Night Owl Models Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 (edited) Good evening, yet another side build I can't seem to focus on one project. I saw this kit while searching HH-60s thought it would be an interesting build. Ahhh smell of pure resin...kit is solid fuselage huge chunk of resin the smaller bits are very fragile. Nice surface detail I did an online search for further detail sets there is nothing to be had. I printed several photo's and noticing some small details missing. One is the rivet pattern on the tail boom is missing all together. I can remedy that with some rival decals I think. I am talking myself into building the rotor restraints and perhaps an aft ship deck with Reedoak figures in a maintenance configuration. Alot to think about and research. I don't want to rebuild the whole heli pad just a portion it's hard to know where to begin and end. Also what ships have the MQ-8 on board. I know they were used extensively in the Gulf for recon. Edited December 17, 2020 by Night Owl Models spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted December 17, 2020 Author Share Posted December 17, 2020 Tonight I cut all the parts from the carrier sprune and sanded everything down then added the PE detail set. The air scoops were a bit of a challenge as they have a slight backing holding them with tweezers and shaving carefully with an Exacto knife took care of the issue. Underside I noticed from my reference material that the rivet pattern was missing from the tail boom using Archer-rivet decals and several layers of Microsol to lay down the edges. This is a tight model I didn't use any putty to fill gaps only a few light applications of primer with a paintbrush around the parts filled any openings. A few hours later and on to painting. I decided to go a bit lighter on the pre-shading opting for a dark grey instead of black so I can keep the top coat thin when I tome it down. The rivet carrier film disappeared and it gives some great detail to the model. I posted to the "help me out" forum and got some great tips on how to make the clear tinted lens for the EO?IR Range finder optics First I drilled out the interior After the holed were drilled I painted them bright silver inside and a black base on the larger dish. A tip led me to using my acrylic resin I just mixed a small amount of both added a bit of dye and poured it carefully into the part. You can see the optic eye through the acrylic ill let it set for 24 hrs to harden then repaint it to clean it up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted December 17, 2020 Author Share Posted December 17, 2020 Shout out! to Jan Sobotka at "Brengun Models" I could not locate the decal sheet so I reached out to Brengun yesterday and Jan had it in the mail within a few hours...now that's customer service. www.brengun.cz Cheers. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted December 24, 2020 Author Share Posted December 24, 2020 Adding FOD covers and rotor tie downs. Covers we're made from vinyl tape painted and blue tac. Photo of FOD covers I thought making a few scratch built accessories would be a good idea. Transport handling bar. Onto the diorama base I decided to do a custom portion of a (LCS-5) Freedom-class littoral combat ship deck help pad. Of course after studying many photos and drawings I came up with a plan. I had most of the materials in my stash so I started with measurements in 1/48th and laying out the tie down grid. Alot of drilling and cutting. The tie down crosses needed to be counter sunk and all super glued into place. Adding more deck details. My plan moving forward is to scratch build the safety nets around the deck and add the ship sides down to the water line. I can't find anything online in 1/48th for deck accessories but that's ok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chukw Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 That looks great- cheers! An interesting subject and a beautiful base in the making. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 WOW, the deck and all the accessories look great. This will look pretty cool when completed. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted December 27, 2020 Author Share Posted December 27, 2020 Ill have to regeress a bit I stubled upon these flight deck safety nets, i was just about to try and make them when I kept searching and searching then the modeling gods smiled upon me and blessed me with Shapeways. Excited to order these the maker Eric from http://www.model.navy/ very accomodating and would pretty much make anything I need. Its good to have a contact in the 3D printing world. Shapeways is a good resource too for those hard to find items. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 Got allot accomplished on the LCS-Ships helo pad scratch build. Found two websites with 3D walk around which was a great resource and of course tons of photos. So I basically cut the hull off at the mid flight deck where most landing operations take place. Pre shaded and painted I used this photo as my painting reference paying particular attention to all the shades and undertones happening. Paints used for the deck Vallejo model air 71.276 USAF light grey 71.050 Light grey 71.121 Light gull grey 71.280 Camouflage grey 70.826 Ger. cam. med brown Tamiya XF-85 rubber black Firs coat and first shading My apologise this is after several other shades...moving onto the defined areas. Almost done just need to mask out the left side for the same treatment then its onto adding the deck white landing markings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Goodness, that's impressive. From the UAV to the deck piece. Amazing work and detail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 WOW, that is really impressive !! That deck will draw more attention that the helo, fantastic work !! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 What a really nice build. Fantastic work on a very unique subject. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 Thanks for the comments😃 Tonite I started on the deck markings it took some planning to get is measured out and the masks cut. I am happy with the results just a few more lines to paint while I await the deck safety nets to arrive. Still need to start the helicopter tie down chains and figures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 To say that's impressive is selling it short. Admiring your work on the MQ-8, and then after a brief absence... bang!😲 Great work, nah... fabulous Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marcopreto Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 (edited) Quote To say that's impressive is selling it short. Admiring your work on the MQ-8, and then after a brief absence... bang!😲 Great work, nah... fabulous I'll subscribe to that! Cheers Edited January 4, 2021 by marcopreto Removed duplicate signature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BaconRaygun Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Super cool man! Damn good job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 6, 2021 Author Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) Tonight I deployed the Firescout on board still deck tiedown chains, figures and safety nets to add. While I wait for parts to arrive I am starting a trial on doing a resin pour to mimic the turning ocean water behind the ship. Of course watching many YouTube videos on how to. The idea is the ship will sit on the resin at the water line. Here are the supplies needed. Resin and hardner Alcohol ink Gloves Stir sticks Measuring cups Heat gun Wax paper Rubbing alcohol Stared with mixing the resin and hardner in equal parts pre heating the products in hot water to remove air bubbles when mixing. Then adding alcohol dye, I decided to pour over plexiglass. Dark blue was poured first then deep green/blue mix over top then I hit it with a heat gun to blend colours. This is the first time I have ever done this what I found is the resin runs everywhere building sides would help. Next was dragging lines of white over top and random drops them pushing the white ink with the heat gun. It gives that churning sea foam effect. Ill let it dry and cure overnight then pour another coat of colour and waves that will give it depth. Ill move onto the finish pour for the diorama after I have worked out all the potential problems. Get it looking something like this. Edited January 6, 2021 by Night Owl Models Post updated picture Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Yet more amazing work! Stop it... no, don't. It's fantastic to see something like this, an idea, come to life! Looking forward to you're next update, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
arnobiz Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 Super impressive effect on the waves, I love it! Looking forward to seeing this completed, thanks for sharing Arnaud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 AWESOME !! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 29, 2021 Author Share Posted January 29, 2021 (edited) Received the deck saftey nets from Shapeways I did a dry fit and looked back at some reference photos. I knew they would need some modification it was just coming up with a plan. I started with the bar that the nets swing from the stowed to deployed position. Then added the mounting brackets made from stock and the cable ties. It took a few days but I am very happy with the 3D printed product. I layed on two coats and they are ready for some weathering ill get too later. I also ordered 1/48 Reedoak Navy deck crew figures that arrived today the detail is the best In I have ever seen. The rubber composit is very different texture. Also have done a few other trials on the ships wake havent quite decided on the size of the diorama base this is the latest resin pour dried and cured. I mak try using AK interactives waves to give it some motion. It needs to be wider and running up off the sides so alot of work to be done. Edited January 29, 2021 by Night Owl Models Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted January 29, 2021 Share Posted January 29, 2021 If your goal was to make our jaws drop then, you've succeeded!!!!! Man, what an amazing build! I fear to ask what your next build will be!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Thanks ill have to admit I had this build in my head for a year and started planning and researching about six months ago. I do have a major idea/ build that will test all my skill and wallet. After this project is done I am going to get started. All I can say now is I have only seen one other modeler attempt this type of build. It will be months of work that ill have to do trials on the final stage because it will iether be a huge success or a colossal failure in a matter of a few hours. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Last night I did a dry run on the placement of the figures. I did a scrounge through my small parts box and actually found a laptop for the crew I thinking I would have to scratch build it. I did have to make the APU cart and add the electrical cables. Ill paint the crew in the same colors for the uniforms. So I have to say feeling a bit intimidated at this point I haven't done much figure painting in the past so the faces and hands at 1/48th aaarrrg. This is my last attempt at 1/35th and figures can iether make or break a diorama maybe I can put their goggles down or something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Night Owl Models Posted January 31, 2021 Author Share Posted January 31, 2021 Reedoak also makes the deck tie down block hooks and chains I want to get these on and the Firescout glued to the deck before the figures are done. As I place the figures and work on their final position I dont want the helicopter moving or the accessories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Once again, another amazing update! Those Reedoak figures are just a fantastic addition and brings life to the deck. Bravo!!! In regards to the future project, consider me intrigued. 🤔 Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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