Subject: Re: 1:48 Airfix Hawk T1 2009 CAD West sortie
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Richard Spreckley" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2014 12:32:30 -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: Richard Spreckley 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2014 6:16 AM
  Subject: 1:48 Airfix Hawk T1 2009 CAD West sortie

  "1:48 Airfix Hawk T1 2009 Display CAD West  sortie" 

  by "Richard Spreckley" 

  RMCS 
  -------------------- 

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  I have wanted to build one of these for a long time. The Hawk T1 is an iconic British aircraft synonimous with the Red Arrows and fantastic displays by the Hawk display Team. I wanted to stretch my modeling skills on this one, so decided to build out of the box, scratch build some details on the seats and instrument panels and build a diorama. I have been inspired by some superb photographs of Hawks sortieing in the Welsh Mountains, what better way to display a model of the Hawk T1?! So I took the plunge and decided I would make a wheels up diorama of the 2009 display Hawk T1 fying through CAD West (Decals by xtradecals). This particular aircraft was piloted by Flt Lt Matt Barker throughout the season. 

  The build itself was pretty uncomplicated except for the 'wheels up' section. For some reason Airfix has moulded the whole wheel asemblies for the 'wheels down' position and the wheel covers do not fit the wheel baysin any shape or form. The only way to rectify this was to get my tursty old plasticard out along with some filler and mould and scult all the covers to fit. Everything else fitted like a dream, I added detail to both seats, inclduing the parrachute systems and harness's for the pilots. I wanted to add a bit of realism to the two man crew, so decided to re-shape the back seat driver by moving thier head as if they were surveying the scenery and lifting an arm up and holding onto the frame of the canopy as is often seen in photographs in CAD West.

   The diorama was made out of a base of polystyrene, balsa wood, modeeling wire and plaster strips. I purchased a fantastic 'cliff' from my local hobby store and I had some welsh slate in my back garden to use for the side of the mountain. The mountain side was covered with varying degrees of grasses and heather, and the aircraft supporting mount was secured in place.

       

       

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here  

  The RAF Hawks are some of the most pristine aircraft flying and I wanted to reflect this in my build. I gave the model a primer coat and wet and dry snaded until I had a glass like finish. I then added an Acrylic Humbrol gloss black piant in thin layers and built up a solid depth of paint which glowed beautifully. The xtradecals were added and they are superb, easy to manipulate, although a tad thick, so copious amounts of micro sol was used to soften them up to conform to the detailing on the aircraft:- And if you are wondering how I painted the charging wires in the canopy, it's pretty simple:- Using an acrylic white, paint thin lines along the inside of the canopy, wait until it is nearly dry and then carefuly take off the excess using a nearly dry cotton bud, thi leaves the paint in the micro groves in the canopy and shows off the detail superbly, then seal with a dip in a 'klear' solution.

  I really enjoyed this build and with many different aftermarket schemes available for this kit I cannot wait to develop my fleet of Hawks!

  "Richard Spreckley"

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

  Photos and text © by "Richard Spreckley"