geedubelyer Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 (edited) Hello one and all, thanks for stopping by. Here are a couple of shots of my nearly complete Revell Hawk. I've still got to add one or two tiny details like a couple of RBF tags and a small sensor but that should n't make any difference to the photos. I do intend to lower the airbrake before I'm done though so if it looks ok and I get some more sunshine I'll add a couple of extra images to this post later. The Revell kit is a little gem and great fun to build. It is good straight out of the box but there is scope to detail it if the builder so desires. I used the kit decals and big thanks to Paul (Mullins) and Colin (aka Scotsman) for their help replacing the decal I fudged. Big thanks also to Derek Bradshaw, Hawk specialist, who gave his advice freely and who helped this build along. Finally , thanks to everyone who contributed to the build thread. Your words of help, support and encouragement are always much appreciated. And now, the Royal Air Force aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows Cheers for now. Edited November 10, 2011 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Two Mikes Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Awesome build and paint finishh. A very fitting tribute. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Superb build, excellent finish and stunning photos Guy - hats off to you.... Can you please give us a short tutorial on how you achieved such great photos ?? Are they taken outdoors ?? What do you use for the background - is it a blown-up photo or a poster ?? Be grateful for some tips.... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 For some unknown reason I somehow almost missed your in-progress thread. I visited it occasionally, but seemed to forgot it right away. I probably didn't even make any comments. Why do I have to defend myself like this? :) I don't know, maybe because the Hawk you've built really looks like the real thing and I've always been a great fan of your models. Despite of all this I still basically missed the whole project! I apologise. A stunning model. It's so beautifully detailed and the way the sun reflects from its surface really makes one wonder whether it truly is a model or a real Hawk. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Can you please give us a short tutorial on how you achieved such great photos ?? Good point, Ken! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Guy, Congrats on finishing this project, it must feel good to finish a model. The pics truly deceived me initially, I thought you were showing pics of the real thing to tee up your model shots Is it back to the Cat time for you? Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Knocked me speechless! That is THE most-real looking model EVER! I was given one as a leaving gift from my last job -NO, not the plane, the kit. It is the only 1/32 item I have and I want to do a very special job with it, so at least I know what I'm aiming for (how high...???!). Many thanks for showing us this jewel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie Cheslo Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 Outstanding work, Guy! I can only echo what the others said about the build. The level of realism is tops. Love the FOD covers, what did you use to fabricate them? Photography is stellar as well. I was fooled with the first pic too! Sorry I missed the build thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Wow, Guy. You've done it again, my friend. Fantastic! Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 (edited) Hello everyone, thank you for your generous words, very much appreciated. I'm thrilled that you like the Hawk. Hi Mike, thanks. This short poem was posted by Pickles over on BM. Do not stand at my grave and weep,I am not there; I do not sleep, I may not now be in the group, .........But I am the diamond in the loop, I am the white the red and blue, .........Entwined within the corkscrew, When you look to the heavens above, I am the arrow through the heart of love, I am the smoke across the sky, I am the reason why we fly, I am the Hawk's engine roar, I was proud to fly Red four. I found it very moving. -_- Can you please give us a short tutorial on how you achieved such great photos ?? Are they taken outdoors ?? What do you use for the background - is it a blown-up photo or a poster ?? Be grateful for some tips.... Ken Hello Ken, glad you likey. Here's an explanation of how I like to take the snaps.I use a poster sized photo as a backdrop. I had my local Staples store enlarge an image for me. The paper is glossy so reflections are a problem. I've found that by tilting the poster toward the model I can cut down on the unwanted reflections. Here's a quick sketch to show my set up... I raise the model base up a little so that I can get lower with the camera for better perspective. (A secondary benefit is avoiding the white margin at the bottom of the poster.) I also take care to leave a gap between the backdrop and the edge of the model base board. By taking this precaution it is easier to avoid unwanted shadows creeping onto the backdrop at the wrong angle and spoiling the illusion. HTH I've experimented with focal length too and discovered that using a longer focal length results in more realistic perspective. My camera has a standard 18-55mm zoom fitted and between 35-55mm seems to look best. For some unknown reason I somehow almost missed your in-progress thread. I visited it occasionally, but seemed to forgot it right away. I probably didn't even make any comments. I apologise. Hi Jan, absolutely no need to apologise at all my friend. I don't think you missed anything anyway ;) It's good to see you here though and thank you for your thoughts. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the finished article. :) Guy, Is it back to the Cat time for you? Marcel Hello Marcel, good to see you. Thanks for the generous comments my friend.Yes, I think I'll return to the 'Cat for a while. I keep looking at all of the finished sub-assemblies and thinking "I've come too far to leave it un-finished." :lol: Chippy, Jamie, Jake, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time to add your thoughts and I'm chuffed that you enjoyed seeing the finished Hawk. Cheers everyone. Edited August 24, 2011 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
White Wolf Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I'd say a lot of things about it, but then I'll run out of superlatives to use before long! So I'll just say: awesome job, on both the model and the photos! I guess I should start thinking about signing up for knitting classes... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haneto Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Speechless Guy... Tell me this is your Photoshop trick buddy!! Cheers, Yufei Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coolt Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 it's the MOST real model I'd ever seen Truely master in model and photography thank you for detailed tutorials kind regards coolt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 Hi Guy, Great model and photography as usual. I really didn't know I was looking at a model when I first viewed the pictures. Doesn't get any better than that. One question...when you take the photo that becomes your poster background what focal length do you use? Do you think that would vary if you were to photograph 1/48 scale models? Your talents never cease to amaze me. Thanks. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gambler Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Outstanding Guy! Beautiful work on what are very hard finishes to do, the display jets, you have done a remarkable job on this one, and as the others have said, the pics look great. I'll give you full marks just for working with that red plastic, I don't think I could handle it. :lol: Cheer's, Jeff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rraab Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Woooow.....! These pics look even better than I imagined they would! The gloss finish looks 'just right' - what did you use for that, if you don't mind my asking? The reflections on the top surfaces (wings and stabs) look so real, and I can see the 'ripples' you created look perfect, too I hope to see more pics when you add the finishing touches (weather permitting ). Your Hawk must provide really interesting contrast next to all the F-15's, F-16, su-27, and soon, F-14 in your display case. I'll be watching like a hawk to see what you come up with next (get it?....Hawk...'Cause... you built a...[he-he]....uhhhh.....ummm...ok..neeevermind) Great build & great tribute, as well. & -Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Sharp looking build of your RAF Red Arrows! And I am sure Flight Lieutenant Jon Eggings would have appreciated you dedicating this to him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 LOL- I also thought you were showing the real deal before your fantastic model. Having seen your F-15E and F-16 in the past, I should have known better! Great work my friend. You never disappoint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Looks stunning Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Beautiful Hawk! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 (edited) Hi guys, I'm blown away by your support and enthusiasm and chuffed to bits that you like the Hawk so much. Big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to add a response here, it's all very much appreciated. Speechless Guy... Tell me this is your Photoshop trick buddy!! Cheers, Yufei :D Thanks Yufei. Glad you like it but attempting to make a jet look realistic in 1/32nd is so much easier compared to the magic you do in 1/72 ;) Hi Guy, One question...when you take the photo that becomes your poster background what focal length do you use? Do you think that would vary if you were to photograph 1/48 scale models? Thanks. Bob Hi Bob, good to see you. Thanks for the kind words. You've raised an interesting question and one I'd not given much thought to until you asked. I confess that I predominantly model in 1/32nd scale but now you've got me thinking. I've got an old 1/48th scale F-15 kicking around somewhere so I'll dust it off and photograph it in front of the same backdrop. We'll see how it looks, ok?*Edit* Ok, here's a look at an old 1/48th scale F-15A that I built way back when. Please excuse the model as it's purely to illustrate the effect of 1/48th scale against the same photographic backdrop as the Hawk. I think the backdrop looks ok at this scale too, what do you think? It would appear that a similar focal length would suit most scales depending on what your backdrop photo is. HTH I'll give you full marks just for working with that red plastic, I don't think I could handle it. :lol: Cheer's, Jeff. Hi Jeff, glad you like the Hawk, thanks for your kind comments. Yeah, that red plastic is just as bad as people say. Revell can't release a grey kit soon enough :lol: I might even build another if they ever do..... The gloss finish looks 'just right' - what did you use for that, if you don't mind my asking? -Rob Hey Rob , great to see you bro' Thanks for your generous words, much apreciated. :) I was very unsure as to what gloss to go for and in the end opted for a whizz can of "'Ard Coat" gloss varnish that the Games Workshop dudez use. It goes on really thickly at first and I was horrified as all of the detail disappeared beneath a glossy wet blob but slowly the carrier medium evaporated and the finish was relatively smooth and glossy. A quick buff with some Autoglym paint re-finisher (a mild cutting agent) followed by a polish with some Mer auto polish and the shine came out nicely. The varnish is very tough and is used by gamers to give their figures a tough, durable coat which withstands lots of handling. Luckily, that also means it can withstand my hamfistery (although I did have to re-paint the left wing due to buffing through the red paint....but ssssh, don't tell anyone. ;) ) For all of the hours we spend alone at the model bench, this sort of result is very satisfying. To get such complementary comments from the guys I respect most makes it all worthwhile. Thanks again everyone. Edited August 26, 2011 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Eastern Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Aha! The loaded dice again! ;) Stop fooling us around by posting pics of the real things! LOL. Jokes aside, absolutely magnificent build! She is beautiful! I hope it was a very nice warming up before you put your hands on your Great Turkey again. Cheers and happy modeling! Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loftycomfort Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Fantastic finish on the Hawk, Guy! I love that smooth paint job. I also find those FOD covers with the bungies are pretty neat. Cheers, Terry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darren Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Fantastic work! You had me fooled I thought I was looking at the real Hawk! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 (edited) Hello Alexander, Terry and Darren, many thanks for the kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the pics guys. Here is the final batch showing the open airbrake plus one or two from different angles. I made some ear defenders to place on the model after seeing some photos on-line. I've seen both red and blue versions but chose the blue as a contrast. Here's a look at how the MDC turned out on the canopy. The image also shows the FOD cover. Jamie (Cheslo), I made these out of kitchen "cling film" painted with an olive green shade of Tamiya TS spray cans. I cut a strip and glued it around the mouth of the inlet, tucked it inside then cut an intake mouth shaped oval and glued that to the edge of the tucked in strip with tiny drops of CA. HTH Apologies for not answering your question sooner. :blush: The rear end showing the drooped airbrake. Closer in showing the rivets and ripples to good effect too. A couple of shots "from the tower".......... Nose on showing the candy striped RBF flags in the gear bays. For the final photo I took a leaf out of Fred Shammas's book and added a figure behind the airframe in an attempt to give life to the scene. Not sure how successful it was... No more, I promise! Thanks to everyone for being so patient, Cheers. Edited September 2, 2011 by geedubelyer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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