Starfighter

So I'm not allowed to open a kit (and several others from the same manufacturer), look at all parts in detail and have an opinion about the part quality? Is that what you are saying? If that's the case, you may want to think again.

I've had the kit in hands - I don't have to own it to have an idea about the quality. So people who like their stuff are allowed to have an opinion and others don't? That's not how it works, buddy... and if you don't like discussions or opinions different from yours a forum might not be the right place for you? Funny how you seem to know what my judgement is based upon - obviously without properly reading my post. I'm sticking to it. Jetmads fills important gaps and the Viggen in particular is a winner. I personally don't care how many kits are produced. However, I maintain that all the Jetmads parts that I have had in my hands and those that I have seen in pictures do not meet (my) quality requirements for kits in this price range and only a little extra effort would actually be necessary on the part of the manufacturer to significantly improve the quality.

Lol. INtereesting statement from someone who obviously doesn't know me at all. I have no interest whatsoever in a Viggen and the Neptune is irrelevant for me because it's only 1/48. I have seen the Viggen kit in the flesh and a good friend of mine is building one - he is literally redesigning half the kit because the kit quality is so mediocre. You may also want to have a look at the X-3 in progress here in the forums. The problem of the cast parts is not the casting itself but the fact they obviously did not carefully prepare the masters. If that's "world class" for you, you have very low standards. But if you're happy with the quality you get for that amount of money, that's great for you and Jetmads!

Let's hope they improve their horrendous quality... their 3D printed pars look like they were printed ten years ago and the cast parts are not up to today's quality standards either.

Spectacular!

Recessed rivets again... ffs. I'm with Thierry, I guess ICM is our only chance for a proper large scale UH-1 (and S-70 family)...

Fantastic work and a truly excellent model, Derek!

Great progress! Are you aware Furball is going to bring out the Devil Dog Scooters decal sheet in 1/32nd scale? Sadly, the sheet is not *that* accurate. I'll buy one nonetheless...

Stunning - I cannot wait to see her in the flesh in three weeks time!

They sadly don't and all of the sets were incomplete - some important stencils were always missing. It's nonetheless a shame they don't make them anymore as they were super useful.

She's an absolute, stunner, mate!

Absolutely superb, Peter!

Mind blowing!

Excuisite! Each update is an absolute pleasure to read. Please keep them coming!

To make things easier, I have decided to open a few more hatches. With a few more details added, it looks like this: The other side is still in progress. As there is no bulkhead between the bays, I had to add a rudimentary FLIR turret. The avionics boxes have yet to be detailed. In parallel, I have been working on the landing gear and the bays.

Brilliant work, Derek!

I have two own kids, so you may have to look for other means of payment!

Surface detail... and more of it. Plus: Lumps'n'bumps. The raised rivets on the rudder are pretty characteristic and took a lot of time to add. The rivet pattern is different on different airframes as it seems rudders have either been repaired or strengthened from the inside. The tail antenna fairing got its characteristic surrounding reinforcement strip, another reinforcement was added to the tail cone. Note the avionics exhaust below the tail antenna fairing. More lumps and bumps on the underside. I have also added the recesses into which the antennas will be fitted.

This is RIDICULOUSLY good.

Cool subject! The printing quality of your kit seems to be acceptable - I have seen close up photos on Facebook and I can only descibe the printing quality of that one as shockingly bad.

Virtually no sanding at all is needed - only in areas where my 3D modelling is not perfect. The Mighty 8K is a very good printer, and it has become even better with the 12K upgrade.

Cheers Gentlemen! Hercules, I will probably print a master and have it cast in clear resin this time. Polishing a clear printed canopy takes a very, very big aount of time and I am not really willing to do this more than once again. The master has to be perfect, of course. I am continuously working on the CAD files. Adding all the small details takes a lot of time, but my aim is to make my parts as detailed as possible because I don't want to do too much by hand once the parts have been printed. Cockpit. That's just the basic structure; I won't go crazy on the rear one as almost nothing will remain visible. I have found a very nicely detailed TF34 on one of the online 3D marketplaces - I think it was CGTrader. I was able to integrate it into my design and the result looks quite spectacular. And a look at the model as it looks at the moment. The area I'm working on at the moment - the main landing gear. The wheels are the ones I have designed for my scratchbuilt Viking back in the day. Stay tuned for more!

I love it, that's some great progress! Regarding slicing software - I use Lychee to create supports, export it as STL and slice with Chitu and I am pretty happy with the results. I have missed the info - or at least I can't find it - but which printer do you use?

Absolutely superb to say the least!

Cheers mate! As you know, your 48th scale Shadow is a big inspiration for mine! Hey mate, not this time. My groove lines are much finer now and I have revised a few shapes. I have more references now than back in the day. Thank you, Rainer! Printed parts? Here you go! The Mighty 8K produces superb surfaces. I have upgraded it to 12K in the meantime and it's even more betterer now. Stay tuned - there's more to come...