1/72 Airfix BAe Nimrod converted into the 3rd AEW.
Prototype using the
Cammet Conversion set.
It is very rarely these days that I get so excited by a kit
that I have to make one NOW. I suppose like most modellers I have the
ubiquitous "stash" of projects that "I am going to do this one
when I have finished...." Well this was one of those occasions when
"the Muse" touched me.
About the time I managed to lay my hands upon the new
Airfix release, I saw on the Cammett website that they had produced the AEW
conversion set. I just had to have it! As soon as it arrived and I
saw the quality of the resin parts I started work straight away. The
nose only requires a total of six cuts (three on each side) and the tail only
two. I kept the cockpit detail to a minimum as not much can be seen
through the canopy anyway.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The resin replacement parts consist of a new nose, tail,
horizontal and vertical tail surfaces. The parts are so finely moulded
(the set just screams quality at you on opening the box) that if care is
taken, it will be impossible to tell the resin from the plastic...
I made one error on my kit and that was not sanding down
enough plastic from the kit parts to comfortably accept the resin parts.
This led to some slight sanding to the outside of the kit. The moral
here? Take your time! As all the aircraft concerned were rebuilds, I
have not gone overboard with the weathering, but will introduce a bit more
wear and tear when I have completed the decaling.
I chose to model the third prototype XV263 which was used
for the Air to Air Refuelling tests. After the cancellation of the
project her hulk was canbalised for parts for the rest of the Nimrod fleet.
I still have to fit the antenna and aerial fit, more research as the aircraft
seemed to vary. I am not sure of final numbers, but there were at least
nine aircraft converted to the AEW configuration. Again, this will repay
careful research. I hope that you like what I have done so far and that
it inspires those of you who have not tried any of Cammett's products to do
so, go on you know that you want to really!
I will send another pic of the completed Nimrod when the
fit has been completed and all the decals added. This is such a good
conversion that I intend to purchase at least another one!
Kind regards
Ian
Click on
images below to see larger images
|