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Fighting 84
Michael Phillips (Fighting 84)
US

Hasegawa A-4M Skyhawk - WIP

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Comments

19 April 2017, 16:14
Michael Phillips
Update on the WIP on my Skyhawk... Word of advice, DO NOT USE AN AIRES COCKPIT ON THE HASEGAWA SKYHAWK! It literally does not fit. I had to hack both the kit and cockpit to kinda make it fit. I spent over a week trying to do so. Sooooo not worth it! That is why I'm so late with updates lol.
19 April 2017, 16:18
Murad ÖZER
sorry to hear about the pit trouble Michael but i doubt it was something you couldn't shoehorn, literally.
as for the resin cockpits in general, i am of the opinion unless it's a 32nd scale and the aircraft has a relatively bubble like canopy all the effort is wasted, any detail whatsover is barely seen once everything is tucked up. knowing the detail is there is one thing of course...
19 April 2017, 16:34
Michael Phillips
Yeah, I am learning that Murad. This is my 2nd Aires cockpit I have used. The one for the Tamiya F-16 was not so bad, so I was expecting some work, but nothing like this!
I have decided that I will not buy any more Aires cockpits, period. I will use the ones I have already bought, but no more purchases. I will stick to OOB cockpits and aftermarket seats. LOL
19 April 2017, 17:33
David Thor
I´m in on this one, i love scooters! 🙂
19 April 2017, 18:07
Spanjaard
i had similar experience with my Phantom. i must say that now i am happy about it. It looks really good, once you manage to squeeze it there 😛
but yes, great detail quality, good service, but really bad fit.... why they can not make their products fit the kits they are supposed to be made for is something i can not understand...
19 April 2017, 18:17
Michael Phillips
Pre-shading is done. Hope to have the base coats done this weekend. Also been thinking about what loadout to go with. Thinking rocket pods and aim-9s. Kinda unusual, but that's the kind of guy I am!
21 April 2017, 04:17
Christian Borchmann-Backhaus
Nice work... Strange way to preshade?!?
21 April 2017, 05:46
Erik Leijdens
Wow Michael I envy your building pace! Great work so far mate. I am currently building a TA-4J, and I must say, the pit provided by Hasegawa is quite detailed. I only used some Quickboost ejection seats.
21 April 2017, 06:04
Martin Oostrom
Watching this
21 April 2017, 08:59
Christian Bruer
Nice Scooter so far 👍 I will take a seat to follow!
21 April 2017, 10:00
Soeren R.
Looks really nice. I love the effect of black basing, even Im still not really confident with it😉
21 April 2017, 10:27
David Barclay
Lookin' Good Michael! I haven't got very far on mine... Been a brutal week at work. Even working today (Saturday) !
21 April 2017, 20:08
Stephan Ryll
Nice work so far ! 👍
21 April 2017, 20:35
Michael Phillips
Thanks Christian, Erik, Martin, Christian, Sören, David, and Stephan!

Christian B, yeah, it is a bit strange, but I really like this style. I have modified it as I have gone to fit my style, but it is a really nice way to get some color tonal variation and organic weathering look to the overlaying paint.

Haha Erik, I really like to push it and get as much done in every session I get to build. I REALLY wish I would have just used the kit cockpit and seat, would have saved me sooo much frustration! I am watching your TA-4J build closely, looking forward to watching you progress.

Sören, the best way to use this technique is just let it flow, and not be concerned with getting it perfect. I am sure you will master it and do it confidently soon!

Haha David, I feel ya. You are going to have to catch up! Not sure what I will do if I finish this up before I get the HAD shock cone for the Fitter. It is looking likely that will be the case.

23 April 2017, 05:53
Michael Phillips
Well, got the base coats painted today. No surprises there, used Gunze Aqueous paints... Might have covered the pre-shading a bit more than I wanted, but no worries there.

Tomorrow evening I hope to apply the future coat.
23 April 2017, 05:55
Maciej Bellos
How did I miss that... Great work Michael!
23 April 2017, 07:19
Christian Bruer
Nice paintwork Michael 👍
23 April 2017, 09:46
Michael Phillips
Got the main decals on... That curved decal with the diamonds was a major pain! I gotta go in and trim the edges by the intake once they set. It seems the A-4M really did not have a lot of stencils. Kinda glad about that lol.
26 April 2017, 04:41
David Thor
Nice progress, can´t wait to see more.
26 April 2017, 05:49
Patrick Hagelstein
Whow!!!...... Speechless....
26 April 2017, 07:15
Erik Leijdens
Looking great Michael 👍. The Scooter looks good in Marine markings.
26 April 2017, 07:42
Murad ÖZER
i hate decals over curved surfaces, killer looking bird so far Michael 👍
26 April 2017, 10:29
Michael Phillips
Thanks David, Patrick, Erik, and Murad!

Yeah Murad, I knew that decal was gonna give me trouble just by looking at it haha. Aaaaand it did.
26 April 2017, 13:32
Bryn Crandell
Looking good! Can't wait to see the finished product.
26 April 2017, 14:48
Christian Bruer
Excellent and speedy progress 👍
26 April 2017, 19:28
Spanjaard
Michael wants to be at the top of the builders list of this site. I think he is going not only going get that, but also on top of the list of quality builders😉
26 April 2017, 20:29
Stephan Ryll
As always a perfect build Michael 🙂 - respect 👍 !
26 April 2017, 20:35
Michael Phillips
Thanks Bryn, Christian, Spanjaard, and Stephan!

Spanjaard, haha, that would be nice! I really appreciate the kind words, but in order to build as fast as I do, I do tend to NOT make everything perfect. I just like to build a lot of subjects, so I will often get things "good enough for me". Lol But, I have learned I am pretty good at hiding my construction flaws with weathering and post shading. Lol
27 April 2017, 04:20
Michael Phillips
Got the wash on tonight, and she is really starting to come alive now. I love this part of a build...
27 April 2017, 04:22
Robert W Martel
Nice job Michael! I also have this kit. Hope I can do it justice. Be keeping yours in mind for pointers.
27 April 2017, 05:04
Spanjaard
your "good enough for me" seem really good to me Michael 😉
27 April 2017, 06:55
Cristian Bordina
It's wonderful so far. Congrats Michael.
27 April 2017, 08:23
Kees Kleijwegt
That's one fine Scooter Michael, great job! 👍
27 April 2017, 08:42
Michael Phillips
Thanks Robert, Spanjaard, Christian, and Kees! I hope to get some time to work on it this weekend, would like to get this one wrapped up soon. 🙂
27 April 2017, 13:01
ForestFan
That's looking great, will look out for its completion as I'm sure it will be fantastic
27 April 2017, 20:57
Michael Phillips
Thanks James and Forest!

I did some weathering and added the flat coat tonight. All the pictures I've seen of this bird show it to be very dirty, so tried to replicate that. Once again I fear I may have overdone it. But it was very dirty, so I am happy. 🙂
2 May 2017, 03:17
Spanjaard
it looks really good IMHO
2 May 2017, 06:07
Bryn Crandell
I think the dirt is just right. They were always looking like they just rolled around in a pile of soot and grease.
2 May 2017, 11:29
Michael Phillips
Thanks Spanjaard and Bryn! Hope to have this wrapped up soon...
2 May 2017, 13:28
Lee Fogel
Looking very nice!
2 May 2017, 13:44
Mats Bengtsson
Looking very nice so far. You choosed the coolest looking option (at least according to me) on the Furball decal sheet 🙂 Well done Michael 👍
2 May 2017, 17:45
Choppa Nutta
this is looking good 🙂
2 May 2017, 17:48
Michael Phillips
Thanks Lee, Mats, and Choppa!

I agree Mats, I knew exactly which markings I was going to use when I bought the sheet and kit. Some day I might do the Hi-Viz version of these markings that were later applied to the very same aircraft. I am going to want to try this kit again someday without using the stupid Aires cockpit. I really have kinda half-assed this build ever since spending a week on trying to get that thing to fit, with only marginal results. LOL
2 May 2017, 18:56
David Barclay
Lookin' Real nice Michael! I'm still pluggin' along on mine..... Only getting an hour or so on it every few days.... Have the fuselage all sorted and the wing on..... Hope to get more time on it this weekend...
2 May 2017, 21:46
Michael Phillips
Thanks David! We will have to get some work in together this weekend, I should have some time to work Friday night at least. I may start back up on the Fitter if the Skyhawk is done by then.
3 May 2017, 03:49
Michael Phillips
Aaaaaaalllllllmmmmmooooost done. I think I should finish tomorrow. Just gotta add some clear parts, the seat, and make some bombs. Hmmm, now that I think about it maybe by the end of the weekend is a more likely timeframe. Lol
6 May 2017, 07:07
seb H
really nice, I love your weathering !!
6 May 2017, 07:39
Michael Phillips
Thanks seb! I appreciate the kind words. 🙂
6 May 2017, 17:59
Roland Sachsenhofer
Wonderful! I really like these surfaces- very well done!!
6 May 2017, 18:14
Gary Brantley
Beautifully done Michael! Great model sir. 👍
6 May 2017, 19:47
kamal sabokbar
Very beautiful
7 May 2017, 06:44
Dale Marston
Looking Good Michael.
7 May 2017, 12:28
Rv
Nice build and weathering ! 👍
7 May 2017, 16:51
Michael Phillips
Thanks Roland, Gary, Kamal, Dale, and Rv!

Unfortunately I was unable to complete this build over the weekend. I just didn't get as much time as I had hoped. All I have left to do is paint the bombs, paint the ejection seat, and then add a few doodads. LOL
8 May 2017, 12:47
Erik Leijdens
Nice! 👍
8 May 2017, 21:08
Michael Hickey
Looking really nice.👍
8 May 2017, 23:07
Greg Jones
It has really come to life with the weathering, great job Michael! Can I ask, how did you weather the panel lines to give them the brownish look?
9 May 2017, 20:17
Michael Phillips
Thanks James, Erik, Michael, and Greg!

Greg, the brownish tint of the weathering is done by two different techniques. The wash I used, MiG Ammo Deep Gray, has a decidedly brownish tint. I remove it before it completely dries, so it gives it a bit of a brownish stain in some areas as I wipe it off in the airflow direction. But what really gives it some extra pop, with a bit of a brownish cast, is the Tamiya smoke. I spray that over random panels, sections, panel lines (not all, just randomly), and areas where dirt and staining would collect. Heavier in some areas, lighter in others. I also use heavily thinned Tamiya rubber black to simulate soot and other darker dirt areas, such as on the vertical stabilizer right above the horizontal stabilizers.

Hope this helps!
9 May 2017, 21:40
Michael Phillips
Got the bombs painted, and made a homemade ablative coating using Mr Surfacer 500 blotted on using a brush to give it that textured look. I will post pictures of that soon. I might possibly be able to finish up tonight, as I have a few hours to work on it tonight. Stay tuned!
9 May 2017, 21:44
Michael Phillips
Added pics of the bombs and the homemade Thermal coating. I actually made two too many bombs, I found out I can't fit a bomb on the insides of the TER on the inside pylon because of the landing gear doors, so I had to take one off each side. Oops! Lol
10 May 2017, 03:35
Rex
"Slant Two" on the inner pylons is just like in real life. So, your model will be realistic in that sense, Michael. Rule of thumb for 500# on Skyhawk inner pylons,,,,,,Slant Two for TER, Five bombs for MER, and there was clearance for 6 on the MBR. (the guy with his back to the door during loading was very uncomfortable, though.)
10 May 2017, 04:36
Michael Phillips
Thanks Rex for that great insider info! I love to hear about the real world anecdotes concerning any project I am working on. 🙂
10 May 2017, 13:54
Tom Griffin
Inspiring work, Michael. Very nice weathering. Thanks for sharing your techniciques. I learned a few things to try.
10 June 2017, 12:33
Michael Phillips
Thanks Tom, I really appreciate the kind words! I hope to see you post some pics of your progress on any of your projects on here. I am glad to hear you can take some inspiration from things I have done and apply them to your work. 🙂
19 June 2017, 16:48

Project info

46 images
1:48
Completed
1:48 A-4M Skyhawk (Hasegawa 07233)1:48 Lo Viz Devil Dog Scooters (Furball Aero-Design 48-010)4+
Douglas A-4M Skyhawk
US US Marine Corps Aviation (1912-now)
VMA-131 Diamondbacks 160024/QG
1993 - NAS Willow Grove, PA
TPS FS36495 FS36375 FS36320
 

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