1/32 Trumpeter AV-8B II Plus
I finished this one in September of this year and it wasn't without its challenges. Lots of ill-fitting parts and inaccuracies- some that were fixable, some not. I used an Aires cockpit and wheel wells. The cockpit did not fit very well and required much work to get the fuselage halves to mate properly. I modified the landing gear and fully articulated them so the are full extended at hover and compress when "landed". I made the deck from styrene sheet and brass tie-downs. the non-skid surface was made by using an artist gel medium and a stiff brush. I custom mixed all the Polyscale paints. I was disappointed that it won 2nd place in the 1/32 scale jet category this year in McMinnville, but that's the way it goes. You win some and you lose some.
6 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on November 12, 2015
Another beautifully detailed/weathered build...why the pole - didn't it sit on the gear correctly?
George Johnson said on November 12, 2015
Thanks, Craig. It's hovering so that's why it's up on the pole.
Rob Pollock said on November 12, 2015
Did you mean the cockpit did NOT fit very well? Anyway, these are always striking looking models. We see quite a few of these at shows, so they're clearly a popular subject.
Yours has some interesting touches.
George Johnson said on November 12, 2015
Thanks for pointing the typo out to me. I corrected it. Yes, it did not fit well at all.
Editor said on November 12, 2015
Again, great idea with the base, realy like the way it depicts it hovering. And very nice build in all other respects!
Greg Kittinger said on November 13, 2015
This is my favorite of your builds thus far - in terms of the weathering especially. Just excellent eye for detail and whatever techniques and materials you are using, you are achieving excellent results! Keep posting (and adding more detailed pics so I've got good reference material!).
George Johnson said on November 13, 2015
Thanks, Greg. I experimented with the fuel spills on the tanks and came up with the idea that art should imitate nature so I used some Abteilung "Engine Grease" oil paint, diluted it with spirits and dapped a little on the appropriate areas, then took my air compressor nozzle and blew some air in the direction of the airflow. Worked pretty well.
Richard Mcstay said on November 19, 2015
That really is modelling on a different level!
The harrier is my favourite aircraft of all time, that's an amazing portrayal of one! I've read that this kit is really hard work. I wan't to build the Trumpeter GR-7 but I need to get through some of my stash first just to fit it in the cupboard.
Just out of interest, what won 1st?
George Johnson said on November 19, 2015
Thanks, Richard. A very nice A-4 Sky hawk won.