drhornii Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Starting the Global Hawk Wingspan is amazing for this 1/48 scale kit One question, what panel lines are visible on the GH? I have some big gaps and from some photos, it looks like there are very few panel lines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viper50 Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I'll be watching your progress. I want this kit BAD!!! Good luck with your build. Don M. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Got a tip from Z-5 about the accuracy of the kit. They pointed out that the main wheels on this kit have dual wheels which is correct for the "A" model but not for the "B" model which is a single wheel. The instructions cover this modification. At least it is easier to remove a wheel then add....see photos on the prime portal link earlier in this thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doupnik Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 My father-in-law works for Northrop-Grumman, so I've thought about doing one for him, but the Block mix and match thing is annoying. I'll be following your progress with interest. mason Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomcatFanatic123 Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) Got a tip from Z-5 about the accuracy of the kit. They pointed out that the main wheels on this kit have dual wheels which is correct for the "A" model but not for the "B" model which is a single wheel. The instructions cover this modification. At least it is easier to remove a wheel then add....see photos on the prime portal link earlier in this thread. Whatever you do...check, double check and check again before you go snipping off stuff on those gear struts!!!!! Don't ask me how I know . Edited July 6, 2011 by TomcatFanatic123 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zotted Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Damn that's a big bird. Running cement down on that wing span would be daring work!! Good luck, wish my apartment had enough space for one of these birds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 good work so far..look forawrd tos ee this more, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Damn that's a big bird. Running cement down on that wing span would be daring work!! Good luck, wish my apartment had enough space for one of these birds. I plan on hanging the kit above the patio door and use it as an awning Seriously, it has the same wingspan of my 1/48 C-130 but the length of a 1/48 F-18. Will hang the model in the hobby room or at the hobby shop to save room. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Little GAP filling to do here. The real aircraft does not appear to have that many panel lines on the wings. I do need to scribe a few line to continue them (across the leading edge) but a big chunk stays filled. Also sanded down the pebbly finish. Also a few panel lines on the fuselage do not continue to the seam which is actually a good thing, easier to re-scribe than try to align the seam. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 (edited) I plan on building it "in flight". After looking at the wing position, the long wingspan seemed to make the wings droop when hanging the kit from the fuselage or supported on a rod. The wing box kit stiffeners did not help much and flexed the fuselage sides. It appears that when built gear down, the gear supports the wings fine but in flight.... What I did here is add a reinforcement frame on top of the internal wing box using epoxy putty to attach it and adjust to all the contours. I taped the fuselage belly to the top so it will be in alignment when I separate the halved again. I also wanted to be able to add the wings after the fuselage was painted (did not want to fight the long wings when building). The next step was to slot the holes in the wing spar so I can finish them separately from the fuselage and install at last minute or remove them for travel. Edited July 11, 2011 by drhornii Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 (edited) It is interesting to see that the Skunkworks kit is very similar parts breakdown and assemblywise to the 1:72 Platz kit. Edited July 13, 2011 by madmike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 Doing this build "in flight", added a square tube glued inside & reinforced with epoxy. I made it so the GH was in a climb and slight turn. Square rod receptacle..... Reinforcements for the nose gear doors that will closed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 make sure you dont make it turn too much the wing might hit the ground at that altitude Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 make sure you dont make it turn too much the wing might hit the ground at that altitude Yep, took that into account. With it in a climb, that also insured that the banking will not hit the base. I have a couple inches of clearance now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Had to put the kit down for a few weeks since I was on a business trip but finally back on it. I was worried about the delicate probes on the tail so I decided to add a piece of plastic taped on for protection. I always break off things so I am being proactive... Also, I am glad I modified the wings so they can be added later....much easier to work on the fuselage! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 WHOA !!! This is coming along so brilliantly...EXCELLENT work and updates so far.. Woo hoo HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Making slow progress....lot of other activities taking up my time. Just painted the model with the darker gray a custom mix of 36118 that I used at work for some instruments. The lighter 36118 is Xtracrylix. Some ref photos show various colors around the upper fwd section of the dome & on the belly. Still need to do weathering before the decals go on then more weathering after that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 All done, see completed build for more photos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Great job!!! The photo you posted in the Completed Builds folder really brings home the size of this baby. Well done! Have fun modeling! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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