1/72 Nimrod MR.2 conversion to R.1

[csnewton2701]

Well decided to take the plunge with this one. I have built one before but as the basic MR.2 so I know the challenges that lie ahead with the fitting, never mind the hidden ones with the conversion. I also have other plans for this kit.


The kit comes neatly packaged with the fuselage sprues, canopy/windows and wing sprues in one pack and the rest of the kit in another. It offers you 6 different Nimrods with all decals being on 1 A4 sized piece of decal paper.


I have decided to go for XV249 as it was in the initial bath of Nimrods being built at Woodford. It has seen active service in the Falklands and Afghanistan most notably but also flew sorties during the Cod War and other detachments and exercises.


IMG_0198 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


Chris

[csnewton2701]

Just a small update, I've spent so much time on it this week but just got the first bits done.

The landing gear is together with no issues or modifications

IMG_0199 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0200 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

The cockpit is together minus the decals for the panel instruments as they were bigger than the space to fit them. I gave up and left it blank as its impossible to see.

IMG_0203 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

The fuselage sections now have the side windows. I have filled some of the spaces in with filler to bring it in line with the R.1.

IMG_0209 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0208 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


Chris

[csnewton2701]

Well progress has been steadily moving along at a nice pace. Spent a large amount of time designing and building a circuit. I was hoping for the nose light, wing lights, headlights and strobe lights. Unfortunately due to the amount of wiring, brightness of the LEDs and the size of the model I have only been able to have the strobe lights and headlights.


The fuselage went together without too much fuss. The only awkward part was keeping the strobe lights in place and staying in place, the wiring was pushing them out of place and the battery pack is fairly heavy so that was pulling on the wires.


The wings however are a different story. They haven't sat by the fuselage properly leaving a gap and the weight of them is pushing them down rather than straight.


That's all the progress so far.

IMG_9975 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_9976 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_9979 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_9978 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_9981 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


Chris

[csnewton2701]

Its starting to look like a Nimrod now. Slight change of plan though, the version XV249 has gone out the window due to incorrect decals. Those provided are for the MR.1. The new serials will be XW664 but still an R.1.


Had to use a make shift jack to push the rear wings up into position.

IMG_0002 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr



Once dry the wings are happy to sit at about 30-40 degrees.

IMG_0012 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr



This is where the magic is inside the bomb bay. As you can see it there is no bay its just hollow for the circuit.

IMG_9999 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


The circuit will be hidden by the bay doors.

IMG_0013 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


Just so you can see what it looks like in the dark. The red is from the strobe underneath.

IMG_0016 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

Hope your enjoying the progress and finding my posts of use/interest.



Chris

[csnewton2701]

Finally got the main build virtually complete  (rear undercarriage still to go on but that will be last and the windscreen to go on. I'm still waiting on it turning up as I ordered it off Alleycat). Its been interesting, not as bad as I first imagined. However, plenty of filling done with some still left on the final overall check before painting, plenty of time spent sifting through photographs for the conversion.

Cut 2 rods off the sprue and glued across to keep the battery pack in place.

IMG_0599 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


A side on view to show antennae and probe.

IMG_0603 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

A front on view showing the angle of the rear wings.

IMG_0604 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


Chris

[csnewton2701]

Well its finally complete.

IMG_0391 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0390 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0404 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0402 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr


The kit itself took a fair amount of patience and filler. The fitting wasn't too bad other than for the angle of the rear wings, it causes huge gaps. However, the decals are shocking, some have started to lift already and some never even stuck. I can only guess this is due to the decal paper techniques at the time.



A brief history of XW664:-

First to be converted to an R.1.

Worked from Chile during the Falklands war performing Maritime Tasks.

Arrived back at RAF Wyton on 22 May 1982 4 days after the last Nimrod Sortie flown.



Chris

[csnewton2701]

You can just about make out a strobe light on the top in the first image, there is also one underneath as well as the headlights.

Chris

[acklington]

Certainly looks the part, and a lot of work involved. Well done!

[csnewton2701]

Thanks Acklington, will post some better images. There was plenty to do, felt like I never stopped once it got going, glad its complete though.

Chris

[cargoking]

Looks really good. I like it.

[csnewton2701]

Thanks cargoking. I have noticed that the decals are starting to peel off so got a bit of work to do on them.

Chris

[csnewton2701]

Repaired the decals with a bit of glue on a brush.

Also added the cable from the tail to a centre pylon.


Here are a few updated pics.



IMG_0414 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr

IMG_0418 by Christopher Newton, on Flickr



Chris

[wadoki]

XV249 was indeed an R.1.
It was converted from the MR role after the loss of one of the original three spook Nimrods.
You don't have to take my word for it as it is preserved at Cosford.

Lovely model