1/48 Revell F-15E Progress Thread

Maybe you've mentioned this previously somewhere that I've overlooked, but what kind of thinner have you used with your oil paints?

Absolutely beautiful work. This kit is a real hidden gem considering you can get it for cheap at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. I built it last year and I'll be building it again now that I've gotten over my fear of Alclad. You're work on the rear is superb. As far as those things that go bang bang....wow...some of the best I've seen.

Dean & T3ch, thank you very much!

bvallot

Maybe you've mentioned this previously somewhere that I've overlooked, but what kind of thinner have you used with your oil paints?

dflu78

Absolutely beautiful work. This kit is a real hidden gem considering you can get it for cheap at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. I built it last year and I'll be building it again now that I've gotten over my fear of Alclad. You're work on the rear is superb. As far as those things that go bang bang....wow...some of the best I've seen.

Alrighty, here's where the rubber is meeting the road.  I mentioned several pages back that my intention was to take little bits of weathering from several different pics of Mud Hens and use them together on this build.  The result would be a plane that will have a fictional (and perhaps unrealistic) weathered look to it.

Generally speaking, these planes do tend to be relatively clean.  Only occasionally are they filthy...but every now and then they are.  I've taken a bit of artistic liberty in my weathering because, frankly, I enjoy doing it and I really like other people's builds that have convincing weathering.  Also, I find clean to be fairly boring.  As a result I'm at a point where the weathering on this build is a little more Navy like than Air Force.

So, here's where I'm at now.  There are about 4 layers of additional weathering in these pics.  I tried to keep it realistic in the sense that the dirty areas are places that normally get dirty...I just amplified them a bit.  Tell me what you think:

In the pic above you can see that I've used a silver Prismacolor pencil to draw the scratch marks on the in flight refueling door. I did this in the gun muzzle, too, but you can't see it in any of these pics.

The pic above shows how shiny the Alclad II high shine paint is.  I'm very happy with how it turned out.

One area that does seem to be commonly dirty is the area around and aft of the landing gear.  I really made an effort to make this convincing.  And you can see that I've attached the SNIPER XR pod.

I'm sure you've noticed that I have attached the gear and the Royal Resin wheels.  I needed to sand them down a bit because apparently I didn't do a very great job cutting them out of their casting blocks.  Also, the left wing sat about 2mm higher than the right wing.  I was scratching my head over this one considering the wings are molded with the upper fuselage part.  So I sanded the left wheel down a bit more.

I've attached the 600 gallon tanks and the GBU-31 to the pylons.  Sorry for the blurry pic above.

You can't really see it in the pics but I re masked the windshield and touched up the ragged frame.

Wow!....keeps getting better.

I would really like to see this model in person.   The further weathering is just sublime.

I've been following this thread since it started and it's really turning out great. I love build threads because I can learn new techniques, and yours especially has been pretty inspiring because I'm working on an eagle too. If it's not too much trouble could you just briefly explain the most recent weathering layers you've done (with the amber color and such), because it looks amazing and I'd love to learn how to do that.

Honestly that is one of the best looking 1/48 modern fighter aircraft I have see built by anyone.

T3chDad®

Wow!....keeps getting better.

Dre

I would really like to see this model in person.   The further weathering is just sublime.

Dean30

Honestly that is one of the best looking 1/48 modern fighter aircraft I have see built by anyone.

Thanks alot, guys!  There's still a bit left to do so wish me luck!

DWood538

I've been following this thread since it started and it's really turning out great. I love build threads because I can learn new techniques, and yours especially has been pretty inspiring because I'm working on an eagle too. If it's not too much trouble could you just briefly explain the most recent weathering layers you've done (with the amber color and such), because it looks amazing and I'd love to learn how to do that.

The additional layers are just filter layers that are a mixture of about 90% thinner and 10% color.  These layers are built up very slowly.    For example, the yellowish color is thinned out then sprayed on in a way so that you are just misting the surface.  It can also be brushed on but this is for general coverage.  This dries quickly since it is mostly thinner in the first place but you can use the air coming out of your AB or you can use a hair dryer to speed things up.

In the pics above I built up the yellow color in about 3 layers so that tells you that it really was very thin!  The trick is to build up slowly so that the paint is more translucent.  That helps give it that natural look.  Plus, with some of the layers I would add a drop of black to give it a slightly different dirtiness.

Just keep building up until it has the look you want.

Let your colors dry completely before applying a different color.  I usually waited until the next day to apply the following color just to make sure the colors did't bleed into each other.

Thank you so much Fly-n-hi, that's some great information I'll probably try on my next model. It came out great on yours so hopefully I can have some luck with it (hopefully)

DWood538

Thank you so much Fly-n-hi, that's some great information I'll probably try on my next model. It came out great on yours so hopefully I can have some luck with it (hopefully)

Alrighty, I'm getting close to the finish line now!  I've added one or two more filters since the last update and that's gonna be it.

I've attached the pylons, weapons and burner cans.  I've also attached the clear and red lights on the vertical stabs.

I'm really happy with the way the weathering turned out.

In the pic above you can see that I've attached the (fuel dump?) vents and the aft end of the CFTs.  They are painted bare metal as well so they are a little difficult to spot in the pic.

Getting there.  I can't wait to see the final/completed project!

Fly- you're going to have to wrap this up as I'm running out of superlatives to use here....

Fantastic!! =D

T3chDad®

Getting there.  I can't wait to see the final/completed project!

Dre

Fly- you're going to have to wrap this up as I'm running out of superlatives to use here....

bvallot

Fantastic!! =D

Ok guys, I'm calling this one DONE!  

First, let me give a sincere thank you to all the folks who posted compliments and words of encouragement.  I definitely got a boost from all the nice things that were said.  And I'm certainly going to make more of an effort to be encouraging of other's progress threads.

I'll just post a few pics here and I'll post a new completed build thread so that the final pics are right there at the beginning instead of on page 10.  And you'll have to forgive the quality and composition of my pictures.  I'm very novice with a camera.

And finally, here she is:

Look for more in my completed F-15E thread!

Masterpiece!

Absolutely AWESOME!  I'm getting flash backs from looking at her!  Great job and I look forward to your next WIP thread!  Thanks for sharing the experience with us!  

Eagle90

Wow!  Definitely something to be proud of!  

Dean, Eagle & T3ch, thank you!  

Eagle, I've got a Revell 1/144 C-17 that is about 60% done.  I've been posting progress pics in the Mighty Mini's GB.  Unfortunately that GB is pretty much dead so maybe I'll start an independent thread.  I put that one on hold to finish the F-15E.

I just started on this same kit tonight thanks to this thread! I've had the kit for quite a while, just never had the courage to get started on it. One thing I will say is my eyes and hands just aren't up to the level of detail painting I used to be able to do. Guess there's quite a difference between 22 and 52!

where did you get the bombs from? Was it one of the hasegawa weapons sets?

Tarasdad

I just started on this same kit tonight thanks to this thread! I've had the kit for quite a while, just never had the courage to get started on it. One thing I will say is my eyes and hands just aren't up to the level of detail painting I used to be able to do. Guess there's quite a difference between 22 and 52!

Tarasdad, I just now saw this reply (June 28th). Thanks! I'm glad that you got something out of this WIP and I'm looking forward to seeing your Mudhen!

Ghostrider17

where did you get the bombs from? Was it one of the hasegawa weapons sets?

Absolutely fantastic! I love the way the bare metal areas came out. Masterful! The only thing I'm iffy about is the "dirt" and that's just an opinion thing, or preference. Perhaps one day I might be this good, but probably not. :) Great work. Bob

r13b20

Absolutely fantastic! I love the way the bare metal areas came out. Masterful! The only thing I'm iffy about is the "dirt" and that's just an opinion thing, or preference. Perhaps one day I might be this good, but probably not. :) Great work. Bob

I'm sure your builds are very good, too.  And I'm sure you'll be getting better as you go.

That is a outstanding Eagle!, I am waiting to build the same kit along with a monogram C model for an upcoming group build. I hope mine comes out looking this good also. I think what will consume most of my time is rescribing the C model monogram kit.

B_one fixer

That is a outstanding Eagle!, I am waiting to build the same kit along with a monogram C model for an upcoming group build. I hope mine comes out looking this good also. I think what will consume most of my time is rescribing the C model monogram kit.

What GB are you building yours for?

Hi Eagle,

I am building the pair of eagles for the Monogram Mafia GB starting on the 4th of July. I can't wait, The E model kit is begging to get started.

Impressive.  Those engine look real...thanks for sharing

Joe