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F/A-18D VMFA (AW)-224, 1/32 Academy


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Sounds liks I should have a look at the G-force gear... I do have the SAC gear which looks quite nice...

One of my theoretical plans was to add some of the tiny gear kit parts to the SAC gear, since it looks really good OOB. The G-Force gear appears to be quite a bit better in terms of detail from pics I've seen, so maybe I'll just throw it on instead. I've got 3 Hornets to build, so I can always use most of this stuff anyway.

BTW, One thing that's often missed on the vertical stabilizer base is the seam with rivets that attach it to the fuselage. You may be doing this already, but I thought I'd mention it since you still can if you want to.

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One of my theoretical plans was to add some of the tiny gear kit parts to the SAC gear, since it looks really good OOB. The G-Force gear appears to be quite a bit better in terms of detail from pics I've seen, so maybe I'll just throw it on instead. I've got 3 Hornets to build, so I can always use most of this stuff anyway.

BTW, One thing that's often missed on the vertical stabilizer base is the seam with rivets that attach it to the fuselage. You may be doing this already, but I thought I'd mention it since you still can if you want to.

Thx... I hadn't really noticed that before, I think the Academy kit does try to represent this, but it's notprominent enough?

vmfa2511tailsmall.jpg

Anyhow, I'm done with the paint job at this point, so there's no turning back :cheers:

Big thanks for the G-Force heads up, no point nickel and diming when you spend 1+ year on a project like I do :worship:

Cheers,

Marcel

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Here's an update--the paint job is pretty much done. I used a whole host of different grays to simulate touch-ups and general discoloration all over the aircraft.

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Here's a close-up of the top of the wings and then the rear fuselarge. I tried to simulate the wear patterns I see in the Daco book. Much of the paint discoloration work was done with a hand brush to simulate the hard-edge (vs airbrush edge) discoloration that seems to prevail on many parts of the aircraft. The key here is dip the brush into the paint can and then brush it against something until there is hardle any paint left on the brush, and then go over the surface that is to look discolored.

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I did a lot of dicoloration in the areas that are frequently walked on...

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The lower rear fuselarge received plenty of attention. I used predominantly warmer (more brown) shaded grays here. What you see here will certainly still become a lot dirtier with washing and pastel discoloration after that. First off, a reference point...

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To finish the update, here is what the front looks like.

Notice how on this reference pic most of the discoloration is hard edge (this aircraft happens to be on display and thus much cleaner than my in-theater Hornet).

frontsmall.jpg

For some of the darker areas around panels, I pre-shaded with a handbrush.

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The effects look a little garish in some cases, since the gray paint used happened to be glodd.

I still need to add a few details here and there and also do something about those white RWR receiver covers, they are a little on the bright side.

Thx for looking,

Marcel

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Thx Kostucha!

Guys, I thought I'd present a few more details of the paint job and where I got the inspiration from, following the update above.

Here are some pics showing general wear and tear...

discolorationsummary.jpg

moretouchup.jpg

touchup.jpg

RWR.jpg

Here's how I tried to replicate what I saw (... both on the real thing and 2nd hand):

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Somethings else worth highlighting is how very helpful the MAW guys are for including a CD full of pics of the real thing! Thanks to that, I could see that the starboard rear section of the shoulder is white, while the port side is gray (on this particular Hornet). Phew!

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Marcel

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Marcel,

Beautiful work! I like the color discolorations you did on the fuselage. To my eye it looks very realistic. Do you meet with the local Charlotte chapter of IPMS?

Thx!

I have been meaning to attend a Charlotte IPMS meeting for 2 years now, but it's always tough to leave the family on a Friday night. Hopefully I'll make it one of these days.

Cheers,

Marcel

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Jman, your wish is my command :jaw-dropping:

Here is a quick update, just applied the 1st wash and have started decalling. I say 1st wash since I apply a wash to the large decal-covered surfaces as needed.

I used Promodeller (on Future) for the first time, that stuff is awesome and takes all the risk out of washing. I used mostly Dark Dirt.

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I noticed on the real thing that the screwes around a particular panel on the vertical stabilizer are usually stripped of paint, making the screws pretty visible on a black tail. I used Promodeller's Light Dirt to replicate that effect.

DSCN9251.jpg

Now for the main decaling, fun, fun, fun!

Cheers,

Marcel

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