Global Scale Modeller

Hi all,

Haven't built a model in over 20 years . Just getting back into it now with my son. I decided to pick up a kit for myself and living close to MCAS Miramar I decided a F-18 would be perfect. I was debating getting a Marines decal set but just stuck with the Navy set OOB.

Here's my F-18E build. Never done weathering or dry brushing before so trying out new techniques. Love the way a wash brings out details and dirtys up this Navy bird.



Need to get better at filling and sanding. I should of attached the front part of the canopy and masked before painting...next time.


This kit doesn't come with any bombs so I bought the Hasegawa 1/48 smart bomb kit for the GBU-12s, the GBU-10s, and the GBU-31 JDAMs.


The Revell targeting pod looked and fit pretty poorly so I left it off and went with two AMRAAMs on the intake hardpoints. Guess he'll have to buddy lase.










Anyways, fun build. Lots to learn and get better at. Please give any tips or advice, I'm here to learn.

Thanks

Looks good. Especially for being out of the game for twenty years. Welcome back to modeling!

One thing you might want to get is some metallic paint for the exhaust.

Nice tidy build. If that's your first in twenty years you should be pretty chuffed with it.

Nice work buddy, and welcome to the forum!

Thanks all.

As far as the metallic paint, I used a steel paint for the exhaust nozzles. I have seen stuff like buffing and non-buffing metalizers. Never used either of those. Any suggestions?

Very nice great build mate

very nice build, hopefully mine which i just stated willturn out half as nice

Nice one ,

SolventSolution wrote:Thanks all.

As far as the metallic paint, I used a steel paint for the exhaust nozzles. I have seen stuff like buffing and non-buffing metalizers. Never used either of those. Any suggestions?

There are several different paints you could try. Alclad II metallic lacquers are very popular. They are a bit smelly and being lacquers, you'll definitely want to use a respirator and vent hood. AK Interactive has a couple of different options, Xtreme Metal paints, they are enamel based metallics that are also a bit on the smelly side. Both of these are pre-thinned for use in an airbrush. AK also has a product called True Metal, it is a wax based paint that can be buffed to a shine with a soft cloth. There are also some acrylic metallic colors out there from Ammo of Mig and Vallejo has some.

I currently use the Alcald, AK Xtreme Metal and Ammo of MIg metallics and they are all very nice. Again, these are typically applied with an airbrush. I know there are also some metallic powders out there, but I have not used them.

jelliott wrote: Tue Jan 31, 2017 6:07 pm There are several different paints you could try. Alclad II metallic lacquers are very popular. They are a bit smelly and being lacquers, you'll definitely want to use a respirator and vent hood. AK Interactive has a couple of different options, Xtreme Metal paints, they are enamel based metallics that are also a bit on the smelly side. Both of these are pre-thinned for use in an airbrush. AK also has a product called True Metal, it is a wax based paint that can be buffed to a shine with a soft cloth. There are also some acrylic metallic colors out there from Ammo of Mig and Vallejo has some.

I currently use the Alcald, AK Xtreme Metal and Ammo of MIg metallics and they are all very nice. Again, these are typically applied with an airbrush. I know there are also some metallic powders out there, but I have not used them.

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I saw a bunch of those at my local hobby shop. I'll take a look and try it out on my next build. Continuous improvement