Nimrod MR2 - Airfix 1/72

[rickoshea52]

Now that all of the decals have been applied to XV235 my attention has turned to all those little bits and pieces that stick out and get broken off easily. The aerials are painted and the searchlight cupola has been masked for painting, something I should have done earlier. I need to figure out a way of modelling the searchlight though as the kit doesn't have one. I was thinking of using a sequin and a length of plastic rod.

I also got the main landing gears assembled ready for installation, I really need to master painting wheels, I will apply a wash to disguise my shortcomings here. What I can't disguise is the rather crude representation of the landing gear legs. I have an intimate knowledge of these as it was one of my regular tasks in AMF to run the landing gear tasks on these when Nimrods were in the hangar for Minor maintenance. The gears would be partially dismantled for inspections and NDT, a very dirty job.

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[Alan 45]

Rick is this a different build ?

I was sure this was beige not so long ago ! I feel like I'm losing it

[rickoshea52]

Rick is this a different build ?I was sure this was beige not so long ago ! I feel like I'm losing it

Same build Alan, just slow progress. There are dozens of decals to apply which took me about 3/4 nights over a week or two to complete so it probably seems that I could have done a second Nimrod in that time.

[Alan 45]

Same build Alan, just slow progress. There are dozens of decals to apply which took me about 3/4 nights over a week or two to complete so it probably seems that I could have done a second Nimrod in that time.

Oh right I know the decal sheet on this kit it does have a fare few

I'm waiting for you to finish yours to give me the mojo to start mine

Your doing a great job I must say

[rickoshea52]

Some progress on the base for XV235. I marked out the corner of the pan to give it a bit of context which will be covered with grass tufts, electrical cabinet, spill kit and the adjacent GPU/GSE park. I marked the concrete surface out lightly in pencil first then used a fine tipped felt pen freehand following the grid pattern to get that rough edge to the joins between the individual slabs, I didn't want dead straight and true lines.

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Sizing up the Nimrod and GPU to the base, it's a BIG jet!

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This little corner will be the grassy bit.

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Marking out the yellow taxi line.

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And the GPU/GSE park.

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[monica]

interesting and looking good rick,

[flyjoe180]

Looks good Rick, nice work on the tarmac so far. It is a large aeroplane, and it's going to look great with the GPU ready for another North Atlantic patrol.

[Dave W]

Great looking build Rick.I like the base.Something I need to have ago at making.

[Ian M]

Dont you just love all those stencil decals!

Looking very good.

Ian M

[rickoshea52]

Dont you just love all those stencil decals!Looking very good.

Ian M

No! And thanks...in that order.

[Guest]

It was worth it this is looking superb.

[rickoshea52]

While things are winding down with the build of XV235 my attention is turning more towards the base. On each of the bay's that Nimrods occupied there was an array of GSE and other bits. I have the Houchin ready for installation but I need more and although the Flightpath diorama set is useful in some ways it is a bit fiddly for my fingers. I need a set of A frame steps, the FP one is made of brass which I don't really get on with so I contemplated making my own from Plastruct U channel before settling on the stairs from their range (cat no.90661), it's N gauge but as it is for a set of steps it looks pretty good to me. These steps are common as muck on any RAF flying station and a stored folded when not in use and that is how I will do mine.

Using the Humbrol cutting mat scale gauge as a guide I cut two lengths of plastic stair to just under six foot, filed angles at each end then glued them together. When dry I'll paint them aluminium but some were painted green or yellow.

Other bits and pieces to be found on the bays were electrical cabinets, spill kits, chocks and dustbins. The dustbins were usually painted red and used to collect venting fuel from the jettison points on the flap trailing edges when the jets were filled to the gunnels - when fuel gets warm it expands of course and needs somewhere to go so a hose fitted to the jettison points drains any excess fuel into the bins. These hoses were euphemistically called donkey's dicks.

I have some dustbins from the Bachmann Scenecraft range which I will paint and add later along with a grit bin from Bachmann that will be the spill kit.

The electrical cabinets are made from Will's line side relay cabinets painted yellow. All of these bits will be added to the base when ready.

I still have those aerial to fit!

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Here is a shot of the scale gauge being used to measure the stairs. The electrical cabinets are also shown.

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The two halves glued together and to be painted when set.

[rickoshea52]

Here is some of the clutter that will make up the Nimrod bay. As already described, the salt bins will be the spill kit, the metal rubbish bins will be the fuel vent bins and the Plastruct will be cut and painted as chocks. The Will's kits relay cabinets have already been made and painted but here is the pack they were made from.

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[Guest]

Looking forward to seeing this when it is done.

[rickoshea52]

Using Woodland Scenic's scatter as a base and other assorted tufts for longer grass I've filled in the little corner of greenery on the bay.

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This PVA glue pen from The Range is great for close control when applying the tufts. The PVA will dry clear.

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The nearly finished parking bay furniture.

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