OT's Rhodesian F.22 *** Finished ***

[Old_Tonto]

I will build an Airfix F.22 in the markings of the South Rhodesian Air Force.

Assuming the decals arrive on time.

[Old_Tonto]

Not much to show yet. I am just applying the interior green etc.

Still not entirely sure what the colour should be. All my references say light grey but the Old Sods (Rhodesian veterans) site refer the colour as 'High Altitude Blue', a light blue\grey colour.

This artists impression is the only colour reference I have.



I might mix up some PRU blue & medium grey. Working on the logic that they would be using RAF paints as they had them in stock.

[TomW]

Your mention of 'High Altitude Blue' makes me wonder if its the blue used in the RAF High Altitude Day Fighter scheme of the period, which is PRU Blue. The artists impression looks like faded PRU Blue to my eyes.

Regards

Tom

[lancfan]

Could it be Mediteranean Blue? this is lighter and brighter than PRU Blue.

David.

[jssel]

You have a conumdrom there. AZ Models kit option says High Speed Aluminum. SRAF vets say the blue.

My un-educated guess would be HSA. Over on BM there is one in very light grey.

Good luck with this one.

[Old_Tonto]

Thanks for the input guys. I believe they were supplied (refubished RAF stock) in HSA but were repainted once in country. I was going to do it Medium Sea Grey but that looks too light. I might mix some white & PRU - see what that looks like.

Anyway I have to build the thing first. :lol

[jssel]

Remove outboard guns?

[Old_Tonto]

Remove outboard guns?

Why?

[splash]

OT have you seen this link there is a nice shot of a Rhodesian Mk 22

Photos on this page show the Mk22's with twin cannons?
Regards Splash

[Old_Tonto]

Thanks Splash. I have seen that before, it is a gate guardian that was repainted after UDI to display the new colours & roundal of the independant Rhodesian Air Force.

They never flew in those markings.

[Old_Tonto]

I must say I love the quality of this new Airfix kit. The parts fit is excellent, no filler required as yet.

I got the innards in & fuselage halves together.

The wing fit is spot on too.



Any ideas how I can mask those tiny navigation lights?

Tomorrow will see the wings attached to the fuselage. That will be a real test.

[lancfan]

I would use a blob of maskol applied by cocktail stick to mask each light.

David.

[mightymikeD]

what David said.. if they're recessed then the maskol will flow to the edges.. but you knew that anyway, right?

[Old_Tonto]

what David said.. if they're recessed then the maskol will flow to the edges.. but you knew that anyway, right?

Nope but I do now. Thanks guys.

[Saxon]

Should look good when done.

I guess the guys who flew the planes would know best about colours but I have been reading that they were High Speed aluminium which were weathered by the sun and became a mousey grey which kind of looks like your reference pic there to me.