Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Hello,

 

I just received the new 1/48 Kinetic MQ-9, actually the original SkunkModelWorks with new decals. I will build it as one of the recently armed Reapers deployed by the French Armée de l'Air in Niger in support of Operation Barkhane. More specifically it will be 709-EH-132

 

premiers-tirs-d-experimentation-drones-a

 

50074253353_9ea1997088_z.jpg

 

Arnaud

Link to post
Share on other sites

While the kit seems to give a great rendition of the (very large!) Reaper, it suffers from three main issues:

  • Poor main landing gear bay, totally open in its rear part so one can see the inner part of the model if left as is
  • No engine intake/exhaust, with the same consequence: the inside remains fully visible if left as is
  • Injection issues (sink marks) - a bit on the fuselage, a lot on the wings

For the landing gear bay, limited documentation is available and it's not so visible after assembly so I simply added plasticard:

 

50075072017_ddf5b32005_z.jpg

 

50074289373_3040c534d7_z.jpg

 

For the inlet/exhaust, the geometry was too complex for my scratch-building skills so it was a perfect occasion to test my new 3D printer :)

 

50074253153_513ac32e34_z.jpg

 

50074252963_71ca852fc6_z.jpg

 

Finally, the sink marks were simply filled and sanded 😉

 

50074252173_32bafc4de1_z.jpg

 

50074827681_d71b91f23c_z.jpg

 

Cheers,

 

Arnaud

 

Edited by arnobiz
Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Rob, soo useful. The kit's bay shape is quite wrong, something I overlooked at first but now I can't say I don't know :rolleyes:

 

As it comes in the box, note the sharp angles, as if the Reaper was a stealth fighter :)

50078571261_a8300f3103_z.jpg

 

After modification, the outline is much smoother

50078571796_26dbaae4bc_z.jpg

 

And I added the inner center beam

50078571531_e0f0f1cb24_z.jpg

 

Next time I'll do this before I join the fuselage, this was a bit annoying at this late stage but well worth the effort, thanks Rob again for the input! :thumbsup:

 

Arnaud

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...