Joel_W Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 If you weren't looking for decaling issues, you'd never see it. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 Giovanni, Stuning work good sir. You work shows a real passion for the subject matter and is a real treat to see the progress. Keep those wonderful updates coming 📸👍 Cheers, Mr.Happy (In name only) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giovanni Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 Slartifarbast, Joel, Mr Happy, thank you for leaving your post. The main part of decaling is almost complete. I did a lot of modifications to match the picture of the real subject choosing from kit decal sheet, an old microscale sheet (72-304) and modifying when necessary. For example the blue color on fin flag had been aerographed (decal color demarcation didn't fit the kit rudder), the white star comes from kit decals (the edges were sharper), red and white bolts come from Microscale sheet but on right side I had to recontour the demarcation between red and white since the two markings where slightly different on the two sides of the fin. Again Texans logo on fuselage side comes from the Microscale sheet but the map of Texas had been modified using part of the kit decal (it was too short up north). So a lot of job! Now only the smaller stencils are missing and I'm studying were to place them to match the pictures and whether to use them or not because not all of them where present Here some pictures: Bye Giovanni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted September 22, 2018 Share Posted September 22, 2018 Great looking decals! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted September 22, 2018 Share Posted September 22, 2018 It's looking like a Voodoo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 You’ve set the standard for excellence in the 1/72nd category. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 Giovanni, you've a truly gem here! Gianni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted September 23, 2018 Share Posted September 23, 2018 It really is a beauty. I just can't resist the good ol' hi viz scheme. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tripio Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 Hello Gianni, Is the beauty finished now? I am eagerly waiting for some more pictures. Regards,Laz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Voodoo man 101 Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 EPIC. well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Voodoo man 101 Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 EPIC. well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giovanni Posted November 3, 2018 Author Share Posted November 3, 2018 Hi all Gents! Sorry for my total silence! I'd finally recovered from my accident and went back to work so I had very few time for modeling. But I'm back on the bench! So today's update: The decaling work went on with some stencils printed with my laser printer. Many panels were numbered on the real airframe! I'm waiting for some "do not paint" inscriptions in white for the radome to come from UK. After sealing all with gloss transparent I've done a very light wash using oils. I used a medium grey mix and no brown at all not to turn the bluish shade of the ADC into a yellowish one. I used a brown colour mix just for the titanium area. The undersurface needs some extra wash to simulate leakage smoke etc. The missile bay rails also needs some dark colour. Here some pics: The wing area is the part I like more with the 3.000 rivets I added now emphasized: At the end of the weathering I will spry a satin finish and remove all the masks...I can't wait for that moment to come! Bye Giovanni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 Incredible work. I'm stunned at the level of detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 That box of styrene parts is really turning into a great representation of a classic. Impressive attention to detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giovanni Posted November 12, 2018 Author Share Posted November 12, 2018 Thank You AlienFrogModeller and Craig, I'm here tonight with a new update: I've been working at the main wheel legs adding some leverages and pipes: Then I've started detailing the canopy frame interiors: Here an interesting detail which is a canister to stove the removable air scope hood. When not in use by the radar operator it was stowed inside the canister at the right back of the operator headrest as you can see in the last picture. Even if the project is very close to conclusion still many little detail are missing so be patient. It's a metter of time! Bye Giovanni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 Wow, that is real attention to detail. Incredible work Giovanni. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted November 13, 2018 Share Posted November 13, 2018 In a word, beautiful! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 Your linkage on the landing gear was referred by us as the "shrink link". The compressed air in the oleo leg needed to be released so the landing gear would fit into the wheel well. This linkage would ensure the leg was compressed as it was retracted. It is a very complete package of upgrades you've carried out on that kit, and continues to impress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 ^^From the horse's mouth. I, too, continue to be impressed. I look forward to its completion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giovanni Posted December 10, 2018 Author Share Posted December 10, 2018 Hello guys thank You for leaving your kind messages. A mini tiny update: The kit on its legs! Really sorry for slow progression on the job. Much of the initial enthusiasm is lost so It's all more complex now... Giovanni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 I hope you can put it in afterburner and finish up, it really looks good. I'm sure your build has a few of us looking to purchase this kit. Your work is fantastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted December 11, 2018 Share Posted December 11, 2018 I dare say we would be hard pressed to find a 1/48th scale model built with your level of detail and the quality of your finish. Simply beautiful! One thing though, I don't think the real thing had a wooden canopy support Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolay Polyakov Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 She looks superb, Giovanni! 👍 On 12/11/2018 at 9:19 PM, Mstor said: One thing though, I don't think the real thing had a wooden canopy support Looks like a mop 🤔😂 Cheers! 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 The finish line is in sight and it looks beautiful. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Giovanni Posted January 5, 2019 Author Share Posted January 5, 2019 Happy new year friends! Thank you for your nice comments! A little update... Landing gears are finally finished and detailed. I've added the hydraulic actuators of the wheel legs completed with their pipes. They are made from scratch and also the red clamps usually fitted on ground to prevent retraction in case of a loss of hydraulic pressure. Also from scratch are the arms that open and close the wheel doors: The front gear received two brand new landing lights. Here again the fruit of a scratch build. For those interested I thermoformed them with a transparent plastic film using the terminal part of a brush (recontoured and polished) as a master. The interior surface had been left unpainted while the exterior had been painted first with polished aluminum and then with the final colour, in this case dark aluminium. All from AK extreme metal. This way You get a very shiny effect. To conclude the missile rails had been painted black-grey washed with pure black and details highlighted with a smooth white drybrush: I'm sorry that's going on really slowly I know… Bye Giovanni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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