This is my first build in about five years, and being an ex F-18 ordnance tech, I figured what better platform to cut teeth on (a second time). This kit was built primarily OOB, although I initially toyed with the idea of adding the decal sheet from Squadron Decals of the VFA-143 Pukin’ Dogs (my alma mater).
I however decided to wait and add those to a future build on the Hasegawa kit that I recently acquired. Model Masters enamel paints were used exclusively, and weathering was achieved using a combination of pastel chalks, and water based oil paints.
I shot a base coat of dark and light ghost
gray, then went back and added “touch up” spots on the plane using MM
Aircraft Gray to lighten the highlights, and simulate actual touch up jobs
that are performed by maintainers on the fly to prevent corrosion of the
understructure. I then went back over it with a highly thinned
base coat again to help blend the touch up work into the structure, and
offset the dark and light grays. Added, oil and exhaust stains on
the undercarriage using black pastel chalk, and gloss coated with future
for decals, and panel weathering.
All in all, a great build,
minus a few headaches here and there, but for Revell, there was little
issue with the form or fit, and the touch up work was minor. I’ve
got a few other really great projects in the works as of now, and looking
forward to adding more submissions in the very near future.
Nick Williamson
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