Group Build: F/A-18A-G Super Hornet/Growler

[Jantk14]

Really nice build

 

[BarleyBop]

available light

Now that I have better lighting, I should try DSLR again. At least we don't have to wait to get film developed!
Ever tried a macro lens? I suppose the depth of field (lack thereof) would be challenging.

 

[Edbert]

Ever tried a macro lens? I suppose the depth of field (lack thereof) would be challenging.

Photographing models (I've barely begun other than a cell phone snap on a dirty bench) is both interesting and challenging. Perhaps the biggest issue is lighting, other than something that will melt plastic, I do not think you can have too much. But a close 2nd is the F-stop.

Most cameras today want auto-mode or most camera owners will use that, and the chips and software are really really good at choosing the best selection of everything from ISO to shutter to aperture all at once. But for models, unless it is a very small subject, the biggest problem is focal plane or depth-of-field. Lack thereof I mean. You want the whole thing in focus right? You might just have to give that up if your model is long, unless you want to do stacking. I might try that later, I'm just trying to learn exposure for now.

SO I have a (relatively) expensive lens for portraits, with those you want a HUGE aperture small F-stop since faces are much flatter than the Bismarck is long. For aircraft and ships, probably armor and cars you want the smallest F-stop you can get, and on my really nice portrait glass that is only 16. Not even close to enough. SO I am using a 28mm zoom that allows F22. You can see that both the near and far extremes are out of focus even at F22. But I put the camera in aperture mode, let the computer determine shutter, set the ISO to 100 and hope for the best. Manual focus is almost mandatory too, the camera might pick a part you did not want to be the center of the focal plane.

A macro lens should get good detail but cut out a lot of light. I think outdoors in direct sunshine might be the answer, but give up on environmental controls or lighting consistency then.

Oh yeah, and clean the debris out of the body, mine sat for many years, dunno where that hair came from.

 

[Edbert]

After writing that I was just thinking (uh oh!)...

For an interior close-up depth of fields is not so important, I could open the lens up considerably for those.

Scrolling up to yesterday's shot on the interior, that was a cell phone quickie and it came out clear. Easy to overthink things!

 

[Bob T]

Now that I have better lighting, I should try DSLR again. At least we don't have to wait to get film developed!
Ever tried a macro lens? I suppose the depth of field (lack thereof) would be challenging.

Macro lenses are great, and most cameras made in the last 10+ years can do focus stacking. (multiple exposures to capture the depth of field)

 

[BarleyBop]

most cameras

Hmm, on the older side, but not impossible I suppose... Nikon D5500 with macro lens. I see there are rails available I could use with my tripod.
Interesting...
I have Affinity Photo 2, which has 'focus merge'.

 

[Edbert]

Macro lenses are great, and most cameras made in the last 10+ years can do focus stacking. (multiple exposures to capture the depth of field)

I understand the principle of stacking, but is the final composition compiled by the camera itself? I thought that would have to be done in Darkroom or whatever software one uses.

 

[BarleyBop]

compiled by the camera

If I understand correctly, some newer cameras can do it in camera ... I would have to use my software to 'merge' the raw files.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

@Edbert Really love what you did with the build! Now you got me itching to do the Growler next, then I'll have to take a shot at the 18E! I don't think I'll add all the goodies to those builds, might end up in the Wife's Jail System if I do!

 

[Edbert]

If I understand correctly, some newer cameras can do it in camera ... I would have to use my software to 'merge' the raw files.

Yeah, I just looked up mine, a D800, it cannot do it internally. They suggest manually focusing on the front and taking 3 to 5 shots slowly/manually focusing towards the rear. Then compile them using editing software.

YUCK!

Looks like the base model Nikon that does it internally is the D850 (missed it by THAT MUCH), but used bodies are selling for $1,500...

 

[Wig41]

Really gorgeous job!

 

[BarleyBop]

Wife's Jail System

She'll be rounding us up for the camera off topic diversion!
Focus! Oops, did it again!

 

[Ron2]

Getting close to tying a bow on her and calling it done. But I keep finding more stuff to fix, then it needs a dullcoat.

But the end is near, I've so many other WIPs to wrap up!

View attachment 190911

Looks really good!

 

[BOATMAN]

That hornet looks the beesknees brilliant modeling edbert
chrisb

 

[Wig41]

I have finished my Testors 1/48 Hornet. Reached the point where, yeah I could do more but I really don't want to and I'm glad to be done with it. Not a good kit at all, poor detail, poor fitting and not really able to build into an F/A-18 A or B, at least not by my standards. So here it is … don't look too hard as there are errors galore!

 

[BarleyBop]

Reached the point where,

...much further than I'm ever gonna get anytime soon!
Funny thing about a muted livery, and your clean rendering, the aircraft's lines and sleek airworthiness seem all the more evident. Nice!

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I have finished my Testors 1/48 Hornet. Reached the point where, yeah I could do more but I really don't want to and I'm glad to be done with it. Not a good kit at all, poor detail, poor fitting and not really able to build into an F/A-18 A or B, at least not by my standards. So here it is … don't look too hard as there are errors galore!

Well it may not have been the best kit for what you would have liked to do, but man it's a clean looking build! And it's great to have such an older version in the group to see how much has changed, and how much has remained the same. Again, i think at times we are our own worst critics.

 

[Ron2]

I have finished my Testors 1/48 Hornet. Reached the point where, yeah I could do more but I really don't want to and I'm glad to be done with it. Not a good kit at all, poor detail, poor fitting and not really able to build into an F/A-18 A or B, at least not by my standards. So here it is … don't look too hard as there are errors galore!

I think it looks great! That paint scheme made me think it was an executive jet at first! Be a heck of a personal jet!

 

[Tommergun]

Excellent job, I love that scheme.

 

[Wig41]

Thank you, all

 

[blakeh1]

Excellent work and very cool paint scheme.

I think this is a classic example of how the paint job in many cases can bring a subpar kit to a much higher level of quality
and make or break the finished piece. And I'm not even talking weathering. Just a nice crisp factory new finish can turn a turd of a tooling into a nice display piece

In other words it really levels the playing field, especially at smaller scales

 

[Pantherman]

Well I'm finally back to the bench with the GB and here are the latest pics. Been concentrating on the belly, still some part's to fit and alot of touching in paintwork.

Made a start on the canopy and found a really nasty raised seem line right down the middle. Bought some tamiya compound and I'm really impressed with the results. Still needs another polish but looking soooooo much better. Pantherman

 

[BarleyBop]

tamiya compound

So how do you use that stuff?

 

[Ron2]

So how do you use that stuff?

Wax on, wax off. Come to my house and I'll teach you, but first you wash my cars.

 

[Pantherman]

So how do you use that stuff?

I thought I would try with just a dab of paste on a piece of paper towel, it works well. I was going to try the dremel if it needed more umph but it worked really well without the powered buffer. Pantherman

 

[Jantk14]

I thought I would try with just a dab of paste on a piece of paper towel, it works well. I was going to try the dremel if it needed more umph but it worked really well without the powered buffer. Pantherman

I scrape the seam off with a blade than sand it with 3000, 5000, 10000, then I also just use a paper towel and the Tamiya compound. Canopy comes out sparkling.

 

[Edbert]

Bought some tamiya compound and I'm really impressed with the results.

I gotta chime in here for anyone reading. I was terrified with scraping and sanding my canopy to remove a seam, but it is easier than you think. DO IT!

All it takes is patience, I did not use Tamiya compound, but obviously it works.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

I gotta chime in here for anyone reading. I was terrified with scraping and sanding my canopy to remove a seam, but it is easier than you think. DO IT!

All it takes is patience, I did not use Tamiya compound, but obviously it works.

I'll add my 2 cents here as well. I don't use polishing compound either. I use Zona sanding papers that are generally used to polish crystal clear resins, so they work extremely well and are very easy to use without worry of over doing it.

 

[Pantherman]

Now I know why I prefer ship's to aircraft, alot less decals.

I am happy for hours doing PE but decals just frustrate me beyond belief. Pantherman

 

[Dan the Modeler]

Now I know why I prefer ship's to aircraft, alot less decals.

I am happy for hours doing PE but decals just frustrate me beyond belief. Pantherman

Just imagine that you are working with PE that has been playing on a slip-and-slide!