marine4 ever

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. Surprisingly this build had little in the way of problems. Most challenges where of my own making. The resin set fit like a champ. and the tiny PE set(well..... my fumble fingers caused most of the issues). If I where to point to one area of isue it would be the canopy. The four part canopy is a pain in the bottom! It's thick and doesn't fit well and took some Gentle coaxing and even then it doesn't make me happy. I have 4 more with paragon resin sets as well. Now that I have one completed and now know where the pitfalls and challenges of the it are the next ones will be easier. I always put the burden on myself to improve over the last build. So the next one will be a "D" version with under carriage gun mount. Semper Fi Dan

Thanks Mike... Semper Fi Dan

well this thing has sat on the back burner for a bit. Finally have an update! She has color and Markings finally applied. A coat of future has been laid down and I'll start the wash process. I'm pretty pleased with the job so far. And must say again that Neil over at Paragon has done a fantastic job with this upgrade kit. All in all there is more resin than plastic but it was well worth and needed! Semper Fi Dan

O.k. I've been working on this but have had no updates so here's where I am to date.... I've primed and sanded. re-primed and pre-shaded. no she's ready for the booth. I've worked on some external loads for this pig. and should have it worked out in a day or two....any preferences? semper Fi Dan

O.k.......so most of the tedious PE stuff is attached! using PE is the least funthing to do for me, but it's gonna really add to the end result. No I have to finish cleaning the exterior and finish the canopy(i decided to go with the kit canopy rather than use the vacuform canopy from paragon, i've never been good with vacuform canopies, always been user error). prime this pig! look for defects in the workmanship, there'll be plenty. clean that up, preshade. and go from there! here's some images for those that need pictures! Semper Fi Dan all that resin makes it heavy photo etched details o the wings more etched detail yet more........ Added a nose lightbthat was supposed to be there but was not

update for the last week. Scribing redone. and most of the resin has been added. I must say this resin set fits quite nicely with little fuss. still some small details to do and small resin bits to add. all in all not a very glamorous update. semper Fi Dan

No picture update, but an update nonetheless. Spent most of the last few days adding small resin bits(exhaust baffles, tail stabs, and the like). Then I decided after staring at some reference photos that most of the rivet detail had to go, as the real deal didn't show that much detail. So, I started sanding, then decided I needed to rescribe panel lines . Oh......did I mention I have already closed the fuselage halves! . So....that's where I am. I should have pic's soon. Semper Fi Dan

top notch Mark! really fine work there. Semper Fi Dan

Some progress made. The pit and IP done. I love paragons detail for this kit. this kit wouldn't even be on my radar yet if it weren't for the paragon set! Thank Neil!!! Semper fi Dan

O.k. as if I'm not enough of a masochist! My next project will be testors rendition of the bronco, loaded with resin and new decals! Semper Fi Dan

Serious? Navy? I guess we are both having brain farts!! Looks nice Semper Fi Dan

Almost done! A little more dirt, then the base.Pardon the size for those bothered by Hi-Res, It's so Norbert gets off my ***!!!! :woot.gif: Semper Fi Dan

Decals down!!!! Next-up...a coat of clear then the post shading and weathering(my favorite part). Before anyone says anything .......yes....I didn't do a very good job on the starboard pylon(it's too far back) :bandhead2: :soapbox: . At this stage of the game it's gotta be good. I am kicking myself for not seeing it much much sooner! Semper Fi Dan As far as the booth goes.....It's restaurant grade Stainless steel(it's a french fry holding tray) from one of my soon to be franchises. I took a metal bore bit for door knobs and used CPU fans reversed to pull the air away from the painting area. I wired them together and used an old AC adapter from my Palm pilot cradle as the power source. I simply plug it in to the outlet and paint. I have the booth against the window so the fumes and dust get pulled outside.

An update after tinkering with a mobile target (armor)build for about a week or so.. I have set to repair the seahawk build from it current state. I managed to find all the loose pieces that where lost to the model Gods(another sign it was time to start the repairs). and am about back to where I was before the tragedy and managed to get the tail painted and some extra touch ups. I am leaving off the external tank and Mk. 46's until completion. Thanks for the patience. Semper Fi Dan

The revell kit and Italeri kit are one in the same. shared moulds. The cockpit out of the box is very poor. the is blank and uses decals for the panel the center console is the same. as far as shape accuracy it's not bad. Semper Fi Dan here's the web site. They do great work and Chris the proprietor is a top notch fella! http://cobracompany.com/ Semper Fi Dan