1/48 Wingman Models Alpha Jet Belgian Air Force
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Started my new build: the 35 years BAF Alpha Jet celebration. This is actually a rebox of the old Kinetic Alpha Jet including a resin cockpit and wheels, extra photo etch parts, masks and a brass cannon. The kit also contains extra photographic material of the cockpit, ejection seats and a lot of different camos and ofcourse decals.
The cockpit is pretty detailed, I did add some leg straps on the seats. Had to adjust the seats to get the right position in the cockpit and the cockpit walls were a bit of a challenge. Some trimming was needed for a better fit. All in all it went in, the fuselage halves were a bit warped, nothing some clamps and glue couldn't fix 😀. Will update soon.
Nice entry and ditto progress, Stan!
Hey Stan @stakke
I have the Portuguese edition of Wingman Alphajet, so I’ll keep an eye on your work here.
I found the it a much better kit than the old Esci moulds but still a somewhat cruder kit when comparing the finesse of Kinetic’s latest kits (at least f-104 which I also own). The panel lines are a bit chunky lol.
Now, the amount of aftermarket stuff inside the box (plus the fabulous decal options) are the best part of these editions, even though I stopped working on mine early due to the poor placement of the cockpit parts. Any advices to overcome the poor fit of the resin and get them as good as you did on yours?
Hi Pedro,
A lot of dry fitting and a good blade would be my first advice 🙂
I took care with the cutting of resin parts but that still is a challenge sometimes.
I still have to glue and clamp the cockpit walls which are a real challenge. After dry fitting I decides to glue them (CA-glue) onto the cockpit tub itself but I only put glue on the bottom of the wall parts. Now I can glue and clamp the top of the side walls to the fuselage. Fit isn't great but that should do the trick. The instruction manual isn't very helpfull or even clear and that point. It's a bit trial and error.
Which parts didn't fit with your kit?
If I recall correctly it’s the same issues you describe above- that main tube just doesn’t quite fit the side walls and the kit fuselage thereafter. It’s been 2 years, I might pull the box from the pile and see it again. Sometimes all it takes is some incentive right?
Indeed.
You might try opening up the apertures in the cockpit tub by slicing of the corners. Had to do that at some points too.
👍🏻 good idea, thanks Stan
Great start on this Alpha Jet, Stan @stakke
The cockpit is amazingly detailed.
You might consider to enter your building progress in one of the group builds.
Looks great, Stan (@stakke). Alpha jets have always been one of my favorites.
yeah, childhood memories for me. Too bad they decommissioned them.
Very detailed cockpit work, Stan.
A great build!