RKic Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 My first entry will be the Monogram F-5F. This kit means a lot to me. It was the first real model I had. My uncle helped me build it, and painted it for me. This was around 1986, and I was about 8 years old. I'm somewhat hesitant to begin this build, as the nostalgia if it has set a very high bar. But I'll do my best. I have a small update set to build a more accurate USN aggressor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Nice choice and a nice kit ! I built that around the same time you did...86-88 timeframe. Loved it. I'll be following along. Good luck! Regards. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lost_Erik Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 (edited) That boxing is the last kit my brother built as a youth. It builds up well. Looking forward to your build. Edited July 18, 2018 by Lost_Erik Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Nice kit. I built this one in the early 90s, maybe 1991? I can not recall for sure. It was the same box, and I remember buying the kit at K-Mart. It was one of the first kits I used the Paasche VL I got for my birthday to do freehand camo. I remember having decals fly off when applying dullcote. I had to use diluted white glue to re-apply the decals. I think the decals did not stick well because I applied them to flat paint with the texture of sandpaper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Good stuff, I "think" I have two of these but they are missing so many parts hopefully combined I can get one built. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 19, 2018 Author Share Posted July 19, 2018 And we're off! The minute I started this model, I was overcome with nostalgia. I started the build with the drop tanks, and as I was clamping on the clips I remembered how my uncle showed me how to use rubber bands to hold parts together for drying. I think back then we used a tube of testors glue. I do miss that smell. I also began filling the notches for the pylons. Something we probably didn't do back in 1986. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 I base coated the cockpit. I got to figure out what color all of the details are. Right here is why I love Monogram kits. This detail was incredible back when these kits were released. Even today it is nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Great start! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Nice build, I love the way Monogram details the cockpit, makes it easy for me to pick out details with toothpicks, sewing needles and 00000 brushes. Are you doing it as a Navy Top Gun aggressor? BTW I still use Testors orange tube glue, never got the hang of liquid stuff.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 4 hours ago, john53 said: Are you doing it as a Navy Top Gun aggressor? BTW You bet! I will try to use the decals that are in the box. We'll see how that goes. Tonight I base coated the side panels black, and painted the cloth portions of the seats. Tomorrow the details get painted. Some photos tomorrow evening. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 The cockpit out of the box. This doesn't really stack up to the most modern cockpit detail, but in 1985, this was the cat's pajamas. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john53 Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 Nice work on the pit. Why do people have to compare it to today's resin and PE stuff? I think it's just as good and half the stuff today isn't even seen when the cockpits closed! You're doing a beautiful job, it's a Rembrant not a Warhol.---John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 NOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 14 hours ago, RKic said: The cockpit out of the box. This doesn't really stack up to the most modern cockpit detail, but in 1985, this was the cat's pajamas. That's considered "Museum Quality" in my display case! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 Thanks, guys. I appreciate the kind words. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 A bit of other stuff going on this week, but I was able to get back to the GB this evening. Here is my mostly fictional take on the instrument panels. And the cockpit installed. The fit of the lower and upper fuselage halves will be interesting, I think.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted July 29, 2018 Author Share Posted July 29, 2018 I'm going to turn the nostalgia up to 11 now. This was the first model part I ever glued! I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my uncle, and while he was painting something, I sneakily snapped this piece off the frame and glued it in. 32 years later, I'm doing it again. This time I used nippers to get it off the sprue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Looking good. Nice work on the instrument panels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
airmechaja Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 Nice job. You're making it look like a modern high tech kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 I definitely need pointers on how to do instrument panels. Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bashace Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Very nice, I like the fact they included Safety Belts on the seats, a big improvement over the F-5E boxing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted August 14, 2018 Author Share Posted August 14, 2018 Can somebody point me to a reference that shows panels on the sides of the fuselage for these birds? I've finally finished getting rid of the steps between the two halves, and now its time to add some surface details. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
picknpluck Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Where did you find the Cutting Edge nose/LEX set? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tobiK Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 For your panel lines, just take the AFV Club kit as a master! 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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