McDonnel Douglas F-15C Eagle
After being away from modeling for over 40 years, I decided to pick my childhood passion back up again during COVID. My wife really encouraged me, so I jumped back in with a Tamiya 1/48 F-15C (one of my all-time favorite jets - she's beautiful!), Eduard Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles the only after-market products used. Wasn't thrilled with the 2-tone grey scheme (more research & trial next time), should have used darker contrasting shades. Tried using turpentine with my black paint for a 'wash', that was probably my biggest mistake; another fellow modeler pointed me to artist mineral spirits, so not much harm done. Another lesson learned was to assemble & glue cockpit & ejection seat parts first before applying paint - wet glues just mess up paint jobs! This was my first Tamiya kit, and very pleased with the quality of their product vs. the Monogram and Revell models I used to build in my youth.
Looks wonderful, Joe!
The quarter scale Tamiya F-15 definitely takes some effort to accomplish, and you did it really well!
Like a bicycle, you performed excellent after 40 years away from modeling.
Congratulations on your first article here!
Thanks Spiros, I appreciate it! More to come, and it is for sure a learning experience, building on and learning from mistakes. 🙂
Model making is an everlasting learning curve 😉 welcome back to the hobby, judging by your work here your half way that curve already
Thanks Pedro! I try not to let "perfect" get in the way of pretty darn good. The following model I built was a F-14A Tomcat, and after painting and decaling the rudder stabilizers, I realized I mixed them up, got them backwards; little creative work with the scalpel, and I think they pass to the casual observer. Just trying to avoid the major 'oops' going forward, LOL!
Awesome entry, Joe @jroamer
Welcome to this great community.
Like said by Spiros and Pedro, modelling is like riding a bike, you never forget.
I discovered, after an absence of 35 years, that the available techniques and materials have evolved a lot, making modelling even more exiting.
Looking forward to more of your models.
Welcome back and welcome aboard. Great start. Nice job!
"Lessons" well-learned and applied (no need at all for RE-training wheels). Great looking Eagle out of a super kit.
As you know, Joe, gluing-up little plastic airplanes is a wonderful hobby...this old man continues at age 84. Cleaver's no kid and he cranks out at least one beauty a week.
Outstanding, Bob! Would love to see a picture of your collection, if you don't mind sharing some time.
Thanks, Joe. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to take photos and post 'em. But I surly do enjoy seeing others' great works on-line.
A beauty! I like the contrast you got - too much contrast makes it look less weathered. Welcome back to the modeling faternity!
Looks great to me! F-15 is a truck, and your added armaments look fierce. Welcome to the site... I like to think we never really leave the hobby, just take really long breaks. 🙂
Welcome back, Joe (@jroamer). You picked a great kit to build first. F-15s are always cool, and Tamiya kits tend to be very good. Turpentine tends to be a little harsh on models. I like to use odorless mineral spirits, which are pretty mild, and the lack of odor keeps everyone in the house happy. I still build a lot of old Monogram and Revell kits. I took a couple of decades off from building, and found the numerous new paints, tools, and techniques to be a little overwhelming. YouTube is your friend for figuring out what to use and how to use it. Looking forward to your next model.
You chose a great kit for your return, Joe, and knocked it for six, welcome to iModeler.
Great looking Eagle! The scheme looks right to me.
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Welcome to this forum Joe, hope you have a very good time here among your fellow modelers.
Allow me to further extend this welcoming to your return to this great hobby and world that
is plastic scale modeling.
Looking at your first post, besides from making a pleasant entry, it is clear that you have not lost your touch.
Nice looking model there and the painting as well as the results are spot on ... good work, really hope to see more.
Nice work, Joe! Welcome to imodeler.
Excellent Joe, nothing wrong with that build and I mean nothing, looks great, well done, doesn't look like you've missed a day of building, never mind 40 years.
Thanks Anthony. Trying to remember the basics of patience, good masking, crisp canopy line, panel wash, etc. One learning experience was the variation of air brush behaviors using various manufactures like Tamiya, Testors, Mig, and Alclad; all require different dilution ratios, air pressure, distances, and layers. Using a good primer after you've glued the small pieces together, putty filler, sanding, etc., and I'm finding I personally like Tamiya paints the best. Going forward, reducing those variations should make modeling life easier! 🙂 And did I mention patience (something I'm not good at)?!
Hey Joe @jroamer
Your Eagle looks awesome mate. Hard to believe it was your first after a long break from the hobby.
I just picked up this very same kit at a very reasonable price from one of my local favourites. Add it to my stash 🙂
Could be awhile before I get to it.
Thanks, Scott. I built this at the height of COVID, so I had plenty of time on my hands. I thoroughly enjoyed jumping back in again, a very solid kit to work with. Still chomping on building a F-15E version, but my wife knows I have 4 others waiting in queue before buy. 😂