7/1/2005

As part of my build of Tomcats, I am adding True Details GRU-7 Ejector Seats to most of the kits for the A/B versions, as the kit seats have very basic detail.

True Detail GRU-7 (in progress)

The seats do not come the overhead Ejection Handles, and the supplied kit handles are Photoetch (ie Flat). I thought how about creating some for copper wire. OK, I found a kit piece left over from a Fujimi F-14D....

and measured the distances between the loops (2.5mm). Using map pins (diameter 1.1mm) with the heads cut off, I hammered them into a piece of scrap wood...

using 0.4mm copper wire I created two loops and placed them over the jig...

and using a pair pliers pulled one loop tight...

followed by the other loop....

a dab of super glue and a nice set of overhead ejector handles

8/1/2005

I drilled two 0.45mm holes in the tops of the seats and inserted the ends of the wires, and applied some Thin CA.

I then applied some Humbrol Matt Insignia Yellow (#154) to the copper. All that is needed now is to apply the black stripes, apply a wash and matt finish.