Back to the undercarriage…
The undercarriage was given a nice gloss black coat ready for the gloss white.
I find the black makes the white stand out much better than just spraying white onto grey plastic. Again, this is left to dry for around 48 hours.
Exhaust nozzles…
I drilled a hole in the back of each nozzle to allow me to fit a cocktail stick so I wasn’t handling the metallic finish.
The internal areas of the nozzles were sprayed with Tamiya’s Nato Black, then
I sprayed AK extreme metal ‘Steel’ onto the nozzles and left overnight to dry.
Gunze super clear gloss was applied, as the AK Extreme Metal does not respond well to spirit based weathering product!
Mig Ammo Blue Black panel wash was added to the nozzles and once that had dried fully, some Uschi polishing powder (chrome) was applied with a cotton bud and polished to just take the sheen off the gloss varnish and make it look a bit more, metal!
Ceramic plate decals…
An interesting feature on Super Hornets is the ceramic plates inside of the exhaust nozzles as there are 3 white squares to allow for the correct positioning by engine mechanics when replacing them. Revell have included these as decals and are superb! They bring the nozzles to life and really do make the exhausts a massive point of interest now.
Victor Wright says
I suppose I’m an “oldy” returning to the hobby after a slightly long 50 year gap! But have built 5 or 6 kits at this scale since I returned. I bought this kit for myself as a Christmas present last year but have waited until my confidence level was high enough to make an attempt at it. I’ve read the usual multitude of horror stories, mainly on-line ones about how badly some of the parts just don’t fit properly but I’m anxious to get going with it and was wondering how far Adam is away from completing it.
Adam Brown says
Hey Victor,
Great to see someone else returning to the hobby!
In all honesty, I would steer clear of this kit for now and get some easier kits under your belt first as it really did test my patience! It looks great once it’s built but to get there is very, very difficult.
I’m at the painting stage now and will post an update very soon.
All the best!
If you do want a nice simple Superbug, try the Revell 1/48th kit, decent it is!
Victor Wright says
Thanks Adam. I appreciate your advice. I should have added, whilst I’ve built 5 or 6 1/32 models since my return , I’ve also built about 20 or more other aircraft models split more or less equally between 1/72 and 1/48 mainly WW2. So I’m beginning to think I could manage the superbug at 1/32. Right now I’m at the painting stage of the Revell 1/32 Desert War Tornado, the build of which hasn’t been a problem at all, other than misidentified landing gear parts! So for my next build I’m stuck between the 1/32 superbug or perhaps a 1/48 Tamiya WW2 P38 Lightning. My problem is I seem to have accumulated a stash of about 7 or 8 kits and I’m wondering what to attempt next. I think what I might do is start the superbug first and when it gets a bit tedious switch over to something more straight forward like the P38. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to you completing the superbug, Like you say it’s really a good looking model once it’s completed. The problem is just getting there!
Craige Bevil says
I’ve been following your build review as I’m also working on it too and it’s been really useful as you’ve pointed out some of the potential pitfalls. I think due to the nature of the way the model is put together, the smallest fit issues accumulate to come back to bite you at a later point in the assembly process. Once I realised this, I seem to have avoided some of the problems that have been mentioned. It does take a lot of work though. And it does look great. Looking forward to reading your next update!
Adam Brown says
Thanks for the feedback chaps! To be honest its knocked the stuffing out of me a bit but i’ve been beavering away at it over the weekend and will have an update on my progress this week! Thank you all for your patience!
Happy Super-Bugging Craige & Victor :-)
Howard Kilburn says
You,ve done a great job with it Adam, but I must admit i wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. I,m currently building an earlier Revell 32 scale Spitfire…..ok it,s got a mix of raised and recessed panel lines but personally I like it better than their newer Spit release…..and why oh why are kit manufacturers going for separate ailerons….separate elevators and rudder yes, but the ailerons on the new Revell Spits don’t fit well ( in my opinion )….and anyway are very rarely deflected on the ground….unless yr a pretty sloppy pilot…as my old training Capt used to say….always leave a cockpit the way you,d like to get into it….harnesses stowed and controls locked….pretty much in a neutral position
Anyway rant over, hope yr well
Howard
Craige Bevil says
Looks marvellous. I’ll bet you’re glad to be moving on though, there’s a lot of work in this one and it’s not always rewarding but it does look cracking. I bought a couple of the eduard detaiing kits – the cockpit as a consequence now looks fantastic Otherwise, I’m still plodding on with mine, painting is almost finished. I’m anxious about the decals, I normally let myself down at that stage. Were they okay? What did you use for your gloss coat?
Cheers
Craige
Adam Brown says
Hi Craig, thanks for the lovely comments but yes, I’m glad to have finished it!
Decals were really , really good, Probably the best thing about the kit! As for gloss finish I use Tamiya X-22 thinned with Mr Hobby Levelling thinners.
All the best
Adam
Derek Bradshaw says
A triumph over adversity! Well done Adam.
Derek B