1/72 Airfix Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558

Referance 1:
She's being converted so that she can have the option of being a Tanker. 

Referance 2:
Just a cool Vulcan picture. 

I believe this is the first photo I took during the build process of the Airfix Vulcan.
She didn't even have the tail boom installed! 

I started this bird back in 2014 at my first Home, I didn't even have a workbench! 

Now she's looking like a Vulcan! 

All filled and sanded. 

After a few issues I decided to replace all the antenna for smaller, more realisticly sized ones. 

Another angle, I masked the canopy too. 

The last photo before I moved. 

Once I had moved house I decided to prime the Vulcan in Citidel White Sprey Priner because that's all I ever used at the time! 

Then after 6 years of being half built I decided that the Vulcan needs finishing.
I start with drawing the lines for the Camo pattern. 

Airbrushed Aggressor Grey. 

My Mrs painted the camo. 

She did a great job! 

I've searched and these 2 Wheels are the "only" parts missing.
My best mate has come to the rescue with a spare set of replacement wheels. 

For the first time since I moved house in 2014 she is back on her landing gear! 

I've added the 2 Wing pylons too.
I've always thaught the Vulcan really suits having wing pylons. 

The gear legs are now painted black. 

And detailed red and silver areas. 

Gear Wells are now masked for brush painting a white looking Light Grey colour. 

I'm still finding more areas to repaint. 

Gear finished! 

Years after loosing the antenna off the centre of the nose and recently loosing one of the side pitot tubes, I scratch built a set.
I've noticed this clear part has fogged and needs painting black. 

OK this is getting weird......
After almost 10 years of looking like a big white primer toy, she looks like an actual model again! 

And I may have found a way to make all tyres touch the ground! 

Engines have quite successfully been sllvered! 

Also the 2 silvery/brown areas on the stem of the tail have been masked and painted. 

And the paintwork has been finished and a good coat of Klear applied. 

Decalling is underway! 

And.... 

She's.... 

FINISHED!!!!!!!! 

In all seriousness after 10 years in the making she deserved something special!!! 

After some fitting issues experienced with fitting the 2 Pylons they have now been fitted.

Also the first pod to be adapted to 558 is a Data Link Pod bought for her main role. 

The pod sits very nicely. 

So she's been sitting gathering dust for a while 

She needs a clean! 

Belly shot after cleaning. 

The other side of the belly shot. 

I've added "AIRBUS" titles to the right hand gear door. 

And I've added the Airbus Logo and "MILITARY" to the left hand gear door. 

This is a set of custom made Hose and drogue pods I made out of an electronic Warfare pods I had out of the roden AN-12 Cub. 

 

I further modified the pod taking off the 2 side bumps, drilled out the tip and added a 2 bladed Ram Air Turbine from the Revell Tornado kit. 

Another view of the Hose and Drogue carrying refueling pods that have been magnet fitted to the wing pylons. 

I've taken the decision to add a little something to the tailbone of XH558 to help with the Tanker Role.
For this I've removed the bump under the fuselage to add the drogue housing.
Unfortunately this anglengives a rear view of the none existent Olypus engines.
I might have to fix that 1 day...... 

Well its on!
I'm toying with the idea of having it white like some of the K.2's had but im not sure. 

I had to use abit of filler as it didn't quite sit properly. 

I decided to just carry on with the camo onto the K.2 drogue housing pod plus the Black and white stripe guide markings.
 

I've added an upgrade of a duel antenna/pitot tube for increased accuracy and communication between Tanker and chick. 

I added in abit of detail to the drogue and the "traffic lights". 

An overview of the Vulcan K.2's overall look with 3 baskets. 

Looks good to me!
I think a Rolls Royce Olympus 202 upgrade is definitely needed!