1:48 F-111 Aardvark - Pitot Tube

MASTER 1:48: pitot tube for the F-111 Aardvark

A metal accessory to a kit, not an aircraft model. The set holds a turned pitot tube in 1:48 scale for the F-111 Aardvark. On this type the probe is long and projects far ahead of the nose, so in plastic it is practically impossible to make it straight and thin enough at once. A metal part manages both, and on top of that it survives contact with a hand and with the lid of a display case.

The real subject

The General Dynamics F-111 was a two-seat twin-engine aircraft with a swing wing, intended for long-range strikes against ground targets. It entered service at the end of the 1960s and appeared in several versions differing in equipment and role. Its cockpit with side-by-side seats and its long nose are characteristic.

Fitting and painting tips

With long probes it pays to think ahead about what will happen to the model afterward. A metal tube does not bend as easily as a plastic one, but in transport it is still the first candidate for a knock, so choose a display case or a carrying box that leaves a few centimeters of free space around the nose. When fitting, drill the hole exactly on the axis of the fuselage and, before the glue dries, check the model from the front rather than only from the side; a drooping or twisted probe otherwise only shows on the finished build. Degrease the metal before painting and use a primer for metal, or simply darken the part and leave it in bare metal.

Who the set is for

• Builders of F-111 models in 1:48 scale
• Those who take their models to exhibitions and competitions
• Modelers whose long plastic probe has bent or broken off
• Builds with an emphasis on precise nose geometry

This is an accessory for modelers. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.