Red Dog Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) The latest fun project is off the bench. I tried to replicate the last in flight moment of a Golden Dragon landing on the deck of USS Kitty Hawk The kit is Academy 1/32 Hornet with Cutting Edge Cockpit, Aires exhausts, Rhino models seamless intakes and a bit of Eduard PE. the model was painted with Gunze acrylics, weathering was done with salt and a lot of touchups all over. Decals are from the box. First time I tried the salt technique which I learned from a some talented modeller on this very forum: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=189474&hl=academy&st=0 http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=196766&hl=academy&st=0 The model stands on it's single hook which has been replaced by a 2mm steel rod. Although it's bending it can support the model alone. There is a backup transparent support on the belly just in case and since it was a bit windy when I took the pictures outside, I had to install it unless I wanted to let my heart rate accelerate too much :)/>/>/>/> The training load is asymetric. Most stores are from the box except for the superb AIM-9 from Zactomodels and the LGTR and MER (converted to IMER) from the F-18E trumpeter box. The kit's main landing gear have been converted for an inflight pose and painted yellow, which is a tradition in VFA-192. Actually those yellow gear legs were the starting point of the diorama. I wanted to paint them yellow and I wanted them to be seen. The walkways and Carrier deck were painted with Rust oleum texture paint (another trick I learn form the guys above ;)/>/>/> Some more pictures: The WIP is here or on my blog Edited November 10, 2013 by Red Dog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dog Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Some détails: converted IMER and LGTR from trumpeter Aires Exhausts Zacto's splendid (and easy to build) AIM-9 Kit's maverick Kit's amraam on dual launcher Close up of the tails Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 That is absolutely stunning! The paint job is amazing and the details superb. Very well done! Unique dio as well. Jaw dropping stuff! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
volzj Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 You're braver than I am putting one that big in the air. I did it in 1/72 with the rod, but 32nd, wow... Excellent job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkey Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Red Dog, you're one of my favourite modellers. This is just amazing, even better than your Flanker! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fly-n-hi Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Love the idea, great concept. Very well done. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 holy cow! That is incredible! Interesting about the yellow landing gear too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 What a fantastic build! Love the in-flight display. :wub: Top-notch weathering, too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B_Realistic Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 This is one of THE best F-18's I've seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polybebber Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 As I mentioned elsewhere, you built a showstopper - this is simply fantastic. :thumbsup: Lothar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Girolamo LORUSSO Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Really nice, sir ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dog Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Thank you gents Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) At first I couldn't believe that they actually did the yellow gear thing. Then I seen this, My link. Great model by the way, very inspiring. Edited November 11, 2013 by achterkirch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dæn Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Holy smokes, that's some F-18! I really like the setting, you've captured the moment perfectly in your diorama. Daan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Now THAT is cool!!!! Excellent work! Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
warthoglvr Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Very inspirational. Excellent work. Love the yellow legs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paddington Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Amazing model and presentation ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kellerassel Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 That`s a dream! :thumbsup:/>/> :thumbsup:/>/> :thumbsup:/>/> :wave:/> Dieter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B2Blain Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Very realistic. I was thinking about doing the same thing with a 1/48 Growler. This gives me some great ideas. What color did you use for the anti corrosion touch ups? Diluted FS36375? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devilleader501 Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 This is one of THE best F-18's I've seen. :thumbsup:/> +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Fantastic diorama ! Excellent execution on all counts ... Bravo ! -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wardog Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Awesome work and display. You captured the scene perfectly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Wow, this is amazing. The displayed moment is very dramatic and creatively executed. I enjoyed your WIP also. The sidewinder pic is particularly beautiful. It seems you used a steel rod for the hook, would it be possible to bend it in the opposite direction so that with the weight of the aircraft it becomes straighter? This is really a small thing I noticed and does not take away from the overall fantastic build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Dog Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thank you again gents It seems you used a steel rod for the hook, would it be possible to bend it in the opposite direction so that with the weight of the aircraft it becomes straighter? Well the model actually stand on the hook rod alone. the central transparent rod is part of a backup plan i created just in case. it's on the picture because when i took them outside it was a bit windy and the model was oscillating preventing me to take sharp pictures. When i calculated the angle i took the weight of the finished model into consideration and i expected the hook rod to bend quite a bit. i decided to live with it and if i bend it in the other direction, the AOA will be wrong. so i better not to touch it. here's the model shot inside standing on the hook alone: and the two different ventral bags to accomodate the backup support ... or not: When not used, the modern centerline pylon is placed with it's tank. I can easily change the configuration by removing the tank and pylon and removing the ventral plate, getting access to the two screw holes on the belly of the aircraft. I then install another tank mounted on the spare older centerline pylon. That tank has a large hole in it to let the support pass through I then slide the support into the tank and then into rearmost screw hole. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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