Small Scale Military Headquarters

Good evening everyone,
Small update for tonight, I've finished painting all the small details and she now sits awaiting the gloss coat, then decals, can't wait !! I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, fingers crossed.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

That is looking good Steve!
This is going to be a masterpiece !
Well done !

Thanks very much for the kind words air one.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

One gloss coated Tomcat, decals up next.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Prepping the decals, still a few to cut out yet.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

awesome !

supersonicfifi wrote:awesome !

Thanks very much.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Good evening all,
I had a very productive weekend getting the decals on the Big Cat. I'd like to wait until ALL the decals are applied before I show it off but, here's a teaser for those loyal followers. Thanks all for staying along for the ride.
Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

rschaap wrote:Great teaser, what an Cat. Looking forward to the next post. Two thumbs up.

Thanks very much.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Looking very nice!!

normandy wrote:Looking very nice!!

Thanks normandy, appreciate that.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Greetings everyone,
Mini update tonight, The wingtip “slime” lights have proven to be the biggest PITA so far. Mostly self induced because I had to add the small black lines from my stash and, no, they were not fun to cut out. With my arm / hand issue this took quite a while to do.
Thanks for looking.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

I'm waiting on a correction to the starboard side "Grumman Ironworks" nose art decal for the Big Cat so, unfortunately I'm at a standstill with the project. I'm hoping it comes soon.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Since I'm waiting on some replacement decals for the Big Cat, I decided to turn my attention to the GBU-16's. JSI did a very nice job representing them but, they can be " kicked up a notch." There is a small hexagon shaped area on the CCG, (Computer Control Group). This area is the electrical hookup spot for the bomb dump guys (AMMO) to connect their equipment to do their tests on the CCG to make sure everything works as advertised before delivering the munitions to the flightline loaders. This hexagon shape should be on the topside of the CCG because right next to it is the BFD (Battery Firing Device) and, right behind that is the arming wire guide all which run right in line with the bombs lugs.
I had to fill in the old holes and drill new ones. I'm also sanding away the seam that runs thru the bomb body and will use BIC "Wite Out" to replace the bombs coating ( just like I did on the MK-83's ). I'll also need to scratch build a BFD for the arming wire to connect to. I would like to get rid of the seam on the CCG but, the fins cover up some of that and I think I should just leave well enough alone.
With these two GBU-16's and my four MK-83's, I'll be able to change up the loadout on the Big Cat from time to time. Thanks to all who are still continuing to follow along, I do appreciate it very much.

Steve
"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Looks like it is still going forward! Nice!

Thanks Granch, it is and it would be going a lot better with the rest of my decals. Noting I can do now but wait. In the meantime, I'll try to get these bombs finished.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

rschaap wrote:It’s really coming along nicely. It’s going to be an outstanding cat. You’ve really honored the plane and it’s legacy.

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated rschaap.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Greetings all,
Minor update for today but, progress anyway. Still no decals but, managed to get the bomb bodies sanded down, with 320 and wiped down with rubbing alcohol and masked them up prior to paint. First thing however was to apply the thermal coating to the bomb bodies, like I did with my MK-83's. The Wite Out was applied last night and today I shall paint the yellow areas for the bomb body stripes. Once that dries, I'll mask off the stripes and spray the bomb bodies. Then I'll scratch-build the Battery Firing Device (BFD) and, add the arming wire.
Thanks for following along, until the next update ...

Steve
"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

I applied the yellow to the GBU-16's yesterday. I'll give this another day to dry then, I'll mask off the bands and paint the bodies Light Ghost Gray. I'll also need to add the Battery Firing Device (BFD) to the CCG and, the wing release mechanism for the tail fins and the arming wires.

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

I managed to get the bombs sprayed Light Ghost Gray. Up next, a coat of semi-gloss, some weathering and, the flat coat.
Thanks to all who still stay interested in my work.

Steve
"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

A-10LOADER wrote: Thanks to all who still stay interested in my work.

No need for thanks....like I've said, this is a hell of a show!
The work you've done on this project is outstanding!!

normandy wrote:

A-10LOADER wrote: Thanks to all who still stay interested in my work.

No need for thanks....like I've said, this is a hell of a show!
The work you've done on this project is outstanding!!

Thanks normandy, very kind of you. I'm glad your still enjoying "the show."

Steve
"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

Greetings everyone,
Minor update for tonight.
Weathering on and flat coated. I still need to do the BFD, wing release mechanism (the the tail fin assembly) and, add arming wire.



I think with the limited ability with my hands / arms, this may have to suffice for the BFD, (small brass pin), I just need to paint it silver. I'm still working on something that I'll be happy with for the tail fin assembly.



Thanks to all who still stay interested in my work. I'm hoping that my replacement decals show up soon, I really want to keep this project moving along.

Steve
"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"