Dave Ward's 1/48 HB FJ-4 Fury

[Dave Ward]

Whilst I am waiting for the final varnish coat to dry on my Seehund, I've decided on my next build

A fairly simple model, it has one or two errors that I can easily correct. It has Bullpup missiles, which were only carried by the FJ-4B, and an extra airbrake under the tail. This again was a feature of the FJ-4B, but is only represented by a raised panel, that can be easily sanded off. I'm going to add a pilot, from the Tamiya F4D-1 Skyray ( It was either the Fury or the Skyray for a new build ), but otherwise OOB.
Construction will start shortly - no sprue shots - I've taken a fair number off, to test fit, which seems good.
Dave

 

[papa 695]

Looking forward to seeing this Dave, It looks a lot like the Sabre

 

[Dave Ward]

The Sabre was an ancestor, the FJ-1 was essentially a navalised Sabre, but the FJ-4 was a completely redesigned beast. It didn't have a long service, from the late 50's to the mid-60's, and was only used by the USN & USMC
Dave

 

[flyjoe180]

Interesting subject Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Construction started. I've painted the Tamiya pilot & the ejection seat...................
The model is very simple, around 50 parts for the basic plane, and about another 20 for the 2 sidewinders & fuel tanks. The air brake recesses look too deep to me, but it would be a real pig to make them more shallow.

The model has fine engraved details The cockpit sits on a short intake duct.

You do have the option of folded wings, but the details of the fold looks a bit sparse to me, and I never like the idea of cutting through wings! The undercarriage bay is an insert, which acts as a short spar. I'll have to fill the inboard pylon holes, as the FJ-4 had only 4 pylons ( The FJ-4B had six. )
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Although there is no mention in the instructions, I'm sure this would be a tail sitter without nose weights. I CA'd steel BBs in the front of the nose, but might not be enough............

I might have to add some more weight behind the cockpit module.

I've closed the fuselage up - a very nice fit! - Just minor seam sanding now needed. I couldn't resist dry fitting the assembled wings - again a nice fit, just a bit of thinning of edges needed.


So far, no fit problems, and looking ahead, I don't anticipate any
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

Rapidly onto priming.................


I must recommend Ultimate Primer - it sprays well, and the grey gives a good neutral base for any subsequent colours. I did add some more weight, now there's no way it's going to be a tail sitter.
Dave

 

[yak face]

Fast work dave , its ready for the paint already ! , looks a nice straightforward kit , and an aircraft seldom seen , always in the shadow of its prettier sister the sabre.

 

[Dave Ward]

Tony,
I'm developing quite an interest in that period of jet aviation, been looking around for 1/48 models. There are some areas where a modern model is really missing, for example Supermarine Scimitar, Northrop F-89 Scorpion, Grumman F11F Tiger & Vought F7U Cutlass. There are ancient, and out of production models, but state of the art? Not much!
Dave

 

[JR]

Looking good mate, and such a quick build .
John .

 

[yak face]

Tony,
I'm developing quite an interest in that period of jet aviation, been looking around for 1/48 models. There are some areas where a modern model is really missing, for example Supermarine Scimitar, Northrop F-89 Scorpion, Grumman F11F Tiger & Vought F7U Cutlass. There are ancient, and out of production models, but state of the art? Not much!
Dave

I love this era of jets too dave , both sides of the iron curtain! Im sure i read that hobby boss or somebody was doing a scimitar in 1/48? Of the others the revell scorpion in 1/48 is supposed to be a nice kit but no one has done a decent f11f or cutlass in 1/48 yet. Ive been slowly building the century series jets by monogram in 1/48 , so far ive done the f100 and f101 , the f 102 will be started when i can get some correct decals for it ( case xx wing and all that malarkey) and ive got the f104, f105 and f 106 in the stash waiting too!

 

[Dave Ward]

I've seen the Revell 1/48 Scorpion go for REALLY silly money ( for a 1990 model, no matter how many box & decal changes ). Paying large amounts for old tooling models would spoil my enjoyment, that's part of the buzz! A F-100, or a F-104 might go onto my mental wish list, but the Voodoo, Delta Dagger & Dart don't appeal for some reason
Dave

 

[yak face]

How about the thunderchief dave , in 1/48 its a big impressive beastie and the monogram/ revell kit can be found quite cheaply now and again , or their f84f thunderstreak is a cracker too , tony

 

[Dave Ward]

Well, I'm keeping my eyes open for many models ( at a price that I like! ), but my stash still has a few models patiently waiting in line. I have a HobbyBoss F-105, and a real beauty, a HB F3H Demon. Also lurking are the Tamiya Skyray, and from the other side of the curtain, a Su-9, and a Su-22, both in the Smer boxing. I'm not exactly deficient in models to make, but given the right price, who can say what may appear in the collection!
Dave

 

[papa 695]

That's looking great Dave

 

[Tim Marlow]

Loving the look of this one. I find the early Cold War jets to be much more interesting than the later stuff....I’ll keep an eye out for you next few builds...
Cheers
Tim

 

[Dave Ward]

The underside, and wheel wells etc are all white. I always have problems with spraying this, and today was no exception! Nozzle Blocking, Splatter etc. I had to add some retarder, and more water than normal ( maybe the high temp? ). A few thin coats, and it looks OK

Topside, the control surfaces have also been sprayed white, ready for masking. I used Vallejo ModelAir White for the underside. I will use Mission Models Light Gull Grey for the upper surfaces, a new maker to me. I have read good reviews on this, so I will see...........
Dave

 

[Armorguy]

Progressing well Dave.

 

[Dave Ward]

I forgot to take pictures of the masking! The Mission Paints Gull grey sprayed OK, but didn't cover very well - I don't think that it has any advantage over any other paint that I've used.

The masking still lifted the base white coat in a few places, despite using a low tack tape - maybe I should have let the base dry for a few days, to really harden off. Next stage will be an overall gloss varnish, before decalling and a few panel washes. There won't be any weathering, USN jets of this period were always immaculate
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

After an overall gloss varnish coat, I masked and painted the leading edges of the wings/tail aluminium - then onto decalling

The decals are quite thick, and the top wing star is in 3 pieces, one either side of the wingfold, and one over the top of the wing fence - which I haven't been able to get to sit down ( yet ). When I've finished the decals, I'm going to seal everything in with a Satin varnish coat
Dave