Well, I finally finished another one. This Skyray was started around 3 years ago and got put aside half-finished, while I built the MiG-17. Then it just sat with plastic wrap drapped over it. Until about a month ago. I “resumed” the build and finally placed the last parts on Saturday morning.
The gull gray is ModelMaster enamel as is the bottom Insignia White. The wing walks are Humbrol dark gull gray. The decals are a mixture of the kit’s and spares from my decals. At first, I really thought about building a “clean” Skyray, and just dig it’s cool lines but sure enough, I succumbed to gaudying her up with a full load-out; rocket pods, drop tanks, AIM 9B and NAV-PAC. I used EZ Masks for the canopy and painted the plane with my Paasche H. The paint job seemed simple at first, but there seemed to be endless masking jobs involved. I am just really glad to call her done! Here are some pics from this morning’s session at the Cameron Airport. It was heating up quite nicely out there,on the way to a heat index of 108 by 5 pm![:D]
Outstanding work as usual Gary, both in modeling and photography[Y]. 108!!! no way Jose. I think I must have been a penguin in my previous life cuz I love cold weather.
Nice job on the Skyray, although I am mildly surprised it did not start to melt with all the heat we have had in Texas recently.
i built this same kit many years ago because I really liked the look of this aircraft that I was not familiar with at the time; when looked at from above or below, it had the look of something out of George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away in Star Wars.
Thanks for the kind words gentlemen! There are a lot of glitches on the “Ford”, but I overlooked them in an effort to move forward. At the rate I work, correcting every error would result in too much time on this bird.
You know, I was thinking about that as I photographed this one. Way back before I had a digital camera, pictures of my planes were rare, and I got a lot more building done. Once I began taking pics, and even posting them for others to see, I noticed that I became more and more “neurotic” about the models. Now, I want to finish more builds and enjoy it more too. I guess I’ve sort of “plateaued” when it comes to modeling. Thanks for the comments thus far!
Oh, about the heat; after I had been out on the tarmac for about 1 1/2 hours, I got an error message on my camera-data card error. I have never seen this before and wondered if the heat out there was the reason.
Oh man, thanks so much Joe! What a fantastic compliment sir! You know how it works though; take 40 or 50 shots and hope for a few good ones. I don’t think I’m much of a photographer really but sometimes I get lucky and pull off a nice shot. (much like when I’m actually shooting firearms as well, lol) Actually, one of my principal reasons for taking the airport pcs was that all my indoor pics sucked so bad. Still do. [;)]I’m just not set up for or maybe smart enough for good indoor photography. So, the airport remains my favorite venue! Thanks a million Joe![B]
Tex, what kind of camera are you using? I find that I can get some decent shots inside, but I have to make sure I am on the right settings. I know there are several semi-professional photograhers on this forum that maybe could help. That being said, your outdoor work is great.
First, thanks so much! The “magic” of digital photography, eh? Take 50 shots and hope for a couple good ones! My current camera is a Canon SX160 IS (point and shoot). I’ve had it about 4 or 5 years now, a lot of the aircraft pics I’ve posted were shot with an older digital “clamshell” camera, a Konica/Minolta DiMage G600 (bought it refurbed for $90). I actually enjoyed using it more than the Canon, which seems overly complicated and fussy to me. I image one could get some really great pics with the little Canon if they bothered to “learn” the OS. Me, I’m just bumbling along. [;)] The very first digital airplane pics I made were with an even older Sony. Planes like my J7W3 Shinden and Monogram F-86F were shot with that.
If I had the room, I might set up a photo station inside, with appropriate lighting and back-drops, but I don’t have room so therefore I depend on the outside airport scene. Until they run me off that is…[:D]
