SPA Modeler

mustang1989 wrote:Lookin' good so far Mike.

Thank you sir!

I really need to get in the aircraft section more often. I'm thinking that when I get started on the 262 I'll start gandering more in that section.

So if you're doing a modern jet (F-16, F/A-18, A-10, A-7,F-15, EA-6B), Jake Melampy's books are a must have. Especially when there's details missing that you can tell are. I have his books on all the ones listed and use them all the time.

The reason I mention these books is this. I was rescribing (or pre-scribing in some spots) panel lines. In the first pic you can see that bulge on the bottom half that goes and tapers to the engines. That's supposed to be a panel line. The other reason is that a lot of the panel lines are so soft that they're almost non-existent. So with the book out, I fixed all the problem areas.

Nice work on the scribing Mike.

Excellent detailing work Mike, and good to see you have the tails on. I'm glad to hear that the fit of the horizontal Stabs is good, I know on some kits where you have a all moving tailplane they just give you a hole and a small pin - it's never strong enough - I have to fit a tube across the inside of the fuselage on my Tornado.

It's having priceless & quality references like this that makes all the difference not only with accuracy but trying to figure out what a component or area is supposed to be.If we know what something is and how it works then we tend to model it better. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an engine that had things like spark plug wires going to the center of a valve cover (that's NOT a Dodge Hemi engine) or throttle linkage on the wrong side of the carburetor because the builder didn't take the time to do the research necessary. With cars it's simple.....there's usually an example readily available but with these aircraft good reference material is a must. The thought of building a more modern jet has crossed my mind a few times and if I do end up building one then I'll remember these books here.

Thanks guys! Yes, quality references are invaluable. Unfortunately these won't be 100% accurate because of the ECS vents that are on top between the tails. They're molded as an early block Hornet. All Super Hornets now have the updated ECS vents. I mentioned this earlier in the thread.

I love having good references available for my builds. Maybe that's why I stick with Luftwaffe subjects... I have the most books on Fw190's and Bf109's.

Great job on the re-scribing! Light sanding and a stiff paint brush are good for removing the burrs. You can even run some Tamiya Extra Thin cement to smooth things out.

And that's exactly what I do.