DBMiller's F-15 Mass ANG

[DBMiller]

I may not get to this for some time as I am trying to finish up a few from last year but here is my drop in build:

Monogram's 1/48 scale F-15c.



The decals are for two craft of the Mass Air National Guard unit stationed at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. The squadron has since moved up to Westfield, Mass (replacing the A-10s) but on 9/11 they scrambled out of Otis to get in the air to see what was going on!
More about the planes, mission, and the kit when I start.

[Tomcat64]

I missed that you'd snuck this one in!

Hopefully it behaves itself better than some of the kits you've had to beat into submission recently

[ulvdemon]

Seeing this made me want to pick up the re-pop that was on sale at Hobby Lobby. Looking forward to seeing how this comes out.

[DBMiller]

I still intend to start this. Really. There is a show next weekend (April 3) so I'll be getting a few things ready for that. It's been two years since I went!
However - I got a bit of inspiration yesterday (March 25) while driving to our accountant's office. It is in Westfield, Mass and I have to drive by the Air National Guard base where the F-15s were transferred from Otis (years ago). The road parallels the flight line but you can't see it for most of the length of the base so I was totally unprepared when six F-15s flew over - line abreast - then pealed off to swing around - touch and go - then make another pass down the runway!
I got a few shots after pulling off the side of a very busy road and frantically getting out my camera. I managed to change to a short telephoto I had in my bag as well (only 150mm) and got a few decent shots.
I was making a recording but accidentally hit the button to shut it off just as the last plane turned overhead! Duh!

[DBMiller]

I've finally started! Going to the model show really got me primed to get going on this kit as well as one or two that are already underway.

I think many of you know the Monogram kits from the 1980's. They are pretty nice looking but not up to modern standards for panel lines and fit and the instructions are only OK. The color chart doesn't use FS numbers (except for the final fuselage colors) so I'm using the decal set and another kit's instructions for colors.
On the other hand I've seen some of these older kits built up beautifully and newer kits that get rotten reviews - so basically it's up to my skills.


What's in the box:





You can tell this has been folded for a while! Look at the yellowing!









The parts are arranged on the sprues in no discernible order. Parts that go right next to each other are on different trees - and the trees are not labeled!





Gluing begins!



Ah, flash.





I love that Monogram kits include a pilot!

[johnv]

Nice. I remember these at Otis when I use to vacation on Cape Cod. Then they replaced my favorite Warthogs at Barnes just 30 some miles east of me a few years back. Now retired and in FL, totally no fun here at all, gonna try to escape back to "Berkshires" someday. Nice build, I had those decals for a 1/72 Hasegawa I never finished. Was the electronics bay behind the pilot white or metalic blue? Can't remember. Oh well will be watching this one with interest! John

[digger303]

Likey drive a man to drink chasing down the parts. The pilot doesn't look too bad I was surprized how good he does look.

[Tomcat64]

Great catch on the fly-bys since they don't give you a lot of warning

And great to see this one started as well - looking forward to seeing it come together and hope it behaves better for you than some recent kits too

[Garion77]

Really nice kit for it's age. I'm surprised on how good the details are for the inside.

Boy do I love Cape Cod and miss going there. We used to rent a house every year all my family together, just in front of the beach in Hyannis. then 5 years ago, Problems with one in the family made it to difficult to go. One of favorite places for vacation.

[DBMiller]

I missed that you'd snuck this one in!

Hopefully it behaves itself better than some of the kits you've had to beat into submission recently

Great catch on the fly-bys since they don't give you a lot of warning

And great to see this one started as well - looking forward to seeing it come together and hope it behaves better for you than some recent kits too

FOR PITY'S SAKE DON'T JINX ME!!!!!!!

[DBMiller]

Nice. I remember these at Otis when I use to vacation on Cape Cod. Then they replaced my favorite Warthogs at Barnes just 30 some miles east of me a few years back. Now retired and in FL, totally no fun here at all, gonna try to escape back to "Berkshires" someday. Nice build, I had those decals for a 1/72 Hasegawa I never finished. Was the electronics bay behind the pilot white or metalic blue? Can't remember. Oh well will be watching this one with interest! John

The last time I was at Otis was in 1987 for a Blue Angels show. The ANG there was still flying the F-106! THOSE were some fun to watch! That afterburner exploded when activated! I miss the A-10s as well. They used to fly right over where I work.

[johnv]

I never got to see the "Six" up close and personal. How many VT ANG "lawn darts " have you built? I loved going to VT, my first girlfriends family way back was from Barton VT, remember vacationing at Crystal Lake along Rte 5. Eagles from '78 to '79 had metalic green-blue avionics bay in back of pilot, from '80 on they were white. John

[smokeriderdon]

I love this kit. It has good detail and the fit is not horrid. And it is ACCURATE. It does lack in markings for the weapons, but still good otherwise.

Looking forward to seeing the results.

[DBMiller]

Now that I've finished a build ( ) I can get to this again.

This is temporary so the cockpit stays square while the glue sets. I still have to finish the nose gear and some touch up work before putting the two halves together.
Just some basic stuff here - painting and gluing...



...and dealing with a massive warp in the rear end! I've been gluing it in sections so it lines up OK.













Ejector pin marks are massive! The parts won't go together unless I carve them out!



Engine parts going together.

[DBMiller]

Dropping in again with an update. What the heck happened to my kit! I really almost tossed it once I found how badly it was warped but I stuck to it. Now I find another warp!
The cockpit area and fuselage doesn't line up because the fuselage section is squashed! I calmed down and stuffed a spreader in the hole and it seems to work.







Come on with these things! I need a plainer to clean them up!



Did I say the kit warped over the years I had it stored?





Wings on! With any luck I can just keep moving without any more craziness!

Trying a new metal paint.

[digger303]

Enough problems to test a saint as they say, but your solving them it seems.

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Old Monogram kits are still good but this one is really surprising by the work required to build it!

You did it well step by step; congrats for your patience!

[ulvdemon]

Looking pretty good, great job on handling the connection the front section with the rest of the main body.