Just wanted to post some pics of my first “real” model. I’m 21 years old just about to graduate college and have been into scale aircraft modeling since I was about 10. My room was always decorated with my dads models, which are absolutely amazing. I can only hope to build models as good as that one day. That being said. He is my first attempt at a real model. This is the first one I have ever built that I would even dare display on the website with all of the masterpieces on here. It is the Academy F-14. With the addition of some custom decals, made by me. I am graduating with a degeree in technology-education/graphics. so i have access to all kinds of neat printers to print water slide decals on.
Any criticisms are welcome. Thats the only way to get better. I would like my next model to be of either an f4u corsair. Or an RC-135, if i can find a kit, this is the plane my dad flew in in the USAF during the 70’s. Here are the pics.
Well done. Steve! Looks far better than my first effort upon my return to modeling! I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of your work here. Thanks for posting!
I like that base alot. Is that a picture frame? I hear ya about building something your dad was involved in. I’m just starting a series of builds based on his time in the Navy.
The base is indeed a picture frame. Just a tip for the tan circular tie-downs i used the little smiley face stickers that teachers put on tests, to get perfect circles. found out it worked very well.
I should have added that it is a 1/72 scale bird. the deck is made of ribbed sheet styrene cost about 4 bucks for a posterboard size sheet of it. It was masked by a stencil i made up using a combination of autocad and adobe illustrator. Glad everybody thinks it is ok. But feel free to give criticism, i would love to know on areas that i could improve.
By the way lufbery, I’m graduating from millersville university. I see your in harrisburg not to far away. I’m down there 2 nights a week in lemoyne for hockey pracitces.
For a 72 and being so new to serious modeling I think you did good. Your weathering needs some practice. It takes a lot of experimenting to figure out what is good for different effects. However, I think you did fairly well.
Thanks for that info! I’d be interested in the Illustrator file if you’re willing to share it.
Lemoyne is a bit of hike from Millersville! But I got to York to study aikido two to three times a week, so I understand your dedication.
My mother got her master’s degree from Millersville a number of years ago. She used to pick me up after school and take me there while she attended her evening classes. I really liked the university and it was one of only two schools I applied to. The other was Penn State, where I ended up going.
I think my father-in-law graduated from Millersville too – many many years ago. [:)]
Uh, that F-14 looks great! If this is your first “serious” attempt, I think you’ll be doing as well as your Dad and you’ll be quite happy with your efforts.
Well thanks for all the kind words. I’m really excited to start my f4u-1 for the Pacific Fighters group build. This will be my first group build. I’m also really excited to finally try some 2 and 3 tone painting as i’ve never really done any cammo schemes with my airbrush.
Not bad! Your construction skills appear very good. I’d echo the advice on the weathering. There’s plenty of references available on the subject, and all are subjective as well. For instance, I like to weather my aircraft on the premiss that “less is more”, and have to refrain myself from over-doing it. Experiment a bit and develope your personal style. Your’e off to a great start!
Steve. that’s a tremendous start and you should be proud. I look forward to seeing more and more of your work. And since you’re young, I expect to see you on this forum for the next 60+ years.
Steve,
If this is your first real serious attempt, then you’re off to a pretty good start. It can only go forward from here.
I have to say that your first real attempt is WAY better than mine was…all those years ago…when the Earth was green…
Make sure that you read as many articles (like FSM or Model Aircraft International - another high quality mag) and try to absorbe tips and techniques from them. They’re a real gold mine of excellent information - and with your current skill level and the adgvice you can get from these mags, you’ll be making jaws drop with your models in no time.
Keep up the good work and make sure you keep posting pics of your builds.
As everyone has said, you’re off to a good start! Nice looking Turkey!
By the way, is the model posed such that the nosewheel is off the deck? In the 2nd picture it looks as if the nose is up a bit. Maybe it’s just the way the photo was taken.
Keep up the good work, we’ll be looking forward to future completions.
The model is posed so that the nose wheel is up. Since those pictures i have added cables on the deck and one of them is extended going through the tail hook. so the diorama looks the the plane has just arrested.
I think we might be the smallest demo for modeling. For the most part, I think college students have no money, no time, and no space for this hobby. Also, quite a few like to let go of their stress by getting ripped.[:)]
