Royal Navy Hunter

[pigsty]

One of my irregular modelling themes is anything painted Extra Dark Sea Grey and Sky/White - or, post-war Fleet Air Arm. I realised only the other day that I'd omitted the Hunter from the list that ticks away in my head (possibly because it didn't fly from carriers) and I ought to rectify that.

Now, I gather there's two and a half options here. One is the GA.Mk.11; the other is the T.Mk.8 or 8M*. I have one Hunter kit (Revell's 1/32 FGA.Mk.9) and would prefer not to buy another, although substituting another for it might be on the cards. The smallest scale I want is 1/48. I think my options are thus (typically!) fairly limited.

1/32 - either:

@ wait patiently for Fisher to get around to a T.Mk.8 and hope that my FGA.Mk.9 is the donor kit, then spend a fortune on it; or

@ exchange my FGA.Mk.9 for an F.Mk.6 and go for Flightpath's GA.Mk.11 conversion, and spend a fortune on that (does that conversion come with appropriate decals, by the way?); or

@ wait even more patiently for Revell to release their own trainer version (I've no expectation of a GA.Mk.11, or even of an F.Mk.4 that could be used as a starting point) and see how far short of a T.Mk.8 it falls. Then flog my own kit to part-pay for it.

1/48:

@ buy an Academy or Nichimo Hunter and convert it to either Mark, which I gather will also cost a fortune as neither kit (if they are different kits) is good enough on its own, and both would of course need further work to make the Fleet Air Arm versions. Then flog the Revell job to part-pay for it.

I've no strong preference as to which version I finally end up with - 8, 8M, 11, all equally appealing since they all share the grey-and-white colours. Nor am I in any massive hurry, so I can afford to muse further on this. But what experience has anyone else had of this sort of thing?

* I know about the other T.Mk.8 variants, of course - I'm mainly interested in the external shapes of the basic and Sea Harrier trainers.

Edited April 26, 2010 by pigsty

[Don McIntyre]

While I can't answer your questions on RN Hunters, I can say, avoid the Nichimo Hunter!

Hers' some shots of one I've got in the stash:

[Don McIntyre]

Here's some not very clear photos I took in Gib sometime in the mid-80s. They're overall Gray aircraft (no white) and unfortunately they're scans of Matt-finished photos, so that's about as Hi-Res as they get:

[DamienB]

Awesome

I like how the rockets and drop tanks switch positions on the opposite wing on the box art, but as the kit appears to give you Sparrows instead I guess it hardly matters.

[Giorgio N]

I haven't done any of those, although I am slowly building a 1/72 "admiral's barge" hunter, but if I were in the same situation I'd probably just convert the 1/32 FGA.9 in a GA.11. It's a conversion that I think can be done quite easily with no real need for aftermarket accesories, apart maybe from the smaller exhaust.

[AnonymousAA72]

I converted the RoG FGA9 into a GA.11 some years ago. A fairly simple conversion...cannons were plated over, sabrina's removed. I built a new tail section using one of the 230 gallon tanks as the interior of the jet pipe. The narrower Avon-100 Series tail section was built up from Milliput. The "Harley" light was fitted by simply removing the nose cone opening up the centre and using one of the kits "Maverick" lenses.

Decals came from the kit and various Modeldecal generic sets.

One thing to note... earlier GA11's were painted in the standard EXTRA Dark Sea Grey and White. 100 gallon drop tanks could be overall White, EDSG/White, Silver or Dark Sea Grey/Silver or Dark Sea Grey /Light Aircraft Grey - using standard RAF tanks I suppose.

The EDSG/White scheme was replaced ca. 1983-ish by over all DARK Sea Grey. NOT Extra Dark Sea Grey!!

Wheel bays etc seem to have been white.

Either F6 or FGA9 kit would be suitable for conversion. Early GA11's had the square flaps associated with the smaller 100 gallon tanks. Nearer retirement some GA11's had the larger 230 Gallon tanks with flap cut outs.

For a GA11 in 1/48th scale, the Aeroclub F6 (or FGA9) plus aeroclub detail set is your best bet. This set includes the all important "small-bore" jet pipe.

EDIT:

Found this pic of my GA11 conversion....taken some years ago...

Edited April 29, 2010 by Bill Clark

[pigsty]

Thank you all. The Flightpath GA.Mk.11 conversion looks appealing - does anyone have any experience of it?

[OzH]

Thank you all. The Flightpath GA.Mk.11 conversion looks appealing - does anyone have any experience of it?

the Flightpath set is a detail set that contain bits and bobs for updating the FGA.9 kit. It does include the tail cone without the parachute doors, I think this was released when the FGA.9 kit came out, but (I think) superseded by the mk.6 release. The "GA.11 conversion" is basically a choice of two photo etch parts, either a disk, that you "paint" the light lens, or a ring that surrounds the Harley light, you have scratch the light, lens etc having flattened the nose. Both have fairly heavy bolt detail on the etch, which I do not think existed.

Here's a scan of the photo etch, the two circular objects, 4 and 5, top left are the alternative "Harley lights"

Here's the real thing from FRADU Hunters

The rest of the etch is very good, expensive, but good, what I'm saying is - don’t buy if for the GA.11 conversion! most of it can be done yourself...

[Edgar]

I wonder why no-one seems to consider using the cut-off part, of the nose, for the light's reflector, just by reversing it, and making it fit; it worked, for me, on the Echelon kit.

Paul Fisher is planning, at some stage, to do the T.8/8M conversion. Revell have a two-seat mould already made, but, presumably, it's not been used due to disappointing sales of the single-seater.

Edgar

[DJPFlightpath]

the Flightpath set is a detail set that contain bits and bobs for updating the FGA.9 kit. It does include the tail cone without the parachute doors, I think this was released when the FGA.9 kit came out, but (I think) superseded by the mk.6 release. The "GA.11 conversion" is basically a choice of two photo etch parts, either a disk, that you "paint" the light lens, or a ring that surrounds the Harley light, you have scratch the light, lens etc having flattened the nose. Both have fairly heavy bolt detail on the etch, which I do not think existed.

Here's a scan of the photo etch, the two circular objects, 4 and 5, top left are the alternative "Harley lights"

Here's the real thing from FRADU Hunters

The rest of the etch is very good, expensive, but good, what I'm saying is - don’t buy if for the GA.11 conversion! most of it can be done yourself...

I dont really see that out F4/5/GA.11 set is expensive if you are looking for a detail set into the bargain - 435 x 142mm of etched nickel silver [was brass] - and just compare our price on that sort of sheet area alone v. the opposition - + a resin tail cone & wing edges, cast arrestor hook, plotted instrument panels - all for £36.90. The tail cone is the smaller diameter F4/5 one [curvature much more pronounced, especially on the underside] and NOT the same as in the F6 kit. The set is intended for use with both Revell kits. It also contains both styles of wing flap - the ones in the kit are rather 'solid'. Our set is not just a conversion set but is also intended to be a detail set for all/most other aspects of the full aircraft - not just the mark-specific areas.

Regards,

David Parkins,

Flightpath

www.djparkins.com

the Flightpath set is a detail set that contain bits and bobs for updating the FGA.9 kit. It does include the tail cone without the parachute doors, I think this was released when the FGA.9 kit came out, but (I think) superseded by the mk.6 release. The "GA.11 conversion" is basically a choice of two photo etch parts, either a disk, that you "paint" the light lens, or a ring that surrounds the Harley light, you have scratch the light, lens etc having flattened the nose. Both have fairly heavy bolt detail on the etch, which I do not think existed.

Here's a scan of the photo etch, the two circular objects, 4 and 5, top left are the alternative "Harley lights"

Here's the real thing from FRADU Hunters

The rest of the etch is very good, expensive, but good, what I'm saying is - don’t buy if for the GA.11 conversion! most of it can be done yourself...

I dont really see that out F4/5/GA.11 set is expensive if you are looking for a detail set into the bargain - 435 x 142mm of etched nickel silver [was brass] - and just compare our price on that sort of sheet area alone v. the opposition - + a resin tail cone & wing edges, cast arrestor hook, plotted instrument panels - all for £36.90. The tail cone is the smaller diameter F4/5 one [curvature much more pronounced, especially on the underside] and NOT the same as in the F6 kit. The set is intended for use with both Revell kits. It also contains both styles of wing flap - the ones in the kit are rather 'solid'. Our set is not just a conversion set but is also intended to be a detail set for all/most other aspects of the full aircraft - not just the mark-specific areas.

Regards,

David Parkins,

Flightpath

www.djparkins.com

[pigsty]

I dont really see that out F4/5/GA.11 set is expensive if you are looking for a detail set into the bargain - 435 x 142mm of etched nickel silver [was brass] - and just compare our price on that sort of sheet area alone v. the opposition - + a resin tail cone & wing edges, cast arrestor hook, plotted instrument panels - all for £36.90. The tail cone is the smaller diameter F4/5 one [curvature much more pronounced, especially on the underside] and NOT the same as in the F6 kit. The set is intended for use with both Revell kits. It also contains both styles of wing flap - the ones in the kit are rather 'solid'. Our set is not just a conversion set but is also intended to be a detail set for all/most other aspects of the full aircraft - not just the mark-specific areas.

Regards,

David Parkins,

Flightpath

www.djparkins.com

Stop tempting me with your blandishments!

PS - decals?

[OzH]

I dont really see that out F4/5/GA.11 set is expensive if you are looking for a detail set into the bargain - 435 x 142mm of etched nickel silver [was brass] - and just compare our price on that sort of sheet area alone v. the opposition - + a resin tail cone & wing edges, cast arrestor hook, plotted instrument panels - all for £36.90. The tail cone is the smaller diameter F4/5 one [curvature much more pronounced, especially on the underside] and NOT the same as in the F6 kit. The set is intended for use with both Revell kits. It also contains both styles of wing flap - the ones in the kit are rather 'solid'. Our set is not just a conversion set but is also intended to be a detail set for all/most other aspects of the full aircraft - not just the mark-specific areas.

Regards,

David Parkins,

Flightpath

www.djparkins.com

I invested in the set a while ago (brass) and have already said it is very good. As you say, it addresses a number of different marks, loads of detail and I particularly like the fact that you have both full and cut out flaps and the FOD covers... great!

But

£36.90 is a lot of money and if you were buying it JUST for the GA.11 conversion then you may end up with a lot of waste.

That’s not to say I don't have a whole host of other Flightpath AM sets that cost me a similar price and it wouldn't stop ME from buying it again if I needed it.....

[DJPFlightpath]

I invested in the set a while ago (brass) and have already said it is very good. As you say, it addresses a number of different marks, loads of detail and I particularly like the fact that you have both full and cut out flaps and the FOD covers... great!

But

£36.90 is a lot of money and if you were buying it JUST for the GA.11 conversion then you may end up with a lot of waste.

That’s not to say I don't have a whole host of other Flightpath AM sets that cost me a similar price and it wouldn't stop ME from buying it again if I needed it.....

Sure - but whatever version you are modelling [GA.11 included] you are going to use 85%+ of the parts in the set - unless you just do not add any other common detailing - in which case, why bother at all!

David Parkins,

Flightpath

[pigsty]

Holy thread revival!

I've still not come to a decision - and, knowing me, I won't until none of the options is available at all. Still ...

I've been mooning over the 1/32 offerings from Fisher (T.Mk.8C and T.Mk.8M) and trying to convince myself that upwards of £60 isn't a lot to pay for such a good conversion set*. As I have a Sea Harrier that will have the pointy nose and long pitot, repeating it with a Hunter isn't quite so appealing, so I'm wondering if the T.Mk.8C might be the better choice. Trouble is, Fisher seems to offer only light aircraft grey colour schemes (with or without day-glo), not extra dark sea grey over white.

Which leads me to ask: soes anyone know whether any of the earlier T.Mk.8 variants were painted in EDSG/white? I've found a few hints that they might have been, but I'm not sure how much to trust them.

Of course, I know that I'll be on my own for markings if I do this - unless anyone knows different ... ?

* it is, you know ...

[Giorgio N]

Would a blue over white scheme be of interest to you ? If so you could build one of the aircrafts used for Flight Officer Flight Training (the famous Admiral's Barges)

[pigsty]

Would a blue over white scheme be of interest to you ? If so you could build one of the aircrafts used for Flight Officer Flight Training (the famous Admiral's Barges)

Nice, but no thanks. For reasons that I can never put my finger on, it has to be EDSG.

[James V]

I have just bought and recieved the T8M kit, it is excellent. If there are any questions you have, please drop me a PM or ask on here if there are any specifics.

I also have the Flightpath set as well and will be using what I can off it and keep the rest for the other signle seat F6 that I have

[zero]

didn't see this mentioned, (sorry if it was) PJ Productions have a GA11 and FR10 conversion set for the 1/48 hunter

http://www.pjproduction.net/en/product/481...a11-conversion/

Dave

Edited January 16, 2012 by zero

[MikeC]

Of course you could always do a GA11 before they completely ruined the beauty of the Hunter by sticking that headlight in the nose. Simply omit the link collectors, fill the gun ports, add a hook and suitable training unit decals - job done. I think Model ALliance do some.

See also http://www.fradu-hunters.co.uk/ for imspiration.

HTH,

[AnonymousAA72]

Nice, but no thanks. For reasons that I can never put my finger on, it has to be EDSG.

Sean, FAA Hunter T-birds (they flew a couple of T7's too) were NEVER (he says putting head on block!) EDSG over white (apart from the three T8M's) .

Initially they were silver with yellow t-bands. This was superceeded by silver with orange/red dayglo 'bites'. They were then painted LACG with signal red 'bites'. When they were re-painted in the 1980's it was an overall single colour scheme of DARK Sea Grey only.

I have the Fisher T7 conversion (plus an Echelon two-seater tucked away!). Don't baulk at the price of the Fisher sets though - worth every penny/cent!!

[AnonymousAA72]

Holy thread revival!

Which leads me to ask: soes anyone know whether any of the earlier T.Mk.8 variants were painted in EDSG/white? I've found a few hints that they might have been, but I'm not sure how much to trust them.

..see post above. I've NEVER seen any reference to any EDSG/White FAA Hunter t-birds (other than the T8M). Most FAA Hunters have their life history's listed on the FRADU website, so ther emay be some clues there.

[pigsty]

Thanks, Bill. One of the references I found was this (the fourth profile down). I know this site is a bit flaky but the provenance of the image seems OK. Does make you wonder, doesn't it?

[Giorgio N]

Thanks, Bill. One of the references I found was this (the fourth profile down). I know this site is a bit flaky but the provenance of the image seems OK. Does make you wonder, doesn't it?

Do you mean XL580 ?If so this was one of the FOFT aircrafts I mentioned with upper surfaces in blue.

Edited January 17, 2012 by Giorgio N

[pigsty]

Do you mean XL580 ?If so this was one of the FOFT aircrafts I mentioned with upper surfaces in blue.

Ah. It wasn't abundantly clear from the scan that that was blue, not grey. So that's a quick thank-you to both and a good old for me.

Still, it narrows it down - my choice is now a T.Mk.8M or a GA.Mk.11.

[tonyberrington]

Here's some not very clear photos I took in Gib sometime in the mid-80s. They're overall Gray aircraft (no white) and unfortunately they're scans of Matt-finished photos, so that's about as Hi-Res as they get:

I remember blagging a flight in the fold down cockpit seat on the Viscount that's in the background.

ATC annual camp in 1980. I'm normally a bit shy but one of the officers told me to approach the pilot when he arrived in the terminal lobby, salute him and ask if I could fly with them.

So, when he arrived, I snapped to attention and gave my best salute and asked. I can remember being pretty amazed when he said yes, but thinking back I would guess it happened all the time.