Lifeline

Hi all, This actually few days back... I started the decal which came from the kit. It was surprisingly good and react well with mr.hobby decal solution. Granted it was quite thick but unly can be seen in some areas. Although a classic problem with special scheme like this, decal sometimes fell short and need to be touched up with paints later. The kit then sealed with semi gloss clear (lacquer) especially in decaled area. Meanwhile, the ejection seats are finished Simple water based panel line wash using acrylic paint diluted with soap water.. The wash hopefully only shows lighter effect compared with oil ba,sed wash so it won't disturb the white scheme too much. I'm currently building all the other small parts together... So it seemed the finish line is quite near. Cheers, Mario

Wah Merpati! Still saw glimpse of it whenever I land in Juanda Surabaya.. Very nice model.. You really got the classy shape of 737. Did you also print the flaps and decals? Cheers, Mario

Hi... The build still going (believe it or not).. I only can build it little by little due to new jobs, Christmas, and new year.. oh, by the way... -Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!- Thankfully all the gaps and joints are minimal... Primer on... And Mr.Color GX-1 Same process with the wings, the stabs, abd other parts. This kit is famous for the seam line in the middle of the canopy. This was handled with nail polishing sticks, followed by runbing it with toothe paste, and fine compound. One pain in building Hasegawa's GE F-110 engine are the exhaust nozzle assembly... It's hard for me to fits all the petals properly... So, I thought might as well add details inside it. Although looking at the finished parts, I don't think anyone will notice it. Cheers, Mario

Hi... With the unfortunate event with the Osprey's decal, I decided to hold the build and wait for replacement decal for it. As for the time being I think (hope actually) the time still enough for me to build something else. This time, I try to build the Super Tomcat Prototype. I don't think I need to introduce Hasegawa's Tomcat. Personally, I think this kit still hold its place among newer 1/72 kits, although it's sure are tricky. That's why I started sub assembly not following the instructions. Cockpit was out of the box, using the the kit's photo etched. That's for now I guess... Cheers, Mario

Thanks for the input @Col. Will open a new topic then Cheers, Mario

I know.... Should I just change the topic subject or open a new topic then? 😅 Cheers, Mario

This is an old kit .. and I knew I will have with dried decals which usually works with previous "old" kit I've build... Apparently it's not the case here. https://i.postimg.cc/g2LXxBKn/20221118-205315.jpg Thick from the decal film I applied, the decals has become fragile and has a "foggy" appearance. It's too broken I decided to try find someone who have the same kit and willing to sell/give me the decal or probably just scan the decal so I could make my own... But until I find it, sadly the build is halted.. Or I could just open up a new kit? I still have super tomcat (F-14 prototype #7), and TPS F-16B on the line. Cheers...

Have I told you about the filling and sanding? I made it through and directly paint... Initially I choose Mr.Color Dark Ghost Grey and Light Ghost Grey, but decided to overspray the LGG with AK lacquer' LGG since it has more white tone. Cheers, Mario

Yes.. I experienced a set back, broke the wing and lost the mojo. But the build continues on... I replace the actuator parts of the exhaust with wire And detailed the canopy with wires and small paper I didn't documented the painting process but it's done, and I can finally start decaling... The exhaust painted and weathered I can't be sure I'll made it to the deadline... But definitely not going to let this become a shelf queen... Cheers, Mario

The build continues smoothly so far... I found an old build of the same subject by a modeller who also work on the real thing. Turns out the FSD#2 only have 2 windows on the starboard side, so the middle one need to be filled.I Left out the cargo bay interior. I also opened a small rectangular window on the fwd side of the port side, and filled it with UV glue. Cockpit are done... And the close the fuselage. Already see spots need filling and sanding later on... Cheers, Mario

Hi All, Joining the GB with Italeri 1/72 V-22 Osprey which I bought probably more than 20 years ago... Sprue shots Looks like a simple kit with relatively low parts count.. following the decals, I will build it as Osprey's 2nd prototype (FSD#2) (grey birds... Yeah I know, boring huh?) Start the build with primer in certain area and construct the wing and the props I plan to build it as simple as I can since I've heard about the kit's fitting problems.. so no cabin interior, and keep the raised panel lines. Cheers, Mario

Can I join with this? V-22 Osprey prototype#2 I hit a "problem" during my F-15 GB build... And I think making this kit which I bought more than 15 years ago will help with my mojo. Cheers, Mario

It has been too long... I know. I've been busy with life with new job, etc.. But the build continues slowly, but continue... I've laid down a black primer on the eagle, and suddenly have an urge to cut down the aileron and pose it slightly dropped.. risky but I succeeded. No pics unfortunately.. Paints also laid down... At first I used MIG Acrylic, since I successfully use those on a F-14A build few months back. But it's always hit and miss with this paint. This time it's a miss... By a mile 🥲. It doesn't cover as I want it to be and it's too pale for a JASDF Eagle. So I decided to use Gunze/Mr.Hobby Lacquer instead.. All was well (beside broken the pitot thingy on top of the left vertical fin) ... Then the kit accidentally slipped and fall to the floor 😭😭, broke the fwd assembly off and crack the left wing-fuselage joint. I was too upset to took photo of it, and try to repair it .. will update on how it goes Cheers, Mario

Ever tried scraping it off with left over sprue? I usually use left over sprue, then shape the tip to form a chisel, then scrape the excess paint with it. It's rigid, but soft enough so it won't scratch the clear parts. Cheers, Mario

It's actually been a productive few days... Cockpit and the nose area are done https://i.postimg.cc/ZY123PjW/20220906-001130.jpg A few review of the build stated the tricky alignment of the nose/cockpit section to fuselage. I added small plastic sheet to help the alignment of the two surfaces. Kind of worked I guess... Although there was still a micro steps found, but nothing a regular putty can't handle Next was the connection between the port fin and it's base which shows a gap. This was done using mixture of talk and CA glue which later sculp and sand to shape I cut out the ventral scoops on the fuselage, and replace it with new scoopsade from paper and attached using CA glues. According to the instructions, this practicular aircraft are not carrying any missiles. And since I didn't use any PE for this build, i decided to simulate the rails using masking tape. Replaced the HUD lens and display; Being a kit from tears ago, one can found the sprue directly attached to side of the canopy which sometimes cracked the canopy itself such this; Luckily I was able to minimize the crack using nail sanding sticks, followed by a short bath using Future. comment and critics are welcome...🥳🙂 cheers, Mario

The build has started.... After seeing how others work with Hasegawa's F-15, I decided not to start with the cockpit but from the fuselage parts. There's also a great build on Hase F-15C by @dimaADA I might follow some of the modifications I saw in there too. Cheers, Mario

Excellent and beautiful build! I'm building F-15J from Hasegawa right now and your detailing will be very inspiring Cheers, Mario

Hi... Another GB that fits my stash! After finishing my F-104 in the century series GB (which at the end added another F-104 kit, and F-101 into my stash).. I took to the stash and found 2 F-15E's, a F-15C (early version), a F-15J, and F-15I.. all Hasegawa. Seeing the challenge others face in this GB, I think I'll join with either or both of these; With both still in the plastic bag, I think I will start with the F-15J with less parts count and less modification required... So... Cleared to go? Cheers, Mario

My second F-104 build ever.... Hasegawa's beautiful kit in 1/72, but sadly with yellowing decal which cause more problem than building the kit itself. Not my best, but still looks ok as long you don't zoom in the pictures 😉 Yeah.. I know I should've invest on some kind of dark background... 😋 Cheers, Mario

It's a great and fun GB as always, and it's my pleasure to be a part of it. Thanks for the response and encouragement, @modelling minion @arfa1983, @Dansk, @Wings unlevel, and all... cheers, Mario

Thanks for the encouragement guys... Finally all parts are fitted, canopy dipped in future and dried.... she's done. Full pictures will be posted soon in the gallery section. Cheers, Mario

I literally went to my workbench and do your suggestion @arfa1983. I remembered I've successfully use this technique in one of my old build... And I don't know why I forget. Thanks for reminding me. The landing gears and doors installed and the whole kit received a clear gloss coat, and enamel wash, finally wings installed and followed by semi-gloss coat. All using Mr.color products. I always dreaded the canopy masking... And this build proved why.. a lot of paint, canopy glue, masking adhesive, clear coat seeping under the masking tape. I tried to scrapping it out using leftovers sprue, also small touch up on the canopy frames. I can't say I'm 100% satisfies with the results, though. Cheers, Mario

Good news... The decals arrived, and the accompanying plastic parts are kept away. The not so good news... Turns out the new decals was not so good either. Some cracking but still manageable.. I have to resort by painting with Tamiya enamel paints (flat blue, mixed with a little green) to touch up the cracks. Got to admit... I need to find a way to blend the painted blue with the decals. The bad news; me, wife, and kids were tested positive with Covid. We all got mild symptoms, but this also means fewer time for building, and more time nursing the family. Cheers, Mario

I just got back home after another hitch off shore, with beautiful plan on finishing the "zipper". Sat on my workbench, cut and dip the decal, apply sit on the kit, and this happened; Almost flew it to the wall when better judgement took over, and found the same kit in local online shop, only one left too... So bought it with intention to only source the decals (without any idea what to do with the kit parts, though). The kit will arrive in 2-3 days.. so this time I clear coat the surface to help with next decalling process (I hope) Cheers, Mario

Wow! Beautiful weathering.... Now I really want to learn how to achieve that kind of weathering effect in 1:72... Cheers, Mario