Matchbox 1/72 Saab J29 F Tunnan by speedgraflex

[speedgraflex]

Good morning, Greg. Thank you for writing and following along. I’m still piecing together a lot of history here, which could take some time. First round’s on me!

[cbaltrin]

Cool looking project Bruce. I see much pain in your future with those panel lines however

[speedgraflex]

Thanks for your comment, Chris. I would have to agree with you to an extent. I’ve completed three slurried passes and I’m quite close to the check point where paint is involved. Luckily I do have some cans of white Mr Surfacer saved that will let me do this.

This old kit provides me with plenty of options for creative problem solving! Cheers.

[speedgraflex]

Plan views sourced online

[Medicman71]

Can't wait to see your build Bruce.

[speedgraflex]

Mike, thanks for your comment! I’m looking forward to this but I’m still working out where and how I’ll do it.

[speedgraflex]

Marius was kind enough to send me photos of his finished Matchbox kit. Between the three of us, we will have all of the subjects that are part of the kit.

[Bolleken]

Bruce, it is cool to see you building a Saab Tunnan!

Well guys, it is Matchbox.
Often the oversized panel lines of those old Matchbox kits are monitored. Sure, they are. If you want to build a more accurate Tunnan, you should go with Tarangus or even Heller. Nevertheless if you accept the Matchbox characteriscs you will get those panel lines, yes, but also a lot of fun, a quick decent and convincing result.
Here is what a I made of that kit, and it was really fun. No massive research, just a bit improving what comes with the box.

viewtopic.php?t=6387

Bruce, enjoy this little kit! You won't regret it.

[speedgraflex]

Marius,

Thank you so much for taking the time to craft a detailed explanation of why you chose the kit. Wise words here.

Fun. Fun?

I must confess that my last fun build was the AMT Enterorise. I like building one every two-three years as a way to reconnect with childhood. The two Aurora kits I built long ago remain fun to me. One was a dinosaur and the other was a ship.

Much later I reconnected as many of us do to the hobby as an adult. I’ve always felt slight trepidation whenever I start an aircraft model. Having never cut my teeth on the many aircraft subjects so many modelers of a certain generation have I often feel that lack informs my aircraft modeling.

Spaceships, rockets and missiles however, oh yeaaahhh. But I need to stretch. That’s why I joined here.

[speedgraflex]

CHAPTER 1: FUN WITH TAPE, GLUE AND PUTTY

(in which much messy work was done over the past 48 hours)

Friction fit wings, white glue temporary assembly of fuselage on a very dark blob of a kneaded eraser. You can see that the visual panel lines have all been given multiple fills of fine white Milliput putty followed by a good ole polishing. There's always going to be an element of "I don't know if that works completely" with fills like these, but I think I'm close enough to give the fuselage a lick with 1500 White Mr Surfacer. You might also notice I have preliminary drilled out the four openings for weapons at the nose end. Stuart's photo really shows this detail (thanks buddy).

Also, I ground off the lower wing pylons (thanks Carlos for the proper name of these) which are not present on the aerobatic versions of this aircraft. I'm going to assume that they kept the guns, though, or at least the openings. I don't have a clear reference of the nose section of this version. Ah, well.