Throwing myself on a grenade with the old Airfix F-111. Mine is in the American MPC boxing. Look, it's a pretty cool looking box! :mellow:
(https://i.imgur.com/hFLFv5X.jpg)
That's about where most of the cool factor ceases, however, as the kit plastic is rough. Flash, pin remnants both negative and positive, misalignments, etc.
I am going to try some different colors than I usually mess with and go for some sort of faded red, light grey and tan or shade of white or something. I'll have to bring out the mule and try to get this right before I commit. I have a two color green/tan as a backup. Same stuff they actually used. Either should be pretty neat! :lol:
I like the way the box art shows off the wing sweep :thumbsup:
The one with swept wings certainly looks as though it's going to leave it's un-swept pal a long way behind :angel:
Hey I didn't notice that! How cool... there's a whole little story going on in this... Someone should write it.
I suddenly want to build this more than ever.
The SAAF also had a green/sand camo with a "highwater" gray with gray fin for their F.1AZ and F.1CZ fighters
Or they had that lovely Dark Sea Gray over PRU Blue scheme that they used on their Buccaneers.
...or the very decorative late "Diamondback" low-viz scheme (IIRC, it's mirrored from below!).
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.wp.scn.ru%2Fcamms%2Far%2F58%2Fpics%2F61_8.jpg&hash=5fa8ff3e51879690c7051986b524b76cc7086c38)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allflightmods.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F03%2FFS2004-Dassault-Mirage-F1CZ-203-Le-Spectre-South-African-Air-Force-Textures-only-1.jpg&hash=545e52b704e10a9599b5d479acc0396f880383ae)
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv216%2FJensOle%2FSAAF%2FF1CZ-3.jpg&hash=87e3b1c948e4909f59b7c1421f6ea811ee0443ce)
BTW, that "grey" under the green/sand aircraft is classic PRU Blue.
I've been mainly talking about the trials and tribulations of this in my blog instead of here for some reason but it's mainly been a lot of frustration over ill-fitting bunk kit pieces. I've worked past most of that, now, though, and this is starting to look like something. I have gone from being willing to smash the damn thing to having a good amount of fun this evening. ;D STILL the thing is offering up more problems as I go from bad fitting parts, though....
(https://i.imgur.com/EjmaQkm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QuAul4y.jpg)
It took an act of congress to get the wings to work.
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 02, 2019, 08:23:04 PM
It took an act of congress to get the wings to work.
Ah, but just think of the hours of fun you will have with them ;D Until one of them refuses to work any longer that is ;)
I already can't stop playing with the blasted things. I'm going to lose a fair chunk of productivity to this. ;D ;D
I got caught up in an Aardvark group build over on Scalemates... there must be something going around....
This one is looking good so far, Brad.
Thank you, Greg!!!
Didn't mean to leave you hangin', but I didn't have much to say about this until now. It's been fraught with danger but has really come around and is starting to look like something I'm glad I didn't smash.
(https://i.imgur.com/voOyIqL.jpg)
I'll do a "once over" on it in a couple days after this primer has set-up more and see if I need to do any more PSR work. Honestly, it looks miles better than I was expecting and may not need it, especially if I use dark matte colors on the paint job. Which leads to my next..................... I'm not so sure about my previously stated plans of having a light colored camo paint scheme. I keep thinking that an F-111, in service, should be a rather dark madam. I may wind up resorting to the traditional SA two tone tan/green affair but what I COULD do is switch it up by doing a complete wrap-around instead of having the underside be a light color. We'll see.
How about a wrap round zebra type pattern of olive green, and tan or golden brown?
It would certainly break up the familiar shape of the old girl Brad.
Chris.
Your photograph makes me dream of a much more different F-111: remove the fin, remove the tailplanes and use them as 2 new fins like F-14/F-15/F-18, use the old-fin as tailplane, asymmetric as there is only one, on the starboard side for instance. Crazy? Yes indeed... :unsure: :-\ ;D
Do it! You could even do something weird like move the tailplanes into the swing wing mechanisms and put the long wings on the back. Sky's the limit! ;D
Chris, that sounds pretty decent. I guess today we'll figure it all out.
(https://i.imgur.com/FNCUWQ4.jpg)
Here it is now. I've done more work on it. Painted a bunch of smaller parts and did the interior. Gluing on the canopy today then I'll be painting it.
Another one with a clean work surface/cutting mat - it just looks wrong ;)
You've done well with that old kit :thumbsup:
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 15, 2019, 01:54:32 AM
Do it! You could even do something weird like move the tailplanes into the swing wing mechanisms and put the long wings on the back. Sky's the limit! ;D
Good idea!
Maybe I will build a F-111 someday, but rather 1/144 not 1/72 like you, so big... :-\
(I build a 1/72 Airfix one when I was a kid)
Quote from: Tophe on August 15, 2019, 06:16:15 AM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 15, 2019, 01:54:32 AM
Do it! You could even do something weird like move the tailplanes into the swing wing mechanisms and put the long wings on the back. Sky's the limit! ;D
Good idea!
Maybe I will build a F-111 someday, but rather 1/144 not 1/72 like you, so big... :-\
(I build a 1/72 Airfix one when I was a kid)
Minicraft made a F-111 in 1/144, a while back
Quote from: NARSES2 on August 15, 2019, 06:04:16 AM
Another one with a clean work surface/cutting mat - it just looks wrong ;)
You've done well with that old kit :thumbsup:
Thanks!!
That mat is brand new. ;D Well, the black one is anyway.
And I clean them from time to time.
Everyone else would too if they actually used them for cutting masking tape like I do. Nothing worse than lining out, measuring, and cutting a glorious perfect piece of tape just to peel it off and have a dirt, grime, and paint chunks lift off with it. If you miss a little piece and it's on the edge it could cause one hell of a paint bleed which no one wants. :angry: ;D ;D ;D Also, the markings on the mat are pretty handy until they dissappear under a bunch of grime. Since I actually use these markings, I need to be able to see them so it's back to mat cleaning again. ;D
It's one part wanting to have nice looking mats and an equal part of needing to actually use them for something other than a table cloth that has me keeping them up to snuff. :mellow:
More work done on this after I cram my face full of vittles. I got mad munchies and need the energy boost. After that, though, I will start trying to get the cockpit lined out. I just need to PVA the canopy on then let it dry a bit then come back through with more PVA to wipe through the joins to make them air tight. This will prevent any spray paint or varnish from sneaking inside and making a mess of things. I've had that happen before and it's a huge bummer. Gotta have it sealed up.
The South Afvaark is now looking a little green. I decided to stick with my theme of "lazy as possible" on this build and just do a two tone green. Not that this is a bad thing, I've been wanting to paint something like this for some time now so no biggie! It'll be quicker than the other options I've mulled over. That's the point, anyway. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel or get bogged down too much in the minutiae on this one. One could say that it is rather sloppy. I still think I'll turn out just fine. But, there'll be some less-refined seams and things here and there but overall it'll work out I think. I'll let you be the judge.
So this is it for now. Next stage is to start painting the second color. Now, I said I wanted lazy and easy but I'm not going full slouch. I'm doing a wrap-around this time so I'll need to be careful with my plotting. Also, I need to bear in mind the swing wings. I think I'll position them at the mid point to paint them so that when they're swung either full open or closed they'll be having somewhat matching patterns still.
(https://i.imgur.com/76yARIA.jpg)
Man... that's looking really good now. I really like that shade of green. It doesn't look "as lazy as possible". :thumbsup:
I'm with you on the cutting matt though. I have one reserved for cutting tape only. I've done exactly what you describe - pour your heart and soul into the perfect mask... only to pull up bits of plastic shavings and paint flecks on the sticky side.
Your build inspired me to share my own 'Vark build. As I mentioned before, for some reason there's a bit on an impromptu GB going on at Scalemates.com, so I jumped in as well. It got sidetracked as I finished up my Nausicaa Ohm project, but I'm back in the saddle on this one now.
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=46807.0 - I went with the Trumpeter 1/144 boxing. All the 'Vark kits in 1/144 seem to have issues, so I just went with the easiest one to get. :D
Looks like RAF Lichen Green! With NATO Green upper sides, this could become a late F-111K... :rolleyes:
Thanks, y'all.
Yeah, that color is really neat. I almost wanted to just leave it as it is. Now, most of it is gone. Oddly enough, I have an F-16 build in the back of my mind that would utilize this same paint job and this paint is perfect for it. It'll be a "What if the USAF never split from the ARMY, what would a modern day ARMY Air Force look like?" And, well, we'd have green fighter jets that are painted up like tanks and jeeps for one thing.... ;D
Might finish this today. I quite while I was ahead last night. I need to finish painting the camo today then it's on to the detail painting then gloss clear for transfers.
So close.... I'm 98% done. I was unmasking things then just need to glue on the two intakes when I moved a wing and it created a mess. I was a little upset for awhile because I was looking forward to being done with this tonight and I was less than 2 minutes away until I made one mistake then noticed another. Long story short, I need more time. I need to let this clear dry up so I can sand then I need to repaint some stuff. Once I get that caught up we'll be in business. It's looking really nice, though! :lol:
Quote from: strobez on August 15, 2019, 05:02:40 PM
I'm with you on the cutting matt though. I have one reserved for cutting tape only.
As do I. It's a small one that I picked up at a show and I've an idea it was a "freebie" for some reason ?
All done!
(https://i.imgur.com/i3wypXD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2BVQdE4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7Y8QAww.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Wvs5T17.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eSCjaRD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1Y0xxG5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ARxlUhf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/A23baI2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uLXTJBC.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eykmCfI.jpg)
:angel:
This has already been posted as inspiration for the Out of Africa GB over on BtS! :lol:
Well done, Brad! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Outstanding, thanks for that! I hope to inspire some great builds or rumination. :mellow: :wub: Man, that hits the spot right there. :lol:
Very nice Brad, the colour scheme really suits it.
:thumbsup:
Chris
Excellent. I really love the colour palette (as they say on poncy reno TV shows) :thumbsup:
That's really well done Brad :thumbsup: Especially given your starting kit.
I'm not sure about that scheme being an effective one over the typical southern African landscape, but then the squadron has probably been sent to West Africa on "Peacekeeping" duties ? ;)
By the way - do the wings still work or have you managed to knacker them yet ? ;)
Still there so far! I kept messing them up though so had to put it down. ;D ;D ;D
Thanks everyone!!
That looks REALLY good Brad, and I do like that scheme too. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Yeah, that turned out NICE! The colour scheme really suits it. Great work!
Thanks, y'all!
Once I got past the ill fitting parts, I just cut loose and decided to make the thing without getting bogged down and spending too much time on any one phase. Oddly enough, it doesn't seem to have suffered too much for it. Glad about that!
Problem is, once again, I've no military builds going now so I'll have to start something new. :angel: :wacko:
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 18, 2019, 06:50:26 AM
Still there so far! I kept messing them up though so had to put it down. ;D ;D ;D
;D ;) ;D