Here is my latest
creation. It has been a long while since I last featured any of my work here on
ARC (aside from the casual posting of pics in the Forums). Laziness mostly on my
part. This project turned out much better than I was expecting so I figured I'd
get a cup of coffee, pull up a seat, and do what has to be done.
A number of
years back, I picked up an Academy F-86E Sabre kit in 1/72nd scale (the
scale I prefer) at my local hobby shop. It was my first time building a Sabre
and I loved it for its sleek lines, the shiny silverness and colorful
decorations. So different from the drab aircraft we see today and so pleasing to
the eye. While I sat there examining it in its plastic, an idea popped into my
head. Wouldn't it be cool to build this in 'in-flight' mode. Immediately
following that thought came, 'What if I put it next to its arch-enemy?' 'What if
I build a MIG-15 'in-flight' as well?' Unfortunately, the beginning of this story
does not have a happy ending. It was my first attempt at Bare Metal Finish, my
work space where I was living at the time was not conducive to dust free paint
jobs. Long story short, it was a complete disaster of an attempt. I ended up
junking the build (something that rarely happens) and that was the end of that.
Fast forward to now.
I have a MUCH better workspace in my current abode. I am working on another
self-imagined project (me and my %$^@& ideas) which essentially has me
building the first 10 years of US Airforce and Navy jet aviation in 1/72nd
scale. More on that at a later date. I needed a side project to fiddle with when
the monotony of scratch building and line scribing had gotten to be too much. I
had picked up a KOPRO 1/72 MIG-15 a while back and 6 months ago, I was sitting
there and decided to open her up. This immediately reminded me of the 'Versus'
scenario I had dreamed up long before. I had by now completed a couple jets
which had turned out quite nicely in BMF so my confidence was in place. I picked
up another Academy F-86E kit and the rest is history.
My mom always told
me, 'If at first you don't succeed...try, try again.' Apparently, she was
right...
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images below to see larger images
One night as I
was building the cockpit of the F-86, another idea popped into my head.
'Wouldn't it be hilarious if I had the American pilot flipping the Russian
pilot off?' It was part homage to the movie 'Top Gun' and part experience
driving in California. Although I cannot prove that this actually happened
back then, I'm sure its not too far reaching. Hard to focus in on the
pilot but hopefully you can make it out.
All in all, it was a
fun side project. The builds went quickly. The KOPRO kit was not great and not
horrible. Raised panel lines which I chose to sand down a little to reduce their
appearance and no cockpit detail. This didn't matter as it was in flight. The
Sabre kit was a breeze and a complete joy to build. I would highly recommend. I
built the wooden base myself, stained it and had the face plate made at a local
trophy store. I'm starting to like working with wood as a medium as well.
Anyway, it was all a lot of fun to build and might lead to other similar
projects in the future..we shall see.
Enjoy!!!
Dan
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images below to see larger images
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