John Masters Posted April 7, 2022 Share Posted April 7, 2022 This is an impressive build Alan. Will you cross the finish line? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 8, 2022 Share Posted April 8, 2022 Don‘t rush it Alan, would be a pity. I guess the hosts could keep the gallery open for this exceptional work of art. It‘s 1/32 scale after all! The only one in this GB! 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share Posted April 11, 2022 Unfortunately failed to finish in time...the combination of work and ongoing freezing temperatures defeated me 😭 I'll keep building to the finish here, but it won't be in the gallery. Hopefully my helicopter builds in the Ground Attack GB will fare better as the weather warms up a bit. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 30 minutes ago, Alan P said: Unfortunately failed to finish in time...the combination of work and ongoing freezing temperatures defeated me I'm with you Alan. My build will complete late by a few days. Being (and Boeing) 1/48 I have a little less to do. I will continue to follow your build so I trust you will keep posting. Finished painting the gloss coat on mine and about to start the decals and thought of your big builds. Even in 1/48 my EA-18G is rather large and requires a decent amount of paint. Yours must really chew through it. I expect you contracted your own paint factory for the SR-71. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Alan I assure you I will keep following your build to the end. You pretty much ignited my interested in 1/32. scale which I totally ruled out when I restarted modelbuilding 1 year ago. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 Please keep the updates coming Alan, your build has been fantastic so far and I would really like to see how she finishes out looking. 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 17, 2022 Author Share Posted April 17, 2022 Many thanks @Sam and @modelling minion, I'll keep on posting until the end, which is hopefully not too far off now... Decals on! This decal set is pretty stunning, again with Revell the quality is outstanding. This kit decal set would set you back at least £20 if it was aftermarket, so that's a big win. All ordnance from the kit, it will be an asymmetrical load as seen frequently on training ops. Still gloss-coated for now. Still a work in progress, you can see where I haven't tidied up the messy splurges of wash! Lights are done with little-cars lenses (just restocked!) Started the wear and tear - it's a very long multi-stage process using post-shading, washes, thinner, pastels and sponge pads so this is the beginning of a long climb... Greasy fingers and staining around the panels as well as spot-primed anti-corrosion points are the first step... Used various shades of Colourcoats enamel in conjunction with thinner and Mig washes. This bit looks very splodgy but as I said, it's early days! Alan 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Good progress Alan, the decals look really good and have settled down very nicely, as you say you would have to pay a fair amount for aftermarket decals of that quality. 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 My this is looking big and beautiful. I especially like the immaculate ordnance and the start of the weathering process. Very nice. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 Thanks again Craig, and @Ray_W Keeping going with this, following my process: Used a white filter (Tensacrom) applied with sponges and then followed up with a some panel line washes (3 different colours, applied unevenly) Then added more patchy grease staining around the regularly opened panels. Then followed up with a microbrush and thinners to create the cleaned up blotches on the fasteners. Gave the upper surfaces a similar treatment. Then a big moment - masking off and stabilators on! Pleased to say the cockpit survived the painting and paint effects process! Final few details - tail ECM radomes: Then added the characteristic staining on the underside: Looks very high-contrast in the photo but it's more subtle to the naked eye! And finally with the very grubby centre tank fitted (still a WIP), and last of all, the finished armament: With any luck, I might even manage to finish this by end of play tomorrow. Here's a shot of the real thing, look at the state of the drop tank! https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VFA/VFA-154_DAT/VFA-154-Black-Knights-042.jpg See what I could have done given a bit of warm weather Anyway, nearly there, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the bits of the GB I've been around for - if nothing else, it proves that we as a group are very good at making quality models from iffy kits! Alan 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 Wow!!! Wish I can finish mine half as good. She looks fantastic! Alex 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 She really does look good Alan. Removing the masking from the canopy is always a big step and its always pleasing when it goes well like yours has with no nasty marks on the canopy. The weathering is very good, and looking at the picture you linked there is room for a lot more on the tank. Nice job on the ordnance too. 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted April 19, 2022 Share Posted April 19, 2022 Exceptional build. You are right about the decals. They look very good. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 19, 2022 Author Share Posted April 19, 2022 14 hours ago, coneheadff said: Wow!!! Wish I can finish mine half as good. She looks fantastic! Alex 14 hours ago, modelling minion said: She really does look good Alan. Removing the masking from the canopy is always a big step and its always pleasing when it goes well like yours has with no nasty marks on the canopy. The weathering is very good, and looking at the picture you linked there is room for a lot more on the tank. Nice job on the ordnance too. 🇺🇦 13 hours ago, Ray_W said: Exceptional build. You are right about the decals. They look very good. Ray Thanks very much indeed for the kind words guys. I blitzed the landing gear today, just need to paint and assemble the wheels themselves. I drilled out and reinforced the hole for the mounting pole (5mm carbon fibre rod) but forgot about the aftmost gear doors, which will directly interfere with the rod location. I'll find a solution when the wood base is ready for the pole to mount. Otherwise I'm happy with the whole setup and appearance of the model in the final approach configuration 😊 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 Well this is the final run to the finish! Ordnance and wheels completed and fitted. Test-fitting the stand: Very happy with that! It's just made from a broken lampshade 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 22, 2022 Author Share Posted April 22, 2022 Pending better pictures (this is now too big for my 60x60cm lightbox 🤯) here's the finished article: lights, aerials and pitot tubes all completed and fitted. I've obviously missed the GB gallery deadline, but I'll post the finished pics in the main Ready for Inspection forum when they're done. Thanks very much to those who have faithfully and doggedly supported the build even after it became a lost cause: @modelling minion, @Sam, @arfa1983, @coneheadff and @Ray_W along with everyone who added their words of encouragement along the way. It's a shame I didn't get more involved in the GB as a whole, but that's life (and work!) Just to confirm my good news on the employment front, I've landed my dream job working for Boeing (so I'm leaving the naff, 'second string' large American defense contractor I was working for ) so it's true that when one door closes, another mahoosive, bleedin' great gate can open. Keep believing, folks All the best Alan 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneheadff Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Congratulations Alan...Great news and wonderful looking model! All the best for the new job 🍀🍀🍀🍀 Alex 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Excellent! Happy you got your dream job. Stay safe; John 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Congratulations Alan! Your build is great, it really does look like if she was behind the boat! Plus a broken lampstand put to excellent use. One day i will try a 1/32 myself. And it will be your fault 😎 Have a great start at Boeing 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Sam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 An excellent result Alan, well worth all the time and effort that you have put into her, and great bit of recycling with the lamp stand. And congratulations on landing the job at Boeing, I sincerely hope that it works out for you and that you are happy there.👍 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wings unlevel Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Stunner! And congrats on the Boeing gig! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattheCat Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Wow! THAT is a terrific looking Bug. Respect, sir. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Very stylish, great work!! The Knights' CAG scheme is great! It was on the Cat, ans on the Rhino! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray_W Posted April 23, 2022 Share Posted April 23, 2022 Hi Alan, Congratulations on nailing your dream job. Also fantastic presentation. A Boeing on a lamp stand. Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted April 24, 2022 Author Share Posted April 24, 2022 Thank you all so much, it's been worth the slog with your support! On 4/23/2022 at 7:53 AM, Sam said: One day I will try a 1/32 myself. And it will be your fault 😎 Happy to take the fall for that, it's worth trying one of these monster kits at least once 😎 On 4/23/2022 at 9:15 AM, modelling minion said: And congratulations on landing the job at Boeing, I sincerely hope that it works out for you and that you are happy there.👍 Thanks very much Craig, I really hope so. The main thing is, it's not my current job. I'm annoyed they had to rattle my cage so much earlier in the year, but perhaps I needed to look elsewhere. Honestly wasn't expecting such a great move, but that's life! Here's the RFI anyway...shame I never made the gallery, but rulez is rulez! Thanks everyone for yet another great BM GB, and @Anatol Pigwa for your light-touch moderation 👍 Cheers Alan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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