South African Aardvark ***FINISHED***

Tophe · August 15, 2019, 06:16:15 AM

Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 15, 2019, 01:54:32 AM
Do it! You could even do something weird like move the tailplanes into the swing wing mechanisms and put the long wings on the back. Sky's the limit!

Good idea!
Maybe I will build a F-111 someday, but rather 1/144 not 1/72 like you, so big... $:-\$
(I build a 1/72 Airfix one when I was a kid)

nighthunter · August 15, 2019, 07:49:25 AM

Quote from: Tophe on August 15, 2019, 06:16:15 AM
Quote from: TheChronicOne on August 15, 2019, 01:54:32 AM
Do it! You could even do something weird like move the tailplanes into the swing wing mechanisms and put the long wings on the back. Sky's the limit!
Good idea!
Maybe I will build a F-111 someday, but rather 1/144 not 1/72 like you, so big... $:-\$
(I build a 1/72 Airfix one when I was a kid)

Minicraft made a F-111 in 1/144, a while back

TheChronicOne · August 15, 2019, 08:49:08 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on August 15, 2019, 06:04:16 AM
Another one with a clean work surface/cutting mat - it just looks wrong

You've done well with that old kit

Thanks!!

That mat is brand new.

Well, the black one is anyway.

And I clean them from time to time.

Everyone else would too if they actually used them for cutting masking tape like I do. Nothing worse than lining out, measuring, and cutting a glorious perfect piece of tape just to peel it off and have a dirt, grime, and paint chunks lift off with it. If you miss a little piece and it's on the edge it could cause one hell of a paint bleed which no one wants.

Also, the markings on the mat are pretty handy until they dissappear under a bunch of grime. Since I actually use these markings, I need to be able to see them so it's back to mat cleaning again.

It's one part wanting to have nice looking mats and an equal part of needing to actually use them for something other than a table cloth that has me keeping them up to snuff.

More work done on this after I cram my face full of vittles. I got mad munchies and need the energy boost. After that, though, I will start trying to get the cockpit lined out. I just need to PVA the canopy on then let it dry a bit then come back through with more PVA to wipe through the joins to make them air tight. This will prevent any spray paint or varnish from sneaking inside and making a mess of things. I've had that happen before and it's a huge bummer. Gotta have it sealed up.

TheChronicOne · August 15, 2019, 03:08:15 PM

The South Afvaark is now looking a little green. I decided to stick with my theme of "lazy as possible" on this build and just do a two tone green. Not that this is a bad thing, I've been wanting to paint something like this for some time now so no biggie! It'll be quicker than the other options I've mulled over. That's the point, anyway. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel or get bogged down too much in the minutiae on this one. One could say that it is rather sloppy. I still think I'll turn out just fine. But, there'll be some less-refined seams and things here and there but overall it'll work out I think. I'll let you be the judge.

So this is it for now. Next stage is to start painting the second color. Now, I said I wanted lazy and easy but I'm not going full slouch. I'm doing a wrap-around this time so I'll need to be careful with my plotting. Also, I need to bear in mind the swing wings. I think I'll position them at the mid point to paint them so that when they're swung either full open or closed they'll be having somewhat matching patterns still.

strobez · August 15, 2019, 05:02:40 PM

Man... that's looking really good now. I really like that shade of green. It doesn't look "as lazy as possible".

I'm with you on the cutting matt though. I have one reserved for cutting tape only. I've done exactly what you describe - pour your heart and soul into the perfect mask... only to pull up bits of plastic shavings and paint flecks on the sticky side.

Your build inspired me to share my own 'Vark build. As I mentioned before, for some reason there's a bit on an impromptu GB going on at Scalemates.com, so I jumped in as well. It got sidetracked as I finished up my Nausicaa Ohm project, but I'm back in the saddle on this one now.

https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=46807.0 - I went with the Trumpeter 1/144 boxing. All the 'Vark kits in 1/144 seem to have issues, so I just went with the easiest one to get.

Dizzyfugu · August 16, 2019, 12:33:27 AM

Looks like RAF Lichen Green! With NATO Green upper sides, this could become a late F-111K...

TheChronicOne · August 16, 2019, 06:41:56 AM

Thanks, y'all.

Yeah, that color is really neat. I almost wanted to just leave it as it is. Now, most of it is gone. Oddly enough, I have an F-16 build in the back of my mind that would utilize this same paint job and this paint is perfect for it. It'll be a "What if the USAF never split from the ARMY, what would a modern day ARMY Air Force look like?" And, well, we'd have green fighter jets that are painted up like tanks and jeeps for one thing....

Might finish this today. I quite while I was ahead last night. I need to finish painting the camo today then it's on to the detail painting then gloss clear for transfers.

TheChronicOne · August 16, 2019, 06:37:00 PM

So close.... I'm 98% done. I was unmasking things then just need to glue on the two intakes when I moved a wing and it created a mess. I was a little upset for awhile because I was looking forward to being done with this tonight and I was less than 2 minutes away until I made one mistake then noticed another. Long story short, I need more time. I need to let this clear dry up so I can sand then I need to repaint some stuff. Once I get that caught up we'll be in business. It's looking really nice, though!

NARSES2 · August 17, 2019, 02:50:36 AM

Quote from: strobez on August 15, 2019, 05:02:40 PM

I'm with you on the cutting matt though. I have one reserved for cutting tape only.

As do I. It's a small one that I picked up at a show and I've an idea it was a "freebie" for some reason ?

TheChronicOne · August 17, 2019, 02:33:41 PM

All done!

Old Wombat · August 17, 2019, 07:58:53 PM

This has already been posted as inspiration for the Out of Africa GB over on BtS!

Well done, Brad!

TheChronicOne · August 17, 2019, 08:20:03 PM

Outstanding, thanks for that! I hope to inspire some great builds or rumination.

Man, that hits the spot right there.

chrisonord · August 18, 2019, 02:05:05 AM

Very nice Brad, the colour scheme really suits it.

Chris

zenrat · August 18, 2019, 04:37:33 AM

Excellent. I really love the colour palette (as they say on poncy reno TV shows)

NARSES2 · August 18, 2019, 05:33:09 AM

That's really well done Brad

Especially given your starting kit.

I'm not sure about that scheme being an effective one over the typical southern African landscape, but then the squadron has probably been sent to West Africa on "Peacekeeping" duties ?

By the way - do the wings still work or have you managed to knacker them yet ?