graves_09 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 (edited) I will be building NSAWC 41 using the hasegawa f-18c kit, wolfpack wing folding kit, and FTD Adversary hornets 2 sheet. I already started the front office a few months ago but I put the breaks on when i heard about this GB. Now I will get the production line up and running again! Edited May 23, 2009 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 A quick up date (sorry no pics yet) I got the fusaloge and intakes glued together. The intakes did not fit that well so i will need some filler around them. The other joints fit together with ease. Next step is to assemble and paint the landing gear and gear bays. Then I can start masking the wheel wells to prime. check back soon, I will post pics after I start painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jonathan_Lotton Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 It's ok that there arent any pics yet! How did you find the fit of the nose with the legacy Hornet kit? I've heard it can be a bit of a bear. NSAWC Hornets are always attractive, cant wait to see pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) It's ok that there arent any pics yet!How did you find the fit of the nose with the legacy Hornet kit? I've heard it can be a bit of a bear. NSAWC Hornets are always attractive, cant wait to see pics! Jonathan, I had no problems with the nose fit. the only fit problems i had was around the intakes but a little bit of white putty and Mr surfacer 500 fixed it. even there, the fit was not bad, it was just the tight corners that made sanding and filling a bit tricky. Update: I got the fuselage primed and ready to go. I mixed 9:1 ratio of radome tan to military brown to get the light brown FS 30279. I am still not exactly sure if it is right. Brian at FTD said he would send me some misprint decals so I could make sure the color matched. For more info about getting this color right see the thread in FTD forum paint help here. I recommend it for getting this somewhat tricky color right. I also painted the exhaust cans. I think I will try scratch building some exhaust covers since I plan to display this as a parked bird. I saw a cool article few months back where a guy built them with masking tape and dental floss. While I am waiting for the test decals to come in, I will go back to my other project F-14 "topgun" 30 adversary for the Tomcat group build. Edited February 9, 2009 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 After lots of taping, and painting here is my progress thus far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AnthonyWan Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Very nicely done camo Graves B) Can't wait to see some markings on her Quote Link to post Share on other sites
volzj Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Excellent work on the camo masking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ivan T. Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I like this camo, and you did a great job. Ivan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 soooo what is up with this hronet did u finsh it??? how do u mesure a prt as in mixing paint and how did u mix the panit i think your mix looks great on the plane Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) soooo what is up with this hronet did u finsh it??? how do u mesure a prt as in mixing paint and how did u mix the panit i think your mix looks great on the plane Hey Catfan, It is still a WIP, I was on vacation to Hawaii last week so no time for modeling (it was rough I know ), and I am having some other issues with the decals matching the paint. After all the care I took to match the lightest tan, the darkest tan does not match as it should. I am working the Brian at FTD to resolve this problem, so this project may get pushed to the back burner. In the mean time, I will probably pick up the pace on my NSWAC splinter kitty (found in the F-14 GB) and finish detailing the landing gear and other parts. As for measuring paint, I used a syringe to draw in and measure the volumes I used. Edited March 13, 2009 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 Quick update, while I am waiting for Brian to print the decal insert, I have been detailing the landing gear and I made some exhaust covers for the engines. All the pics I found for this bird had black covers which unfortunately provide little contrast to the mostly black exhaust cans but what can you do? I made the covers using 3M painters tape and CA glue. I got the idea from Rhinolover from this thread. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 The color and scheme is looking good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 I quick update, this one has been on the back burner while waiting for the decal insert, but it is on its way! In the mean time... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhinolover Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Nice camo paint job. I'm also a bit partial to the sweet looking exhaust covers. Rhinolover Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 That looks fantastic. What color did you use on the TACT pod? Is that Interntional Orange? I was thinking of using that but it didnt look right to me, it looks fine here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) @ Charlie Cheetah: Yes, MM international orange. @Rhinolover: thanks again for posting the idea for the exhaust covers Here are some more updates. FTD delivered on the inserts to correct the 30140 color miss print. Here is the model after decaling and first gloss coat with future. Opps, looks like the camera auto focused on the wrong thing. Go Gophers! i also added decal walkways using the kit decals and the stencils provided by FTD. I used a knife to scratch the lines into the kit decals which where solid black. It looks ok from a distance but up close the lines aren't that sharp. I would have painted them on but I couldn't find a good way to lay the mask against the 90 degree edge. Thanks for looking I hope it didn't make you too dizzy. Sorry for the blurry images, my camera isn't too good at closeups. Edited May 12, 2009 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) And my favorite decal: I realized as I was placing the decal that it wasn't centered under the formation light like it should be but I wasn't about to go back in repaint the camo. The effect is still really cool IMO. Another gloss coat, weathering with promodeler wash, flat coat and final assembly. The end is near! Edited May 12, 2009 by graves_09 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian P: Fightertown Decals Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Looking great! Glad the insert worked out well. Don't worry too much about matching up the reverse camo decals. I've seen plenty of the real jets where the paint for the NAVY or stencil doesn't match to the paint demarcation line of the actual camo on the jet. I used to think everything had to be precise but the more I look at the real thing, the more rough it really is. Remember, it's a guy with some tape, a mask (maybe) and a can of paint doing much of these markings. Can't wait to see this one done. I'm thinking the 02 B in the same camo is calling my name... -brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 Can't wait to see this one done. I'm thinking the 02 B in the same camo is calling my name...-brian @ brian, I think that would be sweet too! Are those decals slated for a future release?... No pictures, but I am 98% done with this one. Most of the final assembly is completed. I have to flat coat and a few minor parts to glue on (pilot tubes, HUD etc) RBF tags to attach. I would have finished it this weekend but I was working on installing gutters all day (the joys of owning a home) Hopefully by tomorrow night! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 how can i get an insert i want to see your hornet when its done Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 @catfan: email fightertown decals. Last night I almost finished. I still have to add the pilot tubes, glue on the canopy and add a few small pieces from the wing fold. For now, here is a preview: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 More pics: To the eye, the flat coating does not look frosted but the camera shows otherwise. I had this problem before with the Polly S Flat Acrylic but I thought I had it licked by using Tamiya thinner to dilute it 1:1 and applying thin coats. I also shook the bottle for about 10 min with BBs inside to help break up any clumps. I read the frosting is caused by the silica particles in the paint clumping together and shaking is the key. Anyone have any suggestions for next time? I would really appreciate comments or advice on what your guys use for flat coating. I have also heard MM dullcoat is good but it yellows over time. This is the second project this has happened to me on and I really don't want to make it a third. :D Other than that, I am really happy with the results. I will post more pics when I have this one finalized. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
F-16rhs Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Awesome Hornet!!!! Well done! Cheers Panos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 The finishing touches are finished and with that this one is officially DONE!!! Pics to follow shortly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimz66 Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 Great Job Graves. Very well done. Can't wait to see the final product. Looks Awesome!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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