Academy 1/48 F-15E "Seymour Johnson" Build

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu May 01, 2014 12:54 am

So after shelving all my other WIPs and going back to working on just one model, naturally I wanted to start something else! I seem to have lost interest in small scale planes of late, but have gained a much bigger interest in 1/48 modern jets. I was initially not going to start any due to lack of space for displaying the finished models, but I managed to clear out enough shelf space for one big jet.

So next question, what to do! F15, F16, F18 or Eurofighter? F15 won the toss up.

I didn't take many pics of the cockpit construction I'm afraid as I just got on with it. But I have some pics here of it more or less all painted up. I have decided to add the crew figures as well. They aren't the best, but once painted and in the seats etc they should look ok.

I am pleased with how the bang seats turned out, and they have an ok amount of detail for kit seats which came up ok under a drybrush. A wee decal set them off nicely. The instrument panels have decals for the screens, which needed a touch of trimming to get them to fit nicely in the screens.

Comments and criticism is welcome. As are any tips as I haven't done many large jets before.

The crew fig had to have his feet removed for him to fit in the rear seat. The pilot won't need such surgery though.

The front wheel well which is under the cockpit tub has had a light grey wash, and will get a little bit of oil staining too. The wires and little detail parts were added by me, just to add a little more visual interest to the area.

Cheers

Post by **Paul** » Thu May 01, 2014 9:22 am

Nice start gav

Post by **cib2265** » Thu May 01, 2014 1:25 pm

Watching this one with a lot of interest Gav - been thinking of getting the Academy F-15 kit for awhile now as a "starter" (sic) before I tackle my pair of F-22 and YF-23 1/48's....

They're big birds in that scale!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri May 16, 2014 2:47 pm

So I have been battering on with this at a rate of knots, and forgotten to take pics of most of it!

Here is a quick update on where the F15 stands and what I have been doing.

First of all I got the exhaust cans painted inside. I used a Citadel paint "Warplock Bronze" which isn't really that close, but its hardly seen and so gives an ok colour. I did this on the can and the fan at the end.

I gave them a black wash to tone down the metallic sheen too.

I built up each exhaust as well.

Top and bottom fuselages together.

And with the cockpit sat in front. Its gonna be big!

I painted and then glued on the exhausts to the cans. Insides were painted with Vallejo Stone Grey as they appear to be a pale colour inside the real ones. I will add some light black staining as well.

LANTIRN pod build up

Tails and elevators on. Cockpit glued onto the fuselage, and one intake on (the other will be added once I tidy up the cockpit/fuselage join).

Adding the pylons etc

I have built all the ordnance and got that primed today. Pics another day.

Cheers, comments and things most welcome!

Post by **bradsbunker** » Sun May 18, 2014 5:32 am

Great detail in the front office! and good looking burner cans !

Post by **Paul** » Sun May 18, 2014 8:56 am

Looking good gav, looks a good kit

https://www.youtube.com/user/bnealuk · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun May 18, 2014 10:35 am

Haha Seymour Johnson.

I regret nothing!!!!!!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun May 18, 2014 12:30 pm

Don't worry Ben I had a laugh at that too lol.

Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sun May 18, 2014 12:47 pm

A very good job with cockpits

. I look forward with interest to the continuation of this story. Well Done !

Post by **LeoDahlin** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:05 am

That is one massive jet

I love the cockpit, really detailed.

Good luck

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon May 19, 2014 4:54 pm

Cheers Leo. yes she is a big bird alright!

Got the ordnance primed, pre-shaded and base coated.

Although I lost the pre-shading due to the dark base colours. But hey gives me the excuse to try some post-shading instead.

How the bombs will come out. Panel lines and rivets washed with Ultimate Dark Dirt.

Cheers.

Website · Post by **TonyCnyc** » Thu May 22, 2014 5:53 pm

Coming along great - look forward to more. Cheers.

Post by **eoinfinnegan** » Fri May 23, 2014 10:26 am

Your doing a fine job, it's looking great

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:05 pm

So recently I decided it was time to get some more work done on this big bird. Now I am by no means happy with various parts of the build. Some gaps which decided to not be filled when I thought they were, bad fitting parts, and dodgy re-scribing on my part. However, under a coat of primer, and with the basecoat on it looks ok really.

I pre-shaded the model, but this was a bit of wasted effort really, as the German Grey base coat is so dark that it just hides it. However, I was planning on trying some post-shading/fading whatever you want to call it.

The model was basecoated in Vallejo Model Air German Grey, then the interior portion of each panel was highlighted with German Grey mixed with a few drops of Model Air Light Grey. I added a few more drops of Light Grey and hit just a handful of panels, mainly on the upper surfaces and in more random patterns just to add a final level of interest. I am pleased with the effect.

Once I did this I masked the plane and painted the bare metal portion of the rear fuselage. This was done with Vallejo Model Air Steel mixed with a bit of Gun Metal just to tone it down a touch. Again, pleased with this and no overspray or leakage!

Pictures.

Next step will be to mask off and paint in the wheel wells. Then it should be a case of a gloss coat before decals. I will finish the ordnance before that though so everything is ready for a gloss coat and decals at the same time.

I will be trying out the AMMO by Mig Deep Grey enamel wash for dark grey jets when it comes to doing the panel line wash. Weathering will be light on this. Just a few little dings and scratches on the leading wing edges perhaps and some grime in the wheel wells, and perhaps some very subtle and subdued streaks from some of the vents etc. to add a little more surface interest.

Cheers

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:12 pm

Your pre-shading shows through a treat from where I'm watching!

She came together quickly since your last update and looks great so far, looking forward to your next up-date now

Post by **Schoof** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:14 pm

WOW Gav looks great i especially love the yellow in the cockpit

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:40 pm

She is looking superb mate a great paint job

Post by **vyper1** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:52 pm

Looking good there Gav

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:34 pm

This is just a quick really boring update on last nights progress.

I managed to get the wheel bays masked and sprayed. I will now double check about the main plane here and touch up any bits that need it, paint any bits I missed. Once done then I think its ready for a Klear coat.

I am in two minds about that. I have either Gloss varnish or Klear to use. I am not sure which to go for. I might do some fading on the drop tanks first and Klear those as tests. If it works ok then I will use Klear on the main plane.

I also have the canopy frame to paint and install, and the canopy to mask and paint at some point. But there is a ruddy great seam running down the middle, which I am a bit scared to tackle. I have all the Ultimate sanders and Paul says its possible to de-seam a canopy and polish it back up using just those so I will look back at his F15 video where he does that for tips.

Cheers for now.

Post by **cib2265** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:17 pm

Looking great Gav - the preshading has worked beautifully!

Try some Tamiya polishing compound for the canopy - from memory does the kit come with 2 canopies? maybe practice on one?

Id like to tackle my F-15C MSIP kit after the group builds, so your build gives me confidence it might be half ok!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jul 27, 2014 1:46 am

Bit more progress tonight whilst chatting to the guys in the G+ hangout.

The canopy seam was dealt with, its not perfect, but once dipped in Klear it came out ok. This was then attached to the framing, masked and painted. The front canopy was then glued in place.

I glued the two sensor pods in place as they are the same colour as the fuselage so can be mounted now. The wingtip and inner leading edge lights were painted in silver then Tamiya Clear Red and Green. These need tidied up a bit still, but look ok.

The ordnance has been Kleared ready for decals, which I also made a start too. Main aircraft will be glossed when my Alcad Aqua Gloss arrives next week, but Klear can be brushed onto the smaller missiles etc ok.

Gear doors were also painted, glossed and washed with Ultimate Dark Dirt.

Thats it for this update, cheers for looking.

Post by **Nige201980** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:12 pm

Brill work Gav. What's it like as a kit nearly bought this earlier today and might go back for it. Looks ok from your build but how did it go together?

Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:43 am

She's going to look very sext when she's done.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:13 am

Cheers Nige. The kit is ok I guess, Some bits build up without issue, others don't fot so well. Generally the wings fit well to the fuselage, but then the conformal fuel tanks found on the F-15E don't fit that snug. The upper and lower fuselage join is ok until you get to the rear where there can be a gap.

The decals are also crap. They are nice and bright, but are thick and simply don't react to Micro Sol or Set, and I am having trouble getting them to even stick to the surface. And so I am going to have to get some AM ones, which means I will miss out on all the stencils etc and the ordnance. Which is a shame. So I will prob perservere with the ones for the ordnance and get an AM set for the rest. I am not bothered if I miss out stencil data!

UKguy - cheers, I hope so!

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:35 am

Gav0909 wrote:Cheers Nige. The kit is ok I guess, Some bits build up without issue, others don't fot so well. Generally the wings fit well to the fuselage, but then the conformal fuel tanks found on the F-15E don't fit that snug. The upper and lower fuselage join is ok until you get to the rear where there can be a gap.

The decals are also crap. They are nice and bright, but are thick and simply don't react to Micro Sol or Set, and I am having trouble getting them to even stick to the surface. And so I am going to have to get some AM ones, which means I will miss out on all the stencils etc and the ordnance. Which is a shame. So I will prob perservere with the ones for the ordnance and get an AM set for the rest. I am not bothered if I miss out stencil data!

UKguy - cheers, I hope so!

Cheers Gav sorry to hear about the decals when I get home I'll have a look see I may have some sort of stencil that may help.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:51 am

Cheers Nige. The small ones might work ok. The main issue is because they are quite thick is getting them to settle down. And because they don't seem to react to Micro Sol/Set, I fear for them conforming to panel lines etc.

I will get some AM decals anyway for all the main markings. And I will see if I can find a set which has at least some stencils.

Cheers

Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 1:57 pm

Ok mate let me know has I have loads of spares right from when I was a kid so I'll have a look if needed

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:28 pm

Cheers for the offer Nige, much appreciated. I have an AM set on its way so I will see whats in it. Perhaps between the two I can get all the major markings and at least some of the stencils. Enough to make it look busy.

Want to get her finished now, she has sat on the shelf too long. Once the decals are on, it will be a panel line wash time, some light chipping and that's about it I think.

Post by **vyper1** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:54 pm

Unlucky about the decals Gav, at least you have given me a heads up on what to expect as I have the same kit coming. It's looking sweet by the way, will look brilliant when completed

Post by **Richie** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:31 am

Nice work Gav

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThudWeasel · Post by **HistoryRider** » Thu Aug 07, 2014 6:19 pm

Gav0909 wrote:
I am in two minds about that. I have either Gloss varnish or Klear to use. I am not sure which to go for. I might do some fading on the drop tanks first and Klear those as tests. If it works ok then I will use Klear on the main plane.

Hey Gav!! Great work!!

She is looking like one lean, mean, fighting machine!

If you ever get up close to an E, that grey just seems to pull the light out of the sky, and stays a menacing dark flat. I'd go with the Klear to avoid any kind of sheen to your F-15.

Keep up the good work!! Can't wait to see it all finished and decaled with the ones you find!

Post by **jackielinz** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:52 pm

I just started a 1/32 F-18, so much bigger than i thought it would be, loving it.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:01 pm

Yeah I was surprised at the size of this kit in 48th scale! A 1/32 one would be a monster.

Post by **Avgas** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:33 pm

Looking great Gav, as you say, a monster! Amazing when you think that the F15 is as long as and taller than a Wellington bomber. I thik when we say 'fighter' they shrink a bit in our mind's eye!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:42 pm

Yeah for sure. I remember the first time I got up close and personal to a Tornado, and was taken aback at just how big these modern jets are. If your interested, this build is now complete, and final pics are in the Air Gallery section of ISM, or on my YT channel.

Post by **jackielinz** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:13 am

Gav0909 wrote:Yeah I was surprised at the size of this kit in 48th scale! A 1/32 one would be a monster.

Its it pretty big job for sure

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:17 am

I know this is due to them being markedly different in size in real life, but I was surprised to find my 1/48th A-10 Thunderbolt was bigger than my 1/32 Hawk. Crazy.

Post by **jackielinz** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:20 am

Gav0909 wrote:I know this is due to them being markedly different in size in real life, but I was surprised to find my 1/48th A-10 Thunderbolt was bigger than my 1/32 Hawk. Crazy.

I found a 1:32 A10, looks bigger than the F18 1:32 i am building.haha

Post by **jackielinz** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 7:24 am

Oh Gav, any new photos to share? Can't wait to see some updates

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 9:39 am

I finished this build way back in October last year.

http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... =45&t=8952

There is a link to the final pics thread. Cheers

Post by **jackielinz** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:11 am

Nice!!! Thanks

YouTube · Post by **Jscale32** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:32 am

Nice job, especially in the cockpit.