Middle Weight GB 2006

Just to say, after spending more than price of the kit on cockpit upgrades (only to discover it's for the wrong F-14), followed by 2 more seats (only to discover the kit seat were better, and again, wrong version), I've decided to build it OOB.  Partially painted cockpit and seats, and the air ducts and fans in place.  Those air ducts are an example of awful design.  They tried to have one piece which did a few jobs (ducts, underside, and side).  The result is that nothing quite fitted right.  Not too bad, but so complex are the ducts to fit, that impossible to be right.  Sometimes more parts are better.  Oh well, it finally looks OK, just needs some filler, and sanding (the ducts themselves seem to be slightly larger than the mating surface to join to)

Shinden looks fantastic, Vin!

WOW!  That Shinden looks GREAT!  Nice build, nice paint job!  Wish I could do so well!  Thanks for showing us the pictures Vin.

My own build is barely progressing.  I'm picking up some seatbelts (hopefully) this weekend, from an Eduard set for the F-14D 1/48, part of a general cockpit improvement set, designed for the Hasegawa set.  I know I'm building Revell, but it should be OK.

Speaking of my build.  I've seen thin gates, I've seen normal gates, I've even seen Kopro's gates on a MiG-15!  However, nothing prepared me for these gates.  Almost 1/2" wide, and thick too.  Just how much detail is lost removing this is criminal!  I'm basically using vacform techniques, on a new product from a quality producer, quite extraordinary!  The technique is to gently score back and forth, until the gate snaps, then to sand it back (very carefully, to not lose the intricate, and raised, detail.  Being raised, it can't be re-scored if I slip). I bought it as a new kit, and it's on sale still, however, I bought mine cheap at Woolworths, as a package including paints, cutters, etc.

Here is a picture of part of the mainplane with gate, and part of the fuselage without.



Happy modelling y'all!

Progress on my Shinden...Decals done...on the home stretch.

Thanks Arki!  I'm going to just whack in some seatbelts, and for the rest, the Revell seats, etc

Any new pics of your progress?  I know what you mean about the office!

Bummer about the mix-up on the F-14. 

Progress on my end has been slow.  The office has been taking up much of my time, but I have managed to get a little filling and sanding done the plane.

arki30 wrote:

Yes, washing the resin is a good idea.  Primer or not to primer is really up to each individual.  I swear by it.  I use MM grey primer and it seems to work fine.  Enamel or acrylic will work equally well with resin.  It's simply a matter of taste.

Thanks mate!  I'll try it out.  Here I go into the new world of resin!

edited to add:
Just discovered that the kit I've got is an F-14D, not an F-14A (it was a Revell 'package', so, I threw the outer flimsy bit away, just keeping the instructions, decals, and, with the paints, etc going to the paints draw).  Darn darn darn!  OK, do I build an F-14D as per original, with seatbelts, of course (either bought or made from tape), or go for a different project?  As soon I know I'll let you know!  Now to box up the resin, and wait for a 1/48 F-14A...

Yes, washing the resin is a good idea.  Primer or not to primer is really up to each individual.  I swear by it.  I use MM grey primer and it seems to work fine.  Enamel or acrylic will work equally well with resin.  It's simply a matter of taste. 

Thanks for that Arki.  Do you need to wash resin first?  Also, what primer should I use, or do I really need primer?  Lastly, I guess resin is fine with either enamel or acrylic?

Resin isn't all that intimidating once you work with it for awhile. 

First, when cutting or sanding pieces from the resin block, use a respirator.  Or your shirt or anything that will keep resin dust from being inhaled.  From what I understand it's not good stuff for the old lungs.

Second, when you are removing pieces from the blocks, try running the x-acto blade across the resin attachment to score it.  The piece can usually just be snapped loose at the score line.  It really just depends on the piece and how it's attached to the resin block.  I've had big pieces where I used a small saw to detach the piece and then spent several days sanding down the rest. 

Third, standard super glue that melts plastic together will not work with resin.  You'll need to use CA glue or epoxy. 

Fourth, painting resin is not any different than painting plastic.  I prime it and paint just like anything else. 

Good luck!

No progress yet on my F-14A.  First stop should be to prep, assemble, and paint the resin cockpit, but truth be told, I'm a little afraid as I've never tackled resin before...  any advice, good websites, etc?

A little quiet in here....

Progress: fuselage assembled, engine painted and cowl installed.  Wings are underway.  This Tamiya kit is a beaut to put together. 

Pics of the P-47D cockpit.  OOB except for the Ultracast seat. Sorry about the lighting, but I thought I had it pretty well lit.

Good progress, Mike.  You're much farther along than I am. 

Pics of my cockpit by this evening.

Some progress....the fit on this one is less than stellar- but it's the only 1/48 in town- so here t'is:

Love the shape of that aircraft, Vinny!  Great progress

On my end, cockpit is painted with detail painting next.  I'll post some pics when I'm closer to finishing the pit.

Progress Pics:

Looks good so far, keep posting!

Tried updating my sig tag to show the in-progress pic but I hosed it....here is the Marauder so far:

 

F-16 finished!  Now to start this build, if only I can remember where I put that box....

Aargh!  Still haven't started.  The number of decals on a modern fighter jet is just ridiculous.  I'd hoped to have the F-16 finished by now, but I can only work so fast especially given my work schedule.  Ah, the fun of being middle-aged. 

Got the interior and undersides painted on her...but unfortunately my camera software got hosed when my computer started acting up-- so no progress pics yet....I will be adding them to my GB tag as we go along so you can see progress there as well...

Still at the research stage for the True Details cockpit for the F-14A.  I wasn't sure if I had the right cockpit (it just says F-14 on the bag), but it seems to be correct.  Next stage is to prep the resin for painting, cut off excess, etc.  Never used resin before, so should be interesting...

I started on my A-10 today.  I started fiddeling around with the Legend cockpit set I have for it. I have all the parts cleaned and almost all of them off and sanded up....  I'll hopefully get some more done this week and have some pics this weekend...

Gave the Marauder a good washing tonight...hope to start fiddling with the interior tomorrow...

So, under 4 hours until the build starts! I went down to Hannants model shop today to buy seat belts for the F-14A, and ended up spending more (there's a surprise!), and getting the True Details F-14A Cockpit Detail Set, rather than just the seatbelts. It's a resin set, with the belts moulded in. I've never used resin before, so, it's off to the darkside for me!

Oh man, has time flown by!  This build is sneaking up on me way too quickly.  Well, with the current builds I have in progress, I probably won't be able to start until mid-January.  C'est la vie.

 

OK...I have 3 potential kits to start for this GB. I'm going for the Revell 1/48 F-14A Tomcat (being a Gemini I'm apologising in advance if this changes by next week when the GB starts!)

I'm still in it. I'll be building the Hasegawa 1/72 Harrier AV-8B. I hope to finish it before the spring semister is over.

Joshua

OK....since there is no rush to end...and since I am already doing a couple other Pacific builds, I think I will stay away from the Buffalo for now.  Heck-- might as well go whole hog-- since this is a middle weight build, I'll go with a middle weight kit.  Put me down for Revell's 1/48 B-26 Marauder medium bomber.  If you only want fighters, I can do the Buffalo....I am easy going