The 144 Group Build - Complete, pics pg 1

All got the first coat on the hawkeye, I was going to hand paint the small black section just infront of the cockipit, but after a bad look to it I stripped and will and airbrush it instead, otherwise here's where I'm at

Andrew

PS will try to update the front page in the next day or three with pics of complted builds

Hi guys,

It is good to see all your progress.

I haven't been able to to start my panzer yet,  I have been to busy with my study. I hope I can start this sunday.

Great looking E-2 Andrew! Lucky for me I had to get to work today. After building the B-1B and then going to the B-2 I am seeing the difference in quality! I had some bad "swirls" in the upper surface of the B-2 that I sanded...no prob. I cleaned up the seam lines and primed the kit........AHHHHHHH now I am missing some of the surface detail on one side of the plane. Maybe a few days away will help.

Travis/STFD637

Travis.

I am building that revell b2 as well. Not the greatest fitting kit out there. I filled in the nasty step/seam where the wing tips fit to the body, and rescribed all the raised detail. What a nuisance.

I am currently in the process of getting rid of the seams on the engines. Looking at reference pics, there is no seam or panel line where the engine cover meets the body, not like on this kit.

Other than that, I am almost ready for paint. Once the sanding is done, then paint, decals and done. I will say that it has taken me a lot longer to get where I am with it than I ever imagined it would. I thought this would be a week project, I am 2 weeks deep now!

That E-2 is coming along nicely, Andrew!     Beautiful airplane and beautiful build!

Take care,

Frank

Deeve,

I am glad someone else is feeling my pain! Yeah I found the same thing on the engines. My next investment will be in some Scribing materials. I have a pin-vise with a needle that helps some. I need the actual tool to clean them up after though. Just another skill to work on.

I came home after a full 24 hours away and stripped the pain off and cleaned it up. I have re-primed so we will see how that goes. I might have applied too heavy a coat . I can already see some minor areas that will need to be resanded......I wish someone else would make this kit in 1/144!

Travis

Wow, sounds like that B-2 is a b&#ch!!    It's crazy how some kits are just a dream to build, while others test every bit of skill and patience we have! 

I attached the landing gear to the 747 along with the gear doors and associated actuator arms; while that's been drying I finished making the decal master so it will be ready when the time comes. Here it is in .jpg format; the one I'm sending to the Printer is in .tif (higher resolution)



I've modified the area of the fuselage where the Stabilizer goes as it will be in the take-off position instead of cruise as the kit is designed for. Going to apply the red cheatline before attaching it though, so off to the workbench I go!

More to come....
Frank

Travis,

Hobbycraft makes a B-2 in 1/144.  I think it's an older kit as somethings don't seem to match up with production birds.  It's a fairly simple kit that looks like a B-2 when you're finished.  Fuselage consists of two halves.  I'm building mine gear up, which is a major PITA.  Will post some pics if/when I get back to it.  Does anyone know if the Revell Germany kit of the E-2 is the same as the Heller kit?

I don't think they are the same kit. According to the sources I used for the listings, the parts count and wing span differ.  I have the Revell in my stash, but not the part of it that is here or I run compare sprues with the Heller ones Andrew posted..

I am about to go and do some more sanding, then maybe paint if I got everything corrected.

Scribing is definitely not something I feel I am skilled at. This is the first kit I have rescribed. I really REALLY hate doing it :) That said, the end result is worth it I think. Raised panel lines look rediculous. I simply cannot believe that such a recently made kit has raised panel lines. I guess it must be easier to make raised lines. I use a tool that started life as a pick. It came in a set. they all have screwdriver type handles, some are hooked, bent or offset. One is straight :) It works ok, problem is that it leaves ragged lines. havent really found a way to make them smooth.

I am going to build the Italeri XB-70 next. It is all raised detail. I am not sure whether I am going to rescribe it or not. I want to, to make it look nice, but its so huge and there is so much detail!

Deeves,

Try these.  You'll get a much cleaner line.  http://www.modelerswarehouse.com/pages/tools.html  Try googling photo etched saw blades as there are several different manufacturers.

After looking at some reviews and images of the revell kit, they are different. The biggest and most obvious details being french v's US marking and the exaggeretd v's no rivets (heller vs revell).

Andrew

Andrew,

I just happened across your group build posting, as I have not been to the site in a while.  I am getting ready to do a review on a Dragon 1/144 scale AV8B Harrier kit (I believe that it is a double kit, but I will verify that when it arrives).  Anyway, I would like to join up, and as the review will be due in March, I will easily meet your 144 day goal.  Let me know if you would like me to join in.

Another update...

Decided to do the foil application to the fuselage before the cheatline because rubbing the foil leaves a dark residue on the plastic, and didn't want to take a chance on goofing it up while removing it. The foiling went well and only required eight pieces.







Next comes the cheatline and then the Stabilizer application.....

Comments & Questions welcome,
Frank

Welcome aboard Scott. Famil;y issies have me hopping at the moment will add you to the front page before long.

Andrew

Andrew,

Watching you build your E-2C got me hankering for the Revell/Germany kit which I picked up today at the LHS.  Will post pics of the trees when I get home from work.  You're right about the engraved vs raised panel lines.  The Revell kit includes US and French markings.  Will be doing the US version as it is a much more colorful bird.

Old Hooker,

I am always amazed at your builds.  Really enjoying watching this one come together.  Looking forward to watching the rest of ya'll as well.

Here's the sprue shots of the Revell/Germany 1/144 E-2C Hawkeye.

Konigwolf13 Heh buddy! Count me in, just picked up a 1/144 Me 262 A1

One more... how can I make the cool chart thingy for the group build I started, or can you do it for me? (willing to give you my sign-in info if need be)

Thanks lewbud; that RoG E2 sure has a nice smooth finish!     

Welcome aboard SupressionFire, glad to have you!

On mine, I just peeled away the cheatline masking and took a couple pictures of the results....

It hasn't been cleaned up yet because I'm going to let the paint settle more, but already along side the NM belly it's taking on more of it's personality now. 

Churning along....
Frank

oldhooker Thanks! Ill get the badge sewn onto my sleave like a proud Marine!, er more like wimpy boy scout? Regardless I am happy to be part of this group build, looking at the work the bar is set very high! WIP's soon featuring some scratchbuild details. No better way to test out my new camera than 1/144 scale.

Canon Power Shot SD 1200 IS

I have started on my Pz. 38 (t), it is a Dragon kit, with a railcar to put the tank on. I am a bit dissapointed by the kit, the is flash and ejector marks are annoying!

I wil post some pics shortly.

Where would we be without these cool digital cameras, aye?     Looking forward to the progress shots on yours and the Borgs'!

I cleaned up the cheatline and tail flash as well as painted the door frames and radome. I also built up the area over the cockpit with putty to correct the shape issue there and waiting for it to cure now.

 Reduced: 79% of original size [ 1024 x 768 ] - Click to view full image

... and on we go...
Frank

Bud and Travis,

I think the article is in the November 2005 issue.  I have a  build up article of the Revell B-2 down for that issue in my notes.  I've been trying to compile a list of the 1/144 articles in print over on my site under references.  Upnorth here even let me post 4 kit reviews he wrote, including one for Revell's Hawkeye, over there.  Right now I'm just trying to get stuff back online from my hard drive to the new site. 200+ pages of data needing reformatted, coded, and uploaded.

Andrew,

What paint callout did your kit's instructions use for the cockpit interior?  I wish Revell/Germany would acknowledge the fact that not everyone has access to their paints and at least give FS numbers, for US based subjects at least.

Andrew,

I hope that the family issues are not too serious or complex.  Just add me when you have the time.  I am hoping to have the kit later this week, but I will update you on it as soon as I have it.

Scott, I wouldnt say serious or complex family issues, I'd say 5 kids 1 toddler and 4 home all day on summer holidays does tend to complicate things LOL.

lewbud, hope this helps, the numbers are humbrol

Andrew

This one clearer

Andrew

The BOAC build (the project proposed from the other side of this one) should move along quicker than this one thanks to lessons learned and the other half of fabricated parts, such as the windshield/cockpit top I thermoformed today, after realizing it would be easier to do that than try to form a frame from putty. Also had to sand the nose down a bit as it was too pointed.


It was a full days work, but did manage to get the repositioned horizintal stab attached also, so I'm that much further along.

Take care,
Frank

Well, I am done the Revell of Germany, Northrop B-2 Spirit.

Apologies for no work in progress pics, I am not very good at keeping track of progress with pics. I never have the camera when I am downstairs, plus if I do take pics, I usually forget about them anyways.

I still don't have the camera with me, so pics will have to wait till tomorrow. I am not really too happy with the way it turned out. I screwed a few things up. That said it was an experience. I learned a few things from this kit. First time I ever rescribed a whole kit. Even for something this small its not something I want to do again soon. In my opinion, raised panel detail is just fine :)

I ran into some serious problems with decal silvering. Its bad. I also have some issue with the dullcote. It looks like it has made the kit look almost as if it was covered in dust. I am worried it went on too thick. I also have real issue with threads from the qtips all over the finished product. I never noticed it when I was applying the decals. Last issue was some of the spots I had to fill and sand. I didnt do enough filling in some spots and others I sanded too much. I should really have gone back and redid them, but I didnt notice till the final coat of paint was on and I am just too lazy to fix it. Last thing I screwed up was I dropped a blob of paint thinner on the top. Fortunately it is under a decal so its not too noticable, but it was irritating.

Anyways, Pics will be coming tomorrow.

Heh 1/144 dudes!

Much to do about tiny Me262! been modifying and such, moved some control surfaces. Drilled a pin through the front landing gear, just to delicate to count on. Also expect custom handel bars on the little tractor / bike. Major general thinner and decided trailing edge of front wings a bit thick... Shown is custon scribeing tool (thinned saw end) Found its better than scribeing tool, had a few pannel lines to replace / add.