Night Owl

Just finished the first layer of masking next I'll spray the mid gray shade do even more masking then the lightest shade. If your interested in doing this scheme it's a commitment I have come this far so I have to see how it ends lol. I love a challenge the more difficult the better.

Tonight was night number four working on the first layer for the digital scheme. I have to say what was I thinking this by far the most challenging scheme I have ever tackled. I am pulling out every trick to duplicate the scheme. I have blown up a copy of the Ukrainian pixel pattern to 1/48th and hand cut the patterns along with adding little squares everywhere. Darkest shade applied for masking off. 16 hours in aarrgg!

I am reaching out to the ship modelers to see if anyone out there has some detailed drawings or photos of the Nimitz kit they have built that shows the beams and rail structure around the aft deck specific to the area to the left of the starboard aft evevator. I am making a deck section in 1:48th so dimentions or any links to good resouces would be appreciated. Also sharing some photos of you kits details and some measurement would help if your willing to work with me. Cheers Dave

Hey John are you going to add any after market detail?

HH-60H “Rescue Hawk” is a derivative that specialises in combat search and rescue (CSAR) and naval special warfare (NSW). It operates side by side with the SH-60F from aircraft carriers, and incorporates a nose-mounted FLIR turret. I have seen several Sea hawks almost always in standard grey while researching the aircraft i stumbled upon this unique one time one aircraft blue and gray camouflage scheme. Kit and supplies used Italeri 1/48 HH-60 Seahawk Eduards- HH-60 Exterior detail set 48658 Eduards- HH-60 Interior detail set 48496 Authentic decals-HH-60 Ocean hawk, Rescue hawk #48-21 Wolfpack-HH-60 folding tail set #48125 Blackdog HH-60 Cabin detail set A48010 Skunkmodels HH-60H upgrade set Archer-resin rivet heads .043-.098 Paint and supplis Vallejo-73.645 Primer black Vallejo-71.276 USAF Light Gray FS36495-underside/belly Vallejo-73.276 USN Light Ghost Gray FS36375 Vallejo-71.332 Underside blue Faded FS35450-camouflage Vallejo-76.515 Light Gray wash Vallejo-76.518 Black wash Vallejo-77.724 Metal color-silver Vallejo-77.725 Metal color-gold XF-85 Rubber Black AK Interactive Utra Matt varnish I originally was going to use the Skunkworks kit however quickly discovered it was sold out everywhere it would have eliminated most of the expansion packs I needed to convert the Italeri kit to a true HH-60H. CONSTRUCTION Black dog interior set was assembled and painted the interior kit although detailed suffers from mould creep and is in need of retooling the fit was very warped and I had to bash it to get it to fit properly into the model shell so much fitting cutting, fitting cutting. Anti slip protection strips were custom added to the floor pan. Interior upgrade set assembled prior to inserting into model shell. lastly for the interior was the door details I added some build up that was missing from the kit door to photo references I tried to find an upgrade set for the rotor head but so far does not exist in 1:48 so it was onto doing some scratch building from the best photos I could find. I used jewellery plastic cord which is very loose and flexible .5mm . There were a few PE parts for the rotor head in the Eduards exterior kit what was lacking is the detail for the coupling and shackles when the blades are in the folded back position. I spent two weeks applying the extensive Eduards exterior detail set in conjunction with the skunkmodels upgrade set and the Wolfpack folding tail. These are the best rivets in a decal sheet just cut and apply like any decal they are raised so when painted over get that ultra realistic look. Painting and weathering Here is the homework on the proper colors and camouflage pattern I found on the web. I did up some swatches to check the accuracy. The blue is FS 15044 MR hobby colour originally listed that I found on a 1/144 scale HH-60 kit instructions is cross referenced to Vallejo FS 35450 faded blue. First coat over pre shaded primer black. I decided to forgo the AK masking putty that I used on my previous F-18D project I was not happy with the performance. I moved onto Royal Le-page Blue Tack its cheap easy to cut doesn't move over time and provides a smooth curved line with no residue. Once removed I wash it in a bath of 50/50 water and Windex then let it dry remould and reuse its awsome. The next hurdle in this project was the custom tail markings as no decals exist for the matching color markings so I photo copied the decal sheet to get the right scale then used masking film to hand cut a mask. I could have made a custom decal but matching the colour would have been a nightmare I did this in about an hour and I think it turned out for the best. Applying the folding tail Should be finished in a about a week final paint touch ups, weathering, decals and matt varnish. The decals by Authentic from the few I used were a nightmare they disintegrated when wet so I had to put a coat of Microsol decal film to rescue the rest. I had to reorder the set to get the ones that got destroyed back that are key like the " danger air intake". Worked on the folding blade restraints today from some good ref photos another item that is not out on the market. It takes many tries and patients to dry fit the parts to get the right lengths but the work is worth the effort. After fit is done I tacked everything together with glue let set then removed, airbrushed and reset into place.

Wow love the scheme....patient's decals are a modelers attribute to the craft well done.

Its not often I stop and am taken by a model but yours has a blend of attention to proper weathering, subtle paint techniques and its obviously...and it doesnt appear too often that you see real craftsmanship, care and attention to details. Look forward to seeing your next build.

Did some work this weekend on the engine bay as I want to have one out inn the maintenance cart and one in with the cover off. I did my best from photos using styrene, spare PE parts and various gauged wire.

Deleted - not the correct area. 100 post rule.

MIts been a while but I did finish this great beast here are the photos of the rest of the build. I applied a Aires wheel well kit it took alot of grinding and cutting what I found is the after marked wells are too thick and dont allow the wing halves to mate so I has to grind off the backside to almost tissue paper. Rough fit You can see here the problem After grinding Next itvwas onto the A-1 Skyraider Folding Wing Set, Wolfpack WP72010 this part of the kit replaces the wing after the original portion is cut away. Filding wing assembled for fit but not cemented. Next onto priming and shading I used the mottling method spraying a primer gray coat then flat black through a green scrub pad lastly pick up the panel lines seperatly then a light mist coat of the bottom shade USAF light gray. I decided to use the Top Notch paint mask for the Skyraider If you look close you can see the applied mask. The idea is to spray the lightest coat first in this case the tan then apply mask blocking the tan and then spray the light green, add the next mask pieces then spray the dark green. After all spaying remove the mask to reveal the camouflaged. There is also a mask to protect the underside gray. All masking removed now it's decals I decided on going with Vietnamese Airforce unit 518th Fighter Sqn AOA Decals. Decals were amazing no problems as you bcan see vibrant colours. I didnt like the walkway decals it just liiks like a decal so time to do a quick mask and spray.

Its been a while but I did finish this great beast here are the photos of the rest of the build. I applied a Aires wheel well kit it took alot of grinding and cutting what I found is the after marked wells are too thick and dont allow the wing halves to mate so I had to grind off the backside to almost tissue paper. Rough fit You can see here the problem! After grinding Next it was onto the A-1 Skyraider Folding Wing Set, Wolfpack WP72010 this part of the kit replaces the wing after the original portion is cut away. Folding wing assembled for fit but not cemented. Next onto priming and shading I used the mottling method spraying a primer gray coat then flat black through a green scrub pad and lastly pick up the panel lines seperatly, then a light mist coat of the bottom shade USAF light gray. I decided to use the Top Notch paint mask for the Skyraider If you look close you can see the applied mask. The idea is to spray the lightest coat first in this case the tan then apply mask blocking the tan and then spray the light green, add the next mask pieces then spray the dark green. After all spraying remove the mask to reveal the camouflaged. There is also a mask to protect the underside gray. All masking removed now it's decals I decided on going with Vietnamese Airforce unit 518th Fighter Sqn AOA Decals. Decals were amazing no problems as you can see vibrant colours. I did not like the walkway decals it just liks like a decal so time to do a quick mask and spray.

Great quarentine project to try some techniques products for rusting and hone the airbrush skills. Bulid steps and details in "Under construction" same title.

I started this model a year ago so I'll have to appologize for the photos as I am already into the main assembly. I did capture some portions which I'll post. This is a daunting project even after all the complex camouflage schemes I have done in the past. I had a hard look at the decals for the digital camouflage that came with the kit as an avid modler I cant get past that they just dont look realistic. In the end they look like decals we have all seen the projects and read the frustrations. So I have come up with a method of doing the digital camo that will allow for pre and post shading and keep that painted on look. The kit is a dream well worth the cost great instructions, detail and it comes with fully detailed engins. I ordered a mask from Scale-pro and it tuned out I was scammed and the guy had nothing to sell lesson learned. So I researched and found that a company called Galaxy Models makes a template to cut squares in several sizes 2mm to 6mm and pre cut sheets for convenience. There are two digital schemes Ill try this one. I did a few trials and yes its painstaking tedious work but the results are worth it. Here starting with scrap plasic and pre shading. First masking then sprayed with mid shade. Second masking and sprayed with lightest shade. Finally remove all masking. Another hurdle has been finding a reputable reference for the colours after alot of digging I found the right FS codes. Next it was onto the kit I purchased Eduards interior and exterior kit for the project. Interior Eduard kit applied and painted. Onto the engines More to come

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I have a few ideas this is one I am leaning towards an abandoned mid west gas station. Their are a few website that supply antique accessories like gas pumps for 1-24th scale.

Last few evenings were two four hour airbrushing sessions. All paints used on car body. Next will be touching up weathering, wheels, trim and details like lights and chrome details. A final coat of AK Utra Matt to seal the paint.

I worked on the base coat last night that softer rust effect then ill work in some of the cars original colour tones. First coat Vallejo 71.037 Mud Brown over Primer Grey Second coat Vallejo 70.984 Flat Brown

Hi all just stepping away from aircraft models and onto another derelict abandoned car which I love to do. I picked up this cheap AMT kit for $12 as I would be bashing it. Starting with the interior I have a few photos showing various states of decay so I picked one and ran with it. I trialled using liquid mask to mimic hanging old rotten interior fabric. I waited until it was almost dry and then rolled with my finger then let it fully dry and paint it. I took a dremmel to the back of the seats until almost through then picked and cut at it from the front to make the seat tears and added cotton sprayed in a light straw color to replicate the old seat filling. Lastly a hint of green as a moldy, mossy look. Front seats Interior assembled Next its onto the exterior shell I did some test swatches for the rust tone I am pretty happy with. I noticed on most derelict vehicles its a very smoth dissemination between the old paint and the rusty surface. For tht reason I am going to forgo the chipping effect and lean of pure airbrush skills after some hand painting, washes and pigment powder should give the shell the desired look. If your intrested the last car I did like this is

That Lego jig is awsome made me laugh which I thank you for during this time. Love this little jet very nice paint lines everything about your kit is impressive.

Snap! Dude I applaude your patient's those decals must have been a huge undertaking great job on your masking as well on the nose cone and canopy lines.

This is a Kenetic kit the Hasegawa is impossible to find.

Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), also known as the "Rough Raiders", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The "Rough Raiders" are a Fleet Replacement Squadron now flying the F-35C Lightning II. Publically shared photo Build was focused on achieving the brown paint scheme using the Two Bobs decal set a fine feathered edge using camo masking putty. Two Eduard interior detail sets were applied and one exterior set. Add additional note if you want to try this paint scheme. The Two Bobs call out for FS colors do not correspond to the decals it required several evenings of custom mixing to match the decals then adjust the mid and dark tone. FS colors according to instructions- note decal colors. Adjusted FS to match decal pallet. Camo masking method Trial painting and decal match on scrap plastic.

Has any one seen the new Sikorsky Cyclone helicopter in any scale? beautiful new beast a bit bigger than a Black hawk but looks very similar. I imagine its on the drawing board somewhere.