"Jimmy's Hornet"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nose radome filled with lead fishing weights, and white glue 

I will have to modify these decals to fit this model, but it’s the closest thing I can find to make this squadrons CAG Bird 

Gloss white Tamiya acrylic paint. Desperately needs highlighting with a pin wash! 

Homemade pin wash added, made from odorless Turpenoid mixed with brown and black artist oil paints 

A little cleanup is necessary, but the pin wash really adds to the level of detail 

It’s time to spray the darker camouflage color. I’ll be rolling poster putty “tacky worms“ for a softer demarcation line. 

I skirted the perimeter in Kabooki tape to keep from getting the darker color on the lighter bottom color 

Masking for the demarcation on the nose 

Masking for the demarcation on the tail 

FS color number 36320 is laid down on top of the bottom color FS36375 

It’s not a huge color difference, but it’s subtle and realistic. 

 

I went ahead and sprayed the four laser gutted bombs while I had the airbrush out. I’ve bent the seeker heads downward so that they sag the way they do on the ground. 

Test fitting the Chinese aftermarket VFA – 25 CAG tail flash. This decal sheet was made for a super hornet, so I’m modifying it to fit a legacy hornet 

Test fitting the side fuselage stripe 

This entire sheet has the graphics screen printed on top of a solid sheet of carrier film. Each decal will have to be cut out around perimeter before application. 

Carefully masking the vertical stabilizers for gloss, black paint 

I like using thin, cheap aluminum foil to help Quickly mask a model for painting small details 

Testors gloss black enamel sprayed with Mr. color leveling thinner 

Black base coat is applied  

 

The finished product, ready to go to its new owner, a Navy veteran and friend of the family. 

The black acrylic base was painted up as part of the aft deck of the USS Carl Vinson. An acrylic cover goes over the entire display to keep it safe and dust free. 

I think it turned out really great, considering I don’t usually work in this small scale. I tried a few new weathering techniques, an I’m now wiser because of this build.