The "Sea Vixen" is finally beginning to look like an airplane.

The jet exhaust starts with a 1/8 plywood former.  The FM drawing could not be traced, since the hand drawn former wasn't close to being symmetrical. I redrew it in CAD, then printed it on vellum. I then temporarily attached the vellum to the plywood using spray cement. I used a 1 1/4" hole saw, in a drill press, to cut the holes and then cut and shaped the outside contour to match the vellum pattern.

The exhaust pieces are from plastic pill bottles. I went to the local pharmacy and handed the gal a circle guide and said I would like a few pill bottles to match the 1 1/4" hole in the template. She found the correct size, and then looked at me like I was crazy, when I didn't want the bottle caps!  Cost... $0.00
I guess she is correct.. I am crazy!


The contoured pieces wrap half way around each exhaust. While the fitting is a little tedious, it is done using soft A-grain 1/16" balsa. Wet the outside of the contour with a little water and it takes the shape quite easily. This area will be stiffened when I use carbon fiber matt in the finishing process.

Randy,

Jack used the pill bottles on his original airplane. We can give him the credit for that idea. He also had the offset canopy.

I will add some more details to simulate the "Coal Hole" navigators window. There is no room on the model to put full details in for this. I will also add some fairings on the inboard side of the engine inlets that are on the actual airplane.

Randy,

Your picture is of the paint scheme when used a target drone.

I could also use the Red Bull air show colors, but when the contract with Red Bull was completed they paid to have the only flight worthy "Sea Vixen" repainted to the original Royal Navy colors. The new paint job was done earlier this year. That is how I will paint it.