Next up - Viper

[heywooood]

I still have some work to do on the Hornet - more panel lines and small details as well as some extra credit cosmetic work around the canopy...
But none of that has stopped me from beginning the next project..


Lots of shaping required on this model. I can see a number of new challenges ahead even as I have already addressed one or two.
I was thinking of making the landing gear removable and hinging the gear doors so as to simulate retractable LG but I think that might be too ambitious. I think modeling it in cruise configuration will save me a few tired old brain cells for later on in life when a few is all I will have.
Here is the look we are going for on the F-16

[heywooood]

I have the fuselage almost completely planked. This method is very much like building a model ship..without the nails.
I have come up with a model ship style solution for the display of this model too.
I have built the main gear like a cradle. the plane will rest on the base on its gear which will be attached to the BASE. when the plane is lifted off of its gear and base - it will appear as if in flight.
the gear will remain attached to the base along with the gear doors..those will be attached to the landing gear instead of the plane.
Once the plane is set down on the base it will appear to be modeled as if on the ramp..gear down.
the nose gear will just have the wire go up through the intake and into the model - a very small hole is all I will need to drill through the intake.

[heywooood]

some progress - not much to share really - filling and sanding is not very exciting.
The hunt for decals to fit the 18th Aggressor Sq. is not panning out too well..

[heywooood]

Still a long long way to go, but it is finally taking shape..

[heywooood]

One coat of primer applied..more sanding and filling...
working on the cockpit too.
The seat, panel and pilot - then I can get back to work on the landing gear details.
Still searching for decals - probably have to make some of the markings myself - grrr
No Matter What - this will be an 18th Aggressor as pictured above - or close to that

[heywooood]

First of the camo colors has been applied.
Once this is dry - I usually wait 18-24 hours - then I can mask and then paint the aggressor gray
and then the black. Meantime I can work on the landing gear and doors.
I can also work on the hardpoints, missile rails, and missiles - as well as add some detail to the base. Paint some taxi and parking stripes and maybe make a portable fire suppression tank and dollie.

[heywooood]

I have another idea about the landing gear. I am going to add a centerline hardpoint.
I can cut it apart in three pieces and position it around the landing gear cradle. Then make the centrrline tank removable.
I can design it such that it can be used to trap the main gear against the fusilage - then I can pull the tank - remove the gear and have the model as it would look in cruise config.

[heywooood]

So here it is with the arctic camo applied. I still need to paint the nose / radome. There are one or two areas that will need to be touched up but overall it turned out ok. Once I correct the minor flaws I can sand overall with a 1500 grit to remove any paint buildup along the tape lines
and also feather the color transitions. Then the panel lines and control surface seams - then the final clear coat.
After that I can attach the removable fuel tanks and missiles, maybe give it another coat of clear - then remove the canopy mask.

[heywooood]

Some panel lines in place - canopy mask is removed - lots more to do yet.

[heywooood]

One last pic for a while..

[backyardbalsapilot]

Your paint job looks fantastic. I love the arctic camo. Pity you don't see more planes in it.

[heywooood]

I am also a fan of the arctic scheme...I just wish I had checked on the availability of suitable decals first lol
Thank you for your comment on the paint job, I really appreciate the encouragement.
Its funny how some little things show up in a photo that you can miss otherwise though.
Ah well, whats the fun of having nothing to touch up?..
I still have the aux. fuel tanks and hard points to fabricate and some more panel lines to add and I can add the few decals I have that
are consistent with the Arctic Aggressor paint scheme..

[Coloradoken]

Good job on the cockpit. Did you carve the pilot?

[heywooood]

the pilot figure comes with the kit, the F-4 Phantom has two (pilot and RIO) and is vacuformed in two halves, same as the Guillow kits that include a pilot.
I did however carve the upper console over the control panel as that material and instruction was not part of the kit.

[Coloradoken]

Never had the knack of putting the 2 halves together and being happy with result. Tried carving from basswood with much better success. You did a good job.