Jarda Hajecek Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Sir, this is on epic build as far as I can see. Congrats. I have the same model so sometime will be reworking mine as well. On the note of the pilots in the pit, have you considered sculpting them a bit? I mean to cover the toy-looking body joints with milliput or similar putty to add more realism? Your model is very accurate and pretty close to reality so if you are planning to address the bang seat handles, might as well address those pilots, it woul add more realism to your already great build. In my opinion you have gone so far, this may be just a minor work on the crew. Just my two cents worth to the discussion. Keep up the great work!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks for the kind words Jarda. I did consider "working" the aircrew and that can be something that I can still do later on. I suck at painting figures and didn't want to ruin them. For now I want to focus on getting the Big Cat finished. Thanks for checking in however. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jarda Hajecek Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Steve I fully understand. The build is phenomenal. By the way where did you obtain the crew? I may consider adding one or two guys for size comparison next to the model. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 The crew were obtained from Bad Cat Toys. When they were first offered you could get them in painted form or unpainted. I ordered two sets, one for my VF-154 jet and one for this build. I have seen them on EBAY so, I know they are still obtainable. I still feel they should have come with the jet. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 For those who may be interested I posted some pics of my other 1/18th Tomcat in the " Display Case " forum. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 New plaque remade, thanks to Brian for the info. On a side note, my mom has been in hospice care for the last 3 weeks so, progress has been REALLY SLOW on the Big Cat lately. I've tried to sit and get things accomplished but, my mind wanders and it's really no use. At this point I don't want to screw up anything because I can't focus. Not sure when the next update will be but, thanks to all of you who are still keeping a watch on this project. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 24, 2014 Author Share Posted December 24, 2014 Wishing everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2015 will bring about the completion of the Big Cat ...... God I hope so. All the best, Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aurora Mark Posted December 25, 2014 Share Posted December 25, 2014 Thank you for the warm wishes. All the best to you and your family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 27, 2014 Author Share Posted December 27, 2014 Greetimgs everyone, hope you all had a great Christmas. Thanks Aurora Mark. I've managed to get my head straight long enough to complete a few items so, on with today's updates. I decided to fill in the wing root where it meets the Radar Warning ECM antenna fairing, it was too severe for my liking. Good call BUZZ, it does look better. I'll have to go back and redo some of the "panel fastener" detail however. The front windscreen is all set to be glued into place. The tape is to keep the clear parts glue from getting all over. I need a clean, seamless joint to the fuselage and I do not want to sand anywhere near the glass. I'm hoping once I lay the glue in place I can smooth it out with a damp Q-Tip .... fingers crossed. I drilled the main canopy and inserted some small brass rods to help spread the canopy back to where it needs to be. Now when the canopy is closed it lines up nicely with the forward windscreen. The main canopy also got sanded with some 600 grit to accept the black paint before the primer. I also added the lightning dissapaters to the underside of the canopy. I cut thin strips of .010" sheet plastic and used the clear parts cement to attach them then colored them with a bronze sharpie. Some forward progress, better than nothing I guess. Thanks to all who are still following along and enjoy your weekend. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Brief update for today, it's been a tough 9 weeks for our family and on Friday afternoon my mom passed peacefully. I know she is in a better place now but, it dosen't make it any easier to accept. I will miss her very much. Needless to say, no updates this week. I WILL get back on the Big Cat however, mom would have wanted it that way. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing. There are many things in life more important than modeling. When you do get back to the big cat I'll be excited to see the work, as its been amazing so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 My condolences Steve to you and your family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 There are many things in life more important than modeling. When you do get back to the big cat I'll be excited to see the work, as its been amazing so far. Ditto that Steve! Take Care. Chuck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Steve, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 Thanks for the kind words boys, much appreciated. Tomorrow we lay mom to rest. Hopefully some updates on the Cat soon. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing, Steve. My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Thank you crackerjazz, very much appreciated. Well now, time to get this forum back up and running again. Today's update is brief but, still progress. After many coats of clear cement I finally got the forward windscreen blended in to the fuselage. Some primer will give me a better idea of how it really looks. I also took a suggestion from Chuck and used Rust-Oleum texture paint for the walkways on top of the intakes. I tested it on an old A-10 that I use to practice various airbrush techniques. I think it looks the part and will work out nicely on the Big Cat. Thanks very much Chuck, great idea. I really appreciate all of you who are hanging in there and still showing interest in this project. Til the next update, all the best. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Looks great Steve! When those walkways get good and hard (~ 1 week), sand them down a bit to get them more to scale. Also, the Rustoleum idea is all Marcel's. I just use it more often than he does! ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 Will do Chuck, thanks. Well then, I guess I have to thank both of you guys equally. It really is a great idea, simple to do and, looks very authentic when finished .... at least for this scale. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Greetings all, I managed to get some time in today on the Tomcat. I restored the " panel fastener " detail to the areas that I did a little bodywork to. I also attached the small brass pins to the canopy with some JB Weld 2 part epoxy and, got the main canopy masked off and ready for black paint. Once the black dries I'll apply the medium gray FS35237. This all depends on how my airbrush decides to act. I just ordered a bunch of needles, aircaps and, tips. I also managed to solve my compressor issue. I picked this new one up back in January. This should be a major upgrade over my old diaphram compressor and it's alot quieter. Now I need to get my Grex airbrush and I should be set for a while. Thanks for stopping by and your continued interest. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I'm really happy to see you still at work on this monster. My wife would permanently put me in the dog house if I bought one of these so I'm building it vicariously through you. Great Great work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Thanks falcon20driver. The prices are nuts for these Cats today, I'm glad I got them when they first come out. Small update for today, I managed to get the canopy painted flat black and, as I usually do, I mixed too much paint so I used the extra to check all my bodywork, rescribed panel lines, panel lines that I had filled in, etc. Things look pretty good, IMO at this stage so, the next step will to be to join the nose section to the main body and address that seam that I will need to make disappear. Thanks so much to everyone who still shows an interest in this lengthly project. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Steve, I'm sorry to read about your mothers passing. My folks talking about their time with us and though I know they will be in better place but it's not easy to comprehend that one day they will move on. It's part of life we all have to live through. I just pray good Lord gives us all needed strength when that time comes. So, my prayers goes out to you and your family. I am pleased to see you are building again. I have always enjoyed seeing your work on the big Cat. I wish I could afford one but I don't feel like giving a months rent for a kit :wacko:/> but she sure is looking nice :thumbsup:/> Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel111 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Steve, great to see you moving this project along. Also, the Rustoleum idea is all Marcel's. I just use it more often than he does! ;) Thx Chuck! Fear not, will get back into that F-4J which has those walkways (unlike Chico) as soon as the Growler is done. Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 22, 2015 Author Share Posted March 22, 2015 Thank you Youngtiger1 and Marcel111. Very brief update for today. I am very fortunate and honored to have a " professional " model builder for a friend. He is also a Vietnam vet and a GREAT person. Throughout this project I have refered to him many, many times to guide me on certain things, ask him questions and get his opinion on how to tackle that next step. A few weeks ago I asked him if he would be willing to make me a new pitot tube for each of my Big Cats. Yesterday he delivered a homerun !! He turned this out of 1/4" aluminum stock and it looks great on the jet. The one that came with the jet was plastic, which was destined to get broken and, was proportionally incorrect. Here is a shot of the new one installed on my VF-154 jet, much better IMO and I don't have to paint it. We also have been talking about how I am going to prime / paint this beast ?? I figured on using Tamiya spray cans just because of the shear size of this thing, then going back with the airbrush and washes for weathering. He suggested I give this a try and that I wouldn't be disappointed. I am anxious to try this baby out but, I'm not quite ready for primer just yet. Again, I am fortunate to have such a good friend and can't thank him enough for all his guidance and expertise, YOU ROCK BUZZ !!! Next up is to get the forward nose section mated to the main body. Thanks again to those who still find this project of interest and til next time, take care. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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