Craig Baldwin Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 My DXM decals arrived yesterday and look to be an outstanding addition to this kit, a small correction decal was included. The small stencils are included but only enough for one aircraft and are printed by Cartograf. The Finemolds decals will likely be the standard well printed but thick style we have become accustomed to. I am not sure if DXM do reprints so if your heart is set on them don't wait too long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Beary Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 I used DXM decals on a Kai F-4. For the most part they worked very well, but one was way too long and the stripes that went around the belly tank were way too short and not angled correctly. So as a precautionary note, I would print off a paper copy to be sure on some of them. That way you can cut out the paper copy and try that on for fit. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Inquisitor Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 S 1 hour ago, Craig Baldwin said: My DXM decals arrived yesterday and look to be an outstanding addition to this kit, a small correction decal was included. The small stencils are included but only enough for one aircraft and are printed by Cartograf. The Finemolds decals will likely be the standard well printed but thick style we have become accustomed to. I am not sure if DXM do reprints so if your heart is set on them don't wait too long. I recently used their TAC2013 sheet for an 8th sq. F-2A. Mine had a few problems with the sizing of the decals. Probably the original design is for the 1/48 and downscaled for the 1/72 without crosss checking sizing with the real plastic. And in my sheet the stencils are a copy/paste from their previous samurai F-2B sheet. That created a few problems. a few of the stencils only included those for the B version like #20 and 38 strips which are much shorter. Looking at your photo, they fixed that and yours now include the correct longer 20A and 38A stencils. The tiny panel numbers stencils are provided in long strips that are too long and end up offsetting the stencils on each end. My fix was to pull back the decals so each stencil on the strip aligns with their corresponding panel but caused wrinkles on the carrier film, but that was fixed with decal setting solution. The white big cat on the tail is too big and had to be liberal with its placement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 Thank you @Bob Beary and @Inquisitor for those notes. I had only purchased one other DXM decal before but not used them yet. Since these were made for the Hasegawa kit, I expect some hiccups. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 9, 2021 Share Posted December 9, 2021 Inside colour difference of the speed brakes blue vs white. Although one aircraft if an A the other a B. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeneK Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 (edited) On 12/9/2021 at 2:07 PM, Craig Baldwin said: Inside colour difference of the speed brakes blue vs white. Although one aircraft if an A the other a B. Thanks, Craig - great details. Pretty amazing how well the shots are lined up!! I'm anxious to see how well the Hasegawa B model parts will fit on the FineMolds A. In that regard, one can build the excellent Has A model and have the B model top front fuselage part left over ... all for the bargain price of only $13 at Plaza Japan!!! What are the external differences between the A and B models other than the two cockpits? Gene K Edited December 11, 2021 by GeneK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 4 hours ago, GeneK said: Thanks, Craig - great details. Pretty amazing how well the shots are lined up!! What are the external differences between the A and B models other than the two cockpits? From seeing comments on the speed brake inside colour, white was used in initial production and the blue was applied post-production maintenance. I have not researched the differences but inside that Model Art Profile 7 would likely have the answers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 A breakdown of the main parts. @GeneK already has this kit modified to a B but time will tell how a swap of Hasegawa parts will work. Hopefully that long snake of an intake will be easy to hide any seams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) First test sprue shots done. Edited December 17, 2021 by Craig Baldwin image addition Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Fuselage half and intake. February is fast approaching. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 (edited) Although HLJ and HobbySearch now show release is May 2022, nothing is mentioned elsewhere of the change from Feb. Here is the latest mould update. Edited January 19, 2022 by Craig Baldwin correction Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 On 12/11/2021 at 8:21 AM, GeneK said: What are the external differences between the A and B models other than the two cockpits? The B does not have the rear facing RWR antenna bulges on the parabrake housing. I’d have to dig out my references to check for other differences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 On 12/11/2021 at 9:21 AM, GeneK said: What are the external differences between the A and B models other than the two cockpits? 48 minutes ago, habu2 said: The B does not have the rear facing RWR antenna bulges on the parabrake housing. I’d have to dig out my references to check for other differences. For those of you who have invested in the Model Art Profile book, the answer in Japanese is on page 30/31. On the right side of cockpit external skin, an aft facing vent. As well as a couple more sensor differences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeneK Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Thanks Habu and Craig. Disappointing that the release of the F-2 (as well as the brass pitot tube set) is pushed back to May 2022: https://www.finemolds.co.jp/FP/FP48.html#AA53 Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ya-gabor Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 Work is on. Obvious that it will not be in February, but it is good to see the results of work. Here are the airbrake works. First the CAD image of what it will be like Here is one of the anods for electro etching and the steel part of the mold for the airbrakes. All these details will be on this 72nd scale kit!!! Nice! Best regards Gabor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 7 hours ago, ya-gabor said: All these details will be on this 72nd scale kit!!! Nice! They look nice, but hoping they will give a closed speedbrake option as well. The March 2022 issue of J Wings magazine features a four page detailed breakdown of the F-2 landing gear with a mix of actual photos CAD images with what looks like a technical analysis. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Wing mould production. May seems like a long way off, but it seems the progress is steady. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Nose cone from Finemolds Twitter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 What to make of the curved line where the strake meets the wing root, just inboard of the leading edge flap? I don't see that "panel line" in any photos of the real jet or on the Hasegawa kit. Can't tell if it is present on the show display model. Or is it just an artifact of the CAD rendering? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, habu2 said: What to make of the curved line where the strake meets the wing root, just inboard of the leading edge flap? I don't see that "panel line" in any photos of the real jet or on the Hasegawa kit. Can't tell if it is present on the show display model. Or is it just an artifact of the CAD rendering? Good catch habu2. I checked my profile book and nothing shows then but I finally found one photo where you can see that curve caused by the lighting and angle. Most noticeably in this photo on the left wing. As well on the first post of this thread you can just make it out on the release photo of the kit. Edited February 23, 2022 by Craig Baldwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 Back in the day I worked on both F-16 and F-2/FS-X programs and I’m fairly confident there is no curved line/surface at that location on the real jet. Waiting to see pics of actual parts before passing judgment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 8 hours ago, habu2 said: Back in the day I worked on both F-16 and F-2/FS-X programs and I’m fairly confident there is no curved line/surface at that location on the real jet. I went through the profile book again and there are no good photos showing this area but it is plainly visible in the upper photo with the low angle of light hitting on that area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) An edited photo from this Flickr page of a F-2 walkaround. https://www.flickr.com/photos/happy_modeling/albums/72157626431784597/ I've played with the contrast/levels in PSE to enhance the difference, subtle, but it is there. Edited February 23, 2022 by Craig Baldwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Inquisitor Posted February 23, 2022 Share Posted February 23, 2022 (edited) You can see that curve line in this photo too, although the real item ends at the panel line before the leading edge and is a single constant radius, instead of making an S like the FM CAD. Also remember that on CAD depending on visualitation edges and lines are highlighted more prominently than what they would really look. Edited February 23, 2022 by Inquisitor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Baldwin Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) That's a great shot @Inquisitor, thanks for posting. The overwing shots are alittle harder to come by. Edited February 24, 2022 by Craig Baldwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.