Parabat

That's very good indeed, lovely work. Well done for persisting and achieving this result.

Looking good, nice and patchy, I really like this.

Looks very smart, any more pictures?

Wonder if Airfix will get a Royal Warrant?!

I'm after some figure painting help, to replicate a blue iridescent visor for a HGU-55 helmet. The figure is 1/48, which may influence paint and/or techniques I expect. I've seen some iridescent paints, but I realise that in 1/48 an actual iridescent paint may be too OTT and there might be a technique with gloss paints to achieve the look. I'm happy to purchase some paint, but I don't have capacity to buy and try out a load of different paints myself, for the sake of 2 x 1/48 USN pilots. I am using either or both enamel and lacquer at the moment, but willing to try acrylics if that's what it takes. The look I'm trying to replicate is as as follows: Any assistance, techniques paint recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

When you crack the Federal Standard codes...

First go on the topside (I did the wings as well) and it's not looking bad. Mr Color 337 for the FS 35237. Weirdly this photo makes the pre-shading look darker than it is in real life. I'll probably end up lightening the topsides to a degree, to reflect the weathering and corrosion control, as Nite 101 flew off the carrier for OIF. Sidewinders done, just gloss and decals to go with them (and the rollerons, obviously) Checking the FS 36081/16081 dark grey for the skunk stripe and tails. Mr Color 301 and 339 respectively, they're the same grey (just matt and gloss respectively)

Does it have to be gloss? Zero paints' Pure Brilliant White is matt, but the coverage is excellent, is airbrush ready and will only need a gloss clear coat.

If you haven't considered this yet, please do. There are now a wealth of very good kits of all the Hornet variants (less the YF-17, but we won't talk about that), in 1:144, 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 scale. The Hornet has genuinely proved it's capabilities as not only a carrier based aircraft, but as a land based multi-role combat aircaft with several nations as well. Not surprisingly, it has proved a popular pilots aircraft and performs the multi-role capability extremely well. Finland, Australia, Kuwait, Canada, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, USN, USMC and NASA have or still operate the Hornet. There are some really nice schemes available even if you're not a fan of 'grey jets', and there are a multitude of colourful Aggressor schemes too. Just a late rally cry for a few more votes to try and get this into the STGB calendar.

List updated, halfway there.

@Dave Klaatu OK, just after midnight, apologies. I'll try and explain it the way I see it. Starting off with the top and bottom of the fuselage, looking down, we can see that the gear bay has a inner 'square' box section with an outer 'half hex' section. The insert D20 and D21 form the inner box and also the side, running along the intake and engine bay, of the main gear. Flipping the lower fuselage piece over here, these areas, where the insert meets the sides, must be cleaned up to get the insert to fit as best as possible, my kit has small seam flash which made the insert not fit, until it was cleaned up Here is what it looks like from inside, with the insert in place, meeting up with the edges. Here you can see when the intake trunking is added how it lines up, the two little holes are for the gear doors to mount on. You can see how the side panel does not go all the way to the rear of the bay, as it shows with the shading in my instructions. A view down the intake trunking to show how the part sticks out, forming the inner bay for the main gear wheel. Hopefully that is of some assistance and makes the task a little clearer.