| Hawk
Trainer cockpit model for the Dubai
Airshow
Prototype
Parts Ltd were approached by Rapier Design to produce
a near full scale replica model of a BAE Hawk Trainer
cockpit, in civilian livery, to be installed as the
centrepiece of the Hawk Experience theatre at the Dubai
International Airshow (11th – 15th Nov 2007).
The
brief for the model was tight it needed to be finished
within 7 weeks with the cockpit canopy indicated by
sheets of edge-lit blue perspex, the light source to
be contained in the bottom of the cockpit floor. The
total weight of the model, including the perspex, lighting
and the shell had to weigh less than 450 Kg and fit
into a packing case, to allow it to be airfreighted
to various airshows, the first being Dubai. Our in-house
model-makers have made various models for both Rapier
and BAE before so the size and quality required proved
to be no problem.
The
internet proved to be a rich source of photographs of
the Hawk trainer and cross sectional drawings were supplied
by BAE / Rapier. From these, a male “buck” was hand
built and a fibreglass mould produced. A GRP shell was
laid up in the tool and once removed was finished ready
for painting in the silver and black livery. Decals
were applied later by Rocket Graphics.
11
sheets of blue tinted perspex were laser cut into the
correct profile of the canopy, and with the edges finely
polished were fitted into a laser cut slotted floor.
Illumination Ltd inserted the lighting unit into the
base at the last moment.
The
whole model was then finally assembled and polished,
before being loaded into a bespoke carrying container,
ready for shipping.
The
project was completed in budget and on time to be shipped
to Dubai where the cockpit was installed as the centerpiece
in the Hawk Experience theatre on the BAE stand (designed
by Rapier Design) which proved to be a great success
.
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