Messing with my new F-111 Swing Wing, I'm amazed how big it is, at least 12 inches. I thought it was a model kit when I saw it in a suitcase but it's a friction toy alright.
Largely in great shape, its missing a tailfin and like my FAB1 last month, it's another old toy with a pesky cracked canopy. How does that happen so often?
To spruce it up I've cheated on the cracks.
A little bit of dark sticker from a sticker sheet has neatly covered the two of them!
As regards the tail, a modern spare came to the rescue. It's only on loosely and can stay white for now.
We're off!
A very nice looking toy. The F-111K variant was on order for the RAF in the 1960s, but the order was cancelled. Never intended for the Fleet Air Arm, so the Royal Navy titles are fictional.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Paul. I've seen a few of these toys and this by far the biggest.
DeleteHmmm, I know the following will be tech talk, but your wrestling with cracked windows set me thinking.
ReplyDeleteThe reason you see so many cracked transparencies is because clear styrene is much more brittle than coloured styrene.
As such, they are much more prone to damage and the cracks more visible.
I often minimise cracks by trying to flood them with Tamiya Clear Acrylic varnish and allowing capillary action to fill the gaps.
I suddenly wondered if putting a piece in my pressure pot might help force the liquid into the tiniest cracks...
Thanks for the tip and insights Looey.
DeleteA magnificent machine! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThe Airfix F-111 model is about the same size, as i recall. Maybe a canopy piece and a tail fin might fit ? Any idea of maker ? Bill
ReplyDeleteNo idea sorry.
DeleteThe Airfix F-111 kit is to 1/72nd scale, and there are plenty of other F-111 models in the same scale, so if the Airfix parts would fit, so should any of the others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Paul.
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