Academy 1/72 F15-E
Discussion
I have not built an aircraft model since I was about 11 years old, over the past few weeks I have built a Tiger tank, two Le Mans Ford racecars and a Ducati 916. I thought it might be fun to try a plane next and try to do a WIP thread for it.
Living about 10 minutes from RAF Lakenheath, an F15 was the obvious choice, I had heard good things about the Academy kit with the only negative being the simplified exhaust nozzles. A set of Aires resin replacements should fix that.
The moulding quality is very good with really sharp detail everywhere. The kit is unusual in that it is possible to assemble it without glue, the location points are very precise to allow this. Of course a little Tamiya extra thin helps to keep it all secure.
The first task was to modify the rear fuselage to accommodate the Aires nozzles.
Check out the fit of these two parts, this is dry fit.
Test fit of the exhaust.
That's it for now, really enjoying this one.
Living about 10 minutes from RAF Lakenheath, an F15 was the obvious choice, I had heard good things about the Academy kit with the only negative being the simplified exhaust nozzles. A set of Aires resin replacements should fix that.
The moulding quality is very good with really sharp detail everywhere. The kit is unusual in that it is possible to assemble it without glue, the location points are very precise to allow this. Of course a little Tamiya extra thin helps to keep it all secure.
The first task was to modify the rear fuselage to accommodate the Aires nozzles.
Check out the fit of these two parts, this is dry fit.
Test fit of the exhaust.
That's it for now, really enjoying this one.
mrkipling said:
I have not built an aircraft model since I was about 11 years old, over the past few weeks I have built a Tiger tank, two Le Mans Ford racecars and a Ducati 916....
Model shops seem to be having a field day - except a lot of stock is sold out and they can't get new supplies. Both the usual places (Cornwall and Hobbies), usually excellent service, are down to answerphones and e-mail if you're lucky. Not being able to get the kit I want I've resorted to painting the kitchen windows!Simpo Two said:
Model shops seem to be having a field day - except a lot of stock is sold out and they can't get new supplies. Both the usual places (Cornwall and Hobbies), usually excellent service, are down to answerphones and e-mail if you're lucky. Not being able to get the kit I want I've resorted to painting the kitchen windows!
I have noticed plenty of threads on various forums with modellers that have returned to the hobby having suddenly found spare time. I suspect I will be back to work next week & my output will sadly drop! tangerine_sedge said:
The kit looks nice, but I've never found the Academy kit decals to be any good. I just can't get them to stay stuck down! I find them lifting even before I can get a matt/gloss coat on them...
I've built four academy kits, and with every one the decals were both thick and very brittle. Well worth going aftermarket.Simpo Two said:
Model shops seem to be having a field day - except a lot of stock is sold out and they can't get new supplies. Both the usual places (Cornwall and Hobbies), usually excellent service, are down to answerphones and e-mail if you're lucky. Not being able to get the kit I want I've resorted to painting the kitchen windows!
What colour have you painted the windows, USAF medium grey, dunkelgelb and olive drab?dr_gn said:
I've built four academy kits, and with every one the decals were both thick and very brittle. Well worth going aftermarket.
I have a set of Two Bob's Lakenheath decals for this one. Spent a few hours playning with Eduard photo etch today
Pleased with how these tiny seats look
Cockpit is now complete
And installed in the fuselage
It is a relatively straight forward build, without the PE parts it would have been ready for paint today.
mrkipling said:
Now complete, built to represent an aircraft of the 494th fighter wing based at Lakenheath. It is wearing nose art and the name Firebird that it carried during deployment to the Middle East in October 2018. It's been a fun build and I have an Eduard 1/48 P51D to start now.....
Nice work. One of my favourite aircraft.mrkipling said:
Now complete, built to represent an aircraft of the 494th fighter wing based at Lakenheath. It is wearing nose art and the name Firebird that it carried during deployment to the Middle East in October 2018. It's been a fun build and I have an Eduard 1/48 P51D to start now.....
Superb! 
to your painting skills, looks real. Fab job.Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff