1/72 F11C-2 conv to BFC-2 ** Finished **

[JohnRatzenberger]

Here's a teaser, I'll do detail photos later.



The base kit is the Monogram F11C-2, possibly the best looking of the 'tween wars Curtiss Hawks, although the P-6E fans will certainly argue about it.

Mark Tutton of Starfighter Decals has two slightly different upgrade sets to convert the F11C-2 to a BFC-2, the dive bomber version. Both sets come with a complete Monogram base kit, a rear deck, some photo-etch, and some decals. One kit comes with a resin interior. Neither kit gives you a complete conversion to a BFC-2 and that I will attempt in this GB by adding the under fuselage bomb release mechanism.

I'll post some reference photos later.

[Stuart]

Sounds like an Interesting build John - Welcome aboard!

[JohnRatzenberger]

Here's the pieces, first the Monogram kit.



Mark gets re-released F11C-2 kits, still look good, some flash, still have the 1967 date on them. The wing ribs are a bit prominent but I do think I will leave them alone.

And here are the "custom parts". He puts out several different kits (Hannant's has them all) and what you see bel,ow is a combo/mix from two of them. The important part is the new turtledeck, the photoetch rigging is nice, and I may or may not use the resin interior. I will be doing the green markings, just like the example in the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola, which is the inspiration for my build.



I have always liked the F11C-2 Goshawk, starting back around 1960 when I build the Berkeley control-line scale kit (I also had their P-26 and others I hazily remember). I got a lot of mileage out of a couple engines, and a huge number of props. The Goshawk "bit the dust" when I was learning to fly control-line carrier ....

I'll put up some museum pix as we go along .... I can't start immediately, I must put all my effort into my Biggles build ...

[JohnRatzenberger]

I clipped big parts off the sprue and cleaned them up. They are in good shape. The ribs are prominent, but not overly so I will leave them alone. There is a slight fabric-y look and I'll try to not mess that up - or I may take it down a bit.

There are a number of visible ejector marks, notably under the top wing. I have filled them and my success at neatly cleaning will ultimately determine the fate of the fabric look.

I have started to cut the rear deck off to be replaced, and I have taken the rack off under the fuselage to make room for a scratch built one.

Nothing screwed up yet ....

[Stuart]

Having just re-read your thread John I think this sounds an interesting little conversion – I might have to take a look at the set on Hannants.

I confess that I’m not very up on US inter-war fighter, and if this GB does nothing else it’ll certainly increase my knowledge of them. They do seem rather natty aircraft with some very colourful schemes.

I’ll be watching with interest (and looking forward to seeing some museum pics).

Cheers

Stuart

[JohnRatzenberger]

I have cut the read deck off the kit and roughly fitted the resin BFC-2 version. Fortunately I have more than one kit as my first attempt failed, I think because of somewhat indistinct instructions. I also managed to snap the stabilizer in half trying to force fit the rudder tab into it - again, spare kit to the rescue.

I have some filler clean-up and then get the resin cockpit pieces prepped. I will try for pix tomorrow.

If you look for this kit on Hannant's, beware there are several different versions (A,B,C I think). I believe you get the new rear deck and the photoetch with each, but the cockpit with only one - and I believe the decals are different. One may just be an enhanced F11C-2 (no rear deck).

[Stuart]

Ah that sounds a pain - good job you have the spares.

thanks for the tips John, I'l take a look.

[JohnRatzenberger]

I have not been (too) idle.



The top deck has been removed; the resin sidewalls installed, and a few holes filled. After the picture was taken, I put a coat of aluminum in the interior.

So we are moving along finally.

[Stuart]

That's great to see John - I like the look of those additions.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Trying to catch Andrew ....

Here's the cockpit, poorly photo'd, but in pace.



Then more parts ....



and finally, the lower wing ...



So, I have a little filler to put around the turtle deck and a little sanding on the underside where the lower wing joins the fuselage.

Probably time to start getting some paint on, but much of next week is a loss ....

[TimJ]

That's coming along well John.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Oh, I forgot, a couple pix of the aircraft I am modeling, on display at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum.





I have a few pix of the under fuselage bomb rack that I'll be building, but I'll save them for later. I also forgot the bombs I ordered haven't arrived yet.

[TobyC]

Nice start. I do like these USN yellow wing jobs

[Stuart]

That's coming along nicely John - nice work in fitting that decking.

I like the museum pics - it's a really smart looking aircraft.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Actually, I am not happy with the rear deck. I sprayed a coat of silver on and it looks even worse to me. As you can see from this photo, it should fair into the fuselage at the tail much better than it does.



I'm going to have to fix that, I think (I am just not sure how yet), as it ruins the lines .... That'll put me back a couple days more.