tc`s VF-111 `Sundowners` `upgrade to 1/48` Project

[tc2324]

Post moved to correct thread.

(That was embarrassing.... )

[paddyboy]

Hi TC



May one enquire as to the exact scheme to be used

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

And so with the Fury build on hold until I can resource the appropriate decals, I`m starting what will be my last build of the year.



The Bearcat was the very last prop fighter operated by the `Sundowners` before they converted to jets and was flown for 3 years from Dec 1946 till Dec 1949.

During the `Sundowners` tenure with the Bearcat, they had had their designation changed from VF-11A the now well known VF-111 designation in June 1948.

Here`s the aircraft I`ll be creating.



This is the F8F-2 version with the four 20mm cannon.

So far I`ve built the engine and pre-painted some items on the sprues.





Should be finished by tomorrow night then....

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Not surprised at all by the quality of the detail

Keep us mere mortals up to date

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Thanks Patrick.


Now in my last post, I signed off by saying that this kit will probably be done by the next evening.

Well as of last night I`m here with it....



Now is this down to my modelling skills? I`d say no. I think it`s more down to the fact that Hobby Craft have produced a great little kit that fitted together like a perfect glove. Add to the fact that the rattle can paint is quick drying and I`m what is known as `between jobs` right now, all added to pretty much the perfect build.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

She's looking chipper already

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

As mentioned earlier, the kit has been fantastic.

The decals however have not.

It`s taken me about 2 hours in all over the weekend to apply them and there's not even a lot of them to do. They were very fragile and did not like to be moved around or handled which led to a lot of tears. No doubt it`s down to age, but I needed to work with these as getting spares would of been a complete pain.

You may notice on the box art that this example bears the letter `A` on the fin and wings. I needed a `V` so I carefully cut the `A` in said `V`. Hopefully you can`t tell the difference.



Just need to add a couple of coats of varnish, then a wash and finish this kit by the weekend hopefully.

[paddyboy]

Hi Buddy

Don't beat yourself up so much

That's a great job, and if you hadn't said, I doubt if anyone would have known

Very best regards and well done

Patrick

[tc2324]

And so I`m pretty much near completion on this with just a number of touch ups to be done.



The canopy decals have been used and I can`t say I`m that impressed.





It`s a nice idea and they as you can see they are very crisp and straight.

However they do have issues. First, they are extremely fragile to handle. Secondly, they don`t quite fit or fill in all the areas they are supposed to. And thirdly, no matter how much decal set I use they just don`t want to stay in place.

Like I said, nice idea..., but I`ll be taking them off and masking up so I get the finish I want.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC



Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

...... and so on to my next Sundowner and it would seem I just can`t escape Tiger`s.....



A rather battered box and while I`m no expert on F-5E`s, I went for the Swiss version as these are the correct type, (ex-Swiss AF), flown by VFC-111 from Key West in Florida.

Here`s the scheme, `Bandit` 121.



More soon.

[paddyboy]

HI TC

You know how much I love those little beasties

I shall follow this with bated breath

Best regards

Patrick

[tc2324]

Cheers Paddy.

Update today and it`s a very quick build if I`m honest.......,



In some pictures I`ve viewed of the F-5N`s with either VFC-111 OR VFC-13 the guns ports have been faired over or left open. I`ll be leaving mine in the `open`.



...... and one annoying thing to emerge from the sprue is the broken canopy rail. Easy to fix, but still annoying.

[paddyboy]

Hi TC

Quick progress there

Cheers

Patrick

[tc2324]

.... and so after using about 3 miles of Tamiya masking tape, I can now declare the principle spraying is complete.



There`s a couple of over spray marks that need to be corrected but nothing too serious.

Gloss coat and decals next hopefully.

[tc2324]

Found I had an hour to myself and thought I`d make a start on the decals.



I got these new about a year ago from a supplier in HK off of Evilbay. They were carefully stored well away from sunlight/heat/cold etc etc.

So I placed the tail decals in the water and within 20 seconds started to see cracks appearing and before I could retrieve them from the dish they completely disintegrated......



Builds now on hold until I can source some more. As I said.....,

[paddyboy]

Oops

Not your fault, buddy

Sure you will overcome this t-i-n-y setback

Best regards

Patrick

[PaulN]

TC

Oh dear

PM me your address I have a spare set out of the AFV kit if you want them

I have used Authentic Decals before and had the same problem ..a very light coat of Rustins Brass Varnish does the trick , it thin , clear and very quick drying

Don't forget the lumps either side of the nose and rear fuselage as per the Swiss AF ones along with the chisel nose and extended LERX's

Wait to hear from you

Cheers

Paul

[steve149c]

TC - tough luck on the decals! What a set back

Great of Paul to make the kind offer!!

Looking forward to the next update

[tc2324]

Replacement decals arrived yesterday and everything is now back on track.



Cheers guys.

Paul, firstly, thank you so much for the kind offer.

Secondly, I now have a decal sheet I can try that tip on...

And last but not least, the lumps and bumps were being pre-painted prior to being placed in position.

I`ve found that if I just painted the lumps/bumps, the bit of glue used can have a smear effect if you have fat fingers like me.

So I now paint and then gloss all these bits, then leave to dry, so it reduces any smear effect.

Will hopefully have this completed by the middle of next week.