Nocoolname Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Right, calling this done (finally!). Might pop a couple of pilots in at some point in the future but that’s for then. In the meantime here is ZA267 – the middle of three Tornado F.2 Prototypes – in a later configuration complete with the lengthened fuselage. This is my third plastic kit since taking up model making after a 25 year gap and my first jet since a Tamiya F-15 back in 1988. As mentioned above, the kit is mostly OOB except for the Eduard PE set, scratch built parts, AMS pitot and custom decals. Paints are a right old mixture, starting with Halfords yellow filler-primer (terrible), Revell Aqua Colours (ranging from the good to awful), AK Extreme Metals (superb!), Alclad Mil-Spec Enamels (fantastic!), Mig Washes (great!), Alclad Aqua Gloss (great!) and Klear Kote Matte (still waiting to dry properly L). Almost everything was airbrushed. Ordinance is a mixed loadout based on available references (big thanks to Canbera Kid on this front!) and the nav lights are my first crude attempt at lighting. This was a nightmare build. Nothing went as planned. Paintwork had to be redone, parts broke, fit was terrible, decals failed. That it didn’t end up ‘crashed’ in the bin was a miracle but what I learned that I can apply to my next builds made it all worthwhile. At some point I plan to build an MRCA prototype to go alongside but for now I’m taking a break from custom builds. One thing I did learn from the build is that I really don’t get on that well with acrylics. I found the Aqua Colours to be extremely user friendly but a bit too random in application. I had a similar experience on my spitfire builds but decided to persevere. My brief attempt with Vallejo was even worse, resulting in a clogged airbrush and a fun packed clean up. By comparison, the Mil-Spec enamels were a revelation. Yes, they brought back childhood memories of paint fumes and sticky fingers but in terms of control and results they were great. Same for the AK Metalisers. I also learned a whole world of respect for the manufacturers of decals given the challenges I found trying to create my own. And finally, I learned the value of patience, perseverance and a well maintained airbrush 41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottC Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Cracking build of the Mighty Fin, which kit did you use ? ScottC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoolname Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 6 minutes ago, ScottC said: Cracking build of the Mighty Fin, which kit did you use ? ScottC Thanks Scott It was the 1/48 Italeri ADV. Definately not a fun kit to play with. Looking forward to tucking into a nice new Academy or Hasegawa now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Hello,Nocoolname - She may have caused a few battles along the way but you certainly won the war with this magnificent looking 'Tornado F-2'.I love the quality and detail of the painting and finishing work.Well done indeed. 😉👍 All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Hi Nocoolname, she is a beauty and the detail is excellent, in my opinion it was well worth the fight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoolname Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thanks Folks! Much appreciated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huvut76g7gbbui7 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 An excellent piece of work indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 A stunner and such a refreshing scheme to choose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebra Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Outstanding. And my 8 year old, sitting next to me right now, says it's off the hook! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Air-to-Air Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Despite all the dramas, that's one helluva good looking model you've finished. Congratulations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Considering the base kit it's an outstanding build of the F2,love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrardandrews Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Very nice 😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phone Phixer Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Beautiful work. For all the challenges it threw at you, I'd say you won. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 See you've chosen a rare subject and when everybody here has finished commenting you'll look at the kit after a period of time and say that's a goodun which it is. steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoolname Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Thanks for all your comments folks! They're really appreciated and help encourage me to work even harder on my next build. I'm still trying to decide on what my next build will be. I was thinking of the F-16 Wild Weasel but have a hankering to build the F-4J "Vandy" Black Bunny 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Modeller Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 That's really nice. Love the work you've put in on those stores - it makes a big difference to the overall look. I was about to say something about Tornado F2s having a shorter rear fuselage than F3s, but I thought I had better check, and then found a photo of ZA267 with the later F3 style back end, so good on yer. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 That is mighty impressive!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoolname Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 2 hours ago, CT Modeller said: That's really nice. Love the work you've put in on those stores - it makes a big difference to the overall look. I was about to say something about Tornado F2s having a shorter rear fuselage than F3s, but I thought I had better check, and then found a photo of ZA267 with the later F3 style back end, so good on yer. Chris Thanks Chris! About the fuselage, 267 was an odd one in that it appears that it started with a shortened fuselage which was then lengthened with what I can only assume to be a 'plug' but it was still different from later versions with the 'steel band' further forward than on later models. The stores were a right pain, especially since references of what was carried were really scarce. I could find images of four different versions of Skyflash, two of which had the photo-tracking markings and I picked one of those. I also found references for both two and four sidewinders of different variants along with different drop tanks. They even had different coloured sets of pylons. Hence my build is a 'mish-mash' of what I could find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loloskymaster Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Very nice and interesting, this F.2 prototype! Great job till the end with your own decals. I used to have a project of one of the firsts Tornado prototypes in white and red colors. May be one day..! Well done, Nocoolname Lolo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Very tasty indeed, top work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgecona2 Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Pics gone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nocoolname Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share Posted July 20, 2017 Yep! Photobucket strikes again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now