Completed : Tamiya 1/48 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat
Kit Info Brand and Kit Number: Tamiya 61034 Media: Injection Plastic Markings: Techmod 48018 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat The Subject The Grumman F4F Wildcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft in service with the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and British Royal Navy in World War II. It was the only fighter available...
WIP : Tamiya 1/48 Wildcat Pt. 3 – Weathering
I decided to model an ace’s Wildcat. In this case, it will be Marian Eugene Carl’s F4F-4 from September 1942 while stationed in Guadacanal. The decals some from Techmod, a Polish decal maker. The decals went on very easily and reacted well to Mark Softer. Markings are sparse and I was done quite quickly. After …...
WIP : Tamiya 1/48 Wildcat Pt. 2 – Painting
Tamiya lives up to its reputation of having kits that require minimal seamline fixing and I’m onto the painting stage quicker than usual. First up, I did a base coat of Tamiya XF-1 Black thinned with lacquer thinner. This is now I preferred primer since I haven’t been able to figure out acrylic-based primers yet. …...
WIP : Tamiya 1/48 Wildcat Pt. 1 – Construction
My next kit is hopefully a straightforward build of the Tamiya 1/48 F4F-4 Wildcat. This was the workhorse of the USN and USMC during the first half of the Pacific campaign. When I opened the box, I realized that I had already assembled most of the parts into subassemblies previously. This includes having already painted …...
Completed : AFV Club 1/48 Northrop F-5E Tiger II ’26th TFTS’
Kit Info Brand and Kit Number: AFV Club AR48102 Media: Injection Plastic, Photo-etch, Resin Aftermarket: Seat from Wolfpack Design WPD48089 Markings: TwoBobs 48-216 F-5E PACAF Gomers #2 The Subject The 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,...
WIP : AFV Club 1/48 F-5E Tiger II Pt. 5 – Finishing
The resin ejection seat was painted separately and left out until final assembly. The cockpit is much improved with this lone aftermarket part and I highly recommend it. The nose gear is a straightforward build. The kit gives you the option of an extended nosegear. If I’m not mistaken, the nose gear takes on that …...
WIP : AFV Club 1/48 F-5E Tiger II Pt. 4 – Finishing
So work has finally continued after not having touched this kit since end of June. Markings are from TwoBobs’ 48-216 F-5E PACAF Gomers #2. As usual, some layering of decals are required but once cured they look great. I then mildly weathered and panel washed the kit with my usual thinned oil paint sludge. The …...
WIP : AFV Club 1/48 F-5E Tiger II Pt. 3 – Painting
To prep for painting, I began with masking off the cockpit, adding the HUD and attaching the windscreen. The instructions called for aluminum for the wheel bays but I only had Model Air Metal Steel on hand. I think it looks close enough. All the landing gear and doors were also painted steel separately. The …...
WIP : AFV Club 1/48 F-5E Tiger II Pt. 2 – Construction
Work continues and I begin with masking the canopy. Unlike my previous builds, I decide not to dip the 2 canopy parts in Future since they look quite clear as is. Maybe I’ll brush on some in the end. I’m also planning to leave the canopy open so I decided to mask the inside of …...
WIP : AFV Club 1/48 F-5E Tiger II Pt. 1 – Construction
My next kit is a new build (as opposed to another Shelf Queen) of a USAF F-5E Tiger II flown as an Adversary for training purposes. The build begins with the cockpit as usual. Details are nice and are finely raised. I first sprayed a base coat of Model Air Black Grey then Mig Ammo …...
