F-18 build

Hi Lloyd, as discused earlier, here are some pictures of what i've done so far.

And here is the bird I want to replicate.

The decals come from Leading Edge Models and they produce the Australian version too.

Thanks for the comments. Looks niceYann, those Canadian markings will be eyecatching. I was tempted to do this version actually...

http://www.notebookpub.com/images/avalon%202005/FA-18-Hornet-B.jpg

The markings are available, but that might be for a future project anyway.

Yeah, I had some problems getting both those fuselage halves together. I used alot of super-glue to get them joined but even the a few joints came apart later on. I reinforced then two halve with some strips of styrene, visible in the shots.

I'm having some problems with the fit of the intakes. I will probably have to file away some areas to get the fit right. Thats the only way I can see to fix the problem.

I did some work again in the cockpit cause I was not satisfied, it's still not as I would like but I guess it's a never ending problem. 

I'm at the step of installing the intakes too.  The fit seem to be fairly good, not perfect but nothing I can't handle.

I'd recommend tamiya putty, Ive found that to be quite easy to work with. I also use masking tape alot to preserve the detail when applying the putty. Makes it so much easier!

As for the intakes, well, I'm not sure if it was something I did wrong but the fit wasn't very good. In the end, after some filing and modifications they sit in postion pretty well now. (the shot is just a test fit, they line up nearly perfectly now)

Lloyd1 wrote:

I'd recommend tamiya putty, Ive found that to be quite easy to work with. I also use masking tape alot to preserve the detail when applying the putty. Makes it so much easier!

I'll have it, but in about two weeks! Until then, I'm gonna work on the figures and weapons, there is also a lot of sanding to do so I think I have plenty of work for two weeks anyway, it's just bad that there is no hobyy shop closer.  I might get some models also, I'll look for the 1/32 Trumpeter A-7E corsair or the Mig-29 Fulcrum and some Armor, I'd like to try it.  Tamiya kits look pretty well detailed.

I've tried to eliminate the seam on the canopies, the result is not satisfying.  The Future helped alot but sanding is still apparent. With a better sanding and polishing, it will completely disappear.  I will soak it in Windex and do it again.  I have sand the canopy with 2000 grain sandpaper but I can get better result by polishing it with some nail polisher or a coffee filter.  I'll let you know how it turned out and I'll post some pictures when its done. 

That canopy has had me worried, I may hold off doing anything till the future arrives

I'm about ready to undercoat the fuselage, I'll post some shots later.

Lloyd1 wrote:

I'd recommend tamiya putty, Ive found that to be quite easy to work with. I also use masking tape alot to preserve the detail when applying the putty. Makes it so much easier! As for the intakes, well, I'm not sure if it was something I did wrong but the fit wasn't very good. In the end, after some filing and modifications they sit in postion pretty well now. (the shot is just a test fit, they line up nearly perfectly now)

Here is the fit of the intakes, a little putty will be required.

Also, here is the modified tail fins, I had to remove one fairing to make my CF-18 accurate.

I'm having a hard time right now playing with putty.  It is hard to work around the intakes with sand paper.  I would need a decent sanding stick.  Anyway, I will be ready to paint that plane real soon.  I can't wait to see the final result.

I've built my first armor while waiting for the putty to cure.  You can have a look on the Light Armor Group Build.  I liked it a lot.  I'll switch over to armor building when this CF-18 is finished.

Oh! Have you received your bottle of Future yet?

No sign of that future Yann. I hope it's not stuck in customs or anything!  Any progress on your bug?

I had some problems with the spray job on the hornet. I airbrushed it with some model master (and humbrol for the primer coat) but the paint hasn't really gone down very well.  I found that I was getting dusty build-ups in certain areas, especially in and around the intakes and sides of the fuselage. Although I could wipe this dust build-up the final look isn't very good or smooth. The paint almost looks "furry" and wiping and blowing away the dust leaves a cruddy, streaky finish.

I was wondering if any airbrush experts here could give me some advice on how to avoid this problem. I'm using a good quality aircompressor (with a moisture trap) and I'm getting the same problem with all four airbrushes I've tried out. I have the paint thinned with 60% thinners, and I try not to pull the trigger back to far and build the layers of paint up gradually, with the airbrush reasonably close to the surface. I get the impression the problem is worse when the airbrush isn't at 90 degrees to the surface when spraying, but I still get the dusty layer regardless.

Is there anything I can mix into my paint perhaps? I'd spray with gloss (assuming that's easier) but mixing the paint is a pain.

First let me say the pre-shading looks very good. That technique is always convincing on modern jet aircraft, and you nailed it. As far as your "dusty" problem...I suspect what's happening is you're getting dry bounce. When you spray the wing root, for example, the paint is bouncing up on the fuselage sides and drying. This is a common problem that many modelers experience, including myself.  Anywhere on the model that two surfaces meet perpendicular to one another can cause this. To solve this in the future, move in close to the wingroot, and with low pressure,spray the inside corner first. Then angle the spray away from the fuselage out onto the wing so as to not let the overspray bounce back onto the horizontal surface. Then, repeat the process on the fuse. not letting the overspray hit the wing. You must move in close in these areas to keep the spray pattern narrow and wet. Make sense?  If you do get some dry bounce, let the paint cure and sand the rough spots out. You're going to add clear coats later anyway.

Hope this helps. Your Hornet is coming along very nicely. Can't wait to see more.

Jerry

Thanks dragonfly, that will be a great help. I may even use some loose masks to protect the areas from the dry bounce effect. That's actually my first attempt at pre-shading, so its a little untidy but I intend to add another coat so the effect will be quite subtle, compared to the photos anyway.

My approach was to airbrush a white-primer undercoat and then I sprayed black for the pre-shading. Once the light-ghost grey goes over the top it does look quite realistic. I was quite happy with the effect, apart from airbrush issues I was having. Hopefully a wash along the panel lines will set the effect off nicely.

WOW Lloyd....sorry I missed thissi when it was first posted.  Very nice job.  The nose gear looks great... as does eveything else.