Subject: Re: Gallery submission - Italeri 1/72 F-22 Raptor
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Michael Choo" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:44:57 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Choo 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 8:50 PM
  Subject: Gallery submission - Italeri 1/72 F-22 Raptor

  "F-22A Raptor "Deep Penetrator"" 

  by "Michael "Chewie" Choo"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  I have been ARCforum user for some time, having submitted several build threads, but this is my very first gallery submission (hopefully won't be the last). I build all my models purely OOB, with no aftermarket parts at all. The only aftermarket component that I would consider is decals (have only bought 1 thus far: a TwoBobs Blue Fox Bandits). I build only 1/72 scale "modern" jet fighters.

  First off, some fictional background to "justify" this build (as if I needed one! haha!)

  ------- Start: What if/Fictional Background -------
  With the US economy still in downward spiral, with no recovery in sight, the military is under pressure from Congress to dramatically cut their operational cost. One of the first victims was the 65th Aggressor squadron. The politicians simply could not see the reason for maintaining a dedicated "training" squadron. The Air Force senior generals refused to completely lose the capability, so they came up with the idea of integrating Aggressor capability into all operational squadrons. This provides them with the benefit of still maintaining the Aggressor training capability during peace time, as well as being able to deploy the Aggressor birds during war time as "deep penetrator". 

  The first operational squadron to receive this multi-purpose bird was the 1st Fighter Wing based at Langley operating F-22A Raptor.
  ------- End: What if/Fictional Background -------

  This model was based on Italeri 1/72 F/A-22 Raptor. I have built several Italeri kits when I first started this hobby back in 2007, and found that the fit on most of their kits are quite bad, except for their F-22. Sure it's got its own problems, but let's face it: there is no such thing as model kit with perfect fit. All kits require some putty!

  This is the 2nd Italeri F-22 Raptor that I built. The first one was not long after I started this hobby, and it didn't come out that well. I bought this kit for the express purpose of building it as a "what if"/fictional bird. At first, I was thinking of using one of the interesting camo schemes usually worn by Flanker family.... Then came PAK-FA! As soon as I saw a picture of the T-50 PAK-FA, I knew I had to build this Raptor using this scheme. After all, PAK-FA is supposed to be Russian's answer to Raptor, is it not? 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo06.jpg 

  I used the tip I learned from an article in ARCforums "Tools 'n' Tips" section submitted by Robert Lenior to make this into an in-flight bird. I used a 1/8" domed nut bought from hardware store, and a $2 mini tripod. I glued the domed nut using 2-part epoxy, then reinforced with Milliput.

  For the paint, at first, I wanted to get the "correct" paint colour for PAK-FA, but after researching for some time, I could not find a definitive answer. So, I decided to just make it up. Here is what decided to use: 
  - Light gray: FS36375 Light Compass Ghost Gray (LifeColor UA026), tinted with a few drops of Gunze Aqueous Hobby H322 (Phthalocyanine Blue)
  - Dark gray: 3 parts of Gunze Aqueous Hobby H317 (FS36231) + 1 part of Gunze Aqueous Hobby H322
  - White: Gloss White FS17925 (LifeColor LC51) tinted with a couple of drops of Tamiya Sky Blue

  I used oil wash to highlight the panel lines, then after applying the decals, finished off with Gunze Flat Clear.

          
        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  All in all, this was quite a fun build for me. Thank you for looking!

  "Michael "Chewie" Choo"

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 07.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo07.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 08.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo08.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 09.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo09.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 10.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo10.jpg