4scourge7 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Hi all, as some of you may know, Big Ian just fell flat on His mush during yet another GB. The `Operations GB` ends on Sunday and my Heller Sentry (AWACS) for `Operation Telic` Iraq 2003, was close but no cigar. Anyhow, this gives me a chance to condense the build thread and finish things off. Kit was the old Heller E-3 AWACS in 1/72nd with Flightpath AND Eduard detail sets (you need both), True Details resin bulged wheel set, and the superb new Model Alliance RAF ISTARS decal sheets. Although there are some duplications most of the Eduard and Flightpath PE cover different areas of the aircraft so both will be extensively used. Even with two PE sets there is still plenty scratchbuilt details to be added. More to follow....... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted October 30, 2009 Author Share Posted October 30, 2009 Fuselage is an utter `mare, wing halves, rotodome etc...go together easily. I needed to fit tabs all around the fuselage just to get alignment close. Still in some places the fit was horrendous. A self-inflicted disaster that would see PE, superglue, paint, all stripped back to the bone. Happier days.. And there`s more.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted October 30, 2009 Author Share Posted October 30, 2009 (edited) I made a `jig` with which to press the PE flat at the critical moment so it contacted the entire curveture of the plastic rotodome. I moulded it in resin from a spare rotodome. OOHHHHH...careful! Bagged it...YEEHAA!! PE on and `jig` was invaluable, I can`t believe my bodging paid-off for once! :lol: The nightmarish fuselage that stopped my progress to the GB finishing line. I`m currently on an endless repeat loop of filling, sanding, painting, please when will it END!!! On the upside, I have weathered and am decalling all other areas with Model Alliances` outstanding RAF ISTARS sheets. Superb quality, strong, thin, easy to work with. There are a few foibles in some of the minor decals but nothing that will detract from this excellent set that also gives you decals for ISTARS Nimrod and Sentinel. Flightdeck crew are Hase ground crew and sports fans from the stands of Subutteo. Almost there...almost there... Cheers folks Ian Edited October 30, 2009 by Ian Buick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Whoa ! Very nice work with all the scratching involved ... Keep at it Ian ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Whoa ! :blink: Very nice work with all the scratching involved ... :) Keep at it Ian ... Gregg Cheers Gregg, nice of you to say so. My arm is sore from sanding....and You`d think that after buying THREE detail sets for the one model I wouldn`t need to do any scratchbuilding! :D Anyhow, to break up the tedium of the fuselage problems, the engine pods got finished today, putting a smile back on the faces of The Smurfs. Kit nacelles, Flightpath blades and collars, Model Alliance decals. I`m going to celebrate this little milestone by having a large amount of beer down my local pub. Cheers all, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Those engines look brilliant ! Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpwatson Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Wow! Cool subject. Very nicely done mate. Will be watching this one! David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Been watching, and paying attention to the trouble spots for my build of this bird Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Appreciate the comments guys, thank you There is a mass of decalling going on concurrent to the fuselage fixing. Most are so small that they can`t be picked out in this pic, but some are obvious. It`ll soon just all be about the fuselage.....eeek! Thanks for looking in. Cheers, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Don't see too many AWACS builds. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fanakit Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Detailling, painting, weathering all well done ! Very good work :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thanks guys, the comments help when the build just ain`t playing ball. :) However, today is another good news day with the main u/cart complete... ...and underside of rotodome. Some RAF rotodomes have been looking a bit distressed for some time due to their pretty intensive use, so I discoloured this one to reflect wear and tear. I attempted to recreate the `right-angled` marks that appear on some rotodomes which are presumably where the internal bulkheads are supporting the skin, but this got a little lost after varnishing. However, my dome still has a `lived in` look about it. Note- The Smurfs dance with glee as the rotodome saga finally comes to an end. Cheers all, :) Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 (edited) Oh yes..and topsides varnished also. Looked like the big `walkway` decal (the black rectangle) was going to misbehave but it was eventually convinced to calm down. Note- Smurfs collapse in fits of unbounded joy. Cheers all, Ian Edited November 3, 2009 by Ian Buick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Looking great Ian keep up the good work.. im checking here everyday to see if the smurfs have been working their magic Cheers Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 Looking great Iankeep up the good work.. im checking here everyday to see if the smurfs have been working their magic Cheers Neo HA thanks Neo...yes, they`ve told me to put my feet up whiles they fix my fuselage foul-ups. In the meantime I`ve decalled the starboard side of the fin with 23 Squadron markings, the port side carries 8 Squadrom markings. Some background RAF Sentry info: 8 Sqn http://8squadron.co.uk/ 23 Sqn http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/23squadron.cfm I`m still having problems with MA`s stencil decals. Take for example decal No 38 which is a load of tiny white dots. I used them sparingly and sometimes not at all yet I have used them all and I still have the wings to do, I`m wondering if someone has miscounted the total number of stencils and come up with one overall total when there should be two totals for the two variants of seperate stencils that can be used. Whatever the story, there are not enough of several decals to do the job demanded by the instruction sheet. It`s alright though, The Smurfs will sort it next time I`m in the pub. Cheers, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 In the meantime I`ve decalled the starboard side of the fin with 23 Squadron markings, the port side carries 8 Squadrom markings. is that so you can display it on one side and when you get tire of seeing the 8th you turn it around and voila ! a new plane from the 23rd !! Just pulling your leg Ian Build looks great Cheers Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nev Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 This is some cracking work Ian - I never realised that big ole Sentry was such a pig of a kit. Am now feeling even more inspired to do my "in-service" Nimrod AEW.3 after I picked up lots of goodies at Telford :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Thanks guys, appreciated! Progress has been slow recently, (Smurf`s on vehicle detail, me on lager detail), but the fuselage is almost ready to decal. In the meantime................... BIIGG decals to put on upperwings from Model Alliance but they behaved perfectly, nice one. All that stands between me and gravy is Mr Heller`s House of Crazy Fuselage Stuff. Oh...and putting on the wings. Cheers all, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 WAAHOO, fuselage finally ready for the next stage! The Smurfs were at last ready for a rather large amount of alchohol. Please excuse me whiles I gently rock back and forth in the corner for a while. Cheers, Ian :P Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Congrats Now get to it! wanna see more pics of progress! Cheers! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 Congrats :DNow get to it! wanna see more pics of progress! Cheers! Happy to oblige Aigore :lol: Almost done with the gizillion decals, now I`ve got to put the whole thing together. Cheers, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marlin Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Looks Great Ian :lol: Can't wait to see the rest. :D /Bosse Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 :) Almost there Ian, looking good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted December 8, 2009 Share Posted December 8, 2009 Nice updates and particularly like the dome and the two little figures next to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
4scourge7 Posted December 9, 2009 Author Share Posted December 9, 2009 Looks Great Ian Can't wait to see the rest. /Bosse Almost there Ian, looking good. Nice updates and particularly like the dome and the two little figures next to it. Appreciated guys, home stretch now...(surely). Decals complete, fuselage varnished, cockpit masks off, just access doors to go. Cheers, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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