zackattack

I just peed my pants. Thanks.

Wow! I have never been a fan of the f-104, but I am seriously impressed with this build. Excellent in every way. I love models like this because I feel like I can never zoom into the pictures close enough. Very nice job!!!

There is a HobbyLobby right by my house that I shopped at for a long time til I found a great model store in Salt Lake. I will still go by every now and then because they carry the C/A that I love. If they close its whatever. I don't make my purchasing decisions based on the companies political/moral/religious views, unless it were a very extreme case. I am 100% for gay rights yet I eat at chick-fil-a sometimes. If they don't want to sell the goods people want, somebody else will. I try to save my opinions for the ballot box.

I see both sides to that point. The master modeler at my local model shop has encouraged me to pay attention to both the macro and the micro. When i began modelling a few years back (seriously anyways) i would focus on the largest aspects like just putting the kit together, then doing a good sanding/filling job, then a respectable airbrush job. As time goes on every few models i try to incorporate a new challenge like photo-etch, then resin cockpits, then scratchbuilding. As my new skills grow my older talents continue to sharpen. I keep photos of my favorite modellers work hanging around my d

Thank you very much for all the info, exactly what i was looking for. I am very much looking forward to the show and expo and meeting people and the whole world. Jay, i will be taking my (currently under construction) hopefully finished by then f-35. A work in progress would be an interesting table though- and one we could all easily enter Im sure!

I agree, I have thinned my squadron putties with alcohol for a while now. A Q-tip or spatula soaked in alcohol also smoothes down the seem nicely, which helps a TON when it comes time to sand it.

I have entered a few shows so far and done pretty well and this August I am going to enter the IPMS Nationals in Colorado. I am taking one finished jet, one in progress, and an armor piece. I posted this to see what everyone knows about how the judging works. What aspects do they look at? How are certain things weighted compared to others? Do they do a scorecard so you are able to see what you need to work on in the future? Anyone out there placed in a big show like this one? Any info is appreciated, thanks everyone!

Ya I have found that out as well. I was originally so excited for the different options I could use, only to find out its the A and C that get to rock those toys. As of now I am planning on using the two AIM-120 and two GBU-12 Paveway II. I really wanted to use the JDAMs, but the STOVL version can only carry the 1000lb. version and even the ones that I found (in the academy F-15C MSIP kit) were too large so go figure. I have the GBU-12s and AIM-120s and they fit nicely so Ill just be greatful for that..... Unless someone knows where to get a pair of 1/48 JDAM 1000lb. that actually fit???

This prob doesn't look like a ton of progress from the last pics but I consider it to be at least a little farther forward. This has been challenging to build so far with very little reference available concerning the nooks and crannies of the "B" model. I am doing my best to REPRESENT what would probably be going on in some of the areas I have little to go off of. Some day years down the road ill have walk-arounds and books and even a few squadrons up at Hill AFB to go look at. Until then its just my imagination I guess. (Don't let me stop you from posting your own reference photos though, th

Thank you for the ideas, especially Hawkeye, i will be looking into all the things you named for my 2.0 version. I assume your of the former Hawkeye hobbies? I have one full bottle of raptor sheen remaining, i will treasure it and use it wisely.:-(:-(:-(

One thing that has always caught my eye, aside from a beautiful aircraft, are pictures of other peoples workbenches and shops. I love seeing the way people organize and layout their supplies and tools. I thought my desk might excite some of you out there. I have always HATED having to vent my paint fumes out a window. Its ugly and obnoxious and it makes for an extra workspace, and in almost all cases having the fan(s) behind your work. I am currently a mechanical engineering student at the U of U, so last semester for my term project I decided to solve this problem. Here is what I have come up

Damn! This is beautiful. Way to go seriously top of the line work, im impressed. I especially love the smaller details like the greetings on the bombs and the fact that you didn't overlook the lights and such on the launch rails. Bravo!

Oh and what two grays did you use for the skin/ram?

Excellent! This is the first "A" I have seen in this kit. Is that a gbu-12 tucked away inside the weapons bay?

Im not sure. The kit said this marking scheme was for the "D" though. Ill have to look it up.