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GWH 1/48 scale F-15C Eagle
drabslab
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Posted: Monday, February 09, 2015 - 08:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Work has started in earnest on the stations, loads out, and the drop tanks. GWH has done a excellent job of molding raised wielded seam lines on the drop tanks.



Unfortunately, after I glued the tank halves together, some sanding was necessary to remove the Extra Thin glue/plastic seam lines. Now I'm not exactly the most careful modeler when it comes to sanding, so I ended up removing four sections of the wield lines, 2 from the front wield and 2 from the rear wield on all 3 drop tanks.



So now came the question on how to repair my screw up. At 1st I thought that some stretched sprue would do nicely, but after several attempts, I just didn't like the overall look, so I removed all the pieces of stretched sprue, resanded, and polished. Next came the old standby of tape and putty, so I tried Green Stuff. I just couldn't get it to lay down a nice consistent bead, so I thought about thinning it with Lacquer Thinner or Extra Thin. Neither option really appealed to me as I didn't want a smooth finish, and that's what I usually get with thinned out Green Stuff. My last option was Vallejo's white acrylic putty. I use it all the time to fill small scratches and seams, and this repair falls into that category if you stretch the concept enough. So I cut small strips of blue painters tape and carefully laid them along each side of the wield seam where the repair was needed.



Then I applied a rough bead of Vallejo white putty



Then removed the tape before it had set up



the repaired seams looked pretty good to me



So I went ahead and repaired the other two drop tanks. I gave it a day to dry, then primed the tanks with Mr.Primer Surfacer 1,000, gave that over night to dry and cure, then airbrushed on Model Master FS 36375 Light Ghost Gray. The final results looks pretty decent to me.





Joel




This drop tank trick comes in just on time for my Skyray

thanks

Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, February 09, 2015 - 08:55 PM UTC
[quote

This drop tank trick comes in just on time for my Skyray

thanks

[/quote]

It's very easy to do, and works great. Just remove the tape asap so the putty doesn't setup and pop off with the tape.
Joel
Merlin
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Posted: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 - 02:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Hi Joel

Lovely job repairing the weld seams! I'll be sure to remember that tip.

All the best

Rowan


Rowan,
Thanks.
The strange thing is that the repair looks much more like a painted wield seam then the original molding. If I wasn't so lazy, I should have sanded off all the molded on seams and redone them. Nah, just too much work for too little gain.
Joel


Hi again Joel

I guess it's not surprising really - the random texture of a weld (or in your case filler) is hard to replicate in a CAD-produced kit.

Beautiful work in your latest updates. This is going to look great on the Frontpage when it's completed.

All the best

Rowan
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 03:58 AM UTC
Well, it's with mixed emotions that I'm posting my last update on the F-15C Eagle build. Yep, I finally made it to the finish line.

As I said from day one, GWH has surpassed all their previous 1/48 scale kits with their release of the F-15C Eagle. It is without a doubt the best engineered kit in terms of part fit, and part detail that I've ever had the pleasure to build. It is just that good. The only place that any putty was needed was the nose cone to fuselage seam.

In order to get there I had to add all the final pieces which were left off till the final stages of the build.

All the various antennas were added to the fuselage.
Both stations with loads added to the wings
AIM-120A ARAAMs along with their mounting brackets were added to the fuselage.
All the gear doors were attached to their respective locations
The canopy sub assembly was finally finished, and attached to it's mounting location but not glued to it. Naturally, I dropped the canopy on to my workbench and managed to snap the canopy piston in half. I ended up having to make a new one.

After looking at the final set of pictures, I decided that the taxi lights just aren't up to standards of the rest of the kit, as the Pledge clear coat just didn't come close to replicating clear lenses. So I have to make them out of spares, or I might try some Gel CA Gorilla Glue.

Here's the final set of pictures.

Joel






































tinbanger
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 04:16 AM UTC
Great build Joel!
SaxonTheShiba
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 04:31 AM UTC
Joel, it really looks nice. A good representation of the MOD EAGLE SCHEME as well. The markings on the vertical stabs really make the airplane stand out too.

Best wishes,

Ian
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 06:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Great build Joel!


Richard and Ian,
Much thanks to both of you for appreciating my modest efforts. I'm already having modeling withdrawals till the next build starts.
Joel
SaxonTheShiba
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 06:28 AM UTC
What's next Joel?

Ian
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 06:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

What's next Joel?

Ian


Ian,
My basic modeling plan is one prop, then one jet, then repeat. So it' prop time. I'm about ready to start Eduard's limited Edition Jugs over Italy. What I really like about these limited kits is that it comes with all Eduard's PE, and resin parts, and quite a few decal options, which are printed by Cartograf.
Joel
SaxonTheShiba
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 06:52 AM UTC
Good choice.....The Jug!!!!!!!!!

Ian
Merlin
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 04:12 PM UTC
Hi Joel

Great job! Let's get this on the Frontpage.

All the best

Rowan
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 07:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Joel

Great job! Let's get this on the Frontpage.

All the best

Rowan


Rowan,

Thank You so much for your most kind words.
Like I said at the start of this build, it's all about the finish, which was to attain a well maintained operational finish for a ANG aircraft. Hopefully, I've succeeded in everyone's eyes. Personally, it think I achieved that important personal goal.

Are you referring to a feature article? I'll be putting one together and submitting it over the next few days, as I'm working the whole weekend on various shifts. I also need to start work on my F9F-8 kit review. Just lately time is the final frontier, and I can't find enough of it for modeling.

Joel
thegirl
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 08:43 PM UTC
Joel ,


I have been silently following along on your build and have enjoyed it tremendously .

Beautifully done !



Terri
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, February 13, 2015 - 08:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Joel ,


I have been silently following along on your build and have enjoyed it tremendously .

Beautifully done !


Terri


Terri,
Thank you so much for your most kind words. Glad to see that you appreciate my efforts even though there isn't two wings and rigging wires.
Joel
Merlin
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Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 02:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Just lately time is the final frontier, and I can't find enough of it for modeling.

Joel


Hi Joel

Nicely put - although Space is also the issue for me (in true Star Trek style, for all the stalled builds that litter my workshop... ).

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with the Cougar - it couldn't be in better hands.

All the best

Rowan
chris1
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Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 08:23 AM UTC
Hi Joel,
WOW I half expect it fly off the page.
Looking forward to it being on the front page.you deserve all cudos you get for this build.

The Jug, razor back or bubble top?

Also just remember 'time is an illusion ,lunch time doubly so'

Regards


Chris
Joel_W
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Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 07:06 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Joel,
WOW I half expect it fly off the page.
Looking forward to it being on the front page.you deserve all cudos you get for this build.

The Jug, razor back or bubble top?

Also just remember 'time is an illusion ,lunch time doubly so'

Regards


Chris


Chris,
I'm truly humbled by your comments. Thank you so much.

The Jug in the Eduard limited kit is the Academy Bubble top Jug. I have the Tamiya P-47D Razorback and was going to buy their Bubble top, but I kept on looking at all the goodies that came with the Eduard kit. I read some reviews on the Academy kit, and it's pretty good except for the cockpit. Well, the limited version has a full resin cockpit. So, I bit the bullet, and bought one.

Joel
SaxonTheShiba
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 05:51 AM UTC
Here you go Joel.....some -15's in action.

Best wishes,

Ian

http://youtu.be/9NEcBaxvbQE
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 06:45 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Here you go Joel.....some -15's in action.

Best wishes,

Ian

http://youtu.be/9NEcBaxvbQE


Ian,
Outstanding. Loved it.
Joel
CMOT
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 10:10 AM UTC
I have to say Joel that looks to be another excellent model you have there or as my wife calls them dust collector.
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - 06:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have to say Joel that looks to be another excellent model you have there or as my wife calls them dust collector.


Darren,
Thanks. It's my best yet, that's for sure. As for being dust collectors, I keep all my models in display cases. Of course the cases are in my computer/model room, which my wife, never, ever, ventures into. So dusting and vacuuming the floors is up to me.

Joel
LC_Skipper
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Posted: Monday, February 23, 2015 - 11:26 PM UTC
That indeed is one very nice-looking Eagle!

Out of curiosity regarding the subject: what external differences are there between the baseline F-15C and the F-15C MSIP II? Is this an USAF-only variant, or could it be built in IDF/AF-colors like GWH's twin-seater?
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 - 07:39 PM UTC

Quoted Text

That indeed is one very nice-looking Eagle!

Out of curiosity regarding the subject: what external differences are there between the baseline F-15C and the F-15C MSIP II? Is this an USAF-only variant, or could it be built in IDF/AF-colors like GWH's twin-seater?


Robin,
Thank you so much for appreciating my most modest of efforts.

the MSIP 11 is an electronics upgrade. As far as I know the only differences are the various antennas. From what I've read only about 520 or so F-15Cs have been modified at this point. For the IDF variant you would just need to do some Google searches, but the odds are that they have a different antenna arrangement to start with. The F-15E Strike Eagle has a different electronic package as it has a back seat electronics/weapons officer.
Joel
magnusf
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Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 12:24 AM UTC
Since I wasn't onboard to follow this one from the beginning I took the chance to read through your blog now instead! It's a beautiful build!

I really like the restrained weathering of the airframe that really adds to the interest and pops out the details! And a first rate set of armament as well, putting in some extra work around the pointy bits really pays off in the end!

From where do you know Janne of latex paint fame by the way? He is a frequent visitor and build blogger at "my home forum" - IPMS Stockholm!



Magnus
Joel_W
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Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2015 - 07:09 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Since I wasn't onboard to follow this one from the beginning I took the chance to read through your blog now instead! It's a beautiful build!

I really like the restrained weathering of the airframe that really adds to the interest and pops out the details! And a first rate set of armament as well, putting in some extra work around the pointy bits really pays off in the end!

From where do you know Janne of latex paint fame by the way? He is a frequent visitor and build blogger at "my home forum" - IPMS Stockholm!



Magnus


Magnus,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my F-15C build blog. I'm so glad that you appreciated my efforts to kick it up a few notches.

Weathering has been a pain in my side since I've joined Aereoscale. Way too much in places, not enough in others, very little control or understanding of the entire process, and the biggest issues was recessed lines with a jet Black pin wash. Dark colors looked ok, but the lighter colors just looked completely unnatural. The last few builds leading up to the Eagle were done in a much more retrained manner, and softer, more natural tones. The total effect that I've achieved on the Eagle is where I really want to be.

Paul Budzik, an Nationally known IPMS modeler influenced how I look at weathering and more importantly what it accomplishes, and what it doesn't.

I'm impressed that you know Janne of "Latex Paint" fame. Then you noticed that not only did I use his Latex method for the engine intakes, but I've made reference to him a few times throughout the build, as well as his work and name on Tim Hatton's JA37 Viggen build, as it's his build and corrections I was using as examples.

I met Janne on the ARC forum, where he's a very active builder who turns out 2+ models to my one, and just as active on the forum as I am. We became friends, and enjoy the banter between the two of us.

BTW, IPMS Stockholm site is fantastic. So much of the information on USA WW11 colors comes from their site. I've taken the liberty to download links, copy & paste everything, as it's quite extensive.

Joel
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