Trumpeter F/A-18E Super Hornet 1/32

[BarryW]

I spent the whole session masking! Tonight on with the black and some metalisers.

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[BarryW]

I managed to get to the bench for a little while. A small adjustment to the masking then I sprayed the black and some steel.
Decals next.

[BarryW]

I decided to paint the bands around the ordnance. It is a lot easier than decals.

Just over an hour to mask and spray...


The result

[Steve Brodie]

gotta love a big 'bug', very nice work

[BarryW]

So, on to the dreaded decals.

I started with what is usually the main problem area - the large tail decal. So far these have been a disaster for me on modern jets. Fortunately this set's main big decal is a fairly simple shape, move it into position and the whole decal moves at the same time eliminating the major problem with complex shapes where if you move it part just crinkles and splinters....

I managed to position this without problems but it is a bit thick and I cannot get it bedded in down and around the detail. I cracked a bit in one area while I tried to tamp it in but not too badly. All I could do is take out my strongest decal solution, Daco, and use lashing of it.



Later I will see whether it worked and if it need more treatments.

These decals are not too bad at all where they are not going over a lot of raised detail...


I used the Trumpy ones for the stores


The instructions for the selected aircraft say that a walkway should be on both shoulders and to use the kit decals. The problem is that there is only a walkway for the left shoulder. So I masked up to paint the right shoulder.


A you can see its not bad but I do need to adjust the rearward 'sweep' which should not be an issue, a little bit of masking to change the angles will do it.

[Jack L]

The fuel tank decal looks a really nice finish, hoping the tail comes out the same for you!

[BarryW]

I got to the bench for 20 minutes this morning and found the decal solution had dried overnight and it looked like this:


Err, well, wrinkled and pretty awful.... But, I think that this is actually hopefull...

So, I went around pricking the decal in a number of places with a knife....

The another dab of strong decal solution.



Lets see what it looks like tonight.... It may need a few more treatments plus a varnish before it is acceptable. But I have a feeling it will work out.

I masked up and did a correction to the walk area on the starboard wing.

The picture is at a slight angle that makes the starboard patch look a spot larger than it is. Well it looks about right now in real life and I am rather pleased with it.

[boatman]

HI Barry lookin good as you say a few small wrinkes but at least it has'nt all splintered but the raised bit on the tail in the location marker light isn't it well when I do mine Im goin to do like I did on my 1/48 super hornet an that's measure on the tail for the size an location of said raised light an then measure on the decal an gently cut a slot in the decal with a scapel blade before I drop it in the water so when applyin it to the tail the decal will give an let it seat over the raised light but your build is comin on great an its nice a colurfull brilliant :thumb2:
chris

[BarryW]

The fin on the left is after the third use of decal solution. As you can see it is progressing but I will try a couple more doses to see if I can reduce the wrinkles a bit more. The one on the right is after just one application of solution, a good few more to do for that one. There will be some touching up to do and I have some ideas for that.



I really hate decals, but these Fightertown ones are not bad at all and are the best set that I have used on a modern jet. I have just finished the main airframe and had few issues. Little or no splintering and they react well to solution.









There will be a lot more work on the fins of course, touching up and more decals to apply but we will get there and under some varnish I think they will look pretty good.

[boatman]

HI Barry I think its comin up great an the tailfin decals look very acceptable an its great to see a nice colourfull layout on the plane as they aernt all done in this drab grey decalls VERY NICE BUILD
:thumb2:

chris

[BarryW]

I have finished the fins

here is the outside...



the innerside.


as you can see I have some touch up to do with paint and then a varnish coat or two and they will look all hunky dory....

[boatman]

I have finished the fins

here is the outside...
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the innerside.
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as you can see I have some touch up to do with paint and then a varnish coat or two and they will look all hunky dory....

HI Barry fantastic work an where is the spotlight fitted on the tail as im readind on the orange bit behind the tail ?
chris

[BarryW]

HI Barry fantastic work an where is the spotlight fitted on the tail as im readind on the orange bit behind the tail ?
chris

Await final fitting. Painted clear red and ready.

[BarryW]

I have just had half hour at the bench.

I have some spare decals that I can cut up to use to patch area where they cracked on the fin.

On some areas I will need to now some paint to get a shade as close as possible to finish the touching up but using these decal patches deals with the more prominent flaws.

I applied some solution so hopefully they will blend in when dry.
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The back and white will be easily matched with paint.

Some varnishes and then on to the next stage.

[Steve Brodie]

great idea barry