Tyas

Mind if I tag along this GB? I think I'm a repeat offender when it comes to F-14 (3 F-14s on display shelf already, and is probably counting), so I hope it isn't too late to join

Oh dangit I did not notice that. Heard those landing gears were complaining about me misidentified them.

So about around 2 weeks ago I was just browsing Facebook when someone put this Super Hornet kit for sale. It was just for Rp 250k (roughly GBP12.49 in old money). Turns out his home was not that far away from my campus so I decided to buy it right away (I know, compulsive). Turns out this was part of Hasegawa's VFA-27 combo along with F/A-18C. This isn't my first Super Hornet, so I already know my way through this kit, and I'm glad this kit did not put up too much fight. Other than the landing hear doors and slightly thick decals (and that moment when I accidentally dropped some cement on to the port side of the fuselage ), nothing is troubling in my opinion. Colours are from Mr. Hobby with standard TPS scheme plus Mr. Hobby Gloss Black for the spine and vertical tail (no more block decal, please, I don't like using it). Weapons are (mostly) looted from other kits, with 2000-pounder JDAMs from Academy's F-16, 500-pounder GBU-38s from Hasegawa's F-15K, and 2 AIM-120Cs plus 2 AIM-9Xs from the kit itself. One thing I forgot to mention is the AMRAAM launcher which was completely wrong on Hasegawa's initial Super Hornet release (who the heck thought it was passable, it was clearly a HARM launcher for heaven's sake ). Sadly, this kit is from their initial release (later kits have correct launchers and new ECS exhausts for Block II aircrafts). Since this is driving me mad, I decided to steal the other two launcher available (but not for use) and extended the rear parts to make it as long as the wingtip launcher. A chore, but worth the result methinks. As always, critics and suggestions are welcome. (P.S.: I made a mistake with the ISO set-up on my EOS 400D (no autofocus, mind), so the picture is grainy )

I think both Hasegava and Revell got it right from the start, but Hase's huge price difference from RoG's offering might put some off. Also, that is one unique-looking Typhoon you got there. I feel like I didn't do justice to my Typhoon, having built it when my modelling skills were very amateur-ish (not like I'm a pro now, more like not-really-a-noob-at-all kind of level).

Thanks for the compliments and the critics, I do usually prefer white backgrounds, but this time round I want to experiment with natural sunlight and unfortunately I don't have spare A0-sized papers laying around so I kind of have to put up with cluttered rooftop 'garden' background. And as for that dust thing, yeah, I forgot to clean them up before taking photos. I do remember to clean them up afterwards, though Thanks @FAAMAN, though I kind of feel the need to revisit that F-4J. I don't feel like I did justice for Sam Flynn's MiG killer. Fortunately I got spare decals from my friend's cancelled build so... who knows?

That is a beautiful pair of F-8Es! And as with all the consensus here, Academy's F-8s are top notch. I really am looking forward to have another Crusade--wait that's not right, I mean have another go at Crusaders.

That is a really interesting approach to Aeronavale's Rafale. I personally like it, though. Charles de Gaulle plane boss might have a word or two to the maintenance crew, if ever he see one of his Rafale looking like this hahahaha

Spotted around my local district attorney office, a 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 993. Those of you with keen eyes might spotted something different. This is a US-spec car, immediately recognisable by that safety bump thingy and orange reflector, but also because the steering is in the wrong side.

March 1986 saw the end of a chapter for a legend, as it marks the last time F-4 Phantom II launched from an aircraft carrier. Specifically, F-4S Phantom IIs from VF-151 Vigilantes, embarking on a cruise with USS Kitty Hawk and CVW-5. With that final launch, the big Rhino bows down to make way for The Plastic Bug aka. F/A-18 Hornet to replace it in VFA-151, and crucially replacing most other 'Tooms in USN Squadrons. Anyway, to the kit. Hase's F-4, eh? I always love Hasegawa's F-4 kits, since it's such a nice thing to built (apart from the fiddly landing gears). The kit went together with little issues and with little sanding and filling (although I'm pretty sure I missed something somewhere). Suffice to say, I am thoroughly enjoying it, and I am looking forward to buy another F-4 kits. As a bonus, here she is with Hase's VF-31 F-4J MiG killer and Academy's F-8E from VF-201 (personally my best and most beloved kit of all) That is all from me, any suggestions and criticism would be welcomed. Cheers!

My entry (and my only entry, unfortunately), F-4S Phantom II 153880 from VF-151 Vigilantes, during Phantom Phinal Cruise with USS Kitty Hawk in March 1986. The addition from the standard Hasegawa 1/72nd kit is just a scratchbuilt structural strengthening braces for the underwing and underbody. Otherwise, it is pretty standard and surprisingly easy to built... except the landing gear. Anyway, to the gallery:

Sorry for missing out on updates, real-life stuff caught up. Anyway, the model has now finished, and here she is...! I decided to use just 2 AIM-9s, mainly because I ran out of weapon stash and my local hobby store is not selling Hasegawa's weapons set (damnit Hase, why do you have to make weapons a separate purchase). Oooooh the metal works. I am sooooo proud of the metal works. My best so far. Anyway, more will be uploaded on the gallery and (probably) on RFI section. Thank you for @trickyrich for letting me join the group build, my next project looks like it's going to be a Lancaster in 2 or 3 months time. Cheers!

Been off for a while, real-life stuffs and car-spotting is taking a bit of my time here, it seems. Anyway, picking up from where I left, after (most) of the assembly is done, I sprayed Mr. Surfacer 1500 black primer all over the 'Tooms. I was tempted to turn itu into VX-4 Black Bunny Phantom but sadly the lack of aftermarket decals grinds my hope to a halt. Then, it's the matter of spraying Mr Hobby FS36375 for the underside, FS36320 for the main colour and FS35237 for the ocuntershade. Oh, TPS camo, you always know how to make me feel incompetent with your faint gradation . Anyway, while still a little disappointed with that gradation, I sprayed the metallic colour for exhaust and heat shields. Starting with Mr. Hobby Silver, I progressed to Steel for the upper bit and Burnt Iron for the exhaust. However, that was not the end of story for the metallic bits... See, since I am a little bit cheeky, I decided to post-shade some of the silver panel with a light mist of Mr Hobby Burnt Iron to give it some sort of heat stress kind-of look. THANK GOD MY HAND DID NOT GO SHAKY LIKE MARY ANNE'S HAND. So that is it for now, since other photos are still waiting to be uploaded later on (I'm a lazy bottom in terms of uploading photos hahaha). Cheers.

Thanks for the late welcome, Rich. Deeply honored to join you guys. Now my build is in final stage (somehow I found times during holiday), but I have a question about loadout. I saw the box of Hasegawa's low-viz VF-151 CAG Sierra Phantom, and I noticed something. What's that pod?

A spot from yesterday at my local sportscar workshop. One of only 222 RHD units of BMW M5 Touring E61, and the only one in Indonesia. Also, this one got Dinan 5.8 stroker kit and Kreissieg titanium exhaust to give it 626bhp. It's nice doing spotting again in the middle of my F-4 Phantom build... :3

Got rather busy with assembling today, since my table is a bit crowded I decided to work outside, basking in the glory of Equatorial sunshine. Since I know what's what for Hasegawa's 'Tooms, the progress is rather quick. Since cockpit aftermarket set is rare as hen's teeth here in Indonesia, I resorted to the kit's decal. It's a-OK-ish representation, but since I am going to shut the cockpit close, PE set would probably not really matter. Probably. Surprisingly, the kit went together without much fight... except for landing gear. Oh, Hasegawa, you and your fetish of multitudes of landing gear parts. Never failed to amuse me . Since the landing gear parts doesn't seem to enjoy putting itself together (perhaps I need to buy a new cement), I affixed them with superglue. I know, very childish. But at least it now stands on its own. Tomorrow will probably be about priming and inspecting for any gaps to fill or steps to shave off. Cheers.

FULL SPEED AHEAD! Joining aboard with a project that is supposed to join my local Phantom Anniphersary group build, is Hasegawa's F-4S Phantom II (in God's own scale xD) Immediately, I need to address the Rhino in the room. Being Sierra Phantom, Hasegawa should've provided strengthening plate for the underbody. They didn't. so I decided to get going with first making a strengthening plate out of a .1mm PlaPlate. Strapped some masking tape, sketched a pattern, taped them on to PlaPlate and proceed with cutting and installing the plate, and we end up with this: Aaaaand now there is no turning back into F-4J. But since I'm going to make NF205, one of the last 'Tooms dispatched from USS Midway in March 1986, it just got to be the Sierra Phantom. Next chapter will follow tomorrow (or maybe some time later). Cheers.

Newbie here requesting permission to go full speed ahead with my recently-acquired F-4S Phantom II! Actually this is for my local group build celebrating Phantom's 60th anniversary but I'd be more than happy to join with this (relatively affordable) Rhino.

... Holy moly that is a dedication I can never match. Monetarily, at least.

If it is up to F-8 or Legacy Hornet standard then I'd be rushing to my guaranteed seller and snatch one. Or two. Or as much as my wallet (and shelf) would let me to. But if it is a more simplified kits like their F-4... hmmm... Perhaps I shall wait until reviews or build progress started to pop around.

Seems like the upcoming Tomcats from Academy is going to be an F-14B from VF-143. Soooo one can hope for F-14D in the future. Just a seriously wishful thinking.

I am still waiting for Tamiya to make 1/72nd version of it. By the time it's announced I'm probably already 70 years old hahahahaha

Whoa, I didn't expect to receive lots of compliments from you guys. Thanks for all the compliments and tips...!

Ah. That's what I'm looking for. The anti-corrosion paint. My small brain sometimes went a bit wonky. As wonky as those wheels I painted

Thanks for the protip, Steve. Greatly appreciated

As promised, more (better) photos taken by my proper camera.