Free Radicals - Rafa's Air Combat

[bobbo]

Rafa, I've been fighting Nasty Old Mr. Depression for most of the last 30 years, I am with you.  I've recently taken to Model Therapy again, as well, and I actually completed my first model in @ 6 years. 

Hang in there! 

bobbo

[frank2056]

Rafa, it' really good to see you back! Can't wait to see your new creations take shape.

[matrixone]

Glad you are posting again Rafa!

Your style of building models is true ''what-if'' modeling at its finest.

I know what you mean about about fighting the big ''D'' as I also am at war with it right now.

Matrixone

[sotoolslinger]

YEAAHHH Rafa is back
Glad you are feeling better my brother
Can't wait to see how this turns out. It looks very coool

[John Howling Mouse]

Cardboard, YUM!  The Zorro of Cardboard is back!  Good to see you here again, my friend.  And your latest is looking promising as ever.

Usted es uno de los primeros y el más importante.

[Rafael]

Thanks a bunch, guys!!!
Progress has been slow on this one because of a last minute rush at the office, but rest assured this one and the following models for this thread will see an end fitting whiff-world.

Thanks again for your support. It's been a rocky road back to the workbench and the keyboard

More images soon.

Rafa

[Rafael]

Felíz año nuevo!!! - Happy new year, amigos!!!!
Well, it wasn't as soon as I wanted, but here she is, puttied, sanded and repeated I lost count of how many times.
Once smoothed and blended, I proceeded to dig my trenches -er, scribe my paneling. Now to sand and fill the most visible imperfections, and retrace the panels in need of repair.
OK, I stated before that I was going to deviate from the standard Ace Combat stuff. I installed two weapons bays in the midships and the forward fuselage sections. I intend to make USAF, US Navy and USMC, along with a NASA bird.

Saludos,
Rafa

[Maverick]

Hola Rafa,

Your skills continue to amaze me.  The ship looks like she's coming along nicely.

Regards,

Mav

[Taiidantomcat]

great details! 

[pyro-manic]

What a beautiful shape! Very organic-looking.

[John Howling Mouse]

Makes me think of a B-1 bomber for Babylon 5: love it.  It sure is pleasing to add to my "Rafa's models" file folder again, amigo.   

[lancer]

Great to see you back in the saddle Rafa. Love the look of your latest creation

[sotoolslinger]

That is freaking awesome bubba. Great work

[Rafael]

Thanks, Gents. It's good to be back.

I took my master and defined parting lines with a simple clay dam with keys included


Then, I prepared my silicone paste and covered the top side first, clay dam included


Retired the clay dam, and cleaned any clay leftovers with a damp paper towel, and applied some vaseline on the upper mold flaring to prevent mold lockup, and applied silicone all over


Once dry, I made fiberglass hardbacks or mothermolds to provide my molds with rigidity necessary for casting. Poured resin and fiberglass on both mold halves, careful to make the casts hollow and light. Here are the first two casting tests. Not clear in the pic are some bubbles and protrusions product of a bad resin mixing technique and a couple silicone mold errors which I will repair today.


Saludos,
Rafa

[sotoolslinger]

Brilliant