robw_uk

nice work - just a cheeky question - do you hava WIP thread on the Academy Wildcat? Looking at that next after the Hellcat and just wanted to see how it went together (there is a Malta GB in the offing and I believe the Wildcat will be accepted....)

not got a stash but am sure I could find something to buy and build.... if it could wait til after August tho so I can get my hols out the way first (plus the Hellcat I am buuilding)... Hmmmm just spotte dthe Wildcat is on the list - perhaps the sister kit to the one I am building now would be possible (plus I am about to read a book about a FAA carrier pilot - something like "on and off a carrier"..... so could try to build a specific plane flown by a person I have read about) Rob

ok then guys... next reply... plan on this is to build parked, flaps down, cockpit open, ladder.... so 2-3 extras I may need 1) engine nozzles - I see "open" and "closed" - how would a parked F/A-18C have their nozzles? 1 open/closed, both open, both closed.... 2) tail vertical surfaces - anyone know of an AM set to move the vertical control surfaces or am I gonna have to cut them form the original 3) anything else... maybe open a couple of hatches - guess that would be the full eduard set? cheers

now that is a good thought - which was why I was going for out of the tin for the base coat then only 2/3 panels darkened (maybe 1 drop of black in 5 drops of blue type ratio).....

quick help needed guys.... on my Hellcat I have done pre-shading which, under the white, looks ok (not too OTT)... when I do the mid blue I am expecting some variation but not so much with the dark blue. For this I wanted to mark some oe thf panels to show replacements (assume therefore no (little) fading in the sun).. .... so should I 1) paint the dark blue with a drop of white to fade the upper surfaces then paint the "new" panels in the original dark blue 2) paint the upper surfaces in the original dark blue then the new panels in dark blue + a bit of blak (to darken).... or some combination of 1, 2 and mystical option 3... thanks for the help guys

quick help needed guys.... have done pre-shading which, under the white, looks ok (not too OTT)... when I do the mid blue I am expecting some variation but not so much with the dark blue. For this I wanted to mark some oe thf panels to show replacements (assume therefore no (little) fading in the sun).. .... so should I 1) paint the dark blue with a drop of white to fade the upper surfaces then paint the "new" panels in the original dark blue 2) paint the upper surfaces in the original dark blue then the new panels in dark blue + a bit of blak (to darken).... or some combination of 1, 2 and mystical option 3... thanks for the help guys - hope to have the mid-blue on today then some photos posted....

amazing detail you are working on this one.... will keep an eye on it....

well I have done some painiting on it... undercarriage and wheel hubs white plus preshading (black but not overly heavy) on the main aircraft and black tires and prop. Must say, a controllable air-source really does make life easier.... am not saying I am brilliant but at least i am not just spraying and hoping...... Will post some pictures once I have started the main painting. as it will be 3-tone navy scheme I will start with the white underside to about half way up the fueslage (to allow me to blen it in to the medium blue..... feeling a bit more confident about being able to apply pain to so hopefully I will do the kit justice.....

looking good... will carry on watching

great finish on this - love the "jet in camo" look... Tempted on the F/A-18 in the stash to go with 3-colour aggressor camo from VFA-127... not sure if I am up to it so may go with "boring" grey when I finally get round to doing it - perhaps something with camo before that to practice (Hellcat will have 3-colour naval scheme so that will allow me some practice with masking etc....) EDIT - of course Aggressor scheme is 2-colour ....

ok - so added "some" wiring..... 18 in total.. .not quite asdifficult as I thought but adding another 18 would just clutter it.. images: getting there - starting main aseembly soon - wings together (rocket pylon holes filled cos I aint using them), rear of cockpit does need painting so that is tomorrows job.....

that is one neat painted figure - and the rest of the aircraft looks good too.... will keep an eye on thisone for painting tips/tricks.....

really like the look of this but @ 1:48 it is likely to be too big (and expensive for me at the moment). Anyone know of a reasonably good (detail & price) 1:72 version?

thanks KK.... will carry on looking - have a full canister left anyway so can atke a little time finding something....

cheers little-cars (have seen your name around, good to get your URL as well ;-)) ok, so the one on EBAY is a BD134K AIRBRUSH (cheap brand I am sure but at the moment I am using a £3 airbrush with no problems (apart from my skill).... this comes with 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.5MM NEEDLES AND 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.5MM NOZZLES - dual action both gravity & suction (will use gravity). The kit also has a hose and an AS-18 compressor (this is the one I have been looking at)... including P&P that comes to £71 which is about £6 more than the same compressor + hose on their own..... I know you guys will say - go IWATA compressor etc but, from what I can see this one is not bad to start - variable pressure, auto on/off, moisture trap.... anyway ilnt it ebay is HERE any thoughts (quick cos want to order it lunchtime today ;-) or maybe any other options for a compressor, hose & P&P around £70 (the airbrush is an added bonus rather than a must have)

ok- firstly, the teeth - kit has 3 - 1 center and 1 on either vertical splitter - getting them in the outside segments would be impossible - way too narrow!!! ok so the build first note - my shoulder straps are way too short - something for me to note for next time - but they arent horrendous so using wine bottle foil does work. images are of the final cockpit assembly plus a dry fit. I have now cut the side window areas behind the bulkhead so will assess if I need to fill the bulhead mouldings or just accept it (not sure how much you will see unles syou really stared). so images have glued the wing halves and, like I said, removed the portion behind the bulkhead for the cockpit side windows. Next steps 1) KLEAR coat the canopy 2) add engine to cowling (not adding all the fiddly wires - dont think they will be seen behind the prop) 3) decide whether to fill the rear of the bulkhead and paint the rear interior (light grey I believe) how do you think I am doing guys - a few pointers would help me no end

cheers- just looking at compressors and (cheap) one I can find includes an airbrush with 3 needles...I have a .25 at the moment- one it comes with is .2.... its about £5 more expensive than compressor & hose (kit is same compressor,hose and an airbrush - not named but my current one is an unnamed brand and doing me ok).... ooohhh decisions

I think I know the answer but can someone confirm - .20mm is finer than .25mm is finer than .30mm - so for very fine lines I want a smaller needle? cheers

if I remember, this one has 3 teeth - 1 on either of the "splitters" (the vertical elements in the grill) and one in the centre of the grill. An illustration I have fomr the internet shows 4 theeth... so perhaps there is someconfusion. Will check the box to see exactly what is in

it definately does - compared to the Airfix 1.72 Widgeon I have just completed (in which the undercarriage is not strong enough to support the aircraft) this is a dream... hoping that an "easier" build allows me to concentrate on getting the painting correct (and the fact that I am hoping to get a compressor this week so I can move off canisters)

well cockpit built, when dry fitting I noticed you cant see much of it so not going to weather it.... next is to cut out the -3 windows. Does anyone know what can be seen behind that? The bulkhead has some nasty casting marks so will cover in plasticard, but not sure if it is worth doinganything else (guess you wont see anything as the windows are soooooo small anyway. Engine is painted too - not sure whether to add small wires for the plumbing - again, dont think you will see it form the front.... next is the wing assembly - now the wheel wells may just get a little extra attention will post pics later in the week

nice - wish I had some room for 1/48.... some of them are real beauties.....

nice start - love the detailing on the cockpit.... PE just adds a little extra butm as you say, its difficult to see the 'pit when you assemble....

thanks Giorgio.... well will see if I take up the offer of the RAAF ones... there are a few USN ones I like (Stingers, Chippy Ho)... can find Stingers but not Chippy.....

next one then (stillon Decals - sort of)... been offered an RAAF F/A-18A set of decals (cobra mouth one which looks good - and means I can switch my genre from "USN aircraft" to "aircraft with mouth art" - A-10 here I come)... anyone able to provide details on the major differences between the -A and -C variants? Anything hideous that I will be critised for (personally I am not a perfectionist so would happily mix the decals). I know, for example, that I would need to remove the catapult bar which is not a biggie, and that I couldnt use the wing0fold kit (assume RAAF F/A-18 are not known for folding wings)..... next question Open vs closed exhausts - how would a parked F/A-18C be set up? one of each, both closed, both open - will I notice much difference vs the kit exhausts if I went with the Aires resin ones (will if I need both closed ot 1 closed/1 open) thanks - and sorry for all the numpty questions... you guys are really giving me some good info.....