toadwbg

This kit has been a lot more of a struggle to finish than I had expected. Maybe it's the size in 1/32, I have built dozens of 1/48 and 1/72 Phantoms in my 40+ year modeling history. The masking and painting in this scale just became a huge job. Assembly was a little tricky as well but nothing majorly wrong with the kit design, only a little filler used. LOTs of subs built separate from the main airframe. Decals were another challenge as my sheet was aging and the larger decals were brittle and would crack while applying! I made them work, just barley and almost scrapped them ear

Damn that looks spectacular

I have the Melampy book at cost and a couple other ones if anyone’s interested

Very helpful and just what I was looking for! Thanks

Damn fine series. Final episode stuck the landing. I’ve been reading discussions on REDDIT and of course there’s the usual nipickers and trollers.

I’m finishing my Tamiya 1/32 Marine Phantom VMFA-235 Death Angels. I know a lot of Vietnam era phantoms did not have their stencils maintained after leaving the factory. So I’m wondering how detailed I should get in stenciling this airframe? Here’s a specific example: Microscale Instruction sheet locates those colorful Honeycomb “no step” decals to be placed on the black walkway areas on the wing. I think I should leave them off.

what’s a good and cheap thinner for Vellejo? I’ve used Vellejo’s own thinner with good results but would prefer to use something cheap that’s a regular household item. I’ve heard of using distilled water but I find it works not that great.

Made it to the show! Madison, WI IPMS

Letting a few things dry

Almost there… Madison, WI IPMS show Tommarrow. Will I make it?

https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/usaf-mobility-aircraft-operating-without-most-markings-tail

Project is getting down there. Received some new pilot figures the other day from a doner here (BIG Thanks!) and am putting the final touches on the missiles and cockpit. I plunged into the printed decals tonight, they worked pretty well out of the water and into the model surface but the are STIFF and the clear film is THICC! I’ve tried a couple applications of decal solution, Solveset definitely helped. Going to let them rest overnight and check in the morning. I’ll try a good layer of Future to seal them down if needed. I also added a personal

thanks. I’ll check that one out

Dozens of little items to finish up. I had some old 1/48 Eduard PE seat details to use up from the spares box. Yes this is 1/48 but they tend to be oversized and actually look about right in this subject. But damn, I hate using these PE sets. I really only found the larger seat placecards usable. The tiny thin ejection seat pull handles that have to be folded are completely unusable

Spent some time in GIMP using a brush and eraser to sharpen and clean up the Eagle scan. Looking pretty good in my latest test at print. I can’t print the white head so I’m going to have to paint that or slide a white decal underneath

I’ve actually had the same shower thoughts. In my reality, Tamiya’s 1/32 Tomcat should be about $75

A little cutting, hidden support structure, superglue, putty and this things looking pretty good. Got a little clean up and touch up to do. With the canopy closed you won’t see much below the cowling, pilots, and seat tops, so not concerned with the instrument panels.

Pixel Size us approximately 1000x1000. Pretty big I did get started on this today!

Needing to complete the cockpit so I can paint the black shadow trim around it. Most historical builds I do the cockpit first, but when I’m going to finish it off in flight with pilots like this I’ll do it last sometimes Concerning the “green army soldier” pilot figures, their rigid poses just aren’t working for me. Searching for some better ones. I do have some nice Resin Bang seats from an old build I’ll be using.

I have some super nice resin front and rear cowlings from an old Tomcat resin set in my spares box. They don’t quite fit or drop into this Revel kit without major surgery however. but damn there just too nice NOT to use! UPDATE: I did it. I cut away the Revel plastic cowlings and did a dry fit below. I got some construction to do to blend them in and secure them yet. But I love how they look.

Sweet, this arrived today. we’ll see how it works

I got no use for these anymore so selling as a package. Make me an offer.

I’ve been “GIMPing” along and struggling a bit. I got the Eagle sillouettte cropped out of the red circle but can’t seem to figure out how to sharpen the edges of the Eagle. I see the sharpen tool but can’t seem to work it right. if anyone wants to help me out let me know! Thanks TLDR: the Eagles edges are blurry and I need to sharpen them!

Being myself and old school patriotic American, getting the stars and bars right is a high priority. For the most part all my decals are going on well over a layer of hardened Future and a wet application of Microset. But darn it if these insignias didn’t give me trouble! Old large decals will do that. so I’m going to tear off the topside wing insignia with masking tape and fry again from a set of Superscale decal insignias the classic tape removal method The ones on the forward fuselage sides also were a lit

Looking thru my spares box, I found some old Iraqui Decals and insignia if your interested. free + shipping.