From the Workbench

Well as you can see from the picture below, I have glued the fuselage halves together. For major assemblies, I just need to attach the wings and then it is time to start working on some of the subassemblies such as the landing gear.

I am already in the early stages of a new F/A-18 project, named ROMAN 332. This will be a F/A-18A in the markings of VFA-106 ‘Gladiators’. VFA-106 is the east coast Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) for both Legacy and Super Hornets and is responsible for training of new F/A-18 aircrews. They also have refresher courses for aircrew that have been on non-flying assignments.

Here are some pics from the airshow at MCAS Miramar in San Diego. I still have some more to pics through of the Canadian Flight Demo Team, the Snowbirds.

Well, was able to get a little work done last night. One of the things different between the Fujimi and Hasegawa is the intake trunking. The Fujimi Hornet has a more realistic intake, as shown in the picture below, whereas the Hasegawa Hornet has no intake trunking at all and uses a piece of black painted plastic to hide the empty fuselage.

This is the first official posting for my F/A-18D Hornet build known as ‘Pippytails’. Now you are probably why I would name a project Pippytails for a military aircraft, well it is because this build is for my wife. A while ago, she had put in a request for me to build a kit for her, with the only requirements being that the plane had to be pink and a two seater.

For the kit, I am using is the 1:72 F/A-18D Hornet from Fujimi. I have never built a Fujimi F/A-18, so I figured that this would be a good time to give it a try. I will be using the F/A-18 TPS2 scheme as my baseline, example, replacing the darker grey with a dark pink and the lighter grey with a lighter pink. The plane will be carrying ordnance and some light weathering.

Below is a pic of what I have completed so far:

More to follow…

Well after a long hiatus from modeling, I have found my way back to the workbench. It has been awhile since I have sat at my workbench and actually did some modeling, so I had to clear off a layer of dust and relocated my hobby knife. I even cleared off some shelf space of kits that I do not have any immediate plans for.

So, as for the status of current projects:

• FSD #1 – FSD #1, is currently in the final stages of decaling. I also need to go back and touch up the paint around the decals that have yellowed.

• Ghost 172 – Currently Ghost 172 is on hold. Most of the major construction is complete, but just not into building an F-16 at the moment.

I am also starting a new project, which will be known as Pippytails. This is a project that my wife has requested and I am using it as a way to make modeling fun again.

Well it has been easily 15 years since the last time I went to a model club meeting, before tonight. Back then it was the IPMS Planes of Fame chapter, that was based at the Planes of Fame air museum in Chino, Ca. We would meet in the building that housed the museums model collection. There was no AC in the summer, no heat in the winter and after a good rain you had to deal with the over powering smell from the cow pastures. But most meetings ended on a high note and fun was had by all.

Fast forward to tonight and my first visit to a meeting of the Pasadena Modeler Society. This time the meeting is being held in a store front church. The people involved in the club all have their own quirky personalities, but that is what you expect from a room full of model builders.

I am sure I will be going back to meetings as my work schedule allows. Who knows, maybe this will get my production level back up and running.

Well, been back at the workbench for a week and a half now and have made some progress on the FSD #1 project. Decals are being applied, as you can see from the attached photos:

Also, some minor progress has been done on ‘Ghost 172′. The front half of the canopy has been tinted and with a little more work it will be ready for its base white coat.

Well, away from the workbench for a few days. Holly and I are taking a short getaway at our Northern Nevada hideout. So once we get back, work on FSD #1 and Ghost 172 will be getting back online.

Well all the painting is done and the masking tape has been removed. As you can see from the pics, it looks rather sharp. I have to do some touch ups before I seal it with future and decals are applied.