F-111F 70-2389, " KARMA 52", Operation Eldorado Canyon April 15, 1986

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 12:05 am

I wIll be using the 1/48 HobbyBoss F-111 D/E Kit.

I will model a F-111F, tail number 70-2389, Radio Call Sign "KARMA 52". on the night of April 15,1986 during Operation Eldorado Canyon, the Raid on Tripoli ,Libya. Karma 52, was the only aircraft lost that night. This F-111F was piloted by Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).

On the night of April 14-15, 1986, the U.S.Air Force undertook its first combat since Vietnam and first from Great Britain since WWII. Twenty-four F-111F Aardvarks (including six spares) launched from Lakenheath, supported by five EF-111A Raven electronic jamming planes from Upper Heyford, nineteen KC-10A Extenders and 10 KC-135 Stratotankers.
Pilots who flew on the mission reported seeing a fireball fall into the sea during the raid, and in the light of a lack of any other evidence, the USAF concluded that the plane was lost to a SAM or AAA. After years of denying that they had the bodies of the two crew members, the Libyan authorities returned the remains of Fernando on request from the Pope. He was identified by dental records. Paul Lorence has never been returned.

In respect for the crew, the last F-111F flown to AMARC was with the same Callsign. " KARMA 52". Both Lorence and Ribas-Dominicci were awarded the Purple Heart and Ribas-Dominicci was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, effective April 15, 1986. I dedicate this build to Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).

I have available the following Aftermarket items

I will be using the eduard mask set.
I may or may not use the Photo etch set, as the engraved detail in the cockpit is great.

I will be using parts of the Afterburner Lakenheath Varks set. This aircraft is not represented on this set.

G-Factor exhausts. Beautiful !!

and then,the G- Factor Pilot tube. will be the last Item installed. If I install it any sooner I would definitely break it of !!

Post by **burnie43** » Fri May 01, 2015 11:34 am

Love the way that you are depicting and actual aircraft and crew....
If I could put mud on it this would be one of my favourite builds.....but I'll stick to vehicles
Looking forward to seeing it come together
Good luck & thanks for sharing
Mark

Post by **chief5437** » Sat May 02, 2015 10:01 am

Awesome jet, and even better backstory, really nice tribute to the guys that didn't make it back. Good job buddy. And good luck with the build!

Post by **Aliktren** » Sat May 02, 2015 2:44 pm

awesome, looking forward to seeing this, used to see these birds all the time over Norfolk UK in my youth, very cool looking

edit.. amazing backstory as well

Post by **rwsmith14** » Mon May 04, 2015 9:56 pm

And we're Off !!

Started the cockpit.. beautiful engraved detail..Seats not great but ok..I think It will need some P.E.Seat belts.

Seat headrests and seatcushions aren't installed yet.

Here is the engraved Instrument panel.

Very nice but I will have to add a Hooded scope for the WSO like in the image below of the actual cockpit. The PAVE Tack equipped F-111Fs (and Australian F-111Cs) replaced the old radar scope with a Virtual Image Display (VID) that extended from the instrument panel. It allowed the simultaneous display of radar and PAVE Tack video.

should be easy. I plan to take a piece of squared sprue or just make the whole scope with some millipit or air dry clay. I'll do both and see what one loks best.

if the whole kit looks like the cockpit and it does this will be a very enjoyable build !!

Lookin frward to it !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed May 06, 2015 10:30 pm

Cockpit tub seats and IP are primed. Used Vallejo Black primer. I decided to use the Eduard photo etch set color zoom for the cockpit. just too nice not to to use it. All surfaces in the cockpit are sanded, that will receive the Photo etch. I will add the scratched built hooded video monitor to the Photo etch for the IP.

starting working on the wings.. lots of details here. Especially when complete when painted all flaps and edges will be deployed.

All parts to be painted white; wheel bays, landing gear or Red; Flaps, wing edges and inside of air brake got a a white primer coat via Tamiya white Primer

going to try to find a set of Aftermarket seats. The kit seats won't make the cut !! if I have anything to say about it.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat May 09, 2015 1:28 am

I'm really enjoying building this kit. the instruction sequence has you building all the sub assemblies. at the end they all come together !!

Got the Cockpit tub painted a light grey. left some shadow from the black primer. Plan to to some dry brushing to bring more detail then install the Photo etch.
Still have to paint the seat. I
m going to go ahead and build the seats but not permanently installed them in hopes of finding an aftermarket pair.

Built and primed the NLG, MLG and weapons bay. still have to add the fourth side wall to the LG bays after installing the Landing gear and putting a wash on the white interior.

Built the TF30-P-109 engines. great detail. used various shades of Alclad II on the variou engine parts and housings. I will add more shades of Alclad II to add more detail on the engines. I will also dry brush as well.

Post by **TommyKillander** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:02 am

Great start to the build

Awesome details in that kit; cockpit and engines look fantastic!

Hope you can get the aftermarket stuff you want - I always find it frustrating to search the market for the right parts in the middle of a build.

Cheers

Post by **Joesdad** » Sat May 09, 2015 8:14 am

Looking great rw, them engines are awesome. More updates please

Post by **chief5437** » Sat May 09, 2015 5:25 pm

Those engines look awesome, good skills!

I got a resin cockpit for my 111, not sure if you can get just the seats though? With it being an ejection 'pod' they might not do them. Good hunting buddy!

Post by **Nige201980** » Sat May 09, 2015 5:41 pm

Cracking work mate

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat May 09, 2015 6:44 pm

TommyKillander wrote:Great start to the build

Awesome details in that kit; cockpit and engines look fantastic!

Hope you can get the aftermarket stuff you want - I always find it frustrating to search the market for the right parts in the middle of a build.

Cheers

Joesdad wrote:Looking great rw, them engines are awesome. More updates please

chief5437 wrote:Those engines look awesome, good skills! I got a resin cockpit for my 111, not sure if you can get just the seats though? With it being an ejection 'pod' they might not do them. Good hunting buddy!

quote="Nige201980"]Cracking work mate[/quote]

Thanks Guys !!

Chief. they do make AM seats for it. the only place I found them is out of stock right now.

too bad the engines won't be seen, once the're enclosed in the fuselage!!

But I'll know what they look like !!

Post by **Aliktren** » Thu May 14, 2015 2:07 pm

looking great, nice engines - look real

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat May 16, 2015 11:12 pm

Aliktren wrote:looking great, nice engines - look real

Thanks !

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun May 17, 2015 6:34 pm

Update: Installed the engines. I did not do any more detail work on them since they will not be seen.

continued with the cockpit

drybrushed the cockpit tub. installed the Eduard Color Zoom Photo etch. still have some paint detail work to be done and complete the WSO's Video monitor. just have the monitor base attached right now.

painted the seats. still not happy with them. Might try to lighten the colors to add more color to the cockpit. Going to order some aftermarket Seatbelts today.

still have to apply a wash of the whole tub before the seats are installed permanently. should of did the wash before the PE was installed.

Ordered and receive metal landing gear from SAC. used them before love them. this set was a pain in the neck to assembled so far.

this has been one of the finest kits to build.. I'm really enjoying it

Post by **rwsmith14** » Mon May 18, 2015 8:38 pm

Got an unexpected Paid day off from work today, so got some more work done.

Wheel and weapons bays ready for a wash using Ultimate dark dirt.

After

Completed the SAC metal landing gear, ready for primer

using milliput I finished the WSO's Video monitor. just have to some more detail to get it into the correct shape.

Post by **TommyKillander** » Tue May 19, 2015 6:42 am

Awesome !

The "office" looks fantastic. Great work

Cheers

Post by **gaz45** » Wed May 20, 2015 12:37 pm

great work there mate that cockpit looks awsome

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed May 20, 2015 6:43 pm

gaz45 wrote:great work there mate that cockpit looks awsome

TommyKillander wrote:Awesome !

The "office" looks fantastic. Great work

Cheers

THanks Guys !!

Post by **martin57** » Wed May 20, 2015 8:06 pm

Nice work like it a lot

Post by **Nige201980** » Fri May 22, 2015 8:04 am

Brill work on the cockpit mate.

Post by **Howard** » Tue May 26, 2015 3:50 pm

Lovely build so far, really enjoying it.

I actually remember seeing the F-111's going out that night as our house used to be on the flight path so they were a common sight. I remember standing outside with my dad watching all these aircraft going over as it was unusual to see so many in the air at once. Went to bed that night and when I woke up the news was saying about the raid.

A fitting tribute to those brave souls

Howard

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue May 26, 2015 9:29 pm

Thanks gentlemen ! My Power supply on my desktop went bad.

I'll be unable to update until it is fixed hopefully about a week. I'll continue the build taking pictures and post a large update when the computer is back on line.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Tue May 26, 2015 9:30 pm

Howard wrote:Lovely build so far, really enjoying it.

I actually remember seeing the F-111's going out that night as our house used to be on the flight path so they were a common sight. I remember standing outside with my dad watching all these aircraft going over as it was unusual to see so many in the air at once. Went to bed that night and when I woke up the news was saying about the raid.

A fitting tribute to those brave souls

Howard

Wow. That's pretty cool Howard !

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun Jun 07, 2015 11:39 pm

My computer is back on line !!

will post images tomorrow. Really did not get too much accomplished. will post the update on Monday

Post by **rwsmith14** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:04 pm

Cockpit is complete and installed into the tub. Eduard seatbelt set was used.

the WSO's video monitor looks like poop

on the images but with the naked eye. at least my eyes it looks good.

Fwd fuselage is attached a real good fit wings are attached. will build the rest of the wing assembly after painting.

some putty work needed here

wheel wells and weapons bay are installed

upper fuselage installed

cockpit tub is just sitting in the fuselage checking fit. will need some work. I think it looks worse then it will be be

Post by **OliveDrab** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:11 am

The cockpit looks amazing

Great job...keep up the nice work

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThudWeasel · Post by **HistoryRider** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 5:35 am

Holy Cow.jpg

HO LEE COW!!!! NICE work so far!!!! looking great!!!

Post by **Homerlovesbeer** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:23 am

Looking Nice!

Post by **JediBoer** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:20 pm

Stunning work mate! That cockpit looks amazing!

Post by **patrickroos** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:39 pm

Great build and thread!
Looks really good so far, love the cockpit!

Post by **Danta2er** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:44 pm

Great thread! The cockpit is off the hook

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jun 11, 2015 2:00 am

Thanks guys
! It has been a very enjoyable build so far. Everything is falling into place just like it is suppose to !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:24 am

interesting Image I wanted to share,
A FB-111A capsule. it was a result of a mid air collision between two FB-111As in the late 80's over Vermont. Both crewmen made it out okay.

Post by **Paul** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:49 am

Fantastic work so far, the cockpit looks great, look forward to seeing more

Post by **rm6239** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:03 pm

Great work on the cockpit as the F-111 has a lot of glass to show it off.

cheers
Rossco

Post by **rwsmith14** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:36 pm

rm6239 wrote:Great work on the cockpit as the F-111 has a lot of glass to show it off.

cheers
Rossco

Paul wrote:Fantastic work so far, the cockpit looks great, look forward to seeing more

Thanks Guys !!

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:41 pm

small update. still working to fit the cockpit capsule in the fuselage. I Looked at other builds of this same kit and it appears it fell right into place just like the rest of the kit so far. Not sure what I did wrong> I'm thinking maybe the part is warped ??? Right now I Have the gaps filled with CA. I'll sand it and go from there.

This side is worse

https://www.youtube.com/user/ThudWeasel · Post by **HistoryRider** » Thu Jun 25, 2015 10:19 pm

Damn, that is what professionals call " A definite pisser."

I'm sorry it's giving you trouble since the rest of the kit has gone well! Good luck fixing it!!

-Nolan

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:53 pm

Continue to work on the cockpit capsule fit.. looking better.. some more to do...

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:59 pm

quick update. I'm continuing sanding the cockpit capsule exterior to fit into the fuselage. just a slow process, should have the sanding complete and pictures of the cockpit capsule in the next few days.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 10:43 pm

Here is the plan : I'm at the point where I will apply Mr. Surfacer in this case 1200.. into the gaps/seams (as seen below). once dry, I will wipe it with a cotton bud soaked with Mr, Thinner and wipe off the excess. some of the Mr. Surfacer will stay in the seams/gaps. I will then sand again and repeat this process until the gaps are filled and it looks good. Once it is at that point I will wet sand and adjust from there

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 7:37 pm

work continues.

after two applications of Mr. Surfacer 1200 and 500 and sanding, the horizontal seams are smooth ! just have to work on the diagonal seems fore and aft

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:45 am

More sanding then sprayed with Mr. Surfacer 1200 to see where it stands....getting there

Post by **OliveDrab** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 3:16 pm

It looks like your dealing with this difficult situation nicely RW, keep up the good work

Post by **rwsmith14** » Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:56 pm

Work continues..should be the last application of Mr. Surfacer 500.I'll let it dry for a day or two. wipe it with Mr. Thinner and smooth and finish. it should be ready to go.

There is/was a slight depression where the Mr. Sufacer is on the horizontal seam

on the right side just trying to even out the transition between the fuselage and capsule.

Post by **Homerlovesbeer** » Thu Jul 16, 2015 12:05 am

Rescibing after all that work is going to be a pain.......my FA-18E from Revell was the same....

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:30 am

Don't remind me

Post by **rwsmith14** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 1:40 am

Almost there...

going to try tpu lay a light coat of Tamiya Putty on the seams.

Post by **patrickroos** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:15 am

Ouch! That looks like my Viggen...

(and the reason why its on hold)

Great work mate, its starting to look ok now!!