Night Owl Models

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/11/20/end-of-an-era-the-dust-devils-final-homage-to-the-harrier/ NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION CHINA LAKE, California — The “Dust Devils” of the Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-31) brought the AV-8B Harrier’s decades-long testing era to an official close this fall with one final sortie flown by the squadron’s last remaining Harrier pilot, Technical Director James “Jimbo” Coppersmith.

Thanks for sharing your tripple threat love to see all those schemes definitely add as many as you can. I was addicted for a while to the Topgun TA-4Js still have two kits and all the paint and research photos in a box.

I have spent the last few nights tweaking the model first print I noticed the frame was a bit shy about 2mm of a tight fit. I also decided to make it realistic the sheet metal needs to appear thin. You can see here how thick the deck is not realistic lots of this going on throughout the parts in this kit its a nightmare. I needed to undercut this topside as I will be cutting the deck back from the backside all to achieve realistic scale. Also a few adjustments to the curve of the fuselage needs to be made. Ill print this mo

I only started a few years ago and I am willing to help anyone who wants to pursue 3D printing and design. 3D resin printers are very affordable as much as you would invest in a quality model kit with all the aftermarket sets and paint. If your not experienced in CAD design not a problem there are several websites that have forums like this for sharing, purchasing files. Check out GC Trader or Turbo Squid. I like to do my own work just another part of the hobby tech is expanding on so I'll embrace it.

Ok dud as a self admitted rivet counter suffering from AMS your a new candidate for the club this is some crazy nice scratch building. Look forward to seeing it all painted and weather up. Love this jet I had a chance to sit in one and would love to strap it on and take it for a spin lol. Its on my radar to do a 1/35th kit but I would like to use the Reskit upgrade sets believe they are only in 1/48th but a real nice piece of design work. What are you using for rivets and how do you make your wiring cable ties?

Back again after summer break from any projects I did some crazy projects earlier this year so Ime looking forward to getting back to basics with a aircraft kit. I just received two of the new 1/35 Trumpeter UH-1Y Venom kits. I love this new version and as I always do, I am looking for a way to do something different. I also like the civilian SAR versions of the Bell 412s so many stunning paint schemes. To challenge myself I am going to take this version and convert it to a civilian search and rescue helicopter depicting my native country Canada and utilize 3D cad

I just received two of the new 1/35 Trumpeter UH-1Y Venom kits. I love this new version and as I always do, I am looking for a way to do something different. I also like the civilian SAR versions of the Bell 412s so many stunning paint schemes. To challenge myself I am going to take this version and convert it to a civilian search and rescue helicopter depicting my native country Canada and utilize 3D cad to make custom parts, custom decals and custom 3D printed decals. As a self admitted rivet counter the devil is in the details so ill be pulling this kit apart and loo

I took some time away from painting out the cabin shell to work on the AESOP station. I took physical measurements off of the platform to use in the CAD work. I have allot of great photos so here we go. Real thing Here is the cad work I started with the frame of the AESOP station. So I had to cut the model into sections as I add detail the file becomes to data heavy, I need a gaming computer for sure. Bottom section Top section in progressive detail. Building switch panel

I think you've exhausted the after market kits good job I know its a lot of work and sometimes purchasing from questionable sources to get what you want. The DCS world is something I am fighting to stay way from if I go down that rabbit hole ill end up with a scrap Harrier cockpit in my rec room! your kits looking sick with detail great to see your taking it to the next level. The next poor slob that builds an Apache has some big shoes to fill.

A question for all the rotor heads out there seems to be some fuzzy information on the exterior FS code for the Canadian CH-12. As best I can see from Belcher Bits and a few posts FS 26173 is the code I prefer Vallejo paints however it looks like Ammo MIG #205 is the only match for that FS code. If anyone has some more definitive information it would help. This is a recent photo from that decommission Seaking looks like a few colors going on here...but what are they? Under the Canada and flag is one color then forward of that is a different color. Tail sect

Good evening or good morning, getting closer to completing the cabin shell. I printed all the wiring bundles out a flexible resin so I don't have to rely on metal wire. CAD of wiring bundles. Flexible resin Time to bring the two prints together, I did two because the cabin was just too tall for the 3D printer so I cut it at the main door seemed like a good place. So the only glue that works with 3D UV polymer resin is CA I like to use BOB Smith Industries. I did a little extra on the seam ill sand it out later.

Use decal softener even if you think you don't need it should solve the curling, just let it sit then work the decal with a brush. Go over all decals before your clear coat it will push the decals into any seams and give you a more realistic finish.

This looks like orange peel of the clearcoat not the undercoat of paint its caused by incorrect leveling or stretching of the clear coat. You will have to sand it smooth then reapply the clear coat. Be mindful of your room temperature and product temperature. I would warm the clearcoat in warm not hot water before using it and try a test piece before committing.