Subject: Re: Trumpeter 1:32 FT-5 Pakistan Air Force
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Andrew Taylor" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 22:03:58 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Andrew Taylor 
  To: Steve Bamford ARC 
  Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 8:09 PM
  Subject: Trumpeter 1:32 FT-5 Pakistan Air Force

  Gallery Article Template
  "TRUMPETER 1:32 FT-5" 
  by "Andrew Taylor"
  --------------------
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  This article is the conclusion of what became a labour of love really, if you can say that about a box of plastic.  This is the Trumpeter 1:32 FT-5 kit that comes with PLAAF decals for what is a rather bright red display aircraft.  The kit is somewhat basic but has nice rivet and panel detail as well as the inclusion of a very nice complete engine and tail stand.  This seems to be something that is rarely seen in many kits and was very much appreciated during this build.  In order to give the kit more of a presence I added into the cockpit two sets of MIG-15 Eduard coloured photoetch and did extra scratch building for instrument boxes, two heads up displays and canopy ejectors around the mid canopy frame.  I also added extra detail in the form of brake and oil lines for the landing gear and engine.  Not really visible in the photos are two flight control link rods inside the tail section and were filed at the point to look like a link point to another rod end.  The base is made using an up turned backboard of the picture frame, scribed and painted as an aircraft flight line.  Extra detail for the drain was off cuts of photoetch.  The plate was custom made by a local firm who does etchings for trophies and signage.

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  This build took me on a journey that originally was never thought of.  When I was given the kit, I was really unsure as to what to do with it because I had never built 1:32 scale before and obviously space can be an issue with this sort of thing.  It wasn't until I discovered that a fellow colleague of mine used to be a Group Captain in the Pakistan Air Force and used to work with the same squadron that operated the FT-5 which is the 1 (Fighter Conversion Unit) Sqn based at Mianwali in Pakistan.  This was where my inspiration came from and after some subtle questions about his service and a few technical questions, I had all the information I needed to get started.
  Initially I was not sure where to get Pakistan decals from until my friend who gave me the kit did a superb job in locating a guy in the United Kingdom by the name of Mr Paul Parkes, who designs and makes customised decals using his own unique printing system.  All credit goes to Mr Parkes for this as he did a superb job with them and provided further support during the making of this model.  Thanks Paul!

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  The more I got into the build of this kit, the more it was teaching me.  My modelling skills in the past year have really come a long way since my last submission which I believe was my Revell F-15E Strike Eagle.  I wasn't too impressed with that but it was a learning curve.  I began to become more patient and I wanted everything to be perfect with this build because it is to be handed over to my colleague and given that he knows a thing or two about them, puts the pressure on a little.  I enjoyed very much doing all the scratch building to the cockpit and the engine.  It is very satisfying to see it come together after spending so much time on it.  Now that I have completed it, I now have somewhat of a modellers void to try and fill and recreate as this FT-5 has been a pleasure to build that I now don't want to let it go.  By the same token it has to go as I don't have the space for it and it was never meant for me from the get go.
  To conclude I would like to thank my friend Murray, who is a great friend who gave me the kit and given me plenty of choice words of support throughout the build and as mentioned, Mr Paul Parkes for the decals and the continued support for the minor issues that occured with the decals.  Finally, her's to you Asfar for being a great colleague to date and for your interesting stories about your service in the pakistan Air Force.  This one's for you buddy!
  To view further build photos please visit this link: http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy285/tomcatlayer/Pakistan%20FT-5/

  "Andrew Taylor"
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  pictures and text © by "Andrew Taylor"