The 50 Shades of Gray Group Build!

Bravo, Lostagain!  Very impressive!

68, nice inclusion of the false canopy.  I didn't even know such a thing existed.  

Lost again I was finally able to see your pictures. The Melbourne is really looking good. can't wait to see some close-ups as you start adding details. That big decal on the Stern for the Helo landing spot was the bane of my existence. yours looks really great!

Thanks Mongoose, you are too kind - the helo deck decal was a monster for me too - I am using the Ronin decal set for the Aussie FFGs, and the deck markings are not the same as the USN so they don't line up with the markings etched in the deck.
So that gave me some problems chasing it round the place - so I managed to break off one corner, and it's repaired with a couple of bits of white strip.
Basically, don't look too close....

Tomcat, good luck with the replace/repair effort.

68, love the Thunderbolt painting. I have seen the fake canopy on some Canuck Hornets too.

As always, great work being posted-you guys continue to raise the bar.

Finally got motoviated to get the Chevy finished-started with Bare Metal Foil-discovered real quick that BMF is a skill set that requires time & effort...and skills I don't have.

Masked the trim with Tamiya tape and moved to the Molotow Chrome Pen-2mm-it was ok but I think it was getting a little old-used some Golden Flow silver-I liked it but it is a litte thin for brushing (going to pick up the non Flow version).  Pulled the tape off....along with several decals....really thought that they had enough clear coat to prevent that....live and learn..Thought about doing some touch up-didn't work.  Body is soaking in 'Mean Green'-will try to clean it up and start over tomorrow.  If not, then Plan B....

Well here is the final result of my F15E strike eagle with decal, redone....sort of. I was able to locate a picture of the original art:

from this I made a decal to place on the model. I had to reduce the image to be in scale (more or less) and the result yielded a fairly dark image, but i thought it was usable.

Since the image contains "white" I had to print this on white decal paper. Here I prepped the model by caefully scraping, rubbing away the damaged one. I used Solvaset to help soften up the decal...

Let me tell you that trying to work on a completed model is vary harrowing to say the least. I was pretty sure I'd break something off. To my amazement she weathered the storm with no additonal damage. Before applying the new one, I painted over the general area where the decal was to be placed with white. I had hoped the white beneath the decal would help to lighten it up some and make the other colors a liitle more vibrant. After the white was dry, I brushed on a coat of Future to give the decal something to hold onto. Then I applied to decal, let it dry and then a coat of testors decal setting solution. some of the white protruded the decal edges so I carefully painted on Gunship Grey and blended it into the surrounding paint. After all that dried I brushed on some acrylic flat to even out the finish and here it is...

Pretty awful, don't you think. You win some and you loose some. I'm not going to spend any more time on her, unless of course I do come across a legitimate decal . So call it done and use the last picture if you please. Thanks for hosting this GB and putting up with my ranting. Thanks for looking.

BTW, Bobbaily I love the Chevy and believe me I feel your pain with the decal.

Mark-so sorry for your battle with your decal-the Strike Eagle looks great-hopefully you will come across a decal that meets your goal.

Cleaned up the Chevy today-decided to experment a bit.  Tried some of the Badger primer-happy with it-still some learning but I can spray it indoors with no issues-I've always relied on spray cans so this is a good thing.

Came across an older Vallejo weathering kit-got it during one of Squadron's big sales several years ago....German grey...various shades of grey...hmmm...anyway, got the accents on and the lower part of the body painted....will use the darker grey for the roof tomorrow. 

Still learning using Vallejo-not thrilled about the auto paint applications but for this build, I'm good with it.  I have some Golden High Flow grey shading-may use that for the roof.  I've tested the Golden High Flow and it sprays great-but it will require mixing for military applications.

bobbaily

Mark-so sorry for your battle with your decal-the Strike Eagle looks great-hopefully you will come across a decal that meets your goal.

Cleaned up the Chevy today-decided to experment a bit.  Tried some of the Badger primer-happy with it-still some learning but I can spray it indoors with no issues-I've always relied on spray cans so this is a good thing.

Came across an older Vallejo weathering kit-got it during one of Squadron's big sales several years ago....German grey...various shades of grey...hmmm...anyway, got the accents on and the lower part of the body painted....will use the darker grey for the roof tomorrow. 

Still learning using Vallejo-not thrilled about the auto paint applications but for this build, I'm good with it.  I have some Golden High Flow grey shading-may use that for the roof.  I've tested the Golden High Flow and it sprays great-but it will require mixing for military applications.

 

 

i have found thinning the vallejo with Tamiya X-20A works the best. 1 drop of retarder medium per 20 drops paint and thinner. No graininess anymore and lays down smooth. Anyway hopefully I'm not to presumptuous and that's the kind of info you could use?

TheMongoose

 

 

bobbaily

Mark-so sorry for your battle with your decal-the Strike Eagle looks great-hopefully you will come across a decal that meets your goal.

Cleaned up the Chevy today-decided to experment a bit.  Tried some of the Badger primer-happy with it-still some learning but I can spray it indoors with no issues-I've always relied on spray cans so this is a good thing.

Came across an older Vallejo weathering kit-got it during one of Squadron's big sales several years ago....German grey...various shades of grey...hmmm...anyway, got the accents on and the lower part of the body painted....will use the darker grey for the roof tomorrow. 

Still learning using Vallejo-not thrilled about the auto paint applications but for this build, I'm good with it.  I have some Golden High Flow grey shading-may use that for the roof.  I've tested the Golden High Flow and it sprays great-but it will require mixing for military applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

i have found thinning the vallejo with Tamiya X-20A works the best. 1 drop of retarder medium per 20 drops paint and thinner. No graininess anymore and lays down smooth. Anyway hopefully I'm not to presumptuous and that's the kind of info you could use?

 

Mongoose-thank you and you're not being presumptuous.  I'm always looking for input to improve.  I have some X-20A and I'll give it a try today.  I have been hesitant to use non-Vallejo thinner based on what I've read in the forums about reactions but I'll give it a try.

Again, thank you.

Yep Bob I have tried a few others and created goo myself! seemsEven the acrylics that appear to not contain alcohol actually have a little bit in them. The X-20A has worked very well, I was totally surprised. I use a 50/50 mix with model color and just 80/20 paint to thinner max with model air.

The other side benefit was that I have not had any problems with paint pulling up from the tape since using the Tamiya  thinner.

TheMongoose

Yep Bob I have tried a few others and created goo myself! seemsEven the acrylics that appear to not contain alcohol actually have a little bit in them. The X-20A has worked very well, I was totally surprised. I use a 50/50 mix with model color and just 80/20 paint to thinner max with model air.

The other side benefit was that I have not had any problems with paint pulling up from the tape since using the Tamiya  thinner.

 

Mongoose-mixed up some of the Vallejo light grey that I used on the Chevy & some X-20A....found an old test mule to spray on-much better-I will be using the Tamiya moving forward.  Frustrating thing was that the paint itself was older/thicker (although labeled Model Air) so I mixed in some Vallejo Airbrush Thinner-either not enough and/or my skills are a work in progress....but still, the X-20A worked well and I have a full bottle or two lying about.

Again, thank you for sharing the tip.

Tomcat - I will add you as complete.  A fine recovery from disaster!

Bob - That is a shame about the decals...but it looks to me that you inadvertantly found a way to replicate a race car that has been trading paint out on the track.  Glad you are moving forward though, and learning about Vallejo along the way.  

Thank you Robert...yes this has been a learning experience and continues to be so...

Ok-really wanted to do the Bare Metal Foil but decided that this isn't the time nor kit to do so-and my hand brushing the Golden Air Flow paint didn't work either...however, over in the Auto Forum, I did see NearsightedJohn built a '64 GTO A/FX and airbrushed Alcad on the chrome trim-looked great.  He taped off the trim, primed with gloss black and then Alcad Chrome.  He did a great job.

I don't have any Chrome in the paint supply, but I do have some Vallejo Metal Aluminum-figured it would work.  Didn't take the time to prime gloss black-fingers crossed that it would work...

I'm happy with it. Going to order some Vallejo Air Chrome and save the BMF treatment for later. Taping wasn't really that bad-somewhat relaxing.

Also, decided to weather the Chevy a little, thus the paint fade, especially on the roof.  Thinking about hiding some blemishes with some rust...hopefully get this one put to bed soon...several other Group Builds that I hope to finish before the deadlines....

Bob

Picked up the Vallejo Rust & Weathering kit @ HobbyLobby-not a bad deal with the 40% coupon that will be discontinued soon...anyway, rusted up the chassis first, then pulled out a test mule from the stash-a kit that I had started several years ago with the intent of extreme weathering.....anyway, I ended up rusting the Chevy a little....think barn find in the process of being restored...or at least taken to the drag strip on weekends...

Probably shoot some Future, decals and then dull coat...maybe with some dot filtering...maybe not...maybe a Fifty Shades of Rust GB...hmmmm

That is some sweet action Bob!  I love the two tone, and the rusting!

Bob...50 shades of rust! Love it lmao

Robert, Mongoose & Lostagain-thank you.

Lostagain-the Melborne is looking good-I haven't built up the courage to attempt a ship in that scale...actually, a ship in any scale....and I'll add your Vallejo mixing tips to the list.

Lostagain how did you do those vents? mine werent in the open position and I was never happy with how they looked.

Lostagain, The Melbourne looks great, most impessive!

We are in the homestretch guys!  7 days left.   Funny how fast a year can go....

If you aren't done by 11:59 on 3/1, don't sweat it, I'll give some leeway to any active projects.  

Decals on today...again.  Fortunatly, there was a duplicate of the 'Mr. Chevy' on the Slixx sheet and I have more than enough drag racing kits/decals in the stash.  Should be able to get a Matt coat on tomorrow and then some light dot filtering w/oils on Wed.  Really want to get this one done on time..but...Robert, thank you for the extension...things happen...

ok the Viper is all done. I finished up the base this week and we had a little sun todayin Cincinnati so I grabbed some pics. My accessories haven't even gotten on the water yet from Europe so I'm calling this finished for the group build. The base represents the USS Boxer

and let's use this one with Missile Rick grinning at everyone for the front page

That is Phenomenal, Mongoose!  Thank you for joining and sharing it! 

Is the base premade or did you put it together too?

Glamdring

That is Phenomenal, Mongoose!  Thank you for joining and sharing it! 

Is the base premade or did you put it together too?

 

thx glamdring! Yes, i built the base myself. Got some directions from a buddy over in Louisville. I drilled holes for the padeyes. Used 80 grit sandpaper for the deck. Designed the deck markings in Silhouette designer from pics off the Boxer. Then cut them out if frisket paper and used those to do the paint work.

Coming together quickly now, barring the usual stuff up or fat fingers on my part.
The bridge is on and the 02 deck railing is complete. The extra boat deck and extra railings on deck means some cannabalizing to stretch it far enough.

Frustratingly the railings on th estarboard side do not match up witht the torpedo tubes - I did look at chopping up what Academy supplied, but I don't have any spare to play around with, so it is what it is...

Mongoose-great job on the Viper-and the base tops it off.  Love the weathering.

Lost- the railing issue is a bummer but it looks great-very impressive.

Lostagain, I am greatly impressed by the ship!  It keeps getting better and better.

As for my own ship, I now call it complete.  Suffered a minor disaster my accidently dropping a CA bottle on one of the safety nets around the flight deck, but I just needed to glue it back in place.  The CA was conveniently close by.

The final 3 components, chopper, drone, and anchor, are all firmly in place.

A proper completion photo will be forthcoming, then on the shelf it goes!  After making room...

Robert-nice job on your ship-so much detail-very good build.

Finished up the Chevy today-first a couple of pics of the engine and interior

borrowed the seat belts from another AMT kit

I have some follow up on the rear end-fought with the rear bumper and valance panel-figured I needed a break after the CA failed the task.

Fit of everything reminded me of why I don't like AMT auto kits-great subjects but the fit on these older kits leaves a lot to be desired....I ended up bringing out the Dremel to clear out the firewall so the engine wouldn't interfere with the firewall/interior...but I happy with it as long as I don't raise the hood...

Robert-thank you for hosting this GB and for everyone's encouragement. A lot of outstanding builds posted here-hope to build with you guys again soon.

Cheers

Bob

Thank you 68GT-yea, I'm a Ford guy myself but had enough family members that were on the Chevy side that I have fond memories of both growng up.