Hobby Boss 1:48 F8F-1 Bearcat

[RoscoRSA]

Hi All,

This is going to be my first attempt at a build log, so here we go:

I am planning to build the F8F-1 in the blue angels (Beetle Bomb) color scheme.

Lets start with my working area (yes that is an improvised spray booth, but if it works, who cares):


Painting the interior:




Doing some preliminary weathering with 1:10 thinned XF-1 (this was my first attempt to do this kind of weathering)


Close up of the cockpit


Doing the dry fit of the cockpit (very easy as it turns out)




Model at end of day 1




So far this model is coming together allot better than the previous bearcat I did, if all goes well I should have the first couple of coats on tomorrow.

btw
The photo's were taken with a Sony Xperia Z3 (turned out a hell of allot better than I expected to be honest)

[AndreFerro]

Hi Rosco!
I have a Bearcat myself, but the 'F2' version.


And will be closely following yr topic here, to learn a trick or two!

[UKguyInUSA]

Nice start and she came together fast

[RoscoRSA]

Update #1

So today I started by masking off the cockpit and landing gear bays:



Added some pre-shading:



I then added a silver undercoat, for a chipping effect.



I then added the chips with humbrol maskol (this stuff was a pain the the butt to get off afterwards but totally worth it)


Top coat gets put on



Bombs, Rockets, drop tank and main landing gear ready to be put on the plane


Status at the end of day 2:


I still need to add the majority of the decals, mount the under wing stuff and touch up the cockpit area before clear coating and weathering.

I have to say the chipping effect I managed to achieve was rather lackluster on the plane itself, but the prop turned out awesome.

[RoscoRSA]

Update #2

So this is going to be a small update. All I did was put on all the remaining decals and attach the landing gear, bombs and rockets.

I started with tis.


And now I am here



with what I am seeing now, I am kind of debating doing any additional weathering, I kind of like what it looks like right now. I still need to finish up the canopy and wing lights and get them attached, once that is done I will decide on the weathering.

But so far I am very happy with how this one is turning out.

[Aliktren]

that spray booth is some heath-robinson style genius

[shortCummins]

I love the yellow paint scheme

[RoscoRSA]

that spray booth is some heath-robinson style genius

I know right, but I had the stuff laying around and thought, why not...

I love the yellow paint scheme

Me to, it turned out allot better than I was expecting, Tamiya X-8 has always given me trouble, but this time I think I came out on top.

[UKguyInUSA]

This is the first Bearcat in yellow I've seen modelled....looking good though!

[Fran]

Yeah, I agree! This beauty looks awesome!. first time I see a bearcat in (civil) colors hehehe. It look fantastic. Wel done!

[RoscoRSA]

Yeah, I agree! This beauty looks awesome!. first time I see a bearcat in (civil) colors hehehe. It look fantastic. Wel done!

Thanks, I just thought, why build another blue bearcat, to be honest the blue always felt to plain to me (must be because its all I see being build, don't get me wrong a blue bearcat looks fantastic in its own right)

[Fran]

You're right!, its first about what makes us haapy or have interest in that what moves so, Well done!

Cheers

[CJSomerset]

Love the yellow, but not sure it would work as camouflage unless you landed in custard! Such a quick build as well. Looking forward to the final pics.

[mincemeat]

Quite a lovely turnout on that kit! A gent in my modelling club just brought a Bearcat in with a Navy grey/white scheme that looked pretty sweet. Great job on this!

[RoscoRSA]

Final Build Update.



So after quite a bit of thinking I decided to take the model as is, clean up a few of the nit picky things, clear coat it and call it a day. I originally wanted to do some weathering but due to problems I am experiencing with my airbrushes and such I decided to play it safe with this one.

So without further ado, please enjoy

















I have to say, the chipping on the prop turned out great, I will definitely do the same on my future models.

I am planning on getting myself another airbrush, to kind of replace the cheep one that is giving me trouble, and to get a couple of "less expensive" kits to practice some weathering on before moving on my next big project.