Moments of Zen

[TheChronicOne]

So, this afternoon i got some work done on the YF-23, gave it a second coat of XF-24 dark grey and gloss coated it for what i've decided to do. It won't have the original one color scheme, i'm adding XF-69 nato black to the mix. A couple of days ago i googled YF-23 schemes and i was particularly interested in the layout of a skin for some pc simulator, that reminded of US Navy F-4, Tomcats and Hornet schemes so that's what i'm taking inspiration from.
I'm just waiting for the gloss coat to dry up before masking it up for the rest of the scheme. It still won't be colorful but i think it's more interesting.
The markings will be the original ATF ones just with a different serial number, can't wait to see what this is gonna look like when it's done...

All other builds are now on hold until the YF-23 is finished.

That sounds interesting! A scheme I can get behind.   

Sometimes color is overrated. My next build won't have any.    All white. Nice and boring and............. EASY.      After the psychedelic trip I just got back from I'm looking forward to it. 

[DogfighterZen]

That's also one of the reasons making me just chill re paint schemes on the YF-23, my 2 previous builds were kind of a color overdose for me, the Israeli F/A-16W and the Gnat of the PoAF airshow display team... too much color for me for such a short period of time, gotta get my grey fix...
The F-22 and -35 will give me enough work to do with masking so i'm gonna keep the YF-23 simple.
Starting the masking job now...

[DogfighterZen]

After a very busy week, finally had some time to do some modelling, just finished masking the F-35's canopy, the Raptor still needs a few panel lines rescribed. It's a quick job but will be done later as i'm leaving for band rehearsal in a few minutes. Both of them need their main gear legs and nose gear bays masked and i'm hoping to get both models ready for paint tomorrow so i can paint the during the weekend.

[TheChronicOne]

Yeah buddy!! Break a leg or....    sprain an ankle?? Whatever proper nomenclature for practice.     Or is all that just for theater?  Ah the hell with it!


Glad you got some modelling done. I think we're on the same wavelength again because other than a couple of very minor, and less than half an hour ordeals, I haven't done squat in a bout a week, either, until today. 

[DogfighterZen]

Yeah buddy!! Break a leg or....    sprain an ankle?? Whatever proper nomenclature for practice.     Or is all that just for theater?  Ah the hell with it!


Glad you got some modelling done. I think we're on the same wavelength again because other than a couple of very minor, and less than half an hour ordeals, I haven't done squat in a bout a week, either, until today. 

Good to know you're also back at it, gotta get that shiny bird finished!  
Yup, this past week i just didn't have time to do any modelling but got other stuff done and now i'm a bit more relaxed.
Re the F-22, i just remembered that the Revell kit i'm building is missing the radome lines, and it's quite a complicated saw-like line to scribe on top and bottom of the radome... not sure how i'm going to tackle this, but i'm considering 2 options: 1- just mask and paint the radome shape, or try to engrave the radome line... I'll have to decide tomorrow cause i really want to get some paint on it during the weekend.

[TheChronicOne]

Oh hell, man, that sounds like one of them conundrums that would drive me crazy.

"Proper me"  (Angel on shoulder) says scribe dem linez.

"Lazy me" (Devil on shoulder) says paint that on.

What you need is them arts 'n craftin scissors that cut that exact pattern so you can cut your masking tape with it.        (not sure they make a pair with the proper size, spacing, etc, though, but sure would be handy!!)

[DogfighterZen]

Oh hell, man, that sounds like one of them conundrums that would drive me crazy.

"Proper me"  (Angel on shoulder) says scribe dem linez.

"Lazy me" (Devil on shoulder) says paint that on.

What you need is them arts 'n craftin scissors that cut that exact pattern so you can cut your masking tape with it.        (not sure they make a pair with the proper size, spacing, etc, though, but sure would be handy!!)

Sure would! I'll try to mark down the line with a 0.5mm pencil as a guide. If i can get it looking good, i guess i'l bite the bullet and scribe it on. If the line comes out crooked, it'll be another dose of PSR to get it all fixed and then i'll just paint it on. Although this kit is a bit better than the Italeri kit, it's just not as good as the Academy or the Fujimi kit that i have one in the stash.
Speaking of Academy, the F-16CG/CJ kit i've already started, will be another one of my whif PoAF birds. Another Have glass V type of finish, simple and dull, just the way i like'em... 

[TheChronicOne]

 

Ain't no camo-corrupt spells or multi-colored potions and high charisma stats going to thwart the grey-warrior! 

[DogfighterZen]

Hah, my goal of having the most monotone monochromatic...  display of all times is stronger than any spells or potions, demanded by the modelling gods, it is!

[TheChronicOne]

"Monotone".   


Methinks your subconscious playing tricks on you, what, with rehearsal and all.  lmao       Your hobbies are beginning to merge, bruh! 

[PR19_Kit]

What you need is them arts 'n craftin scissors that cut that exact pattern so you can cut your masking tape with it.        (not sure they make a pair with the proper size, spacing, etc, though, but sure would be handy!!)

Ahah, yes. My Mum used to have a pair of them. IIRC they're called pinking shears over here.

[zenrat]

If I got caught using my mums pinking shears (or her sewing scissors) then boy was I in trouble.

[DogfighterZen]

"Monotone".   


Methinks your subconscious playing tricks on you, what, with rehearsal and all.  lmao       Your hobbies are beginning to merge, bruh! 

You may be right, you know? While i'm modelling, sometimes i get some of the stuff i'm working on playing on the background so i can record in my mind and compose any unfinished songs...
Those scissors would be useful if they had the correct zig-zag pattern, that radome has so many different angles...

If I got caught using my mums pinking shears (or her sewing scissors) then boy was I in trouble.

Well, have the whole night for modelling so i should get something done...

[DogfighterZen]

Well, as usual, the weekend did not go as expected and i ended up doing other stuff around the house. Only got to do a bit of modelling on Friday night...

Work was done on the F-35's missiles, the aim-9x and the whiffy aim-120E, which retained the -120D's range and speed but was fitted with upgraded electronics and also had a thrust vector control system with jet vanes directing the engine's exhaust flow for higher maneuverability, just like the -9X...





Also masked up the main and nose gear bays of the F-35 so, after a primer coat, i'll first paint the nozzle, mask it up, then proceed with painting the rest of the model.
The F-22 is almost ready for primer and colors. I was a bit doubtful about displaying this one in flight but, after i saw the good fit of the nose gear doors, i made up my mind and removed the main gear struts, which had to be assembled and glued in place before the fuselage halves were sealed up.



Main gear doors also went on perfectly, no gaps or steps, all flush with minor effort to put in place. Like any other kit, this one has it's flaws, although, not too many. Other aspects of the kit, like the gear doors, IMHO, make up for the minor flaws.
It just needs the radome line and a few panel lines engraved and a minor sanding and then polishing of all sanded areas, before primer is sprayed on.
The nozzles in the pic were just dry-fitted for testing purposes, they'll be painted before being glued in place and masked up

[DogfighterZen]

Primed and undercoated the F-35 last night. Black undercoat as base for the mix of XF-56 metallic gray and some other color that still hasn't been chosen. It will be pretty much an attempt at getting the standard F-35 colors so no surprise here.



Tonight i wanna try to mix the main color and get it sprayed so i can advance to masking the RAM tape during the weekend.