A-10 LOADER Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 Tonight's update, wrapping up the MK-82's. I started out by drilling out the bomb noses to accept the fuzes. I also drilled out the tail fin assemblies, since theses are hollow on the real deal and, installed the scratchbuilt M-904 nose fuzes. Now I neede to make the arming vanes for the fuzes. This is the shape I needed to replicate, just on a much smaller scale. I neede something that would be easily workable and retain it's shape once twisted. I ended up using some metal foil from a wine bottle. It took me a few attempts but, I finally got what I was looking for. Now time to paint some bombs. I always like to be a little different so, I chose to paint two of the bombs Faded Olive Drab and the other two Light ghost grey, just to add interest. After a flat coat I weathered them up using some pastels followed by another flat coat. Then to add even more interest I added some graffitti to the bomb bodies ( I ALWAYS wrote graffitti on anything our crew ever loaded ) with artist pencils. Next I glued on the arming vanes with some liquid CA and painted them with some steel paint. I'm really happy with how they came out and I think they'll look cool hanging on the jet. Thanks for stopping by and having a look, until the next update .... Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Steve, Awesome work on the bombs. I particulary like the graffiti! I just did the same thing last night on some rocket pods for my Apache. Just a quick observation, and I'm not sure if this was deliberate or not, but you seem to have misspelt "Remember" on one of your grey bombs... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 Nope that's a screw up on my part, thanks. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share Posted November 26, 2015 Brief update for today, I wanted to see how the reworked MK-82's looked on the jet, not too shabby. I forgot to address these before so, I had to go back and add the access panel / embedded antenna to the ventral fins. I also went back and added the "panel fastener" detail to the fuel tank access panels. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone and, remember those overseas who can't be with their families today. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpagueur Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 great work on those bombs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 Thanks Alpagueur, much appreciated. Small up date for tonight, I've always wanted to do a Tomcat going vertical and I figured since I already have one Big Cat displayed in level flight, this would be the perfect opportunity to give this a shot. The base itself is 26" X 26", made out of 2 pieces of 3/4 inch MDF glued together. I chose MDF because it's ALOT easier to drill than solid wood. In order to find the exact spots for the 2 inch acrylic rods I threw this frame together temporarily. This will mimick the glass and / or acrylic case I will need. I then took 2 pieces of PVC pipe and cut them at different angels until I came up with the angel and pitch I was looking for and also stayed inside that 26 X 26 square. The base was then sent to a machinest and the holes were bored. I picked up the base Friday night and couldn't wait to test everything out. Everything worked out perfectly and she sits just how I wanted. Today was dry, no wind and, the sun was peaking out so, I had to set up outside for some photos. I know you all have seen the finished parts attached to the airframe before and I don't mean to bore you with redundant photos. I have to do this for myself because this is another small step forward and this also helps keep me motivated during this very lenghtly rebuild. There are a few small items that need to be addressed yet on the airframe before the primer stage but, I am getting close. I am extremely happy with how everything is going so far and I'm very much looking forward to the primer / painting stage. For those of you who are still interested, I hope you enjoy the pics and, thanks for sticking around. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawkwrench Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Crying out loud, that is one BIG Cat!!!!!! Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squizzy 78 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Steve, this model is simply stunning! I've always wanted a big cat, but when I get around to it, it will be a 1/32 which is huge, I can only imagine how impressive this thing looks up close. Fantastic work, and I think the display cabinet like you're doing is the way to go, awesome way to display an awesome model! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chek Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Great way to display it Steve. All that detail you've created deserves to be seen and appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Looks awesome Steve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Really cool Steve! Those nozzles are stunning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thank you all for the very gracious replies, much appreciated. Chuck, I am humbled by your compliments considering your skills with plastic. I am currently working on the leading edges of the Big Cat. There are panels that are not quite correct and lots of flush rivet fasteners that need to be applied. Hoping to have some pics up for you all shortly. Again, thank you all for following along. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 100% pure Awesomeness! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 LOVE IT !!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Falcon20driver, SERNAK, thanks for the compliments boys, much appreciated. Work STILL continues on the leading edges, stay tuned ...... Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Steve, she looks just awesome going vertical like that! All kinds of innovation happening on this build Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airea Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 Woww, this is just excellent! Great work... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 19, 2015 Author Share Posted December 19, 2015 Greetings all, Marcel and airea, thanks for your compliments guys. Today's update is about fixing / adding detail to the leading edges of the Tomcat's wings. There are seven access panels on each of the leading edges of the Cats wings. I am assuming these are for maintenance purposes. The ones on my jet are not quite correct. Referring back to the pics, that were graciously supplied by John S at the top of page #23, I set out to correct them and replicate the details that were missing. The access panels are too big and should not be seen on the top of the leading edge, except the last one out by the wingtip light. I used some thick CA glue and accelarator, to speed up the sanding process, to fill in the incorrect lines and re-scribed the correct lines where they should be. Once this was finished I turned my attention to the underside of the wings. There are lots of access panels, for the leading edges but, they lack "panel fastener" detail so that was added as well. I applied some Tamiya panel line wash to check everything. Next came the task of laying out for all the flush rivets that are very noticeable on the Cats leading edges. On the underside of the wing I ran a piece of masking tape to act as my straightedge and also so I knew where to stop. On the topside I layed out evenly spaced marks with a ruler and drew myself some reference lines for the details to be added. I made myself a bendable straightedge, out of .010" sheet plastic, to keep everything in line. I layed out evenly spaced marks on the plastic as reference points, lined the straightedge up with my pencil marks on the top and underside and, taped it in place. Now all I had to do was make a mark, with my embossing tool, at each pencil mark. Yes this took quite a bit of time to do but, as you can see from the photos, I think it was well worth it. The leading edge looks correct now and it adds interest. IMO it was a detail that needed to be there, especially in this scale. More Tamiya panel line wash was used to check the results. So, with one wing down and one to go, it's time to get back to it. Thank you all for staying interested and checking in and until the next update. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Please remember those, who can not be home with their families at this time of year, who keep us safe and free. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) Wow, now that's a lot of rivets! Great job Steve. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and to all Arc members, your families, and members of the armed forces. John Edited December 19, 2015 by JohnS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chek Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Very nicely executed and clean work there, Steve. I'm starting to think that your model has more detail apparent than a full size 'Cat'! (Which I like, because - call it a puritanical bent in me - I think models should educate you or at least teach you something about the original. An aspect the 'just build it and stop complainin' brigade miss out on IMHO). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Awesome detailing Steve, just awesome! I smile when I see you using Tamiya panel line wash and the Megatool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wow, now that's a lot of rivets! Great job Steve. Thanks John. Very nicely executed and clean work there, Steve. I'm starting to think that your model has more detail apparent than a full size 'Cat'! Thanks chek, just trying to get her as accurate as possible. Awesome detailing Steve, just awesome! I smile when I see you using Tamiya panel line wash and the Megatool. Thanks so much Chuck, thanks for the tips as well. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Wow, now that is a ton of work! Beautifully done though. I always struggle with that, but you really nailed it. Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 Thank you Marcel, much appreciated. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wardog Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Wow Steve, all I can say is amazing work all around and the case you're making will bring it all to life. Looking forward to the finished product! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.