A29 Super Tucano US Marines LAS

[Rick K]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:49 PM, Out2gtcha said:

The build and especially the weapons look great! I love the UV gel for things like this, really handy. Well done! 

cheers and thanks!

 

now to start on the canopy mask and canopy plumbing. Then paint. 
 

I’ve been waffling on whether to go with 3 tone grey camo as originally planned or Gunze 305 dark grey FS36118 overall. 
 

more photo etch angst to come. Horray!

[Troy Molitor]

Not much of a jet guy but a turbo prop?  Hell yeah.  This build is looking more and more epic with each update.  Thanks again for sharing this with us.  

[Rick K]

On 11/11/2021 at 6:14 PM, Troy Molitor said:

Not much of a jet guy but a turbo prop?  Hell yeah.  This build is looking more and more epic with each update.  Thanks again for sharing this with us.  

Thanks Troy. 
 

Epic build, perhaps. Epic angst?  You betcha. It’s been fun with plenty of lessons learned. 
 

call it therapeutic. 

[Rick K]

GUNSIGHT BLUES

 

Long ago I test fitted, test fitted and adjusted the IP comb so the photoetch gunsight would fit and not touch the windscreen.  After applying the HUD film the fit was a fail as the windscreen touched the gunsight.  Have no idea what happened.  

 

That said, I had to carefully remove the HUD film and re-work the IP, IP comb and other angst causing adjustments.  Finally got the fit correct. 

 

Mask inside/outside windscreen paint then glue windscreen and hopefully begin painting.

 

Using the Eduard film as a template, I cut the HUD "reflector glass" film to fit the PE.

 

HUD film secured with Future.  The "lens" was created before attaching the HUD film.  A silver decal cut to match the circumfrence on the pe part is positioned.  After cure, acrylic glue was carefully placed over the silver decal and cured with UV light.

 

 

 

Dryfit along with IP and Baker Bang Seat.  Pardon the dust.

 

 

With windscreen dryfit. 

 

 

[LSP_Kevin]

Good to see an update on this on, Rick! Still challenging, I see. But great work so far.

 

Kev

[Out2gtcha]

Coooooooool!  I like the gun site a lot 

[chrish]

That…..is some awesomely amazing work!

[Rick K]

On 12/13/2021 at 4:08 PM, LSP_Kevin said:

Good to see an update on this on, Rick! Still challenging, I see. But great work so far.

 

Kev

Cheers Kev.  This is one of those builds I just cannot put down.  Should have "doomed" it weeks ago.

On 12/13/2021 at 4:10 PM, Out2gtcha said:

Coooooooool!  I like the gun site a lot 

Thanks Brian!  Lots of head scratching moments on the part alone.

On 12/13/2021 at 6:51 PM, chrish said:

That…..is some awesomely amazing work!

Chrish,  thanks for the kudos.

14 hours ago, MARU5137 said:

Hello  Rick...

 

Just catching up from a while ago..

It is looking mighty IMPRESSIVE. 

love the weaponry..

 

   Nice to see your updates.

 

MARU 5137.

Thanks Maru.  Cannot wait to see all the loadout variations.

[Rick K]

Last post before Santa arrives.

 

Took a nice long 3.4 mile walk on Rock Creek trail this morning with our Chocolate Labrador Boba.  Afterwards a little bench time on the A29 with good company.

 

Yup, he’s taking his post walk nap.

 

 

Windscreen masked and glued in place. Almost ready for painting…finally.

 

Merry Christmas and best for a safe and awesome 2022!

 

Cheers - Rick

Edited December 24, 2021 by Rick K

[LSP_Kevin]

Merry Christmas, Rick!

 

Kev

[Uncarina]

Looks good Rick! Your buddy looks content. Happy Holidays,

 

Cheers,  Tom

[Rick K]

Final masking ready to paint.

 

The starboard side has wing walk strips and should be sanded smooth.

 

You can see the starboard wing walk strips have been removed.  A little sanding and scribing.  Very EZ.

 

Wing walk area got a shot of MRP 77 NATO Black after full cure the raised strips are masked with 1.5mm strips.  A coat of Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1500 Black over NATO black.

 

Now ready to start applying overall Gunze 305 Dark Gray FS36118 finish.

 

 

 

 

 

[Rick K]

Before I begin painting the aircraft I want to finish up the prop and prop hub. 

 

Prop Boss got a base of Gunze 69 Off White over Gunze Mr. Primer Surfacer 1200 gray. The white base is to give the bright green some visual punch.  Then I cut spiral tape and secured in place.

 

Gunze 66 Bright Green applied.

 

Why the green prop boss? This A29 will be a VMFA-121 Green Knights livery.

 

After paint dry the spiral tape removed. Some very minor cleaning will be needed.

 

Those double stripe prop tips!   

 

I knew going in this might be difficult.  Decals were out of the question.  Then I had an epiphany.  After an overall Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1500 black I hit the tips with Gunze Mr Surfacer 1200 gray.  This will help the white show up and limit the number of coats.

 

Maketar Utility Mask Series in 1mm strips are a beautiful thing.

 

I cut 3 short strips of 1mm strip tape about 6mm long and carefully removed keeping all three strips intact.  Slide an xacto blade and lift the three strips up at same together.

 

After tape is applied on prop blade you carefully peel back the center strip.  Now you have equal stripe spacing.

 

Masking method applied on the prop blade.  Do one side at a time.  You'll be surprised how easy this is.  Just a little time consuming.  Now apply some Gunze Mr. Surfacer 1500 Black followed by MRP 77 NATO black. Masks removed shows good equal spacing.

 

Laid out all prop blades with prop boss.  I'm happy with results.

 

Prop assembly was figitey at best. I used putty and gently pushed the frontplate into putty.  Then locate attach points for blade and carefully push into putty. 

 

 

Carefully aligning each prop to the backplate into correct position with the prop blades.  A touch of glue (TET) secured each prop blade.

 

 

Prop boss secured.  I like the look and will be a great contrast to the overall Gunze 305 Dark Gray FS36118 finish.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Rick K

[LSP_Kevin]

Nice progress, Rick!

 

Kev

[scvrobeson]

Great job Rick!  Happy to see it finally hitting paint.

 

 

Matt