Scale modeling

[Vekkinho]

OK, there's lots of Scale modellers in LO/FC/DCS community so here's the thread to discuss your work and hobby!

 

Aircraft - both military and civil of WWI, WWII, cold war and modern as well as tanks and other mudmovers, naval vessels, racing and civil cars, troops ect. are welcome!

 

So post pics of your work and write something about it!

Me...

...I'm absent from scale modelling for 10 or 15 years now but all of the models I've assembled (mainly military aircraft) are well preserved over at my parent's house where I used to live during that period. Unfortunatelly lot's of photos of my models I took with old Nikon 35mm camera were lost so I'll make new digital pics when I hop over for a Sunday family feeding...I mean lunch!

 

Cheers!

Edited August 31, 2010 by Vekkinho

[leafer]

Sadly, a fading hobby - I think. Few people have that kind of patience these days. I'd love to see those pics of your models and I wouldn't mind a closet full of these.

[joey45]

I still have a Tiffy I need to make...

[mikoyan]

I used to build my own models using balsa wood, because the scale model market was very limited in my country; I made around 39 of this little models; my first model was an su-27; then I made an f-18 and I couldn't stop building them; I also have to point out that there are great plastic models in the market but most of them fail to capture the shape of the real airplanes; I have yet to see a decent su-27 and mig-29 model from the kit companies.

This is my list (very long sorry):

 

su-27 (probably build as many variants as the real jet)

f-18

su-35

mig-25

mig-23 with working variable wings

f-14 same features

A-6 I felt in love with this airplane after watching intruder!

tu-144

dc-3

mig-31 (came out almost perfect)

mig-29 (two versions, the last one was the best)

f-117 cardboard (had to make each facet of the fuselage, came out smaller because of the drawings I had were very small)

f-22

f-15 very hard to make accurate since it has some complex top fuselage shape; I had better experience with the su-27 (had to make a nemesis for my flanker collection)

mig-17

su-25

spitfire

very small fokker dr1

p-51

tu-22

mig1.42 gave it to a friend as a gift (bad idea)

superhornet

a-10

il-76 which was cannibalized to build a tu-154

SR-71

U-2

su-47

Before painting my models I set the center of gravity to do a little glide test; after testing all this models I can tell you that the foker dr1 was the best gliding, very stable.

The super-hornet was the second best, with slats, rudders and flaps deflected for slow speed, the third was the flanker and the mig-29; for most of the other models I could not get them to glide at all: for example the f-16; the egle would glide good until it stall then it would pin.

 

While I build my scale models I build rc aircrafts, I also designed a small aerobatic airplane based on the su-26 but I crashed it due to fuel tank problem; I was working on my improved version when I came to the US.

My last balsa model was a 1/32 mig-21, I made it for a industrial design assignment; it had working elevators (used cables and pulleys to connect the elevators with the stick) retractable landing gear, flaps and articulated cockpit. I got 4.8 for my mig the best score for that assignment, jeje while my classmates build mundane stuff like tv controls and stuff like that... I gues I'm a nerd:pilotfly:

Edited September 1, 2010 by mikoyan

[Pilotasso]

I still got a few models boxed up to make 1/72 scale:

 

-1 Mig-29, Indian, and Mikoyan Bureau cammos. - HASEGAWA

-2 Eurofighters, all 4 countries of the consortium and Austria, would love Saudi scheme - REVELL

-1 superhornet, VFA-14 Top Hatters cammo - HASEGAWA

-1 F-22, Siprit of america, ITALERI (good kits are hard to come by for this model)

-1 A-7P, PoAF Falcon scheme HOBBYBOSS

-F-14, jolly rogers scheme (what else???) - HASEGAWA

 

 

 

 

 

Im searching for rare models:

-Rafale 1/72 (difficult to find good models, got one from Italeri but it sucks)

-Su-30XX (Su-27 variants are very hard to come by with any degree of fidelity)

-F-35 (dont think theres even a kit out there yet)

 

I already got:

-1 Mitsubishi F-2 (awsome model) - HASEGAWA

-2 F-15's, one US wolfhounds REVELL and the other japan (eagle head scheme) - HASEGAWA

-1 Su-27B Russian air force scheme (lacks fidelity) - HASEGAWA

-1 F-16A, US scheme - REVELL

-1 JAS-39 Gripen, sweden prototype cammo - REVELL (realy liked this one)

-1 Rafale, (lacks quality and fidelity) ITALERI

 

and a few more old ones I made in the 90's but badly need replacements (weapons and pods fallen off)

Edited September 1, 2010 by Pilotasso

[mikoyan]

Pilotasso if you want the most accurate su-27 I recommend you get the airfix su-27 or the heller russian knights su-27 ub; these two are the only ones that capture the look of the real airplane, I would suggest building your own cockpit windshield for these; since they are not exactly perfect; and sanding the nose cone to achieve the crane-like appearance. The other option is getting the new icm su-27 model, which corrects most of the issues of the airfix flanker here it is:

 

http://s695.photobucket.com/albums/vv314/Neffan/?action=view&current=SDC10201.jpg#!oZZ6QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs695.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv314%2FNeffan%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3DSDC10201.jpg%26

 

for the MIG-29 I recommend the airfix model but again the cockpit shape is not quite right, I modified mine to look closer to the real jet, also the wings seem to be shorter and thinner than on the real airplane.

I would like to find an accurate f-15 1/72 but for some reason I haven't been able to find which model is better.

[Pilotasso]

Rgr. Will look for those. They will be hard to find. Sadly hobby shops have been closing at a rapid rate these days and the remaining ones have less diversity than before.

 

Meanwhile I found a Revell 1/72 F-22 and I bought it straight away. (Now I can make a happy fleet) :D

 

There are very good models from many brands. Kinda hard to make them apart. I own one Revell and one Hasegawa. I Think I liked the later best, but it probably might have to do with the fact building it went better and the plane looks better me thinks. :D

 

I would like to get my hands on one F-15I Ra'am. Desert camos are hard to paint though.

[SuperKungFu]

I don't make any from scratch, I just collect diecast models (mainly in 1:72 scale). Here's my cabin, I just put some lights in:

[zakobi]

Where do you get those models SuperKungFu?

 

I have a X-32 i finised (though not painted :D), a m4 sherman i've started on, and a AH-64D, M2A2 Bradley and Spitfire mk. something (it's a five-blade) to start on.

[SuperKungFu]

These models are available in most countries, some are limited production so they can be a bit pricey.

 

Among the top companies that made modern aircraft in 1:72 scale are: Century Wings, Hobby Master, Corgi, Dragon Wings, and Witty wings (listed from best to average).

 

I like these models because not only they are made from quality metal, but you can display them with or without gears, optional ordinance, move-able surfaces such can canopy, rear elevators...etc.

[zakobi]

These models are available in most countries, some are limited production so they can be a bit pricey.

 

Among the top companies that made modern aircraft in 1:72 scale are: Century Wings, Hobby Master, Corgi, Dragon Wings, and Witty wings (listed from best to average).

 

I like these models because not only they are made from quality metal, but you can display them with or without gears, optional ordinance, move-able surfaces such can canopy, rear elevators...etc.

 

Sounds nice, i better look into those. :thumbup:

Seems none sells high detailed models of russian birds :(

 

BTW, can't remember who it was, but someone made a B-1 in a large scale somewhere on this forum.

Edited September 13, 2010 by zakobi

[Pilotasso]

Actually prefer make my own even if they become less perfect.

 

Nice models though.

[topol-m]

Hey Pilotasso can you show some pics of your F-2 mate? :)

[Pilotasso]

Here it is:

 

 

Along with an F-15J I previously made (20 year old boxed hasegawa example my uncle had and gave me) ;)

 

You can see Im not a perfectionist. It was all painted by had as all my models were so far (might start airbrushing later but the investment I just made for all models and paints had me reluctant to spend more on equipment right now).

 

There are a few details missing. However I am trying new methods for the models Im making now like panel and rivet shading, application of mat varnish, masking paint (will definitively need for the F-22 paint job) etc etc.

Edited September 13, 2010 by Pilotasso

[topol-m]

Nice model and the F-15J as well.

[Jinro]

I'm currently finishing up a JASDF F-15J Aggressor. Tail #92-8912. I haven't built a model in years so my skills are lacking....

 

 

 

I've also got a small Blue Impulse kit that I bought in Japan--I started on it but never finished it because the acrylic paints I was using were pissing me off.....the brushstrokes are too visible and the white paint is practically transparent, even after 5 coats.

 

I have two more models on my list: 305SQ F-15J with a JASDF anniversary scheme (the one with cherry blossoms) and an ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagle. I have plans for the next F-15J. I'll chop up the intake ramps and flaps and reapply them in landing configuration and display it as if it had just touched down.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Jinro

[topol-m]

Paint it with airbrush you will notice a big difference.

[Pilotasso]

My models used to look like that. You can achieve good results with brushes with a little more practice.

The paint got too thick and I tried to overcoat a second time while it was still fresh, and of course it accumulates everywhere. My current technique is to make paint thin with extra solvent, and after completely dry, apply a second or third coat . The paint then gets fully opaque and very smooth.

 

This works with both enamel and acrylic paints, though enamel can be a pain to wait to be fully dry. It takes 2 full days to be completely dry (i.e. no stickiness by touch) to apply another coat, while acrylics usually dry within a couple of hours (They look dry after just 15 minutes but dont be fooled, as soon as you try painting he 2nd coat, the first starts to peel off, so you really need wait that long).

 

Acrylic paints also chip easily after dry, but you can solve this by applying a thin layer of mat varnish on top (can be enamel varnish, it will grab, the opposite is not advisable).

You can do this after applying decals. it will conserve them. My older models are losing decals because i only recently started to use varnish.

 

BTW only enamels will give you decent metallic or reflective colors.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Pilotasso

[Jinro]

Paint it with airbrush you will notice a big difference.

 

Airbrushing requires tape....I refuse to use tape.

 

I used to use enamels when I was younger, and never had brushstroke problems.....but when I looked for enamel paints at my local store they didn't have any of the colors I needed.

[SuperKungFu]

Here it is:

 

 

Along with an F-15J I previously made (20 year old boxed hasegawa example my uncle had and gave me) ;)

 

You can see Im not a perfectionist. It was all painted by had as all my models were so far (might start airbrushing later but the investment I just made for all models and paints had me reluctant to spend more on equipment right now).

 

There are a few details missing. However I am trying new methods for the models Im making now like panel and rivet shading, application of mat varnish, masking paint (will definitively need for the F-22 paint job) etc etc.

 

 

 

Nice model, I think Hobby Master's F-2 is based off of the hasegawa mold. This is the one I have, pre-built in diecast.

 

 

Paired up with an F-2B

 

 

 

I just got these two as well:

 

B-17

 

and this 747

[Pilotasso]

Airbrushing requires tape....I refuse to use tape.

 

I used to use enamels when I was younger, and never had brushstroke problems.....but when I looked for enamel paints at my local store they didn't have any of the colors I needed.

 

I have been researching and no, you dont have to use masks any more than with paint brush. You got thin paint ejectors for bordering colors. Masks are always necessary, for example to paint border colors in straight lines, like the F-15's engine nacelle area, or F-22's wing edges.

[Jinro]

Masks are always necessary, for example to paint border colors in straight lines, like the F-15's engine nacelle area, or F-22's wing edges.

 

Masks are only necessary for those without steady hands, and on the cockpit. I used a mask on the top half of my F15's engine section, and it left a horrible ridge at the border. Not to mention getting the tape in the curves and crevices was a pain in the butt. I used no masking on the bottom and it looks nearly perfect. However on the cockpit I should have used masking but didn't.

[Pilotasso]

My latest work:

 

 

Still ways to go to perfect the finish techniques.

 

The varnish distribution is not homogeneous.

 

Next model will be Mig-29.

[Alex Okean]

some stuff in progress :)

 

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Pilotasso]

Looks like your more advanced than I am in detailing your kits maybe you could give me a few hints about panel and rivet shading? I see pre shading on your A-7. Do you do shading on top of the final paint too?

 

Cheers! :)