B2Blain

thanks!

I'm trying to decided which aftermarket decals to buy for a 1/48 scale F-117. What color are the national insignia and tail code markings? It looks light gray for Caracal. On the actual aircraft it looks white.

I believe AARGM-ER and its successor the SiAW, which uses the same form factor are the best options. GBU-53s could be effective too. But none of these weapons have been cleared yet. That being said I used BAM models AARGM-ER for a recent F-35A build. I put them in the weapon's bay. I also put two AARGM-ERs and 8 GBU-53s on 4 detachable pylons for a beast mode config.

I've been trying to figure this one out. I have built three F-22s so far. The first two were pretty much straight Mod Eagle. The last one I tried to include some variation with patching and added a slightly metallic top coat. I wasn't really satisfied but I wanted to be done. Model Master's FS36251 seems pretty close but it is no longer available. The last one I used Xtracolor enamels. AK seemed a little light. For FS36176 I used Mr. Color gunship gray as the darker pattern looks darker than Mod Eagle dark gray. It seems the scheme is some type of RAM paint out of depot. Lighting s

I posted previously about a potential purchase on Ebay. The model was from Estonia. The model was around $22 and postage around $14. I didn't want to risk being charged an unkown amount for duties so I bought it off Amazon for around $50. I didn't realize that the model was being shipped by a seller in Italy until I received a message that it was being delayed by customs. When it finally arrived I discovered I needed to pay the UPS driver $34 for customs. I should have taken my chances with ordering from Estonia. That is the last time I buy from overseas. US Customs should have a

That was my understanding. If something comes in from a known overseas business, like Temu, US Customs will know to attach duties to the item. But if the item comes from and individual then how does Customs make a determination that duties need to be applied? Unless the shipper has to declare it? This is a sea change in terms of how the USG treats imports. It's a lot easier to apply a tariff to imports that come in by bulk via a ship or aircraft. I am not sure if US Customs is set up to inspect the process every parcel that comes in from overseas. Thank you to all who r

I've held off on buying models and supplies from overseas because of the tariff issue. I accidentally ordered B-2 decals from Estonia, of all places, off of Etsy. It didn't occur to me later to check. Fortunately, I didn't get charged import duties from USPS. I started to wonder about whether I would be charged since Ebay are individual sellers. Does anyone know what the practice is? Thanks!

I figured that there are issues. I'm just trying to get to the stage of good enough. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on corrections. I just want something that is better than the old Testors kit, which was unbuildable. I thought putting it in a flying state with all the doors closed would be the easiest. That has worked so far. One of the build's I've seen the engine is visible from the front of the intake. I am thinking it might be best to paint the inside of the intakes the body color and be good.

Thanks! I've been following that build. I'm not that ambitious. I just find it odd that you are able to see the engine if you look down the intake. Think Modelcollect goofed on that one. I find it interesting that they are now doing a $1 commitment gimmick for the B-1 and have a B-21 on their Facebook page. I'm not sure how you can do a B-21 when the overall dimensions are still unknown.

I am building Modelcollect's B-2. I noticed that you can see the engines, but aren't they supposed to be hidden on the real aircraft?

What size would you need to print REMJ's carrier accessories part 2? Would a Phrozen 8KS work? Or is it too small? https://www.remj.co.uk/3d-blocks/p/1-48-wheel-block-tow-bar-mule-deck-accessories-e5b4c-e7x7j-kette-xlbay-9psk6-sazkg-clj6n-baag3

Reskit had been coming out with a lot of product. It's amazing how many companies have produced AIM-174s and NGJ mid band bonds over a short period of time, so maybe we will see a greater variety of aftermarket products at some point. Here is my wish list. 1. F-22 IRST 2. NGJ Low band pods 3. F-22 Low drag tank and pylon - I put this at #3 because there hasn't been any good images of the tanks yet. Hopefully, soon. 4. AIM-260 - same as #3. This will definitely get made by someone. I am not sure about #1 and #3. The F-22 doesn't seem to be that popular of a subject. T

Thanks! I did notice the metallic sheen in the sunlight. I am using a combination of laquer and enamels. A while ago I bought a tin of xtracolor for FS36251 that I think comes closest to the mod Eagle base coat. I made custom mixes to create different shades with a metallic sheen. It just a matter now of deciding how alternate the colors and create weathering and patching effects. I thought the paint on stealth jets had radar absorbent properties? Why would an F-22 shop order paint that used on an F-35?

I tried AK's FS36170 for a section of the vertical stab. I don't see a metallic sheen. I am guessing that on darker colors it doesn't show as much. I am not having much success changing up the shades of gray on the F-22. In reference to carrier aircraft someone said on one of the forums that the paint shops use whatever they have on hand, not always sticking to the spec when touching up. Would that be true for stealth aircraft? You would think that the shop that repairs RAM also takes care of the painting. They would need to use government approved paint. It would be hard to imagine that a can

Thank you for your advice and information. Hopefully, over time there will be more aftermarket options and vendors who print at a lower cost.

Just bought mid band pods from Flight Line. I have some from BAM also, but Arnaud sadly had to close his business.

The ability to design and print accessories and mods/upgrade for scale models are going to proliferate and give modelers more going forward. I found 3D models for a number of weapon systems and pods. The designer has the first IRST pod I have seem for the F-22. https://www.renderhub.com/akela-freedom/sensor-pod-for-f-22-raptor And a Next Generation Jammer Low Band pod for the Growler. https://www.renderhub.com/akela-freedom/next-generation-jammer-low-band As well as other renders. A lot of new or proposed munitions also. Thirty dollars se

I'm at the beginning stages of building my third 1/48 F-22. In the past I used Model Masters FS36250 as the base coat. Since I cannot obtain it any longer I purchased a bottle of AK FS36250 and noticed there was a difference in tone, more brownish. I was thinking of giving his model a more weathered look and was wondering... I referred to my references and noticed Raptors have a more worn and variegated appearance than when they first were introduced. It seems that overtime they have been patched in the RAM/Paint shop. Did something change over time with the procedure or paint bein

I watched this guys rant on youtube about not gloss coating. I found it interesting, but I cannot make the leap and do it myself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOt3Gfc82TI

AIM-9L/M rear fins in that pic white? I've seen several pics of that combination from the mid 80s. Cruise Books are a good resources, but the resolution from back in the day is not that great. It also seems Sparrows were rarely carried, even for Soviet aircraft intercepts. https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/

Thanks for the info!

Thank you all for your suggestions! I used Florys when it came out, but have been using Tamiya's accenter recently. It's much more effective than water based. I've noticed that when I use it on Gunze's Mr. Color line of laquer paints mineral spirits will remove some of the base coat. It's a little better when I use a softer cloth. Not sure if Mr. Color reacts to mineral spirits or if it's getting to the enamel primer coat that I put down. I don't notice this with Tamiya. I thought that maybe I should try a water based product for the panel lines.

Does anyone know of one besides Flory?

I am working on two F-4S Phantoms - one USN and one USMC. I haven't found many references for the type and color of Sparrow and Sidewinders for the F-4S. The AIM-9L saw combat in 1981 in the Gulf of Sidra and in 1982 in Falklands War and over the Bekaa Valley. The best references I have found are the Cruise Books from the USS Midway. The Sidewinders look to be Ls. White body and dark gray metallic seeker head sections. Were the Sidewinders painted in light ghost gray primarily Ms? I'm guessing by the late 80s AIM-9Ms were the standard. Regarding the Sparrows, the handfu

Harpoon hasn't been certified for the F-35 platform. I am not sure it will be worth it to do so. JASSM/LRASM would be better as a external carried weapon as it is more advanced and longer range. In a stealth configuration, the Joint Strike Mission might be a better option as it can be carried internally and is manufactured by a Norway, an F-35 operator. It has also been purchased by other F-35 operators.