1/72 Hobbyboss Republic F-84E Thunderjet

Gallery Article by Jean-Paul Wrona on July 4 2010

United States of America Independence Day 2010

 

This kit was finished at the beginning of 2009.
I heard that the Humbrol Metalcote colors could be applied with a brush on large surfaces with good results.  So, I wanted to try and I decided that the Thunderjet from Hobbyboss may be a good Guinea pig for it.

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Like for a Corsair I was building, the build process was rather easy.  I tried to improve the cockpit with fine metal foil stripes for the seat belts.  But I had a strange accident with the canopy, maybe due to the modus operandi: the part took a first Klir/Future bath, then masking and painting, and another Klir bath. Now, the part lost it transparency (grrrrrr...).

For the colors, I applied with brush the Metalcote n°27002 on all the aircraft, reworked some panels with 27001 and few drops of gunmetal for the engine exhaust.  Anti-glare panels were done with Humbrol 86 and landing gears bays with H81.  H86 and H127 for the rockets, touches of red, tires in black...

Weathering was done with oils for artists and Tamiya weathering set.

For the markings, I choose the F-84E "Sandy" belonging to the 9th FBS, 49th FBW, based at Taegu in Korea in 1951.

I think that these trials with the Metalcote are rather conclusive. And I'm also satisfied with this model (except for the canopy).

Hope you like it.

Jean-Paul Wrona

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Photos and text © by Jean-Paul Wrona