MIG Killers II Group Build 11/08-11/09

I personally think you did a rather excellent job inspite of the decal problems. I recall doing an old monogram kit and the decals where just crap. I fixed this by brushing Future over decals edges until they sat flat on the models surface.

Unfortunately, it's true that Academy decals suck eggs. I've learned after some near failed/failed decaling efforts to replace them ASAP. A lot of times I'll try to find aftermarket versions of the ones included in the kit, because they DO come with some great schemes!

Looks good to me.

ACADEMY DECALS SUCK EGGS!!!

Well it had to be said

After trying and trying with this builds decaling. and helping my oldest by decal his f6f hellcat (both 1/72 academy) today, I am well satisfied with the above statement. Decals didnt want to stay down (some of last nights effort went missing while continuing today , didn't want to conform to tight bends when they should and warped on slight bends. I ended up tossing in the towel after decals just started coming off while trying to finish the rest off. This surface was a gloss laquer while my sons hellcat was a semi gloss acrylic paint.

As a review of the build, for a cheap kit ($12-15AUD I think) It went togther very well, moderate cockpit detail, no real issues with overlaps, only a light sand needed. I think my second biggest issue (first being the decals) was not putting a flat/matt primer down to get all joins perfect, I was impatient to get the NMF on (humbrol polished aluminium) and while working getting the couple joins smooth I end up with a tacky work surface, that made the job difficult.

Once the laquer coat has had time to dry I will have a go at weathering her.

Andrew

Well First update and shes about 95% done. This has been my first attempt at a NMF, and while not perfect I am well satisfied. Its also been my first go at tape masking canopies (and other bits) happy there to.

Decaling, undercarriage doors and wheels mainly to go.

Stik - thanks man!

As for the loadout, I found nothing "official", and most of the reference pics I found of this bird were post-kill (with slightly altered markings in most cases). So I ended up going with the primary source of info that I had - the box art. Showed tanks on the outside, zuni on the inside.

Beautiful work Dupes! I know the story of this particular A-4 and MiG kill (Zunis), but did you have a source for the loadout on that mission?

It's been awfully quiet around here lately...(*crickets*), but I'll post finished pics that I finally took of my bird over here anyway.

Enjoy!

Fellas - the A-4C is all done. Need to set her up for a photoshoot, but will have pics by the end of the week for your viewing pleasure.

Forgot to mention - if any of you are considering the Hobbycraft kit, another big plus - the decals laid down like the best aftermarket ones I've ever used. Superthin and laid down nearly perfectly with just a light application of Micro Sol underneath.

Now if they'd only improve their instructions so you actually knew where to PUT them all...

Sorry I haven't updated more frequently than this, but the "new, improved" website has got dialup users pretty screwed. Meh. Anyhoo, this guy will be done shortly - need to clearcoat the decals, attach all the underside junk, then it's on to weathering!

Thanks and will do.

Andrew

Andrew,

Welcome Aboard! Please also go to page one and pick up your badge.

Glad to have ya!

Hello Rand,

I have Capt Harold Fischer's f-86f (10 mig-15's) in academy 1/72, if it not to late (since you just extended build time) No after market stuff so would easily be able to get done in time if allowed. it is partially started (this much LOL)

Andrew

Sorry I've been away to long. I still have nothing done with my Phantom and have no idea when I'll ever finish it, I am extending our GB here another six months till the end of June 2010.

Dupes, Your A-4 is looking good!

Paul, Great work on your F-15, It looks really good.

Well done guys!

Rand

Wow, can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since anyone posted anything here!

Once all of the Thanksgiving festivities were over this weekend I got a lot of bench time, and my A-4C finally got to the top of the rotation. If you haven't built one of these Hobbycraft kits, I highly recommend them. Can be found for $16-$18, have a boatload of ordinance (including the zuni launchers I need for the MiG-15 kill), a great set of kit decals, and pretty much impeccable fit. Wow! I have the M and N boxings in the stash, and those will be built sooner rather than later.

Here's where I'm at so far - hope to be able to put some paint to her in the next day or two.  

Paul - sweet -15!

I might suggest next time applying the same sludge wash you have on the panel lines to the landing gear struts...give them a bit more "depth".

Still really digging those exhausts!

That is a very nice F-15 btp2k2! That is an interesting weathering prcess as well. I might have to try that some time.

I am calling this thing done!

May I present Eglin's 58th FS "Gorillas" triple kill F-15C. The jet carries three kill stars, though just one was a MiG. On Jan 29, 1991, Capt. David Glen shot down an Iraqi MiG-23 southeast of Kirkuk with an AIM-7 Sparrow. Several days later, on Feb 7, the jet also get two SU-22s.

The kit is Revell's 1:32nd F-15C. This is the older kit that comes with the ASAT missle and seriously tinted canopy. The kit was a bargain find for 15 bucks at a hobby expo. I lucked out and managed to find a clear canopy from a guy on one of the other forums. The model was primed with Tamiya grey Surface Primer, then a base coat of MM Aggressor Grey went on. After the case coat cured, the MOD Eagle camo scheme was completed using MM Dark Grey (F-15). I used Two Bobs 32-017 Eglin's Gorillas. Once I sealed in the decals with a second coat of Future, I applied a sludge made from ground up pastel chalk, water and a couple drops of liquid soap. Once the sludge dried, I rinsed it and left a nice dark panel line. As this was a DS era jet, I left it a little dirtier than I would for a USAF jet.

Most of the decals went on today....just have a few "no walk" stencils and some other jibberish to put on.....

Here is a quick pic of the F-15C....

The camo is about half done, just gotta do the tail and then paint the metal around the exhaust.

F-15C update.....

I was able to get a majority of the crappy enamel paint off and clean it up. I went to the shop and picked up some acrylics this time. The base coat is drying. Once this dries and cures, I am going to mask it and paint the dark grey camo. Not looking forward to that.

If all goes well with the painting tomorrow, I hope to have it futured and maybe ready for decaling by friday!

Hey guys. Sorry for my lack of posting anything. My summer was very busy to say the least. I am currently scrambling with some GBs and dropping some others but I plan on trying to finish my F-4 for this one. I will try hard to get it done. Oh, and great work all around guys. Some very nice looking Mig killers.

Dupes: Whether you see it here or over at the 1000 Roadwheels GB; PM inbound.

I really like it so far. It is pretty obvious they upscaled an Academy F-86 and then made some subtle changes. I really like the way the cockpit and gun wells go together. The backside of the gunwells makes the sidewalls of the 'pit. Nice engineering there.

In other news.....I HATE ENAMEL!

I went to the hobby shop last week and got some paints for my Eagle. They only have Aggressor Grey and Dark Grey in enamel. So, I figured....what the heck, I can still airbrush this stuff...just cleans different. I made such a damn mess. And the thing looks like crap! I had to throw away a new tip for my Paasche H! I think it might be time for a nice bath in Easy Off

The F-15C is in a holding pattern while I get a part for my airbrush.....it's all ready for paint, but the Paasche decided it wasn't ready for the F-15

In the meantime, I just started a Kinetic 1:32nd F-86F-30. This is going to be one of the ultimate MiG Killers....Capt. Joseph McConnell's "Beauteous Butch II". This is my first attempt using Tamiya Extra Thin Cement...interesting stuff. Still getting used to it.

I am also shooting for my first "seam free" build....we'll see how that goes! I have heard that this kit goes together with little to no putty....a few guys have boasted just using Mr. Surfacer to fill what little seams there are.....I am guessing they maybe got better molds, cause that is definitely not the case here. The seam where the wing meets the bottom of the fuselage is going to be a bit hairy, and the wing roots don't look all that better. We'll see.

I do like what they've done with the cockpit. They give you the standard injection molded instrument panel, they also give you a clear panel with holes and a decal that gets sandwiched for the dials. Not quite as good as using PE....but it gets the job done....

More to come as I tackle those wing roots!

OK Gents,

I am officially extending our GB to January 2010. Looks like I am gonna have to start staying up nights when everything is quiet to get some work done on my kit because my day times are to darn busy.

Air Master Modeler wrote:

Just chimming in here to let ya all know I am sorry I havent been around lately. I have been so busy the last few months I have barely got any model work done on my Phantom. My computer crashed two weeks ago and I had to shop it to have it repaired and just got it back. Also I have a new roommate sharing my apartment and she has taken up alot of my time training her. NO guys its not a woman but she is litterally a DOG...LOL. I got a pit bull puppy and she has been a hand full. I am planning to extend our GB to January 2010 to give some of us more time to finish our builds and start other projects for it. At this time I have no plans to start another Mig Killer GB but I am considering a GB with a different theme to start in February 2010. I'll keep you guys posted on what the theme will be.

Hi Guys - is the extension to January going ahead ? I too have been very busy with limited time for modelling. The Meteor has hardly been touched !

Regards

Simon