Some may think me a little crazy.
Alongside the Trumpy Su27 im starting, I have Tammys 1/32 F-15C on the bench. After seeing some of the fantastic work you people have done and after various googled searches, i have plumped for buying a blackbox resin cockpit, seat and avionics bay, some eduard PE interior and exterior bits and Flightpaths exhausts set.
Now i have never worked with resin stuff before, nor PE. In fact ive not attempted this level of detail, am i being a bit ambitious?

My main question is, what are the pitfalls i should be looking for with working on resin and PE bits.

The other question is the cockpit set is so fantastically detailed i want to do it full justice, does anyone know of or have seen in person, the avionics bay behind the pilot of the 15C? I'd like to paint this as accurately as possible as once its complete i may be donating it to my local model shop to use a centrepiece display there.

Hello Pete,

The hardest part with using both resin and photo-etch is removing the plastic detail already present. Other than that they are pretty simple. Photo-etch can be quite fiddly - invest in a quality CA glue that will grip and hold the piece in place straight away. Both need priming and in the case of resin, it needs washing first (warm water/fairy liquid). I prime both with Halfords self-etching grey car primer. The new Eduard 'color' etch is great but I don't think it works in 1/32 - there is no depth to the printed control panels. I would certainly stick to resin for the cockpit. Black box stuff is very good but also expensive - Aires sets tend to be just as good but a heck of a lot cheaper (also, look at Quickboost when you just need a seat). Not sure if they do an F-15 set but they certainly do Su-27 parts. I would suggest the Squadron Signal 'walk-around' book for the F-15 is pretty good and very reasonably priced.

Regards and good luck,

Lee

Thanks for the tips, I have invested in the Squadron signal book. Awaiting its arrival before any work commences. Photos will be put on here as work does commence for a critique from you guys.

Hi Pete

The main thing I'd say about working with resin is be aware of the health hazards. The reason? The dust created when you sand it is carcinogenic.

Work in a well-ventilated area and, if possible, wear a proper mask too. I prefer to carve (rather than sand) the excess off resin parts whenever I can, and when I do sand, I try to wet-sand to avoid people around me being exposed to risk.

Resin dust has a very distinctive smell - and if you can smell it, you're breathing it in! So take care... and enjoy your modelling safely.

All the best

Rowan