Half life refit - Sea Fury in IRAN.

[Adam the Akrodude]

All the refurb action has inspired me to finally bite the bullet and refurb my Fisher Sea Fury. One thing I was never happy with were the crap "Aussie Decals" I used to represent "109", a Korean War veteran. A few of these decals were out in scale and this had a compounding effect when placing them on the model. So, with help from Damo (saving my ass once again!), I've secured some Hobby Crap decals which will represent "101" - another Korean War veteran.
Unci Les had provided some tech assistance with advice on how to remove the old decals (clear tape) and this is working well. I have already busted off and lost the boarding ladder, so this is something I'll have to scratch build.

Seeing the decals yellow over the last few years has really annoyed me. Fisher kits are not cheap, so refurb'ing this model really is a must do.

This is how the model looked a few years ago - before the yellowing. Since this time, the decal on the fuselage (black stripe on clear) yellowed significantly. I'll take the opportunity to correct some other minor finish and painting issues I was not happy with as well.

[BradG]

You sure it was the decals, or the gloss and matt? The old Humbrol matt clear use to yellow badly, I only noticed when I stripped off the decals from an old kit and it revealed the underlying colour.

[BradG]

So what's happening with this mate?

[Adam the Akrodude]

So what's happening with this mate?

Decals stripped off and need to find some time to do some airbrushing to fix up some paint work. Then re-decal, etc.

[Adam the Akrodude]

And here's how it turned out. I managed a "Commended" at Expo, which I'm pretty thrilled with considering this model really is a "1 metre" effort - i.e it looks OK from 1 metre away! I'll take some proper photos when I get a chance. All in all the refurb involved about 20+ hours of work - stripping off the old decals, touching up paintwork such as the new grey spinner (correct for Korea - not red!), redoing the fuse black stripes, adding some more oil/grime and a top coat - oh and regluing all the bloody bits I managed to break off and loose like the foot step and the pitot tube! Gear doors and rockets went flying as well - some bits I broke just as I was leaving for Expo and I had to find and glue that retractable foot step as well at Expo - such is the drama of competition!

I'd like to add that Gunze paint is so effing kick ass! Leaving everything to the last minute as I do, I discovered that the Sky paint had dried out - ARRRGGGHHH! There was some solid paint in the bottom of the jar so I added some thinner - softened and mixed it up and I had enough for my touch ups - amazing! That paint must be 7-8 years old. Suffice to say I'm a huge fan of Gunze paints!

Thanks in advance to Ray S for this photo below (borrowed from your post at FB Model Expo page).

[RayS]

No worries Adam, it was a lovely build. Must be happy with that!

[Adam the Akrodude]

Thx Ray S. I could no longer stand seeing the ol' girl in such a rotten state - just not the done thing with a Fisher kit!

I'll enter it into the Wings Comp at YMMB later this year. I have a little time to tidy up some small issues on the model between then and now.

[tor lives]

Excellent example of what a refurb project can achieve.
Nicely turned-out young Adam!!!
TOR

[BradG]

Yeh Gunze paint is pretty much bullet proof.