SPA Modeler

Progress pics tonight..

Fuselage halves buttoned up, tail installed, and front windscreen is on





Main canopy masked, inside braces/panels installed. Excess sprue nubs will be removed tomorrow. I left them on for easy installation to canopy. Canopy will be installed tomorrow.

Very nice - that looks excellent Tom.

I do generally like Hobbyboss. Sometimes the details can be a bit simplistic - but I've always found them to be enjoyable builds. Saying that, I've not built one in ages.

Exactly! Details can be simplistic at best. Definitely enjoyable to build.

I've built the Revell kit (same kit as the Hobby Boss kit) and the only sop that I had issues with are the intakes.

Thank you! Of course mine is the carrier version and not the Air Force version that Blacksheep has.

There is one glaring knock I have about this kit. The lack of color assignment of other areas, wheel wells, missiles, cockpit panels, etc... You know... the obvious ones. I had to further research in looking at instruction guide for their paint call.outs on certain parts/areas.

Its amazing you find different variations of color call out - especially the burner cans.

I paint the turbine fans Light Gunmetal, the insides Testors Andonic (spelling?) Grey, burner exhaust Burnt Iron. Close enough...

Calvin and Hobbes would find your slavish adherence to the instructions troubling.

Wheel bays are light grey (not that you can see them because the doors are mostly closed). The cockpit is dark ghost grey and black. I painted the exhausts Vallejo Metal Colors "Jet Exhaust". The missiles are generally either white or light ghost grey.

Painted cockpit Dark Gull Grey, wheel wells white, Magic air-to-air missiles white, struts aluminum. I could go back and paint the wheel bays light grey since I do have a light grey color in mind to use.