twhite80

The size makes building 3 easier and there is a lot of repetition too so that actually helps. Most of my build time happens after I put the 2 year old to sleep so it comes in chunks but it is definitely something I look forward to! More pics to come soon!

Thanks for the comments all. I found another Hasegawa F-16A on eBay for $5, so I will be adding a third into the build soon. I have already installed the aires wheel wells (I have now depleted the stash) and I need to pick up one more resin pit, which I still think is a huge improvement over the kit. Maybe you can see the Diana anniversary tail decals from Daco under my two vipers. She will be next! Hope to have more pics soon. Cheers y'all!

That is an awesome build!

Getting a little closer. I tried to make my camouflage closer to the scheme used on the real NSAWC jet. I will be using the 'Holy S#!t! Its a Vipers Sheet' from Fightertown.

I have been lazy in posting but I have been chugging along on these Vipers. First I got them all primed Then I painted the traditional 2 color Viper Now its a matter of masking and painting the NSAWC viper. The snag that I hit was the realization that the Steel Beach masks I bought were for a different jet than the one I was modeling. The schemes are incredibly similar but not the same. So I have had to un mask, paint, and re-mask in places. This is my fault. I do want to plug the Steel Beach masks. The vinyl sheet that Darren uses is outstanding and they DO NOT BLEED! I have d

Looking awesome! Your big builds are such a treat. Looking forward to more!

I got the small mouth and realized that I also need a large mouth intake. What is the ETA on that bad boy? If its as good as the small mouth I can't wait!!

The Aires cockpits are a definite upgrade but I wish that they were a little easier to install. You must cut a lot and test fit and fill. It is by no means a drop in replacement. So its kind of the same story here as it was with the wheel wells. If I clean it up and get those seams eliminated or at least minimized all will be good.

Big thanks Phantom. I might need some walk around photos. I am excited to build this jet. I am a huge Peyton Manning fan and even though I have been a Broncos fan my whole life I figured that it would be okay to build a Colts jet. Here is my progress so far. The Aires wheel bays are a significant upgrade and I say almost a necessity when you see how sparse the Hasegawa wheel bays actually are. But they are far from a perfect fit. I had to use a lot of filler and do some sanding to make the panel in between the rear wheel bays sit level and flush. Patience pays off here.

Here is my next project. I am doing two Hasegawa F-16s. I know that the Tamiya kit is the standard but I had these two in my stash from the days before the Tamiya kit and I had lots of goodies for them so I thought what the heck. Why I am building two is beyond me other than I just finished a pair of Mudhens and two at a time is kind of fun. So here goes.

I thought that it was a pretty good set for 1/48. There isn't as much variety out there as one would think, but I would recommend it.

Finished my aircrew

I think you were the main inspiration on these builds. I finally understand that the F-15E is a cool jet!

The missiles and drop tanks look great. The decals really add to the overall effect! Can't wait to see more!

That is an impressive build. The paint is outstanding!

Thanks a lot for your comments and encouragement throughout. Hope your build is progressing well!

Amazing! I would recommend doing a 1/48th C-17 next.

Just finished these hens yesterday. First up are the loadouts: Kick fool C OEF CAS And the two together: [/url I still need to paint my pilots. Maybe I will get them finished then do some nicer photography and put it up here. But for now I am happy they are done. I had a lot of fun building these. In fact I went to Michael's and bought another to build in the future. I have really come to appreciate what a cool jet the F-15E is. I would like to add more to the display case soon!

The tutorial on Future is most appreciated. I always notice fibers and grit in my models sealed under a nice layer of Future! The model is looking outstanding!

I have finally finished the first Mudhen and the second one is nearing completion as well. Since I am building 2 of the exact same jet I thought I might want some variation. I chose a deployed Strike Eagle and a much cleaner looking, maybe just got deployed Strike Eagle. Here is my progress: More when I finish the last one!

I tend to toss everything and have sometimes regretted ditching old sprues when I needed an extra part on a model later. But I find that ditching the boxes and all of the left over sprues is kind of liberating. Build over! Next! Plus it makes the stash smaller and that is how I judge progress. The exception for me has been aftermarket decals. Since they come in their own bags most of the time I tend to hold on to the remnants. Sometimes I hold on to the extra PE too. If you are going to keep the boxes that file cabinet looks like the way to go!

Holy cow that is good! That is really, really good!

thanks all for your input. The F-15E tutorial is very helpful as well. I will see if I can manufacture one out of styrene.

Thanks all! I have the shimmy dampener on one but not the other. I might have to scratch build one. When did they become standard?

Just a quick update. Got the wheels done. I managed to stretch an eduard mask set over 2 sets of wheels. And now my Eagles have legs!