I have heard that the color callout on the instruction sheet of the Skunk Model Works RQ-9 Reaper is not accurate. Does anyone know what the overall color should be? Are Reapers painted in one color or done up in some kind of camouflage? I know the Hyperscale standard response is “Google is your friend”, but I have come up empty on any hard information. I noticed on some photos that the finish has a silky look to it, similar to the F-22. Does the Reaper have a similar paint/coating?
Also, what color are the wheel wells? Are they painted? I figured even though the airframe might be constructed of composite materials, a coat of paint might be useful in keeping the insides tidy. I would appreciate any help.
The general consensus is that it is a two color scheme. Finding out what two colors is like looking for hen’s teeth. I’m sure someone here has the answer… [^o)]
Thanks for the input F-4 Phantom. I figure that the Reaper would be painted in colors already used by other operational USAF aircraft. I did come across a few photos of what looked like a prototype wearing a two-tone wavy camouflage, but the pattern looked nothing like anything we use. (However, it did remind me of the camo scheme of that Lockheed super quiet observation plane that was developed during the Vietnam War.) Other photos of the Reaper on the Internet appear to show a medium grey with a bluish tint, but no discernable second color. I am a little suprised at the lack of color information floating around in cyberspace - maybe the Color Police are still investigating all those BF-109 kits.
I’ve looked through about 20 Google pages and the only thing I could come up with was this:
About the RQ-170 Sentinel
Aviation Week received an emailed statement from the USAF in regards to the rumors of a secret stealth aircraft that was first spotted in 2007. In a December 2009 report by Aviation Week, details about the RQ-170, nicknamed the “Beast of Kandahar,” were revealed. The drone provides “reconnaissance and surveillance support to forward deployed combat forces.” The article notes that the drone’s color, a “medium gray,” is normally the color of armed aircrafts like the Predator or Reaper drones and dark gray or black “provides the best concealment” at high altitudes. The Aviation Week report says the wingspan looks like it’s about 65 feet across, has a “deep, fat centerbody blended into the outer wings.”
To me it sounds like they are talking about Light Ghost Grey, but hey, I’m colorblind so what do I know! [:D]
Changing subjects, how do you guys like the kit? I just ordered the Reaper and the Predator in hopes of breaking a two year long modeling slump.
Nice kit. I was having a lot of fun with it until the engine intake housing went on vacation! Not a lot of parts. Good detail and not a lot of flash to have to contend with. IIRC, the parts went together well.
I was using that kit as a relief from finishing that nasty Revel Apache kit. I was looking for something that would go together quickly, have some decent detail, and not take a lot of fiddling to put together. I found it with that kit. I may have to get another just so I can finish the one.
I bought the Bronco Predator and the Skunk Models Reaper, and noticed that Bronco’s moldings are much sharper and show finer detail. The Reaper looks like it was done by AMT/ERTL, even the plastic has that sort of translucent milky grey color. I found it curious that Skunk Models would go to the trouble of providing separate wheels and tires for the mains, but then skimp and mold the nose wheel to the strut. (Kind of like Trumpeter with their 1/32 A-4 Skyhawk.) BUT, I did test fit the kit, and it looks like it will go together with little fuss.
I plan on a few tweaks on my kit:
Replace pitot boom and add pilot’s camera window directly below the boom. The boom needs some yaw and pitch vanes, and possibly another item which looks like a blade antenna.
Add missing splitter in engine intake. Also add a blanking plate inside the empty engine pod,with a phony compressor face and turbine exhaust from the scarp box.
Replace small dorsal blade antenna.
Add clear lenses to the Hellfire missiles.
I’ll be getting on with construction shortly, and will post pictures when done.
The correct colors are FS36375 for the upper surfaces and FS36176 for all lower surfaces; as I pointed out in the instructions for my MQ-9 decal sheet. (www.caracalmodels.com)
Well, Mr. Slow Butt here didn’t finish the kit for our local display. I have some small progress to show though, plus a tidbit of information.
The splitter vane that I alleged was not in the kit is actually part #18, which is not mentioned in the teeny-tiny instruction sheet. What tipped me off was that the intake trunk halves had notches where the vane would seat. I then searched through the sprues and, lo and behold, there it was! The fit was a little loose left to right, but some adjustment with tweezers while the glue was drying set things right. Now I just have to clean the seams up.
Here is my low-tech and cheap nose weight solution, the idea of which was stolen from Fine Mold’s Nakajima Kikka. When I first saw the Kikka’s nose weight, I thought that it was embarassing compared to Tamiya’s purpose made weights. But hey it works, and I had a bunch of nut/bolts lying around! I know some guys will say “Hey stupid, just get some epoxy putty and set the bolt into it, rather than messing around with the sheet plastic bracket!” But I was too lazy to look for the Milliput (which might be beyond its “best by” date anyway) and the sheet plastic was nearby. Short of a crash landing, I think the weight will stay in place.
