exerted by the United Nations.
In 1963, the first 5 model B fighters were extensively modernized up to the F standard and all the fighters were given the ability to fire Aim-9B Sidewinder missiles. The missiles were already available on the PoAF's arsenal because the F-86F Sabre already used them since 1962. The Tunnan was loved by both ground crews and pilots, and although both words mean the same, some affectionately called it "Pipa" but most preferred the more masculine name of "Barril", which obviously means barrel.
Both fighters were used together since the F-86 arrived in Portugal in 1958, up to the phase-out of the last 10 Tunnan in 1974. "
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1383.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fah318%2Frui_reis2%2FIMG_18921.jpg&hash=22a179c61c14571ef1e0c46fbcca0eb52c9f1c66) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/rui_reis2/media/IMG_18921.jpg.html)
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:cheers:
Bravo.
I'd hope the barrel would be filled with port...
Quote from: zenrat on March 10, 2016, 11:34:46 PM
Bravo.
I'd hope the barrel would be filled with port...
;D Could also be the good old fashioned firewater with honey, we call it melosa, and that is sweet, my friend... :wacko:
http://www.hotrumcow.co.uk/interesting-drinks-worth-trying-no-4-aguardente-de-medronho/
:cheers: