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Showing results for tags 'lots of AM and scratch'.
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Hi all, I finished this last week but in the mad rush before Telford I didn't have the time to take and post pictures. Also, my work in progress thread starved off a bit for the same reasons. But I had a day off today and with the nice sunshine I took the opportunity for a photo session. Just to recap, this is the Revell 1:48 kit and despite being the best Strike Eagle kit in 1:48, it's still lacking in many areas and has lots of simplifications that needed addressing to bring it to my liking. I removed the main wheel wells and scratch built new ones, including the forward part where the wheel itself goes. The main landing gear struts, actuators and linkage were heavily modified or scratched. The nose wheel bay was detailed as was the nose wheel strut (complete with a new, longer, oleo). The cockpit was detailed with scratched throttles and oxygen hoses, Quickboost seats, iridescent film for the CRTs and the HUD, Eduard PE and other bits and bobs. I used Aires exhaust nozzles and Royale Resin wheels. The vertical stabs got the stiffener plates and rudder bulge, built up with layers of Mr Surfacer and detailed with Archer raised rivets. The antennae/sensors at the top are from an Academy kit as are the three main pylons and LAU 128 launchers (lengthened by a couple of mm though). The antennae under the nose a scratched, as is the GPS receiver. A lot of work went into getting the intakes right - as per the kit they're not fully up as for a parked F-15 and have awful seams in all the wrong places. The engine faces also got additional detail. I used my own (Hypersonic) jet fuel starter exhaust and decals. The rear area around the engines was treated as well to give an impression of thin skin, not chunky plastic. The AIM-120 is Eduard Brassin, the AIM-9L is from the Academy kit (modified for a training missile) and the ACMI pod is scratch built. There might be more, but I don't remember it now... Painting was done by a standard enamel coat, lightened in places. I then used both the salt and the hairspray technique in conjunction with acrylic paints to achieve the worn, dirty/grubby effect. I have to say that I really don't like working with acrylic paint and haven't become a friend this time either, but it's easier to use with those techniques. Subsequent weathering was achieved with oil paints and AK interactive enamels. Btw, I scored a Bronze with it in Telford, and I'm quite proud of it, in particular as the other entries were stunning and I know I've bodged a few things here and there. Here are the pics: Thanks a lot for your time! Jeffrey