Mike C Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 (edited) Started off this project back in Jan. Here's the WIP Thread if you're interested. Well... I actually started the airframe waaaay before that. See, I initially built the airframe to carry the USMC BATS squadron markings, but I changed my mind. By the time I started this Blue Angels build, the construction was probably at around 40% complete. Considering how little bench time I've had since I started this project, I was quite surprised that I could actually get this project finished so quickly. Also, I made a lot of bad calls when I first started building this airframe back then, resulting in some very bad seam lines, steps, etc. I had to use lots of Tamiya Basic putty and Milliput to patch things up. It got so bad that I was starting to lose my mind, and I had to stop myself from trying to make it look "right", because it never would. Knowing how bad things looked when I started, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the end result. It's still nowhere near the quality of the other forum members, but I'm still quite happy that mine looks the part on my shelf, from a couple of meters away. When I first embarked on this project, I was quite worried about the decals not being opaque enough, based on some of the feedback I get on this forum. But, they turned out to be excellent, completely opaque, thin, and very easy to apply. Either I got very bad advice, or CAM Pro Decals recently improved their products. The only bad thing about the decals is the spine decal, and the multi-part decals under the cockpit. I ended up scrapping them altogether, and painted them instead. As far as paint goes, I used Gunze Aqueous' H328 (Blue FS 15050) and H329 (Yellow FS 13538), finished with a few layers of Tamiya Gloss Clear acrylic. For the jet exhaust, I used Citadel Boltgun Metal, highlighted with Mr Metal Color Iron. I also used Boltgun Metal and Chainmail on the metal grilles (not quite that visible on the pics). 'Later! Edited October 26, 2017 by Mike C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Very nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 (edited) A few days ago, I noticed that I forgot to install the plates in front the jet intakes. I have since corrected that... So, here are a few more pics with the plates installed... 'Later! Edited October 26, 2017 by Mike C Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Mike. My Favoritte Jet and MY favorite number 7...well then it can't get any better than that.. STUNNING and a very LOVELY Build.. WELL DONE Mike...She looks SUPERB and the finish and the display is notewworthy ...FAB!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks Holmes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 The Blue Angels scheme is the toughest to pull off correctly. I think you did very well. That F-18 looks professionally done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Thank you very much for the compliment. Much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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