Bradley25mm Posted March 4, 2022 Report Share Posted March 4, 2022 Some years ago, I built this exact same kit for my collection. I’m building this one for a good friend who worked on them while he was in the Marines. This kit has a lot of things that I really like about it. The landing gear is well designed, and strong enough to support the weight. Academy has supplied metal inserts to add additional strength to both the rear and front landing gears. This one will be staged on a tarmac, loaded with air to ground ordinance. The canopy will be open. I’m looking forward to trying some of the new things that I’ve learned since the last time I’ve built this kit. Kind of like a do over. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted March 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2022 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Deliduka Posted March 4, 2022 Report Share Posted March 4, 2022 Wow! Magnificent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted March 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 Thanks Mark!. The last 3 pictures were the kit I built about 4 years ago. Found out later that this squadron was not carrier, but land based. Can’t wait to start the new one. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stikpusher Posted March 5, 2022 Report Share Posted March 5, 2022 Oh very nice! I’m looking forward to watching this build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCarr Posted March 7, 2022 Report Share Posted March 7, 2022 Chris, the second photo looks like the real thing and not a photo of a model. Fantastic stuff! 🙂 The white background would have to be a bit different though. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted March 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2022 Thanks Carlos, and Ed. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWS Posted March 27, 2022 Report Share Posted March 27, 2022 Chris, the details on that fa 18 are incredible! i think i can smell the jet fuel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 1, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2022 Made some progress today. Getting things ready for primer and paint. Even after I built The air to ground ordinance, I had a boatload left over. If there’s one thing about academy kits, I give you lots of extras. It still amazes me the Landing gear on this kit. It is highly detailed, and has white metal reinforcements built inside it for additional strength. Chris 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCarr Posted April 7, 2022 Report Share Posted April 7, 2022 That's a lot of parts! 🙂 And, I have a question. What is the material in blue that is holding up the parts (I assume for painting)? Is it like the stuff florists use? Just curious, because just recently I have started using alligator clips with the plastic base sold at Hobby Lobby for spray painting some parts with ease. I would like to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2022 Ed, it is florist foam wrapped with blue painters tape. The tape keeps the dust from the foam contained. chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCarr Posted April 7, 2022 Report Share Posted April 7, 2022 Awesome! Thanks for the info, Chris. I might have to pick up some of that stuff. From where do you purchase it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2022 I purchased mine at Walmart in the arts and crafts section. Hobby Lobby, Michael’s Art Supplies, or Joanne’s would have it as well. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2022 Back at the build table. All the small parts have been removed from the sprues. I’ve built all of the sub assemblies that I could. Personally, I prefer to attach each part to the end of a toothpick, with a very small amount of ca. This helps me when it comes to painting, and adding weathering. When I’m finished, I can easily pop off the parts with an X-Acto knife. This kit is being built straight from the box. The only modifications that I have made are the ankle restraints on the ejection seats , and have added the thermal protective coating to the bombs.I did use Bare metal foil for the landing gear struts. More to come. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2022 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted April 9, 2022 Report Share Posted April 9, 2022 Coming along nicely! Gil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stikpusher Posted April 9, 2022 Report Share Posted April 9, 2022 That oleo looks superb! What did you use for the chromed area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 9, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2022 Thanks guys. Carlos, I used bare metal foil. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stikpusher Posted April 11, 2022 Report Share Posted April 11, 2022 So shiny!!! 😳 Thanks for that Chris. It looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Deliduka Posted April 12, 2022 Report Share Posted April 12, 2022 Magnificent work Chris! I also assemble all the sub assemblies that I can ahead of time. Makes a great time saver when it comes time to put everything together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 Was able to get a couple more things done this week. All the landing gear was painted with Tamiya Gloss White. A wash was then applied with a small brush. After it dried, I removed the excess with mineral spirits on a cotton swab. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted April 15, 2022 Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 Very crisp painting and wash work! Exactly what wash did you use? Did you put a clear coat over the Tamiya paints before adding the wash? Gil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdCarr Posted April 15, 2022 Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 Superb detail on the cockpit and front landing gear! Very nice. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradley25mm Posted April 15, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 Thanks a lot Ed. Very tedious painting. Gil, here’s the exact process I used. Step one, painted everything was Tamiya white, X-2. Just a few drops of Mr. color leveling thinner. Waited one day for everything to dry well. Step two, applied Tamiya panel line accent color black. Waited for this to dry completely. Step three, took a Q-tip, dipped it in a small bowl of mineral spirits, squeezed the excess mineral spirits out of the Q-tip by rolling it between my fingers. Starting to wipe the wash off in the direction that would make sense. In my case, where each door would attach to the aircraft I would start at the top, and wipe down. Continue wiping the wash off until you get the effect that you want. It’s a good idea to have a couple of Q-tips on hand once the one you’re working with is saturated with the wash. In the event that you wash off too much, go back and reapply the wash, let it dry, then wipe off again It’s a good idea to keep a pair of sharp tweezers, to pick off any strands of cotton left behind by the Q-tip . Step four, Seal it with your preferred brand of flat clear. For me, I prefer Testors dull coat. I hope this helps. Chris. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Deliduka Posted April 15, 2022 Report Share Posted April 15, 2022 Wow! Brilliant step-by-step! Amazing results too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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