Trojan Thunder Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 As I plod along with the KC-135 builds I find myself starting yet another kit. I did not take too many pictures at the start as it was one of those fill in builds while waiting for other stuff to dry. Managed to fill all the pylon mounts with little fuss, need to rescribe some lost detail from sanding. I have started quite a few of these P-3 kits and have figured out some of the gotchas. One is the sonobuoy panel that always falls in after gluing, so I added strips in the fuselage to stop this happening Got the wing fitted this morning. Some ways to go. I am thinking about making my own decals for this one since the kits ones of an older scheme. I rather like the current scheme. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 (edited) Nice work! You got the "bill board" faired in nicely. If you want to build it as a VX-30 bird, you can get a usable "Bloodhounds" tail logo from Superscale sheet 48-982. I sure wish Hasegawa would retool this kit or even re-pop a fresh one. Filling in the weapon pylon slots is a real hassle if building a version other than a standard ASW P-3. Edited September 7, 2015 by 82Whitey51 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) Thanks Andrew! And thanks for the heads up on the VX30 decals, just ordered some. That make is a whole lot easier I agree with a retool P-3 kit. I have about 10 in the stash for various projects and I don't look forward to the quirks of the Hasegawa kit. The raised detail is a pain to keep in tact too. A little more progress... I find most nose gear struts are prone to damage loosing the gear axle. So I had to fix this one. I have yet the trim the new sections up here. Gear installed and nose cone fitted, I had to put about triple the recommended nose weight. There is a slab of lead flashing under the cockpit and another in the weapons bay area. This was not enough and I had to fill the nose cone as well. and a shot with another stable mate that has been on the shelf of doom for some time. Edited September 8, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Great project Ray. I have the decals for the Road Runner and the Coyote P-3. Just need the time to build it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Great project Ray. I have the decals for the Road Runner and the Coyote P-3. Just need the time to build it. Thanks, the second P-3 will be an RP-3D with Project Magnet markings (Road Runner). I saw this aircraft here in the late 80s (showing my age) when I was in the RAAF. It flew in with a dead engine and spent a week at our base while another engine was flown from the US in a USN C-130. Unfortunately the paint is not the best on that build so I am not sure I will use the decals on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lenny Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Very nice to see an Orion build. I've got a couple in my stash. Great motivation. Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Very nice, Ray. I've never seen one of these Orions, let alone known about them. Nice work on the 'gotcha' bits. I've figured out a few on the many Hasegawa Sabres that I've built. What's the 'billboard' for? Is it full of jamming equipment or other such electronic hardware? Look forward to the finished product. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 Thanks Mike, These aircraft were modified as range tracking aircraft designed to track missile testing. As far as I know one remains in the VX-30 fleet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Thanks Mike, These aircraft were modified as range tracking aircraft designed to track missile testing. As far as I know one remains in the VX-30 fleet. The orange and white one looks really cool. A buddy of mine just flew aircraft 341 out to the boneyard a couple weeks ago...:( 340 is the last of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Ray, it's nice you saw this aircraft in person. Sorry to read that the colors didn't turn out well on the Coyote bird. Well, good luck to ya Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 (edited) Ray, it's nice you saw this aircraft in person. Sorry to read that the colors didn't turn out well on the Coyote bird. Well, good luck to ya Well I was not happy with the VX-8 bird so it has been stripped as best I can. Still in 2 minds about trying to save it. I have another P-3 in the stash I can use for it. I want to do a ice job on it. No progress on the NP-3 as I have been distracted by another build. I need to scratch up a few antennas for it and plane to fit them before painting starts. Just need to do some research as to the size and shape of the extra antennas. Hopefully I can use some of the kit included antennas and re-position them. Which I have started to do Edited September 16, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 (edited) More antennas and some masking. Main gear doors to go and then time to paint. Edited October 7, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 Could not resist to putt he props and wheels (not glued yet) on to see how it would look. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 She's going to look good once you put some paint on Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 Painting started, though I suspect I have used the wrong shade of grey Colour should be FS16440 which is Humbrol 129, I think I picked up Hu128 and used it. Respray may be in order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 Turns out I used the right colour Now it is time for some masking to paint the wheel wells and antenna. Pretty much got the decals sorted. Wheels and props need paint finished off on them as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Started decalling and the kit decals caused no end of grief. They were cracking up on me, but not all. Fortunately I have 2 of the these kits and could get replacements from the other kit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Decalling finished.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rich in name only Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 NEver noticed how the lines of the fin/rudder match the P2V before. The regular dorsal fin makes it look completely different. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 NiiiCe! Man, that looks great...motivating me to get on one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 Thanks Andrew, The 1/48 F/-18 VX-30 tails marking worked well with a little cutting. Thanks for the tip on those Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Now if only there were Bloodhounds markings in 1/48 for a DC-130 I would be set... Nice work buddy, love the markings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Well done, Ray. Nice save on the cracking / splitting decals. What a PITA! Did you seal the spares with Future or Micro Clear Liquid Decal Film or the like before using them? Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 Now if only there were Bloodhounds markings in 1/48 for a DC-130 I would be set... Nice work buddy, love the markings Thanks :D Well done, Ray. Nice save on the cracking / splitting decals. What a PITA! Did you seal the spares with Future or Micro Clear Liquid Decal Film or the like before using them? Mike Mike, the spare sheet was newer and not subject to the cracking, I should have started with it and save a lot of frustration. Slowly finishing this one up, I have done some touch up painting and unmasked and fitted the remaining clear parts. All I have to go is the HF antennas, props, wheels and figure out how to add the '340' to the top of the tail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted November 12, 2015 Author Share Posted November 12, 2015 I am calling this done. there is one small issue to fix. That is the number at the top of the fin. I need to print something up for that and will do it in the near future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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