mlicari Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Here's what I'm starting with: I've built the Fujimi A-4C and OA-4M kits in 1/72 scale and enjoyed them, so I'm looking forward to this one! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Here's the initial work I completed last night and earlier this evening. I plan on building it with the canopy closed so I used the decal option for the instrument panels. I have just one enclosed display cabinet...most of my builds are just on open shelves...so I have to plan for dust!. Probably more weight than I need in there, but I wanted to make sure! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_superbug Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Great start Mike, I 've got a BA one that I have got planned for a RAN A-4G which would go well with this GB. but I will see how I go with the others I have in line first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 (edited) A bit more progress. This portion of the kit (or any Fujimi Skyhawk) builds quickly as until this point the build is straightforward. The hardest parts are getting the nose gear well aligned correctly and getting the engine facing/ducting subassembly to fit into the fuselage. I ended up sanding away material from the outside of the trunking. Had to do this on the 2 other Fujimi Skyhawks I've built too. :cheers:/> Mike Edited September 3, 2016 by mlicari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 Nice work The seat and IP look great Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted September 4, 2016 Share Posted September 4, 2016 Oh good. I thought it was just me that had this problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 Oh good. I thought it was just me that had this problem. :P Yeah, I find the line of Fujimi Skyhawks to be nice, detailed and accurate. But very fiddly and really challenging in places, I think largely because they engineered the kit to be modular in order to do the large range of Skyhawks. The ductwork is one tricky place. Fitting the wing, rear fuselage, and nose all together is another challenging spot, which is where I am tonight. Third one of these kits, and I've struggled tremendously in this phase on each one. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 A lot of progress so far this weekend! Fujimi Skyhawks are designed to make it easy to drop the flaps; the interior portion of the wing half is deeply scribed where you need to cut. Wings go together ok, but leave a seam under the leading edge slats, which will be seen since the slats will be deployed. By this point, there are three subassemblies that now all need to come together. This is very challenging: getting everything aligned without gaps has proven difficult/impossible for me in the past! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 4, 2016 Author Share Posted September 4, 2016 (edited) As I feared, putting everything together resulted in a few gaps. Luckily they're not too big, and frankly gaps are easier to deal with than steps. This part of building a Fujimi Skyhawk is tricky. As you can see, the rear portion of the refueling probe is molded to the rear fuselage, which means connecting the forward fuselage/nose requires you to at least line that up. Not to mention the cannon mounts/fairings, as well as keeping the front square with the rear and wings. :wacko:/> You can see some of the resulting gaps on the underside and port side. :cheers:/> Mike Edited September 4, 2016 by mlicari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 Gaps filled, intakes assembled and attached, and avionics hump fitted. Everything on this stage fit well, which is a treat. I often find that intakes on most jet kits don't fit very well. :cheers:/> Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 You really did a great job on the wing fit. My kit is stalled because Im getting massive steps at the cannon fairings. Not sure where I went wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Good choice of brew as well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 You really did a great job on the wing fit. My kit is stalled because Im getting massive steps at the cannon fairings. Not sure where I went wrong. I ended up sanding a fair amount of material off of the bottom of the rear fuselage (under the area with the engine trunking) so that it would "seat" at the right height. I also had to trim a bit off the portion of the nose assembly, where the parts slide into the "troughs" of the wing assembly. Took a lot of dry fitting and adjusting. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 Good choice of brew as well! Upland brews some nice ones! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 (edited) Another place where the Fujimi kit is more frustrating than it probably needs to be...the huge sprue attachments on the leading edges of the slats. Refueling probe and horizontal stabilizers fitted. Canopy on and masked. Pylons on and center line fuel tank fitted. Ready for paint! :cheers:/>/> Mike Edited September 5, 2016 by mlicari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RaymondNZ Posted September 5, 2016 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Woah! Blink and your almost ready for paint! :lol: What do you plan to hang from your hawk? :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted September 5, 2016 Author Share Posted September 5, 2016 Woah! Blink and your almost ready for paint! :lol:/> What do you plan to hang from your hawk? :-) :D Actually, I'm going to use just the center line drop tank. Pretty rare to find a pic of a low-viz A-4M with anything but fuel tanks. Makes the whole thing easier too! :) Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Ok! When the forum went down, I was just about to paint. I've completely finished it since then, so here is a mix of "in progress" shots and the finished product! Freshly painted: Gear on... Decals and done! I was playing around with lighting in the last couple of pictures... Hope you like it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Here's the run-down of the build: Paint: Model Master Acryl with Aztek airbrush Decals: Kit Build: OOB Weathering: None Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_superbug Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Nice build Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Nice one Well done Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Thanks guys! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Very nice! I love it. What was that you used to mask the canopy? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 The Fujimi Scooters are little gems,nice job mate! Gianni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 Thanks guys! Third Fujimi Skyhawk I've built. Much better than the one Hasegawa one I've done! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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