JMan Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Hey everyone thanks to Lenny's generosity I now have something to keep my hands from doing things they shouldnt. I have started on the cockpit and let me tell you it is sharp, even OOB its one of the best big bird cockpits. I will try and give you pics when I can, but I thought that I should share with you all and let you know I am back in the saddle. Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts for my girlfriends family, she said to thank you all too! Ill keep you guys posted on my progress even thought I might not have pics everytime. Thanks again Lenny! Edited September 7, 2009 by JMan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Excellent! I'm glad you're able to join back in the building game! I can't wait to see some updates! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sxm_m Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 expecting your work~ Good Luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spooky 01 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 "He's Back...!!!" Never mind about the pic's ! Looking forward in seeing You sharpen up Your writting skill's ! "Check Six....." Spooky. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Go get'em Jman.......Make that Hornet Sting!!!. That's gonna be some good therapy... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Najk Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Nice to have you back in business, JMan! I'll have another kit on the way to you in a few days as well... It'll be a surprise though.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 "He's Back...!!!" Never mind about the pic's ! Looking forward in seeing You sharpen up Your writting skill's ! "Check Six....." Spooky. Thanks Spooky! Yeah I am definately going to have to work on my writing skills..........now how do you spell that?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Nice to have you back in business, JMan! I'll have another kiton the way to you in a few days as well... It'll be a surprise though.... :huh: That sounds great, thought maybe you forgot about me. Anything you send I will be grateful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Ok everyone I guess one thing that I can do is tell you a little bit about the kit. Im sure that most of you ******** modellers have this either in your stash or have it on the bench or have already built it. Since I would call myself a NOVICE compared to 90% of you this was a treat to open and see this beautiful bird. This bird has alot of nostalgia for me since I was in the US Navy and was ships company on an aircraft carrier and was able to see these planes take off and land everyday while out at sea. I always wanted something to remind me of those days because I loved the smell of the open ocean mixed with JP-5 fuel, kind of intoxicating in more ways that one..........hehehe! We will start off with the box art! WOW, simply stunning. I sure wish that I could draw that good. I am glad that the kit has the markings for that squadron because it is a very colorful, and for once its not a CAG bird, now I can really dirty this beast up! Upon opening the kit I was just amazed at the amount of sprues. HOLY CRAP!!!!!! As in most large models other than Trumpeter, at least what I have seen, there is a couple of screws with a nifty little screwdriver, hopefully it works. There are also some metal reinforcements for the landing gear. There is also some rubber tires as well as plastic, always liked the rubber tires so Ill probably use those, but I need to figure out how to show the WOW(weight on wheels). Maybe if someone out there knows how to show that on rubber tires I would greatly appreciate it. This also has poseable figures. I was going to have this bird set on the CAT ready for launch, but oh no its missing a seated pilot, so I have decided to change it to having one seated pilot and one climbing into the cockpit. The weapons on this things are absolutely awesome, from dumb bombs to laser guided, this is going to be a definate mud mover. Already picked my loadout. Going to arm her with 2 GBU-24 Paveway III, 1 AGM-88 HARM, 1 AGM-65 Maverick, and 2 AIM-9L Sidewinders. Once I finally stopped drooling like a small boy on Christmas morning opening his gifts I sorted throught the unending plastic covered sprues and the level of detail is just phenomenal. This is definately a kit I would recommend to the experienced modeller, hopefully I will make good use of it! The only thing that I dont like about the kit, and I stress the ONLY thing is the nice little seam right down the middle of the canopy. I know I can take that off, but I dont have any micro mesh, and its really expensive at my LHS, but Ill make it look good with a good dip in Future. Now on to what I have built on it so far. Well not much. I am taking my sweet time on this for two reasons. 1, well I dont have any other kits so if I dont want to run out of something to do till I can afford another, then I must do that. 2, this was such an expensive kit for someone to just give to me, so out of respect I am going to make this something they would be proud of saying, yeah I gave it to him. So now on to what I have done so far is the cockpit. I think most start there. I have the bucket and IP's painted thier black on grey configuration. I will then go back and give it a bit of a silver drybrush, then go back and color in the different knobs, switches, and buttons. So far it is a very sharp looking bucket and IP set. Next is the bangseats. They look very nice. Since I will have one pilot sitting and one climbing the ladder, one pilot will already be harnessed in and I will get rid of the molded on harness and scratch new ones for the back seat office. Since this will be on a carrier I will have them both with helmets on. Safety first right. I really like the way the seats look, theres also some nice placards for the seats, and a little wiring and tubing will need to be added but other than that, very good OOB. I have also started with my loadout while I have some drying and curing before I start sanding and blending. As I stated before, I am using the Paveway III's, a Maverick, and a HARM. So right now that is all I have really started doing. Just wanted to let you all know where I am with this kit, and hopefully I will get some pics on here in the near future. Thanks all for looking and happy modelling, and as always comments are welcome and wanted! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spooky 01 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Thanks Spooky! Yeah I am definately going to have to work on my writing skills..........now how do you spell that?? T-H-A-T There You go... "Check Six....." Spooky. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Najk Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) Hey JMan! Regarding that Micro Mesh (MM), I might have a piece of advice for you. Try one of those nail buffers your GF use to polish her nails.. At least here in Sweden, there are nail buffers about 6 inches long, with four different grades on. From quite coarse, to really, really fine. Not MM, but a good substitute. Will do the job, definately with a few dips in future afterwards. Kind of a poor man's MM.. Hope you understand my explanation though, otherwise I'll just get a photo of that darn thing, to help the explanation.. :) Good luck with that Hornet now, I'm sure it'll be a blast, just like the SLUF was until it got in harms way... Edited June 26, 2009 by Najk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
copey Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Building one of these kits (F-18C) at the moment, fit is good, detail is sharp, fantastic kit all round. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share Posted June 28, 2009 Hey everyone just an update on my build. I have put together the intakes and now am letting the Mr Surfacer cure and will then sand the seam smooth for a seamless intake. I am pretty close to getting the cockpit completely finished. Just needs a wash and a little drybrushing. Well thats about all for right now, so take care and Happy Modeling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spooky 01 Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Taking my knowledge of this kit into account, I'd say You're making some sweet progress there my friend. Nearly each & every sub-assembly is a small model-kit by itself & I'm sure You'll have a blast when You start on the gear !!! Just make sure You keep the "carpet-monster" locked behind bars during the build... :) "Check Six....." Spooky. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Yes I know about the Carpet Monster! He has already struck with this build, but I was able to conquer him. I have put together the front landing gear, and man what a beauty but the Monster almost got the landing light, but I was able to defeat him. The main gear are another thing, wow, there are alot of parts to those! Will enjoy every minute of building them, but Im gonna give them a few days, finishing up the cockpit now. We move into our house this weekend so I may just save them for then because where my workshop will be there is no carpet, so I wont have to worry about the beast there, unless I do some building in the living room while watching TV with Manda! Well gotta get going, Happy Modeling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
copey Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 (edited) JMan I am up to the landing gear on mine, and on my wip was warned the gear can be flimsy (even with the metal core), was told a company called S.A.C. do white metal gear , I'm looking into it myself ,just thought I would pass on the advise. Mark P.S Scratch that just seen you 've posted on my wip too Edited June 30, 2009 by copey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Jman, good luck with the build, I've just started re-engageing my "D", so my thoughts will be with you :) Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hey everyone sorry for the lack of an update but with moving into a new home, well doesnt really leave alot of time to build! I am still working on the cockpit and I really want it to look good, so I am taking my time. I did want to give the seats a little bit of texture so with a little Mr. Surfacer, about the only thing that made it, I dabbed a little on the seats and then sanded it down, so I hope it gives the illusion of a clothe seat. I hope to get some pics on here soon. Thanks again for everything guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hey everyone I dont have much of an update so I am only writing to let you know that until I can get some air for my airbrush Im not gonna be able to paint any so it might be a couple of days. Well take care hope to get some updates for you soon! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spooky 01 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hey everyone I dont have much of an update so I am only writing to let you know that until I can get some air for my airbrush Im not gonna be able to paint any so it might be a couple of days. Well take care hope to get some updates for you soon! Hi JMan, good to read You're settling in pretty nicely. Just arrived in Beijing today & will be opening a travel-report lateron in the "General Discussion" section. haven't been able to mail You anything before I departed, so I guess You'll have to be a little more patient... Regards to the rest of the clan. "Check Six....." Spooky. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 (edited) Funny, but my next build is the Academy D kit as well (built as a Canuck F-18B), so I'll be watching this thread closely. I notice Marcel is also playing with this kit, so I should have lots of tips from you guys. I did, however, already build the F-18C version (into an A), so I assume it's almost identical. Are you using any sort of after market intakes like Seamless Suckers or D-Mold? Edited July 16, 2009 by chuck540z3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hey Spooky glad to see you arrived safely. Keep us posted! Hey Chuck, no I am not using an aftermaket stuff. I am actually sanding the intakes as we speak, and adding some scratcbuilding to the bangseats, and waiting on another pilot! Unfortunately I dont have a camera or any air, so I am waiting! Cant wait to see yours! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 As mentioned above, I recommend getting some metal gear. As nice as the kit parts are for detail, they lack support in the long run. My F-18C now sags quite a bit after a year. There are 2 sources if you're interested here: Fightertown Decals (these are the best).... http://fightertowndecals.com/Gfactor.html and the ones I have, from Scale Aircraft Conversions.... http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/mo...ndex&KIT=71 I plan on using the SAC ones and adding detail from the kit and Eduard PE parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Yeah I really wish that I had a camera. I am now adding the straps to the seats using Aluminum foil. Foil is alot easier to shape, but doesnt offer the flexiility that tape does, so I guess you gain in place as you lose in another! Oh well! Now I am not just adding the straps from the seat to the pilot I am actually adding straps from the headrest down to the shoulders then bringing them over the pilot to make them look like they are actually strapped in. Iam also adding some wiring on the bangseat and trying to find some pics of any connections to the cockpit tub! Again I hope to get some pics on here soon! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 As mentioned above, I recommend getting some metal gear. As nice as the kit parts are for detail, they lack support in the long run. My F-18C now sags quite a bit after a year. There are 2 sources if you're interested here:Fightertown Decals (these are the best).... http://fightertowndecals.com/Gfactor.html and the ones I have, from Scale Aircraft Conversions.... http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/mo...ndex&KIT=71 I plan on using the SAC ones and adding detail from the kit and Eduard PE parts. Thanks Chuck for the info, unfortunately I dont have the funds to get the other gear. I would like for this model to be my center piece, so I may jus have to worry about it sagging in the future, but those sure do sound nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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