Tamiya 1/32 F-15J Umegumi - Complete!

[jeaton01]

Really outstanding work. I've never had good luck with small print with my Silhouette so I've usually made decals with my ALPS for small text. I'll have to try the cutting mat.

[stikpusher]

Gorgeous work!

I dont think that there is anybody who does these one off special schemes better than the Japanese.

[themongoose]

May 5, 2023 21:30:07 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Really outstanding work. I've never had good luck with small print with my Silhouette so I've usually made decals with my ALPS for small text. I'll have to try the cutting mat.

John i ordered these…
REALIKE 12x12 Cutting Mat for Silhouette Cameo 3/2/1 (3 Mats - StandardGrip, LightGrip, StrongGrip)

quite a few that had negative comments about the stick’em peeling off. These have worked out perfect so far. The light tack seems best for masking material. Medium and above are hard to pull off the mat without the mask seperating or getting creased because it’s so hard to peel off.

[406 Silverado]

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this Chris. Just sensational work and fantastic step by step methods on display. A HUGE thanks goes out for taking the time to go through the process with us bud.

BTW....if you don't mind me asking, what's your new job?

[406 Silverado]

May 6, 2023 5:14:03 GMT -5 themongoose said:

May 5, 2023 21:30:07 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Really outstanding work. I've never had good luck with small print with my Silhouette so I've usually made decals with my ALPS for small text. I'll have to try the cutting mat.

John i ordered these…
REALIKE 12x12 Cutting Mat for Silhouette Cameo 3/2/1 (3 Mats - StandardGrip, LightGrip, StrongGrip)

quite a few that had negative comments about the stick’em peeling off. These have worked out perfect so far. The light tack seems best for masking material. Medium and above are hard to pull off the mat without the mask seperating or getting creased because it’s so hard to peel off.

Caught the wrong name in that last post and changed it to Chris. Sorry bout that Chris.

[themongoose]

May 6, 2023 6:15:28 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this John. Just sensational work and fantastic step by step methods on display. A HUGE thanks goes out for taking the time to go through the process with us bud.

BTW....if you don't mind me asking, what's your new job?

You’re most welcome. I was hopeful it would be useful. I tried to show how much this has really changed what can be done at home without having to spend a lot on extras…and then i think about the $200 initial cost and $2 per masking sheet and figure it’s a break even in terms of cost 🤣😂 but you get exactly what you want in some unique subject matter!
I’m VP Engineering & Operations for a consumer products company now. Running between plants in TN, IN and OH. Lots to learn about everything we make. Wish we had a good 3d printer…

[406 Silverado]

May 6, 2023 6:49:52 GMT -5 themongoose said:

May 6, 2023 6:15:28 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this John. Just sensational work and fantastic step by step methods on display. A HUGE thanks goes out for taking the time to go through the process with us bud.

BTW....if you don't mind me asking, what's your new job?

You’re most welcome. I was hopeful it would be useful. I tried to show how much this has really changed what can be done at home without having to spend a lot on extras…and then i think about the $200 initial cost and $2 per masking sheet and figure it’s a break even in terms of cost 🤣😂 but you get exactly what you want in some unique subject matter!
I’m VP Engineering & Operations for a consumer products company now. Running between plants in TN, IN and OH. Lots to learn about everything we make. Wish we had a good 3d printer…

It was indeed useful as I hadn't even considered the frisket approach to masking. VERY cool!!

Sounds like you've got your hands full with your job but it sounds pretty rewarding. On the 3d printer.......RIGHT??!!

[Joe Rix]

That is flat out amazing Chris. Your Kanji came out beautifully. I'm blown away.

[themongoose]

May 7, 2023 9:26:24 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

That is flat out amazing Chris. Your Kanji came out beautifully. I'm blown away.

Thanks Joe, appreciate it! Hop’n we can catch up again at a future Nats buddy!

[406 Silverado]

May 8, 2023 21:16:03 GMT -5 themongoose said:

May 7, 2023 9:26:24 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

That is flat out amazing Chris. Your Kanji came out beautifully. I'm blown away.

Thanks Joe, appreciate it! Hop’n we can catch up again at a future Nats buddy!

You may be seeing me there too Chris. That's just down the road about 150 miles from me......reachable anyways.

[Joe Rix]

May 8, 2023 21:16:03 GMT -5 themongoose said:

May 7, 2023 9:26:24 GMT -5 Joe Rix said:

That is flat out amazing Chris. Your Kanji came out beautifully. I'm blown away.

Thanks Joe, appreciate it! Hop’n we can catch up again at a future Nats buddy!

Agreed my friend. I was hoping to make it to San Marcos but, alas, just not as feasible as I had hoped. Are you heading there this year?

[Real G]

Good lordy Chris, that paint job is absolutely BANANAS!

[themongoose]

Getting close to the finish line! Decals are all done. Top coat of gloss clear is on! I’ve got the variramps on now. I broke the nose wheel off hopefully it’s on there better now!








right now I’m doing a little weathering underneath. I’ve put some oils down, yellow followed by brown. Tomorrow i’ll satin clear it and then do a black wash over this to finish it all off. These colors should be great background to the jet exhaust and grime.
Yellow


brown over that


​​​​​​​it never looks good in-process. I’m always surprised at how it turns out in the end as you blend it all together.
hopefully done tomorrow but Monday latest. Look for. Few pics here and then i’ll have my son take some RFI pics (he’s been setting up a great photo booth this spring!).

[dupes]

Wow, man. This is sharp! That stencil work is outstanding.

[406 Silverado]

You sound like me at this stage of any given build. One step forward and two back. lol

I've got complete faith in you that you'll whip this one back into shape Chris.

[themongoose]

​
Finished up the weathering on the lower fuselage tonight. Added the last pitot tubes, the flaps are down. Should complete everything tomorrow now.

here's the initial work over the weekend,


...and this is how it ended up after pastel chalks and blending...



Last up is to weather the nozzles and install them, then the drop tanks, and last will be the air brake!

​

[406 Silverado]

Man.....talk about a lesson in weathering/ usage effects. Absolutely love the work you're putting into this beauty. Fantastic show Chris!!

[ogrejohn]

Beautiful!

[Tojo72]

Better and better with each update

[themongoose]

I need to build a rice paddi berm for my THUD and then i can start the red hot and roll’n GB! The light at the end of this tunnel is just illuminating the next couple projects…and I’ve got to find time for my 1:1 scale El Camino project as well 

[Tobi]

May 20, 2023 21:27:24 GMT -5 themongoose said:

Getting close to the finish line! Decals are all done. Top coat of gloss clear is on! I’ve got the variramps on now. I broke the nose wheel off hopefully it’s on there better now!

Now that you've mentioned it I suddenly remember that delicate gear on my Revell 1/32 F-15E back in my teenage days.
That is an advantage of Navy jets, they have more sturdy legs. 

[themongoose]

My wife says this is the most beautiful model I’ve ever built! She even came downstairs to the model room to see it 
here’s a few impromptu shots to close it out. My son is dying to take some shots in his photobooth this weekend. 
The nose gear has been extended to simulate landing, the wing tanks are modified from an F-4 Phantom, the air brake was detailed underneath, built out of the box, and of course everything except the stencils has been airbrushed 

[Tobi]

Awesome livery. You outdid yourself on this.

[406 Silverado]

Now what's not to like about this build?? This has GOT to be one of the snazziest, most interesting, most beautiful and detailed out paint & decal combinations I think I've ever seen on a military aircraft Chris. Thank you for taking us on this journey and sharing this build here with us Chris. Frickin' blown........away man.

[TJ]

May 25, 2023 4:56:14 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Now what's not to like about this build?? This has GOT to be one of the snazziest, most interesting, most beautiful and detailed out paint & decal combinations I think I've ever seen on a military aircraft Chris. Thank you for taking us on this journey and sharing this build here with us Chris. Frickin' blown........away man.

Couldn't have said it better myself. 

[Tojo72]

Fantastic finish !!!

[tcoat]

Had to look up the real thing and this is BANG ON!

[handiabled]

A work of art sir! Congrats on a outstanding build!

[armornutii]

   Glad we are on the same side Chris, I would hate to set my model down next to yours....GOOD GRAVY MAN ya didn't look nuts when I met you . Awesome work and a great insperation my friend.

[keavdog]

W O W!!!!!!!
What a masterpiece. Simply fantastic - best paint job I've ever seen - airplane or auto. You sir are a master!