Fill'er Up

[falcon20driver]

I couldn't decide if I wanted to do a WIP of this build, but then I thought why not? So I begin my next project and my biggest one to date. I've been wanting to try some in flight builds for awhile now and got a great deal on a kit that spurred my idea. I'll be building a in flight refueling diorama with an S-3 refueling an F-14. I'm planning on building them in the colors of VS-33 and VF-211 from during Operation Southern Watch. Motivation is up on the board:

The beginning of the base is started too. I had my wife help me hold up the S-3 taped together and a previously built F-14 to see how it would look. I think I'm gonna need a bigger base!

I have the S-3 kit in my hands now:

It seems like it will go together quiet well, but dang it's big!

And, the scheme she'll be wearing:

I'm planning on waiting for the AMK F-14 for the other half of this build. I'd rather not do the HobbyBoss kit again if I don't have too.

[Fighting Eighty-Four]

This will be one sweet display! I myself have contemplated doing something like this when my skills improve enough to do it justice.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress.

[tomthegrom]

This will be awesome. Have a look for a user named Rhinolover. He doesnt seem to post anymore but he built some of the best in flight F-14 models ever including the Hoser gun kill and Snorts knife edge pass. He mad an amazing VF-102 refuelling display that could help you.

[JohnS]

This will be awesome. Have a look for a user named Rhinolover. He doesnt seem to post anymore but he built some of the best in flight F-14 models ever including the Hoser gun kill and Snorts knife edge pass. He mad an amazing VF-102 refuelling display that could help you.

Here are the links to Rhinolover's terrific builds;

In Flight Models

Hoser's No Kill Like a Gun Kill

I couldn't find Rhinolover's completed Snort's knife edge pass on Arc, but here's link to the completed build on Zone-Five;

F-14A Famous "Snort" Fly-by..."The Shot"

Enjoy!

Edited December 23, 2015 by JohnS

[31Tiger]

Cool subject, some more inspiration:

http://reddogmodels.blogspot.be/2014/06/rafale-nounou-148.html

[A-10 LOADER]

WOW, very ambitious build on your part falcon20driver. I'll be watching this one closely, should be cool when it's finished.

Steve

[falcon20driver]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I'm more excited about this project than anything I've built in a long time. Those builds you guys linked just excite me even more. The actual build start is going to be slow because I've got 9 people at my house for the holidays (my sanity is being tested). I really look forward to digging in to the build during the new year.

[falcon20driver]

Not too much to report at this time, but there is a little progress. I spent most of my time trial fitting parts and doing some planning. I glued the boarding steps on in the closed position, and they seemed to fit and blend in pretty well. Then I joined the wing halves together and cleaned up the seems. They went together well without any issues. I also put together the wing tip pods and dry fit those.

Then I started working on the engine inlets to remove the ejector marks.

I'm going to need to research some other builds to find the best way to build the engines.

Then I did a quick dry fit of the canopy. I had read that sometimes it doesn't fit too well, but it looks like I received a good one.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to start getting the front office built up.

[redgriffins38]

Looking good!! You might try using these for the S-3's intakes.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/281892959213

I have used them and the look really good.

I will enjoy watching your build!

Justin

[falcon20driver]

Sold!

[eraucubsfan]

Hey falcon-

Be careful on those rhino intakes, the ones I got were undersized. I sent a message to the guy on eBay, but never heard back. Just ended up writing them off.

BTW is that your VISTA in the background?

[falcon20driver]

Thanks, I'll think twice about using those intakes. Yes, its the VISTA. I was supposed to wait to start it on January 1st, but I'm so darn busy lately I figured I better get to work on it while I can. Just starting to apply the white paint.

[falcon20driver]

I decided to work on the fuselage instead of the cockpit today. I'm happy with the amount of progress I made. First I joined the two fuselage halves, then started to close up doors. The first door to close was the forward sensor door. It fit minus the grand canyon opening:

I'll probably use some sheet styrene to fill that up. Then I turned my attention to the main gear doors. They fit relatively well as long as I took my time with them.

A little more sanding and some minor filling with CA and they'll look great.

Then it was time to work on the "bomb bay?" doors. These did not fit as well, and there is still some work required to clean them up.

And, obviously, I drilled the mounting hole for the acrylic rod. I'm quite happy with the progress so far and this kit in general. It is a big canvas to work on my painting and finishing but it really is a relatively simple kit.

Hopefully I can work some more on the engines tomorrow and continue cleaning seams and minor gaps.

[BJ Blazkowicz]

Oh man, you're moving fast (and with that nice VISTA in the same time). I would like to try something like this some day...KC-135 refueling B1-B would be nice (in 1/48 scale, obviously) :)

[falcon20driver]

Thanks BJ, small update thanks to work again. I saw someone else cut their engines up in order to deal with the seams and allow for easier intake painting. So, I copied it it and it seems to work well. I'm still fighting the seams a bit but initial results are promising.

Thanks to jester292 I was also able to begin getting the flight crew attended too. I need to re-position the left seater's arm a bit and do some clean up work, however I'm quite happy with their "movements". Not to mention the stained glass will hide a lot of issues.

And some more dry fitting of the fuel tank/buddy pod and engines to keep the mojo going.

That is it for a few weeks thanks to work. Hopefully the AMK F-14 comes out soon so I can grab that for the project too.

[Darren Roberts]

NOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A-10 LOADER]

The Viking is taking shape, looking good so far.

Steve

[Joel_W]

Falcon20driver,

Just saw your new build thread. I miss a few days around here, and your off and running on a build. I really like the concept of your inflight refueling vignette. The base already looks quite good. I really like how your handling the engine issues. Cutting them up looks to make it that much easier to deal with.

Joel

[Collin]

Excellent subject. Actually you could have left the FLIR turret down. We used it often to watch the folks in our basket getting gas. Nice job closing up the wheel wheels and other openings. I am doing that more often on my builds now and some doors aren't meant to be closed without a lot of patch up work.

Funny little story, back in 1996 on my first fleet hop in VS-21, daylight mission off the boat (CV-62 USS INDEPENDENCE)to get me used to flying around the "boat"...EA-6B want's some practice plugs. My pilot and I say sure...meet us overhead at 6K. Prowler shows up (VAQ-136), I reach over and extend the basket and hose....next thing I hear is the Prowler pilot saying the basket just fell off the hose. The entire basket just up and fell away in the slipstream leaving just the black hose flopping in the wind. Welcome to Naval Aviation nugget!!.

Cheers

Collin

Edited January 4, 2016 by Collin

[falcon20driver]

Thanks for the compliments guys. It's funny that the doors that were meant to be closeable were the most ill fitting ones. Collin, thanks for sharing your story, I always enjoy hearing from the guys who flew the aircraft. I've also decided to pursue more wheels up/flying builds. It adds a fun new dimension and puts the aircraft where they belong, in the air. Hopefully when I'm back home I can get the cockpit painted and finish up the seam work.

[Thadeus]

Oh that's awesome! Great idea! Models look best when done in flight :) But they also take up the most space that way. Can't wait for more :)

[falcon20driver]

Back home with a little time in the man cave. I haven't spent much time on the Viking because I received my Christmas raffle prize from Pete. If he's kind enough to give away such an awesome kit and ship it that far, I'm sure as heck gonna build it!

I did get some work done on the Viking too. Engines are back together, but there is some clean up needed on the exterior. The crew is painted and installed. I didn't spend a ton of time on the crew because they're relatively hidden, and the Tomcat crew isn't so I'll focus on them when the time comes. I also glued the wings and horizontal stabs on too. Now I'm cleaning seams and rescribing as needed. It's slow and steady but no need to rush, I don't even have a Tomcat kit right now to go with the S-3. Nice and slow... Anywho, here it is now:

I do think I'll have to switch to a bigger display base. Thanks for visiting!

[Joel_W]

F20d,

Boy does the Viking look great on the base at the angle you took that picture. Can't see why you would need a larger base.

Joel

[falcon20driver]

Thanks Joel. I'm thinking the F-14 is going to be chewing up the Vikings rear end due to thd base's length. I won't really know till the Tomcat gets purchased and mocked up.

[A-10 LOADER]

The Viking does look good on the rod at that angle. I think the base needs to be bigger as well, I think the Tomcat will be a little too close ?? You could use your VF-32 jet to give you a better idea.

Steve