1/48
Airfix Hawk Mk 108 |
No.
6 Squadron, TUDM Kuantan |
by Brian Param |
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Malaysia
National Day 2005 |
Background :
This
is based on the Airfix Hawk 100 offering in 1/48 scale. Aircraft depicted here
is from the Royal Malaysian Air Force No 6 Sqn flying out of TUDM Kuantan. The
Malaysian government purchased the Hawks in the nineties as an alternative to
the original intent of the Tornados. A mixture of Hawk 108s and 208 equip 3
flying squadrons which is 6, 9 and 15 respectively. They are used for LIF (lead
in fighter) roles/duties to the F/A -18D
as well as ground and air to air attack roles. The fly along side the Aermacchi
MB 339 AM in the 15 Squadron daily
out of TUDM Butterworth giving their pilots a lot of joy.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The
Kit :
The
kit is the Airfix offering in 1/48 scale. I used the Neomega cockpit set on this
as well as in my opinion the kit cockpit set is sparse to say the least. Fitting
the upgrade set in did take some work with the need to trim and modify the
bulkhead aft the rear seat and shaving the front instrument panel shroud. The
neomega cockpit set is highly recommended as it does bring life to the Hawk once
installed. Nose weights are needed in this model, I used melted down solder and
lined the entire bottom of the cockpit floor with it. That did the job as it
prevented the aircraft from tail sitting. The wing fences are also different on
the Malaysian Hawks, the template for this was obtained from the excellent VFA
sheet, which was cut using plastic card.
Painting :
This
was relatively easy, with the one colour scheme on Malaysian Hawks. The close
match was obtained with Gunze – Medium Sea Grey which was airbrushed on, I
filled up the panel lines with a pen, and did some marks and etc with a pen as
well. It was a bit too stark, so I tried to tone it down a bit did not achieve
what I set out to do. Decals were from VFA Hawk 100 Sheet. It has all the 3
flying squadrons including stencils and all tail numbers which are possible to
be represented. It also provides a template to make the wing fences on the
Malaysian hawks as well as including decals for the Aermacchi MB 339 AM.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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Overall
a pleasing build, I was amazed by the size of the Hawk in 1/48 compared to other
aircraft such as the F-5 and A-4. I am going to start on my Hawk 208 or the
Aermacchi MB 339 AM very soon so that my hawk will have a partner in its display
case.
Thanks
to Thomas and Aidy for helping me out with reference
HAPPY
MERDEKA DAY
Thank
You
Brian
Param a.k.a Mr B
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Photos and text © by Brian Param
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