Special Hobby X-15

[hilld]

I have started a new build that I am very excited about. It is a 1/48 Special Hobby X-15. I got the kit at my clubs swap and sale for $10 so I splurged on an aftermarket rear fuselage from Hypersonic and a figure from Aero Line.


IMG_0806 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0808 by hilld58, on Flickr

It looks like lots of fun ahead. My club has a theme night called "Really Fast Vehicles" in Sept. I would think that the X-15 qualifies! It will have to be a really fast build to be finished by then as well

 

[CallSignOWL]

nice, cant wait to see it in teh works!

 

[hilld]

A start has been made. Cockpit paint is done. Now onto detailing the pilot seat.


IMG_0817 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0821 by hilld58, on Flickr

 

[Mike T.C.S.M]

Great work so far my man

 

[hilld]

Update time. Cockpit of the X-15 is essentially complete. The seat is done. I am going to add some scratch building on the interior of the roof. Reference pictures show some plumbing and padding. Next it is on to the fuselage which will be getting chopped to add the aftermarket rear section.


IMG_0824 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0822 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0825 by hilld58, on Flickr

 

[JMac]

Very nice work hilld. The cockpit looks great.

 

[yanpol]

I agree with JMac, that cockpit looks really great. Keep it up.

 

[Quaralane]

Nice, tidy little cockpit on this bird

 

[hilld]

Long fuselage = long seam lines. I am trying to smooth things over. First I glued a bit at a time with Tamiya Extra Thin. I went back and scraped away the excess then sanded. Next I taped the seams off and applied Mr. Surfacer 500. Now I am sanding that smooth before I restore panel lines.


IMG_0839 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0856 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0854 by hilld58, on Flickr

 

[JMac]

Cool. Panel lines raised or recessed?

 

[hilld]

Recessed but very light lines. not sure what to do when it comes to colouring the lines. The X-15 is black. Any suggestions for panel line colour?

 

[JMac]

Recessed but very light lines. not sure what to do when it comes to colouring the lines. The X-15 is black. Any suggestions for panel line colour?

Maybe a dark gray.

 

[yanpol]

If you paint it a very dark gray (which will look better than black because of the scale effect, if everything I read is correct) you may be able to use black for the panel lines.

 

[hilld]

Thanks guys, toning down the black to a very dark grey is a great suggestion. Looking at pictures there are definitely some faded panels. These would look better using a shade lighter grey than the dark grey. I always though the darker panels have a bit of a blueish tint to them. What do you think?

 

[THE NEW ONE]

hey did you guys know that some of the x-15 flights where six hours long, and some pilots experienced 0g during there flights,




here is some info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_X-15

 

[Mfun]

Great kit, this is one of that models that one day i will have to buy.

 

[hilld]

An update on the X-15. Seams are done, main body built and a blast of Tamiya Primer added. This thing is taking shape.


IMG_0871 by hilld58, on Flickr


IMG_0870 by hilld58, on Flickr

 

[JMac]

Thumbs up hilld.

 

[Mr.Max]

Ah, on of my all time favorite X planes, such a cool little bird and a real mother of a mover!
I'll happily follow along your build, I have this kit as well but been puttin' off the build because I'm nervous about screwing things up. Maybe I worry too much!
Happy modeling! 8)

 

[adampolo13]

Looking good from here! Two thumbs up so far!