Javarian A-5 Menaz

[John Howling Mouse]

Menaz is similar to the Spanish "Amenaza" and means "menace."
This will be a modified Tamiya 1:48 Seiran in a derelict state using my own fictionalized nation of "Javaria."

One week, eh?

[Brian da Basher]

That "Verklempto" marking would make a great sign on my desk at work.

I can't wait to see how this turns out!

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

That was a "test" decal, the very first homemade decal I ever used.  I can't wait to get into this build, either.  The "Regs" makes it sound like a person can get a jump-start on minor sub-assemblies like landing gear, right?

Waitin' for Christmas...waitin' for Christmas...

[John Howling Mouse]

Since we seem to be embarking on a definite theme/trend:



Hey, not bad for a teetotaller, eh?

[Brian da Basher]

It looks like your preparing for a visit from Cap'n Canada, Rat, Kurly and Noxioux.

I'm stunned there was no root beer in the shot.

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

It looks like your preparing for a visit from Cap'n Canada, Rat, Kurly and Noxioux.

I'm stunned there was no root beer in the shot.

Brian da Basher

Can you believe I'm all OUT of root beer?  Four hours and forty minutes to "go-time" but who's counting?

[John Howling Mouse]

Four hours, sixteen minutes to midnight.

Mock-up, mock-up, mock-up, mock-up...

[cthulhu77]

That would last me the first few hours ! Still, it is tempting to head up to the Great White North!
Less than three hours now.

[John Howling Mouse]

Cutting, cutting, cutting, CUTTING!

[John Howling Mouse]

With the cowls now separated from the fuselage halves, this view shows the four scale feet I will add to the length of the nose.  It will end up with tricycle landing gear.

[cthulhu77]

Scratched wheel wells in one week. Only you, Sir Baz.    This is going to be a fun ride.

(man, I love these one week builds)

[Brian da Basher]

Señor el Ratón que Rige my hat is off to you sir!

My project is much simpler. I give you a lot of credit!

I'm going to enjoy watching this one come together.

Brian da Basher

[Ed S]

With the cowls now separated from the fuselage halves, this view shows the four scale feet I will add to the length of the nose.  It will end up with tricycle landing gear.

Looks promising.  You're definitely more ambititious than I am for a one week build.  I'm keeping mine pretty much out of the box.

Ed

[John Howling Mouse]

What did you think?  That I've just been sittin' around, eatin' pie?

As this will be a derelict aircraft, I needed to open up a couple dozen access panels and purposely "distress" the airframe skin throughout.  Here are some results:







Of course, the real trick beyond getting nicely shaped apertures is to drastically thin down the plastic around each and every cut-out in order to imitate a much thinner scale sidewall.  So, the real story is from the INSIDE of the parts:



Close-up of the inside of the cowl and the distressing for the tailplanes.  The distressing will yet be polished down a little so the effect will end up more subtle than you see here:



The outlines are carefully drawn for the two wheel wells (pinched from the good ol' Monogram Mustang kit).  You can also see the furrow around each cut-out to thin down the skin more believably.



One of the wheel wells in place.  Purposely reversed to better accommodate the airfoil shape of the Seiran's wing.

We did say "ONE WEEK" right?   

[Brian da Basher]

That's just incredible work, Mr Howling Mouse! I think your work distressing the skin and opening up those access panels will really add a lot of character to this bird.

Go have some pie and then return with another update!

Brian da Basher