1/72 T-38A Talon

[FTS]

As i'm committed to other GB's elsewhere, i'll be taking a break from the USN GB builds for a short time. This is one of the other builds i'm working on, a PM Models T-38A Talon in USAF markings.

Just the box and sprues shot for now.

[steve149c]

What other GB's you in Steve? PM me if not wanting to make public!

[FTS]

What other GB's you in Steve? PM me if not wanting to make public!

I'm building a number of kits for a USAF GB and i've got a 1:48 Tamiya Mosquito to start shortly, as well as the builds for the USN GB and then the Helicopter competition. Thankfully the mini one is sleeping more which is helping me get back into the swing of things.

[tc2324]

Looks a nice simple/easy kit Steve.

Are those USAF decals meant to be blue`ish though??

[FTS]

Looks a nice simple/easy kit Steve.

Are those USAF decals meant to be blue`ish though??

Probably not! The red bar isn't even central in the stars and bars!

[Flyingmonster]

Its the same with most PM kit Decals - nice little kits but im finding the Decals are letting them down.

[FTS]

Here's an update of where i'm at with this. I've had big issues with my airbrush not working properly, so much so that i've now got a new needle coming from the Far East. The first coat of white is on, but it's really gritty so i'll be doing it again once the needle arrives.

I'm sure I took a shot of the construction phase, but I can't find it... The kit requires a lot of filler, as the joint are shocking!

[steve149c]

Great model - think you need a little more filler on the thing though, lol

Seriously though - which airbrush is faulty? I count three boxes for airbrushes there!

[Flyingmonster]

Coming along nicely dude!

[FTS]

Great model - think you need a little more filler on the thing though, lol

Seriously though - which airbrush is faulty? I count three boxes for airbrushes there!

I got two airbrushes with the compressor, a bottom and a side feeder. The side feeder cup joint broke, so that's not used any more, and the other I haven't used as i'll probably sell it at some point or use it in extreme emergencies . I bought a much better top fed airbrush a few months ago, with a very fine needle which got bent at the tip when I was being a bit too heavy handed cleaning it. I'm using the needle from the first airbrush atm, but I think it's fractionally too big, as it only lets out a thing stream of paint and clogs up really quickly. Hopefully the replacement will be here this week and then i'll get this finished pretty quickly.

As this build is set down atm, it allows me to get on with the Blue Angels Skyhawk and the Catalina. I just need to wake up enough to concentrate!

[FTS]

I've just had the faults of this kit highlighted to me on UKAR, which should be an easy fix, so some surgery is required. I've not had to do this with a kit before, but I think I can figure it out.

The aircraft should look like this;
http://www.cloud9photography.us/Militar ... DxzQ-M.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The kit is basically an F-5B. In order to make it a T-38 I have to remove the fillets at the wing root, and correct the intakes. The intakes on the T-38 angle at 45 degrees, on this kit they're vertical, and they should be flush with the fuselage. Out comes the filler again!

[FTS]

Here's a better shot of the changes that I have to make;
http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/ ... TAHU18.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[steve149c]

Oh yes - and there was me not noticing at all! Whilst your filling Steve - there is a noticeable join line between the intakes and fuselage, port side.

[FTS]

Oh yes - and there was me not noticing at all! Whilst your filling Steve - there is a noticeable join line between the intakes and fuselage, port side.

I've ordered some Vallejo Putty and some sanding sticks as i'm finding the squadron green is too gritty and i'm struggling to get it to smooth with the bits of wet and dry that I have.

[steve149c]

Steve - Sanding Sticks & Polishing I would recommend from Florymodels http://www.florymodels.co.uk/skinny-sticks/, they are great and last a long time - especially the polishing one which will do canopies - will put up a demo online when I get home.

Filling - I only use squadron green for major gaps - normally I would use Mr Surfacerer 500, 1000 and 1200. These are liquid putty and you paint them on, 500 is the largest grit size, 1200 is almost paint like.

Hope it helps

Steve

[FTS]

Steve - Sanding Sticks & Polishing I would recommend from Florymodels http://www.florymodels.co.uk/skinny-sticks/, they are great and last a long time - especially the polishing one which will do canopies - will put up a demo online when I get home.

Filling - I only use squadron green for major gaps - normally I would use Mr Surfacerer 500, 1000 and 1200. These are liquid putty and you paint them on, 500 is the largest grit size, 1200 is almost paint like.

Hope it helps

Steve

I'll probably get some of them, thanks for the link. I've got some manicure sticks on the way which I bought the other night on Ebay for a few quid. I've also got some Squadron Tools sanding sticks on the way as well. I used to have one of these in the tool box and it was really good. It was like using rubber on the kits it was that fine. I shall have a look at this Mr Surfacer of which you speak.

The Vallejo putty arrived this morning, so if I can my a*se in gear and do some work on the Skyhawk today, i'll try it out.

[steve149c]

Have a look at the videos on the FLory site too - there are some free ones for non subscribers. I use their sticks and can remove any seam on a canopy glass in about 5 to 6 minutes, and dipping in clear it completely disappears.

A quick look on youtube presents a few with Mr Surfacer in use, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE54QSkF-rM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for starters.

Hope this all helps - when I get back home I will try and do a short photo bit on the fillers that I use.

[Flyingmonster]

Hope this all helps - when I get back home I will try and do a short photo bit on the fillers that I use.

That would be great dude!

[FTS]

My sanding sticks arrived this morning so i've cracked on with the surgery on this.

Wings sorted;


Intakes sorted;


Filler applied;


I'll try and get an update on later after it's dried and sanded.

[steve149c]

Nice modification there FTS!