Garth Posted January 15, 2004 Posted January 15, 2004 An EA-6B and an F/A-18E. Both in 1/72, the former being the Hasegawa kit, the latter being Italeri. Thought I'd show off a bit and throw out some pictures (sorry about them being so lo-res). --Garth [Edited by Garth (15 Jan 2004).]
Garth Posted January 15, 2004 Author Posted January 15, 2004 EA-6B first. Decals are from Meteor Production's CuttingEdge line (72-206). Bit tricky getting the tail art to go on correctly. After nearly ruining the port side trying to get it into position and settled I ended up cutting the starboard side into three different pieces. For some reason the digial pictures make the frosting around the edge of the canopy look worse than it actually is ... I still need to paint up a couple of AGM-88s for the inner pylons ... and the center AN/ALQ-99 pod will eventually be replaced with a fuel tank and remounted onto the EA-18G that I'm intending to build. --Garth [Edited by Garth (15 Jan 2004).]
Garth Posted January 15, 2004 Author Posted January 15, 2004 F/A-18E. Used the TwoBobs VF-14 set on this one. Still need to arm it with something impressive ... --Garth
Jacques Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 Hiya Garth, Looks good. I am not sure if it is the camera or not, but the only thing I see that could be improved is to put a wash on it to get htose panel lines darker. Again, it just may not show up in the pics. Otherwise, they look really nice. I have to dig into my aircraft kits and start working onthem again sometime soon... (wistfully looking off into the future...)
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 Oooh! Pretty Super Hornet! Me likes it... This summer, I might be doing my first aircraft kits for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. Will be starting with an SR-71 (need to make new canopies, though, the kit ones are molded as one single canopy), and maybe do my Revell 1/72 Super Hornet as well. People like you Garth make me want to go back to my modelling roots - aircraft!
Garth Posted January 16, 2004 Author Posted January 16, 2004 Thanks for the comments! The camera washes the pictures out a bit. The superbug is supposed to look "factory new". With the Prowler, the panel lines are decently-defined to the naked eye without weathering, and I wanted the viewer's emphasis to be on the cool markings (I've have even light weathering overshadow markings in the past, so I'm a big gunshy). However, just to show that I can do weathering (hehehe), a pic of one of my other Hornet's is attached. --Garth Originally posted by Jacques:Hiya Garth, Looks good. I am not sure if it is the camera or not, but the only thing I see that could be improved is to put a wash on it to get htose panel lines darker. Again, it just may not show up in the pics. Otherwise, they look really nice. I have to dig into my aircraft kits and start working onthem again sometime soon... (wistfully looking off into the future...)
Garth Posted January 16, 2004 Author Posted January 16, 2004 If you are going to do a Super Hornet in 1/72, I'd suggest that you hold off until the Hasegawa one is released. The Revell one is just a reboxing of the Italeri offering, which has MAJOR problems (screwed up inlets, wrong speed brake, a good number of fit-related problems). OTOH, the Monogram SR-71 in 1/72 is pretty good. There are some fit problems as well, but they are "hidden" under the fuselage chine and won't be noticed unless someone picks up the model and flips it over. Next up for me is an F-102A and an RAH-66. I have an Italeri SR-71 that's going to be finished as a "B" trainer at somepoint ... I'd really like to have four (well, five, I guess) Blackbirds in my collection, besides my current "high-viz" SR-71A: an SR-71B, a YF-12 (which Italeri made, but which I can't find at a reasonable price anywhere) and another "A" in the post-reactivation lo-viz Det 2 markings. A fifth Blackbird would be a CIA A-12 single-seater ... but there isn't a 1/72 kit of that available (and Paul Boyer's recent article on how to convert one from two Italeri kits is both too expensive, and STILL doesn't result in a bird that looks like an A-12) --Garth Originally posted by Gennady I. Beregovoy:Oooh! Pretty Super Hornet! Me likes it... This summer, I might be doing my first aircraft kits for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. Will be starting with an SR-71 (need to make new canopies, though, the kit ones are molded as one single canopy), and maybe do my Revell 1/72 Super Hornet as well. People like you Garth make me want to go back to my modelling roots - aircraft!
EW Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 Good paint job on all three of them Have you found a solution to your airbsrush and PS problem yet? EW
Jacques Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 Ok Garth, Point taken...you know how to shadow and weather. I leave your models to you! Nice work on all of them, again.
Garth Posted January 17, 2004 Author Posted January 17, 2004 I think so ... preheating the paint, combined with thinning it down much further than I think rational, and the use of enamels seems to have worked. Neither of these aircraft was painted recently, tho ... the F/A-18E was "completed" about a year ago (mebbe longer, even) and left unmarked until the first of the type hit operational squadron service (and markings for them became available). Once I had a chance to apply the TwoBobs decals, all I did was snap off (ok, someone HAD to shudder at me saying that) the tails, airbrush them black (Testors MM enamel) reattach and then overcoat the aircraft with Future, apply the decals, more future and then PS dullcoat. The Prowler wasn't complete at the time of the move last May/June ... I'd finished painting the exterior (PS Acryls), but had run into MAJOR problems with a bad-batch of masking tape that left unremovable residue. This required partial repainting, again with PS Acryls, and was the source of my airbrushing problem. Since I already had a decent base coat, I just kept adding thinner until I got a consistant stream that would cover the dark residue streaks ... --Garth Originally posted by Ensign wanker:Good paint job on all three of them Have you found a solution to your airbsrush and PS problem yet? EW
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 17, 2004 Posted January 17, 2004 Too late on the warning... I got my Revell F/A-18E/F last year hehehe! Yeah, I noticed the intakes have an ugly fit (an understatement, mind you ). I'll keep an eye out for the Hasegawa kit though (if it ever reaches our shores - Hasegawa is kinda rare and expensive over here). As for the SR-71, it is by Mini-Hobby I think and I want to super-detail the cockpit and engine detail (yep, has engines included). Actually, I'm going to convert it into a hypothetical satellite interceptor, sort of an ASAT/F-15 combo. Got pix of the SR-71's or better yet the YF-12's cockpit and/or engine? Aside from adding a missile pallet something like that on the F-14 but different design (designed theoretically not to give a drag penalty so that it can still fly Mach 3.0), I'll add a FLIR up front as well. Crazy, noh? BTW, I likes that other Hornet as well. You're really making me want to go build my aircraft kits now!
Garth Posted January 17, 2004 Author Posted January 17, 2004 Saw the Hase SuperBug at my local hobby shop last night for US$24. Not bad, but the owner had an Italeri E and F on sale for $7 and $10, respectively. Decided to go with those ... reason being that I have an inflight F/A-18A/C fourship model (AMT, I think ... uses a clear acrylic disc to support the aircraft in a nice diamond formation) that I'd like to build with an E, and the F will be used for my EA-18G. I figured the Hase kit will be around for a LOOOOONG time to come ... and will eventually be available at a much lower price. As to your SR-71/ASAT combo, here's a better idea. See if you can lay your hands on (if you haven't already) the old Ertl F-15A/ASAT model (Chris at Nostalgic Plastic had two or three before he shut down his bricks & mortar operation). Then use an OVER-fuselage pylon for mounting the ASAT, as with the Blackbird M-21/D-21 combination (the Monogram SR-71 kit has this, btw ... even though the D-21 mothership was an A-12 derivative). As for pictures, there are a number of good Blackbird sites out there with pictures ... just google on "SR-71" + blackbird and start looking around. I *can* get you pictures of the ASAT ... since one of them is on display at NASM Dulles. Just let me know. --Garth Originally posted by Gennady I. Beregovoy:Too late on the warning... I got my Revell F/A-18E/F last year hehehe! Yeah, I noticed the intakes have an ugly fit (an understatement, mind you ). I'll keep an eye out for the Hasegawa kit though (if it ever reaches our shores - Hasegawa is kinda rare and expensive over here). As for the SR-71, it is by Mini-Hobby I think and I want to super-detail the cockpit and engine detail (yep, has engines included). Actually, I'm going to convert it into a hypothetical satellite interceptor, sort of an ASAT/F-15 combo. Got pix of the SR-71's or better yet the YF-12's cockpit and/or engine? Aside from adding a missile pallet something like that on the F-14 but different design (designed theoretically not to give a drag penalty so that it can still fly Mach 3.0), I'll add a FLIR up front as well. Crazy, noh? BTW, I likes that other Hornet as well. You're really making me want to go build my aircraft kits now!
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 18, 2004 Posted January 18, 2004 Cool! An over-fuselage pylon? Hmmm... interesting. What's the advantage of such a configuration, i.e. having the pylon on top rather than the conventional bottom of the fuselage? As for ASAT pics, sure if you're free. Thanks Garth! Looks like this will indeed be my first aircraft model done for quite a looooooooooong time.
Garth Posted January 19, 2004 Author Posted January 19, 2004 The BIG advantage is that putting the ASAT on top of the fuselage keeps it clean and dry. Remember that the SR-71s fuel tanks were BUILT with small cracks that expanded/closed when the aircraft reached operational speeds/temps (the airframe it self is about a foot longer at speed than it is on the ground). IOW, it was designed to leak fuel while on the ground (and it did ... a LOT of fuel). Anything mounted beneath the fuselage will inevitably end up with a nice coating of JP-8. Sure, JP-8 has a VERY high flashpoint ... but I still wouldn't try lighting off a rocket coated in the stuff. Besides that, I don't know if there are other advantages or not ... other than the fact that putting the ASAT on top will make it more "viewable", as opposed to hiding it under the fuselage. Given that the upper fuselage was the connection point for the D-21, I think that it has the benefit of being more realistic as well ... Having F-14 style pylons/fairings under the fuselage would also surely mess up the SR's pretty clean aerodynamics (the D-21 sat a bit above the fuselage and out of the over-fuselage airstream) ... even the YF-12 carried it's AIM-47s internally). I was at NASM Dulles yesterday afternoon with a friend. I might try to head over some afternoon/evening this week after work ... but will definitely be there next weekend for the DC TankNet Gathering, so expect the ASAT pics to be sent your way in a week or so. --Garth Originally posted by Gennady I. Beregovoy:Cool! An over-fuselage pylon? Hmmm... interesting. What's the advantage of such a configuration, i.e. having the pylon on top rather than the conventional bottom of the fuselage? As for ASAT pics, sure if you're free. Thanks Garth! Looks like this will indeed be my first aircraft model done for quite a looooooooooong time.
T19 Posted January 19, 2004 Posted January 19, 2004 Well I have have a lot of time on my hands right now.... stationed in Ottawa, family in Oshawa. So this past year I have build the following.1. Leo C12. M151 with Tow3. Armoured Hummv4. T80 5. 1918 Male tank6. M113 in winter white Have them on display in my living room, always gets people going - Wow!! Course then they see the pictures on the walls and there I am standing beside or in a real one. Next projects?? I have purchased on Ebay a number of Star Trek kits. I'm going to build and put on display ( like the Ward room on the NExt Gen) USS Enterprise - WW2USS Enterpise - Current in ServiceEnterprise A - current TV SeriesEnterprise - original TV seriesEnterprise CEnterprise DReliant - it was included in a kit purchase.I just need to get a Shuttle to make it complete Yes, my wife is not with me, yes she will have me put them away, and yes she has no idea how much I spent http://63.99.108.76/ubb/biggrin.gif
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 19, 2004 Posted January 19, 2004 Garth: Thanks for reminding me about the fuel leaks on the SR-71. Yeah, I remember watching a Wings episode on it, and the SR-71 did leak a lot. Apparently, I didn't think of that one when I thought of putting the ASAT under the fuselage. I'll do your suggestion - top mounted ASAT. That means I'll be riggin up something to mount the ASAT. Again, thanks very much for the info and the offer of the pix! T19: Hehehe! Good luck when your wife comes back hehehe
Michael Eastes Posted January 20, 2004 Posted January 20, 2004 I'm currently working on the command group of some Frenchmen of the Regiment de la Marine, circa 1755-65. These are pewter troops, 28mm scale. In the line are more officers and NCOs of la Marine leading couriours du bois infantry types. This is a hard era to find uniform information on. Does anyone know what French rank of that era would have looked like?
Garth Posted January 20, 2004 Author Posted January 20, 2004 Gennady, Check out the picture below ... it's of the A-12 variant with the D-21 mounted. http://www.voodoo.cz/sr71/pic/yf12d21.jpg Oh, one more quick thought ... what about drilling small reaction control thrusters into the nose? The F-15/ASAT mission profile had the launch taking place from an extreme AoA ... but still low enough where the Eagle's control surfaces would function. The SR-71 could possibly reach 120,000 feet (or even higher) in an ASAT launch scenario ... I think that you'd want SOME sort of control over the bird as she nosed over for the ride back down. --Garth Originally posted by Gennady I. Beregovoy:Garth: Thanks for reminding me about the fuel leaks on the SR-71. Yeah, I remember watching a Wings episode on it, and the SR-71 did leak a lot. Apparently, I didn't think of that one when I thought of putting the ASAT under the fuselage. I'll do your suggestion - top mounted ASAT. That means I'll be riggin up something to mount the ASAT. Again, thanks very much for the info and the offer of the pix! T19: Hehehe! Good luck when your wife comes back hehehe [Edited by Garth (20 Jan 2004).]
TonyE Posted January 20, 2004 Posted January 20, 2004 Originally posted by Michael Eastes:Does anyone know what French rank of that era would have looked like? Usually not too different from the file, although better quality uniforms. The tricorn laceband would propably have been more flamboyant and in gold/silver instead of white. Also the waistcoat (usually in facing colour) seem the have been edged in metallic colours(silver/gold). The coat would have been worn open so that the waistcoat was fairly visible. The upper part of the waistcoat would have been unbuttoned so that the neckclotch would have been more prominent. Also powdered hair would have been common, + sword knot in gold/silver. Some stuff might be found here, or atleast those who own the websites might have more answers: http://www.mike-lowery.supanet.com/recreatedunit.htm http://members.lycos.co.uk/Regiment_de_la_...de_la_reine.htm
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 21, 2004 Posted January 21, 2004 Excellent pic Garth! Thanks! Hmmm... nose mounted maneuver thrusters ala Space Shuttle. Interesting. I didn't know that bit of launching the ASAT at high AoA. Perhaps these be just small exhausts, firing off some thrust - what do they use in those EVA suits? That would do perhaps, right? Thanks for the ideas Garth! These will help me do my first aircraft kit for years! Can't wait for end of March to start. Keep the info and suggestions comin'! Very much appreciated! Michael: Hey, I've been imagining how your airplane kits and figures look like. Do you have a camera or some pix online on them? I'd like to see your seaplane collection. [Edited by Gennady I. Beregovoy (21 Jan 2004).]
Garth Posted January 21, 2004 Author Posted January 21, 2004 Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of the RCS system carried by the NF-104 testbed. You don't need anything as big as the STS has ... a couple small, almost pin-hole sized thrusters drilled into the top and bottom of the nose should work fine. I haven't found a good pic of the NF-104s thrusters on-line ... but someone did build a model of it. The two thrusters can be seen on the top of the nose, in the anti-glare paint, between the cockpit and the radome: http://miniaturesbygarcia.50megs.com/page326.html What you might consider doing would be to drill the RCS holes, then put a warning box around them with a warning triange on either side. Just a thought ... --Garth Originally posted by Gennady I. Beregovoy:Excellent pic Garth! Thanks! Hmmm... nose mounted maneuver thrusters ala Space Shuttle. Interesting. I didn't know that bit of launching the ASAT at high AoA. Perhaps these be just small exhausts, firing off some thrust - what do they use in those EVA suits? That would do perhaps, right?
Gennady I. Beregovoy Posted January 22, 2004 Posted January 22, 2004 Ahhhhh... okay I thought it was a somewhat complex system. That small eh? Great! I'll do your suggestions. Thanks again!
Michael Eastes Posted January 23, 2004 Posted January 23, 2004 Project #2: Flower class corvette, to be converted for radio control. Hull is built; progress is halted until power and control hardware can be obtained and installed. Current plan calls for ship to be converted to a late 40s-early 50s Soviet recon vessel,with helo deck and MI-1 helicopter on floats.
Jacques Posted January 24, 2004 Posted January 24, 2004 Micheal, the current plan sounds pretty awesom. Have fun with the MI-1...We will definately need to see pics of this when done.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now