Subject: Re: ARC Gallery Submission - 9 Oct 2003
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Sebastian Lim" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:34:33 -0700

Message
Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.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: Sebastian Lim 
  To: Steve Bamford - ARC 
  Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 5:40 AM
  Subject: ARC Gallery Submission - 9 Oct 2003

  G'day Steve,

  Here's my latest contribution to ARC! See attached zipped file for the required images.

  Cheers and have a nice day!
   
  Sebastian L

  "Trumpeter 1/48 FT-6 Trainer" 

  by "Sebastian Lim"
  --------------------

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

  Brief History

  The model depicted above is a Chinese-built Shenyang FT-6. This combat trainer was only operational in both People's Liberation Army Air Force(PLAAF) and Pakistan Air Force(PAF). Though the Shenyang F-6s had served the PAF since 1967, 15 FT-6s were delivered only in 1980, replacing the older FT-5s. Basically, the FT-6 is a fighter conversion trainer but with a secondary air-ground role. On 27 March 2003, it was replaced by the Chinese-made FT-7PG, along with the single-seater F-7PG Skybolt when the PAF took delivery of it's latest weapon procurement from China. Despite the retirement, few FT-6s were thought to be attached to either 16 & 26 Sqn, operating the A-5C Fantan.

  Construction

  Basically, this kit was built OOB except for the Martin Baker Mk.10PKD ejection seats, which were scratch-built using plastic card/rods. Typical of Trumpeter's offering, sink marks were found throughout the fuselage section but i must say the quality has improved with each new release! Fitting were generally ok except the nose-gear landing well, wing joints and both front/rear canopy. Take note when attaching the front windshield, you need to fill up the gaps in between it and the fuselage. Despite these problems, an average modeler can take care without much effort but do take note of the following:

  1) Add noseweight...NOT indicated on the instruction sheet!
  2) Flimsy landing gears, especially the mains! The axle attaching the wheels seems to wobble with the slightest touch!
    
  Kit decals(quality has improved) were used since the only aftermarket option are limited to the extremely rare 1/48 TigerWings' for PLAAF & PAF F-6/FT-6. After checking my references, i concluded the included markings were meant for the early FT-6s. Later variants spots 5-digits aircraft numbers(both front & aft), extended PAF insignia with white border, a pair of 'yellow/red' Chinese-style ejection seat warning triangles, etc.

  Gunze enamels, Mr. Color series, were used for the painting. H305(FS36118), H307(FS36320) & H308(FS36375) were applied to depict the 3-tone gray camo scheme. As for the pair of drop tanks, i opted to paint one in early NMF(port-side) since PAF ground crews often have to make do with what they have at their disposal. Like i'd mentioned above, the kit decals provided were meant for NMF birds but i chose to model otherwise after having seen one example in Peter Steinemann's Asian Airpower - Exotic Warplanes In Action.

  Last but not least, the weathering.  Most of PAF's FT-6 were moderately weathered, thus not having to resort to oil-washing. I opted for the 'pastel+washing liquid+water' formula :). The wash were applied along the panel lines and left to cure for 12 hours. Subsequently, cotton buds(or Q-Tips as it is known in the West) were used to clean up the wash...VOILA!

  REFERENCES:

  * Peter Steinemann's Asian Airpower - Exotic Warplanes In Action, published 1989.
  * Air Forces Monthly, November 2001.
  * Air Forces Monthly, June 2002.
  * Scale Aircraft Modeling, Vol.4 Number 2, November 1981 - yes the one came with a FREE PAF decal sheet!!

        This FT-6 belongs to the No.19 'Sherdils' Sqn, based at Mansoor Airbase. The 3-tone camo scheme seen here is probably of the early batches. The demarcation lines of the FS36118 appears to be more pronounced on the main fuselage, as compared to the tailfin section. This is however untrue on the single-seat Shenyang F-6! Having checked my rather limited resources, it appears that recent photos spots a different variation of the FS36118 shades!    Click on image below to see larger image
             
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        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 09.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 09a.jpg 

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       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 11.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 11a.jpg 

       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 12.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 12a.jpg 

  Cheers!

  Sebastian L
  Republic of Singapore  

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

  Photos and text © 2003 by "Sebastian Lim"