thegoodsgt

Beautiful models, Jon. Your painting technique is right on!

Nice looking cockpit! Me want! Having used the Aires 1/72 MiG-29 cockpit, the downside to their cockpits is that the photoetched parts are very soft. I found it incredibly difficult (and impossible, in some cases) to remove the parts from the fret without distorting them.

I found several sources through a Google search, some of them familiar (such as HLJ and Mission Models). Froogle also turned up some decent prices.

Pete, add my compliments on the HH-60H. Very nice detailing, painting, and weathering.

Mark, I'll buy one or two. Will that help turn a profit? :o

Eli, search the Jet Modeling forum here on ARC, because I think there was a discussion last year that will probably be helpful. I seem to recall that someone posted good photos to help with the external differences.

Since we're talking guided weapons here, let me verify something. There is not currently a 1/72 JASSM on the market, right? I saw mention on this forum that someone made a master for one but was looking for someone to cast it.

Don, if there were a lifetime achievement award in this hobby, you'd get it this year. Your site is the best thing to hit this hobby since the introduction of the Squadron Signal "In Action" series over 25 years ago. Really. These walkarounds are awesome!

Aaron, here's another option. I use artist oils and highly thin them with turpentine. I then use an 18/0 brush to very, very carefully flow the wash directly into the panel lines (one panel line at a time, working in roughly 1/2 inch lengths). Those "all over" wash technique seen above scare the heck out of me, so my wimpy approach works wonders for my nerves! I used this more conservative technique on my 1/72 MiG-29.

I'm another civilian with no knowledge of stealth technologies, so take this idea for what little it's worth. All things being equal, I'd suggest that it's possible that neither stealth fighter would see each other. Maybe they'd both wind up operating in close proximity without being aware of the other's presence...until the other guy did something to increase his signature (such as opening a weapons bay).

What a great collection of videos. Pricey, but they'd definately keep my modeling spirits high! On a side note, I dislike the inclusion of music in newer videos, such as the F-14 video that A6BSTARM posted above. What I'd really like to see is a straightforward recording of all of the activities and conversations that take pilots from their initial briefings and suiting up, through the pre-flight inspection, to take-off and operations. Those of us outside the pilot's world never hear all of that stuff.

More, from Froogle: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&am...sa=N&tab=wf

If you don't mind using non-hardcopy resources, there are a couple of walkarounds on Prime Portal. http://www.primeportal.net/the_airstrip.htm

Years ago an early mentor of mine looked at a model with me at a contest and said the paint was "too rich." I didn't understand what that meant until I looked at my own models compared to those that seemed better and realized that my paint was too thick and too darkish. So now I'm really into trying to capture so-called "scale effect." I lighten my colors considerably (especially important with 1/72 IMHO), and then I vary those a bit and paint several panels and flying surfaces slightly lighter or darker than the overall area. I also avoid straight black ANYWHERE on the model at all costs. I

Thanks, man. I've been enjoying building aircraft after a long absence but find myself struggling with basic things like assembly and masking canopies.

Huha! Excellent work there! The painting and weathering look flawless.

Ah, but I have! MiG-29 http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....=108311&hl= F-16A http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....c=70958&hl= I'm working on a 1/72 RF-4B right now, but I don't have the discipline to take photos as I go. Plus, it's not all that interesting a build.

Damn, son, you're quite the machoist! I would've left the nose gear as-is and painted in the areas that you've drilled out! Of course that's why I'll always be a second class modeler.... Nice work. Really.

Hi Ray, Thanks for the scan. I may have to contact your source if I decide to proceed with a low-viz scheme for my P-3C.

Jon, the final result there looks really good. Well done!

Thanks, Ray. I'm curious about the custom decals you had made. Do they include gray marking? I've read that it's difficult for many custom shops to print gray decals. Just curious.

Looks good, Jon. Since you're relatively new at this aircraft stuff, my only advice at this point is that you remove the masking tape on the nose before you paint the model.

Did anyone ever make decals for the LS 1/144 P-3C Orion? For some reason I seem to recall seeing aftermarket decals for a gray/TPS Orion. I've looked through these forums, FlightDecs's site, and Googled but can't find anything. Thanks in advance!

I recall seeing an October release date.

Pete, thanks for the great analysis. I've been reading for years about how an A-37 cannot be converted to a T-37 for some of the reasons quickly cited on this thread, but until now I haven't seen anyone attempt to truly document the differences as you have. A quick review of photos of A-37s and T-37s on airliners.net also highlights the differences, particularly around the intakes.