UMA AV-8B

[Rockin' Rob]

After building the P-51 I was kind of tired of piston aircraft. This one arrived a couple months ago and so far it's a pretty nice build. Everything fits. The detail is incredible and most of what a guy needs to build a model is in the Box. If you like building out of the box only? About the only bad thing you could say about this kit is maybe it should have a pilot. The plastic is real nice. Kind of softish which is all right. The sprue Nubs are a cinch to get rid of and I haven't found Nary a one of ejection marks where I had to fill it in. And even Shades in on the instructions were to glue. And believe me on this bird it comes in handy. Lots of nooks and crannies

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I'm glad it calls out the colors that I have. Makes it just a bit easier

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I just reviewed what I posted and I realize I did not paint the ejection ring.. my bad

 

[BarleyBop]

I was gonna say great job on the harness.
As kids, the 'jump jet' really captured our imaginations!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I was gonna say great job on the harness.
As kids, the 'jump jet' really captured our imaginations!

True Lies

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I got a couple more things done. The nozzles are movable as is the rudder. Right now I'm working on the engine air intake. Got it primed and will be painting it White and after that all dries I can mask the inside up and continue building the plane and painting it and then take the mask off.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

And I know. In hindsight I should not have glued the fan blades on. That would have allowed the paint to flow more freely but apparently my brain wasn't thinking that far enough ahead. Go figure.

 

[BarleyBop]

Go figure

It seems that no matter how many we build, we'll congratulate ourselves on the good moves but still manage to find as many oughta-shouldas!

Enjoying this great build!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Thanks. Isn't that the truth. Turns out it didn't matter. It painted up pretty nice. I'll let that dry. Mask it up and paint the silver fan blades and then I can install everything. And I'm telling you guys. If you don't have any blue-tac ? You are missing out. You need to grab some because I think it's the greatest stuff. Look at that. I didn't want paint where I needed to glue. Just the greatest stuff

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Got a bit more done. Working on the instrument panel today and the cockpit. I do have something I'd like to share with you. If I was brand new to modeling. And I mean totally brand new? And I bought this brand new tooling kit? I would think it's the neatest thing and boy it sure fits together good and it looks great with all the details. But having built models as a kid and growing up with Revel and those car kits? I kind of find putting this model together boring. It's no fun. Everything fits perfectly. And yes, I know dealing with putty and trying to fill in seam lines is a pita. Sometimes that's half the fun. Take a mediocre kit with fit issues and make it look like a million bucks is just, plain and simple, fun stuff. I'm building this plane and yes it's looking great but I'm going shoot this is easy. Almost too easy. Does anyone smell what I'm putting down? Does anyone feel the same way?

 

[BarleyBop]

half the fun.

... I won't lie, if I came across a kit that just built itself, I wouldn't complain too much, LOL, but my choice of subject matter seems to pull the oddest collection of manufacturers out of the woodwork with kit quality all over the place!
And I do enjoy the challenge, damn the torpedoes!

 

[VegasAWACER13]

I'm building this plane and yes it's looking great but I'm going shoot this is easy. Almost too easy. Does anyone smell what I'm putting down? Does anyone feel the same way?

I find it's situation dependent. Sometimes you want a challenge. Sometimes, after a couple of kits that are like pulling teeth the whole way, I'm happy to have one that falls together lol.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

And that's like all four songs got a lot more done getting all the bomb racks and weapons pylons built and everything ready for priming. So I had about a third of a can left of Mr surfacer 1500 black primer. So I took the plane out back and put it on top of the model box so I could primer it. And as I'm priming the model and moving the can around I hit the edge of the damn box and my plane goes flying four feet down to the concrete. I watch the windshield fly off and land right next to the plane. The nose cone apparently took off like a missile because I didn't even see it and I still haven't found it and it's dark out and getting ready to rain. Aye yai yai Papi. What is really nice though is just those two things broke off. Nothing else. I said to myself when I started building, let's use strictly thinset. No CA. And I'll get as much built as I can before I throw any paint on it. I just can't believe nothing broke off but the nose cone

 

[Edbert]

I'll always think of the Falkland's war when I see a Harrier. Cool plane, look forward to updates.

 

[BarleyBop]

four feet down to the concrete

...I would have been right behind it!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Nah. I don't move that fast anymore. I was more Frozen like a statue, staring in disbelief at how I could do such a ******* thing

 

[BarleyBop]

move that fast

I'd have lost consciousness!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Still painting. Second coat today on the body. I have to let that dry and then mask off for the nose and canopy. I'll paint the tail and the fuel tanks black up next.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Base coat is down. I put on some clear but I might add some more. This time I put it on with an airbrush and it seems to want two or three coats, huh? Usually I use a rattle can for clear but not this time. I was afraid to put it on too thick. Something I have to get used to. Decals are next.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Yes you're right. I forgot to put the ejection seat in for the pictures