F-22 Group Build!

hello Im new here to the forum and I have been chasing the italeri's raptor for about 5 or more years and finally got one but I want to build it as the new raptors with themetalic shine color and the gold tinted canopy so I may take a long time to build it experimenting with the color mixing ,tinting the canopy etc and getting the decals of the Tyndal or the Alaska raptors  I have been looking for this model pics but there are only a few ones so keep posting your pics here aswell

Greetings 

I'd like to join in this little party

I have an Italeri 1/72 scale YF-22.  Since this goes till May '08, I will have time to wrap up my other builds first.

Step 3

Now we need to mod the lower nose half.

Note BLUE. You need to slowly remove this area in the shape of a "V". Test fit the nose to the upper nose and the lower body all together to make sure you are still in the right tracks. AT THE SAME TIME, note RED, file down the sides so the nose can slip between the intakes. Just file a little, cut a little till the nose sits into it's original tabs. 

During this you will make a small hole at the bottom of the gear bay. It's just enough a hole will appear, just putty this up later.

Once everything is all glued up, you'll want to remove the "bump" just behind the gear bay and mold a new on out of putty.I have not gotton this far so I don't have any photos of this step at this time.

Step 2.

This is the hardest part, so take your time!

Take the upper body/nose and the lower body and dry fit them together using the tabs in the wings. You'll be able to see right away the angle you'll need to start cuting.

Note RED. I just slowly removed a little bit at a time on both sides, on the bottom half only, till the top matches up and the gaps are gone!

Note YELLOW. Next you'll want to do the same thing to the inside of the intakes. Just file away till everything is flush again.

Oh boy I hope I can explain this as good as I can model. 

One thing to keep in mind is... this is ALOT easier then it looks/sounds. So don't make it harder. Make a few small cuts at a time and test fit 10 times!

Step 1.

Remove the blue shaded tab on the upper nose.

Mark a spot about 4.5mm from the rear edge of the upper nose on both sides. Cut a slight arc from the 4.5mm point back to the center of the rear edge of the upper nose half, then repeat the other side. The smoother the line, the less putty you use later. Test fit the upper nose to the upper body, file till everything is straight.

Then glue the upper nose to the upper body. I added some styrene and putty on the underside to re enforce the parts together. Remember you gotta do alot of sanding to remove the hump from Italeri. Add putty to the top for any gaps... and bring out the sand paper!

I spent hours sanding the back of this plane. This step needs to be made no matter what, even if you don't mod the Raptor you'll still need to sand this baby good. So don't turn away now!

I used 5 different grits... the first being M-100. The final being 2000. I think. I'll still do a bit more before I paint.

Now You'll also need to make the gun port longer, since this area got shorter with the cut. I went toward the tail since the prototype shows the door stopping right at the mark we made the cut. So in fact we are making the door correct!

Ok I think we are done with top. Easy right?

Step 2 soon.

Updates!!! 

Cockpit, weapon bays, grilles and more!

Nothing is complete, but I'm workin'!!! Top and bottom are still not together, so I can't work on seams and gaps. I did install the engine and ducts. I'm in the middle of building new intakes and a center weapon bay. Side bays are just getting started. There is alot going on in there!!! 

The cockpit had a make over. I'm about 75% done... lots to add!!!    I threw a bit of paint on the seat to check out my putty marks. Nothing is complete.

How does she look so far? Sorry about the water! I just washed the model for the photos and I forgot to dry a few areas. 

Eddie......on the 1/48th F-22A....we're still waiting for the photo or image of "where to cut the nose"  that you promised....myself and I'm sure others would sure appreciate the info....by the way,  beautiful job on your F-35 so far...

"THUDNUTZ" (Jerry Robinson)  in Duluth, MN USA

SSgtD6152 wrote:

How about Starscrem form the new Transformer Move, he is a F-22 will that be cool?

If you can find a model or want to scratch build him I'll put you down on the list. Just give me the model, squadron and scale information and you'll be all set!

Sorry, I've been out taking photos of the real Raptors!

 All I have done is add a bunch of putty and I'm letting it dry real good.

 Yes I can make a little photo showing where I made the cuts.

 Here are a few photos I took 2 weeks ago. I hope they help fire up a few people to join this group build!

 I saw Raptor 063 and 066 from Langly AFB, out here in Sunny California. Nothing compares to these birds, they are AMAZING!!!

Midnite Storm !   

It's been a while since you posted the F-22A progress ( June 3rd ),  and I wonder how your "Raptor"  is coming along......it sure would be "neat"  if you could post pictures or diagrams showing how & where you made "cuts"  ( maybe a "dotted-line" image),  to modify the "nose" stance & intake work.   I'm completely "stumped"  as how to go about it !

 Thanks,

Gerald T. "THUDNUTZ"  Robinson

Duluth, MN USA

 I'm about ready to rip the dang hook out of this model! It has given me nothing, but h*ll so far. Nothing fits and the I went to sand it and the doors sunk into the opening. So now I'm going to tear everything out and fill it with putting and I'll scribe it later. UGH!

 Photos of the new nozzles. This was another area bugging me. The models nozzels are to long and don't get me started on the gap. Thank you Edaurd for saving this area! This mod is a real pain in the rear, but I think I got it to a point where it looks correct. Now I need to build the walls and latches and all of the little gizmos in that area. Only one side is cut open so far. Before I shorten the nozzles any more I was going to get some feedback from you guys.

 Now I know I still need to add walls and braces, also I need to putty the area and blend the nozzle top to the bottom, but any feedback is welcomed. I want this area to be perfect.

Photos photos photos!

 Ok here we have the new correct nose angle. Keep in mind the parts are only dry fitted. There are no gaps when I press the body together. The model also now has the correct intake size and shape.

Bottom view. The intakes are glued, but nothing else. I have not even started to work on this area. I just wanted to show off the fit before I putty and sand everything. The only area that needs work is just behind the wheel bay, that small hump needs to be blended together.

Here is the cockpit about 80% done. Lots to do behind the seat and along the rails.

Another view.

After dry fitting all the parts for my 1/48th scale model, I could help but notice the model is incorrect in many places. One spot I just can stand is the nose. The model's nose is straight and alined with the body, the real birds nose is angled down from the intakes on.

 So after about 4 hours of homework I figured out a way to mod my model to look like the real bird. It went together smoother then in my mind. With everything dry fitted, I'm VERY happy with my nose job. I can post photos if anybody wants them? I don't even know if anybody is looking at this post.

 I found a pair of drop tanks and modded them to match the prototype photos.  I still need to do a little work to them. While I was working under the wings I thought I would work on the wings as well, so I ended up cutting all of the flaps and front wing tip off. This way I can later mount them in a relaxed postion. I'm finding in photos, that they only relax a tiny bit, but it's noticible.

 I also completed the cockpit area (minus the HUD) and it's all ready for paint. Next on the list is the canopy. I need to build it up and add the defoggers and handles, along with a lip.

It seems like I've done a ton of work, but nothing shows yet. Still a bunch of parts in the box.

Photos at request!

Sorry, mine is also the Italeri kit.. Got my brands mixed up..

Chris 

Well, I'm off to a good start! I started out by trimming and test fitting parts from my Italeri kit tonight. I'm pretty happy with the fit, but I've very upset about the lack of detail. So after spending many hours searching the net I was able to find and order replacement parts and detail kits to upgrade this bird. I also ordered a set of decals for both Edwards AFB and Nellis AFB markings. I'll choose my bird's skin later in time. I found two cockpits that are nothing like each other in the sale photos, so I ordered both and I'll compare them to the photos I took a few years ago of a F-22A's cockpit at Edwards AFB and keep the best rep. I'm still looking for some 600 Gal. drop tanks to mount under the wings.

Here are the 1:48 oob parts.

I'm also working on a 1/144 kit as well. I'm going to take a Trumpeter YF-22 and mod it into a F-22A. Looking at the kit it's going to ba ALOT of work, but well worth it in the end.

Here are the 1:144 oob parts.

I'm also working on getting a 1/200th scale F-22A Raptor to build as well.

It is the 1/48 Revell kit..

Chris 

What scale and model make do you have?

I'm going to make a list of people joining in. I think a year would make a good deadline, but I'll get an exact date as more people join in on the fun.

You can count me in.. I started an F/A-22 about 6 months ago, but shelved it until we return to Aus at the end of the year.. If the build has a decent life, then I will certainly join back up later on..

Chris