BAE Hawk Tmk1 .... military use

Was in a sale at Hobbycraft so i thought "why not!"

Will be finishing it off as per military use as the missiles etc are included in the kit (not needed obviously for the "same old - same old" Red Arrows theme you see so much of)

Box and sprues as per usual ("extras" shown pics 3+4)

Andy...

im intrigued by this

what is the paint scheme if you are doing it as a missle carrying version?....grey or black?......also how many missiles does it say attach?....got a feeling they were cleared only to carry two

back in the 80's they came up with this idea that the hawk could be a second line air defence fighter carrying AIM-9.................cept they didnt have the right radar and relied on Tonka's to put them in the right place

Going for Saudi more than likely Paul... grey or sand/green camo

Seems they only carry two missiles/bombs/tanks as you state ... will more than likely go for the two missiles.

Looking forward to it Colin, whatever colour you do it!!

Hopefully it'll turn out ok, ive only really done multi winged stuff and a few crappy spitfires before... got to get some practice before I build the Lancaster and Harrier Elaine persuaded me to buy.

Also found out that some hawks carried more than two missiles etc under wing .... need to research this further.

Colin, I'd like your thoughts on the kit quality. The RAAF uses Hawks and I'd like to build an RAAF example one day.

Cheers,
Chris

Its standard crappy airfix Chris, the details ok but there's mold offset issues to be leveled and cleaned, the parts dont always fit or line up properly, there's less flash than I expected though.

I'll post pics of the seat assemblies later where the fit issues show themselves, luckily I'm detailing this a bit so I can hide it.

Hi Colin,

Just found this one loaded up, it's with the Indian Air Force though...: -



Also, from the Wiki site...: -

Armament

Note: all armament is optional.

1× 30 mm ADEN cannon, in centreline pod
Up to 6,800 lb (3,085 kg) of weapons on five hardpoints, including:
4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or ASRAAM on wing pylons and wingtip rails
1,500 lb (680 kg), limited to one centreline and two wing pylons (Hawk T1)


Hope this helps a little Sir...

Andy...

Anythings a help matey.... cheers!

I've seen a few different versions kitted out fully now ...

think i prefer the sand/green camo and fully loaded :)

Made a start on the cockpit assembly, not a lot will be seen through the canopy, and it's a good job because, contrary to what i said above about the detail being OK, the detail in the pit is actually very sad ... and there's no decals to spice it up either.

Seat platform, weathered and detailed as much as possible



hull interiors painted and detailed



the instrument panels are a bit of a joke and this is as good as i can be bothered to get them



the seats have a gap/fit issue ..........



but it doesn't matter as i'm adding extra detailing to the seats anyway.




Italeri do a 1:48 hawk i think .... might have been worth spending the extra??

Great start.

Andy...

So good at making interior work with paint and weathering!  Keep us posted.

Thanks for the progress pics. Despite the problems you mentioned, the cockpit is looking good.

Ok more progress pics ... and thanks for the comments.

The front wheel / suspension assembly is attached to the cockpit floor pan, not sure how strong this will be but it's had a good glueing and time to set.



the seats have been detailed, just a few pipes / wires  and some harnesses.... it's all pretty randomly placed and not "rivit counter" stuff as the canopy will be closed and all i want to see is a little more detail happening in there.









All together and waiting to be placed in the two fuselage halves after checking the fit.






And i've just noticed i'll need to finish the back of the front seat off before i do anything else .... just a bit of card cut to size and painted/weathered will do.

Right o then ... it stated needing 10grms of weight in the front end.

I'm going to use Plasticine to weigh it down so out with the scales .... (sneakily as these are Elaines that she uses for weighing her baby snakes) ... and gave it 20% to make sure.



got it all packed in



and together and waiting to cure overnight.

Hi Colin,

Now that office looks very functional Sir, you've done a spot on job with this so far...

Andy...

(p.s...I am soooo glad that you're not doing it as a Red Sparrow )

Glad you approve Andy ....


Decided to go for the flaps down option so cut out all the necessary bits




glued wing parts together




got the stays in place (the instructions tell instruct you to put the flap up stays on for the flaps down option and visa versa ... typical airfix .... good job i checked)




Fit issues ... the main flap is 5mm too long so has to be cut down and the filler flaps are 5mm too short  as you can see in the picture .... i've just stuck them in and will just carry on and finish it (if i want to do a decent one i'll buy the Italeri version)




Fit issues ... the rear canopy shroud fits nicely one side and looks like a cliff overhang the other, to get it flush will make it look lob-sided but it needs done. (in hind sight i should have chopped off the locating runners and sited it central then sanded it down level)





all in all so far .... Airfix at it's best which roughly translates to " i thought i'd give airfix another go but i've ended up as disappointed as i always have in the past"

wings slung and a little persuasion needed to hold position



We'll see if i got it all lined up properly tomorrow ( you'll probably hear the scream in the US if it isn't lol)

If it doesn't fit right, it's not for lack of clamps!  Great work getting it right.

Yesterdays effort (due to servimg being down for a bit)

Got the underside done



And everything thats going to be underslung painted