DesTROYers Hobby Boss 1/48 VF-1 Wolfpack Tomcat First Cruise

[tor lives]

Simply bloody awesome Troy
TOR

[hrtpaul]

Looks awesome young fella

[DesTROYer]

Made more progress today, even after an emergency phone call from mum asking me to set up her new iPhone 6.


Started with the tails. One side done.


After a few hours work, I got the front end done.



followed by the rear... and then I was going to call it a day. But then I thought "Naaaa, lets do some more"


So started this time on the rear...


...cause slicing and dicing the decals in this area is going to be a bitch. Still I'm looking forward to the challenge. All advice appreciated.

[tor lives]

She is shaping up to being something truly magnificent Troy. I am really enjoying your Canberra and Tomcat journeys and, as usual, am most greatful that you are sharing these builds on our little model site.
TOR

[DesTROYer]

Thanks Ray.

Started last night on the "fun" side of the decal application. Thank glob for micro set, as the need to loosen and relocate some decals a few times was called for.
Started out by photocopying the decal in question at work and making up some templates.


These were test fit repeatedly as I marked out where I needed to cut and fit into place to get the panels to line up. I started with the doors.


Then moved onto the side of the plane. the thin slice to the rear proving the most problematic. The locations shown in this pic are not the final.


Some further touch ups will be required but the doors when glued in place will cover much of the gap. It worked so much better with the paper templates, but the wet decal proved much more difficult to get in place and lined up.


If I ever mention again a desire to have access panel open where decals will need to be sliced, please, please, please talk me out of it.

[DesTROYer]

The more I look at the photos, I'm not happy with it. I think the panel decals need to sit higher on the doors. I'll see if I can fix it, but I have a replacement set of decals on the way, just in case though.

[hrtpaul]

That's looking wicked as mate. Bloody great job

[Adam the Akrodude]

Hey Troy

You're sure going the extra mile on this build and it's fascinating to watch the progress. Stretching your abilities makes you a better modeller. Anyone can build and paint a Tamigawa "Shake n Bake".
On the decaling side of things, I may have tried positioning the whole decal in place, letting it set a bit on the portions that sit on the fuselage and then with a brand new blade, carefully cut away the decals that have to go on the doors. This way, they will match up. I have done this before, but not to the extent you are going it, so if you try this method, don't blame me if it doesn't work - all care, no responsibility!

So, are you now going to add a bit of the hangar deck for your Tomcat to sit on with swarms of sailors working on it? That would be cool!

Cheers

Adam

[DesTROYer]

Thanks Adam. It's the damn steps that have messed up my chi! They are too thin to slice the decal to come around but to thick to ignore. I should snap them off and put them back after. the decal is in place.

And no, no deck crew. Though I have thought about and love the idea. I just don't have anywhere to put a display that big. The plane is big enough.

[Adam the Akrodude]

I salute your efforts so far!