My AV-22, a new type of "Spooky" or "Spectre"

Thanks for the compliments, everyone, I appreciate them.

There isn't an "in depth" article per se, but I'm happy to share with you how I did the MARPAT.  Believe it or not, this is the third time I've attempted the digital scheme on a model.  I think this one turned out the best, by far.  The materials required are masking tape, a sharp #11 blade, a straight edge, and time.

First, I lay down the base coat/lightest color and let it cure.  Then I take a strip of tape, stick it to my cutting pad and start slicing rectangles and squares of different sizes.  The key, I've found, is keeping the tape bits all aligned along the long axis of the model, otherwise you get more of a splinter effect than the grid-like digital look.  Once I have enough tape on the kit, I spray the next color, and let its just lather, rinse, repeat for each successive color.  Depending on drying/curing time, I've done the whole thing in a couple of days from start to finish.  Once the last color is on and dry, start peeling off the tape and you'll have MARPAT in no time. 

You could also take the tape off between each color/layer and see how that works.  I might go that route on the next MARPAT project I come up with. 

I was still picking bits of tape off this one up until the final flat coat went on, they had blended in so well...

Howdy LemonJello,

 

I have watched your progress for some time on this particular project {albeit from the balchony} and have enjoyed every single episode of the journey : - )

 Well Done!!!  A fantastic accomplishment with not only a little attended subject matter, but a version of such that the Marines should probably be taking notes on!   Bloody good on ya mate!!

 

BUT......before I sign off.  Am I blind, or did I miss the 'in-depth' painting article you did on that magnificent digital camo paint job you performed on your little beauty!??!

I mean......there IS an 'in-depth' article {insert fingers crossed smiley face here} about this isn't there?

 

warm regards,

 

Tread. 

Wow, congrats on a great Osprey! A great concept, and very well-executed to boot... this Marine approves!

Maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough, but you're the first person I've ever seen who has been brave enough to try putting digital camo on a model. Looks like you handled it just fine, would you mind sharing your method? I'm guessing lots of tedious masking was involved, unless you found a shortcut I'm just not smart enough to think of.

Again, great work, you've got a first-rate build there!

I put a last flat coat on it this afternoon; the gloss just didn't sit right with me.  Thanks for all the compliments and comments on this one. 

Now onto the next build...

NICE Osprey!  I love that paint scheme! Thanks for sharing.

   Ray
 

It's done.  Here are the latest photos.

I used the extra decals from several kits, most notably the spare tailcodes from my A-6 that is soon to be joining the display ranks.

I actually got something finished!

Markings are really up in the air.  I have the kit low-vis greys and some grey number/letter sheets for made up squadron markings and BuNo (if I get that detailed).  I really wanted some racy nose art, but finding/buying it slipped off the radar until now. 

VERY nice work, I love that interior detail, you really put in some work on this one!

She looks awesome.  The "digicam" came out great on it.  I can't wait to see it finished.  Will it have the red low-vis marking like and old Spooky?

Looks great!

Love that "MARPAT" on the upper side: recalls the first "spectres" but gives it a touch of "modernness"!

Looking forward to see it done. 

Resurrecting this thread for an update. I've actually gotten close to putting this one on the shelf for display.  Hopefully there will be some photos of the finished project to post soon.

Just a quick update, the interior is done (as detailed as I'm going to go with it, at least).  Here's the pics:

Looks really good!  Like what you have done so far.  

Here's a few updated shots of the interior.  Just about to the point where I can close it up and concentrate on putting it all together.  Not sure what paint scheme it's going to wear, anybody have any ideas?

Interior shots:

Just have the ammo feeds and some wiring to add and the interior is done.  The engines and tail are assembled, just have the landing gear left and then put a coat of paint on it.

I may have something done this year! 

 

There are so many possibilities for what-iffing with the tiltrotor, so have fun!

I plan on picking up a couple more down the road.  I still have to make a troop carrier in USMC markings, and I think I'd like to do one in Coast Guard white with the orange stripe.

And somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, I've got a 4 rotor transport that I'd like to take a stab at building.

OK LJ, now you got my atention... gotta admit I was kinda reluctant at first but now that I re-read the complete thread and with your updated pics I gotta say I love it!.

As someone said... "you are talking loco, but I like it!".  Gotta try this myself and lucky me, good ol' impulsive Joe has 2 kits on the stash already ;)

Geeze, has it been that long since I posted anything?  Well, here you all go; the latest pics of my on again/off again project.  I think I'm gettin somewhere at last.  A little wiring and some flexible ammo chutes and I can close this one up and get busy on the exterior.

Anybody have a color scheme suggestion?

The pics:

Guns:

Interior:

Exterior:

 

Yeah, are you going to charge this little vacation of yours to it? I've asked my secretary to send that that to you. The Beluga caviar is good and might I suggest you try the bloody mary, a steak sandwich and... a steak sandwich.

I'll be out conducting emissions inspections on cars (I have to get them up to 95 to check the chloroflorocarbines). If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call Frieda and she'll get me the message.

Yes sir, this project is still alive, but I had to put it into carbonite, it's in perfect hibernation until I can get a chance to finish it up in a few months...

Still getting settled into the new digs and all, but I hope to get back on the boards more in the near future, and I'd be happy to brainstorm with anyone who has ideas that can make this bird better.

Hey, Trigger, do you have the Underhills' credit card number?

Sorry, Duplicate post. Nothing to see here, move along, move along...

Yeah, LemonJello's just "away on business" at the moment and he said he'll pick this back up when he returns.

Just bumping this post back up.  Is this project still alive?

QUOTE: Originally posted by AH1Wsnake QUOTE: Originally posted by Trigger74 Cool, that's a big gun. One question though - will it fit in a V-22s cabin? A little Marine Corps ingenuity will MAKE it fit! True, that is one beefy gun, but all we need is for the breech mechanism to fit inside the cabin, right? lol.

put that whole turret outside, and give your gunship a turreted grenade launcher, that would look cool

The Pentagon gave the go-ahead yesterday for Full Scale Production on the V-22:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2005/09/28/pentagon_gives_go_ahead_to_osprey/

Hope they've got enough ball bearings.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trigger74 LJ - Are you using 3-in-1 oil and gauze pads to fix that Fetzer valve?

Sure am, but I need to go get about ten gallons of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone...no, make that Quaker State

And some ball bearings...everything's ball bearings these days!

Nothing new to show, I just haven't had the time or energy to get anything done of late. I really want to get the guns built, but I want to do it right.

LJ -

Are you using 3-in-1 oil and gauze pads to fix that Fetzer valve?

Quite an ambitious project. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed work. Good luck.

Neat idea, not sure it is really practical, but it sounds like a fun project.

As far as the weapons have you thought about the .50 cal gatlings, they make a 3 barrel and a six barrel version, falls right between the 7.62mm and the 20mm, more ammo carried than the 20mm but alot more punch than the 7.62mm, you have a tight space so some compromise is called for.

For the heavy punch the Soviets made a clip fed breach loading 82mm mortar called the Vasilik, it looks more like a small howitzer than a mortar and has a 4 round magazine, its been available since the 80's. I Wouldn't think it would take much work to convert it to 81mm and maybe go with a 10 round magazine or even a hopper. I think an 81mm mortar make enough boom to keep most people happy (unless its falling on you) and it also has many ammo options in case just big explosions are not enough for you.

Just a thought, also for your gun barrels you probably want to think about brass or aluminum tubing, it is much thinner than styrene and will look better. Its not much harder than styrene to work with except you need to use CA instead of plastic glue.

Just eyeballing what I've got so far, it'll be tight, but not overcrowded in back.

Gotta get going on the guns and mounts one of these days...it's hard to know when to say enough is enough on details that probably aren't going to be see when it's all closed up.