My other little air force

[kiwichappers]

Its been a while since I posted any Kiwi models and here's why.
My other interest is another small air force, Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya Almalakiya al-Urduniya which I have just got started building models for.

Here is the first of an indeterminate number. A F6 Hunter modeled shortly after delivery to 1 Squadron based at Mafraq in late 1959.


Cockpit





Next up is likely to be a FGA 9 as I have developed a bit of a love affair with the looks of the Hunter, but it may be a while as I am about to launch into some Kiwi Gipsy Moths.

[Dave Homewood]

Neat Hunter, but where is that Air Force from???

[Naki]

Nice! Love the Hunter - what kit and scale? Its Jordan's Ar Force Dave..what other models do you have planned for the RJAF - F-5E, Mirage F-1 or F-16?

[kiwichappers]

Thanks for the compliments chaps.
Paul is quite right Dave, Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya Almalakiya al-Urduniya is the Royal Jordan Air Force.
The model is made from the Revell 1/72 scale kit pretty much out of the box with a little detailing in the cockpit and finished with Xtracolour and Tamiya paints. It is a very good kit and my only reservation is the diameter of the main wheels which appear to me to be about 1mm undersize. This has been addressed by John Adams Aeroclub with a very nice white metal 'corrected' u/c set V233.

The RJAF has flown an interesting variety of aircraft and I have set out a list of the 1/72nd scale models I plan to build. Mind you plans and actuality are quite different animals, so don't hold your breath for the next one.

Bell AH-1 Cobra
Bell MD 500
Cesna T-37
Dassault F1 Mirage CJ/EJ
D.H. Rapide
D.H. Vampire
Extra 300 - Jordanian Falcons Aerobatic team
F16A/B
Hawker Hunter FGA 9/T74
Lockheed C-130 Hecules
Lockheed F104A/B Starfighter
Northrop F-5B/E/F
Scottish Aviation Bulldog
Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk

[Dave Homewood]

Don't forget the Pitts Specials that their aerobatic team used to fly, one of which is now resident just down the road from me at Hamilton and owned by my Cambridge Noel Kruse. Does anyone make a Pitts S2S in 1/72nd?

[kiwichappers]

Good point Dave, added to the list.
I think Amodel make a kit, or more likely a challenging collection of bits in a box which has slight potential to become a Pitts 2S.

[ZacYates]

Platz also make a Pitts kit, comes with two complete aeroplanes. Painting it will be a fun job! I think also that A-Model aren't as bad as some early short-run kits now, depending on the kit....

Is the Revell Hunter really worth the price asked? Whenever I see it in shops its around $45.....a bit extreme when you can get the old Airfix job for less than 20?

[Naki]

Wow I thought the Hunter was 1/48th considering the detail.

There is some other aircraft that Jordans Air Force operates or operated including the CN-235, Super Puma, CASA 101, T-67...not sure where you would get some of the models from though ...and where would you get an Extra 300?

I also remember my Dad having a kit (Airfix?) of a Westland Scout with Jordanian markings

[ZacYates]

Wouldn't surprise me if A-Model did an Extra, seeing as they do Sukhoi aerobats.

[kiwichappers]

Now then Chaps,
I reckon the Revell Hunter is a very good kit, as are a lot of the recent Revell kits. All the peices fit very well and the only joints I filled were the wing roots which with hind sight would have probably disappeared under a coat of paint. See pictures of raw airframe.





Whether it is worth $45.00 is a personal judgement but over here at about GBP 8.00 versus the Airfix at GBP 4.00 I think it is and it really does look like a Hunter.

I have ordered an Amodel Pitts from my man at Relish Models so will soon know how good this kit is.

Ah the Extra 300. Well thats the kit that started all this. With relatives in the Lebanon and Jordan I have had a passing interest in the middle east for some time. When I saw the Modellbaustudio kit CP1 013 of an Extra 300 with markings for the 'Royal Jordanian Falcons' at a model show it followed me home. I am very impressed with this finely tooled short run kit and am looking forward to building it.

The Extra 300 triggered my interest in the RJAF and set the scale of this group at 1/72nd. My impression that these smaller kits would provide some short sharp projects as a change from the longer 48th efforts, which often take best part of a year to finish, has somewhat foundered as the Hunter took just on six months. Hardly quick.

Thanks for the additions to the list Zac and I shall keep an eye out for the Airfix Scout.

[Craig Sargent]

The Platz Pitts kit is the LS kit reboxed. Picked one up on Queen's Birthday weekend for a whole $6 (second hand).

Nice work on the Hunter too. Guess it also gives a nice counterpoint to my other "small" air force collection - that of the ISAF.