Feature article with Geoff Coughlin
Kit Ref: 03852
Time to get creative!
Always being a great fan of Royal Air Force aircraft in reality and in kit form means that the release by Revell of the Kinetic BAe Hawk T.2 1:32 kit that has some photo-etch accessories means that there’s an opportunity here.
As you can see, the Revell/Kinetic Hawk T.2 can make up into a very nice looking model – here’s a photo of the manufacturer’s completed model…
Ok, so this project has its roots in a recent podcast I did with Ben Skipper when we discussed all things ‘What-If’ that ranged far and wide. The topic of the RAF Red Arrows came up (don’t ask me how!) and I know that their current steed in the BAe Hawk T.1 is now long in the tooth. I have no idea how long the MOD/RAF can keep these aircraft flying, or would want to from a safety perspective, given that they entered service with the RAF in the early 1980s, making many of the airframes around 40-plus years old!
So… what will be their replacement? If you want to hear more discussion on that, check out the podcast. Suffice to say, the RAF/MOD has always selected a home-grown aircraft type and so the current BAe Hawk T.2 must be in the running? Well, that may or may not actually be the case and a friend of mine who has first hand knowledge of flying the T.2 thinks that there is considerable doubt about whether it could perform for The Reds, in the same way as the T.1. Surely the RAF couldn’t buy an overseas produced type? I mean, that would defeat much of the appeal of using the Reds for overseas trade missions, promotion of all that’s British etc etc?
Decision made…
Well, whatever the political issues, I’ve decided that it would be really great fun to build this project as a Royal Air Force Red Arrows replacement – including new scheme and all! I love the Reds, always have, and I just think the release of the Revell/Kinetic kit and some imagination could lend itself to a really exciting and creative ‘What-If’ project – I hope that you agree?
Anyway, here goes…
What’s the plan?
Let’s start by taking a look at the current/recent BAe Hawk T.1 – mainly from the point of view of paint scheme. Obviously there’s the Red Arrows Red overall paint scheme with white fuselage striping and outline to a large arrow underneath and the stylised Union flag on the fin.
I’m keen to preserve the overall Red Arrows Red colour and also incorporate the Union flag in some way too and try and get a bit more creative, yet try and stay believable.
In terms of fit, the T.2 has quite a different look to me – nose profile, wing tip design for the AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs and what to carry on the centreline stores station. Red Arrows Hawk aircraft have always retained the capability to fit weapons stores, like AAM AIM-9 Sidewinder rails and the T.2 wing tips would, I believe be retained to allow for this, should the T.2 enter service in the display/demonstration role. The Reds need to carry a tank with the coloured die that’s injected into the exhaust gasses that forms their telltale smoke trails.
Other than that, the airframe should be pretty clean I guess, given the aerobatic nature of their performances – around 100 each year in normal times.
Let’s take a look at the kit in more detail (it’s just arrived!)…
VIDEO DEMO
Having now got my hands on the Revell/Kinetic kit I’m more excited than ever to get started. I love the size of the model – bigger than I thought and the fact that it has a suitable centreline tank that shouldn’t need any mods is an advantage. I suspected that this Revell release is in fact the original Kinetic kit and that’s confirmed. A great feature are the dropped flaps – almost always very apparent on parked Hawk aircraft – yes!
The back end will be an easy mod, just needing the three small pipes that eject the coloured dye into the jet exhaust to make smoke – I’ll use small sections of wire for these.
Apart from that, I think that I can focus on the paint scheme and see what I can come up with. I’ve been giving this more thought and I keep getting drawn back to a more conservative approach that the RAF/MOD would authorise, but maybe I shouldn’t be bound by that! I do want it to be believable though – even if we are creating a What-If project!
James Ashton says
Nice work on the flag Geoff and the rest.
I am working on my first Kitty Hawk kit and it is not an easy build. This kit seems to be an improvement over their earlier kits. (not so many poor fitting inserts) I do want a Hawk in my collection and your build has convinced me to get this kit from Revell.
James
James Ashton says
My bad, I said Kitty Hawk this is ex Kinetic. LOL
How embarrasing.
Sorry Geoff.
Geoff Coughlin says
Easily done James – no worries my friend…:) G
Geoff Coughlin says
Good news! Revell have been in touch and are sending the replacement front windscreen. As soon as I get it will can finish off this build :) GC
Richard Graham says
I had been thinking about getting this kit and last night watched a video of 25 Sqn Hawk T2’s from RAF Valley on YouTube. They looked fantastic taking off in the evening gloom – kinda menacing in all black. I knew the Revell kit had markings for a 4 Sqn scheme but where to get those 25 Sqn decals? Searched the internet without success and came here to check out the kit review and guess what…? There they were on the kit sheet all the time…! Click! Order placed for the kit (6 quid off & free postage too). Thanks guys
Sid says
Brilliant build Geoff, fantastic finish the airbrush work around the flag envy envy! By coincidence I’m on the closing stages of completing Airfix A50031 Red Arrow Hawk from 2008 and have an issue with the portside cheat stripe. The decal appeared to be very brittle and ended up in pieces. I have requested replacement but note your alternative solution. What did you use to cut out the roundel template?
Kind regards
Sid
IMRAN ASHRAF says
Hi Geoff
what an amazing build, really loved it. It got me in mood of finishing my some WIP, and also got my Hobby boss 1/48 Red arrows out.
I have a quick question, the white or light grey outline on canopy, plz explain what it is? paint or decal, if its paint what colour it is?
Plz also guide for the middle line of the canopy too
Thanks a lot
Imran
chris addis says
Hi Geoff that is one excellent build. If Telford is on this year(which it is ) you should think about entering it into the competion. The effort you have put into this build shows and the finish is exceptional.
When i saw the first photo I couldnt work out if it was a real one or a model an then when i started to read the article I was astounded how well you have done.I also think you should adopt it as your flagship in some way. Im now going to watch all your videos as no doubt they must pay off. IMPRESSIVE.
Chris Addis
Howard Kilburn says
As others have said Geoff, brilliant build… and i agree, you should enter it at Telford.
BTW brilliant idea about using a buffer to smooth down acrylic paint…. this from yr Revell Phantom build…. love that it not only smooths the paint but adds a touch of weathering as well
Power to yr elbow sir
Regards Howard
Tmurph says
Great build Geoff and if the people in charge of looking at the replacement for the current Red Arrows Hawk should look at your model, I’m sure it would persuade them to go ahead and get the Hawk T2 ASP…Brilliant Geoff.
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks Tmurph – really appreciate your comments. I really enjoyed the challenge of this project and the Airfix Vulcan B.2 in 1:72 has just arrived so that might be up next! Very different…GC
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks so much Howard – really appreciate your thoughts on the T2. I just hope Telford will go ahead this year without any restrictions. Best, GC
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Imran – sorry for the delay in replying to your questions. The canopy edging strips are all masked and sprayed. The white edging is Tamiya Flat White and the beige colour Tamiya Deck Tan (I think). GC
Geoff Coughlin says
Hello Sid – thanks for your comments. I used a metal scribing template that had the right diameter circles in it and used a scalpel to cut around some Tamiya tape. Spray the white and apply the the new masks when dry before spraying the red. The kit roundel decals go over these. GC
Geoff Coughlin says
Hi Richard – nice work from what you say! Good luck GC
Geoff Coughlin says
Thanks so much Chris A – really appreciate your comments and much appreciated. All the best, GC
Christopher Woolford says
Saw the T1 up close at Valley, guided tour, about 1979/80. Shortly after that watched the Reds fairly often at Shawbury, very close to our Shropshire home in the ’80s. This build is terrific work. Inspiring. I’ve got an echo of the Reds’ thunder in my head!
Geoff Coughlin says
Great stuff Christopher – glad you like how it all turned out :) The Reds are so emotive, just love them and all they do and stand for :) G