Fellow Group Build members,
Sorry that I haven't posted in quite a while. When I first signed up for this group build, work was relatively quiet (I'm an on-call 24/7 medical electronics repair field service tech), so I figured I could knock out two models with no problems in just a couple of months. This group build would give me the incentive to do so. As soon as I signed up for this group build and the USMC Group Build, my work load piled up exponentially! I'm signed up for the F-100D and OA-4M, and started the F-100D on 06 Sept 2014. Two months later, on 09 Nov 2014 (this past Sunday), I FINALLY got my second day of work completed on the Super Sabre. I still haven't started the OA-4M yet. Hopefully, I can get a lot more done in the next four months, if work permits. Anyways, here is an update on the Super Sabre:
On Day 01, I glued the wings together, then glued together the external fuel tanks & Bull Pups, plus cleaned up the flash on the parts. On Day 02 (two months later!!), I hand-painted the Interior Black on the cockpit side consoles, instrument panel, coaming, and canopy insert, plus I used Medium Gray on the rest of the cockpit and seat, and let everything dry for a few days. On Day 03 (last night), I did a little sanding on the places that I put some putty on (mainly the external tanks & Bull Pups), and dry-brushed the details in the cockpit & instrument panel. I painted the headrest Red, along with the seat cushion, and painted the back-rest RLM 23 (LichtGrun (light green)). It's an almost-perfect match for the the green found on the seat cushions - it has that satiny look to it (is "satiny" a word??). I'm using Len Lundh's F-100D/F Super Sabre Walk Around 48 for my reference (Squadron Signal Publication 5548). The seat still has some work to be done. I'm awaiting the paint to dry/cure a bit more before I continue with it. Below are some pictures.......
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The wing assembly. I tried to putty (Tamiya putty in a tube) the seams under the leading edge slats, but sanding in between the rails proved to be a little more than frustrating, although it can be done. I finally test-fitted the slats after sanding, and they seem to cover the seams adequately, so I'll leave the seams as they are.
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Here's the seat. Sorry that it didn't focus well. I used RLM 23 for the green seat-back cushion, Medium Gray for the seat frame, Yellow for the Emergency Eject handles, and Red for the seat cushion and arm-rests. I'm awaiting the paint to cure a bit longer before continuing on with the detail painting, such as the seat belts. I'll probably shoot a touch of flat on the red parts to knock down the sheen.
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The cockpit tub/intake scoop was pretty easy to paint (sorry about the focus on this one as well). I used Medium Gray on the tub in general, and Interior Black on the console panels. I dry-brushed Flat White on the console panels to pick out the various switches and knobs. I started to use a few different colors to add some color, but then realized that most real aircraft use mainly white or silver for those details, so I'm using white.
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The easiest parts of the build (so far) - the external tanks and the Bull Pups. The Bull Pups needed very little putty (just a bit on each end), but the tanks had some severe waves along the front seams, so a bit more putty was needed on both of them. I used Squadron Green putty on both. Now, it's been a long time since I had opened a tube of Squadron Green (I usually use Tamiya putty), but I just don't remember it being as thick and dry as this tube is. The putty was drying almost as fast as I was applying it. It's possible that this tube has dried out (I don't know how long I've had it - it's still almost full), and I need a new one. Or, maybe that's the way Squadron green is. Not sure. Any comments on that would be appreciated.
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The coaming was painted with Interior Black and allowed to dry. I'll pick out the details on it just before the windscreen is glued in place.
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Hope you like what you see so far. I hope to post a few more pictures soon (like, maybe, hopefully this weekend).
Gary Mason