The 50 Shades of Gray Group Build!

lostagain love that RHIB, great detail in that little package. Gonna be sharp painted.

stik that stick you custom made for the nose looks killer. That will really set it off as it has some nice fine detail on there!

For me, today’s creative thoughts brought out the magnets again. The target sight system can now be installed after the paint is done. It spins really smooth on the magnets.

I’m not sure if these will be strong enough for the gatling gun since i bought the brass barrels. Will have to see and then maybe go to a different size. These little 3mm magnets fit alot of places and are pretty strong overall.

Very impressive, O!  Glad you found a way to display it!  

Well done, O!  All your work has produced a great result, and I like the display method, too.

O that is one impressive piece of work. Great display choice as well

O, that is one big impressive build! Very well done!

I see that you have overcome the display shelf space challenge...

Now properly gray for the theme of this GB

I did the basic camo colors a short while ago trying out Vallejo Model Air for the first time. Gunship Gray 36118 over Neutral Gray 36270

I’m happy with the results, but I need to go back and touch up some areas later on.

O, super finish on the BOne !

That is a huge piece of plastic and I can't imagine a better display solution. 

Great shading on the paint job gives it a real depth.

 Mongoose, another great solution there.

Stik, nice to see the X suiting up.

​thanks lostagain 

More of the basics done today. I put a wash on the cockpit and finally got the two fuselage halves together. Is it called a fuselage on a helicopter? Just a little perfect plastic putty needed in a few spots. I’ve got wiring and background “stuff” behind all the screens. I managed to make all of them open using the PE from the kit and some fine 60mesh screen i bought earlier this year for my aircraft carrier build.

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Mongoose, your Zulu is looking sharp now!

Lost, it’s good to finally have the paint on this bird!

I touched up the Gunship Gray and the Neutral Gray on the topsides today. Especially on the leading edges of the intake area.

All ready for gloss coat next...

After repeated problems with painting this project, I lost heart a bit - all my "get up and go" got up and went!  However, I have brought it back to the bench in the last few days & decided to get it done.

So, some weathering was applied, and various small bits painted - 

Railings added - 

Guns mounted - 

I now need to fix the conning tower in place, add the last few pieces, get the rigging done, and finish the weathering.  I have eight hours...

OK, all parts assembled, and weathering touched up with some pin washes.  Part of the problems - entirely of my own making - I had with this build were adjusting overdone weathering.  It's just so easy to get carried away!  So I repainted the affected areas & re-did the weathering.  Twice.  This time I managed to exercise a bit of restraint, and I'm now happy with it.

The rigging isn't done yet, because I can't find my damn rigging line.  When it arrived in the post a couple of months ago I put it in a safe place - obviously, too safe!

But, rigging aside, I'm calling this one done.  I'll get it rigged when I find the line, and I'll make a proper base & stand in the spring, when I can do some woodwork in my (unheated) garage workshop.

Many thanks to Glamdring for hosting this GB - I'm sorry for dropping out of sight for so long - I'll try not to do that again.  Once again, many thanks for allowing me into my first group build!

Very best wishes to all for 2021 - may we all be safe and happy.

Das Boot is looking good Hutch! 

Hutch the weathering looks really good. Worth the redo I'm sure based on what i see.

Sorry for my absence the last few days, between these last minute GB deadlines and this head cold, I have been completely out of sorts.  Glad to see things still chugging along!  

Stik - As usual, a very nice update, it is turning out great.

Mongoose  - You are knocking the Cobra out of the park.  All the little details you are adding are amazing.

Hutch - Glad you bit the bullet and got it done!  Well done on the sub, and thank you for joining!  Do you have a preference for the  completion gallery?

I think that is all the updates, but if I missed anyone please raise your hand.  Between the cold medicine and a lack of sleep, my attention span is strained for the moment.

Stikpusher, Mongoose, 68GT, thank you for your kind words, i'm glad you like it.

Robert, I hope you're feeling better, I suffer from colds quite a lot, and I know how debilitating they can be.  I had got it into my head that the GB finished yesterday, but I see it actually runs until 1st March - can I submit another photo when I've found the rigging line, please?

Well a ship build is never properly and truly finished until the rigging is on...

As for me and my X-35, on New Year’s Eve here, before all the celebrating went into full swing, I had one last workbench session for 2020 and airbrushed on a coat of Future.

All ready for decals now...

Hutch6390

Stikpusher, Mongoose, 68GT, thank you for your kind words, i'm glad you like it.

Robert, I hope you're feeling better, I suffer from colds quite a lot, and I know how debilitating they can be.  I had got it into my head that the GB finished yesterday, but I see it actually runs until 1st March - can I submit another photo when I've found the rigging line, please?

 

Sure go for it!  And if not, let me know.

You know, Stik?  That subtle gradient of gray is just great.  My plan was to not buy any kits in 2021, but I am seriously thinking of getting an F35 now.  Such a fun looking jet.  

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I’m making some good progress again. Stalled some over the main rotor.

step 15 is set up wrong. The inner rotor parts, D5 & D6, go opposite each other not next to each other like the instructions show.

next up are parts D21 &D22. I did not put these on in thus step. I waited till i had the 4 inner rotors on the main mast, so after step 15-2 but before starting 15-3. Those little tomahawks as I’m calling them are a pain. My one buddy couldn’t get them to fit so he made longer ones. I read 2 places where people had similar problems. It’s tough to figure out how they go from pictures we’re given but i got it. 

when you take them off the sprue they seem to bend at the head. As I straightened mine out they fit really well. Here’s what it looks like

Those ugly pin marks are on the wrong side Academy! I made covers from 0.005” sheet as you probably noticed above. Sanding these was going to break them for sure.

Finished product 

now it’s time for the paint booth. Lots going on this weekend for sure now. Here’s the black base beginnings. There’s just 2 or 3 touch ups to do tomorrow once this dries well. Then i can start mottling it and getting onto the final colors.

​up next...GREY!

Paint it gray Mongoose! I used to see these things flying up and down the coast. Well, not until they were close, they gray paint on them makes them blend in with the sky so well!

Today, I added the decals. It wasn’t until I was applying the decals that I realized how minimal the markings were on this thing. Aside from typical stenciling, and some minimalist program markings, this aircraft is pretty plain Jane. Not even national insignia on this one!

More in a two or three days...

I think this should be it!  I found my rigging line (when I was looking for something else, of course), so I gave it a go - my first attempt at rigging.

And there she is - finished.  I've noticed that the line to the bow has a slight catenary curve, I'll have to work out how to avoid that in future - every day's a school day! This is my picture for the front page, Robert, and thanks again for the GB.

     Cheers,

               Hutch.

Well done Mongoose, Stik, and Hutch!  Such a great group of subjects, and they are all so GRAY! 

You really nailed that weathering Hutch.  I got the front page updated, and thanks for joining!

Stik, the X-35 is looking great with the decals on. See what you mean about the minimal markings!

Mongoose, some annoying little bits there to get over, but it is looking super.

Hutch, Glam, and Lost, thank you all!

My latest update:

The kit provides a single clear piece bubble canopy. But the actual X-35 had a two piece canopy, with a bow frame separating the windscreen and a side opening hood. So this is how I set about correcting that. I was not sure about the exact location of where to modify , so I had to wait until I had glued the canopy in place for a solid reference point. I used Epoxy for this to insure that canopy would not move and let that dry overnite. Of course this provides a rock solid attachment, and it did not fog the Future dipped clear part. Then after looking at photos, I found good reference points with the IP top and used them to guide me in scribing a split line into the canopy.

Then I finished masking the canopy to match the framing in photos. One side has a wider frame than the other. I also had to putty the front of the canopy to eliminate a step

And then I cleaned up the filler work

I then built up several layers of primer and paint to create something of a raised frame. In hindsight I should have used some black in a layer somewhere to lessen the chance of translucency. The primer and paint worked pretty well, but not 100% perfect. 

The end result...

Tomorrow I should have this all finished...

Ok, I’m calling this one finished. My first of 2021.

Use the whichever photo you prefer for the roster. Thanks for letting me play here.

Oooh I've been waiting all day for this and you didn't disappoint! Love the variations in tone and shade on that gray.

Thank you Mongoose. This one is very gray indeed!

Holy cow, that is beautiful in its simplicity.  Hat's off to you, Stik!  Who was the manufacturer of the kit, just realized I had not listed it on the roster list.

Congrats on the build, and thanks for joining!