Jump to content

Supersonic Hotrods of the Wisconsin Air National Guard


Recommended Posts

One more comment on the CMK "noozle". Compare it to the F110 nozzle by Wolfpack for Tamiya's F-16:

 

49477696982_70b8989c58_z.jpg 

 

Continuing with working my F-16, the wingtop missile rails are incorrect and need to be updated with the LAU-129 launcher for AIM-120s. I found the appropriate launchers in one of Hasegawa's weapon sets:

 

49477697092_e3dfcc1864_c.jpg 

 

It was a simple matter to cut off the kit rails and replace with new ones:

 

49476993748_1497d88648.jpg 

 

On the Deuce front, I tidied up the red & white stripes on the rudder, and did a bit of detailing on the rear metallic section:

 

49476993803_e8d7d9eed9.jpg   49477477436_c2d65aa966_z.jpg 

 

The metallic striping effect was achieved using powdered pigments, applied with the tip of a rubber clay-carving tool:

 

49477710472_7ca5251d90_z.jpg 

 

I then gave the Deuce a clear coat of Future, to protect the decals and pigments, and sent it to my warming box to dry.

 

In the meantime, I've been working to finish the Deuce's landing gear and weapon mounts. I used Reskit's aftermarket wheels, which are beautifully molded:

 

49477697107_7855e6dd15_z.jpg 

 

I considered pinning the missiles to the launch rails, but was afraid of compromising the strength of the fragile trapeze arrangement. Instead, I attached the missiles with generous amounts of CA:

 

49476993868_4be4a12802_c.jpg 

 

It's pretty certain that my F-102 won't be finished for tomorrow evening's group meeting, but I'll bring it to the show-and-tell anyway.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A bit more progress this morning.

 

I experimented with creating a "barber pole" stripe for the Deuce's nose probe. I think I've found a way!

 

Using a thin styrene rod as a surrogate for the nose probe, I wrapped it with lead wire:

 

49478320263_972d1b0ed0_z.jpg 

 

Then airbrushed it with red paint. Here's the result:

 

49478800831_6661ea557b_z.jpg 

 

Pretty good, although I need to do a more careful job of wrapping the wire evenly. I think I could even go with a larger diameter wire. And, I might also try using thinly cut masking tape instead of the wire.

 

Unfortunately, I thought I had a Master Model turned-brass nose probe for the F-102, but I for sure cannot find it. So, I ordered another. It should show up in a week or two, until then my Deuce will go probe-less.

 

I've also made good progress on my F-16. Wings, vertical stab, and ventral fins are on. The fit was very good, and I may not even need any putty. I'll know for sure when I do the primer.

 

49479023082_a45d0cf5f6_b.jpg 

 

Oops, I forgot to mention... the Hasegawa F-16 is missing the "beer can" antennas on the wing leading edge, just inboard of the wingtip rail launchers. You can see one in this photo of an Alabama ANG F-16:

 

49479129242_8e3e55f0b7.jpg

 

Something else for my to-do list.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is probably my last update for the weekend, but I ain't done yet!

 

Scratched a couple of "beer can" RWR antennae from styrene rod:

 

49479588118_6638fc43c4.jpg 

 

Cut a notch in the leading edge, and a groove on the lower wing surface, for the beer cans to sit in:

 

49479588008_e418688409.jpg   49479588093_99cbf53a40.jpg 

 

Here they are installed and puttied:

 

49480067126_ed80c9f1c5.jpg  49479587998_5a0655d6e6.jpg 

 

I also added the piece for the F-16 that sits between the main wheel wells. I had to thin the plastic and sand down the resin part beneath it to make it fit (do you detect the trend here?)

 

49480075816_cec3a137df_z.jpg 

 

On the F-102 front, I glued down the forward canopy piece. You can see how clear it is. I'll attend to the seam between the windscreen and the fuselage later.

 

49479688078_e111fe3225_c.jpg 

 

This is what I used to glue the clear part in place:

 

49480208346_d50153dcef.jpg 

 

Last pic for this update shows how far along I am with my two supersonic hotrods. I have a lot of catching up to do with the Falcon.

 

49480186996_c37923042d_b.jpg 

 

I never appreciated how big the F-102 is until I stood beside one at the Pima Air & Space Museum, outside Tucson. In comparison, the F-16 is like my little Miata!

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, billn53 said:

One more comment on the CMK "noozle". Compare it to the F110 nozzle by Wolfpack for Tamiya's F-16:

 

49477696982_70b8989c58_z.jpg 

 

Continuing with working my F-16, the wingtop missile rails are incorrect and need to be updated with the LAU-129 launcher for AIM-120s. I found the appropriate launchers in one of Hasegawa's weapon sets:

 

49477697092_e3dfcc1864_c.jpg 

 

It was a simple matter to cut off the kit rails and replace with new ones:

 

49476993748_1497d88648.jpg 

 

On the Deuce front, I tidied up the red & white stripes on the rudder, and did a bit of detailing on the rear metallic section:

 

49476993803_e8d7d9eed9.jpg   49477477436_c2d65aa966_z.jpg 

 

The metallic striping effect was achieved using powdered pigments, applied with the tip of a rubber clay-carving tool:

 

49477710472_7ca5251d90_z.jpg 

 

I then gave the Deuce a clear coat of Future, to protect the decals and pigments, and sent it to my warming box to dry.

 

In the meantime, I've been working to finish the Deuce's landing gear and weapon mounts. I used Reskit's aftermarket wheels, which are beautifully molded:

 

49477697107_7855e6dd15_z.jpg 

 

I considered pinning the missiles to the launch rails, but was afraid of compromising the strength of the fragile trapeze arrangement. Instead, I attached the missiles with generous amounts of CA:

 

49476993868_4be4a12802_c.jpg 

 

It's pretty certain that my F-102 won't be finished for tomorrow evening's group meeting, but I'll bring it to the show-and-tell anyway.

I like the idea with the rubber tipped applicator and the pigments. I've said it before and a'll say it again, Outstanding job on this Deuce Bill!.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

51 minutes ago, LorenSharp said:

I like the idea with the rubber tipped applicator and the pigments. I've said it before and a'll say it again, Outstanding job on this Deuce Bill!.

The rubber-tipped clay carving tool came with a set, all shapes & sizes. I mainly use them for spreading putty. 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to get a few more things accomplished this morning, before heading off to work:

 

Puttied and re-painted the windscreen frame:

 

49482357943_e9c77d82c0.jpg 

 

Finished off painting the main canopy part. It's a good thing I will be having the canopy open, because its fit isn't great otherwise:

 

49482357918_ba3ee2e4ab_z.jpg  

 

The fuel tank pylons, on the other hand, were a snap fit and only needed a touch of glue:

 

49482357913_47945068eb.jpg 

 

The elevons have been installed with an appropriate droop:

 

49482357973_96bfc1fd93_c.jpg 

 

and I painted up the tiny little infrared sensor that goes in front of the windscreen:

 

49482840141_2d0feeae67.jpg 

 

Here's the real thing:

 

49482748566_f384f97ff6.jpg 

 

Gotta go earn some money!

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Deuce is going to be on its back for a few days while I add all the bits & bobs that hang out from the underside. This evening I tackled the weapon bay.

 

First, I installed the six Falcon missiles:

 

49486433941_afa6c41786_z.jpg

 

Then the bay doors:

 

49485947058_b56255b25e_z.jpg 

 

49486648412_c779314e9b_z.jpg   49485947048_14d3dccc94_z.jpg 

 

Significant amounts of CA were expended to ensure everything is firmly attached. To reach the tight spaces in the weapon bay, this CA applicator tool was invaluable:

 

49485947033_87b98f8bc7.jpg 

 

It uses capillary action to draw an amount of thin CA into the groove in the tool, which is dispersed by simply touching the tip of the tool to where you want the glue to go.

 

Next, I'll work on getting the landing gear and gear doors installed.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A couple more items done:

 

Underwing fuel tanks added:

 

49490856796_7a63cd8141_c.jpg 

 

Main canopy part finished. Here, it is just sitting in place -- I'm not quite ready to glue it down yet.

 

49490853426_f38c8720ed_z.jpg 

 

Work still to do before I'm calling this supersonic hotrod finished: Paint & add the nose probe; ditto for the tail hook; add the speed brakes; add the IR sensor ahead of the windscreen: install an antenna or two (must check my photo references to see what is needed); touch up paint as needed; and add the open canopy.

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have really enjoyed this entire posting from you Bill. Your results of the “Duece” is as outstanding as it has been interesting.  I look forward to the continuing “saga”!!!!!

 

Mike

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have really enjoyed this entire posting from you Bill. Your results of the “Duece” is as outstanding as it has been interesting.  I look forward to the continuing “saga”!!!!!

 

Mike

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm very close to finishing the Deuce, which I need to do to free up room on my bench for the F-16, not to mention my 1/48 ZM F-4J, which has been sitting in a holding pattern for the past couple of weeks.

 

The Master Model brass nose probe arrived today and I couldn't wait to try painting the red & white barber pole stripes. I'm pumped about how nicely it turned out (although there are a couple of places that will need touch-up with a fine brush). I used the wrapped lead wire technique described previously.

 

49494706126_93aceb944f_z.jpg 

 

I did the same for the tailhook. These varied from plane to plane. I've seen all-gray, broad black & white stripes, and a candy cane pattern. Fortunately, I found a couple of photos of the Wisconsin ANG Deuces that show these red & white stripes.

 

49494706166_816e44c335_z.jpg 

 

I also added a couple of antennae to the Deuce's dorsal spine. The tall blade antenna is for UHF communications, and the smaller black one is part of the IFF system.

 

49494925547_beee7b6cdf_z.jpg 

 

Finally, last thing I did today is to install the speed brakes. Here they are in all their glory:

 

49494211323_a921ca4cb2_z.jpg 

 

That's it for today, folks!

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Deuce is done! I'll do a formal RFI once I'm finished with the F-16 half of this project. In the meantime, here are some pics for your enjoyment:

 

49497116967_954bbdd787_b.jpg 

 

49496893146_128c8455a3_b.jpg 

 

49496396583_9054c0c674_b.jpg 

 

49496893091_0384c7f36f_c.jpg 

 

49497116747_7821b514e4_c.jpg 

 

49496893106_bd650c443a_c.jpg 

 

49497116832_1bb901bd21_c.jpg 

 

49496396333_76de7626e3_z.jpg 

 

49496892871_f69a28ec4e_c.jpg 

 

49497116977_ac7fff5730_b.jpg 

 

Building Meng's F-102 has been a pure pleasure. Now, it's time to finish Hasegawa's F-16!

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

With the Delta Dagger behind me, I'm now able to focus on completing the Wisconsin ANG's 50th anniversary F-16C Block 30. This particular aircraft was painted in the F-16 three-color scheme, as shown in the diagram below:

 

49504319042_f673fb391b_o.jpg 

 

Paints I will use for the base camo colors are these:

 

49504156526_1c723d418c_z.jpg 

 

So far, I've completed pre-shading the various panel lines:

 

49504322697_0f9c6480ee_c.jpg 

 

49503597193_cccb693b4d_c.jpg 

 

I considered a number of options for the Falcon's weapons, and settled on a simple air-to-air loadout of AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinders from the Hasegawa weapons set:

 

49504322632_52f128f07a_z.jpg 

 

I might also include a centerline fuel tank, but haven't decided yet.

 

Finally, I tinted the main canopy piece using Tamiya smoke. The few photos I've found of the 50th anniversary bird indicate that only the forward canopy section was tinted. The small, fixed section appears to be clear. At first, I thought this strange, but looking at other F-16 photos, I found a wide variety of cases where the forward canopy was tinted differently from the rear section.

 

49503597023_300d23093d_z.jpg 

 

I've never tried to tint clear parts before, and I was a bit fearful of ruining my canopy. But, then I found this video which made the entire process simple and foolproof:

 

 

That's my Friday evening update. This weekend will be mainly in the paint shop.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, billn53 said:

With the Delta Dagger behind me, I'm now able to focus on completing the Wisconsin ANG's 50th anniversary F-16C Block 30. This particular aircraft was painted in the F-16 three-color scheme, as shown in the diagram below:

 

49504319042_f673fb391b_o.jpg 

 

Paints I will use for the base camo colors are these:

 

49504156526_1c723d418c_z.jpg 

 

So far, I've completed pre-shading the various panel lines:

 

49504322697_0f9c6480ee_c.jpg 

 

49503597193_cccb693b4d_c.jpg 

 

I considered a number of options for the Falcon's weapons, and settled on a simple air-to-air loadout of AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinders from the Hasegawa weapons set:

 

49504322632_52f128f07a_z.jpg 

 

I might also include a centerline fuel tank, but haven't decided yet.

 

Finally, I tinted the main canopy piece using Tamiya smoke. The few photos I've found of the 50th anniversary bird indicate that only the forward canopy section was tinted. The small, fixed section appears to be clear. At first, I thought this strange, but looking at other F-16 photos, I found a wide variety of cases where the forward canopy was tinted differently from the rear section.

 

49503597023_300d23093d_z.jpg 

 

I've never tried to tint clear parts before, and I was a bit fearful of ruining my canopy. But, then I found this video which made the entire process simple and foolproof:

 

 

That's my Friday evening update. This weekend will be mainly in the paint shop.

Good method on tinting canopies. I learned a similar technique long time ago building an F-22 after MUCH trial ,error and cussing.Only thing I did different was to start with the transparent yellow and then use the smoke. But definitely dip in Kleer or PFM . That alone will save you a lot of aggravation.

Edited by LorenSharp
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, LorenSharp said:

Good method on tinting canopies. I learned a simal technic long time ago building an F-22 after MUCH trial ,error and cussing.Only thing I did different was to start with the transparent yellow and then use the smoke. But definitly dip in Kleer or PFM . That alone will save you a lot of aggravation.

Absolutely agree about the pre-dip before tinting. My first attempt had runs, I was able to easily remove everything with a few minutes in Windex (dissolves the clear coat, taking the bad tint with it).

My second try was much better, but had a few small spots where the tint was thin. Before the tint was able to fully set up, I sprayed with Mr Color leveling thinner, and the spots disappeared. Good to know!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...