A-10 LOADER Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) Since my new paint booth is up and running I decided to break out the loadout for my 1/18th scale Harrier ( the pre-built version by Merit, not the kit ). I have everything except for a center line pylon for the Litening pod. Maybe someone who's handy with a 3D printer will make one someday ?? hint, hint. The gun pod / crossover fairing was added back in 2019. The loadout for the Harrier will be, x4 GBU-38's with the DSU-33 fuze. x1 CATM-9. x1 TATCS pod. Litening pod on the center line. The GBU-38's are really impressive and very well done. The TATCS pod was made by Nathan Horchem and, the AIM-9L was cast by a good friend using the Tomcat's AIM-9 as the mold. Steve Edited August 26, 2022 by A-10 LOADER Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Nice to this getting started. I just purchased this very kit over the weekend. So, looking forward to see what you do with it. Good luck!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 Thanks, like I said this version is the pre-built one so, the jets finished just adding some things to her to make her look a little better. I had already added the gun / ammo pods to her. I did have to scratch-build a new "crossover fairing". Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted September 3, 2022 Share Posted September 3, 2022 (edited) Doh, read that and still though of it as a kit. I suppose the model version of this is probably similar in parts and design. Well, it still looks cool!! Edited September 3, 2022 by Youngtiger1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Got some time in the spray booth yesterday and today and was able to get the bombs and the TCTS pod painted. Up next will be the yellow bands for the bomb noses. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Bombs masked and sprayed, coming together, slowly. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 Finished up three of the four bombs for the most part. Attached the forward strakes, painted the GPS antennas on the tail kit assemblies, flat coated everything including the DSU-33 nose sensors and, had to wait to paint the strake straps and some bolt heads on the tail kit assemblies until my hands weren't so shaky. I may paint the bomb lugs, I have to see how they'll mount on the racks first. I used a length of 1/16" aluminum rod for the TCTS pod probe and rounded over the tip. These JDAMS, by Flying Leatherneck Decals, are extremely well done and are like little models all by themselves. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Looking great. These weapons will sure make this jet stand out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 22, 2022 Author Share Posted September 22, 2022 On 9/20/2022 at 5:17 PM, Youngtiger1 said: Looking great. These weapons will sure make this jet stand out. Thanks, at least I know they'll look better than what she came with. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 23, 2022 Author Share Posted September 23, 2022 One JDAM loaded, three more to go. Modifying the pylons by cutting off those pegs and inserting some .040" brass rods inside the bomb lugs, which still need to be painted and, drilling holes in the pylons. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted September 23, 2022 Share Posted September 23, 2022 Awesome big bird! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 25, 2022 Author Share Posted September 25, 2022 On 9/23/2022 at 5:59 PM, BastianD said: Awesome big bird! Thanks. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 25, 2022 Author Share Posted September 25, 2022 I received my replacement GBU-38 tail assembly on Friday along with these little gems. 1/18th scale LAU-7 rails for my AV-8B+, from Flying Leatherneck Decals, thanks very much Dave. This 3D printing stuff is really quite impressive. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 26, 2022 Share Posted September 26, 2022 Cool large scale! Great to see your paint booth is working beautifully. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 26, 2022 Author Share Posted September 26, 2022 3 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Cool large scale! Great to see your paint booth is working beautifully. Thanks crackerjazz, yes the booth works really well. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 Little bench time today and managed to get the LAU-7 rails fitted, big improvement. I'll get these and my replacement GBU-38 tail assembly primed and painted. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 17, 2022 Author Share Posted October 17, 2022 Finished up the GBU-38's and the LAU-7 rails and, got them installed. These items make a big difference in the overall look of the jet compared to what she came with. I still need to do the CATM-9 and I'm waiting on the center line pylon, Litening pod and, ACMI pod to be printed and I can finish this project up finally. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 Up next for the Harrier is the CATM-9, cast by a friend of mine. I got the pins in the missile and fitted it to the LAU-7 rail. Primer and paintwork up next. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 26, 2022 Author Share Posted October 26, 2022 A few weeks ago Artur Pucyk, of Bandit Resin Factory, reached out to me via IM on Facebook when he saw one of my posts about my Harrier progress. We talked about a few items that I'd like to add to her and he said he's been looking at getting into doing 1/18th scale items and today I received this in the mail. Outstanding job my friend, everything looks amazing !! Hopefully I can do these parts justice. They will definitely "upgrade" my Harrier that's for sure. Steve Center line pylon with swaybraces ACMI pod with ballast AN/AAQ-28 LITENING pod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 Cool stuff! : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 18 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Cool stuff! : ) It really is, it's amazing what 3D printing can produce. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 I got the center line pylon and the LITENING pod parts cleaned up and started on some "test fitting". I've searched for years for pics showing the "cross-over" fairing fitted when the gun/ammo pods are installed and still have not found any to this day. I've no idea if my fairing is even close to being correct but, at this point it is what it is. I had to cut a opening in the fairing so the pylon could slide in, again most likely incorrect. Once the pylon was fitted I sat the LITENING pod on it so I could mark where my attachment pins would go. I guess the good thing is once she's flipped over and sitting on her gear, you won't see too much and, what you will see will look correct. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 20, 2022 Author Share Posted December 20, 2022 Still chipping away on this project, while I work on the A-7. Wrapped up the centerline pylon and painted the "eyes" of the targeting pod. I'll add some clear blue over the silver eye, then mask them off and spray the entire pod. These won't be visible when on the ground but, wanted to do them anyway. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 21, 2022 Share Posted December 21, 2022 Looking great, Steve! : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 23 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Looking great, Steve! : ) Thank you crackerjazz. Steve 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.