Tamiya Douglas F4D-1 Skyray

Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Tamiya Douglas F4D-1 Skyray

Posted by Texgunner on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 7:16 PM

Well, I finally finished another one. This Skyray was started around 3 years ago and got put aside half-finished, while I built the MiG-17. Then it just sat with plastic wrap drapped over it. Until about a month ago. I "resumed" the build and finally placed the last parts on Saturday morning.

The gull gray is ModelMaster enamel as is the bottom Insignia White. The wing walks are Humbrol dark gull gray. The decals are a mixture of the kit's and spares from my decals. At first, I really thought about building a "clean" Skyray, and just dig it's cool lines but sure enough, I succumbed to gaudying her up with a full load-out; rocket pods, drop tanks, AIM 9B and NAV-PAC. I used EZ Masks for the canopy and painted the plane with my Paasche H. The paint job seemed simple at first, but there seemed to be endless masking jobs involved. I am just really glad to call her done! Here are some pics from this morning's session at the Cameron Airport. It was heating up quite nicely out there,on the way to a heat index of 108 by 5 pm! Big Smile

Thanks for taking a look!

Gary

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

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Toshi

Member since
March 2015
From: Streetsboro, Ohio

Posted by Toshi on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 7:33 PM

Awesome completion and a fine build sir!

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi

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plasticjunkie

Member since
November 2008
From: Central Florida

Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 8:05 PM

Outstanding work as usual Gary, both in modeling and photography Yes . 108!!! no way Jose. I think I must have been a penguin in my previous life cuz I love cold weather.

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

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jeaton01

Member since
December 2002
From: Northern California

Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 9:40 PM

Very neat and clean, Gary. Well done.

John

To see build logs for my models: http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

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Aggieman

Member since
January 2015
From: Katy, TX

Posted by Aggieman on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 10:50 PM

Nice job on the Skyray, although I am mildly surprised it did not start to melt with all the heat we have had in Texas recently.

i built this same kit many years ago because I really liked the look of this aircraft that I was not familiar with at the time; when looked at from above or below, it had the look of something out of George Lucas' galaxy far, far away in Star Wars.

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plasticjunkie

Member since
November 2008
From: Central Florida

Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 7:25 AM

Aggieman

Nice job on the Skyray, although I am mildly surprised it did not start to melt with all the heat we have had in Texas recently.

LOL. I'm surprised the tires did not get flat spots on them!

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

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Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Posted by Texgunner on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 9:06 AM

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen! There are a lot of glitches on the "Ford", but I overlooked them in an effort to move forward. At the rate I work, correcting every error would result in too much time on this bird.

You know, I was thinking about that as I photographed this one. Way back before I had a digital camera, pictures of my planes were rare, and I got a lot more building done. Once I began taking pics, and even posting them for others to see, I noticed that I became more and more "neurotic" about the models. Now, I want to finish more builds and enjoy it more too. I guess I've sort of "plateaued" when it comes to modeling. Thanks for the comments thus far!

Oh, about the heat; after I had been out on the tarmac for about 1 1/2 hours, I got an error message on my camera-data card error. I have never seen this before and wondered if the heat out there was the reason.

Gary

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

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Fly-n-hi

Member since
December 2006
From: Phoenix, AZ

Posted by Fly-n-hi on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 9:38 AM

Great work! That turned out fantastic! Very flawless! Yes

[URL=http://picasion.com/]

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Buckeye

Member since
February 2007
From: Brunswick, Ohio

Posted by Buckeye on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 11:20 AM

Nice build of a cool plane. Yes

Mike

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PaulBoyer

Member since
January 2007

Posted by PaulBoyer on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 4:55 PM

Beautiful! 1/48 or 1/72?

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Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Posted by Texgunner on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 5:08 PM

PaulBoyer

Beautiful! 1/48 or 1/72?

Thanks Paul, sorry though, it's 1/48. Wink

Thanks Fly-n-hi and Mike! I'm glad you like the Ford, much appreciated.

Gary

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

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wolfhammer1

Member since
March 2009
From: Yorkville, IL

Posted by wolfhammer1 on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 9:02 PM

Love the Ford, and the model turned out great! Good job. John

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crown r n7

Member since
August 2015
From: the redlands Fl

Posted by crown r n7 on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 9:34 PM

very nice factory fresh I always wanted to build one

Nick.

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Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Posted by Texgunner on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 10:54 PM

Thanks John and crown! Much appreciated!! Big Smile

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

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lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, August 20, 2015 1:28 AM

Simply stunning....You have some of the best photography I've ever seen...

"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

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Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Posted by Texgunner on Thursday, August 20, 2015 8:58 AM

lawdog114
Simply stunning....You have some of the best photography I've ever seen...

Oh man, thanks so much Joe! What a fantastic compliment sir! You know how it works though; take 40 or 50 shots and hope for a few good ones. I don't think I'm much of a photographer really but sometimes I get lucky and pull off a nice shot. (much like when I'm actually shooting firearms as well, lol) Actually, one of my principal reasons for taking the airport pcs was that all my indoor pics sucked so bad. Still do. Wink I'm just not set up for or maybe smart enough for good indoor photography. So, the airport remains my favorite venue! Thanks a million Joe! Beer

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"

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wolfhammer1

Member since
March 2009
From: Yorkville, IL

Posted by wolfhammer1 on Saturday, August 29, 2015 9:33 PM

Tex, what kind of camera are you using? I find that I can get some decent shots inside, but I have to make sure I am on the right settings. I know there are several semi-professional photograhers on this forum that maybe could help. That being said, your outdoor work is great.

John

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Texgunner

Member since
February 2003
From: Cameron, Texas

Posted by Texgunner on Sunday, August 30, 2015 9:27 AM

wolfhammer1

Tex, what kind of camera are you using? I find that I can get some decent shots inside, but I have to make sure I am on the right settings. I know there are several semi-professional photograhers on this forum that maybe could help. That being said, your outdoor work is great.

John

First, thanks so much! The "magic" of digital photography, eh? Take 50 shots and hope for a couple good ones! My current camera is a Canon SX160 IS (point and shoot). I've had it about 4 or 5 years now, a lot of the aircraft pics I've posted were shot with an older digital "clamshell" camera, a Konica/Minolta DiMage G600 (bought it refurbed for $90). I actually enjoyed using it more than the Canon, which seems overly complicated and fussy to me. I image one could get some really great pics with the little Canon if they bothered to "learn" the OS. Me, I'm just bumbling along. Wink The very first digital airplane pics I made were with an even older Sony. Planes like my J7W3 Shinden and Monogram F-86F were shot with that.

If I had the room, I might set up a photo station inside, with appropriate lighting and back-drops, but I don't have room so therefore I depend on the outside airport scene. Until they run me off that is... Big Smile

"All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!"