opus999 Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) F-80C Shooting Star 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing, USAF Suwon Air Base, Korea, 1951 | United States Here is yet another "Saggin' Dragon" Airfix build. This is the old Airfix kit that has been done by so many. I finished this on September 6th, 2019. It was completely OOB except for some scratch-built additions to the seat (which can't be seen now because the opening for the cockpit is so small... ). This kit was OK. It has extremely fine raised detail which looks nice; I know many have rescribed the panel lines, but I've found that with raised detail and NMF the eye is often tricked to make it look like they're engraved, plus they're so fine I decided "Why bother?". This was my first attempt using AK Interactive's Extreme metal line and I was generally very impressed. With these paints I was able to finally achieve the look of "Shiny-but-not-mirror-like", which I have been unable to do with Alclad. Not that these will replace Alclad for me -- they will just supplement it. The Extreme metal paints are easy to use and pretty much impervious to masking, but wear off very easily with handling, so I had to do a few touch ups (Which, luckily is extremely easy). WIP is here. Finishing: Seams filled with CA (superglue) and Apoxie Sculpt epoxy putty Paints: Mr. Surfacer 1500 Gray primer > Decanted Tamiya Black Gloss Spray > AK Interactive Polished Aluminum with some panels painted with AK Interactive Aluminum > Another coat of AK Polished Aluminum to tone down the contrast between the panels > selected post shading with Alclad Magnisium > Testors Model Master Olive Drab for the anti-glare > Testors zinc chromate for the wheel wells > Decanted Tamiya Silver Leaf spray for the landing gears > Tamiya acrylic NATO Black for the tires > Testors metalizer sealer for sealing in the decals Decals: Kit decals Weathering/Wear: Oil wash on the landing gears, thinned watercolor and Tamiya pastels for various dirt and oil streaks And my scratch-building -- Arm-rests and Ejection handles on the seat: Build Notes: Many people rave about this kit, but I found it to be just "OK". Getting the Air Intake pieces to look right took a lot of sanding, but otherwise everything fit together reasonably well with a minimum of seam work. The seams on the bottom were pretty big, but at least they were even (that is, no step between the pieces) so they were easy to fill and finish. The red and white on the decal sheet were a fraction off-register from each other. Thanks for looking! Comments, Questions and Constructive Criticism always welcome! Edited September 13, 2019 by opus999 Added link to WIP 54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRealMrEd Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 I think you did a beautiful job on the model and finish -- congratulations! Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossm Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 I have fond memories of this kit from the early 70s. You've done a nice job on it to my eyes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Very neat and good looking treatment of this venerable but excellent old-timer! I think I have one somewhere in a box – maybe I should dig it out…? Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 1 hour ago, TheRealMrEd said: I think you did a beautiful job on the model and finish -- congratulations! Thanks Ed! I appreciate your input on the project too -- Thanks for looking in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Thats a beautiful biuld Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Lovely finish. AW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 14, 2019 Author Share Posted September 14, 2019 7 hours ago, RidgeRunner said: Thats a beautiful biuld Thanks Martin... and thanks for popping in during the build too! 5 hours ago, Andwil said: Lovely finish. Thank you! I'm very happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Newsome Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Wow! Very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almac Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Excellent work, very nice. Cheers Allan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Very nice indeed. A great natural metal finish. This kit is like an old friend. For some reason it stands out in my memory as part of growing up in the 70s more than any other kit. I think there was quite a stir when it was released. My one was produced in 'silver' plastic so I didn't paint it, I just put the stickers on! I built another in the 90s which I rattle canned with various car paints to try to recreate the varying panels. Not sure it was particularly successful though - certainly not up to the standards of your build anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Probably the best build of this kit I've seen,superb! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Well done Shooting Star. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairtrigger Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Outstanding piece of modelling.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruskin Air Services Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Fond memories of that kit, built one around the late 70's early 80's 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 'the old Airfix kit that has been done by so many' But not many done so well. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaks Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 looking good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Super job, like it a lot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 19 hours ago, stevej60 said: Probably the best build of this kit I've seen,superb! 10 hours ago, Natter said: 'the old Airfix kit that has been done by so many' But not many done so well. Wow, thank you guys! That really means a lot to me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 20 hours ago, Meatbox8 said: My one was produced in 'silver' plastic so I didn't paint it, I just put the stickers on! One of my first builds was painted with poster paints! We've come a long way! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Joyce Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Very nice job! I agree; those panel lines look fine as they are. Great looking NMF and subtle weathering, and you must have a steady hand to highlight in silver those lines, etc. in the wheel wells. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 1 hour ago, Mark Joyce said: Very nice job! I agree; those panel lines look fine as they are. Great looking NMF and subtle weathering, and you must have a steady hand to highlight in silver those lines, etc. in the wheel wells. Cheers, Mark Thank you! I really strive for subtle. As for the wheel wells, it was a challenge for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangseat Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Very nice! The overall form is so good and your NMF paint job with subtle weathering really show off the lines. Good to see that the old Airfix F-80 can turn out so well, you have given me confidence to attempt one myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Getting Old Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Loverly work and an excellent finish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 19 hours ago, Bangseat said: you have given me confidence to attempt one myself You should! There can't be enough F-80's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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