Lockheed GB anyone?

mucker wrote:

ruddratt wrote:  TANGO 1 wrote: I am still taking lots of pics of the base in progress so I can do a "how to" later. That is something I simply MUST check out! Those bases of yours are amazing, Darren! Sounds like you're making excellent progress, my friend! Yes, sign me up for a subscription as well!

I am finished for tonight. I got the decals sealed in, did some more work to the base and started painting my ground crew and equipment...........

I did something daft though.......there are some tiny decals that go on the bomb bay doors and I've lost them to the carpet monster! After a long search, I could not find them so I will see what I have in the spares box. I really enjoying this build-I can't wait to get some more done tomorrow!

Fear not my fearless kit bashing guardians of plastic perfection!!!

I have found the missing decals and defeated the evil carpet monster! Order has been restrored to the secret workshop and I recon thats as good as reason as any to celebrate...........

Ahhhh...............

Hehehehehehehehehehehe!

Don't worry chaps-I haven't gone barking mad!

I've just been drinking.............................

...............THIS!

By Thunder! Its really rather good!

TANGO 1 wrote:

...............THIS!     By Thunder! Its really rather good!

Looks like a cheap rip off of "Red Stripe" to me....

But bottoms up, anyways!

Oh, boy...

I stepped away from the FAAGB to take a break from the rum, and stepped in here to find MORE RUM!!!

OK, OK...

I'll have one with you!

Congrats Darren on your victory against the dreaded Carpet Monster!

Carpet Monster  0

Darren              1

TANGO 1 wrote:

Fear not my fearless kit bashing guardians of plastic perfection!!!

This just CRACKED ME UP!!

For whom it may be any interest:

The 1/48 Tamiya F-16CJ kit has an AM resin conversion kit to Block 52 is on the market. I just got the set from luckymodels.com ($27.xx with shipping)

Nice set. 

Since Frank reported this to me, I am going to give you a direct link to avoid any missleading links to a diferent modelling style

 http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=WP-48022

Daywalker wrote:

Congrats Darren on your victory against the dreaded Carpet Monster! Carpet Monster  0 Darren              1

Thank you! Thank you!

Now........I'm building a F-117 and I want it to look "right" So......do I or don't I highlight the panel lines?

I'm studying photo's and I would say with a decent paint job (hopefully I've done that!) the panel line wash wouldn't be neccessary........what I mean is, you don't see the panel lines on the real thing in most photo's-so should I or shouldn't I add a wash? What do you chaps think? I'd really like some input on this one.

Thanks Mucker,

I have done a little contrast work with the greys I'm using to "fade" the black paint. I've done it panel by panel so some are more faded than others to show a contrast between panels. At the moment the model is still glossed aftewr decals........I will wait for a few more opinions before I decide what to do. 

Darren,

Looking at my F-117 references, I do see quite a few cases of certain panels being a signifigantly different shade of dark grey.  Especially the areas right above the exhausts and immediately behind the cockpit on top of the spine.  This photo shows what I mean:

This next photo shows a light-greyish color in and around the panel lines:

If it were up to me, I would pick a couple of different shades of dark greay, then mask off those areas that appear different and spray, then mask off a couple of others, then spray.  After that, I would use a HEAVILY thinned dark grey and overspray the entire aircraft to blend all of the colors together to avoid the "patchwork" look.  Then, I would mix up a medium grey wash for the panel lines, and add some white and also some burnt umber pastels for the exhaust area. 

Thanks Frank.

I see what you mean about those panels-those photo's are excellent! I will have to be careful as I have already sealed in the decals, but I can mask them and add some more shading. The trick is going to be making sure that I don't over-do it!

Many thanks for your help!

TANGO 1 wrote:

Now........I'm building a F-117 and I want it to look "right" So......do I or don't I highlight the panel lines? I'm studying photo's and I would say with a decent paint job (hopefully I've done that!) the panel line wash wouldn't be neccessary........what I mean is, you don't see the panel lines on the real thing in most photo's-so should I or shouldn't I add a wash? What do you chaps think? I'd really like some input on this one.

Darren remember one important thing with the F-117A, in real life it has no panel lines.  On operational aircraft the RAM coating that is applied to the entire aircraft which covers all panel lines.  Unfortunately the bird Tamiya measured for the kit was the one at the Air Force Museum which had all the RAM removed for security reasons (hence the panel lines on the kit).

On mine I was going to fill all the panel lines but gave up on that idea instantly when I looked at the bottom of the kit.

Frank I love those photos they are great and the top one show a nice view of the space shuttle tiles and titanium exhaust.

Cheers

Thanks Darren,

I have had a look at some other pics and have made a decision on the "look" that I want to capture. I will have a little time this week to get some more work done-I hope my Nighthawk turns out OK!

Thanks Frank,

I took some pics of it this afternoon after the dull coat went on-I recon I need to lighten the surface colour a tad more. I'll give you a look later so you can tell me what you think. 

OK, here's how it looked at the end of play this evening..........

This is the "look" that I'm trying to re-create............

So.......any good? I think the grey shading could go a tad lighter, that aside I think its OK.

BTW, the display plaque is just paper at the minute, the real one will look much better! 

Darren:

Based on the look you're after, I'd say "mission accomplished". Once again, a beautiful model and base. Truly inspirational.

Thanks Mucker! You are too kind, I'm very happy that you think I've got the look I was going for.

Looking good Darren!  Black airplanes are tough, looks like you are well on your way to acheiving "the look" !

Hmmm... Is that the instruction sheet for the Hasegawa groundcrew and equipment I see in the background?  

Thanks Frank! 

Daywalker wrote:

Hmmm... Is that the instruction sheet for the Hasegawa groundcrew and equipment I see in the background?

Oh yes indeedy!!

Darren-

PICS PICS PICS PICS!!!

Sorry bout that lil' outburst.

Darren I agree with the others, I think you've nailed the finish as is any lighter would be too light IMHO.

Your Nighthawk looks sensational btw.

Cheers