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It's that time of year again!

 

So I was a bit less productive this year, producing a total of 10 models compared to last year's 13.  But I feel the overall quality of my builds has increased, so I am happy about that!

 

So, without further ado, here is my year in review, in order.  I hope you like!

 

#1 - 1/48 Tamiya P-51K Mustang "The Oklahoma Kid"

 

Started 12/23/16 - Completed 1/6/17 (14 days)

 

This is my first propeller plane and first NMF attempt.  My unfamiliarity with prop planes led to some errors, but the NMF finish turned out pretty decent though.  Really liked doing this scheme, thought is was very unique.  Very enjoyable and fast build, great kit!

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Lifelike Decals North American P-51 Mustang Pt.3 

Ultracast P-51Mustang Aeroproducts 4-Blade Propeller & Spinner

 

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#2 - 1/48 Hasegawa F-4G Wild Weasel

 

Started 1/6/17 - Completed 2/1/17 (26 days)

 

The Hasegawa Phantom kit is a very easy, quick build, and really builds into a nice looking model.  I really enjoyed this build, and had no issues at all.

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Speed Hunter Graphics SEAD Specialists F-4G Wild Weasel Phantoms, Part I 

 

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#3 - 1/48 Tamiya F-16C "Blizzard" Aggressor

 

Started 2/3/17 - Completed 2/27/17 (24 days)

 

The Tamiya F-16 is a famously good kit, and I agree.  Very enjoyable build.  Even the Aires cockpit fits pretty well.  The camo masks from Steel Beach were absolutely necessary, if a bit "stiff", but worked just fine.  Very happy with this build.  It took a first place in the "Single Engine Jet" category at the IPMS Cleveland Model Show this year.

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Afterburner Decals F-16C/CG Fighting Falcon "64th Aggressors"

 

Master Model F-16 Pitot tube and AOA probes

Aires F-16C/N Aggressor cockpit set 

Steel Beach F-16 Blizzard Aggressor Vinyl Mask Set 

 

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#4 - 1/48 ICM MiG-25RBT Foxbat-B

 

Started 3/1/17 - Completed 4/3/17 (33 days)

 

This is a HUGE model!  It was a very complicated build, where one misalignment (especially in the bulkheads and intake area) leads to a domino effect of fit issues.  This one was not quite as enjoyable as the previous builds of the year had been.  But I stuck with it, and I will say this builds into a truly impressive model!

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Neomega KM-1M Seat

Cold War Studios MiG-25RBT Nose Correction Set

Master Model MiG-25 Foxbat Pitot Tube 

 

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#5 - 1/48 Hasegawa A-4M Skyahawk

 

Started 4/9/17 - Completed 5/10/17 (31 days)

 

The memory that sticks out from this build was HOW BAD THE AIRES COCKPIT FIT WAS!!!  Like, so bad that I find it hard it was actually made for this model.  I had to cut both the kit and cockpit to pieces to get it to fit, and it took forever.  Other than that, the kit was pretty nice, and I really enjoyed weathering this one.

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Furball Aero Design "Devil Dog Scooters"

Aires A-4M Skyhawk Cockpit Set

 

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#6 - 1/48 Revell Tornado IDS

 

Started 5/12/17 - Completed 6/25/17 (31 days)

 

I have to believe this was the most difficult kit I have built so far (out of a total of 27).  Very complicated, very fiddly, and fit is just OK, mostly.  Nothing fits badly though, and the kit really builds into a great looking model.  I can't say as I really enjoyed building this one, as much as I endured it.  But I do like looking at it sitting on my display shelf.  :-)

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Wingman Models Luftwaffe Tornados, Part 1

Pavla MB Mk. 10A Ejection Seats

Master Model Panavia Tornado Pitot Tubes and AoA Probes

 

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#7 - 1/48 Kitty Hawk Su-22M4 Fitter-K

 

Started 6/26/17 - Completed 7/22/17 (26 days)

 

 

So this one was a build I was really looking forward to.  Love the subject, and the intial reviews out were scathing and shed this kit in a very bad light.  At that point I had not built a Kitty Hawk kit, so I had no previous experience with them.  I wondered to myself, could it really be that bad?  So I dug right into it, and the answer is NO.  I actually thoroughly enjoyed this build, and was ecstatic with the finished product.  So, if you are considering this kit, don't be afraid, it really is actually a pretty good kit, assuming you replace the shock cone and assemble the fuselage pieces as two halves.

 

 

Aftermarket used:

 

ModelMaker Decals Su-22 in Polish Service part I

HAD Models Su-17/22 Mach Cone

Master Model Su-17/22 Fitter Pitot Tubes

 

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#8 - 1/48 Hasegawa F-14A Adversary

 

Started 7/25/17 - Completed 8/25/17 (31 days)

 

This is my second Hasegawa Tomcat, and I applied everything I learned from my first go on this one, and it went together much nicer, so much so that I feel this is no longer a bad fitting kit, just one the requires a very specific order of assembly to get things to fit right.  One regret with this one, the light blue I used is wrong.  There were conflicting ideas on what color to use, and the one I chose was too light.  Oh well.  Live and learn!

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Fightertown Decals "Top Gun, Best of the Best"

Verlinden F-14 Tomcat Cockpit Set

Master Model F-14 Tomcat Alpha and AoA Probes

 

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#9 - 1/48 Great Wall Hobby MiG-29SMT Fulcrum-E

 

Started 8/27/17 - Completed 9/20/17 (24 days)

 

This was really a great kit, just as I had expected based on all of the reviews I had heard.  Things really moved very quickly.  I will say this though, this is the first build that I really feel like I took the weathering too far, so much so that I still consider going back and trying to fix it.  I wanted it dirty,  but I took it too far.  The good news is I learned when to know when I have gone too far, and don't expect to do so again.

 

Aftermarket used:

 

Quickboost MiG-29 Ejection Seat

Master Model MiG-29 Pitot Tubes

 

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#10 - 1/48 Kitty Hawk Su-35S Flanker-E

 

Started 9/25/17 - Completed 10/28/17 (33 days)

 

So after having a good experience with the KH Fitter, when the Su-35 came out I was again excited to build it.  The Flanker is my 2nd favorite aircraft (after the Tomcat), so I was eager to build one in the unusual Eggplant scheme.  I will say, I think this was my most enjoyable build of the year.  Detail is fantastic, and the kit fits very very nicely pretty much everywhere.  The big knock on this one is the thrust vectoring nozzles, they are molded straight as they would be in a powered up situation, not drooped in the powered down position.   But this was remedied with the awesome A.MU.R. Reaver set.  I highly recommend this kit, although I am sure the upcoming GWH Su-35 will be better.

 

Overall, this is my favorite model I have built so far, and I consider it my finest work.

 

Aftermarket used:

 

 

Begemot Decals Sukhoi Su-35S "New Generation of the Flanker"

A.M.U.R. Reaver Su-35S Thrust Vectoring Nozzles

 

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Happy New Year everyone!

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On 12/30/2017 at 11:12 PM, Darren Roberts said:

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

 

Thanks, as always, Darren!

 

On 12/31/2017 at 2:25 AM, Falconxlvi said:

Fantastic work!  Thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks Falcon!

 

On 12/31/2017 at 6:59 AM, caudleryan said:

Ten??? I would love to just finish one a year. And top quality, also! Love the Fitter!

 

Thanks Ryan!

 

Yeah, just ten.  My goal is to average one a month.  But I am not off to a good start this year.  I haven't sat at my work bench since November 8th.  Need to get the mojo back!

 

On 12/31/2017 at 8:41 AM, DanW said:

Very nice line-up! 

 

Thank you Dan!

 

On 1/1/2018 at 12:44 PM, Mstor said:

Amazingly well done, each and every one!

 

Thanks Mstor, I really appreciate the kind words.

 

On 1/1/2018 at 2:24 PM, Bravosierra001 said:

Great looking year ya had there!!!

 

 

Brandon

 

 

Thanks Brandon, I am very happy with what I was able to accomplish this year.

 

On 1/1/2018 at 4:58 PM, a4s4eva said:

Fantastic set of builds there, all are well done. The F-4 WW is my pick. Don't see them in Euro one that often and it looks great in flight.I really like the Tornado as well

 

Thanks Calum!  I really love the WW too.  She sure looks good in Euro I, totally agree...

 

On 1/1/2018 at 6:21 PM, Devo said:

All good looking builds! That Eggplant Flanker is sweet.

 

Thanks Devo!  That one is my overall favorite of the year.

 

On 1/2/2018 at 4:45 AM, Aigore said:

Wow, awesome production!! :D

 

Thanks Janne!  I always appreciate your feedback, means a lot to me.

 

On 1/6/2018 at 5:40 AM, kurnass77 said:

What a awesome production mate,you will be proud of all of your build!!!!

 

 

Gianni

 

Thanks Gianni! I really appreciate such kind words.

 

On 1/6/2018 at 6:25 AM, TBP1538 said:

Wow, that's an impressive quantity of quality models! 

 

Todd

 

Thanks Todd, I really appreciate that.  

 

On 1/12/2018 at 2:13 AM, Builder2000 said:

Amazing collection for the year. Love the description you have done for each one. I think the F-14 second one is the best of the lot.

 

Thanks Builder!  The Tomcat would be much higher up in my favorite's list if I hadn't used the wrong light blue color.  It kinda bugs me, but not enough to redo the paintwork though LOL.

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On 1/13/2018 at 10:03 PM, Matthew83128 said:

Great viper build. That was my favorite aggressor when I was stationed there.

 

Thanks Matthew!  That is really cool that you got to see this aircraft in person.  I too really love this scheme, although I was a bit intimidated when I first started it.  But with the masks it as no issue, just a little tedious.  But I am very happy with how it turned out!

 

19 hours ago, Swashplate said:

These are some really fantastic builds. Your weathering  technique is stunning. I look forward to seeing more of your work. 

 

Thanks man!  Sometimes I tend to overdo weathering a bit, but sometimes it ends up just right.  It's all still a learning process for me.

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On 1/18/2018 at 8:07 AM, Fighting Eighty-Four said:

 

Thanks Matthew!  That is really cool that you got to see this aircraft in person.  I too really love this scheme, although I was a bit intimidated when I first started it.  But with the masks it as no issue, just a little tedious.  But I am very happy with how it turned out!

 

 

I found a pic I took back in the day. Does the canopy have SrA Myles’ name on it? He worked form me, really sharpe guy. 

 

IMG_20121020_075105_zpssmzgzgo1.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 1/19/2018 at 9:19 AM, Tom G said:

Michael,

 

Greatings from Up North.  Impresive builds as always.  You build so fast and they turn out fantastic!  I look forward to your next one!

 

Tom

 

Thanks Tom!  How ya been man?  Will you be coming to the Regional show in April?

 

On 1/19/2018 at 1:19 PM, Thommo said:

Great post.  Love the mustang!

 

Thanks Thommo!  I really liked those markings, and for my first WWII aircraft (and first NMF model) I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

 

On 1/19/2018 at 9:51 PM, Matthew83128 said:

 

I found a pic I took back in the day. Does the canopy have SrA Myles’ name on it? He worked form me, really sharpe guy. 

 

IMG_20121020_075105_zpssmzgzgo1.jpg

 

SrA Myles name is on the decal sheet if I remember correctly, but for the version I chose it called for another name on the canopy, which I forget right now.  Thanks for posting that pic, it is so cool that you were there!!!

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On 2/6/2018 at 5:25 AM, CaptainObvious said:

10????

They are all so nice! Do you even stop to eat or sleep?

 
The Su-22 and the Tomcat are my favourites :thumbsup:

Thanks Cap!  Yes, I do manage to eat AND sleep.  Imagine that!  Actually, I am currently mired in a slump.  I have not touched a model in 2018, last working on my current project in early November.  But I feel the mojo coming back, and will hit the bench this weekend!

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