with tape, and BluTac worms were
used to mark out the upper surface
demarcations, keeping them to
a small diameter to give a tight
boundary. The radome was painted
with Mr. Hobby H77 Tire black.
Several thin coats of Mr. Hobby
H30 Clear prepared the surface for
decals. As with previous experience,
these were excellent, being sharply
printed with good colour density.
They were easy to place with
plain water, followed by a drop of
MicroSol to settle them. Tamiya XF-
35 satin varnish sealed the decals in
before the undercarriage was fitted.
CONCLUSION
This is another nice model of
a non-mainstream type from
144th.co.uk. However, unlike the
previous experimental types,
the more complex shape of the
Meteor’s airframe isn’t as accurately
captured, the nose diameter and
profile potentially being somewhat
compromised by making it separate
(to account for the different variants
of NF 11/12/14). The early edition
we had to review suffered a little
from prototypic instructions and
the lack of a clear canopy, but
hopefully by the time you read this,
upgraded kits will be available.
As with many small scale resin
kits, some modelling challenge
is to be expected, and this kit
is no exception. Nevertheless,
it is a very worthwhile addition
to the 1/144th scale world.
Thanks to Brian Keates at 144th
for the review model, which can
be purchased at http://www.144th.co.uk,
along with the rest of the range.
REFERENCE
Caruana R.J. And Franks R.A,
The Gloster and AW Meteor.
Modellers Datafile #8, SAM
Publications. ISBN 0-9533465-8-7
I made masks by scanning the kit decals, then
cutting around them onto tape
Our kit only offered a solid resin canopy and decals; it’s planned
that in future, a clear resin canopy will be included
The horizontal nacelle joints needed significant
remedial work to fill the seams and correct the
ovality
The nose section is distinctly larger in diameter than the
mating section of fuselage, and some sanding is needed
Mistake #2 was to assume the cockpit could be
fitted after the fuselage was joined.... surgery
was needed to allow it to slide in sideways
After trimming, the fit of the outer wing to the
centre section was pretty good
Masks fitted to
the canopy
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