Airfix Sea Vixen build - Part Six

It's done said Frodo!

And so is my Sea Vixen. The application of the decals was a true marathon. I hit the wall at one point thinking I would never get to the end of it but fortunately I did. There has to be around 500 individual decals on this model ranging from the large wing numbers to tiny decals the size of a pin head.

They clearly make the model however, I used Micro sol and Micro set in their application and then put a coat of Tamiya clear coat over them to lock them in.

The model was completed with a couple of coats of Model master Semi-Gloss lacquer.

Canopies were dipped in Pledge with Future to brighten them up.

I made a few mistakes on the model such as messing up some of the decals but overall I am really pleased. Airfix have produced a lovely model that goes together well and has a pleasing level of detail.

As for the after market bits that I used I think most of them were not really necessary except for the True Detail Ejection seats. They really add something to the kit.

So here are a few pictures of the finished article along with a snap shot of all the things I used to build this model. Hope you like it and are inspired to make your own one day.

Airfix Sea Vixen build - part three

With the seat finally finished off I began putting the fuselage together. The fit of the parts is really good. Judicious use of clamps and elastic bands ensures everything sets up tight with no gaps. The join line between the two halves forward of the cockpit will need some sanding and maybe a little cyanoacrylate to make it disappear but nothing horrendous.

I have continued to use the Eduard etch components where I felt comfortable. This included the air brake and the arrestor hook area.

Here are some pictures of the cockpit after the fuselage halves have been joined.

A few points worth noting. I am using this web site as a color reference for the airframe Thunder & Lightnings so the wheel wells, airbrake inner area and arrestor hook inner area got a coat of light grey before going into the fuselage halves. The air brake door, arrestor hook door and the area of the wings which are under the flaps all got a coat of white.

Following this the areas got some weathering with a very thin black ink wash.

Airfix Sea Vixen build - part two

Martin Baker ejector seats

As I have mentioned I purchased the True Details Martin Baker seats from Squadron. These resin parts have terrific detail and are both represented with different arrangements of straps to add to the authenticity.

I used this resource Nick Park photographs on Flickr for the paint scheme following it as best I could. I ended up using Calthan Brown, Commando Khaki, Bleached bone, Grey blue, Black Green, Golden Yellow, Flat read and Chainmail to get the look. Its a shame most of the detail will be hidden in the cockpit but I was really please that the green control box on the right hand side is visible from the navigator position.

The next picturs I post will show these seats in position in the cockpit.

Comments, suggestions always welcome.