1953 F-84G Thunderbird – HobbyBoss 1/72
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Hello fellow modellers,
This is the first of a theme that I plan to build: aerobatic teams.
Being one of the most emblematics, I had to begin with the Tunderbirds and their first plane.
The kit is from HobbyBoss at 1:72 scale and it's almost OOB. The fit is very good, nice decals, a good kit overall. The only issue is the closed canopy that I had to cut, but no big deal.
The instructions, however, had an error that can fool the beginner: they depicted this aerobatic version fully armed... but, well, this version and those decals are not for beginners...
Hope you like as much as I enjoied building it.
UPDATE:
Being an important issue on this model, the decals need one or two more words:
1 - Be careful with the tail. The decals should be placed before the horizontal stabilizers, or you'll have to cut them. (that's what I did, no big deal)
2 - They went well except for the tanks. The decals are curved but not perfect. Microsol or other liquid should be used (a lot). After that I still add some wrinkles which I coated with two coats of varnish and then carefully sanded. Some areas were then painted (had to mix paint to the exact tone).
Cheers,
Manuel
Manuel, this is utterly beautiful. The NMF and general paintwork are superb. A very high level of modeling skill.
‘Liked’
Thank you Sir, You're very kind
Really gorgeous. Five stars!
Thank you. When we are having fun, seems easy 🙂
Outstanding work...thought for sure it was 48th scale at first!
Thank you Sir. It's a nice photo of an average kit 😉
I was building exactly the dame kit and markings several years ago. And I’ve had a lot of issues with decals, as I remember, but anyway... Your ThunderJet looks beautiful, and opened canopy adds some freshness to the build. Good work!
Thanks. Yes, the decals were tricky. I updated the post with some thoughts about them
An excellent build ! Nice photos.
Thanks 🙂
Very nice work, I have done this in 1/48 and the decals were difficult there, I can imagine how they were in 1/72. A beautiful result.
In 1954, the last year the Thunderbirds flew F-84Gs and the Blue Angels flew F9F-5s, I saw both teams, the Birds at Lowry AFB and the Angels at NAS Buckley Field (now ANG base the past 60 years) in the same year. Also saw the Thunderbirds in F-84Fs in 1957 at the opening of the Air Force Academy in its temporary quarters at Lowry, didn't know till a few years ago that I was watching the legendary Jack Broughton ("Thud Ridge") leading them that day.
Thanks so much. Yes, the decals were quite tricky. I updated the post with some thoughts about them.
I thought they flew the F-84G until 1955. Anyway, seeing the both teams was, certainly, awesome (quite envious, eheheheh)
They did, but 1955 also saw them upgrade, so 1954 was the last full season.
Ok, thanks for the clarification.
Looks good Manuel, I have the Tamiya kit to use these decals on !
Thanks. The kit is quite nice and more than half of price for the Tamiya, so I went to this one. The decals were tricky. I updated the post with some thoughts about them.
great job ob a tough scheme
Thanks. Yes, the decals were tricky. I updated the post with some thoughts about them
remarkable little jet model...stunning in fact! Looks larger then 1/72 b/c you captured details and overall look so well!
Thanks. Thats a nice kit and it was a pleasure to build it
Lovely jet & superb build! Is the NMF Alclad?
Thks! In fact I painted some panels with Alclad and others with gunze H8 to give an uneven look.
Thank you for the info, a fantastic result!
That's really a beauty! Excellent work all the way around. Well done.
Thks so much 🙂