Mitsubishi Xf-2a

nev · November 01, 2007, 08:50:19 AM

Yes, I know its an :f16: but would you look at the colour scheme!

I've been working away on this kit the last week or so, lots of preparation work, cutting out and cleaning up of parts etc. Finally at the stage where I can share some work.

She's going to be as shown in this pic, loaded for Bear

Obligatory box shot

Halfords Grey Primer is very close to the grey in the Viper Zero's cockpit, as well as the colour of the AAM-3s, or at least close enough for a base coat.

As you can see the quality of the kit is high - it really looks like one of those models that will really reward patient & thorough modelling, which has been how I've progressed so far. Really enjoying this one, but won't get it done in time to appear on Joe's stand at Telford this year

cthulhu77 · November 01, 2007, 08:58:27 AM

Gonna be a neat looking lawn dart! Keep the pics 'a comin' !

noxioux · November 02, 2007, 05:49:43 PM

Some of us can tolerate the occasional Viper. And you're right, that's a very sharp, clean paint scheme. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it done!

PS: I kept my own recent 1/32 Viper hidden carefully in the closet. . .

nev · January 04, 2008, 02:04:22 AM

Newborn baby or no newborn baby I actually got my first modelling in months done last night! :dum:

Got to work on the Sparrows. I used ones out of the Hasegawa weapons set and they required a lot of clean up - heavy flash, ejector pin marks etc. They also had some weird little nodules on the missile which I have no idea what they are meant to represent so I cut them off. Here is a before and after.

Also got to work cleaning up the giant sink marks in the intake trunking...

Aircav · January 04, 2008, 04:02:18 AM

Hey Nev, you've got the stick in the wrong place, should be in the middle like a real plane

Looking forward to seeing her finished

John Howling Mouse · January 04, 2008, 07:08:33 PM

This is going to be fantastic...I can just feel it.

What's there not to love about a variant on one of the most capable, highest-wing-loading fighter aircraft of all time?

nev · January 12, 2008, 01:19:21 AM

I've been getting a lot of progress done on this the last week, but a lot of it is prepatory work and not worth showing - but the next week I expect to make real fast progress *crosses fingers* Also its been raining pretty much non-stop the last few days so the light has been no good for taking pictures worth a damn (see above).

I've finished the basic colours on the pilot - just a couple of touch ups to do, eg round the knee pads - the 2 oranges I used for the flight suit and g-suit are MUCH more obvious in daylight than artificial light

Then a wash and a flat-coat and he's done

PanzerWulff · January 12, 2008, 03:32:19 AM

Quote from: Aircav on January 04, 2008, 04:02:18 AM
Hey Nev, you've got the stick in the wrong place, should be in the middle like a real plane

actually the stick on the F-16 cockpits is on the right side panel of the pit

Martin H · January 12, 2008, 04:05:28 AM

he knowns. hes extracting the urine.

nev · January 12, 2008, 12:38:16 PM

Chris, the operative words are "like a real plane"

nev · January 17, 2008, 10:07:22 AM

OK, lots to update. Pilot figure is finished, but the dayglo orange is proving real hard to photograph. It looks a lot better in real life (honest!) The bang seat is only just started

engine in and out bits

Wheels - I added a couple of tiny strips of red decal. Don't know what they're supposed to be on the real thing, but I can see them in photos

Exhaust - a bit of experimentation both inside and out to try and replicate the real thing. I think I've done a better job of the metallic out than the ceramic in. I think I'll give that a couple more washes.

Gear doors. To replicate the placard on the nose gear door I used some drop-tank stencils for the Airfix 1/48, and used the same for the MLG placards

The AIM-7s were a nightmare to paint - 8 fins per missile, 4 missiles....32 fins

, both sides makes 64.....I was going blind by the end. They still need a few fine details adding.

Gear bays

The whole kit is very finely engineered, to the point where even a coat of primer on the mating surfaces will cause 2 parts to not fit. I'm sure the intake is meant to fit better than this...

kitnut617 · January 17, 2008, 10:34:10 AM

I can't make it out from the box top shot, but what scale is this Nev?

nev · January 17, 2008, 10:38:04 AM

1/48

kitnut617 · January 17, 2008, 10:44:54 AM

Quote from: nev on January 17, 2008, 10:38:04 AM
1/48

Thanks, I have the 1/72 Hasegawa kits of the A and B

John Howling Mouse · January 18, 2008, 06:24:56 PM

Nev, I've always admired your work but are you aware that this kit's current state of progress already represents a quantum leap for you? I mean, seriously, I cannot imagine those wheels, bays, etc. being done any better by anyone. Love the added touches you've provided in the sub-assemblies and your detail wash is really something to strive for. Wow.