Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 (Aki Products)

1
February 1, 2019
My next project - don't let the box deceive you. This is simply the best 1:72 Sea Fury kit.
2
February 1, 2019
This part of the box you can believe - handmade indeed.
3
February 1, 2019
Instructions are in Japanese, but I think I can figure it out.
4
February 1, 2019
Resin parts on runners instead of casting blocks. I like that idea!
5
February 1, 2019
The shape is accurate and the surface detail is quite nice. Nice tread on the vinyl tyres.
6
February 1, 2019
Exquisite detail in the wheel wells, plus the cannons are included and can be displayed open.
7
February 1, 2019
Outside surfaces of the wings.
8
February 1, 2019
The flaps are moveable, and the metal hinge rod has been cast into the resin.
9
February 1, 2019
I probably won't use the kit decals.
10
February 1, 2019
Because I have this nice sheet from Xtradecal.
11
February 1, 2019
I kinda like the Oxford Blue RAN bird at the lower right...
12
February 9, 2019
A very nice rendition of the Bristol Centaurus engine.
13
February 9, 2019
So glad the kit comes with the engine panels open so this detail will be seen after the model is finished.
14
February 13, 2019
Part of the engine bearer framework is visible through the open gill - will need to be added.
15
February 13, 2019
Firewall attached to the fuselage. Note the framework in place.
16
February 13, 2019
A view from the outside.
17
February 13, 2019
Seat back cusion was made from styrene.
18
February 13, 2019
Controls and instruments are decals made from bits in my spares box.
19
February 13, 2019
Next I have three photos that I believe are of the actual RAN bird WH589.
20
February 13, 2019
Including this one in colour. Note the different serial number though, WE729.
21
February 13, 2019
The port side of WH589.
22
February 15, 2019
Adding the "skin" to the flaps - just about snapped in place. This kit amazes me.
23
February 15, 2019
Another photo of WE729.
24
February 15, 2019
I think this is WH589 after being stricken off charge.
25
March 14, 2019
Photos of the two RAN aerobatic display aircraft circa 1961.
26
March 14, 2019
Another shot of the two.
27
March 14, 2019
A nice colour shot of WH589. Note the blue spinner at this time.
28
March 14, 2019
Getting ready for a display flight.
29
March 14, 2019
Fuselage halves were a great fit - perhaps the best I've yet seen in resin.
30
March 14, 2019
Even the lip that the engine panels rest on is replicated.
31
March 14, 2019
The wings and tailplanes were also a great fit - now she's looking smart!
32
March 14, 2019
The beautiful lines of the Sea Fury!
33
March 14, 2019
The undercart incorporates the 2 degree splay angle - nicely done, Aki.
34
March 14, 2019
Getting close to adding some colour.
35
March 14, 2019
But first, I made some thin plastic masks for the engine.
36
March 14, 2019
After a few coats of Mr. Paint Oxford Blue, and some Alclad for the exhaust panel.
37
March 14, 2019
I suspect these display aircraft had the guns removed...oh, well, they'll be open on my model.
38
March 14, 2019
Remember those hinged flaps? They work like a charm!
39
March 14, 2019
I had to change the tail wheel - the kit comes with two and I used the wrong one.
40
March 30, 2019
Decals from the Xtradecal set.
41
March 30, 2019
Transfers are on.
42
March 30, 2019
Now she's looking like a Sea Fury!
43
March 30, 2019
Photos show the display aircraft still carried the arresting hook.
44
March 30, 2019
Kit decals were used for the walkways and prop stencils.
45
March 30, 2019
Navigation light didn't fit well, and had to be worked a bit.
46
March 30, 2019
One of the engine cowlings is pretty warped, and will have to take a bath in boiling water.
47
April 5, 2019
Finished!
48
April 5, 2019
49
April 5, 2019
50
April 5, 2019
51
April 5, 2019
52
April 5, 2019
53
April 5, 2019
54
April 5, 2019
55
April 5, 2019
56
April 5, 2019
57
April 5, 2019
58
April 5, 2019
59
April 5, 2019
60
April 5, 2019
61
April 5, 2019
62
April 5, 2019
63
April 5, 2019
And a few with the flaps down.
64
April 5, 2019
65
April 5, 2019

Comentarii

1 February 2019, 16:44

Stefan Schneider
Wow! I will take a seat! How much did you pay for the kit ? 😉

1 February 2019, 17:00

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

1 February 2019, 17:07

Bill Gilman
@Stefan - I bought this kit a couple of years ago from Model Factory Hiro for $100 USD.

1 February 2019, 17:09

Dave Flitton
Watching, but I don't think I can afford that kit price

1 February 2019, 19:19

Maciej Bellos
Oooooooooohhhhh, this will be great!

1 February 2019, 21:45

Łukasz Gliński
Wow, another gem incoming

1 February 2019, 22:04

Stefan Schacht
I am curious and take a seat.

1 February 2019, 23:09

Petri Manninen
Watching!

2 February 2019, 07:05

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.

2 February 2019, 07:18

Christian Lehmann
👍

2 February 2019, 11:41

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

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

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

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

13 February 2019, 19:44

Dave Flitton
Awesome! Thanks.

14 February 2019, 12:51

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

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 !

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

30 March 2019, 20:55

Łukasz Gliński
She looks very nice indeed 👍

30 March 2019, 20:59

Bill Gilman
She is finished! I've uploaded a bunch of new photos. Enjoy! Cheers, Bill

5 April 2019, 22:49

Maciej Bellos
Fantastic result Bill! Well done mate!

6 April 2019, 05:33

Bernhard Schrock
Top work: looks like a bird in quarterscale!!

6 April 2019, 05:40

Chris Greathouse
absolutely beautiful!

6 April 2019, 05:44

Stephan Ryll
Very clean and sharp work Bill 👍

6 April 2019, 08:19

Björn Svedberg
Wonderful result, and great detail! 👍 I thought it wold have been a larger scale than 1:72. 👍

6 April 2019, 08:42

Derek Huggett
A little cracker Bill! 👍

6 April 2019, 09:06

Richmond
Wonderful

6 April 2019, 12:40

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.

6 April 2019, 13:14