WIP : Hobbyboss 1/72 Rafale C Pt.1 – Construction
It’s strange that considering how popular the Rafale is (200 or so units in active service) that only Hobbyboss has kitted the subject. My experience with Hobbyboss has been hit or miss though so let’s see how this one goes. As we shall see, this build will heavily reference this Rafale on the Prime Portal …...
Completed : Fujimi 1/72 Grumman F-14A Tomcat ‘Top Gun’
Kit InfoBrand: Fujimi 28010Scale: 1/72Media: StyreneMarkings: DEF Models 72004F-14 Decal set Movie collection No.1 The SubjectThe Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft developed for the United States Navy’s Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after...
A visit to HQ Hobbies
I’m currently in Milford, Connecticut accompanying my daughter to a competition and I found a hobby shop! HQ Hobbies is a 21 year old shop run by Randy and his assistant Pumpkin. As usual with an American shop there are a lot of AMT/Monogram car kits. But the shop also carries some reasonably priced Eduard …...
2023 is (pretty much) kaput
Since March this year, my work on model kits have slowed to a trickle as I’ve been dealing with problems on my right eye. My problem started way back in early 2020 with a strange jump in my myopia in my right eye. Due to both Covid and procrastination, I only got my eye checked …...
WIP : Fujimi 1/72 F-14A Tomcat ‘Top Gun’ Pt. 3 : Finishing
The edges of the gear doors were handpainted with red. This takes a bit of concentration and a steady hand of which I didn’t really have. I began with a panel wash using AK Abteilung Starship Filth. I really like the way Fujimi has done their panel lines. They are just fine enough to be …...
WIP : Fujimi 1/72 F-14A Tomcat ‘Top Gun’ Pt. 2 : Painting
Painting begins with making sure the canopy frame is in black. I then base coated the whole kit with black primer, which in this case is Mr Surfacer Black thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner, which results in a smooth and slightly glossy finish. I wanted to build up the weathered finish layer by layer so …...
Completed : AFV Club 1/48 Northrop F-5N Tiger II ‘VMFT-401 Snipers’
Kit InfoBrand: AFV Club 48101Scale: 1/48Media: StyreneMarkings: TwoBobs 48-124 F-5E VMFT-401 Snipers The SubjectThe F-5E Tiger II is an upgrade of the F-5A Tiger. Introduced in 1970, it has more powerful engines, a lengthened and enlarged fuselage, larger fuel capacity, better avionics, better aerodynamics and more crucially, a radar....
Completed : Hasegawa 1/72 Lockheed Martin F-16A Fighting Falcon ‘Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)’
Kit InfoBrand: 1/72 Hasegawa 00188Media: StyreneMarkings: Kit and Zotz Decals 72-016 ‘Vivacious Vipers #2’ The SubjectThe Lockheed Martin (originally General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter. With over 4,400 aircraft built, it currently serves in 25 nations. Commonly known as the ‘Viper’, it...
WIP : Fujimi 1/72 F-14A Tomcat ‘Top Gun’ Pt. 1 : Construction
I’ve always wanted to model Maverick’s F-14A from the first Top Gun movie but I never had access to the markings. That was until I got my hands on the DEF Models JD72004 F-14A Tomcat Decal set – Movie Collection No.1 sheet. I’ve had this Fujimi kit for a long while now and had taken …...
Completed : Hobbyboss 1/48 Douglas A-4E Skyhawk ‘Navy Fighter Weapons School – TOPGUN 55’
Kit InfoBrand: Hobbyboss 81764Scale: 1/48Media: StyreneMarkings: Fightertown Decals 48-092 ExtremelyAdversarial – A-4/TA-4, F-5, F-16 The SubjectThe Douglas (later McDonnell Douglas) A-4 Skyhawk is a single seat subsonic carrier-capable attack aircraft originally developed for the US Navy and US Marine Corps. While relatively...
