ESzczesniak

I finally sat down to photograph a lot of my latest builds. It's taking a bit of time to sort through them and upload them, but I'm going to start sharing them from the bottom (least satisfied) up. So starting with the bottom 2 today... This is Hasegawa's 1/72 F-117A flag scheme. As always, an all blac model is hard. I tried to add appropriate weathering from pictures, but even this is hard given that this was a show bird that was pretty well maintained based on the photographs. I'm happy enough with the results, but it's a bit plain to my eye. As always, comments, criticism, an

I finally sat down to photograph a lot of my latest builds. It's taking a bit of time to sort through them and upload them, but I'm going to start sharing them from the bottom (least satisfied) up. So starting with the bottom 2 today... This is Hasegawa's 1/72 F-117A flag scheme. As always, an all blac model is hard. I tried to add appropriate weathering from pictures, but even this is hard given that this was a show bird that was pretty well maintained based on the photographs. I'm happy enough with the results, but it's a bit plain to my eye. As always, comments, criticism, an

I finally sat down to photograph a lot of my latest builds. It's taking a bit of time to sort through them and upload them, but I'm going to start sharing them from the bottom (least satisfied) up. So starting with the bottom 2 today... This is Hasegawa's 1/72 F-35A. The kit assembles well, but what I am sure of now is that I'm struggling to replicate the partially metalic coloring. This color that I mixed up ended up too dark compared to prototypes, but I didn't fully realize this before removing the masking for all the panel lines (some are decals)...and I wasn't ready to redo that on t

I finally sat down to photograph a lot of my latest builds. It's taking a bit of time to sort through them and upload them, but I'm going to start sharing them from the bottom (least satisfied) up. So starting with the bottom 2 today... This is Hasegawa's 1/72 F-35A. The kit assembles well, but what I am sure of now is that I'm struggling to replicate the partially metalic coloring. This color that I mixed up ended up too dark compared to prototypes, but I didn't fully realize this before removing the masking for all the panel lines (some are decals)...and I wasn't ready to redo that on t

The Eagle and Harrier you're referencing are very old kits. Not so sure that's a fair comparison.

I'm sure Tamiya will make a couple variants, but probably fall short of all the variants people would hope for. I think we got 3 of the F-16C, but not as extensive as people had hoped for to include A/B/D. I suspect likely options are a later F-14A and possibly a bombcat.

The one piece wings seem a little off for Tamiya somehow. I guess in reality most Tomcats would be parked with the wings full back and will be easier to build that way. Still, just doesn't seem like Tamiya to leave out a detail like optional flaps after their last few offerings. I'm sure it's a quick early build too, but the fit of the part just in front of the windscreen seems less than Tamiya like as well.

Thank you for the compliment. Yes, they are masked...lot's and lot's of Tamiya tape cut in to narrow pieces.

Thank you all for the kind words. I kept it fairly straightforward. I painted the grays with acrylics and decaled without much attention to weathering. After putting on a flat coat, I used a oil dot filter that the armor guys are popularizing. Then I highly diluted the two grays I used and sprayed them along some panel lines and a random splotchy appearance. I had sealed with Testor's lacquer, so the base colors were protected and I swept a wide flat brush moistened with isopropyl alcohol along the direction of the airflow. I then used about 4 different flat coats to cover the model in

There seem to be two aircraft that have been elusive for me to model. Both the B-2 and F-14 have had multiple kits started, many problems, and few (actually no completions). While the F-14 still lives in this stash for me, I think I finally overcame the B-2. This is the "snaptite" 1/144 Revell B-2A, OOB construction with Begemot Decals. Still a few imperfections, but I'm fairly happy given what's out there for the B-2. I'm still not sure I understand why there isn't a fairly "modern" kit of this aircraft. As always, constructive criticisms and feedback welcome. ...now to

There seem to be two aircraft that have been elusive for me to model. Both the B-2 and F-14 have had multiple kits started, many problems, and few (actually no completions). While the F-14 still lives in this stash for me, I think I finally overcame the B-2. This is the "snaptite" 1/144 Revell B-2A, OOB construction with Begemot Decals. Still a few imperfections, but I'm fairly happy given what's out there for the B-2. I'm still not sure I understand why there isn't a fairly "modern" kit of this aircraft. As always, constructive criticisms and feedback welcome. ...now to

This is almost a polar opposite to my experiences. I haven't bought new kits in almost 18 months now (odd thing here, I'm building more and buying less...oddly the stash is shrinking), but Sprue Brothers would almost always be a bit cheaper. The differences were more dramatic on new releases and less on older kits,...and rarely huge. I'll take SB over Squadron any day. Back in a day Squadron was as good as SB, but they're spiraling in to marketing gimics where they mark up a price before marking it down, or their sales don't have almost anything instock.

I haven't built enough...only 1 successfully (mostly...it's getting paint now). But, having been defeated a couple times, my advice is: 1) careful test fitting, 2) scrutinizing the instructions and deviating from the order based on test fitting, and 3) judicious use of plastic shims and added "locator tabs" to help line things up.

I'd love a new tool, or even readily available, 1/72 B-1B. While we're at it, how about a well modeled B-2A...1/72 or 1/144. I think the best we have is the SnapTite Revell 1/144, but even that still has it's issues (fit, MLG sitting right, raised panel lines, etc).

Anyone: 1/72 or 1/144 B-2 Spirit

Thank you all. E-mail is sent. I can afford to wait some time at the rate I build, but don't want to have to ditch the kit because of the missing piece.

I picked up a Zvevda 1/144 787. Very nice kit, but I got 2 right fuselage halves. Anyone know how to contact them or a distributor to try and get a matched pair so I can actually build the bird? Thanks.

I unfortunately never kept the mix for the record and the painting happened quite some time ago. I know the base was Tamiya X-15 lime green. I think I darkened largely with just straight black, but it's possible I needed to add some X-5 to keep the green hue.

Thank you! I did find that later after this post noting the former company to be a scam. The Nazca decals just got drowned out by the all the results from Model Arst Two Alexander for a little bit.

Thank you all for the comments. Regarding the two questions... 1. I used Vallejo. The gray was straight 71.050 (can't remember the name) +/- white or black for shading. The blue/gray was a "Sea Gray" (opposite, can't remember the number) lightened with almost 50% white and with a drop or two of blue added. I did a lot of shading, so I had a mix written down (9:6:1, Sea gray:white:blue), but didn't stress too much about different batches of paint. 2. I had a hard time judging the contrast between colors myself. The 104th FW birds seemed to have a pretty stark contrast between the light g

Thank you both for the comments. To answer the questions... 1. Yes, the weapons bay is just a decal. I could have considered leaving it off since I doubt you can see the lines very well on the real thing from almost any angle. 2. The lumps and bumps came with the kit. 3. Almost every bump/antenna had a locating whole that was drilled inside-out in the fuselage prior to joining the halves. If I remember correctly, The off center forward top antennas (4 total, 2 each side) may not have had the holes, but all others did.

Got it, thanks for the reply...guess that explains a bit why he has so many sheets on the site. That's what made me suspicious to start out!

I've been looking for some decals for the new American scheme. I haven't found much other than a bunch from this company. Below is a link to the 737-800 that I'd be thinking about getting: http://modelarstwoalexander.auctivacommerce.com/Silk-screen-decal-for-American-Airlines-in-scale-1200-1144-P3029906.aspx I've never heard of this company before. Anyone have experience with them?

This is the Great Wall Hobby 1/48 F-15C Eagle of the 104th FW. Pictures of the 104th birds show them all very clean...not my style so much. I like at least a bit of wear if it can be justified. So I tried to weathering the aircraft in the midrange for that of an Eagle. It's dirty for a 104th FW aircraft, but reasonable for an F-15C in service. Thanks for looking. Comments and criticism welcome.

This is Hasegawa's 1/200 P-8A Poseidon OOB. A simple build without much to note. Thanks for looking. Comments and criticism welcome.