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

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

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.

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

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?

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:

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 ;)

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.

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! 

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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!

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

   Ray
 

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...

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!

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. 

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...