1/72 Gloster P.376 Thin-wing Javelin 3d Print

[The Rat]

Wow! You're not a model builder, you're an artisan! 

[scautomoton]

I'm amazed at my self control lately. Normally I get into a frenzied rush to get these things over the line. Maybe I need to see a Doctor....

So I sealed the decals, and decided to go with a light touch for the weathering. I used some MIG Panel Line Washes; Storm Grey underneath, and Blue/Black on top. Underneath got a dark sludge wash in the bays to bring out the detail, then some Tamiya Weathering Master Oil Stain here and there, followed by some thinned ABT Burnt Umber for streaking. Topside I'm leaving alone since the pre-shading and the panel line wash gives it enough character.

I also did my usual trick inside the afterburners with airbrushed Tamiya Flat Base (50/50 with Mr Leveller) to give the chalky look. After I took the photo I promptly glued them together. They're sat awaiting final assembly.

Finally, I've finished the cockpit bar the bang seats. I used the excellent Mike Grant Cockpit Gauge decals (super fiddly, but really brings it to life) with a dab of gloss on each gauge, along with copious dry-brushing and a dab of colour here & there to highlight some switches etc. I apologise for the image quality, I really should buy a proper camera of some sort.

You'll notice the area surrounding the front coaming is lacking paint, I've prepped it ready for the windshield having learned the hard way that CA is great, but if its stuck to paint it just rips it off when it gets knocked. So I try to always apply glue to the base materials when joining parts.

Other than this, most of the small fiddly bits are done and awaiting final assembly now. Next I need to paint the bang seats (I think a pair of MB.4s are appropriate for the notional in-service date), and the windscreen needs attaching, masking and painting. After that its time to assemble and give it a final semi-gloss coat.

The end is in sight.

[frank2056]

The cockpit looks great. Nice job with the drybrushing - it's effective and even!

[Old Wombat]

Nice work, especially in the cockpit. 

[NARSES2]

As said above that cockpit is fantastic 

[su27rules]

      

[kerick]

Excellent!

[The Rat]

  

[scautomoton]

Everything is painted, weathered, sealed, and ready for final assembly. Finally.

 

 

I'll probably get it all together tonight, but there are still some things to do before RFI and kits being ready for sale. I've had to redesign the canopy bucks, so I have several to polish before I trial them.

[Old Wombat]

  

[Gondor]

Very nice looking. It will probably not be until Telford before I can afford one.

[Leading Observer]

  I will be ordering one of these when they appear on the shop site

[Mossie]

Lovely. Good willpower, no sprint finish, slow and steady. 

[Thorvic]

Looking good, its going to be impressive once finished especially with the other F155T types and your original Javelin

[scautomoton]

Right, she is done! Now available for sale at the online shop here. And yes, it will be on the stand at MAM this Sunday, and yes, I will bring a half dozen kits with me for anyone who so desires one.

Anyone whose paid attention to my builds will have noticed my ongoing efforts to create all of the F.155T submissions, and this forms the very beginning of that specific chapter of British supersonic aircraft design. As far as I'm aware no manufacturer has tackled this subject previously.

Now, after all the fun designing and printing this out, I was somewhat shocked at the size of it. I had to go back and check I hadn't misread all my reference material. But no, correct size. They really were being ambitious! I've taken some artistic license due to limited technical references being available, such as the air brakes, but it comes with Red Hebes rather than Red Deans, since they were the supersonic design. Somewhat annoyingly during final assembly it became obvious the undercarriage design was too weak, hence I redesigned a hollow main strut to allow metal rod reinforcement, but it was too late to implement on this build. So apologies for the knock-kneed stance. Happily, though, the serial is genuine (even if the squadron may not be).

 

Otherwise this has been a surprisingly straightforward exercise compared to some of my previous builds, maybe I'm getting better with Fusion, maybe I just don't notice it's foibles anymore, perhaps I drank too much wine throughout? Whatever, its done.

 

Kit - Machina Models 014 Gloster P.376 Thin Wing Javelin

Primer - Mr Surfacer Grey 500 and 1000

Paint - Alclad II Dark Aluminium; Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, X-10 Gunmetal, X-11 Chrome Silver, X-32 Titanium Silver, XF-69 NATO Black, XF-81 Dark Green (RAF 2); Mr Gunze Aqeous 8 Silver, 27 Tan, 52 Olive Drab, 77 Tyre Black, H331 Dark Sea Grey; Mr Color SM208 Super Duralumin; Molotow Liquid Chrome

Weathering - Tamiya Weathering Master Snow, Oil Stain, Soot, Burnt Blue, Burnt Red; Oil Sludge wash; AK ABT Oils Burnt Umber

Varnish/Finish - Tamiya X-35 Semi-Gloss Clear; AK Intermediate Gauzy Agent

Decals - Various raided from the spares box, generic line decals, Mike Grant cockpit decals

Other - 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm brass and steel wire/rod

 

I know you want me to stop waffling and show the pics, so here they be:

 

 

And a final bonus pic, here she is with her forebear: