AX 365 Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) No photos or anything. I'm just starting this thread to declare my participation in this GB. I'm not sure, yet, which direction this build will go. It will be a single seater, that I do know. It could be an early natural metal finish. It could be 421 Sqn's 'Coke Bottle' scheme. It could be an overall green from 421, 439 or 441 Sqn. It could be 441's 'Checkerbird' scheme. It' won't be one of 439 Sqn's 'Tiger Meet' schemes as there is a Tiger Meet GB proposed. Anyway, my hat is in the ring but nothing will be done until my GB CF-18 Hornet is complete. Mike Edited November 10, 2014 by AX 365 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Welcome Mike, I'm in the same boat as you, have to finish a current project before starting one here, but it's still very early in the build. V/r Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Go for the Checkerbird. I plan on doing the coke bottle, a 1973 greenie and a my NMF from 1963 is almost done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Go for the Checkerbird. I plan on doing the coke bottle, a 1973 greenie and a my NMF from 1963 is almost done. Shawn, As you afforded me a similar courtesy in the Hornet's Nest GB, I will do the same for you. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 What does the checker bird look like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Bottom row, second from left is a really old photo. Have a LOT more 104s now. Checkerbird is the black and white with 441 on the tail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Cool got it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Um, would mind giving us an approximate census of models currently on display? I'm willing to bet you've built more than are in many a never-gonna-live-that-long stash around here... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) 418 on active display. But I have tossed around 20 and gave a bunch more away recently. eg. Have built 174 Phantoms, but only 120 are still in my house. Edited September 21, 2014 by phantom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sledge Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Sounds like a model museum. You giving tours? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I'm thinkin' some museums would be Very Happy to get those models. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sledge Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 His wife would probably like to make that reality NOW I am guessing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 With the Hornet's Nest project complete, it's time for me to concentrate on this GB. Using a Hasegawa kit. I was going to use a Revellogram kit but this version needs the radar warning sensors. This Hasegawa kit has the sensors. As stated, I'm using Leading Edge's decals. Here's the start: Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 These Hasegawa Starfighters literally fall together. Here's what I've accomplished over the last two days, including painting the cockpit and a few other pieces... As you can see, in the last photo I've filled the hole where the spent casing ejector chute should go (behind the vents behind nose gear well). Don't see that in any resource photos of the real thing. Also, the canopies have been dipped in Future. The little radar sensor on the front windscreen has been sanded off. I might do a bit more later today but I have to have my afternoon nap as I'm working midnights today and tomorrow. Thanks for looking in. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Great progress Mike! I need to add this jet to my "Black" aircraft collection. V/r Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 Thanks Ron. Small update today. Most of the construction is complete. I left the wings off to facilitate masking when spraying the aluminum in the gear bays. The EZ Masks for the canopies are great. This was my last set for CF-104s. Not sure if he's still in business. Chris advertises in Fine Scale Modeler magazine but the LHS that likes to stock his product says they haven't heard from him in a VERY long time. I primed yesterday morning with MM FS36231. After drying for a few hours, I smoothed and polished with an old t-shirt. I sprayed the first coat of MM Gloss Black last night and a second coat about an hour ago. I'm working afternoons today and tomorrow so there may be no more progress until Wednesday. We'll see. Thanks for looking in. As usual, comments and constructive criticism is always welcome. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 No new photos yet but the gloss black turned out really well. Two light coats at about 18-20 psi. Moments ago I masked the areas than need to be painted fiberglass and flat black. I have also painted the gear bays with Alclad Aluminum and I also primed the areas that need to be painted with fiberglass (radome tan) with the Alclad. I'll spray the radome tan and flat black on the appropriate areas later today. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 Photos of the painting so far. I'm pretty pleased with the results. I hope to be even happier once the decals are on. As usual, comments and constructive criticism is always welcome. Thanks for looking. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emvar Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Very Cool Build sir! Black Birds are hard to get right.... I think you have it. This version is definitely better than the earlier version of the Checker Lawn Dart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks for the support pal. I do prefer this version of the 'Checkerbird' compared to the one with the larger squares. This version looks sleeker. I have to say that the decals went on without any issues whatsoever. They are thin enough to lay down into recessed panel lines and over raised areas without setting agent and strong enough that none broke / splintered / shattered when removing them from the sheet, even without a coat of Future or other sealant. Having said that, I did give every decal an application of Solvaset to ensure no air bubbles. I'm also glad I left the wings off as it made applying the decals a whole lot easier. If I tried applying them with the wings on, I'm sure there might have been a curse word or two uttered in disgust. Some trimming was required but generally speaking, they went on very nicely. I'm going to let everything cure for a couple of days before I do any final assembly. Here are a few shots with the decals applied. Thanks for looking in. As usual, comments and constructive criticism is always welcome. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Ooooooo! Shiny! Nicely done, my friend! With my anti-441 bias, I was hoping you'd change your mind and do it overall Alclad... but it should look pretty spiffy as a Checker bird. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Wow impressive Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VMFA314Knights Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Mike, Nice one, paint turned out great. I have these decals but have yet to pick up a suitable kit. I like the idea of leaving the wings off til after the decaling... will have to remember that one. Cheers, David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 ALF / Neo / David, Thanks for the kind words boyz. Sorry ALF. Maybe next time. Or the one after that. Or the one after the one after that. I have a set of Canuck's RCAF+3 CF-104 decals. Not sure when I'll do it, but it will get done eventually. David - the thought to leave the wings off just came to me as I was looking at the decal sheet, especially the long set of checkers that go under the wing and the white wedges on the underside of the wings. Sometimes I do come up with a good idea but the missus doesn't like it when that happens too often! I did a small bit of work this morning before going to work. I glued on the arrestor hook and the ventral fin. I also press fit the wing tanks onto the wings and the exhaust nozzle into the tail opening. Finally, I attached the radar sensors with white glue and they are drying, or should be dry by now. They are white metal so I have to paint them. The only thing really left to do is attach the wings and assemble the main gear and attach all the wheels. And then there's the pitot tube. If all goes well, I should have it done on Sunday. If not Sunday, definitely Monday. I'll post the final set of photos when she's done. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Done! More photos in Complete Builds thread. To those who stopped by and offered support and helpful comments and the moderators, thank you very much. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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