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GWH F-15 E Converted to F-15 EX


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Fellow Plastic Munchers…..Starting a new project today, converting a GWH F-15 Echo to an F-15 EX!  Purchased BAM Models F-15EX conversion, along with some Quickboost Seats, Phase Hanger seamless gun fairing and their pylon set.

I also purchased the BAM wheel set, it’s not pictured, because it’s on its way from France!

 

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Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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Started to test fit some of the BAM Models parts.  First observations…..parts are excellent quality and they fit very well.

First thing I did was install the new GPS antenna just aft of the air break.

 

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After the GPS was done I installed the JSF and the vertical stab antennas/counter weights?  Not sure what they are, but they fit very well!

One think to be careful of on the BAM Models parts…..they are 3D printed and the resin is very brittle!  But if you take your time and go slowly removing the parts from the printing blocks should be OK!

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Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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On 8/2/2021 at 5:54 PM, ORANGF15Guy said:

After the GPS was done I installed the JSF and the vertical stab antennas/counter weights?  Not sure what they are, but they fit very well!

One think to be careful of on the BAM Models parts…..they are 3D printed and the resin is very brittle!  But if you take your time and go slowly removing the parts from the printing blocks should be OK!

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Started working on the CFT’s.  First thing was to loose the recessed panel lines.  Used MRP liquid putty, absolutely love this stuff for small jobs.

Then added the BAM Models pylons and finished with the stock GWH pylons and other parts!  I’ll add some pictures after I get it primed!

That’s it for now!

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58 minutes ago, ORANGF15Guy said:

Started working on the CFT’s.  First thing was to loose the recessed panel lines.  Used MRP liquid putty, absolutely love this stuff for small jobs.

Then added the BAM Models pylons and finished with the stock GWH pylons and other parts!  I’ll add some pictures after I get it primed!

That’s it for now!

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And here is the first pylon, still have a little sanding to do on the backside of the 3D pylons and then I’ll prime it and start on the other side!318C3ECF-E15C-4CA2-A5AA-5BACC23D4715.thumb.jpeg.5b618801916ee312a6dede6c0b5ccab2.jpeg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Got a little work on the cockpit done.  The pictures that I’ve seen of the real thing show it’s all black……I assume for NVG compatibility, so that’s what I did. 
The BAM IP’s and IP comings are excellent and the fit is really good.  I should have the dry brushing and detailing done on it this week some time and I will post photos as soon as I do!

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Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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On 8/16/2021 at 12:29 PM, Thadeus said:

Nice project. Interesting in both the subject, kit, and the aftermarket.

Thanks,  working on the pit right now and the rear half of the fuselage!  Hope to have some pictures up this week!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Awesome to watch the first WIP of an EX!

 

Thanks for the tip on MRP microfiller, I did not know about it and it looks excellent (I absolutely love their paints). Does the nail varnish remover/cotton bud technique work on it or only sanding?

 

Arnaud

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21 hours ago, arnobiz said:

Awesome to watch the first WIP of an EX!

 

Thanks for the tip on MRP microfiller, I did not know about it and it looks excellent (I absolutely love their paints). Does the nail varnish remover/cotton bud technique work on it or only sanding?

 

Arnaud

Hi Arnaud,

I haven’t tried the nail polish remover trick with the MRP filler, just sanded, but it works really well!  I have been working on the tail booms and almost have them done and primed!  I’ll try to post some pictures of the booms and the pit this weekend!

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On 9/5/2021 at 12:06 AM, arnobiz said:

Brilliant, I look forward to seeing pictures 😋

Some progress made on the EX!  The pit is in and finally close up!  I decided to use a pair of Aries resin seats to replace the kit seats, because the GWH seats are, in my opinion are over sized.  Because the Aries seats don’t have belts, I chose to use 3D printed belts from a Quinta set for the F-15, that way I was able to make sure that the belt placements were not the same front to back.  One other thing I tackled were the rear slime light placement.  On the EX they are different than the E.  I used automotive tape for the frames after measuring the lights that are in the Caracal EX decal set.  EDIT:

made a mistake on the ACES II ejection seats.  I modeled them with the pitots in a fixed position, and after some research, the EX jets use the newer folding pitots, so those have been removed!

 

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Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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The position lights on the leading edge on the wings and on the wing tips are clear, and not the usual red and green on the EX.  So I cut away the plastic and used clear resin plugs to start to form the lights.  After I got them sanded to fit, I’ll do some polishing!

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Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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  • 2 weeks later...

Also have the new tail booms attached.  The inside of the BAM Model booms have raised rivet detail like the real thing, unfortunately some of it was remove during sanding.  So I will be replacing that with some Archer rivet decals

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18 hours ago, Flight Line Media said:

Awesome progress, mate! I look forward to seeing this build completed.

 

17 hours ago, arnobiz said:

Beautiful work, I too look forward to the next steps!

 

Arnaud

Thank you both!  Hope to have some paint on the bird soon!

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