JeffreyK Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Hi, it's been well over a year since I finished a model so it's about time... The often praised Revell kit is nice in some areas and basically the only correct F-15E on the market, but if you look more closely there are many many corners cut and areas overly simplified. I tried to address most things, updated all the airframe specific detail to current standard and went to town with additional detail. The main wheel wells were scratch built, the main struts, actuators and linkage extensively modified and detailed (the whole model sits now higher up, including the nose wheel oleo). A lot of (too much) work went into getting the intakes right - Revell has them slightly drooped, not fully open as on a parked airframe. Also the seams were a bear to eliminate and painting the grey-white demarcation line quite a bit down the intake was a challenge to say the least. The (detailed) engine compressor faces were installed near the end of the build for instance - they were put in via the exhaust openings, stuck with blue tack to BBQ skewers. There are Aires nozzles, Quickboost seats, Eduard PE, Royale Resin wheels and many parts (pylons, LAU 128's, sensors/ECM pods on tails...) robbed from the Academy kit. The strengthening plates and rudder bulges on the stabs were built up with many layers of Mr Surfacer and detailed with Archer raised rivets. I used my own (Hypersonic Models) JFS exhaust scratched the various antennae and the GPS receiver. There certainly are other bits that I don't remember right now... Painting/weathering was done by enamel paint followed by salt and hairspray techniques with acrylics (good for this purpose, but I rather stay clear of acrylics in all other contexts). Markings are for 97-0219 in early summer 2011, just after returning from Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya. The decals and masks come from my own sheet - the serials, stars and bars and LN are indeed painted on. Load out is for a typical training mission with AIM-120 (Eduard Brassin), AIM-9L (Academy) and ACMI pod (scratch built). The pictures: Many thanks for looking! Jeffrey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffreyK Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 ...more pictures: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffreyK Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 and the last few: Thanks again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lancer512 Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Wow! I am speechless. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JesniF-16 Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 What a beauty to say the least :thumbsup:/> One of the best Strike's I've seen! You've really given the Revell kit some tlc.... The weathering is just fantastic as well! You've inspired me to keep going on my Mudhen build.... Thanks for sharing! /Jesse Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ace Combat Zero Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 That's good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
daywalker Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 That has to be the finest Beagle I have seen built! Very impressive work, and very nice to see the metal areas around the tail weathered a bit instead of the usual gleaming metal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
metroman Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 (right click, save) (right click, save) (right click, save) (right click, save) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billb Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Absolutely fantastic! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 It's gorgeous! ! Fantastic weathering! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
onescale Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 That is a damn fine build!! :blink: This is what I call a perfect paint job and weathering! Just amazing!! No overdone pre-/postshading, no terrible deep black panel lines, no unrealistic colour blotches...... Thanks for showing and hats off! Best regards, Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Excellent! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
metroman Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Can you detail your method for getting the Gunship Gray paint less monochromatic? This one's inspiring! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polybebber Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 (edited) Fantastic model, excellent in all aspects :thumbsup: And here's 970219 in action in Wales: Lothar Edited November 14, 2013 by polybebber Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffreyK Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 Thanks a lot, your comments are much appreciated! As for the paint work: I primed with Mr Surfacer, sanded lightly and did a little pre shading on there. Then Gunship Grey enamel (WEM) was airbrushed on. I added a few drops of light grey and mottled on some random fading on panels, I also prepared another mix with a few drops of dark grey to post-shade around flying surfaces access hatches etc. Everything was sealed with a clear coat and then hairspray was applied. Next, a mix of slightly darkened Tamiya Dark Grey (Tamiya's match for Gunship Grey) was mottled on and rubbed off with a wet tooth brush. This was again sealed with a clear coat, water sprayed on the model and salt (fine table salt and crushed sea salt) applied. After the slush was dry, I again prepared a Tamiya paint mix, I think just a touch darker than the first one and that was again randomly airbrushed on. The model was then washed to get rid of the salt and sealed again. Then the normal processes of oil washes, oil filters and localised staining/streaking started. Cheers Jeffrey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Dude that is TIGHT! Hats off, round of applause, drinks all round etc! I bow to your skills. I am in awe! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Nice work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kellerassel Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 The colour and the finish of the "E" is not simple. You did it! Your model looks very real, different angle - different colour. I like it very much. :thumbsup:/> :thumbsup:/> :thumbsup:/> :wave:/> Dieter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Girolamo LORUSSO Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Really nice, I like it so much! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 that is some really beautiful work and attention to detail! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 (edited) Let me echo every comment made so far. That is one very, very superb Strike; would be mo' better if it had more weaps; JDAMS, GBU's, AMRAAMS, toolbox, kitchen sink, and porcelain throne hey it could carry them :D . Edited November 17, 2013 by #1 Greywolf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
billb Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Brilliant Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Very nicely done. You added tons of detail and your pictures nicely bring them out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motta Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 A most excellent Strike Eagle ! Beautiful work all around ... -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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