1/350th A6E Intruder, Finished

[DarthDuck]

Well, I came across a model of a plane that I once had a kit of but lost during a move. So eager to get a chance to finally build one when combined with an amazing price of $1.25 brand new in sealed box caused me to leap into the unknown. Upon inspection I found a Chinese made injection molded kit that rivals the oldest Airfix or Matchbox offerings for lack of details and a poor resin kit for thickness of pieces? But undaunted I located a PE upgrade kit that would replce the nonexistant cockpit, extended flaps, wingtip amd fuselage airbrakes along with more to scale landing gear doors and such. Even the PE frets are kinda sparse but they're certainly more than the kit offered? A really sad starting point for detail freaks but the basic contours are still identifiable as an A6-E Intruder so I'm gonna see what can be made of it. So follow along in an act of futility if you so choose?:confused:

Shots of everything in the kit except the landing gear and canopy! Alongside are the PE frets with the cockpit tub already bent up and prepainted. The kit had NO cockpit details so even ejector seats will need to be scratched but the PE provides the framing for them.:rolleyes:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0001-1.jpg

A shot showing how much of the nearly "solid" inner body had to be removed to make way for the tub.:alright:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0003-1.jpg


Don't worry about my other WIPs, this is just a minor diversion and I don't plan to spend too long on it. The addition of the PE and paint is about all this kit "deserves"!:rolleyes:

[Wombat]

Don,
Looks like another one of those kits that shouldn't look good,but somehow ya find away to put some damn fine realism in.;)
Let's see what ya do with this one me feathered mate!:)

[Raytheon]

You are one brave water fowl, that's all i can say. Best o' luck me duck billed buddy...







you may need it ;)


I know you got no prob with PE stuff, the plastic bits may cause some problems though. :D

Go easy ya maniac!

[DarthDuck]

That's what I love about this place! One of us announces he's going to go play in traffic and all he receives is encouragement and the sage advice to "never mind the cars, look out for trucks!":p

Thank you gents now follow along as my patience gets tested!;)

[DarthDuck]

BTW gents, this is sorta of what I'm going for. Flaps down, airbrakes deployed and such which the PE will allow me to do.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1938/a6e40xf5.jpg

[DarthDuck]

Got the ejector seats done up. Some styrene filed toshape and tucked between the PE assy. and that was that. Pictured alongside the airframe with cockpit tub in place now. Need to fashion up the forward coaming above the dash which needs to be set in still. Kinda moving along. The PE is the only thing salvaging this kit? Forgive the pic quality but somehow even macro mode isn't pulling anything in?
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0005-1.jpg

Comments, questions, critique to help, always welcomed! Or perhaps a nice hot cappucino?:p

[Moorcat]

that 72 scale? is that a resin kit or something? if it was 48, i have a few bits from a kit that came to me scrap.

[DarthDuck]

that 72 scale? is that a resin kit or something? if it was 48, i have a few bits from a kit that came to me scrap.


Thanks very much Moorcat but it's an odd scale or I'd have something or another to help it along too? That old kit I "lost" was 48th and I really miss it.:( Like I said, at this price I thought I'd at least have 'something' like an Intruder again, finally?:) Oh, and it should have been a resin kit cause then many of it's features would be more understandable.:rolleyes: Oh well, sometimes you work with Ya got, huh?;)

[DarthDuck]

Alrighty then. Fashioned up the front coaming, placed the instrument panel in (with contrasting guages), joystick, ejector seats and painted the surrounds. Considering this whole area was 'solid' body below the canopy I do feel it's a vast improvement although even the 'details' are kinda bland compared to what is usually seen in a cockpit nowadays? But it's in there, it looks the part and from three feet it will pass! Maybe I should subtitle the thread,"Saga of the three-footer?":p
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0006-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0007-1.jpg

Comments, advice and feedback always welcomed!:D

[DarthDuck]

WELL FRICK!

I just fit the kit canopy on and it clashed with the seats? They're not too high, the canopy was too thick since there was never anything under it before? So, out came the Dremel, sandpaper and polish which I'm still doing. So far, this is the single most frustrating thing but eventually I'll get through it and then sometime later I'll get over it!;)

[DarthDuck]

After hacking off the trailing edges of the wings the PE extended flaps and wingtip airbrakes were added. Wings were added and here it sits. Next onto the undercarriage. The featureless bird is gaining some character now.;)
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0008.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0009-1.jpg

Comments and feedback always appreciated.:D

[Moorcat]

where did the PE come from...does it have a scale? looking at the letters in the background, it is 144? you need any pics from me or OOT? we have some of them turds, er, I mean birds. um...whistling shitcans we called em.

[DarthDuck]

where did the PE come from...does it have a scale? looking at the letters in the background, it is 144? you need any pics from me or OOT? we have some of them turds, er, I mean birds. um...whistling shitcans we called em.

I was hoping to at least get it into paint before divulging that it's a White Ensign Models PE set made for the Trumpeter 1/350th A6E Intruders. Of course the PE set is actually meant to detail the carrier Nimitz's air group and you get things like deck tractors and bomb dollies along with the plane details. You also get examples of this plane in the carrier kit but this came from a 6-pack sold to supplement your air wing if you choose. When I said it's about 1.25 for the "kit", that's because they retail for around 8.00 for a box of six.

So I was having fun detailing up a lil plane that comes with an aircraft carrier model! It's been interesting for sure! When I hogged out the fuselage to drop the cockpit tub in I came within a fraction of a millimeter of breaking through the plastic.:eek: It's actually an amazing detailing set. I'm currently working on the underframe details and will share those shortly.
Oh, and that's also why try as I might I can't pull focus to get any close in shots to show the actual detail?:alright: Trying to display a cockpit of a 1/350th bird is beyond my 'technology'.;)
What kind of pics do you have to share?:cool:

[Kuhn Global]

GOOD LORD!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Somebody get my spectacles! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL... that is one tiny mutha!!! And it is looking FANTASTIC!!! :D:D:cool::cool::cool::cool:

[DarthDuck]

Well thank yee Kurt! Um, yeah, I need specs and an optivisor and I'm still squinting?:p


Here's the buildup parts I outlined above.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0003-2.jpg
Something for a size comparison.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0004-1.jpg
And bending a PE landing gear bay door-
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0001-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0002-2.jpg

It's been fun so far but the thought of an entire airwing with at least fifty detailed aircraft sounds like,,,,um,,,,well,,,,even more fun!:p

[Wombat]

Bloody hell!!
1/350:eek:
You crazy webbed footed waddling duck!!:p
Damn ya just took it to a new level that insaneness!!:eek:

BTW,great fucking work Duckster!!!:grin:

[DarthDuck]

Bloody hell!!
1/350:eek:
You crazy webbed footed waddling duck!!:p
Damn ya just took it to a new level that insaneness!!:eek:

BTW,great fucking work Duckster!!!:grin:

Actually it was all an accident. I'd bought the Intruders to bolster the airwing for the 'Enterprise Project' and of course Trumpeter has taken 1/350th planes to a new level what with the nice multipiece assemblies with provisions to pose the wings folded or opened, pretty scale realistic landing gear and best of all the clear canopies. Then I had ordered the White Ensign Models PE set for the Nimitz to also use on the Enterprise and get the deck equipment what with the tractors, bomb carts and such. But then I suddenly realized that the 'maniac' at WEM also included a full cockpit conversion along with the more to be expected parts like weapon hardpoints, a better tailhook and wing fold 'hinges'. But to include the airbrakes and extended ailerons? Dang, suddenly it was a 'detailing challenge' being issued! Well who am I to allow such parts to sit around dormant?:rolleyes: Somehow even though I have surfed the web alot and looked at carrier builds I don't recall anyone talking about all of these detail pieces for the A/C? So I had to see what the hell they might look like, right?:p

So it wasn't my fault Phil, really.;)

:p

[Wombat]

^
Well when ya put it that way!!!:rolleyes:

What a challenge,it's hard to believe ya can do those mods to a 1/350 aircraft!
Nothing wrong with your eye site there Don!;)
Damn ya got a fantastic touch with such tiny pieces dude!!
Keep it going my friend!!:cool:

[DarthDuck]

Hoping not to belabor the point but I'm kinda amazed that WEM included all these details to pack into the plane? I mean a cockpit with twin ejector seats, an instrument panel with guages etched into it and even a joystick? I really wish I had whatever kind of high tech, high dollar photography equipment it would take just to show you what that really looks like! I wanted to add seat harnesses too but then realized making them in scale might be the size of human hair? I think I'll call what they gave me to work with as 'good enough'!

Thank you for the kind words mate.;)

Oh BTW: Wait till you see one of the lil helos! A full cabin floor inside with an etched cargo door to be posed open! Now that's gonna be fucking cool!:D

[Damien9479]

Crazy ass mofo!! :p:D

[Moorcat]

another pshycotic modeler yay!!!!

Ive seen the WEM kits, they have them for lots of planes, all the Trumpeter ones, for Tico,I got their F9s and some Spads for my dads airwing. havent gotten the ships PE yet. also, I just got a trumpeter 144 scale Su 47......daaaamnnn they do 144 very nice too.

[DarthDuck]

another pshycotic modeler yay!!!!

Ive seen the WEM kits, they have them for lots of planes, all the Trumpeter ones, for Tico,I got their F9s and some Spads for my dads airwing. havent gotten the ships PE yet. also, I just got a trumpeter 144 scale Su 47......daaaamnnn they do 144 very nice too.


It was only after already using Gold Medal Models and Tom's Modelwerks for ships that I ran across White Ensign Models. Damn, they make some very thorough and detail filled frets. Somehow I give them the edge for their research and providing a modeler something to help the project stand apart from the pack!:cool: Oh, and Trumpeter has kicked Tamiya's ass thoroughly when it comes to airplanes intended to compliment the ship models. For some reason it's almost as if Tamiya doesn't care yet either? I replace the Tam's with Trumps every chance I get!;)

I will take "psychotic" as a compliment of course!:p

Now let's see some of your "lil birds" decked out too!;)

[DarthDuck]

Crazy ass mofo!! :p:D


Um, why thank you!:p
Takes one to know one!;):D

[79 daytona]

Say Don don't you think you could have found something smaller to work on .

[suki5150]

There must be some mistake, you ordered the small model....................

HELLOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!


Great stuff.:D

[DarthDuck]

Daytona, Suki,

I'm just building what I can afford!;)



Up top I added a small sccop that belongs in front of the tail slightly offset on the spine and then a pitot tube to the upper edge of the tail fin.
Came time for the underside so I added the weapons pylons, gear doors and tailhook. Then it was what to do about the landing gear? The PE fret had nice detail but is of course FLAT while the kit parts weren't horrifically oversized but lacked detail? Some folks seem to choose one or the other but I saw no reason not to combine them? On the rear tires I hogged them out to accept the PE hubs then cutdown the bracing for the struts off the PE parts and added them too. Up front I cut the nosewheel assembly with it's twin tires down the middle, shaved the diameter of the main strut some and then inserted the PE strut with brace and catapult hook right in between. Snapped some pics and I hope you can gather what I've described?
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0003-3.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0005-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0007-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0009-2.jpg

Comments, questions and tips to improve myself are always welcomed!
Thanks for stopping in!

[Damien9479]

It's hard to believe that is 1/350th!! :eek:
Looks awesome Don!! :D

[DarthDuck]

^Why thank you! I'm thinking it needs a weapons load?;)

I'll tellya, it might be small in size but it's been big on fun!:D It was odd to notice that one of the wheel hubs in brass wasn't much bigger than the eye of Lincoln on the penny? Sure was great to find that "gag coin"!;)

[DarthDuck]

All you guys around here building in these huge scales is really discouraging to the the rest of us. Try dialing it back, would ya, Don?:p

Great, the build is done and it is pretty nice.
That's not all that impressive.
I wanna see those we little "Beware of Blast" and "No Step" warning decals on that little bastard.;)

I wanna see the whites of the pilots eyes!:p


I had all of those parts ready to go and they accidentally stuck to my peanut butter sandwhich for lunch. Oh wait, here, take a look up my ass I think they're on the way now?


Bwahahahahahahahaha:p

You jest but I did think of carving out the engine intake cover for a set of the built in drop down steps that these planes have. But this was just meant to be a quick diversion so I thought better of it.:D

[Wombat]

Jeepers DD,thats turned out real damn cool!
Bloody fine job there bud!!
Bet ya can't wait to get back to those large scale builds soon?

Just incredible dude!!:cool:

[DarthDuck]

^
Wombie,
Well so far it's been alot of fun! Now I am suddenly thinking that I need my glasses prescription redone and step up to the next magnifier on the optivisors but otherwise it's kinda cool that there are so few parts involved! So I'm having fun but yeah, I'll change scales soon. I'm thinking 1/400th, what do ya say?;)

[Wombat]

^
Now ya talking dude 1/400,that be much easier to work with!!:rolleyes::grin:
Damn,ya saying ya glases are no good,we'd never have known by that sort of work buddy!;)
Looking forward to seeing how ya paint goes dude,will ya brush or spray it?

[Damien9479]

I'm thinking 1/400th, what do ya say?;)
Do a 1/720th and I'll be impressed!! :p:p
Just kidding...Looks great Don!!:D

[DarthDuck]

^ 1/720th? What, and be as crazy as you on that Russian carrier? HellNo!;)

Which brings me back to Wombat's question- in 1/350th there's still enough plastic in question to airbrush and even mask between the colors and that's what i plan to do. There's a distinctive edge on the extended ailerons painted red and in this case that area is brass. Where I might normally mask it and airbrush it I think I'll look at using red decal trim cut to shape because I wouldn't want my paint lifting with the masking off of the brass.:cool: The rest is just two tone white and grey then decals.

Since I normally work with WWII warbirds let me throw this question out. During the 70s and early 80s when that "high visibility scheme' was still in effect-
What shade of grey was used? Maybe light gull grey, dark gull over white undersides?

[The Cat]

FS16440 Light Gull Gray with White underneath and tops of the Control Surfaces. Red on the insides of the flaps and slats, and White gear bays. Gear doors are White with Red outlines.

:grin::cool::D

My favorite color schemes for Navy jets!

[DarthDuck]

FS16440 Light Gull Gray with White underneath and tops of the Control Surfaces. Red on the insides of the flaps and slats, and White gear bays. Gear doors are White with Red outlines.

:grin::cool::D

My favorite color schemes for Navy jets!

Great! Thanks for verifying all that!:D

[79 daytona]

Well what more can i say that has'nt been said already ,Don you are the master:hail: i don't think there anything you can't build.

Outstanding job!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Mark.

[DarthDuck]

Found some more PE detail parts from Tom's Modelwerks so I added the front landing gear bay doors which include one with a lil hole to represent the landing light! That's about as far as this one is going so it's off to paint sometime soon!;)

[The Cat]

Every hole needs something in it.


Run a fiber-optic line and make that landing light work...........

[DarthDuck]

Every hole needs something in it.


Run a fiber-optic line and make that landing light work...........


Hahahahaha, Ya know, in this scale a FO line wouldn't even be hideable to go down to the base and a power source! At least not any FO I have here? So no, my freind, request denied!:p

Daytona,
You are too kind but I thank yee!;)

Well, after my paint debacle with the submarine, I went out and got all new fresh paints for this one. Even though the sub paint was new too? Anyways, I'll be trying again? Might make the 'paintshop' later tonite? I even bought some lacquer for at least the white to speed up the two toning and then some lil itty bitty decals and it's on it's way!:D

Actually in hindisght Cat- if I had planned ahead I could have used the PE brass landing gear as 'conduits' for power leads but that would still mean hiding a grain of wheat or LED inside the plane and frankly- I'm not sure that there is room? Or, I might have dusguised a FO strand as the main strut of the front gear say, but that would have made this stationary to a base too? A great idea but it wasn't my intent and I obviously didn't plan for it? Maybe another time complete with landing, nav lights and such? I'm thinking that would be a real CHALLENGE. Meh, I'm not in the mood.:rolleyes:

[DarthDuck]

Armed with fresh paints, a dry warm night and better luck than before I got to the painting! First the undersides and lower sides received white lacquer. Almost immediately followed by enamel Gull gray. Shortly after some radome tan on the snout and then some black near the canopy outline. An .025 mech pen outlined the canopy and some black upon the tires with grey to the hubs and gear. The basic colors are on while a lil trim cleanup is in order. Next will be application of decals and the a sealer. Seems to be coming along and I was happy to get four colors on within as many hours.
Here it is so far-
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0006-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0005-3.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0004-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0003-4.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0002-3.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0001-3.jpg

Comments, critique and a feedbag are always welcome!:D

[The Cat]

An .025 mech pen

:D

????????

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:













:grin:

[DarthDuck]

????????

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
:grin:

Um, probably wrong term- an .25 'Mars professional Technical Drawing Pen Set' by Staedtler? And at that the lines were too thick? How the hell Ya supposed to do the canopy painting anyways?:confused: I really would like to know? Oh, and all that was after shaving the canopy down to more than half it's original thickness and then repolishing it? That was actually a royal PITA.:alright:

But, what did you think?:)

[The Cat]

But, what did you think?:)

That you used one of these???

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g169/ncc1984/H11743_S.jpg

[DarthDuck]

That you used one of these???

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g169/ncc1984/H11743_S.jpg


Naw, something about the monkey wriggling with glee as the pen jostled about just kind of put me off to the whole prospect?:p

[The Cat]

That little A-6 looks awesome. Better than my 1/48th! :grin:

[DarthDuck]

That little A-6 looks awesome. Better than my 1/48th! :grin:


Well, blurry focus is in my favor but I do of course thank you very much!:D I look forward to the decals setting it off further too. Maybe soon we can wrap this "quick diversion"?;)

[modman06]

WOW, thats looking great. i remember years back hitting my head on the tail hook of one of these at night. that hurt for a while.

Also still working on those pics, Tried e mail now im going to have to make a few calls.

Al

[Damien9479]

Looks awesome Don!!
You are going to give me pointers when I do these for the Nimitz right??:p:p
Great Job:icon_thumright:

Tom:cool:

[The Cat]

I have Trumpeter's 1/350 Yorktown (Essex class) that I'll finish up someday. And when I do, I'll be doing its air wing Duck Style!

[DarthDuck]

I have Trumpeter's 1/350 Yorktown (Essex class) that I'll finish up someday. And when I do, I'll be doing its air wing Duck Style!
I also have some WWII era carriers and have seen what I believe to be available in PE additions. That's what surprised me about the more 'modern era' airwing- so many more choices and available pieces? I've yet to start any of my WWII carriers though and would be eager to see you attack yours! I'm sure you would do more than "justice" to them!;)

[DarthDuck]

Al,
Ah, first hand, er "head" experience? OUCH! Your pics so far are great and I can only hope for more! Thanks for your efforts.;)

Tom,
"Pointers", um yeah, get all the optical aids you can!;) Hey, don't you recall, you were the one who named the 'illustrating pen' brand and names to me from your 1/720th carrier build! Before that I had heard of them and somehow never found them. But knowing exactly what to look for it turned out Hobby Lobby had them all along in the ,,,,tada,,,,drafting section!:p Yeah, like you need "pointers".:rolleyes:

[Kylwell]

Talk about polishing a turd.

Danm Duck, what's next? Something assembled with a binocular microscope?

[Damien9479]

Tom,
"Pointers", um yeah, get all the optical aids you can!;) Hey, don't you recall, you were the one who named the 'illustrating pen' brand and names to me from your 1/720th carrier build! Before that I had heard of them and somehow never found them. But knowing exactly what to look for it turned out Hobby Lobby had them all along in the ,,,,tada,,,,drafting section!:p Yeah, like you need "pointers".:rolleyes:
Well I do have a "heavy hand" when it comes to thinning stuff out so I'll probably destroy a few in the process! :p Would like to not go that route though:rolleyes:
Glad to hear you "found":p your technical pen...I find them pretty handy for those spots a brush just won't cut it;)

Tom:cool:

[DarthDuck]

Talk about polishing a turd.

Danm Duck, what's next? Something assembled with a binocular microscope?

Surprisingly this "lil" plane built up pretty simply and straightforward except for the canopy, at the risk of repeating myself. I "toasted" one trying to hog it out enough to allow the interior to fit within it? Of course there was no mention of that in the instructions. Actually the instructions were kinda woeful on the PE placement and some reference shots were essential and I only hope most of it wound up in the right places?

There's something oddly enticing about 'going small' just as 'building big' is awesome in it's own right?

Thanks for your kind words my fellow modeling maniac!;)

[The Cat]

I also have some WWII era carriers and have seen what I believe to be available in PE additions. That's what surprised me about the more 'modern era' airwing- so many more choices and available pieces? I've yet to start any of my WWII carriers though and would be eager to see you attack yours! I'm sure you would do more than "justice" to them!;)

The hull's together, the flight deck's laying on it, and the two main halves of the island's together and sitting in place.

However comma

It'll be Fall 2009 at the earliest before I continue with it tho :)

I just wish Trumpeter would do some IJN stuff..........

[DarthDuck]

The hull's together, the flight deck's laying on it, and the two main halves of the island's together and sitting in place.

However comma

It'll be Fall 2009 at the earliest before I continue with it tho :)

I just wish Trumpeter would do some IJN stuff..........

Amen to opening up Trumpeter to the IJN fleet! There is such a wealth of subjects there and even though some have been covered Trumpeter has not shied away from doing similar if not the same subjects in the past as others? Right now Trumpeter is introducing the largest number of new warships of anyone out there and IMHO they keep getting better at what they do. They also bring them in at a reasonable and sometimes even comparitively inexpensive pricepoint!
Now if you happen to bump up your build schedule on that carrier it would be just fine by me!;)

[Moorcat]

missed the IFR probe....but looks great. on the next one, ya gonna put the boarding ladder down?, canopy open? droptanks? *giggles* now I have to do a few of mine...I have an EA6B to do. great stuff.

[DarthDuck]

missed the IFR probe....but looks great. on the next one, ya gonna put the boarding ladder down?, canopy open? droptanks? *giggles* now I have to do a few of mine...I have an EA6B to do. great stuff.

Actually, yes, to all of the above! You don't even have to dare me because I already noticed those things but just didn't want to take the time this go around. I've got around eighty more various A/C to do for the airwing so there will be some variety!;)

Love to see your EA6B and thanks!:D

[Wombat]

Sweet!!
Don,that really looks very cool bud!
You should be very happy with the way it's turned out and the decals will just be the icing on the cake!!
I still can't believe this is 1/350 with the detail ya have put into it!!
Well done my friend!!

[79 daytona]

I agree with wombat that looks great Don.

[DarthDuck]

Wombat and Daytona,
Thank you gents! Now that I'm moving onto decals I wish that the Trumpeter planes came with more than they do? What is given is nice looking and will certainly spice it up but I see room for more! There are of course AM sources but for this 'practice run' I'm going with what Trumpeter gave for a Nimitz airwing and they lack the 'plane number' and I see other odds and ends that could have certainly helped with the illusion of this being a 'bigger plane'. But again, I think it will build up pretty good and hope to share some pics maybe even later on?;)

Thanks again for the kind words, I do appreciate them!:grin:

[DarthDuck]

Well, I went against my "plans" and masked off the extended ailerons after repainting them white. Cat pointed out they should be white on the upper surfaces and at first I thought I had photos showing them grey but while watching 'Final Countdown' which is this airwing, despite my books, I saw they were white? So, I repainted them white and then airbrushed the red portions instead of decal film. Believe it or not, at this size, it was easier to mask and spray than to cut decals to size? Anyways, not too bad. Then I added the limited number of decals available and here it is prior to a clearcoat sealing.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0007-3.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0005-4.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0004-3.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0002-4.jpg

The canopy is setting loose and it does need clearing and then possible some ordnance but this pretty much what it will look like.:)

Honest feedback is very appreciated. We all get wrapped up in what it took to do what we think we've accomplished and maybe overlook wether the product is even worth a shit?

[Wombat]

:eek:
Worth a Shit?

Mate thats worth a paddock load of Shit!!!:grin:
If shit is worth anything?:p

Honest feedback,that is just bloody incredible Don!!
Damn the decals and red paint have just brought it to life,
You wouldn't know it's only 1/350 scale!!
Killer Job Duckster!!!;)

[DarthDuck]

Phil,
Well, thank you buddy! Just goes to show how nice a job Trumpeter has done with these lil planes. They've "eaten Tamiya's lunch" when it comes to 1/350th A/C and it's surprising what the AM is offering? I mean who the hell knew that WEM made a "whole" interior for this bird? I'm blown away with what is available and thank you, very much, for feeling I might have done the parts justice.:) Sure is a colorful paint scheme huh? We can thank the US Navy for that one!;) Although the 'Lo-Vis' or 'Tactical' scheme that came later also makes these birds look downright businesslike and menacing!;)

[Wombat]

Dude,
You did it real justice!!
It really is incredible seeing such a tiny piece look that fine!!
You should be real proud of that lil plane!:cool:
You'll have to get a lil shelf for all the fine lil builds ya been doing lately!!;)

Awesome Don!!!

[Raytheon]

In all honesty Don, you certainly did a silk purse outta this one. Clean, neat and sharp.
Considering the size, i.e. feckin' tiny, it's a bang up job my duck billed buddy and i shit thee not!

Nicely done sah! :D

[Damien9479]

Worth a shit?? Come on Don:mad:
It turned out awesome!!
Looks fucking great buddy:D:D...Remember what I said in my PM??;)

Tom

[DarthDuck]

Well,
I most certainly appreciate the feedback from you gents! It's been a fun lil build and highly rewarding now as it approaches being completed. All your kind words and 'validation?' are most appreciated!


Now, to show you the Tamiya equivalent that comes with their Enterprise. Okay, so this is not a very recent offering but then again, I have the newest 1/350th lil planes made by Tamiya and they have not chaged very much. The single biggest stumbling block is the lack of a clear canopy which is something hard to paint and mimic in any other fashion?
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0008-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0010.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0009-4.jpg


While the Trumpeter is really a "kit", the Tamiya is what? 1,2,3,4- parts and when you're done it still has a hollow underside? C'mon Tamiya, we're waiting for you to wake up!;)

[Damien9479]

Wow!! I forgot how bad the Tamiya ones look:eek:
Yeah Trumpeter definitely caught Tamiya snoozing:rolleyes:

[DarthDuck]

Wow!! I forgot how bad the Tamiya ones look:eek:
Yeah Trumpeter definitely caught Tamiya snoozing:rolleyes:

Yeah- at least FOUR years ago now! WTF? I have that brand new I400 Tamiya sub with planes and they ain't much different? Some reviews have even questioned the 'profiles' of the planes, never mind the details? Whenever Trump makes a plane that I can substitute for a Tamiya version- I do! Simple as that.;)

[Damien9479]

Yeah- at least FOUR years ago now! WTF? I have that brand new I400 Tamiya sub with planes and they ain't much different? Some reviews have even questioned the 'profiles' of the planes, never mind the details? Whenever Trump makes a plane that I can substitute for a Tamiya version- I do! Simple as that.;)
4 years?? Jeez You think they would re-tool a little!!
Trumpeter has most definitely smoked them!!
Which is weird because you think Tamiya you think good detail/ high quality:rolleyes:

[DarthDuck]

Okay- who's got good eyes? I added or changed a few things. Can you spot them?
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0016.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0013.jpg

I added the nose numbers, three digits below the front of the canopy and the BuNo on the tail. These were sourced from 1:160th MRR decals and applied one by one. Then I changed the canopy framing to grey in the rear having seen it both ways but liking this better. Also put a dollop of black on the airintake at the root of the tail and the fuel probe. I think the extra decals help fill it out a bit better and after all this cures I expect I'll clearcoat and call this one good enough except if I delve into ordnance?

As always, comment, critique and feedback is appreciated!:D

[modman06]

That looks great, ive got major respect for you. i could never do that. i like to build stuff, but i dont have the patience for building things that small. great job.


Al

[DarthDuck]

^
Thanks Al! I was talking with Tom offline and saying that maybe going small is the lazy way for me? No long seams to keep straight or prep? No high parts count? Not alot of masking nor paint used? I dunno, I think I took the easy way out! If you ever "need" a plane this size you might try it and decide the same!:D

Hey, if I can't build studio scale I'm going the opposite!:p

[Raytheon]

It's a lil' peach Don :)

*snippage* Hey, if I can't build studio scale I'm going the opposite!:p

So what next then? SSD on a dime?
:D

[DarthDuck]

It's a lil' peach Don :)



So what next then? SSD on a dime?
:D


Now you've reminded me of ,what was it, 'Fantastic Voyage'?:D

[79 daytona]

WOW!! that looks great Don.

Now all you need is 1/350 aircraft carrier to display it on.

[DarthDuck]

WOW!! that looks great Don.

Now all you need is 1/350 aircraft carrier to display it on.

That's going to be a future project! Have an Enterprise by Tamiya that will receive a fully detailed airwing along with some other goodies.;)

Thanks again Daytona.:D

[Kylwell]

But you didn't light it.

:D

[DarthDuck]

But you didn't light it.

:D

You're right. I suck.:alright:

;):D

[Kylwell]

:lol:

[Wombat]

They are definitely some nice extra lil touches there Don.
Thats a truly awesome build there buddy,it might only be small but it's just as impressive as a large kit!!
Thats a credit to your skills there my friend!!;)

[DarthDuck]

^
Thank you kindly Mr. Wombat!

Well, a final clearcoat about lays this one to rest. While the pics aren't as grand as Kurt's BlueScreen madness this is my way of wrapping up the build!
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0002_00-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0003_00-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0004_00-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0005_00-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/000_0006_00.jpg

So, there it is.
Comments always welcome and thanks for dropping in!;)

[79 daytona]

Again that looks GREAT!! Don.

Your work is really outstanding.:D

[Wombat]

DarthDuck,
You are the master of the lil builds!!:grin:
Thats is so bloody impressive don!
Extremely well done there bud,that sure is a damn fine addition to your lil build collection!!!:cool:
Great work Don!!

[Moorcat]

single biggest stumbling block is the lack of a clear canopy which is something hard to paint and mimic in any other fashion?
looks sweet, not nitpicking, just adding info and a suggestion...all these aircraft when not in use often have a white cream canopy polish smeared on them, and left there to protect them. it gets buffed off when they preflight the planes, so, just do a smeary white finish to the solid canopies, and mabey even park em in the hanger bay...its still authentic.we have pics if ya need any for refrence. often there is a number on the flaps as on the nose, like 505 on A6s, and the inside of the airbrakes are red as well, the earlier birds had airbrakes on their fuselage sides, not the wingtips.

[DarthDuck]

looks sweet, not nitpicking, just adding info and a suggestion...all these aircraft when not in use often have a white cream canopy polish smeared on them, and left there to protect them. it gets buffed off when they preflight the planes, so, just do a smeary white finish to the solid canopies, and mabey even park em in the hanger bay...its still authentic.we have pics if ya need any for refrence. often there is a number on the flaps as on the nose, like 505 on A6s, and the inside of the airbrakes are red as well, the earlier birds had airbrakes on their fuselage sides, not the wingtips.


Moorcat,
I DO NOT take it as nitpicking, not at all! I was not deployed with these birds nor do I recall even being near one although I've seen quite a few Navy birds at Lemoore NAS through my uncle and family. No, you're sharing valuable information just like when Cat 'corrected' the "flap" colors even though I thought I had pictures otherwise.
I have an entire airwing to model so if you would have pictures to share of anything airwing related on a carrier I sure would appreciate them! This was for practice and fun and it was and I'll accept my own innaccuracies but the next ones will be for a client and he doesn't deserve my mistakes out of ignorance! So please, share anything you can and that you can make the time for?;)

Sincerely- thanks!:D

Wombat, Daytona,
Thanks my friends! Been a fun lil excersise huh? This whole project had me smiling almost the whole time! Well, besides when I cut through the first canopy trying to thin it out? But otherwise- smiling and I'm glad you enjoyed following along!

Yeah, new motto- "If you can't brag big, stand small proud!" Waitaminute?:alright:

:p

[R L Bleecker]

The sweetest little 'whistling shit-can' I've ever seen...

[suki5150]

Fantastic job there.

Brilliant miniature work.

:D

Cheers,
Chris.

[LastBattlestar]

Bloody hell, you Americans have big coins. Are they the size of hubcaps?:p




That is amazing, Don. Phil was over at my place today and told me about this little model of yours as I don't venture into the Military forum very often. I think this little plane is frackin' incredible! Man, you must have steady hands!

I did receive your hello to from Phil. Hello right back at 'ya!

Mike, Oz

[pacal]

Absolutely great build. The only critique I have is weather it a little. A very fine needle tip brush with an a light grey steaks would add a realistic few whisps of weathering.

[R L Bleecker]

^ Not at this scale. I think the only 'weathering' which should be applied is some subtle shading effects in places like the intakes, exhausts and gear bays and a very slight wash on the wheels.

At this scale, it's the same as looking at the aircraft from 4 or 500 feet away.

[R L Bleecker]

Tail code 'A J' is CVW-8. Is this a Nimitz bird pre-1987?

[DarthDuck]

Thank you, one and all.

Pacal, I did think of weathering it and then I thought about things like the oversize panel lines which I guess are a concession to scale. To my way of thinking, there's quite alot then that is a concession to scale and I even toyed with the idea of priming the kit first, to somewhat fill in the panel lines but in the end I think OOT nailed my viewpoint. Once you consider scale and even from where the planes will eventually be viewed from, I think it's "passable" although I don't argue it could use a lil "something more" such as OOT suggested. Besides, I could load it up with the 'kitchen sink' and frankly, my photography "skills" would never show what I did?;)

Please, this was not a excuse nor rebuke of critique- I am merely trying to share my thoughts on why I did what I did. Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions.:D

[The Cat]

Un-bee-freaking-leevable Duck!!!!

I love it!!!


Do you take requests??? Have you seen the AM interiors they make for 1/350 B-25s???? hehehehe!

[robn1]

I thought this was a joke when I started reading it :grin:

Awesome! I need a magnifier to see it, but it looks great!
I like the choice of markings. My dad did maintenance in that
squadron, he has the panther tattooed on his arm.

[DarthDuck]

I thought this was a joke when I started reading it :grin:

Awesome! I need a magnifier to see it, but it looks great!
I like the choice of markings. My dad did maintenance in that
squadron, he has the panther tattooed on his arm.


It was meant to mislead and hopefully amuse. Very cool with your Dad though!:cool:


And CAT- thank you sir!;):D

[U-boater]

As always,an excellent display of the modeler's craft
Lord Duck.

How soon can we expect the rest of the air-wing to show up? ;):p

[DarthDuck]

WWI U-Booter!

I thank you for the kind words my friend. It was fun and that's what I always strive for. When it's fun even if 'challenging' it's always worth it!;)

Oh, the CAG reports he requested the airwing to depart the home NAS and come shipboard but there are no planes on the horizon? WTF?:p

[U-boater]

I recommend displaying it under a LARGE magnifying glass!

[DarthDuck]

I recommend displaying it under a LARGE magnifying glass!


Maybe a lil "snowglobe" with an optical magnifying effect?;):p I know it's my own build, but this lil bird makes me smile!:D

[Blappy]

Brilliant! Now how many more do you have to do for a full carrier wing? ;)

[DarthDuck]

Brilliant! Now how many more do you have to do for a full carrier wing? ;)


Appx. NINETY!:eek: But near half of them will be hangar queens and not quite as detailed.;)

Thanks for the kind words!:grin:

[The Cat]

Hangar queens.... That'd be a good use for the Tamiya a/c.....

[DarthDuck]

Hangar queens.... That'd be a good use for the Tamiya a/c.....

Frankly the Tamiyas will be those deepest within the bowels of the hangar! There's that much difference. I'm wanting some with engine maintenance underway too! Gonna have a FULL scratchbuilt hangar that's lit to display the rest of the airwing in!;) No, this one won't be no quick build but I'm hoping to do it justice and have it warrant the time and effort not to mention materials?:cool:

[Damien9479]

Oh come on Don!! You could bang out that hanger with planes in a weekend!!:p:p
Sorry had to razz you there!!:p....But seriously from what I have heard about from chatting with you this is going to be a cool project :cool:

[R L Bleecker]

Frankly the Tamiyas will be those deepest within the bowels of the hangar! There's that much difference. I'm wanting some with engine maintenance underway too! Gonna have a FULL scratchbuilt hangar that's lit to display the rest of the airwing in!;) No, this one won't be no quick build but I'm hoping to do it justice and have it warrant the time and effort not to mention materials?:cool:

Don't forget the fire doors, Conflag Stations and overhead foam sprinklers. :eek::cool:

[DarthDuck]

Don't forget the fire doors, Conflag Stations and overhead foam sprinklers. :eek::cool:


With the murals of prior Enterprises and those overhead equipment racks too!;) A "worthwhile" project, perhaps?:D

Any pics of our modern carriers deployed appx 99-2000 would be most appreciated to help me flesh out the details too!:cool:

[The Cat]

LOL Don!

Somewhere down deep you could place an 'easter egg'... say a 1/350 shuttlecraft. (It shouldn't be much trouble finding appropriate markings...) That'll point out whether people are paying attention.

I built a 1/350 Bismarck once upon a time... got Second Place at a big contest back in the early '90s... and it had a couple Phalanx mounts amidships. (Nobody noticed!)

Swordfishes??? I frakked 'em!!! OHHH!

[DarthDuck]

LOL Don!

Somewhere down deep you could place an 'easter egg'... say a 1/350 shuttlecraft. (It shouldn't be much trouble finding appropriate markings...) That'll point out whether people are paying attention.

I built a 1/350 Bismarck once upon a time... got Second Place at a big contest back in the early '90s... and it had a couple Phalanx mounts amidships. (Nobody noticed!)


Das uber secret weapon, Capitan?:D OMG, and they went unnoticed or at least noone commented? Oh my.:rolleyes:

BTW: Cat, I've got your "Easter Egg" and maybe I'll have it ready to post tonite or so?;):D

[Griffworks]

Unbelievably amazing, Don! Fantastically beautiful work, dude! You, sir, are a true artist! :thumbsup:

[DarthDuck]

Thanks Griff! While not 2500th, I thought I'd enter into Liliput modeling like you!;):D

[DarthDuck]

Very nice Don, clean and sharp! It's going to look great on a carrier model. With that level of detail it'll really bring the ship to life! Damn fine job sir.

Thank you Jay! What I'm shooting for is that the Enterprise ship itself is detailed enough that it will "warrant" the work on the airwing!;)

[abledog]

Dude! That's beautiful... what did you work with waldo's, (those funky robotic arms you see in isolation labs- if I have the name correct), and a microscope?! I don't even wanna think of the kind of eye strain I'd get from working that small.... bravo!!!!

So when's the rest of the flight deck coming? ;)

[DarthDuck]

Dude! That's beautiful... what did you work with waldo's, (those funky robotic arms you see in isolation labs- if I have the name correct), and a microscope?! I don't even wanna think of the kind of eye strain I'd get from working that small.... bravo!!!!

So when's the rest of the flight deck coming? ;)


Optivisors and decent tweezers are the 'secret'!;) Oh, and I'm a firm believer in having lotsa good lighting about.

This one was a "test shot" for fun to see what I'd be up against and I found it most enjoyable- but, the airwing will be on hold till the Enterprise herself is being built and she's not 'next in line' right now. But she is next after next!;)

Thanks for your kind post, I appreciate it!:cool:

[Peagis]

WOW DD! That's amazing especially since you got all that detail into such a small plane!

[DarthDuck]

WOW DD! That's amazing especially since you got all that detail into such a small plane!

What's amazing to me is that firms out there OFFER all that detail on such a small plane!:eek:

Thanks for your kind words, as always Sir.:cool:

[Peagis]

N/P Well if there's enough demand for something there'll always be someone to meet the demand

[DarthDuck]

N/P Well if there's enough demand for something there'll always be someone to meet the demand

But I was surprised to find the cockpit tub and ejector seatframes- I was just collecting whatever PE was available for an Enterprise build and I wasn't expecting to find that?:D

[Peagis]

Considering all the anime hentai model kits out there I'm not surprised by anything in the model community anymore...

[DarthDuck]

Considering all the anime hentai model kits out there I'm not surprised by anything in the model community anymore...
:p:eek::rolleyes::cool:

[abledog]

Optivisors and decent tweezers are the 'secret'!;) Oh, and I'm a firm believer in having lotsa good lighting about.

This one was a "test shot" for fun to see what I'd be up against and I found it most enjoyable- but, the airwing will be on hold till the Enterprise herself is being built and she's not 'next in line' right now. But she is next after next!;)

Thanks for your kind post, I appreciate it!:cool:

Gonna be a sweet display when it's done... may the Lord bless you with continued ... no enhanced Super-Vision on this one bro!!! :wav:

[DarthDuck]

Gonna be a sweet display when it's done... may the Lord bless you with continued ... no enhanced Super-Vision on this one bro!!! :wav:


Well, the good Lord and my local Optometrist! I happen to have reached the end of the usuble life on my current reading glasses and their 'prescription'! I'm kind of hopeful that I'll be able to see and maybe even 'build' better some time real soon!;)

Thanks again!

[DarthDuck]

Here's a pic of the cockpit:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x66/DuxWerx/planes/img_1196.jpg

Hope you can make out that they gave me a brass "tub and ejector seat frames with "pulls" then I just had to fashion seat cushions and the 'dash hump'. But you can't see that there's actually an instrumet panel along with a control stick! All in all I still think it's cool what they give you to work with!;)

[Peagis]

Thats really cool!!