ChristopherC Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 I thought I'd kick off my build thread. I'd done a little work on this before the start of the group build, but I've gone and undone some of it as you'll see in the pictures. I've changed my mind and decided to do a G version, just because I prefer the markings really. I started with the cockpit area. The kit is really basic in this area and doesn't even provide an opening. So I had to cut through quite a bit of plastic to make room for the resin pit (from Ozmods). I also sanded down the rear wall a bit. I still have to carve out a bit more plastic to make way for the cockpit panel. Here is the resin cockpit. I've added a little detail with plastic card. Still have to add joysticks. I've sanded quite a bit off the back wall to make it sit better. The intakes are very poor on the kit. This image shows how they appear unmodified. I installed one of the Ozmods intakes, but decided that other than the intake ramp, I doesn't really add any detail. I used the kit's plastic intake parts, as they're easier to modify. After a lot of carving, here's where I'm at now. And here's an overall shot dry-fitted together. The extended wings are also from Ozmods. Hopefully more to come soon. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cloggy Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Chrisopher, that really is a magnificent effort thus far. I remember seeing the 1/144 F-111 a long time ago - it isn't accurate at all as I recall, so the work you are having to do to bring it up to spec - and at that scale - is remarkable. I look forward to seeing the developments... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherC Posted May 7, 2008 Author Share Posted May 7, 2008 Thanks Cloggy! A bit of an update. I've painted up the cockpit, it's ready to install. Also did some work on the burner cans. I got hold of some appropriate diameter and wrapped some thick foil around it with the petal patter already cut into it. The unmodified kit parts are on the left, new on the right. I also modified the rear component of the burner can, carving it into better shape. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Colin W Posted May 8, 2008 Share Posted May 8, 2008 Nice work on the burner cans. I might do the same as I dont have inclination to buy the After market ones. ColinW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dax Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 (edited) Its always a pleasure to watch your 144th builds, always excellent work in such a small scale. Looking forward to seeing this one completed as well! Edited August 5, 2008 by Dax Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jack-Swiss Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Now that is small!!!!! daaaamn! Good work and cant wait to see more! Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherC Posted June 3, 2008 Author Share Posted June 3, 2008 Thanks guys! Here's an update I just posted in the In-Progress forum. I've attached the canopy to the forward fuselage, and the forward fuselage to the body. As you can see it took quite a lot of filling along the join. I also used a lot of super glue to eliminate the step between the nose and the windscreen. I've also begun rescribing and filling some of the panel lines behind the cockpit. Finally, I printed off some scale plans and found that when I overlayed the model on them the engines were sitting about 4mm too far back. I know it sounds a bit AMS, but this mean that the rear of the cans were in line with the booms next to the elevators, when in fact they should be well inside. The solution? I ground about 2mm off the bottom of the burner cans, and removed about 2mm from the rear fuselage. And with the burner cans attached I'll have to do a bit of sanding now to get the fuselage flush with the nozzles. Thanks for looking, Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherC Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Just bringing this thread up to date. I've lengthened the nose and re shaped it a bit to bring it into line with some scale plans I got hold of. I think it looks much better now. Just have to rescribe the detail I lost. Here's the original, and the modified nose below it for comparison Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dax Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Yeah, that looks much, much better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 How's the build going Chris? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherC Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 Hey Ray, thanks for the interest. I've made a bit of progress with this build, though not as much as I would have liked. I've filled and sanded the rear end of the model, adding a plate below the tail and attaching the nozzles. I replaced the original ventral fins with plastic card as they were far to thick. You can see where I filled the mounting slots to get an Idea of how overscale they were. For the main landing gear I bored out the centres of the wheels and replaced them with hubs taken from 1/72nd revell Hummer wheels. Here's a bit of a before and after I've also remade the nose gear. I extended the strut (as I'd deepened the wheel bay), and scratch built the folding part from a bit of plastic card. The wheels are Revell 1/144 F/A-18C nose wheels. A little overscale on that model but nearly perfect here. A pitot tube for the nose was made using a pin and faired in using mr sufacer. And here's what it looks like now, sitting up on its wheels. Cheers, Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kingoalie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 It's looking good Chris! Keep it up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 (edited) Thanks for the update Chris, Boy it is looking good, the improvements have really made it look like a Pig! Edited August 22, 2008 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raymonds Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 wow looks great^^ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nimrod77 Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Cool! Good job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Doppel Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 Coming along nicely Chris. Regards Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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