Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Built this in the Spring as part of my Stealth/XST/F-117A collection. In reality was only a shape that Lockheed tested in the early 70s to prove their stealth approach for their XST submission. This of course led to the stunning F-117A. Unicraft 1/72 resin kit; very crude, but the airframe is workable. It was produced with the makings of a cockpit and jet exhaust, which the actual Hopeless Diamond model did NOT have, but let's face it, would be a VERY boring build without those options. The provided landing gear was pretty much unusable, but I wasn't going use it anyway, preferring to display it on a pole as the real thing was on the radar test range. I used smaller sections of F-117A intake screen from Airwaves PE set for these intakes. Used "Have Glass" gray for a stealthy shade of gray. Kudos to ARC member Thomas Bruckelt, whose build of same kit in the gallery prompted me to also add a Skunk Works logo as he did. Kindest thanks to "Dutch" for his generous donation of same to me for my build. Homemade base for display. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 In-progress pics. For this shape, a block sander is an ABSOLUTE necessity. Filled the gear bays, prepared to scratch build exhausts in the style of the Have Blue XST and F-117. Reshaped cockpit tub, then added kit seat from a Fujimi A-7 Corsair (correct time frame). Canopy glass was tinted goldish as on real Stealth planes. 1/2 of an Airwaves F-117 intake screen proved just right for the Diamond's fictional intakes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted August 4 Author Share Posted August 4 Decided to take the bottom of a FineMolds TIE Fighter base and reshape it to complement the Diamond's angles. Maybe I did it the hard way, but I like the result. Once the shape was established, and a bottom installed, it was filled with lead weights and liquid resin. The "pole" was also angular, depicting the subject as well as what it was actually mounted on at the radar range (sort of)(nothing round!). Once the top of the base was cut and installed, and the final bodywork and primer done, a simple spray graphite color was used. Voila. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 Nice, a sharp looking build! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 From what you started with, to completion is night and day. You have patience and drive. Great work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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