Sorry for the lack of an update in awhile folks I've been busy dealing with my HOA (Home Owners Association) If any of you have had dealings with these folks you know how pleasant it can be I've been building a 12x10 storage shed to put all my stuff from the garage in so I can reclaim my garage to work on my bikes and other vehicles. Well, it seems I have a nosy neighbor who I refer to as Mrs, Cravits, if you remember Bewitched with Elizabeth Montgomery you'll recognize that name. Anyhow, she seems to think she needs to call code enforcement on me with every swing of my hammer. I've gotten to know them by first name now. So, I've been spending most if not all of my time getting that thing wrapped up so I can get back to my bench and do some more on the F-5.
As it sits now, it is completely gloss coated and awaiting decals. All the fiddly bits are painted and glossed as well. I need a good couple of hours yet to put the wraps on this one, but I promise it won't be long. Thanks for tuning in and again, I apologize about the dealy in the updates. That thing called life has a nasty habit of getting in the way. Back soon. "Q"

My condolences. All politics may be local, bot HOA's are the most petty of all.

AMEN Brother!! They have even gone so far as to try and tell me what types of trees to plant and what I can and cannot do in my backyard as far as landscaping. This is the straw that broke the camels back. As soon as my wife and I are in a position to move we are. We have our eye on 4.7 acres that sits directly behind where we live now, but is not part of our developement and thereby has no convenants governing the property. As much as I like my Man-land, I will leave it behind and build a new one. Its beyond petty anymore. In some instances it has gotten personal. Sorry to go on such a rant, but it really irks me the crap they are doing or trying to do. Thanks, "Q"

Back to the task at hand..... I got most of the starboard side decaled this morning. Still a few small ones to add yet, but it looks good thus far. My hope that the decals would be as nice as the kit were met with some skepticism when I applied the first one, that being the tail markings. I'm glad I painted the tail white as they are somewhat see-through. The decals were somewhat fragile too. I trimmed the tail markings as close I possble to the colors. Even in doing so, the image is considerably larger then the tai and wrapped around on all edges of the tail. Initailly I used Micro Sol/Set on them to no avail. I then brought out the big guns and cracked open the Solvaet. That did the trick and the decal snuggled down around all the lumps and bumps found on the tail. The remainder of the decals on the fuselage went on without any problems. They do tend to stick to themselves so be careful when using them. I had to redip mine in water a few times to get them to let go of themselves. Hoping to have the port side completed this evening. Even with the tail just sitting in place, it is a striking looking plane, Thanks for watching, more to follow soon. "Q"

wow the gloss made the camo pop looking good Q keep it up

Yeah, yeah, it's nice and all but I gotta deal for ya Q.
I own 26 acres here in western N.C. and I'd be willing to let ya live here in the guest house Q if you'll paint all my kits after I assemble them. No HOA within 50 miles.


Hermon

Thanks for the offer Hermon. We got 40 acres in the mountains south of here that we are now looking at moving to if things don't change...but, the regional inspector folks came by today and everything checks out so the HOA can kiss it.... if you follow me.

The decals are on and have been sealed in preparation for the washes to follow. Canopies are painted and drying. Once the gloss sealing coat has cured for a couple days I'll get back to it. Hope everybody enjoys their week end. "Q"
ps. If anybody is going to be in AZ for the IPMS Nationals, stop by the Iwata and Maus Werx booths and look me up.

Looks great Matt!!! keep at it and forget the problems when doing so ...

all the best

Steffen

Ye' Olde F-5 is complete. I put the finishing touches on her this evening before going out to dinner. I really enjoyed this build. I will get the write up completed for the reveiw over the weekend and submitted. If you like jets, this is a great kit that builds quickly and easily. Nary a hair pulling moment to be had during the entire build. The remaining decals will find a home on one of several Monogram F-5's I have in the stash. If they fit or not remains to be seen, but I'm going to try. hope you enjoyed the build, and thanks for following along. "Q"

Looks great Q and I did indeed enjoy following along. The only negative thing I can add is that lately everytime I follow one of your build blogs my credit card starts to smoke.

You're not only one helluva modeler but a great salesman.


Hermon

Thanks Hermon. The price isn't too bad on this one from what I recall. As to the salesman part....never again. Had to do some time as a recruiter back in the 90's. Wouldn't wish that job on my worst enemy. Glad you liked the build. I feel your pain about the credit card. The same thing happens to me on a regular basis. Going to have to be real careful next week at the nationals in AZ so that my card doesn't spontaneously combust.
Thanks, "Q"

Hi Matthew

As I wrote just a few posts above, This is a great model !!!

BTW if you are looking for a companion for it. Revell (Germany) is re-issuing the Revellogram F-5F again this autumn



cheers

Steffen

P.S. just a stupid questions re colours: I always thought the ACMI pod and the training missiles were blue (I might be totally wrong there)???

Thanks Steffan. I have several of the Monogram F's and E's on the shelves already. I have seen the ACMI pod's in both blue and orange. Decided to go with orange for this one to add some additional color to it. Training missiles are usually blue, but again I wanted to add a bit of color. Here's a few shots of ACMI pods I have on hand. I particularly like the headset placement in the one photo.. lol. Thanks, "Q"
ps. I found all of these on the web.

Thank you Matt!

Well jets are not my main interest, but we live to learn

As for the Revell re-release: it is very likely that this will include the shown Sundowners markings thus my remark re "companion" ...

cheers

Steffen

Great job on the F-5. Apart from Tomcats i dont normally do jets but now i think i am going to buy one of these

Really sweet build, Q. The finished product looks great! Thanks for sharing your work.

I think this particular kit (with the Sundowners markings) has just been moved to my short list.

-YL

Great finish matt love how the tail came out

Really beautiful Matt! I need to think about doing my old F-5 as an agressor now.

I've had a bit of a setback on my article....again. Seems while I was in Phoenix for the IPMS nationals my basement flooded. This happened to me in 2007 as well when I was out there for the convention. I've almost got it completed, was hoping to complete it before leaving for Phoenix, but that didn't happen. Once I get things in my basement sorted out, I will get this thing wrapped up and submitted. Sorry for the delay. "Q"

now there is an idea...banding the microsol/set together so they are not so tippy...how many times have I knocked over a bottle of that stuff?? I could ad the decal film bottle and have a nice steady 3-bottle band of brothers!

I started building mine as well...and was wondering about that tail. Im actully thinking of painting the sunburst and using the seperate decals in the TwoBobs "bad boy sundowner" sheet, as they give you both options. I also compared the sizes to the monogram kit and the tails are just about exactly the same size, so no worries there.

Your build came out looking great!!!
Andy

That's great


Cheers Nick

Thanks for the kudos Andy and Nick, Much appreciated.

Hi all, well my basement is about 95% re-assembled after the flooding damage/repair so I was able to get my write up completed on this one. I submitted it last night along with the pics. Thanks again for following along with my build. I really enjoyed this one and after my local buddies laid eyes on the finished product, several of them went out and purchased themselves one ....or more. Thanks again, "Q"

Mat,

i don't often post, but first i want to congratulate you a on a perfect looking F-5 - in my eyes any way Really nice.


i have a quick question..... well two.

Where do you get the stand that you have your model on during painting. that looks like a really handy tool. Could it handle 1/32nd WWII models?

what do use for accentuating the rivets? oil wash?

Thanks.

Alastair

Thanks for the kind words Alastair, much appreciated. The stand was something that I picked up at a local hobby shop as they were clearing them out. Sales weren't all that great on them so they sold them to me for a song and I bought all they had left in stock which was 5 or 6 of them. If you check my profile, I did a review on them and I think the info on where you can get them is listed there. The local supplier doesn't carry them any more so I am not sure where to get them aymore. It is more than capable of holding 1/32 Aircraft as it is quite sturdy.

To accentuate panel lines and rivet detail I use a number of different methods, but on this particular build I did use an oil wash. Grumbacher Raw Umber thinned with odorless Turpanoid. Hope that helps. Thanks again for the comments. "Q"
ps. This took a 3rd place at a local contest yesterday. Was happy as there was some pretty stiff competition.