Variable Geometry: the Swing Wing GB

OK, I'm posting this here and to the aircraft forum for advice before I begin to deal with the latest B-1B issue.  I've been working on eliminating that horrible seam on the underside of the wings; almost there in removing it.  But then, I prime the wings with Mr. Surfacer 1000 and see this on the upper side of each wing:

a sink over top of the seam that extends the entire length of the 16 inch long wing.  I haven't yet decided how I'm going to deal with this, so I thought that I'd tap the collective wisdom of the forum before beginning.  How would you deal with a large sink deformation like this?

Don

Hmmmmm........The more I look at the starboard wing on my model it appears that there is a faint sink along the seam line but the port wing looks good.  It's not as prominent as the sink on the wings of your model.  I think that attempting to fix it might be troublesome now.  Bending it might weaken the join.  You could lay down some filler and smooth that out then rescribe the panel lines.   From all the reviews on this kit that I have read, nobody has reported this problem....maybe nobody has notice until now. 

I am by no means an expert modeler.  That is all I can think of now.  Hopefully we can come up with a solution quick.

Travis, Congratulations! You did a very nice job on your Raven. I like it a lot. Paint, decals, weathering all turned out great.

Kevin, camo on that big bird is going to be quite a job huh? Getting to do the wings and stabs first is good. IMO. Much as I like painting, doing all that at once would be a chore.

Don, granted, those wings are much larger than what I'll be dealing with but that's similar to my problem with the next Tornado. I have two lines like that on the top side of the wings with a dip in between them. I don't know what to do other than get another kit or try to get replacement parts. There's so many lines that I'd never get them scribed close to right. Have you considered trying to get replacement parts from Revell? I've had good luck getting a few parts from them and if this isn't a common problem I'd say you stand a good chance of getting useable replacement parts. I've gotten parts twice this year and both times they were here in just under a week. You can register at the Revell website and order from there. Need the kit number and part numbers.

Tony

Thanks for the great remarks guys! The AMT kit is not the best Raven out there, and I had to walk away from it a few times to keep my composure, I am pretty happy with it.

Don: No weapons to add. At the most the aircraft would only carry 2 external tanks. The plane itself is just one giant ECM platform. 'In my research I did not see one with even and Air to air self defense missle, mush like you see on A-10s. I wanted it to look different from my F-111 I built with the wings swept.....so no drop tanks.

I think the plane is actually unique. For those that don't know, it was the first JSF attempt. It was supposed to be used by all the services (Navy, Marines, Air force). It was a little too big, I guess, for the navy. The good thing is that it help give birth to the Tomcat! Most of the Tech stuff was used in the F-14 airframe, Tornado, and of course Russian variable wing planes! (Mg-27, Su-24).

Here is a look at my F-111 (bomber GB) and the EF-111. The F-111 is carrying a 1000 lb GP lb and the "bunker buster" used during the Gulf War.

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Another look at the kits.

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I went back over the "Cherry" on the nose art of the EF, after my masking tore some of the lettering off, with a red permanent pen with a fine point. Worked out better than I expected!

Travis

Sorry I haven't been here very much, but I started on my Revell Tomcat F-14A

Thanks for looking

All comments welcome.

Wingman, quite a job is an understatement.    It took 2.5 hours to paint the camo colors on just the wings and stabs.  I am with you on the painting.  I enjoy that part of the model building process.  But to try and paint the whole aircraft at once seems a little daunting.  It gave me a chance to do something else besides sanding and puttying 

Don, It looks like you have quite a few options for taking care of that sink line.  The more I look the wings from my kit it looks like those lines are definetly there.  They don't appear to be as prominent as yours though.  As for your painting questions, I always airbrush Model Master enamels.  I don't think that other brands are bad paints, I am just comfortable with the way Model Master enamels airbrush.  As far as paint consumption, for the Gunship Gray, FS36118,  I used about 1/2 of a 1/2 ounce jar thus far on the little bit that I have painted.  So 1/4 ounce.  As for the Green Drab, FS30118, and the Euro Gray, FS36081, I used about 1/8 ounce each.  I did add a little flat white in to go for a faded look, not the ever controversial "scale effect". Since you plan on the overall Gunship Gray, I would go with 2-3 of the 3 ounce spray cans or maybe 5 of the 1/2 ounce jars. 

Travis, nice pair of uglies you got there!!!!  I mean that in a good way.  Your models look great.  Like the A-10, one of my favorite aircraft, the F-111 is so ugly, its cute.

to the GB Raptordriver!!!!  Looking forward to the progress pics of the Tomcat.

I finished painting the camo colors on the wings and stabs.  I added a little bit of white in each color to get a faded look.  The Gunship Gray and the Euro Gray are quite similar in hue.  I think, well, hope that after a clear coat the colors will even out a little.

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I started painting up the ejection seats too.  I will keep plugging away at that and post pics accordingly.  I am still toying with the idea of replacing the .020 plastic I used to make the vortex generators with .010.  If I feel froggy I may still re-do them.

Lots of nice builds going on here so much so, that I am starting to think I am out classed.

Raptordriver I will be starting the same kit soon for the group, so I will be watching with great interest how your build goes.

Hey, welcome back Raptordriver.  Good to hear from you again and a nice start to your F-14A.  although your progress qualifies for a bit more than just a start.  Can we see some closeup shots of the cockpit?

Kevin, I figured MM enamels.  That's what I'm planning to use for the Bone, even though I usually paint with Tamiya acryls.  I might have bought a bit short though, if your estimates are spot on...  Thanks.  Also, I figured out why I got the monster sinks in the wings.  Bottom line; my stupid mistake.  See the companion thread in the Aircraft forum for details.  Gotta just suck it up and try a fix and hope that I don't ruin everything.

Travis, I like Kevin's statement; " a pair of uglies... so ugly that they're cute".    Your finished bird now graces the front page.

Vetteman:  Nice to have you join in.  Outclassed?  Doubt it.  We only aim to inspire.  Looking forward to seeing the other bookend to Raptor's F-14.

Don

Some great builds going on here. Loving that raven. What kit is the F-111.

Raptor, the Tomcat is looking very good. I really must get myself one of those. The only one i have built was the old Airfix kit years ago.

Travis, they look good together. The shop across town had a recently reissued 1/72 F-111 on the shelf yesterday. Can't remember who made it right now. When I have a little extra cash I may pick one up.

Raptordriver, off to a good start. Are you gonna use the kit decals or aftermarket? I picked up the D version at Micheals yesterday with a 50% off coupon. Hope to get it going soon.

Kevin, don't have those colors in enamel but I noticed with Acryll there's very little difference between Euro1 and Gunship(maybe only the name on the bottle ).  On the other hand, some folks seem to think that MM Gunship Gray is too dark and from some of the F-15s I've seen painted with it I kinda agree. I don't recall the number but I have a bottle of Acryll gray that is lighter than Gunship and has F-15 in ( ) beside the number. Maybe I'm way off here and they were only talking about f-15s. I lost track of how many hours I spent on the camo of the F-15 I showed here a while back(gotta get that finished), it was a lot. It's fun, I think, but it does take forever. That big ol' fuselage should take a while.

vetteman, jump on in, the water's fine...

Don, I read the other thread, I'd still order parts.

Tony

Wingman_kz

Don, I read the other thread, I'd still order parts.

Tony, I still might. But I have nothing to lose in trying to fill the sink and re-scribe.  Allso, I've put some work into smoothing the nasty seam on the underside and don't look forward to having to do that again.  If it doesn't work out, I can always fall back and order new parts and start again.  We'll see.  Thanks for the info on contacting Revell.

Don

Thanks everyone,

What can I say Don? It just fell together all of the sudden.

I plan on building the top. I have always loved the sundowners.

http://www.squadron.com/ProfileDetails.asp?item=AN48793

Sorry I haven't been around here much, but the minute I got my drivers license I have been alot busier.

I will try to stay around though.

raptordriver

Sorry I haven't been around here much, but the minute I got my drivers license I have been alot busier.

Oh, right!  And the next thing you'll say is that girls are more interesting than modeling...    Hey babe, wanna ride?    You're much better off sticking with us, man..... no, really...

Don

LOL! That's great! Why not both?

Actually driving isn't everything, honestly flying planes is more interesting than modelling even, for I am taking flying lessons right now. Hey babe, wanna ride, will always work when your in a plane I bet.

I will still be here, my goal is still build two models a month.

raptordriver

..., honestly flying planes is more interesting than modelling even, for I am taking flying lessons right now. Hey babe, wanna ride, will always work when your in a plane I bet.

Mature beyond your years, RD.  I can see it now...  hey babe, ever do an Immelman?  Here, you might want to hold onto this bag....   Hell of a first date, guy. 

Don

Hey Don,

Are crossovers allowed? I have been working on 2 F-14's one for this build and one for the secret santa. If allowed, please put it on the roster.

Also, I am almost finished with my missiles, but it is too dark outside to take pictures.

Thanks

raptordriver

Are crossovers allowed? I have been working on 2 F-14's one for this build and one for the secret santa. If allowed, please put it on the roster.

Why not.  Send me the kit details and I'll add it to the roster.

Don

Its another 1/48 Revell F-14A. This one is going to be painted to look like the Jolly Rogers.

Raptordriver:  the front page now lists two Tomcats for you.

My Weekend: 

Fill,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

prime,

sh**t

fill,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

prime,

sh**t!

fill,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

prime,

sh**t!!,...

no wait!!  Looks pretty good!

Paint!....  

I might just have succeeded in filling that sink!  Photos maybe tomorrow when the first coats of gunship gray cure.

Don

RAPTORDRIVER you are going for your Ticket ?? Congradulations young man !! You got no idea what you have gotten yourself into my friend, flying is worse, much worse than any drug. Have you soloed yet ? When you solo you will be hooked for life, cant even tell you how much I miss flying. Keep us posted will you please ?

Pordoi we will be auh waitin on your WIP pictures

Yes sir I am,

my dad owns a Cessna 152 and has built a Rv-4 so we have always been flying junkies. I would have soloed at the beginning of summer,but my instructor moved and we had trouble finding another. Right now there is a guy who might instruct me. I am so ready to solo.

Are you a pilot Vetteman?

Thats great Andrew Once you solo you are lost to the skys forever I am tallin ya.

Yes I was a pilot but lost my medical some years back. Really sad part was I loved aerobatics and had a Steen Skybolt 70% finished when I got sick. I sold it a year later. I had flown 2 of them and fell in love, nothing like flying upside down to give one a whole new perspective on life The RV-4s are sweet looking airframes too, never had a chance to get in one.

pordoi

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand, sand,

Is no substitute for images...

Tony

PS...no more pics of mine till it's done...

Wingman_kz

Is no substitute for images... 

 

OK, OK.  Photobucket was down a while for for maintenance.  Here's a little before:

and after:

the other wing had a similar issue but not as bad.  Here it is in current form;

And a dry fit of the middle fuselage halves.  This thing is humongous next to a 1/48 P-47.

Gluing this together will be an event.  I'm thinking of using epoxy to anchor the wing pivots so that the weight of the wings doesn't  deform the fuselage.  Hopefully i won't endd up immobilizing the wings.

Don

You have done an excellent job fixing that wing. Looking good.

That's impressive!! Nice fix on the wings.

NIce job fixing those wings Don.  

I have been plugging away at the cockpit area and repainting the wings and stabs.  I shot some Euro Gray "straight up" as I lightened it up a bit before and lightened the Gunship Gray a little more.  Now it looks like 2 different grays but arent too far different to look gaudy.   Looks good to me.

Don, your session of filling and sanding and filling and sanding and filling and sanding really paid off! Good work repairing that odd sink! I still haven't started yet. I'm kinda lazing about....

I did go to the Atlantic City airshow today though with my 3 year old daughter. It was awesome, a little too awesome for my daughter. The sound of the F-16 and F-18 was too much for her so we missed the Thunderbirds. No big deal, the time spent with her was great!

Good job Don! It is a monster. I thought I had the wings on the Tornado squared away but they tend to droop a little when swept forward. I hope your epoxy support works out.

Tony