Marcel111

Here are some pics, after washing and weathering. I have noticed that the black paint on the real deal is pretty non-uniform and can tend towards a brownish-black. I added some brown to black to create a custom mix and applied it in a non-uniform way. The Two Bobs decals are very nice, kudos to those guys for delivering so many great subjects over the years. One thing to watch out for on this sheet is that the very light gray markings are printed white. Very quick and easy solution is to overspray them with some very much thinned down black (not gray, else the area around the decals will appear lighter which may even look like a silvering issue). In the above pic the area around the gun seems a little too faded... I took those pics in pretty intense light, the effect is a little exaggerated in the pics. Nonetheless, I wonder if I should reduce that effect a little. Thx for looking, Marcel

Wow, this is just sooo good! Marcel

Beautiful detailling on the cockpit, looks absolutely convincing! Marcel

So good, even down to the posture of the figures, perfect! Cheers, Marcel

Great start on this monster of a kit! Marcel

Beautiful work, just wow!

Wow, incredible progress on this build! Phew, you're going to attack the fundamental shape of the airframe, you're a far braver man than I am! Marcel

Tony, would love to have those if nobody has beaten me to them, just sent you a PM...

Have a look at the back (exhaust) compared the real deal, the real thing is solid around the exhaust whereas the CE missile has a sort of recess around the exhaust.

Absolutely love that scheme!

IMO this is a huge product gap. A pet modelling peeve of mine is missiles with thick wings and while the Tamiya (and others') offerings are nice, you'll inevitibly end up with missiles that look like models and not the real thing even when viewed from a distance. It's of course possible to sand the wings down but I for one am not able to recreate the typical and very visible Aim-120 wing profile (diamond in c/s). The Flightpath etched wings are entirely flat in profile and hence look wrong imo. Cutting Edge used to make sets with very nice wings (they required some modification at the back), but these are about impossible to get a hold of nowadays. I used to buy them whenever I saw them on Ebay so I have a few left but they never come up on Ebay anymore. I really wish Zacto would come up with some, it's a bit strange having a beautiful Zacto Aim-9X hanging next to a thick winged and coarse-looking Aim-120. Strange that we get all manner of esoteric weapons sets from Eduard etc. (e.g. CBU-105, beautiful though that is) but not something as obvious as an Aim-120 set. Cheers, Marcel PS If you are looking to hang dummy Aim-120's on your model, go for the ones in the Tamiya F-15E kit, they have the correct, blunter nose.

Thx!

Thx!

Guys, I am wondering if the two-seaters have also received the splinter camo treatment? Can’t find any pics online. Cheers, Marcel

I have also had mine for about a month now. Am now waiting for my Cold War Studio cockpit. If only somebody could make some photoetch to replace the various kit gun vents. Cheers, Marcel