BAE Systems Hawk WIP
I decided to improve the look of the model by thinning the main gear wells borders. This was achieved with a Proxxon tool and cool blood.
The result of 1 hour work. I found it very useful to hold the piece against a light during all the filing process, constantly checking to avoid removing too much material.
The air intakes were hollowed to improve the frontal look. This implied new air trunks made from sheet styrene, a spare engine "face" and some epoxy putty later on.
The main gear bays deserved a little work too. They are much deeper on the real plane than on the model, so I removed as much material as I could from the wing insertion tabs too.
Both cockpit seats are equally tilted backwards on the real plane. The kit's back seat reproduces this feature OK, but the front one's floor is horizontal. I carved a deep line along the "hinge" point and carefully bent the piece.
I found some nice pictures of the nose avionics bay open, so I decided to put some extra work here.
This is the piece that serves both as avionics bay floor and front gear bay top. The trapezoidal shape is the wheel housing.
Main gear bays cleared, waiting for big scratch work on the structure and perimeter surfaces.
The side consoles of the cockpit are too thin on the model. I wanted them to look more like the real thing, so first step was to thin the cockpit walls as much as I could. Enter Proxxon again. I love this tool!
This is the result. You can also see the epoxy resin air intake trunking.
My favourite picture, homemade X-rays.
Test fit of the cockpit, seats, front and rear bulkheads and instructor's instrument panel.
Due to the now wider cockpit space, the tub's surfaces needed to be extended to meet the new walls in a few places. Sheet styrene was used.
Side console panels were trimmed to match reference pictures, then covered with styrene sheet. Now there is more space to scratch build all the panels, buttons, etc. I also added the foot-rests.
The front dash board is also scratch built. First I glued in place a cantilevered piece that will hold the dash board.
New instrument panels. A lot of trial-error was needed. First I drew the outline in millimeter paper, then cut it to get a template for testing. When it more or less fitted, I cut the same shape in styrene to fine tune it.
Dash board. It has a particular curved bend that required a lot of testing.
Avionics bay greebling.
Little improvements on the front gear leg. New oleo and shape corrections.
major elements of the front fuselage.
Some wiring added with copper and lead.
Test fit of the avionics. There is a lot of cabling on the real plane, much more than this, but I think I'll leave it this way to avoid the risk of damaging the work.
Scratch built exhaust interior. To achieve the conical shape I fitted a thick piece of sprue on the micro drill, as if it were a lathe, and shaped it with a file.
Looks good to me.
Cockpit structure completed. The fragile dashboard is also glued in place. I hope it resists all the upcoming work...
After many dry fit tests, both instrument panels fit reasonably well, so I'll leave them like that. Now it's time to start adding details like the displays and lots of knobs everywhere.
I cut the flaps off to display them in a parked position. That led to a supplement of styrene along the original piece's front edge, followed by careful sanding it into shape. The first addition wasn't enough so you can see a second one.
Scratched new vents to achieve a more realistic look.
These two gentlemen here are asking for some attention. I started with copper wire ejection handles. My plan is to add epoxy resin cushions and chute bag. Maybe next weekend...
The back IP cover must be precisely positioned for the IP to lean at a proper angle underneath.
Canopy will be open, more scratch to come. The kit's fit is very good, if only those panel lines were thinner... Airfix did a good job reproducing the main hatches and surface detail on the left fuselage half, and then mirrored it all on the right. But according to references, both sides are actually quite different. Black CA as putty filled the wrong details.
Left side wiring and piping completed.
The result of a two hour session on the side consoles. All the knobs and buttons were glued with slow setting CA.
New test fit of the cockpit and the fuselage halves. They are all getting along well so far.
Scratch built rudder pedals.
Side consoles finished, now it's time for the instrument panels!
Front instrument panel ready.
In place. The back one is waiting for adjustments on its dashboard to improve the fit.
The naked seats are so sad... But there are some issues that must be addressed first, like the control sticks and the fitting of the canopy.
Back instrument panel also ready.
Back IP dashboard waiting for final detailing, main elements done.
Front dashboard detailing. Later I added some wires at the front that I had forgotten.
Windshield test, nothing prevents it from staying in place. Big relief! I hope I can get rid of those scratches. There is also a little hole at the front that came with the kit. It's not on the frame, so I will not repair it.
Control sticks. 🙂
I added a raised reinforcement panel present on port side, and finally completed the stabilator pivot.
The last two pieces of the cockpit before painting begins. I tried Archer resin rivets for the first time and they worked just fine.
Those two pieces in place with everything else but the seats.
After a few busy weeks, I managed to go back to the workbench and paint the cockpit.
Impressionist style instrument panels
Avionics
I primed every part black, followed by thin layers of a mix of Gunze's grey/blue/white for the base color, avoiding recesses to let the black show a little. I used a whitened version of this color made with Vallejo's for the structure, to increase contrast.
Comments
76 30 June 2021, 15:59
David R. MeizosoNew project, new challenges. Main one being to master the Proxxon micro drill tool, and improving my scratch skills with cockpits and gear/avionics bays.
30 June 2021, 16:54
Gary KitchenGreat build so far. Thanks for the running commentary alongside. Can't wait to see this develop.
30 June 2021, 17:57
Thomas TYour X-Ray machine seems to work quite effectively. Very nice work with a lot of attention!
30 June 2021, 18:20
David R. MeizosoOleg, it would be great, but first I should learn how to do that...
4 August 2021, 13:50
David R. MeizosoThank you, Rui and Ronan, an everybody else. I'm a newbie with scratch, so your kind words are the best encouragement.
5 August 2021, 11:42
Spanjaardnewbie in scratch??? OMG, i am so looking forward to see what you do when you get practice! that cockpit woudl be simply fantastic in 1/48!!! and you did it in 1/72!
5 August 2021, 11:48
David R. MeizosoSpanjaard, it became a little lightmare to glue everything in place without messing it up with CA. These pieces are quite difficult to handle, but well, I like challenges!
5 August 2021, 11:59
Oleg SmilykHey,David!Excellent detailing for this model, absolutely complete rework of the product Airfix!
8 August 2021, 18:28
David R. MeizosoThank you, amigos! I just finished the back instrument panel, and started adding some detail to both dashboards. Can't wait to start painting!
8 August 2021, 20:11
Slavo HazuchaLovely scratch-work, really improves the kit, 2-classes up 👍 Cockpit better than resin/PE...
27 August 2021, 07:47
David R. MeizosoThanks a lot, mates!
I'm now struggling with my toast maker trying to get a better windshield (Bernhard/Hanno method 😉 ).
27 August 2021, 08:28
David R. MeizosoCockpit parts are finally done, hopefully the fuselage will be closed this weekend!
1 October 2021, 14:30
NeilWOW David! I admire greatly builders who scratch build. Although I don't, I can appreciate the time, research, skill and discipline required to do this. I think this all looks awesome and will follow with great interest from here 👍 🙂
1 October 2021, 15:43
Spanjaardi have seen 1/48 aftermarket that do not look as good as what you have done in 1/72, fully scratched. simply jaw dropping.... incredible.
1 October 2021, 16:30
David R. MeizosoThanks, Spanjaard! And thank you Oleg, I love all your 1/72 work!
1 October 2021, 18:41
David R. MeizosoThanks Spanjaard! It's waiting for more motivation! (no me da la vida!)
20 January 2022, 10:54
Richard ChealsOutstanding attention to details, fantastic scratchbuilding!! 👏👏
20 January 2022, 11:53
David R. MeizosoThanks again, you're all so kind! I can feel the mojo coming back!
20 January 2022, 12:54
"Sparky"Insane! First place in my book. You must have superhuman eyesight. Love it.
20 January 2022, 13:14
brianireland1:72? I have read that 4 times and it still says 1:72.
Great work.
20 January 2022, 14:07
Spanjaardte entiendo David!. pero un talento como el tuyo, hay ponerlo en marcha!!!
20 January 2022, 14:24
David R. MeizosoWow, thank you so much all of you for your praises! I'll do my best with the remaining stages too, feels kind of under pressure now! 😉
John: That was fun! Short sighted if anything! Meaning this "close distance supersight" comes when I take my glasses off, nothing fancy actually!
Piotr, I have also a 1/72 Fencer already started, from Trumpeter. Looking forward to see some progress on yours!
Brianireland: let me check the kit box... confirmed, 1:72. Little shelf, short budget!
20 January 2022, 19:30
SpanjaardDavid, in regards to little shelf space, you should be trying 1/144 😉 there are kits there with amazing detail. Sweet and specially Platz come to mind. specially now that Eduard is reboxing some of them, it is al lot easier to get them.
23 February 2022, 13:47
David R. MeizosoSpanjaard, I agree. I wish I could get Platz's SR-71 in 1/144, I'd love to build it.
23 February 2022, 14:32
SpanjaardI have that in my wishlist... preorder from Japan is tempting.... 1999.co.jp/eng/10810568 but that is a rebox of Dragon, so i am not sure if the quality is as good as "normal" Platz models...
23 February 2022, 15:30
Bruce HuxtableDavid, your magic continues - really enjoying your cockpit detailing and painting. Inspiring for sure 🙂
23 February 2022, 17:25
OlivierI thought you must be an engineer but I guess more of an architect. Your skills are stunning.
23 February 2022, 17:59
David R. Meizoso@Olivier: you are close! 😉 Thanks a lot for your compliments, mate!
23 February 2022, 18:49
Spanjaardi do not know how many times i have seen this album from first to last picture. and it never ceases to leave in awe. amazing
21 April 2022, 20:30
David R. MeizosoThanks, Chan Li and Bernhard! I hope I can make some progress with this baby through summertime.
23 June 2022, 13:12
