Atlas Cheetah D - SAAF
Comments
56 10 August 2019, 16:45
Nathan DempseyDecals arrived today so here's a shot of all the parts. I will be uploading more pics of the resin but looks like nothing will upload at the moment.
10 August 2019, 16:53
Nathan DempseyJust need the PJ Production external fuel tank that's on order and all of my parts will be in. I'm also still trying to get info from Draken about the paint scheme they are planning to use on this bird. The resin conversion parts are going to be a challenge. Although the fit is great my example was full of many holes and gaps. I think by October I'll have all those holes plugged and ready to build.
11 August 2019, 03:31
Danielthis is going to be really interesting&challenging I think, and very entertaining to watch 🙂
11 August 2019, 15:14
Nathan DempseyI've always wanted to build this aircraft and I'm happy the aggressors group build came along to give me a reason to start the project.
13 August 2019, 18:52
Carsten GurkInteresting subject. Draken has Cheetahs?! Or ist this a fictional project?
19 August 2019, 07:13
Nathan DempseyYes, the Cheetah is their latest acquisition. If you scroll through the pictures on their site, you'll see the D model that I'm building. Super happy I'll get to see these flying around right down the road from my house! 🙂
drakenintl.com/catal..pped-supersonic-jets
19 August 2019, 11:19
Carsten GurkCool, I did not know that. It is the ScaleWorx conversion, I assume? How's the quality? I have an eye on their Pantera conversion.
19 August 2019, 11:48
Nathan DempseyYes I'm using the Scaleworx conversion. The fit on the conversion is excellent however my example was full of millions of pinholes as well as some larger holes (see pics). The exhaust from Scaleworx was unusable and I had to order one from Wolfpack.
19 August 2019, 12:27
Carsten GurkSounds good. For the Pantera I would not need a nozzle anyway. Now I just need to decide wether to go for the two seat DCM or wait till they have their single seat CN ready 🙂
19 August 2019, 12:35
Nathan DempseyI love the colors on the Pantera and want to build one at some point.
19 August 2019, 12:46
Carsten GurkDecals for my Pantera are ordered already. I'd love to get my hands on the Antarki conversion kit, but no matter which channel I try, they don't answer. Neither via email, nor their FB page, nor via eBay 🙁
19 August 2019, 15:01
Nathan DempseyHmm. I know they went to the IPMS Nationals here in the US. Perhaps they are on extended vacation.
19 August 2019, 15:43
Nathan DempseyI'm not going to lie, I may have started on this last night😉 Mainly I just cleaned up the resin parts and did some test fitting. I did drill out the resin nose in preparation for any needed nose weight.
1 October 2019, 14:58
Stephan RyllNice add ones Nathan for your build 👍 I will start this evening but still waiting for some parts to come 🤔
1 October 2019, 15:09
Nathan DempseyAdded a pic of the real Cheetah showing the "step" in the nose section similar to Hans' Kfir.
1 October 2019, 18:41
Nathan DempseyWhen test fitting the resin part I was really worried until I found this pic.
1 October 2019, 18:47
Slavo HazuchaI would only start to worry if I'd ask Hans and he would not immediately shoot out a response backed by pics & some deeper know how...😉
1 October 2019, 19:38
Nathan DempseySlavo: Yes I'd really worry if Hans didn't at least have some tidbit to help out.
Getting all of the intake and exhaust parts painted & ready for installation. Added a pic of the exhausts I have. The blue one is the Scaleworx replacement, but was unusable due to a large hole created by a bubble during casting that destroyed some really nice detail. The smaller grey one is the kit part & the longer one is a Wolfpack. I am using the Wolfpack one and this was the reason for drilling out the nose for weight since this adds a bunch to the rear.
2 October 2019, 15:51
Nathan DempseyThanks Stephan! Working on painting the ejection seats (for this and my Mirage F.1 build). Hope to add some pics later this evening.
3 October 2019, 18:56
Nathan DempseyStayed up late last night to cut the wings to accept the Scaleworx conversion parts. I'm currently installing them between paint colors on the Mirage build.
4 October 2019, 13:35
Nathan DempseyAdded the Scaleworx massive chaff/flare dispenser. Also did more test fitting of the wings to the fuselage. Much care is needed at this point. Getting very close to attaching these main parts to each other.
6 October 2019, 20:48
Nathan DempseyI had to sand the mating surfaces quite a bit. A bit odd for such a new kit... Oh well It wasnt a shock, I believe I had heard about it somewhere.
7 October 2019, 12:50
Bart GoesaertNice conversion. When seeing the resin color first thought about Olymp resin. Nice work so far.
8 October 2019, 11:20
Nathan DempseyThanks Stephan, Daniel, and Bart. 🙂
I agree Bart it does indeed remind me of Olymp resin. The fit is excellent but my copy has millions of pinholes (and larger holes) to fill on every part. Very time consuming!
8 October 2019, 13:54
Nathan DempseyThanks Clifford!
Just adding another Scaleworx resin part to the tail. Had to do a little shimming here. This is the only conversion part so far that didnt fit perfectly.
11 October 2019, 14:05
Nathan DempseyI fixed the stepped lip on the intake, but haven't had time for seams yet. Been a busy weekend!
13 October 2019, 14:52
Greg BakerThat's good work, Nathan. I hate fixing stuff like that, but you seem to have powered through it.
13 October 2019, 15:01
Nathan DempseyThanks Greg! The Mirage was such a breeze and this one is slow going. Still a fun one though 🙂
13 October 2019, 15:53
Nathan DempseyToday I'm cutting down some of the bottom of the fuselage to install the PJ Production RP825 centerline fuel tank often seen on the Cheetah. The pylon has an integral part that will replace this area.
15 October 2019, 18:57
Nathan DempseyThanks Hans & Stephan 🙂
Today I worked on attaching the ailerons and flaps and smoothing some minor seams. Just need to add some miscellaneous air intakes and the Cheetah will be ready for paint.
16 October 2019, 21:00
Nathan DempseyI'm happy with the build so far. I'm going to put primer on it in the next day or two so we will see what needs more sanding LOL 🙂
18 October 2019, 00:34
Nathan DempseyThe local Hobby Lobby FINALLY restocked Tamiya primer, so now this build can move along. I was very close to painting this without primer🙂
23 October 2019, 16:47
Clifford KeeslerHobby Lobby is my only option for a brick and mortar hobby shop around me.
23 October 2019, 23:51
Nathan DempseyMy choices are extremely limited unless I'm willing to drive for 2 hours in one direction. Luckily the shop that is two hours away will give me free shipping if I spend more than $25.
25 October 2019, 12:49
Nathan DempseyI've decided to put this on hold until I get some concrete info about the camo Draken is applying to this aircraft. I hate to miss out on some crazy digital scheme.
31 October 2019, 01:31
Nathan DempseyWe will see. I noticed all the logos are smaller and lo-viz so I may have to get an OldModels 1:72 decal set to get the appropriate sizing.
31 October 2019, 16:51
Nathan DempseyAnother update. I've been contacted by Draken's Cheetah Program Manager. I may get a tour. <insert little girl squeal here>
4 November 2019, 23:35
Nathan DempseyIf I pass security I should be going next week. I'll definitely post pictures if I'm allowed to take them.
5 November 2019, 18:44
Nathan DempseyWell its official, I'll be visiting Draken on Wednesday 13 NOV. They've asked me to bring along my Mirage F.1 build too.
7 November 2019, 14:59
Erik LeijdensThat is great news Nathan!! Please take a photo of your F.1 and one of theirs together 🙂. Have fun mate!!
8 November 2019, 14:33
Nathan DempseyThe visit to Draken was just awesome. As soon as I stepped in the hangar and smelled the jet fuel I was in heaven. Sorry to say that photography in the area was prohibited. I was shown all of the Mirage F1s, and L-159s and even a pair of T-28 Trojans. Preparations were also underway for a Mirage F1B flight. It looked beautiful in its refreshed blue coloration. I was also given some information about the Cheetah paint schemes but must keep them under wraps until the real aircraft is revealed to the public. This project will continue as a ghost build until that time.
13 November 2019, 18:30
Bart GoesaertWould have been surprised if it had been otherwise... Glad you had a great time, and enjoy the ghostbuild...
14 November 2019, 05:26
Slavo HazuchaCheers Nathan! Glad to keep watching wherever this journey will go😉
2 December 2019, 11:07
Nathan DempseyThis poor build. Abandoned for so long….
Well, it's back on the bench and stripped of its initial Draken colors. I lost interest once Draken cancelled their orders for the real aircraft and changed to the F-16. I've decided this one would much rather be clothed in smooth greys of its home country anyway.
27 April 2023, 19:13
DutchYes, Nathan, I too am looking forward to more progress on this one. NIce work thus far. K/r, Dutch
28 April 2023, 16:24
Nathan DempseyThanks Clifford and Dutch. I've now applied the FS36320 Dark Ghost Grey. This scheme is definitely not hiding any of my mistakes 😂. I have secured the canopy using white glue since I still haven't decided if I want it posed open or closed.
5 May 2023, 22:48
Slavo HazuchaYou put a lot of effort into this one before, glad to see it return to the bench for a proper finish - looks rather dashing so far 👍🏻
I'd probably leave the canopy closed, I prefer to have those streamlined jet-lines preserved in my models, but that's just my taste 🙂
6 May 2023, 08:08
Nathan DempseyThank you Clifford & Slavo 🙂 I've applied the next color - Polly Scale British Extra Dark Sea Grey!
I agree Slavo. Typically I leave them shut as well. I only have a few with the canopy open.
7 May 2023, 15:29
Clifford KeeslerThe color scheme really sets it off. I am going to have to start building mine with the canopies closed, so I can hang them up. I am running out of shelf space.
7 May 2023, 23:31
Nathan DempseyI hear ya Clifford! I've got space for about 6 or 7 builds and then I'll need a new cabinet. I wasn't sure about this paint scheme but once I laid it down it grew on me. Looks like a warrior's spear.
Today I've got the gloss coat on, placed all the decals, and have begun panel line washes.
8 May 2023, 13:05
DutchNathan, I agree with Cliff. You are doing outstanding work and the results are wonderful. Keep a goin' please.
9 May 2023, 00:56
Nathan DempseyThanks Clifford & Dutch!
Just finishing the paint and decals on the weapons. Should have completed pictures up tomorrow.
9 May 2023, 19:28
Nathan DempseyWell the final pics are up. Pardon my extremely poor photography.
This one is now complete.
10 May 2023, 20:47
Nathan DempseyThanks Dutch!
My next project is already up and very nearly complete too. No I'm not that fast. However it has been sitting in the box nearly finished since the late 1990s.
P-40N "Rusty" | Album by Plastic Addict (1:48)
11 May 2023, 20:15
Slavo HazuchaTurned out really great! Possibly better than the intended Draken variety I think... And looking surprisingly 'present day' and 'dynamic' for a frame of its age - what colors & camo can do - you got a true beauty there 👍🏻
13 May 2023, 08:20
DanielExcellent result 👍
I am kind of glad Kinetic came out with their own cheetah in the meantime so I dont need to go through the same resin ordeals 😉 But this long-nosed mirage is definetely on my must have list.
Whats the bird-head-shaped metal thingy in Pic 30?
13 May 2023, 11:13
Nathan DempseyThanks Slavo & Daniel!
Slavo: Agreed! After all the indecision , I think I'm much happier with this scheme.
Daniel: True! Adding that stinky resin is always an ordeal. Also if anyone wants a regular kit of an exotic subject just convince me to buy a resin conversion. They are sure to make one after I go through all the hassle 😂. Oh and the tool is a Doyusha SGOT Parts Seperator. I find it extremely useful as a seam scraper though. My friend sent it to me in a care package from Japan.
13 May 2023, 17:22
DutchNathan, are you going to display it at PAMSCON, so I can at least drool over it a little?
13 May 2023, 19:01
Nathan DempseyThanks Roland & Clifford 🙂
Thanks mates for all the likes on this build as well.
20 May 2023, 01:22
