Search the Community

OK guys, I have hit a point where I am tired of waiting to get all the new tools and supplies, I want to stop being just an observer and start being a builder! (again) I have not built a kit since the late 80's, things have changed and I have already learned so much, thanks to many of my fellow modelers here on BM. I had planned to build a pair of ( )H-6J's, but do to a goof on my part, I needed to start from scratch. My replacement kits are on the way, but will take a least a month to get here. So I decided to build this Tamiya #6424 1:48 F-15A. As you can see from the pictures, the decals are in bad shape, very yellow. Tamiya was kind enough to replace them free, but they only have C decals. So I am kind of in a bind, not sure if I can convert to a C without new exhausts, which I can't find. Anyway, decals be damned, at least I can build most of the kit before deciding which version to make. I might be able to find aftermarket A decals on evilbay, but I will test the yellow decals before committing to anything. Here is the kit. Here is what little I have done. Some of the parts off this old kit, were already off the sprue, so I tried my new scraping tool from Alexen to clean off the stubs, it worked better than expected. Then a test fitted the top and bottom fuselage, taping it together while checking the fit. It is not great. Next, I cut the cockpit and seat from the tree/runners, then cleaned up the flash and stubs, using the scraper and finally, a series of runs across some sandpaper. Then I tacked the seat together with Elmer's gel glue, just to see how everything will go together, what needs cleaning up, what is hidden and the fit is. Here are the decals, the old set it obviously the left. I have tried to sun bleach the decals with limited success. I also read on here that the decals are fine, it is the glue that is yellowed. If I use boiling water, it will remove the yellow glue and they decals will be fine. We shall see, but I have a long way to get to that point. I will try to do some painting on the cockpit tomorrow, not sure if I will spray the small parts, or try hand painting them. So here it is, my first build log! I warn everyone that this will probably be slow, and the results will be average at best, everything I am using is new to me, the tools, the supplies, I have absolutely no experience with most of it. So this will be more about learning hands on, and any/all ideas, hints, criticism and support is VERY WELCOME! Thanks for looking! Anthony