Working late into the night, I finished my 1/48 Tamiya F-84G Thunderjet, done OOB in Korean War Markings. Actually, this was Out-Of-Someone-Else’s- Box as well. A HUGE “thank you” to jschlechty for sending me emergency replacement decals for the wing tanks. Boy, did I screw up the first ones. Truth be told, I’m not happy with one of them on this one, but it is salvageable.
If you’re interested in the F-84 straight wing variant, all I can say is hurry to your LHS and grab one…this is one suh-weet kit.
I have to concur with Mark here. Top notch! Museum quality, for sure! It wouldn’t surprise me if Planes of Fame here in Southern California started lighting up your phone!
Have to admit, my jaw kinda dropped a little with that picture where ya hold it in your hand. Most all the kits i’ve ever done in my life were 1/48, and it never seems to amaze me that that scale usually isn’t all that big[%-)]
The Alclad came out beautiful. I use it a lot and never that well at all.
I really scrutinize my decal jobs because I’m a) an architect and b) a graphic designer and am blessed/ cursed with an eye for alignment. Best job, man.
Then there is all the other stuff that takes it beyond… theres a shot from the right rear towards the front showing markings on the canopy, orange no step areas, stencils…kinda pulled off fitting the transparency flawlessly to the fuse, didn’t you.
Please accept my vote for the best -84 ever modeled, really, that I’ve seen at least.
And it’s an interesting underwing stores collection, would like to know more.
Thank you all for the nice words…once again the camera shyed away from the “less than desirable” areas.
Mark, Desert Rat and John: Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement, although I’m bound to get a big head from it!
Porkbits: I’m not a huge jet fan myself (yet). In fact this is my first jet, but the Dogfights series really has me into Korean war aircraft. I’ve got an F-86E and F-86F in my stash for the future, and a Mig-15 too.
Bondoman: Believe you me, there are some ungainly splotches of white reside in “hidden” areas on the fuse. I think I left the Micro-Sol on too long and it left its mark. At certain angles, one can tell where the decals are, too. To hopefully maintain some of the NMF feel I decided not to seal in the decals with Future. I guess I used trick photographt to stay away from these areas…[:-^]. As for the stores, just a pair of bombs (500 lb.?). I though the RATO bottles were stores until I looked them up…that’s what a newie I am in the jet era![D)][;)] Oh, and the tile I can proudly say I installed all by me-self.
Wayne: The nose was painted and it’s not as stark in color as the decal Insignia Yellow. I also just noted that the pitot tube in the nose needs a go-over with the Aluminum paint.
Very nice build mucker. The NMF came out very well. Too bad about the decal solvent residue, otherwise an excellent model. I’ve built both the Tamiya & Revell Thunderjet kits & the difference in dimensions are very visible. Overall, I preferred the Tamiya, but does anyone know which is actually the more accurate ? Thanks for sharing.
That is outstanding work, and you really should send it in to FSM for publication! Work of this caliber, as others have said “museum quality”, should be shared with everyone!
Awesome work there your highness [bow] Just love the NMF. Did you gloss black it first? I agree with everything that has been said previously. You should be proud of this one.
Look at this guy, beautiful build and that self installed tile looks great too. If you are trying to make us look bad you are acomplishinig your goal, knock it off! Really tho, beautiful build im not even really a fan of the korean war era stuff for this I will make an exception
Jerry, Mike, HK, & Jon: Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.
Rick: I don’t know which is more accurate but I hear the MOnogram kit is extremely nice, with the main advantage being you can build the “E” version straight form the box. One day I’d like to try this.
Brian: While it’s not show winner and not up to Museum Quality par, I am pleased with how it came out. It’s one of my personal bests, for sure, so hopefully I’m still improving with each build. Having a flawless kit doesn’t hurt, either!
Guy: The base coat was Tamiya gloss black, cured for a week. Then several coats of Future, left to cure for about 3 days. Then Alclad. So far, no cracking!
Mikeym_us: I actually picked up the Kinetic F-84F, too. I couldn’t refuse the introductory price. As Jeaton pointed out on their F-86F, the plastic is a little soft a nd the detail a little heavy, but it looks to be a fun build of a plane that just looks fast!
The speed brake is kit standard, no drill out, but some dark wash in the holes.
Priest: I’ve got a new one at home too, which stretched this build out a few months. Little ones really teach you patience, which was a badly needed tool in my skillset. You’ve probably realized that here recently, too, eh?
I’ve got a pair of Monogram F-84F’s in my stash (one belongs to the local military museum that I am going to try to build up for them) and they (The F-84’s) are pretty old kits with raised panel lines but pretty detailed. and the museums F-84F I drilled out the air brakes since I saw a photo with the brakes open and you can see daylight through the holes.
