Jump to content

Sebastijan

Members
  • Content Count

    5,972
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Sebastijan

  1. Flyhawk's Dauntless has got to be one of the best engineered kits I have ever built. The fit is exceptional, as are the details. Sprue attachment points are relatively narrow and located on the mating surfaces making this build fast and hassle free. Nose cowling is just dryfitted to the fuselage and the engine will be installed at the end of the build.

     

    sbd-7-XL.jpg

  2. sbd-3-XL.jpg

    There are some pin marks in the cockpit area but they are cleverly placed and will either get covered by interior equipment or will be hidden when the fuselage is closed.

     

    sbd-4-XL.jpg

    Cockpit floor also looks great and all I did was a bit of brown weathering and some scratch marks around the seats, foot rests and gunners seat/position. Unfortunately the kit doesn't come with any PE, so the seatbelts were used from a Brengun set in my stash.

     

    sbd-5-XL.jpg

    Very nicely detailed machine guns (just drilled the hole in the muzzles), instrument panel and rear gunners radio equipment. Glass faces were made with UV glue.

     

    sbd-6-XL.jpg

    And everything glued together... well most of the things... I was thinking of adding a wash to the sidewall details as well, but since they won't be seen at all once the fuselage is closed, I decided to skip this step.

  3. Hi everyone. It's been ages since I've created an in-progress thread at ARC, but I haven't done much modelling or it was something totally else than A in ARC so let me try to remedy this by this dual build. Since this year marks 80th anniversary of the important naval battle of Midway which was one of the turning points of the WW2, I've decided to jump into rather unknown territory for me, a jetboy - WW2 era props.

     

    Anyhow, the kits I'll be using are the excellent 1:72 ArmaHobby F4F-4 Wildcat and Flyhawk's first foray into aircraft kits, the SBD-3 Dauntless. After having built Flyhawk's HMS Aurora and seeing the awesome detail a ship in 1:700 can have, I went and preordered their Dauntless, first time in about 40 years I am building models. And boy oh boy, I don't regret decision at all. Surface details are top notch, a mix of engraved panel lines and positive rivets and interior, which will probably not be seen anymore when closing the fuselage, better than in larger scales. I'll be building these two kits in a modular fashion - first one cockpit then another, then the engines, then the prep for painting, joint common colours painting, etc.

     

    Enough of chit chat, let me show you the result of the first day of work. Interior green airbrushed over black primer to get some tonal variation and the black boxes painted. Hopefully I'll start adding detail bits of paint and weathering in the next few days. I have also finished the rear gunner machine guns and boy-oh-boy how great they look. Unfortunately my camera isn't able to catch such a tiny detail, but I'll try to play with different lenses to see if I can get a worthy shot of it.

     

    sbd-1-XL.jpg

  4. 17 hours ago, Sturm said:

    I do agree the green is bit on the darkish side but the real ones also had significant variations 

     

     

    Actually, they didn't have siginificant variations - apart from the paint fading which was not extreme. Original dark grey had blueish hue while the repainted ones had it darker with greenish hue. MrP paints that you've used are correct for repainted birds.

  5. On 10/22/2021 at 6:49 PM, Sturm said:

    Hi I am currently doing a MiG29SMT. The colours you need for the splinter camo are 

     

    MRP284  - light grey (for lower surfaces)

    MRP 287 - light green grey (for upper camo)

    MRP288 - dark green grey (for upper camo)

     

     

    The above mentioned paints are ok for the repainted ones that @Berkut mentioned above. From what I could see, not a lot of aircraft were repainted and it's a shame, Rene chose to release paints for this version and demo 777 instead of the original splinter option.

  6. Well known Eduard 1:48 kit OOB with Balkan Model decals. Commision build for an ex-21 driver and the number was his wish (101 was in fact a bis number in YuAF).

    Unfortunately this is my first aircraft model this year. I only managed to build and paint a few Warhammer figures in between. But after the stresfull year at work (I have become an ATC approach controller!), the modelling pace is slowly picking up. Not entirely satisfied with the build, but it turned out quite OK in the end, I think?

     

    1mig21-8-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-7-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-6-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-5-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-4-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-3-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-2-XL.jpg

     

    1mig21-1-XL.jpg

     

     

  7. On 6/29/2021 at 10:07 PM, Ken Cartwright said:

    Agreed, flying multiplayer is a totally different experience.  It's difficult to quantify, but there is just something about flying with other actual people that feels different than AI.  I did a few BMS missions with a group in the past and it just feels like a different dimension has been added to the experience.

     

    I have heard that DCS is working on a dynamic campaign, but I am not holding my breath 🙂

     

    My understanding is that the BMS dynamic campaign can be played multiplayer, so I think you can have a great combination with that.

     

    Was your multiplayer mission in DCS?  I wasn't sure if Tomcats were what you were flying or if that's your group name.  I assume it's DCS if you were flying Tomcats...

     

    yeah, ED used to be pretty slow in bringing changes and updates, but recently they picked up a pace a bit. Looks like new management is doing the right work. And now you have free Mariana's map in this weeks Open Beta patch!

     

    I am flying F-14B in 108th 'Specters' Tomcat squadron, part of a 132nd virtual Wing. http://132virtualwing.org/

     

     

  8. On 6/28/2021 at 9:08 AM, Ken Cartwright said:

     I like the dynamic campaign in BMS better than the missions in DCS, even though it doesn't look quite as good.

    There are several great campaigns (both free and payware) for DCS and the team is now actively developing dynamic campaign generator, which should, if I remember correctly, be released sometime later this year in its basic form, so some really fun times ahead.

    But flying in a virtual wing beats any single player (dynamic) campaign. I remember one mission, when us (Tomcats) were tasked with CAP on a night mission, with Hornets coming in behind us for a strike, while I could see in the distance AAA and SAM launches further up the coast, where I knew A-10s had their share of fun. So immersive and especially knowing that each aircraft was piloted by a colleague. We've got around 35 pilots up for each combat event plus a few guys doing the ATC and AWACS.

  9. On 6/26/2021 at 11:38 PM, Ken Cartwright said:

    I am taking it in small steps and I think it helps to have a full HOTAS setup.  I have a Logitech G13, the Thrustmaster MFD buttons, and a Thrustmaster Warthog.  Since the MFD buttons match the "menus" on the sim displays, it makes it easier - I just press the button that lines up with the button on the screen.

     

    So far I have simply figured out how to use what I need for each of the free-flight and training missions I fly, but I hope I can build on that as I go, taking my time. 

     

    To be honest, when you finish all those training missions, you know just basic stuff. But like with everything, practice makes perfect. It also helps if you join multiplayer and find yourself a nice MP community, virtual squadron or a wing, because those guys will teach you the trade better than anything else.

  10. On 5/29/2021 at 8:59 AM, Mfezi said:

    I really hope you get the primer thing sorted so you can continue this fantastic build!

     

    Just a small input from my own experience: Over the last decade or so, I have experimented with lots of different primers. Before that, I used only Mr Surfacer, but it became quite difficult to find so I went on an experimentation spree. I have gone full circle and I'm back to Mr Surfacer. It is the one primer with which I have simply never had a problem. Happily, it is now also available in most local hobby shops around me.

    Thank you for your kind words.

     

    I have never used Surfacer as a primer before, but guess what. I just received two bottles of Mr.S 1500 Black. I've had enough of experimenting as well, I guess 😄

     

  11. On 5/27/2021 at 7:28 PM, BastianD said:

    Not sure if you wish to use acrylic primer, but my experience with Valeo primer is excellent: it levels put great and panel lines etc stay perfectly visible.

    I don't have a preference of the type, as long as it works. I've had really great results with their Grey primer, but Black failed me on first try. Off to Surfacer 1500 Black.

     

    On 5/29/2021 at 6:59 AM, Curt B said:

    Sebastian, first off, spectacular work so far!  I must ask...for the nose wheel bay, how did you get the piping (the white ones) so perfectly painted?  Even if I were to use a tiny brusk, and use these of it to brush those lines, I would not be able to get them so perfectly uniform!  How did you do it?

     

    Secondly, I am terribly sorry about your primer situation.  When you refer to Ammo primer, were you using One Shot, as Mario asked?  If so, and it didn't level, I'm concerned, as One Shot and Badger Stynylrez are my go to primers these days, and they have let me down...yet.  As much as I am a fanatic for lacquer based paints, I've stayed away from lacquer primers, though they are probably best, due to their ability to 'bite' into the plastic.  In fact, I used white Stynylrez on my current project, and it went down perfectly as always.

     

    And lastly, with your modeling skills as good as they are, PLEASE don't let this discouragement turn you off to modeling!  Heck, I'd buy you a replacement kit if you're that concerned about the primer situation, just to see you finish the thing!

    Thank you, Curt. Actually I do it just as you've described it. 00 brush and Mr.Paint acrylic paints (aluminum in this case). I also use optivisor for such detail work which helps immensely. Recently I've been playing a bit with figure painting so I got a little bit more confidence in brush painting.

     

    Yeah One Shot. Grey has served me well, but Black just didn't work. 

     

    Ah no worries. Albeit my hobbies are suffering at the moment due to increased stress at work (on the job training for joint tower/approach ATC) and longer summer days combined with parenting, I haven't stopped modelling. I will build a few kits now, just to get the joy back and deal with Su-27 after the summer. I noticed Mr. Levelling Thinner doesn't damage plastic yet removes the primer, so this will my 'go-to' solution.

  12. 12 hours ago, Aigore said:

    My my my, you are up to your usual plastic pornography...looks just excellent! And 1/48 scale no less! You are at the deep end of your comfort zone, goood good 😄

    Hehe. Thank you.

    Unfortunately I had to temporarily shelve this project. Ammo's black primer hasn't levelled out and filled most of the scribed details and left worst surface you can imagine. I will return to it in a few months but have to regain the joy of modelling.

     

    Ironic how you get one of the best kits in the market only to be let down by faulty product.

  13. On 3/30/2021 at 5:15 AM, BraggPeak said:

    Just wondering what kind of basecoat do you guys use before airbrushing chrome or chrome silver. I tested with Gunze Black surfacer 1500 as base coat and MRP Chrome on top of it, the end result is almost like a matt aluminium, not as reflective and shining as I expected. Probably because the black surfacer 1500 is not glossy enough ?

    Maybe a bit late with the reply, but MRP actually recommends that you use their 2K lacquer before applying the chrome.

  14. On 4/28/2021 at 2:15 PM, jpk said:

    You may not have to spend a bundle on a GPU to run a FS efficiently. I bought my previously used EVGA GTX 1080 Ti for $380.00. The card is two gens back from the ridiculously priced 30xx series cards, coming out in 2017. It runs MSFS2020 on ultra settings and my monitor is running at 3440x 1440 smooth with no stuttering. I also ran the Steam VR test video and the card passed with flying colors. (No pun intended). There are deals out there for a really good used card, maybe until prices come down on newer cards. The rest of my system is current gen CPU, RAM and Mobo.  When funds allow I'm going with the Honeycomb yoke and throttle system. It looks to be the most versatile for gen av subjects.  

     

    Be cautious about that VR test. I've had 1080Ti until early December. It is a monster of a card and will run everything without hiccup on high settings. But on monitors. In VR, it's a different story. It doesn't have a problem running first generation VR sets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and I guess it would run Oculus Rift-S as well. But if you go the higher resolution way with second generation headsets like Index or the 4K HP G2, 1080Ti just won't cut it. Or you'll have to seriously reduce graphic quality which defies the high res logic in the first place. 

     

    I went Oculus Rift - 1080Ti to HP G2 - 3080 way and don't regret it. I was just fortunate enough, that I got the 3080 for a very reasonable price back then. 

  15. On 3/29/2021 at 9:31 PM, Dadeo911 said:

    The sweet lines of the Flanker.  Looks great!

    Thanks!

     

    On 3/29/2021 at 10:18 PM, janman said:

    Nice progress there, mate! As you said, it's really getting that familiar Flanker shape.

     

    Very nice pit too. I'm taking this is just pure styrene (with obviously very neat gauge decals), no PE on the instrument panel? The ejection handles surely would have benefited from etched parts, but the seat otherwise looks very pretty.

     

    You know, I too got sidetracked from my usual scale (or was it you who lured me there..? 😁) since I just ordered my second ever 1/48 kit - from the same company!

     

    (And yes, that first 1/48 kit will be getting some attention soon too.)🙂

    You are right on both accounts. All plastic so far and yeah, ejection seat handles are a bit on a thick side. Gauges actually come in a single instrument panel decals, but I cut them off individually and applied them one by one and filling the faces with UV glue, creating glass like effect - not really seen in the photos, but looks nice in person.

     

    Well it was never my intention and to tell you the truth, my modelling table atm is too small for this Flanker. I constantly keep on hitting things with it so I am really looking forward to going back to my 1:72 😄 Not the Tomcat, you didn't?

     

    On 3/30/2021 at 6:24 AM, Falconxlvi said:

    Very nice.   It looks the part now!  Hopefully you will have it ready to paint soon!

     

    Steve

    Thanks Steve! I was hoping I will have her ready in primer until the end of Easter but to no avail. So hopefully I'll be able to do this by the end of the coming week, though I managed to paint the engine area and exhausts, which I'll show in the following days.

  16. Since I am into sims for almost 40 years here's my take on current situation.

     

    DCS is great and in 10 days, with the revised clouds, will get even better - MSFS style clouds and complete weather engine rework in the works.

    Modern day combat, its great - I have in excess of 500hrs in the A-10C and recently it got even better with modern systems Cs now feature (Scorpion HMD, laser guided rockets, new radios,...). Personally I almost exclusively fly F-14 these days and have amassed almost 200hrs in the last year and a half in it.

    But yeah, HOTAS is essential for flying newer jets.

    But there's F-5, MiG-21, F-86, MiG-19 and MiG-15, which probably don't require it, as there's no so many functions wired to the stick and throttle.

    And then, there's WW2 - ever expanding it might not give as much in a sense of gameplay as Il-2 BOS series, but I am quite certain flight model is much better and the cockpits are fully interactive. And with the rework of damage model coming soon, DCS WW2 is quite a contender in the WW2 sim arena.

    But if you want full battlefield era feel and don't mind slightly more arcadish approach, Il-2 BOS series is a top choice, hands down.

  17. On 2/19/2021 at 1:20 AM, Dadeo911 said:

    The cockpits look great!  I hope your exams went well.

     

    Take care,

     

    Chris

    Thank you Chris!

     

    Real life is interfering with my modelling so I am not progressing as fast as I would like to. Luckily, the kit is not fighting me back and here she is - for the first time the plastic pieces joined into a beautiful Flanker shape.

     

    su27wip-16-XL.jpg

     

    su27wip-17-XL.jpg

     

    su27wip-18-XL.jpg

  18. On 2/8/2021 at 10:15 PM, Thadeus said:

    Very nice cockpit. Did not know there was 'early' and 'late' style nose landing gear bay.

    I wasn't as well, but then checked resources, and there are...

     

    Anyway, finished with exams and I managed to more or less finish the cockpits

     

    su27wip-9-XL.jpg

     

    su27wip-10-XL.jpg

     

    su27wip-11-XL.jpg

     

     

    su27wip-12-XL.jpg

     

    su27wip-13-XL.jpg

     

     

  19. It's about a purchase of a new fighter aircraft for the Croatian Air Force.

     

    The guy holding the models is a Member of Parliament and explains that the only aircraft they're gonna buy, is one of these and that he's gonna present them now to those members so they can play with them (audio gets bad when he walks down the stairs and couldn't get what he was saying there).

     

    But yeah, real video and someone got really offended... 🙂

  20. Thank you, Dave!

     

    During studying for the exams, (this old head of mine doesn't suck knowledge in as it used to and has to be constantly beat into submission :D) I managed to do a few relaxation modelling sessions and here's the result so far.

     

    su27wip-6-XL.jpg

    Aft cockpit mostly painted up.

     

    su27wip-7-XL.jpg

    Front cockpit painted and washed.

     

    su27wip-8-XL.jpg

    And side by side comparison.

×
×
  • Create New...