1/48 Hasegawa RAF Phantom FG Mk.1

Gallery Article by Philip Jones

 

This is my 1:48 Hasegawa Phantom FG1 in Treble-One Squadron special markings, which I finished recently. This was a project I started in January 2003 which I built as a 12th birthday present for my cousin. It's rather special because his dad has flown the real thing a number of times.

Background
111 Squadron of the RAF operate from Leuchars in Scotland. Currently flying the Tornado F3, they have flown Hunters, Lightnings and Phantoms amongst others. The special markings that the kit is finished in have been applied to a Lightning and a Tornado in similar fashion (black spine, yellow tail), which I've modelled in 1:72 scale. I think that the Phantom looks really good in this livery, as it does in a number of other RAF special markings. The squadron itself has just returned from missions in support of the conflict in Iraq.

 

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The Kit
It was my second "go" at this particular kit, the first was a victim of a lack of motivation to get it finished, and is now covered in dust in the loft ;) I built it straight OOB, painting with Humbrol enamels and weathering with chalk pastels (a technique I picked up from the tool 'n' tips section!). The construction was relatively painless; there were only a few gaps needing filler (again using techniques picked up from the tips section - this time smoothing the filler with nail varnish remover ), and sanding was required to smooth over the join of the intake/fuselage. Painting was another thing altogether - still experimenting with a v.basic airbrush, I made a good start but the finish was poor on the gloss black. I decided to strip the black paint off and go back to my brushes, which was much easier as my patience was running thin at that point.

Conclusions
Perseverance proved to be the key, as it has done for so many of my other projects. I was very happy with the result, as was the recipient! Although there are a few areas that could have turned out better with more time, the overall 'look' was achieved to good effect. I was a bit sad to give it away in the end, but the reaction of my cousin (and his dad!) upon seeing the finished product was worth it all!

Philip Jones

      

Photos and text © by Philip Jones