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Post by Simon Cornes on Sept 12, 2010 15:18:22 GMT
I suppose this is really for Rob but I have a couple of quick questions:-
1) Which is the best kit? I am a fan of the Airfix original but some people think the Italeri kit is best? 2) Ejection seats. I think all seats fitted are MB 10L's but the original seat had a head box very similar to the original Tornado seat. NeOmega do the 'late' style seat but I'm not sure whether Aeroclub did both early or late? Also, Pavla do one, which I think is the late version. At what point did the head box change?
Many thanks in advance
Simon
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Post by GR1 on Sept 12, 2010 17:26:40 GMT
Hi Simon Rob may be able to help you with the specific answers to your questions but I'd just like to 'jump in' on the ejection seat reference. I was a RAF seat specialist although it's been quite a while since I left the mob. The first generation Hawks were fitted with the Martin Baker Mk. 10B, as opposed to the Mk. 10A in the Tornado and the Mk. 10H in the Sea Harrier. Essentially, this was the same seat adapted to the different aircraft types - as you might imagine. The Mk. 10 has been very successful and variants have been fitted to a wide range of cockpits over the years and the seat has been adapted and developed over an extended period. A version of the Mk. 10L is, I believe, fitted to new generation Hawks. Unfortunately, I'm not sure of the date when the RAF changed the original Hawk seat headboxes... However, I doubt that it happened overnight. More likely, it would have been done to the normal seat servicing schedule so the modification would have rolled through the fleet over several months. I suggest you try and look at dated photographs of your particular subject. Luckily, the difference is very noticeable. The subject of aftermarket ejection seats for models has long been of interest to me - particularly because modellers often go to the trouble of sourcing a particular Mark for a particular subject. Unfortunately, because of the wide number of variants of some Marks, a generic seat may still be 'wrong'. For example, the Mk.4 was fitted to an enormous number of aircraft types and the ones in a Jet Provost looked quite different to those fitted to Lightnings or French Jaguars! The subject is something of a 'minefield' so I'll leave it there! Chris
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Post by chadders on Sept 12, 2010 21:47:50 GMT
From what I remember the seats were changed when the Hawks underwent the overhaul from T1 to T1a in the 80s. I got some information sent from BAe a few years ago about this very subject, I'll try and hunt it out.
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Post by Rob Monfea on Sept 14, 2010 7:25:39 GMT
Hi Guys,
The best kit is pretty subjective. Personally, I think the new Airfix T.Mk.1 is probably the most accurate shape-wise externally due to the fact that Airfix had access to the BAE Systems Brough CAD model of the aeroplane. Saying that, the Revell (formerly Italeri) kit also builds up into a nice little Hawk.
With reference to the seats, Aeroclub did both versions - early (with the larger head box) and late, both in white metal.
Pavla do indeed do the later style seat in resin. They are rather nice (if a little expensive at £2.25 per seat). These are generally available, although out of stock at Hannants at the moment.
As to when the seats changed over, I'm not sure, but will ask around. Someone here is bound to know.
Cheers,
Rob M.
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Post by Simon Cornes on Sept 14, 2010 7:47:26 GMT
Well thanks for the input so far gents. Very useful! Interesting that the latest Airfix Hawk is the most accurate - but logical I suppose, just a pity about the trench lines IMHO! That being the case I think that I will see what I can find 'pre-owned' in the way of Italeri and Airfix at SMW. Apart from the airbrake strakes and fences, I'm sure that the original Airfix Hawk is pretty accurate and I know Collect-a-kit has one (a Red Arrows boxing) on his current list for all of £2.50 so they should be avialable for virtually no money!! (Somechance!). It was very interesting to read that Aeroclib did both early and late marks. I had an e-mail from John yesterday in which he said that he hoped to have supplies of all of the British seats available at SMW so maybe a time to stock up? I'm also looking for Tornado seats and John's ABJ015 with the p/e bits is particularly nice IMHO for a 'current' seat. I was quite shocked to be topld by Hannants yesterday that Pavla seats were sold individually - damned expensive!! My mission (or part of!) at SMW then will be to try to pick up 3 or 4 Hawks (Airfix/Italeri/Revell) at sensible prices and maybe a Hawk 200 (at probably not a sensible price!) and enough seats to fill them! Cheers
Simon
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