I guess I fall in the clean camp but I do like to see ordinance on some planes. An Able Dog for example, looks good with some iron slung.
If I can find evidence of a plane carrying a load that I think looks good, I’ll add that. Currently on my Hasegawa F-15E, I’m adding one MER with 6 CBU’s and two drop tanks, and 4 AIM-9’s of course. Not a very likely load but the plane depicted was used in trials, so I figure I’m off the hook [:D].
Some planes just look better clean, like most really graceful airplanes (F-104, Saab Draken, F-5F aggressor). Basically, I’ll go with what looks good to me, if I can get away with it historically. My [2c]
Since I build only 1/72 aircraft (mostly WW2), I hate to think of the models I’ve “ruined” because I tried to add just one more tiny detail. Unless it needs it to be realistic I tend to add the bare minimum of extras [xx(]
Mostly i like to make it slick. Because, I want to see the A/C not the bombs and drop tank…
fully loaded. I’d love the break the clean lines with drop tanks or rockets on WWi fighter aircraft (where appropriate). This also goes fro my modern ships. If there is a bomb bay, i would open it to show it off.
I hang everything including the kitchen sink. If it has a bomb bay I have the doors open. I like to show the aircraft’s full combat potential.
Right on Kik36! My most recent aircraft was a Hog, and she’s loaded for bear!