1/24 A-Wing buildup

 May I ask where you got this kit?  The Awing is one of my favorite designs and I have been wanting to build one forever

smeagol the vile wrote:

May I ask where you got this kit?  The Awing is one of my favorite designs and I have been wanting to build one forever

Hi,

 While I "know" the maker of this kit, first, the client mailed it to me. Then since the builder of the kit, 'ModelNutz' and I share another forum I usually contact him by PM 'over there'? But I have sent a PM to request contact info which I will then post here for you and anyone else who wants to inquire about his offerings, which are not limited to this kit! He makes some excellent subjects and has proven to offer service second to none!

You can order this kit by contacting ModelNutz at holthill@aol.com

 The replacement parts and "upgraded" parts arrived from ModelNutz and they're all great.

Thanks again for that customer service Ed!

What are the 'upgrades'?  I bought this kit about 3 months ago.  Haven't started yet but am curious to see what might have been changed.

Thanks.

ouizel wrote:

What are the 'upgrades'?  I bought this kit about 3 months ago.  Haven't started yet but am curious to see what might have been changed.   Thanks.

While I don't know when they went into effect, the kit's guns now incorporate aluminum tubing and of course hold their shape better as well as simply look nicer. Then too I believe ModelNutz looked over my photo carefully and maybe some parts were missing (the client had this on the shelf for some time) because I also received some cockpit panels and the noticeably absent pilot with builder's choice of two different heads/helmets. Again, probably just due to "age"and storage, this kit had a badly warped and twisted canopy frame which again, was replaced!

You just can't ask, let alone expect, customer service to get any better than that!

I think the only difference between what you cited and mine are the aluminum gun parts - which I was planning on re-making anyway.

Thanks!

Getting back to this one I've fashioned lil toggle switches for the dash as well as placing some FO in places to accompany the main screens. The upper four lights, above the top main screen switch hues and then flash while the lower three lights above the toggle switches simply flash on/off red. Here's a few pics during various phases of the light changes.

ScottN wrote:

those light are tremendous. Spectacular look. How did you get the glow on the screens?

While there are lotsa good ways to do it- I didn't have any light filter material that would disperse everything evenly so instead I built a small enclosure for a bright LED below the panel with an access slot, coated the entire inside of that with foil, the inside of the dash with silver paint and then sanded the backside of the screens with 600grit. That gave indirect, difused lighting so the hot spots on the screen are minimized.

And, thank you for the kind words. 

The wings warped a tad while being stored so off they go for a nice dip in warm water.

First real hot water and then laid in a cradle that supported the wings straight. Let cool a bit and then plopped in the freezer for a couple of minutes. All good, straight and locked in place now.

The thoughtfulness behind this kit carries right into the engine can base which is shaped somewhat like a flashlight's reflector cone. A hard shape to cover in foil but more effective for lighting. I used BareMetal brand chrome foil and burnished it heavily to minimize the wrinkles while it tried to conform. In this instance, the effect will outweigh the "beauty" (or lack of).

The cast in sidewalls have been removed (on one side) and the opening reshaped as well as a "trough" cut to receive the new backwall with it's details.


Compared to the remaining stock side.

And here's all the Evergreen stock you'll need to replicate what was there.

Buddho wrote:

My goodness...that instrument panel is fabulous....this is one top notch build.

Thank you for those very kind words.

Woody wrote:

Wow is that ever cool! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished model.

Ya know, I wish the builder would hurry up and display the finished piece too!

Thanks!

And here's a new gun mount shoulder.

So, here's an engine light test.

BTW- those darker pictures aren't taken in the "dark". They're just one with no flash and regular bright room lighting and then the direct look in is with flash as well?
Ummmm, it's so bright that I made the mistake of looking into it? I'm still "sunspotted"??? ::)

After studying the studio filming mini I realized all of the sidewall detail with that torpedoe launch bay had been "added"? Now the Studio mini has a flat rear wall but I went with the thought that any engineer would have made it a "tube".

I've "frenched" styrene tubing into the sides and just need to do some finish work. IMHO it will look the part but also in my opinion, it will just look "right", if that makes sense?

3d-modeler wrote:

It makes a lot of sense....thought you were safe here nice try!!!LOL Looking excellent all over the place looking forward to paint and beauty shots of my favorite fighter!!!

Are you stalking me?

LOOK, over there. SHINEY! (As I runaway!)

Thanks MP!