Fouga CM.170 Magister - Israel - 1967
The Valom kit leaves a very good first impression. It has these nice PEs and resin parts, which are very good looking.
Only a bit of flash here and there.
For the option of open cabin you need to cut them 🙂, so it seems like a lot of fun with that.
Otherwise the fuel tanks mounted at the wing tips had to be sanded down very much because of an even worse fit.
For the canopy rear section I decided to use the opaque styrene part, since it's more nicely detailed and crisp than the vacuformed part.
Plenty of areas required quite some filling and puttying. This beautiful little kit is no weekend job, that's for sure!
LATER EDIT: Two of those rearmost air intakes (one for each engine) were mounted on purpose against the flight direction, since I misinterpreted a photograph. That's wrong, they should be actual air intakes (therefore in flight direction). It was later corrected, so don't do it like shown here 🙂.
The delicate PE hinges of the elevators broke off a couple of times (logically) so I will attach them once more at the very end, together with other delicate PEs.
Now sitting on its own tiny, cute landing gear
After removing the masks, they are not that bad after all.
The 12 unguided missiles have 4 tiny PE fins each 🙂.
They will definitely look nice at the end.
I had a mixed experience with the CMK figures in the past, but these ones are really well done. I guess a small unplaned diorama will happen.
(the model is still work in progress)
So I learned that the Valom kit is not the easy way for this aircraft in 1:72
The figures and diorama base are also in work.
On the other hand, working with this vacuformed canopy was difficult. Very thin and very, very flexible, bending much under small loads, often resulting in chipped off paint.
There is plenty of additional detailing that can be done on the small parts for the Fouga Magister.
I kept it rather simple and mostly out-of-box.
And just now I noticed that the number (220) shouldd have been repeated on the tail as well. It seems Valom forgot that for the decal sheet. And I forgot it too.
The unguided rockets didn't have such a clean, nice surface quality, but were overall still a good addition. I managed to find only one decent photograph with these exact rockets, but it's black and white and very dark. The cone/tip seemed to be white, but no idea about the rest of the body (I assumed dark grey).
The base plate with the concrete segments was a pre-made resin part. I added only the corner with the desert and vegetation.
Commentaires
subotaistarting a new one is the best. right after buying more and more kits 😄
MariusErik, I realized soon after what you meant, yes, there were a few challenging steps, but considering the small size of the model, progress is still relatively fast.
Tom B.Cool! looking forward to the brown/blue camouflage... I find this to be a really intriguing combination!
MariusThank you guys for the interest!
I think if worked with care, this one has good chances to end up a beauty, since there are so many small details concentrated on such a small aircraft.
Painting should start soon, I am also very curious how this camouflage scheme will look at the end. I am planing later also an Israeli Vautour II in this same scheme.
Michael KohlI am in too. I particularly appreciate the background information you always provide with your builds. Very interesting.
Tom B.Camo is looking neat so far 👍 I want to do a Sa´ar in the same scheme... just found that one of AKs "Aces High" Editions focussed on French jets has a chapter dedicated to painting this israeli scheme... However I propably won´t be able to free-hand the shapes... I assume you used some kind of masking for the hard transition, also?
MariusThank you for the interest and messages Bernd, Michael and Tom!
@Tom:
I have to admit that I didn't do extensive research on this one, which kind of isn't my style. From what I have understood from the few historical photographs, it seems there was indeed a hard transition between the colours in my opinion, especially if you reduce the real size to 1:72. Indeed, I used masking, I don't see any other way.
Sylvain VernierValom is not the easy way, but your build looks great. 👍
All the tiny fins will add value, but considering the number, it looks like a punishment for me 😭
Masking for paint certainly was the right solution for me too. Waiting for the next step 👀
Michael KohlI really like how you brought life into this special camo. Very well done. Hach, makes me wanna build a Fouga too.
Bart Goesaertexcellent work... also soon on the table, together with some special hobby kits...
Sebastian MeynerBeautiful work mate! The paint job and weathering are stunning 👍
MariusThank you everybody for the appreciation! I did not expect it to be honest.
I guess a Vautour IIN in a similar livery will soon be on my workbench.
Album info
The first Fouga Magister arrived in Israel in 1957, while the local license-manufacturing by IAI started shortly after. The licensed built aircraft was now renamed the IAI Tzukit. The first Tzukit was completed in 1959 and entered service in 1960. The Fouga Magister served with the IAF's flight school, where they were used for both basic and advanced jet training.
In 1964, the flight school organized a fighting squadron, manned by school instructors and IAF reservists, to use the Magister as light attack aircraft in case of hostilities.
In the morning of the 5th of June 1967, at the dawn of the Six Day War, a formation of several Israeli Fouga Magister where flying a patroling mission over the Meditarrenean Sea reproducing the flight paths, speeds and altitude of the Israeli Mirage IIIs, which were normally performing such CAP missions. The purpose of this action was to deceive the Egyptian Air Defences and further give the impression that everything was the usual routine. Nevertheless, the Israeli Mirages (together with other aircraft types) were already flying at that moment at very low altitudes undetected towards the Egyptian air bases, commencing the first bombing run of what was to become the Six Day War.
Later on the same day of the 5th of June 1967, 44 Fouga Magister flown by the IAF reservists and instructors were used by the 147th Squadron as close support aircraft, attacking ground targets on the Sinai front with unguided missiles and bombs, while Israel's more capable combat aircraft were deployed on "Operation Focus" against Arab air bases. In the following days of the war, the Fougas were then deployed against Jordanian forces, including against armour on the West Bank. Fougas reportedly destroyed over 50 tanks and over 70 other armoured vehicles (according to Israeli claims), helping in holding back Jordanian armour which had been advancing towards Jerusalem. The Fouga Magister proved effective in the close support mission, albeit sustaining heavy casualties in the process, with seven aircraft and six pilots recorded as having been lost during the Six Day War.
After the Six Day War, the Fougas were maintained in service as trainer aircraft, out of which the IAF Aerobatic Team was formed. In 1974, the Magisters were replaced by A-4 Skyhawks in the advanced jet training role, further keeping only their basic training role. By the beginning of the 1980s, a plan was devised to upgrade and refurbish the aircraft, extending their service life. The refurbished aircraft featured over 250 modifications, including new engines and a newly designed cockpit. By 1986, the majority of the Fougas had been upgraded to Zukit standard. All Fougas were subsequently replaced by the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
