Cirrus75 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 As a first entry on this forum I’d like to present a model I recently finished: the 1/48 Minicraft Grumman XF-5F Skyrocket (Long-nosed version). I picked it up in a local hobbystore quite a few years ago, and after I had started with a few sub-assemblies for some reason it undeservedly moved to the ‘shelf of ignored projects’ for the next couple of years. It’s a model I hardly ever see built, and the type might even be unknown to some of you. With only one prototype built it actually never progressed beyond experimental status. Probably the only benefit it had was providing Grumman with valuable experience on a twin-engined design, eventually leading to the development of the F-7F Tigercat. The kit itself presented no real problems. I enhanced the cockpit and engines with a PE set (Eduard 48-285). After some disappointing airbrush sessions with Vallejo acrylic Metal Colors I opted to use Tamiya AS-12 straight from the can. The wings were treated with Extracolor X106 Insignia Yellow. I tried to mask the smaller frames on the canopy, with non-convincing results. I then took a piece of blank decal film (Testor’s), which I painted Interior Green/Black/AS-12 (in that order). A fresh X-acto blade was then used to cut small strips the size of the canopy frames. After applying these decals the strips were trimmed to connect to the canopy main frame. I was actually quite pleased with the results. After the painting sessions the Skyrocket was given a few coats of Future in preparation for the decals. Decalling is one of my favorite parts, that is, most of the time. Not this time though: the lettering went on flawlessly but the national insignia refused to conform to the recessed panel lines. Micro Sol didn’t seem to have any effect at all on these kit decals, despite several consecutive coats. I then resorted to Mr. Mark Softer, which had the opposite effect in that it reacted a bit too enthusiastic and started to eat tiny pieces of insignia. Why I experimented on two decals at the same time I still don’t know, what I do know is that I’m glad that I started with the insignia on the underside of the wings. By not touching the decals and letting it dry properly before any further handing the result in the end wasn’t as bad as it seemed initially. The insignia on top of the wings were just placed with just a little bit of Sol. They did conform only slightly but in the end this is hardly noticeable. A final coat of Humbrol Matt Cote marked the end of the painting process. Antennae wires were made from AK-Interactive Hyper-Thin elastic wire. I experimented with focus stacking to try and create overall sharp pictures. I must say that I’m pleased with the simplicity of the required workflow in Lightroom/Photoshop as well as with the results. Regards, Richard 37 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 I really like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Bravo! Excellent results! I built that kit too. The aircraft was truly a beast; as powerful as it was ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfa1983 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Very impressive work Richard! That must have been a zippy little plane. It's basically two engines with a basket in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Robin Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 What a super looking little thing. Regards Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Looks great. Would make a great base for a ‘what if’ build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Very nice, I built the same version earlier this year. Very neat work all around, especially the canopy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted September 6, 2022 Share Posted September 6, 2022 Brilliant job on that seldom-seen aircraft! Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 You can definitely see the Tigercat trying to get out of that design, and hear it screaming. Lovely clean and tidy build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric Indigo Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Excellent finish on this rare beauty, you really make the kit shine. The first time I learned about the XF5F was in Howard Chaykin's re-imagined Blackhawk comic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Oh my Richard. That's Brilliant! To paraphrase Eric "Winkle" Brown: Two whopping great engines, hotly pursued by an aeroplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maginot Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Very nice work. She looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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