gengriz Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 (edited) I'm calling a finish to this one now as I think I have managed the best I can, so stopping before I spoil it. This is the 1/72 Heller E-3, with Combat Decals markings for an E-3D in the special markings for the 100th Anniversary of 8 Sqn. This kit has sat unloved in my loft for over 10 years (mainly because of its really poor Heller French AF decals), but I was inspired by the recent Combat Decals release to bring it down and make a start. The RAF-specific parts are those supplied as part of the Heller kit (along with the CFM-56 engines in my release) and the only corrections I have made were to add a fillet in the joint between wing tip and ESM pods. As I suspected, taking completion photographs was "difficult" due to its size, but a sunny day here, a shiny garden table and a large paving stone seem to have worked. Rather depressingly, the wheels were already beginning to splay out of position by the end of this photo shoot. Some solid props will be needed if they are to survive. This is, I believe, the largest model I have ever made. I still have no idea where I will keep it, but the entire wing assembly remains detachable, which helps. For now though, its on display on a coffee table in my modelling room! I started this 3 weeks ago, with a detailed (if not entirely accurate) cockpit, none of which can now be seen: It is entirely brush painted, using Humbrol enamels, with an oil wash and W&N Acrylic matt varnish to finish. Klear was used to bed the decals down. The Combat Decals are nicely printed but VERY difficult to remove from the VERY crowded sheet. My inner engines are nicely clear of the ground despite the wings only being clipped in place. Alternative background. I photoshopped the paving stone joints out of the picture: ...and that was February's lockdown build. Pleased with that Edited February 27, 2021 by gengriz Spelling! 47 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 that looks superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon J Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Great job on finding the motivation to dig out the kit and get it done. Finished model looks great. It's a big ol' bird though isn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert falcon Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Good you saved this from the loft, she's looking fantastic 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyJammedKenny! Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Very realistic finish! It looks like the real thing! It's too bad these are on the way out, service-wise, at least in the RAF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Looks great.😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binbrook87 Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 That's great! You don't see too many E-3s built. Such a shame that all your excellent work in the cockpit area is hardly seen, but at least you know you've done a proper job! 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Duvalier Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Awesome build. 😎 How many pots of Humbrol does it take to cover a beast like this? 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sierra Mike Sierra Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 16 hours ago, gengriz said: its on display on a coffee table in my modelling room! Brilliant work! Likewise I am impressed that there is a coffee table in the modelling room. Maybe there is an adjacent smoking parlor and a bar as well 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Love it! A coffee table model, as opposed to a book The CFM engined Awacs look far more modern than the original 707 design would make you believe... Still the RAF convinced they'd not be worth keeping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Excellent, don't see many of these made up and this one is a beauty! I am also impressed by your Photoshop skills, I can't work out where those paving slab joints were... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gengriz Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share Posted February 28, 2021 3 hours ago, Jackson Duvalier said: Awesome build. 😎 How many pots of Humbrol does it take to cover a beast like this? 😄 It took one whole pot for the fuselage (2-3 thinned coats) and a bit of another for the wings (2 coats). I did also use the first pot for a Sea Harrier at the same time. It also made a big dent in my bottle of Klear! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Very nice, got this myself to do though with resin RAF and CFM56 parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 A delightful build of a large and ungainly subject. I am impressed with your brush painting of a model that size. The decals also really set it off well too. Great build, thanks for sharing. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike N Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 That is superb, great work! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Great work and a super finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Quack Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Congratulations on a worthy model - must be a sizeable beast. Lovely brush finish. I guess the Heller and Airfix issues are related? Q Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted February 28, 2021 Share Posted February 28, 2021 Beautifully done and I really like the cockpit. The curtain in the doorway is a nice touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Love it, superb work and wonderful choice of scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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