Variable Geometry: the Swing Wing GB

STFD637

Eatthis: I think you nailed the color on the Cat! I grew up around Navy planes on Pt. Mugu. I don't think I saw 1 Tomcat that actually matched another when it came to the color. They were similar but each faded and weathered at different rates. I noticed that once all the planes went to the "Low-Vis" the paint would vary alot. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more.

Travis

so basically if it looks right it probably is right? thats good enough for me lol

I did a little research on the early style Lancer and discovered that the vortex generators were in different positions.  Plus the early Bones had 9 generators not 11 like the modern Bones.  So.....I moved them around a little bit.  I took Pordoi's advice and used the instructions to the Eduard photoetch set as a guide.  This is what I was able to come up with.

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The more I look at them they seem a little thick.  I used .020 Evergreen.  I was thinking about replacing them with .010.   What do y'all think?  Should I replace them?

Hey Don, when you go to attach the main gear bay and the bombays to the lower fuselage don't use superglue like I did.  I figured it would hold strong but it didn't because I had to really manipulate the plastic to try and get the bays into position using the locater tabs provided.  I was tempted to just remove one side of the tabs to make it easier.  They kept snapping off.  I ended up using some ProWeld and it solved that issue.  Just an FYI.

Ok, small update here.

I got all the SRAM's painted up to my liking and attached to the launchers and then in the bombbays.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Eatthis: I think you nailed the color on the Cat! I grew up around Navy planes on Pt. Mugu. I don't think I saw 1 Tomcat that actually matched another when it came to the color. They were similar but each faded and weathered at different rates. I noticed that once all the planes went to the "Low-Vis" the paint would vary alot. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing more.

Travis

macattack80

Eathis, your Tomcat is coming along nicely.   As far as the color gray you chose, as long as it looks close enough to you it will work.  Can you get any more pics of the pit? 

il try to get some when i get chance i wasnt happy with it so iv taken the seats out atm

Eathis, your Tomcat is coming along nicely.   As far as the color gray you chose, as long as it looks close enough to you it will work.  Can you get any more pics of the pit? 

this i smy 1st attempt at alot of things decals included heres where the tomcat is atm

the darker gray is xf53 that im using as a primer the wings are almost done i ended up going with xf19 it may or may not be right i just dont know but thats how its staying

Harshman, nice looking Tomcat!!!!  We can use it as an inspiration.  I hope you find a kit to build for the GB.

Oddmanrush, welcome aboard.  Looking forward to seeing some progress pics of the Tornado.

I had to go out of town for the past 4 days so I obviously haven't got anything done.

Pordoi, the thickness I used for the radar cross section vanes was .020 from Evergreen.  Just an fyi.  It looked good to me for what it's worth.

Man, this GB is great. Not only do I get a badge, but a handshake too? Sweet! Oh, and mum's the word Any how, I gotta finish up a build for the No Aftermarket GB and then I can tear into the Tornado...unless I get impatient in which case I'll work on them in tandem.

Well its not really a handshake. You stick your arms out either side, sort of like wings, and then move them both backwards. But keep that to yourself.

Welcome to the build

Thanks guys! As a matter of fact, Italeri does box the 'Black Panthers' kit in 1/48 and I was torn between the two. I just simply don't have the room for a jet that large in the house right now so I went with small scale. Besides, 1/72 is a decent size for a modern jet and its the size I prefer for the subject. They just seem to fit so nicely in your hand. Thanks again! And, uh, now that I'm in.....what's the secret hand shake ?

oddmanrush

I'd very much like to join, if you'll have me.

Thanks!

Well Jon..... do you know the secret handshake?  can you provide references?  a copy of your c.v?  we might have to take a vote...,  ahh, screw it.  We're easy.  You're in!!     Looking forward to seeing the Black Panther.  Doesn't Italeri also offer that in 1/48?

Front page is updated.

Don

Cool, I'd like to see that one built. Been eyeing that kit myself.

Tony

Hi, I realize I'm about two months late to this party but I just purchased Italeri's Tornado IDS "Black Panthers" kit in 1/72 scale. I'd very much like to join, if you'll have me.

Thanks!

Anything else up your sleeve, Aggie?   Less than 8 months to go before your serious modeling time is probably significantly curtailed.  At this rate, you can finish 5 or 6 more kits before that...

At this point probably not, although I've eyeballed a Trumpeter release, the 48 scale Su24 Fencer.  Problem is I've spent a lot on this hobby this year and that kit isn't particularly cheap.  Pregnant wife + spending a lot of money on hobby = bad.

As for the next few months, I have a few kits on the docket that don't fit this GB - a B-36, a F9F, and perhaps a comparison build of triplets - 3 Bf 110s in 72,48, and 32 scale.  Not sure if I'll get to those or not.

WOW! I take a few days off from the site for a family trip to Disney and we have expectant parents, a nice "Bone" in flight and some other really inpressive WIP pics to look at.

Congrats to Aggieman. Best wishes!

I actually finished placing the decals on my Raven a week ago. I will post some pics later today! I do have one problem. Most of the kit has "low vis" markings. Unfortunatly the Superscale kit didn't include a decal for the "in-flight" refueling markings in low vis. I put the original kit one on, which is red and stands out like a sore thumb. I have plans to fix it so we will see how it goes.

More to come.

Travis

Well you got plenty of time, i am sure you will some across one. I have the old hasegawa so hopeing i can do somthing good with them.

Bish

Harshman II:

 

 

Maybe I am interested in building a Mig-23 and will join later... Thanks pal!

 

Be nice if you can. And if you do i will switch my MiG 23 for a 27, we can have the pair then.

I need to see what my LHS offer. I am looking forward the 1/72 Academy Mig-23 or Mig-27 if both not available. Maybe I need to give up the idea

Harshman II

 

 

Maybe I am interested in building a Mig-23 and will join later... Thanks pal!

Be nice if you can. And if you do i will switch my MiG 23 for a 27, we can have the pair then.

Harshman II

Maybe I am interested in building a Mig-23 and will join later... Thanks pal!

We're here with open arms if you want to join in.  Especially if you want to build a Russian Swing Wing!!  Whatever  you decide, thanks for the look at your F-14.

Don

pordoi

Wow, very nice F-14.  Would have been great to see this one get built up and painted from the get go.  If you want to do another, let me know and I'll add you to the GB list.  Doesn't even have to be another Tomcat; any swing winger will do.  But your finished product sets a high standard for those GB participants doing F-14s.  Great job.  And it's loaded for bear!  The JDAMs come with the kit or are they aftermarket?

 

Don

 

Thanks bro for yr compliment.  All the ammunition goodies comes Academy kit OOB. Unfortunately, this is only the good point abt this kit..   I do not recommend this kit for F-14 lovers if you are a beginner. Their way of construction for this kit is absurd.

Maybe I am interested in building a Mig-23 and will join later... Thanks pal!

OK, I just updated the face page of this GB with Aggie's completed Bone.  Thus far, the tally is Aggie - 2; the rest of the GB - 0.   I'm sure that will change soon.  Anything else up your sleeve, Aggie?   Less than 8 months to go before your serious modeling time is probably significantly curtailed.  At this rate, you can finish 5 or 6 more kits before that...

Wow, very nice F-14.  Would have been great to see this one get built up and painted from the get go.  If you want to do another, let me know and I'll add you to the GB list.  Doesn't even have to be another Tomcat; any swing winger will do.  But your finished product sets a high standard for those GB participants doing F-14s.  Great job.  And it's loaded for bear!  The JDAMs come with the kit or are they aftermarket?

Don

Harshman! Nice, I am building a F-14A (for this GB) that is from the black knights. The decal sheet shows some greenish color, but I am not sure what it is. What did you use?

Thanks,

Andrew

That F-14 is a beut. However, the purpose of a GB is to show your build progress and not just a finished model. If you have another swing i am sure pordoi would be pleased to add you to the list.

Hi gus, saw this thread and I think just in time for one of my new completion..

1/48 Academy Bombcat. Took 4 weeks of few hrs daily work..

morefirejules08

just a quick check in to say i havent forgotten about the g/b, i've just got bogged down on an A-10 build then i had the bight idea to do a quick build for my new born son that ended up taking a month rather than a week!!!

Thanks for checking in.  We've got several works-in-progress that are ongoing and several GB members that are planning to start in the upcoming months.  So there is no rush.  I'm sure that we're all looking forward to following your progress once you get started. 

Don

just a quick check in to say i havent forgotten about the g/b, i've just got bogged down on an A-10 build then i had the bight idea to do a quick build for my new born son that ended up taking a month rather than a week!!!

Yeh Aggieman, I was just picking on them. My build should be done by now so, I have no room to talk.

Tony

Pordoi, regarding the radar cross section vanes, I just bent the plastic to shape.  I decided to put the fuel tank in the aft bay because I only found a single photo of a fuel tank in a Lancer and it was in the aft bay and plus, the instructions told me too  I like the way it looks too.  I appreciate the added info though.  The weapons bay of your B-1 looks great.  Nice scratchbuilding.  If I was to build an updated Bone I would attempt to update the weapons bays as well.

Aggieman, Congratulations on the good news!!!!  And also congrats on finishing the Bone.  The camo scheme looks very menacing.  She looks great "in-flight".  Custom decals look good too.

Wingman, The Tornado looks fantastic.  I like the paint sceme.  Keep up the good work.