The 50 Shades of Gray Group Build!

My real reason for casting is my scratch building is so poor I cannot make items consistently!

Oh and a not so interesting fact - about 15 years ago I bought a SH 60 B kit to do up as the RAN helo on Melbourne. But the kit was rubbish and I never made it. BUT I have just used the two intake covers back to back to make the radome for the Melbourne!

Interesting update, Lostagain!  I have never considered resin casting on a project. 

O, it is nice having a splash of color on these pages.

Very nice paintwork O and very fine holes for the rigging.

And very normal sized too for a change.

The Melbourne is in a stage of getting a lot of the deck furniture made up. I made the vertical launch system, the big radome near the stern and the guidance system on top of the bridge.

I also have done a boat and crane. But I need two of these, so I am trying casting these.

First the masters:

For the boat and crane a two piece mould:

And some of the results are good and some are bad. The big ones work well, but the small ones are pretty crap due to me not being able to get the air bubbles out - especially the sextuple chaff launchers. 

So still working on the casting to get better results. Need four of the chaff launchers, and multiples of the other bits. So back to the casting...

-O your paint looks really thin and smooth. Gonna be a good looking bird.

Hey Grayers,

I haven't been in this thread for a while and boy, I've missed a lot! First of all, thanks for the pats on the back regarding the B-1. Much appreciated. I'm glad that thing is done. Second, there is some amazing work going on in here. There's been some great modeling going on since I finished my beast!

Well, I'm back with a proof of life. Just wanted to let you all know that the B-1 didn't kill me, although it came close. I still have my little "Stearman" in the works, and I have been able to make a little progress on it.

This is my first biplane and I figured, for the sake of expanding my skillset, I'd go ahead and rig it. In for a penny, in for a pound, eh?

So I started with drilling some holes for the rigging.

Once all the holes were drilled, or at least as many as I could plot, I got the main assembly slapped together and primed.

Since then, I've been able to spray the primary colors. I'm building this loosely based on a restored warbird, so the colors and marking won't be 100% accurate. The primary color is ADC gray with yellow.

Anyway, that's where things stand with this project. I have a couple of whirlybirds in the works for a couple of other GBs. I'll make sure I keep everyone posted on my progress.

Keep up the amazing work gang! Comments, questions, and criticisms welcome.

Cheers!

-O

TheMongoose

Tomcat you get a special award when you finish that one. Are those ejector pin marks in the middle of the horizontal stabs? Egad!

 

...Ahhhh yes, yes those are ejector pin marks. Thank you for pointing that out, I missed those. I guess its back to filling, filing, sanding....etc, etc. 

Glamdring the brand is Freehand Airbrush Templates. Comes with 3 different patterns. I cut 1/4 pie from one sheet so i could get it up close enough to transfer the pattern when spraying.

All 1 color now :-)

 

https://themaddmongoose.smugmug.com/Marine-Skid-Zulu-s/i-RLdnPjR/A

 

 

 

Check out the graphics i did for this latest model...especially for rick & morty fans, I couldn’t have just plain hellfires 

 

Coming along nicely Mark, it will look good with the gray coat on.

Mongoose - What is that stencil?  Certainly gives a nice effect!

My new Viper came in yesterday... I broke a window  and a new one was the most reliable way to get a clear sprue so i have something perfect for this build. Will have to build another Viper with the cracked screen, OHH DANG  I already have a paint scheme picked out. Now for progress on this one 

Got a stencil for Christmas 

definitely like these!

next up will be the light ghost gray +10% black before the top coat.

Tomcat, that will look a lot better once you have a coat of paint on there to cover all of that seam work.

Lost, thank you. I’m just happy to have this one finally finished.

Tomcat you get a special award when you finish that one. Are those ejector pin marks in the middle of the horizontal stabs? Egad!

Stik, superb finish there, the X-35 looks an absolute treat. I like the clean look, really good.

Tomcat, looks like you have had a bit of a wrestle straightening out the 15, but it is looking good.

A couple of observations. First the builds shown here have been simply amazing. O, that B1 is incredible. I didn't realize how HUGE that sucker is, Wow. And Stick the F35 is incredible. That is some really outstanding work...by everyone.

Now onto my F15, albeit quite a bit less grandious. This little plane, for as simple as it is, (well its actually about one step up from a snap tite kit), has been a pain. Lots of fit problems and with that comes the filling, filing, sanding, priming..repeat. but its together and about ready or paint...

After some color (a shade of grey, Gunship grey that is) is on, I think it might not look so bad.

Thank you Robert. The X-35A is indeed simple and clean in its’ lines and appearance. It’s a bit of a shame that they did not give it a more colorful and typical prototype paint scheme. But then it would not have qualified for this GB . The kit is made by Revell Germany. 

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!

Thank you Mongoose. This one is very gray indeed!

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

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.

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...

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.

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!

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.

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’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!

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.  

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.

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...

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?

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.