themongoose Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share Posted January 2, 2021 (edited) I’m making some good progress again. Stalled some over the main rotor. step 15 is set up wrong. The inner rotor parts, D5 & D6, go opposite each other not next to each other like the instructions show. next up are parts D21 &D22. I did not put these on in thus step. I waited till i had the 4 inner rotors on the main mast, so after step 15-2 but before starting 15-3. Those little tomahawks as I’m calling them are a pain. My one buddy couldn’t get them to fit so he made longer ones. I read 2 places where people had similar problems. It’s tough to figure out how they go from pictures we’re given but i got it. when you take them off the sprue they seem to bend at the head. As I straightened mine out they fit really well. Here’s what it looks like Those ugly pin marks are on the wrong side Academy! I made covers from 0.005” sheet as you probably noticed above. Sanding these was going to break them for sure. Finished product now it’s time for the paint booth. Lots going on this weekend for sure now. Here’s the black base beginnings. There’s just 2 or 3 touch ups to do tomorrow once this dries well. Then i can start mottling it and getting onto the final colors. Edited January 2, 2021 by themongoose Change pic LSP_Kevin, Alain Gadbois, Starfighter and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 My new Viper came in yesterday... I broke a window and a new one was the most reliable way to get a clear sprue so i have something perfect for this build. Will have to build another Viper with the cracked screen, OHH DANG I already have a paint scheme picked out. Now for progress on this one Got a stencil for Christmas definitely like these! next up will be the light ghost gray +10% black before the top coat. Landrotten Highlander, USMC Herc, scvrobeson and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 (edited) All 1 color now :-) Check out the graphics i did for this latest model...especially for rick & morty fans, I couldn’t have just plain hellfires Edited January 9, 2021 by themongoose Buster99, johncrow, Sepp and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I'm Missile Rick! Looks good far RadBaron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldguy Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 Did you put weight in the nose? Won’t sit right if you didn’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 3 hours ago, Oldbaldguy said: Did you put weight in the nose? Won’t sit right if you didn’t. What i did was leave the jet exhaust open so i could put in what i need. It leaves a huge opening in the back so you can put in as much weight as needed without worrying about too much or too little. Considering that the 3g recommended wasn’t enough this turned out to be a perk! The exhausts just snap in place basically and there’s a stop in the back to keep them from being pressed in too far. Pretty nice engineering all around on this kit. Oldbaldguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 I'll add a hint of color to this gray build and close with the gray haha I used black lacquer primer over the gray to simulate the texture of the anti-slip surface. scvrobeson, Buster99, Landrotten Highlander and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfighter Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Looking good, but your FS35237 on the top surfaces looks very bright - or did you follow the instructions which incorrectly ask you to paint the top surfaces FS36320? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Starfighter said: Looking good, but your FS35237 on the top surfaces looks very bright - or did you follow the instructions which incorrectly ask you to paint the top surfaces FS36320? I’m actually waiting on the FS35237 to arrive. Managed to find it in MRP in the States. Dang that is a hard color to find in stock in any brand for some reason. So the top is just mottled in the light ghost gray in prep for the color coat. Although I did put too much on the wings before I remembered that they were the darker color lol in the meantime all the ancillary stuff is getting done. It’s really hard to stop in the middle like this on the main color coats but worth it to get the color right as everyone says the decals disappear otherwise. I’m working on the main and tail rotor now. Trying to fix the AIM-9’s and get rid of that valley they ran through the rear fins. Proving to be rather tough, actually it’s kicking my a$$. I think I’m on my 3rd try but who’s counting my current approach is to airbrush mr surfacer 1000 and the wet sand it to try and get rid of the shadow. You guys know how it goes...wasn’t going to touch them but then once i knew about it I just kept seeing it and decided to fill the fins. Ugghhh, maybe not the best so here’s hoping they come out looking good at some point lol Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfighter Posted January 15, 2021 Share Posted January 15, 2021 I suggest Gunze FS35237. The MRP equivalent is a tad too light! themongoose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 Thanks Starfighter. I haven’t been able to find the Gunze locally or for less than $10 shipping unfortunately. I did find some Mission Models Paint tho at the LHS in the right FS color. Tried it out on my test pieces against the light ghost grey and it looks really good compared to the pictures of the Viper I am doing, #41. It also darkened up when I put the clear on it. Gloss cleared today, decals tomorrow! I found the bluish gray at the LHS in Mission Models livery. It sprayed nice straight out of the bottle. Clear coat it tho before you get anywhere near it or it will rub off from your skin oils lol Fanes, LSP_Kevin, Buster99 and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 22, 2021 Author Share Posted January 22, 2021 Big thanks for all the comments, suggestions, and just plane following along guys The weeks been busy and i just got a few minutes tonight to do a little decalling. Thought I’d at least throw a teaser out for what will be this weekends work now. A little microsol and off to bed. I’m doing YP 41 from HMLA 267 off the Boxer. This one’s on the Marine Skid Zulu’s Flying Leathernecks Sheet. I found info on the black aces and skulls. I can’t find anything on the red skeleton on the ripped black flag yet. Does anyone have a link to more info on this insignia? johncrow, Starfighter, Buster99 and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted January 30, 2021 Author Share Posted January 30, 2021 Working on all kinds of little touch ups and ancillary stuff right now. All the weathering is done. My AIM-9’s won’t be in till Tuesday tho so another week before i can truly finish it. Here’s some progress pics. the next time i post up should be with finished pics :-) Starfighter, Buster99, LSP_Kevin and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themongoose Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 (edited) She is all done and looking like she threw down some ordnance! I used the Flying Leathernecks decals, so many to choose from. I decided on the Red Skeleton Jolly Roger of VMM-163. I picked up the Werner Wings decal for all the stencils. And of course you have to use some of the kit decals as well. I will say they go on swell and were thin and easy to apply. I ended up buying Eduard seatbelts to really match everything else done in the cockpit. Since i was spending money on shipping why not get more right, so i picked up DefModels 20mm gun barrels as well :-) And with my jolly roger choice I needed some full motion video which I got from Shapeways. The cockpit additions are all scratch built. My favorite add is the tiny wound cable behind the gunner’s seat. Lot’s to see in this one. All the plastic behind the PE vents was cut away and wiring and components were added. Hard to see with my camera skills tho but I did my best to show something ;-) The 4 sensors(i assume) on the corners are hand painted and filled with testors window maker to try and simulate the glass. The pitot is brass tubing bent and sanded to shape. The seal where the stub wing meets the fuselage was painted and then coated wi5 mask solution so upon final painting it could be uncovered for a little added detail. And lastly some inspiration from a local buddy of mine, goes by Bradley25mm over on the IPMS forum - fine detailing the tail rotor gear assembly with wiring, sensors, and wire clips. His looks awesome and he gave me lots of pointers on this build. Paint was my usual mix with 1 addition this time. Thanks to Starfighter for the recommendation on color choices for the upper bluish gray on these birds. I ended up with Mission Models as they were available locally. Primer is Citadel Chaos Black (satin). Color coats are Mission Model and MCW acrylic lacquer. Cockpit is all done in Vallejo colors. Weathering is all Flory Models washes. And the final flat clear is MCW to close it out. I’ve been looking forward to this model for some time and am excited to show these pics. Once I have the base done she’ll make her way over to the RFI section Edit, can you believe I forgot one of the belly? Edited February 7, 2021 by themongoose Greg W, scvrobeson, johncrow and 26 others 28 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff T Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Outstanding Mongoose! That turned out superb. Cheer's, Jeff. themongoose 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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