A rarity....Marui 1/36 Fuji Aero Subaru

[Cap'n Wannabe]

I want it to look "kinda" realistic....in other words, I don't really care if the rivets/surface detail is "incorrect". However, there are a few rows of rivets that I can't just sand off without destroying some of the surface detail on the rudder and elevator. Might be time to try out my new micro chisel...

[Cap'n Wannabe]

If anyone wants to get the old-style Dymo tape, it's available from Officeworks.....but not *every* Officeworks. It's called "embossing tape", as opposed to the standard Dymo tape.

[Cap'n Wannabe]

Well, I put this baby back in the box on Saturday arvo, the put the box back in the cupboard (along with the 1/72 "Mobil" Mustang I'm building, but that's another story..). Then I pulled them both back out on Sunday morning. I *won't* let this beat me!
This morning, I went to the not-so-local hobby shop (across the other side of town, and then some..) and picked up some extra-fine Milliput. Why? After pondering the situation with the rear window for a while, I figured the best way would be to vac-form a replacement. In order to do that, I've taped the fuselage sides of my *other* kit (hehehe...yes, I have two of 'em!) and filled the rear window hole with Milliput such that it stands proud of the rear window. After it hardens, I'll sand it flush, and voila! I'll have a form from which to make a female mould. Then I'll ask my good mate (I hope he reads this..) George to vac me a couple of replacements with his you-beaut vac machine. That's the plan, anyhow..

[Cap'n Wannabe]

Well, I'm excited....
Tomorrow at 11:00, I'll be at Riddel airfield to get up close and personal with this..


The owner posted a photo on FB the other day, so I contacted him. He's invited me out to have a close look at the aircraft!

[Cap'n Wannabe]

Well that was an interesting trip....I found out that VH-FJA is the last of the pre-production prototypes. So I guess it should actually be grounded and never flown again.
There are some cosmetic differences between the kit and VH-FJA, most of which are fairly easy to incorporate at this stage. I even managed to get the cockpit [almost] right in terms of the colour scheme!
I also took some photos of another Aero Subaru that was in a different hangar - VH-FJY. This one is more in line with the kit.. There was also a third one in pieces - VH-FJX. Sadly, it'll probably never fly again, as its log books are missing. The owner asked me if I wanted to buy it....dunno if he was joking or not!