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I've had this kit sitting around since sometime in the 80's and I finally decided to start on it. It was sitting so long due to the kit missing one of the horizontal stabilizer halves. I've decided to try and cast it out of resin. So with that looming in the future, here goes the build. I've chosen the centennial paint scheme from VX-30 as the markings, and have been gathering aftermarket items. Here is what I've got:

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The esci kit, Paragon wingfolds, Goffy gear bays and weapons bay, Eduard cockpit, SAC gear struts, Rhino Models intakes

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VX-30 decals from Fightertown, Two Mikes S-3B conversion and the Squadron canopy

Started with cutting up the wings and installing the Paragon wingfolds

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Had to do a little sanding on the resin to get it to fit, but not too bad. I am currently working on getting the joint between resin and plastic smooth.

While waiting for putty to dry, I also started cutting the fuselage up for the resin bays.

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Next up is finishing the wings and more cutting for the Two Mikes update set. Thanks for looking!

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Glad to see a Hoover in the works. I just got the VX-30 decal sheet the other day and been eyeballing the other option, the gray over white scheme. I still need the TwoMikes set and I will get started. Hope to see some more progress on your build soon. Don M.

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Yea, when I got the sheet, I had to think long and hard about that one also. Kinda stinks there are complete markings for both except for the hound heads on the tail. If there were 2 sets of those you would have enough for 2 models. I should have another update this week.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Cool! Glad to see the VX-30 decals in action. I hear you about the ability to only build 1 jet because of the dog's head. We really wanted a second set but could find a way to get the room on the sheet... sorry.

-brian

I figured it was because there was no room. Probably a good thing because I would have to get another s3 model if there was a second set of heads! The decals really do look fantastic!

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Starting to fall behind on the updates, I'm actually farther ahead and hope to get caught up with these soon. Got the fuselage together and have been working on closing up doors, filling seams, and putting resin pieces on.

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nose gear bay

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Some of the Two Mikes resin

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new tail inlet

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space for apu

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I should have another update soon, have to upload the pictures. Thanks for looking!

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  • 1 month later...

Time for another update. I've been working slowly on this one, having started a few other projects along the way.

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new wing ecm pods from the Two Mikes set

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overall shot of the fuselage, been using white primer, so details are hard to see

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the underside, with a few details added, and the bays painted white

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nose area with re scribed lines, and all the doors and panels put in

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wing fold painted white

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engine with resin intake attached, almost ready for painting

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engine pylon, both engines are at the same stage

I am currently working on the cockpit, so I can get the canopy on and get the fuselage ready for painting. I have also attached plastic strips for the formation lights. I hope to get the cockpit finished in a week or so.

Edited by nybadger
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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

The resin is flowing!

I finally got some old legos to make mold boxes and other items I need and started my foray into resin casting. Definitely been a learning process, and the first attempt didn't work as planned.

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The master part getting ready

I first thought I would try to pressure cast the part...

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out of the lego mold

..and and when I cast the resin part and then removed that, I learned my first lesson, if you are going to pressure cast parts, make sure the master

you are using is solid. The pressure pushed in the hollow stabilizer in the middle making it waaaay out of shape. So next I tried making a two part mold without the pressure.

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this worked much better

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Has a few air spaces and defects, but nothing I can't fix. I made another copy after putting in another air vent in the mold which reduced the bubbles more.

I have also been working on a few other items.

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formation lights on the tail

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cockpit almost ready to try putting on the vac canopy.

Overall the resin wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The most difficult part was getting all the supplies together and getting the master part

ready for casting. Once I get some more measuring cups, I'm gonna see what else I can do!

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Cool work but whats the point of casting the kit parts???

When I got the ESCI kit it was missing one of the halves to the left horizontal stabilizer. I also always wanted to try resin casting and this gave me the excuse!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Small update, put the resin stabilizer on, attached the canopy (a pain) and started painting!

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canopy on and masked

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Resin stabilizer attached

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flat gull grey on the bottom of the wings, I lightened the grey a little with some white

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The first try on the blue. Was actually pretty happy with how it looks, but I decided to lighten it some to get it closer to the pictures. I saw what Brian showed how the blue is supposed look with the paint chip, but I felt that looked too dark compared to the pictures I've seen. I know its probably lighting or somthing, but I think having it a lighter just looks better.

Hav't had a chance with the revised paint, hope to get the wings finished soon. Thanks for looking!

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  • 4 weeks later...

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