Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 (Aki Products)
My next project - don't let the box deceive you. This is simply the best 1:72 Sea Fury kit.
This part of the box you can believe - handmade indeed.
Instructions are in Japanese, but I think I can figure it out.
Resin parts on runners instead of casting blocks. I like that idea!
The shape is accurate and the surface detail is quite nice. Nice tread on the vinyl tyres.
Exquisite detail in the wheel wells, plus the cannons are included and can be displayed open.
Outside surfaces of the wings.
The flaps are moveable, and the metal hinge rod has been cast into the resin.
I probably won't use the kit decals.
Because I have this nice sheet from Xtradecal.
I kinda like the Oxford Blue RAN bird at the lower right...
A very nice rendition of the Bristol Centaurus engine.
So glad the kit comes with the engine panels open so this detail will be seen after the model is finished.
Part of the engine bearer framework is visible through the open gill - will need to be added.
Firewall attached to the fuselage. Note the framework in place.
A view from the outside.
Seat back cusion was made from styrene.
Controls and instruments are decals made from bits in my spares box.
Next I have three photos that I believe are of the actual RAN bird WH589.
Including this one in colour. Note the different serial number though, WE729.
The port side of WH589.
Adding the "skin" to the flaps - just about snapped in place. This kit amazes me.
Another photo of WE729.
I think this is WH589 after being stricken off charge.
Photos of the two RAN aerobatic display aircraft circa 1961.
Another shot of the two.
A nice colour shot of WH589. Note the blue spinner at this time.
Getting ready for a display flight.
Fuselage halves were a great fit - perhaps the best I've yet seen in resin.
Even the lip that the engine panels rest on is replicated.
The wings and tailplanes were also a great fit - now she's looking smart!
The beautiful lines of the Sea Fury!
The undercart incorporates the 2 degree splay angle - nicely done, Aki.
Getting close to adding some colour.
But first, I made some thin plastic masks for the engine.
After a few coats of Mr. Paint Oxford Blue, and some Alclad for the exhaust panel.
I suspect these display aircraft had the guns removed...oh, well, they'll be open on my model.
Remember those hinged flaps? They work like a charm!
I had to change the tail wheel - the kit comes with two and I used the wrong one.
Decals from the Xtradecal set.
Transfers are on.
Now she's looking like a Sea Fury!
Photos show the display aircraft still carried the arresting hook.
Kit decals were used for the walkways and prop stencils.
Navigation light didn't fit well, and had to be worked a bit.
One of the engine cowlings is pretty warped, and will have to take a bath in boiling water.
Finished!
And a few with the flaps down.
Comments
1 February 2019, 16:44
Bill Gilman
My next project is the Aki Products 1:72 resin kit of the Hawker Sea Fury. This is an incredible little kit, and is by far the best available in this scale. I've uploaded the usual photos that show all the parts, plus the aftermarket decal sheet I'm using. It's a relatively simple kit, but has a full Bristol Centaurus engine, which can be displayed with the panels open, and moveable flaps using a built-in hinge. Two canopy sets are provided, one open and one closed, made in clear resin. The clear resin looks just a bit cloudy in the box, but I've been told that it will sparkle after a dip in Future. We'll see when I get to the stage. The main gear legs are cast in the clear resin, too - I wonder if that's because the clear resin is stronger? Anyway, I've just begun painting the engine and cockpit components, and should have some more updates soon. Cheers, Bill
My next project is the Aki Products 1:72 resin kit of the Hawker Sea Fury. This is an incredible little kit, and is by far the best available in this scale. I've uploaded the usual photos that show all the parts, plus the aftermarket decal sheet I'm using. It's a relatively simple kit, but has a full Bristol Centaurus engine, which can be displayed with the panels open, and moveable flaps using a built-in hinge. Two canopy sets are provided, one open and one closed, made in clear resin. The clear resin looks just a bit cloudy in the box, but I've been told that it will sparkle after a dip in Future. We'll see when I get to the stage. The main gear legs are cast in the clear resin, too - I wonder if that's because the clear resin is stronger? Anyway, I've just begun painting the engine and cockpit components, and should have some more updates soon. Cheers, Bill
1 February 2019, 17:07
Bill Gilman
@Stefan - I bought this kit a couple of years ago from Model Factory Hiro for $100 USD.
@Stefan - I bought this kit a couple of years ago from Model Factory Hiro for $100 USD.
1 February 2019, 17:09
Glenn
The markings for the blue RAN aircraft look fine on the xtradecal sheet just don't pay attention to that photograph! There all wrong on that flying one the kangaroos are the wrong shape and too big along with most of the other numbers and letters too big and wrong font style.
The markings for the blue RAN aircraft look fine on the xtradecal sheet just don't pay attention to that photograph! There all wrong on that flying one the kangaroos are the wrong shape and too big along with most of the other numbers and letters too big and wrong font style.
2 February 2019, 07:18
Bill Gilman
Thanks mates. @Glenn, I never trust restored warbirds! Or profile paintings, either. I have a few photos of the actual plane, and if I decide to do those markings I will refer to that just to be sure. Cheers, Bill
Thanks mates. @Glenn, I never trust restored warbirds! Or profile paintings, either. I have a few photos of the actual plane, and if I decide to do those markings I will refer to that just to be sure. Cheers, Bill
2 February 2019, 17:04
Dave Flitton
Ummmm.... can you share the photos? I was going to do that one but if they are wrong I may have to do something else
Ummmm.... can you share the photos? I was going to do that one but if they are wrong I may have to do something else
4 February 2019, 19:52
Bill Gilman
I've uploaded a couple of photos of the engine assembly. I'm glad the access panels will be open so some of this detail will be seen on the finished model. The cockpit is just about finished too, and I'll get some photos of that soon. The kit features the open cooling panels just aft of the exhausts - most photos of the Sea Fury show these panels open. Aki provide some of the greeblies that mount to the cockpit firewall, and therefore will be visible through these open panels. I will need to add some additional detail though, particularly the framework that holds the engine mounts. This really is a sweet little kit!
@Dave, yes I will post the photos of the RAN Sea Fury that I have. Just need to find them again! My reference materials need some serious organization. I should have them up in a day or so.
Cheers, Bill
I've uploaded a couple of photos of the engine assembly. I'm glad the access panels will be open so some of this detail will be seen on the finished model. The cockpit is just about finished too, and I'll get some photos of that soon. The kit features the open cooling panels just aft of the exhausts - most photos of the Sea Fury show these panels open. Aki provide some of the greeblies that mount to the cockpit firewall, and therefore will be visible through these open panels. I will need to add some additional detail though, particularly the framework that holds the engine mounts. This really is a sweet little kit!
@Dave, yes I will post the photos of the RAN Sea Fury that I have. Just need to find them again! My reference materials need some serious organization. I should have them up in a day or so.
Cheers, Bill
9 February 2019, 21:38
Bill Gilman
Hi mates, I've uploaded some more photos, this time of the firewall and the cockpit. I'm getting very close to closing up the fuselage and then things will rapidly take shape.
@Dave, I've also put up three photos of RAN Sea Furies in the overall Dark Blue scheme. It's interesting that I've found two different aircraft, WE729 and WH589, both adorned with 115. I had a photo that showed two aircraft, 114 and 115, but I can't find it. I'll keep looking.
Cheers, Bill
Hi mates, I've uploaded some more photos, this time of the firewall and the cockpit. I'm getting very close to closing up the fuselage and then things will rapidly take shape.
@Dave, I've also put up three photos of RAN Sea Furies in the overall Dark Blue scheme. It's interesting that I've found two different aircraft, WE729 and WH589, both adorned with 115. I had a photo that showed two aircraft, 114 and 115, but I can't find it. I'll keep looking.
Cheers, Bill
13 February 2019, 19:44
Bill Gilman
Hi mates, sorry for the delay in posting the progress. The remainder of the assembly went smoothly, and I have to say this is the best fitting resin kit I've built so far (not that I've built all that many). But the kit never ceases to amaze. For example, the main gear legs were quite solid in their attachment, and faithfully replicate the 2 degree splay angle of the Sea Fury. Very nice engineering work by Aki. I used Mr. Paint Oxford Blue lacquer for the first time, and it sprayed beautifully. I hope you like it.
I found a few more photos of the actual RAN aerobatic display aircraft from the time period I'm depicting, and some things are different. For instance the spinner is blue, not white, and the rear canopy is blue, not silver. I've added these photos to the album. Cheers, Bill
Hi mates, sorry for the delay in posting the progress. The remainder of the assembly went smoothly, and I have to say this is the best fitting resin kit I've built so far (not that I've built all that many). But the kit never ceases to amaze. For example, the main gear legs were quite solid in their attachment, and faithfully replicate the 2 degree splay angle of the Sea Fury. Very nice engineering work by Aki. I used Mr. Paint Oxford Blue lacquer for the first time, and it sprayed beautifully. I hope you like it.
I found a few more photos of the actual RAN aerobatic display aircraft from the time period I'm depicting, and some things are different. For instance the spinner is blue, not white, and the rear canopy is blue, not silver. I've added these photos to the album. Cheers, Bill
14 March 2019, 19:10
Hanno Kleinecke
What a beautiful Kit, never saw resinquality like this, even the excellent SBS kits from Hungary are no match.
That Bristol engine is a real stunner and the whole bird looks phantastic so far ! Superb work Bill !
What a beautiful Kit, never saw resinquality like this, even the excellent SBS kits from Hungary are no match.
That Bristol engine is a real stunner and the whole bird looks phantastic so far ! Superb work Bill !
14 March 2019, 20:19
Bill Gilman
A bit more progress on the Sea Fury - first, the transfers are on, and they make quite a difference. A lot of the fiddly stuff, like the gunsight, gear doors, and arresting hook have been added, along with the prop and canopy. She really looks like a Sea Fury now! I still need to add the pitot tube on the port wing, the lights under the wings, the control column, and the engine cowling panels. That last item I will be posing in the open position so you can see the Centaurus engine. Have a look at the new pictures - Cheers, Bill
A bit more progress on the Sea Fury - first, the transfers are on, and they make quite a difference. A lot of the fiddly stuff, like the gunsight, gear doors, and arresting hook have been added, along with the prop and canopy. She really looks like a Sea Fury now! I still need to add the pitot tube on the port wing, the lights under the wings, the control column, and the engine cowling panels. That last item I will be posing in the open position so you can see the Centaurus engine. Have a look at the new pictures - Cheers, Bill
30 March 2019, 20:55
Bill Gilman
She is finished! I've uploaded a bunch of new photos. Enjoy! Cheers, Bill
She is finished! I've uploaded a bunch of new photos. Enjoy! Cheers, Bill
5 April 2019, 22:49
Björn Svedberg
Wonderful result, and great detail! 👍 I thought it wold have been a larger scale than 1:72. 👍
Wonderful result, and great detail! 👍 I thought it wold have been a larger scale than 1:72. 👍
6 April 2019, 08:42
Bill Gilman
Thanks mates. It was a fun project, and certainly one of the most amazing resin kits I've built. It's too bad this is no longer being produced.
Thanks mates. It was a fun project, and certainly one of the most amazing resin kits I've built. It's too bad this is no longer being produced.
6 April 2019, 13:14
Martin von Schreckenstein
Saw the plane on an airshow. The model is done so well my wife recognized it. Impressive work.
Saw the plane on an airshow. The model is done so well my wife recognized it. Impressive work.
6 April 2019, 17:29
Alec K
Belated congrats on this truly great build Bill. Truly inspiring. Hope you are well 👍
Belated congrats on this truly great build Bill. Truly inspiring. Hope you are well 👍
1 June 2019, 11:33