F-23A photo recon version

[Captain Canada]

Stealthy lumps and bumps ? Nice !

[DogfighterZen]

Excellent use of materials, that early EOTS looks great! 

[kerick]

I attached the tail fins. Can't call them vertical or horizontal stabilizers! I had to trim them to fit as the mating surfaces did not match at all. The fuselage surface had a concave shape while the fin was flat. I think I got the angle correct. I have to fix the landing gear as the shape may be correct (at least it looks good) it will never support the weight of the model. Some reinforcing with straight pins will be required. Oh well, there is always some problem to overcome.
I tested some dark grey gloss paint from the hardware store on the one fin and after a couple weeks drying time it showed fingerprints as soon as I handled it. I hope different paint over it doesn't cause problems.

[Scotaidh]

<snip>
I tested some dark grey gloss paint from the hardware store on the one fin and after a couple weeks drying time it showed fingerprints as soon as I handled it. I hope different paint over it doesn't cause problems.

Sorry to tell bad news, but that paint will cause problems if you paint over it.  Painting over it will be like trying to pave over mud - dodgy at best, and a complete waste of time and resources.  You'll need to remove that "dark grey gloss paint from the hardware store".  I've tried painting over un-cured/dried paint and it's nothing but headaches.

[kerick]

I'm sure your right. I just have to figure out how to remove it now that I attached it to the fuselage. I'll try some spray on oven cleaner that should work quickly.

[Dizzyfugu]

I'll try some spray on oven cleaner that should work quickly.

That would be my reconmmendation, too, because you can even limit the affected areas on the model. And if the paint is not cured yet, it should work quick- and effectively.

[kerick]

I'll have to look and see if I have some. Another trip to the store!

[kerick]

Sprayed some primer on the RF-23. Only one small portion of one stab had a bad reaction and crazed slightly. I'll take this as a win. Still can't decide on a color scheme. If I would get it together and use my airbrush I could mix the colors I want and get on with this job. I've had such bad luck with painting on my last few projects I really hesitate to try. Oh well, I won't get better at this by staring at it, I'll have to try something different.



The 1/48th scale gun pods might become 1/72nd scale fuel tanks. I haven't used them for their intended purpose in 20 years so might as well use them here. Minus the gun barrels and adding a tail cone and fins. What would a stealthy fuel tank really look like?

[Old Wombat]

Angular.

[NARSES2]

Angular.

Indeed, but it's got the look 

[DogfighterZen]

I agree, going by the looks of the weapons pods tested on the Super Hornet, it would never be a normal cylindrical shape.
Those guns pods look very familiar... Are those from a Monogram 1/48 F-5 kit?

[PR19_Kit]

Those guns pods look very familiar... Are those from a Monogram 1/48 F-5 kit?

They look like SUU-23A gun pods carried by F-4s that didn't have guns, but I have no idea what scale they might be.

[kerick]

I agree, going by the looks of the weapons pods tested on the Super Hornet, it would never be a normal cylindrical shape.
Those guns pods look very familiar... Are those from a Monogram 1/48 F-5 kit?

Yes they are! About time they get put to some use.

[Mossie]

Maybe a pair of storm shadow, JASSM or similar with the wings and intake removed?

[kerick]

I'll look into it, sounds promising.