EA-18G 1:32 Build

Hey JVincent...I'd love to see the pictures of your build, but they appear to link to a Dropbox account.  You'll probably want to review the section on posting pictures to this site.  At a minimum you'll likely need to make the Dropbox folder public or something like that.  There's a bunch of helpful folks here on this forum that can help you.  Good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing your Growler!

Chuck Davis

Hey Guys sorry for the mix up on the pictures I will get these set up another way. 

Best, J

I hotlink photos from photobucket. Back in the day I used to hotlink from geocities.  

Ok Sorry about that and the photos lets see if this work a normaly used to inserting directly in the forum was hoping Dropbox would work lets see if this works. I think i will just make an album and keep it updated.

http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Jvincentrs4/library/EA-18G%20Build?sort=6&page=1. 

Hello, 

So small update i was hoping to get more done yesterday but well did not happen was busy with some architecture stuff. But I did manage 3d model the new pods did not take to long. I did this in maya 2016 and used polygon modeling so that its is always solid and water tight for the 3d printing process.

I used what is called open subdivision its pixar technology inside maya so I can model at a low polygon level and add creases to get sharp geometry and then at the end convert that to a normal poolygon mesh. After that I used the boolen cmd to create the areas were it would clamp together and be fastened. 

I think it went well I wish i had some exact dimensions but i can not even find much info on this pod just have see alot of the more recent pictures using this and wanted to see if i could make it work. So i messurerd the model and went from there. I will do a test print and see how it looks and adjust from there. 

I am hoping to drill out the ECS pipes but am a bit nervious any advice will be welcome. 

Here is a link the the pod photos

http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Jvincentrs4/library/EA-18G%20Build/3d%20Growler%20Probe?sort=6&page=1

The Growler really is a great looking aircraft, much sleeker than the EA6 Prowler. Look forward to seeing your work!

Hello,

Well I have not had much time to work on this build was a busy year with our first daughter and of course work and what not.  Anyway getting back into the saddle this will still not be a speed build and I am ok with that quality over quanity. 

So, I defaulted to my comfort zone and took another look at the TACT Pod in Maya. I got the Modern Super Hornent book by Jake Melampy and it had some nice shots in there. So here are some new screen caps from Maya of the 3d TACT pod. I exported this to Rhino this evening and ran through the stl check process and we are good to go. Its scaled to 1/32 so I will send these to the 3d printer tomorrow. We will see how the parts come out of the 3d printer some detail has been left of since it will not show at this scale.

I also Added some more etched parts will take some pics of that as well. Crazy I know but I think I got all the after market mods possible I did the Rhino seemles intakes as well. So this will be great or a bust.  

I also have been spending a insane amount of time looking for decals with not much luck, I did finaly find a place that will scan a 1:48 set and redo the work to 1:32. This is not the best thing but I can not even get the orginal maker to scale them up even if I pay extra and I am willing to pay for sure. So if anyone knows of somone who will do some custom decals please chime in. 

I am going with the vx-9 Vampires based out of china lake. I live in Southern California and recently took a trip up to the Jedi Transition it was insane super fun. So all said I am going to go with this scheme or maybe die trying but I have faith.  

Ok here is a few screen shots of the new TACT pod I will post pics of the 3d printed parts when they are done. I hope to be back on this. 

If anyone has some insite on this decal issue let me know.....

http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Jvincentrs4/library/EA-18G%20Build/TACT%20Probe

Jimmy 

Hello everyone,

i am not quite there yet and this will be a super newbie questions and I am sure it has a million answers, but would like to know in regards to paint.

Enamel vs Acrylic I have been reading all over the place and still am not super sure. I understand the difference so it's not a issue there I am a little hung up on some parts. 

Like clearing acrylic all I keep seeing is vanish is this the same as clear. 

It also seems that some do brush work much better than others. 

Last st would be nice to hear what paint companies people like the most either enamel or acrylic. There are so many choices so some good words of wisdom would be really appreciated.

thanks, J 

Hello, 

So small bit of work tonight  drilled out the one ECS pipe, first time doing this so was a little nervous but got a solid fit. Started the drilling on the other side but will finish tomorrow eveining. Thanks Bimski for the tip on doing this took a bit but i think it went smooth. 

Also was able to find a company that produces decals and they are going to reproduce the vx-9 vampire decals i have in 1:48 so got those cut out and getting them sent off. So we will see how that goes. 

http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Jvincentrs4/library/EA-18G%20Build/ECS%20Pipe%20Part%201

J 

as a point of interest... the Royal Australian AirForce will be aquiring 12 Growlers thru 2018. dont know which squadron, but i believe we have aircrew training with the USN's VAQ training outfit(Whidbey Island NAS ?).

approved really quickly thru FMS(foreign military sales)...just shows how close are the ties between US and aussie forces.

kris

Hello, 

A couple photos of the Front Fuselage, Radar and Front Wheel bay glued up. Went ok i think some sanding and a little filing and think it should be good. Its crazy all the nice tools that are out there now for glueing really makes it alot more enjoyable. 

Still have a bunch of Photoetched work to do but waiting for some things in the mail to make that task a little nicer. 

best, J

Hello, 

Little bit of work on the intakes. Used a method I saw posted here and used white semi gloss house paint to coat the inside of the intakes. I did not do a full dip just taped off the bottom and filled the intakes and then removed the tape and let the paint out. Everything is the first time so was fun and the reult is super clean. Worked the exterior seem out by wet sanding even though it wont be seen. Will clean the outside up once they are done drying. 

 I have the after market intakes from rhino but there is some detail that is missing on those so they wont be used a little bummer but oh well. Going slow but lots going on so happy with how its going so far. 

Hello, 

A little  photo etched work on the front fuselage and wheel bay, this work still just has me on the edge of the seat not that I dont find it fun just maybe not as relaxing but thats ok. Also did one more dip on the intakes to hide the seam on the inside a little better. Of course any comments or suggestions or crituques are more than welcome. I have learned so much from the forum. I am not as fast as some here for sure but its my first build so feel better going slow. 

rowdy

as a point of interest... the Royal Australian AirForce will be aquiring 12 Growlers thru 2018. dont know which squadron, but i believe we have aircrew training with the USN's VAQ training outfit(Whidbey Island NAS ?).

RAAF Number 6 squadron

The aircraft that are deployed in the USN and RAAF are painted in a low visibility scheme. The top side is Dark Ghost Gray (fs36320) (i think, and bottom Light Ghost Gray (fs36375). The brightly painted aircraft are fewer in number. The brightest is the "wing commander's" plane, the the less bright aircraft are the "squadron commander's" aircraft. Since you never know which plane you are flying until you are on deck its kind of symbolic. 

EDIT:

Dark Ghost Gray is FS36320

Light Ghost Gray is FS36375

we will see how this one goes but would be fun I think to do one in this scheme. I guess finding the decals would be the hardest part. 

Thanks so much for the info really interesting. 

The decal set should be marked as low visibility markings. 

Hello, 

Little work on the lower half. Glued up the intakes and bottom, have some joints masked off that still need to get some filling. Still working some things out on this. Fit was ok couple things to fix up towards the intakes. Also drilled and cut the vents out and added styrene to the back for a little more depth( I owe this one to Bimski build ). Finished all the photo etched parts in the wheel bays. So will prime this up when i get the seems fleshed out. 

Have a great 4th everyone. 

Hi, JV,

Looks like a challenging build. Best of luck and I'll be watching.

Cheers,

Russ