jackroadkill

Okay, things are actually looking up: I managed a couple of productive hours at the bench today and got this far: In addition to getting the main airframe together I also got the inlet done (using the superb FabScale 3D printed doodah): As you can see, I fits well and is a smarter-looking prospect than the kit parts. Having written off the Aires cockpit and wheel bays, I wasn't sure how well the engine would fit, but painted it anyway and had a test fit. It needed adjustment, but I'm happy to report that this was the eventual result: I'm happy with that, and although I won't be buying any more Aires AM, at least this will get used in the manner it was intended to. So far the kit has practically built itself and I'm really glad of the positive session I had this afternoon; my heart was going out of the job, if I'm honest, after the palaver with the AM, but I'm back in the swing now and keen to rock on. Cheers, JRK

I like the Quinta stuff but am on a boycott (where possible) of Russian stuff at the moment.

Unfortunately, neither will I now. I did wonder if I could hack the cockpit into submission but the more I look at it the less likely that prospect looks. That's what I'll have to do, I think. It looks superb but seems to bear no relationship at all to the kit it "fits".

Ah man, this isn't going well.... So far I've built, test-fitted and abandoned both the resin cockpit and U/C bay because they don't fit. The bay might be hammerable into shape with some fettling, but the cockpit is just a disaster. Either I've made a cock-up of truly cataclysmic proportions or the bloody thing was never going to fit at all. As you can see, this isn't going to fit. Aires state that some thinning of the plastic parts may be needed, but when the cross-section is wrong and the resin part is a good 3mm too long it's hard to see how that can be accommodated. However, the U/C bay woes pale into insignificance when compared to this: And, dear reader, this is without the cockpit sides fitted. I can't see that this was ever going to fit, at all. So, I've wasted a week trying to get this stuff to work and it just hasn't happened, so what I'll do is use the kit parts and build up the resin stuff for separate display. I hope the engine fits, or that'll be the whole of seventy quid down the drain, rather than just two thirds of it.... Ho hum.

Blimey, Dennis... Hopefully this will be the beginning of a sustained recovery for you, my friend. I hope everything now behaves as it should and that you're back at your bench soon. Keep us posted on your progress, old chap. Owen

Don't forget the air rifle test, either.

Thanks chaps, the support is much appreciated.

Hi all, welcome to my first modern (ish) jet build. As seems to be the case for a good few of us in this STGB, I'll be building Tamiya's F-16C in the arctic splinter camo scheme. I'll not be doing it as per the box art; I'll be showing it in the 2008 version of the black/white/grey scheme which is geometric shapes rather than soft-edged disruptive patterns. Anyway, I'm going to build it largely OOB other than some Aires resin for the cockpit, U/C bays and engine, a FabScale 3d printed wide-mouth air intake, and Brengun wheels. Here's the box art, and it can be compared with the actual scheme I'll be attempting here: https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-16/f-16_all.shtml I'm fully aware that other, better builders than me will be building this kit and some in this scheme; I'm just going to hold on, try my best and enjoy the ride. If anyone has any tips, advice or criticism, please feel free to wade in. Cheers, JRK

Okay, so you could be forgiven for thinking that I'd forgotten about this build, but I just haven't updated it in ages. Anyway, enough with the excuses and bluster: A black-basing was applied. I like kits at this stage of a build, for some reason. I mixed up my own colours using Tamiya paints, and did a pretty shoddy job of spraying them. Some corrections later, all was sorted. Lights etc had a coat of the appropriate colours and I got a gloss coat down. I also did the decals. Well, I say that, I actually did most of the decals as I managed to sod up the squadron code on the starboard side; replacements are on the way, courtesy of the Big H. I had a partially used Xtradecal codes set; would you like to guess which letters had been used?! Anyway, there are more on the way so I should be able to crack on soon. Next I constructed the Roadkill Patented Airscrew Mounting System (two bits of 3mm Albion Alloys brass tube sleeves, one CA'd into the prop and the other into the mounting doofer, then a bit of 2mm tube CA'd into the prop's sleeve, passed through the doofer's sleeve and the loose end crimped over). It sounds more complicated than it is, really, but it's actually simple and effective, and it beats playing roulette with the TET and soft kit parts, which can so often lead to a gammy prop mounting. Here it is just resting in place and exploded for your viewing pleasure. The undercarriage legs, rams etc have all been painted, as have the wheels and canopy, so hopefully, once the new codes arrive, I can crack on and get her finished. I wanted to have her done by the start of the F-16 STGB, but seeing as that's on Saturday I'm not hugely confident of that! Thanks, JRK

That's a lovely job on a very nice kit.

Just realised that I haven't actually signed up for this one... I'm in if you'll have me!

I flew in XR505 as a cadet; guess I'll be building that scheme then!

Yes! Finally!! I like this very much, despite the eye-watering price, and will be having at least one. I'll have to find something else to bang on about wanting from Airfix now. 1/48 Tonka GR1 here we come!

@beefy66, I'm so glad to find out that you've been able to take on Colourcoats, as they're my favourite paints bar none.

It's always good to see one of your builds hitting the RFI section, James. A great start to this year's kit building.

That's very smart indeed!

Glad to see you've rescued it, James. It looks great from my house.

Thanks, @LorenSharp for hosting the GB - I really enjoyed participating.

FTFY

Blimey, Steve - that's a superb output and some cracking builds. The NZ Mustang is very tasty.

Cracking work, Mark. Your builds are always absolutely top drawer, and I loved the Stearman especially. Oh, and the P-40. And the P-51. And.....!

Superb, James - I'll have no excuse for not following the build now!

Thanks @AdrianMF, @81-er, @bigbadbadge and @Yg Models; you're all far too kind! Oh, and James - did I send you the finger pics? Thought I'd spared you that!

Cracking job all round, old boy. Tea and medals for you.

Great result there, Adam. Some really smart builds and as always the paint jobs are lovely. I hadn't heard about the Arma Me262 but I'll certainly be adding one to my shopping list now.