Finished - F-15E Strike Eagle by CDW - Pro Modeler - 1:48

[Old Collingwood]

Same as mark   -  respect to him  RIP.

 

OC.

[CDW]

An interesting side story about my cousin Wallace...one time in the year+ while he was recovering in a field hospital in Italy, he watched from his hospital window while a crew of sea bees worked to build a runway. A flight of German bombers attacked the site as Wallace watched the sea bee workmen scramble from their equipment to reinforced shelter. After he had healed, the war had ended and everyone was home, he talked with his brother about his war experiences and told about the incident just described. Come to find out, one of the men he watched scramble to shelter was his very own brother. They had been at the same camp and never even found out until after the war had ended. 

[lmagna]

I went ahead and "Liked" both your original post and the followup post about your cousin. But like Mark I feel it is for your memory of him not his passing. 

[CDW]

Because of all the fine engraved detail on this model, it lends itself well to a panel line wash.

You can see where I've started washing away the excess wash in between the panel lines using a q-tip dampened with white spirits.

 

[Edwardkenway]

I'm  sorry to hear about your cousin's passing,  condolences to you and your family.

[Canute]

My condolences, too, Craig. Not many of the Greatest Generation left. I salute them all.👍

 

Yeah, the Phantom was known to be supersonic on the deck, despite the airspeed/mach meter saying not. A phenomenon of  all the angles and sharp points. Those photos you see of F-4/14/15/16 and others with the visible shock cone are suitable proof. Never flew a Mudhen, but did snivel a hop or two in the F-15B. Thought I died and went to fighter pilot heaven.

 

You are going to load this one up for bear, aren't you? 

[Old Collingwood]

6 hours ago, CDW said:

Because of all the fine engraved detail on this model, it lends itself well to a panel line wash.

You can see where I've started washing away the excess wash in between the panel lines using a q-tip dampened with white spirits.

 

This is looking sweet mate  - the paint work and the  panel detailing  looks superb.

 

OC.

[Old Collingwood]

As promised  -  two  C's  and  an E.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Top side received a treatment, now ready to start adding some details.

 

[popeye the sailor]

sorry to hear of your cousin...condolences to you and your family  

 

plane's look'in really sweet.........panel lines are awesome!

[CDW]

[Javlin]

You can crank them out Craig she's looking good the decals and stencils will add some more colors.Seriously one day when the camera is out I would enjoy a peek at the built stash Kevin

[mtaylor]

The F-15 was one of my favorites to watch.  When I moved out here to Oregon, they were in the hands of the National Guard (I think) at Klamath Falls.  They'd fly into Medford (my office was just across the street from the airport), do some touch and goes, sometimes a complete stop, turn around and take off again.  I loved it when they lift off, pull the wheels up point nose up and hit the afterburners... darn things climbed straight up until they were out side.  

 

Your doing a bang-up job, Craig.  Love it.

[Old Collingwood]

19 minutes ago, CDW said:

Looking Superb Craig  one of your very best  out of all those I have seen  of yours.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Just now, Old Collingwood said:

Looking Superb Craig  one of your very best  out of all those I have seen  of yours.

 

OC.

Thank you OC. 

Seriously, it's the paint. Mr. Color paint is THE BEST, period. Nothing else is like a good lacquer finish and Mr. Color gives that in spades.

Plus, this old Monogram Pro Modeler F-15E was a really well fitting kit. Like I said before, an exceptional value for the money. Nowadays, you will have to settle for a Revell F-15E. It's the same kit with different ordnance and decals. The Revell of Germany release had the same Pro Modeler decals and ordnance but it's OOP right now.

[CDW]

Just now, Javlin said:

You can crank them out Craig she's looking good the decals and stencils will add some more colors.Seriously one day when the camera is out I would enjoy a peek at the built stash Kevin

 

Just now, mtaylor said:

Your doing a bang-up job, Craig.  Love it.

 

Thanks guys for your kind words.

Javlin, you'll be disappointed by my "collection" because I rarely ever keep a model once it's finished. I either give them away or sell them. My pleasure comes from building them. Once they're done, I'm done, and it's on to the next one. 

[CDW]

Just now, Javlin said:

Seriously one day when the camera is out I would enjoy a peek at the built stash Kevin

The best I can do is give you a virtual tour of the ones I built in 2019:

 

 

[Javlin]

I like it Me I don't know trophy's?I can see my progression over the years it's tough to say .I have never thought I had anything somebody would want maybe I am wrong? love your work and the pace! keep it Rock and Roll!!!

[CDW]

Semper Fi

My cousins and brother. My cousin with the walking stick was an Army officer, a veteran of Korea now in his 90's. 

Edited January 15, 2020 by CDW

[CDW]

Added the afterburners and wheels. The speed brake on top of the fuselage is temporarily photoed in the closed position, but will be cemented in the open position along with an open canopy for final display.

To add some nuance, I used a highly diluted (1 part paint : 4 parts reducer) lighter shade of gray (neutral gray) to shade between the panel lines of the entire aircraft. It's not intended to be highly noticeable, but if you compare this version, it should look slightly lighter in shade of gray than the previous set of photos.

The afterburners are a multi colored affair, starting with stainless steel, then dark aluminum, then titanium, then burnt iron. All that got a black wash.

 

 

 

[CapnMac82]

Such a gorgeous build, and that paint job is superb.

Does make me miss the old Air Superiority scheme with light & dark gray (if not the painting of all the soft edges :) )

 

Although that does bring up an issue when you get to the Tomcat.  Of whether to go with one of the original production paint schemes, or to go with the LoViz (also known in the fleet as "easter egg" as the precat paint never color matched, ever).

 

Outstanding build--just needs some scruffians in ABU to pre-flight it.

[CDW]

I started to work on the decals tonight, but got bad news. My decals are shot. All of them, and I had two separate sets of aftermarket sets in addition to the kit set. Problem was, all the decals were stored inside the kit box and the kit stored in my garage which was not climate controlled. The heat got to them. I have fresh decals on order and will use those as I am not going to screw up the model with bad decals. So standby for a couple of weeks for me to finish this model.

In the meantime, I intend to start another model.

[Javlin]

3 hours ago, CDW said:

In the meantime, I intend to start another model.

Well by Gawd I never would of expected that action Craig Semper Fi Kevin

[CDW]

Just now, Javlin said:

Well by Gawd I never would of expected that action Craig Semper Fi Kevin

Who woulda thunk it?

[popeye the sailor]

stinks when that happens..........    beautiful bird though.......the paint is awesome and decals are going to amplify to no end!

[Canute]

Yeah, bad luck with the decals. Luckily, it's a popular kit with lots of  them available.

 

Paint job is superb, Craig.

[CDW]

Just now, Canute said:

Yeah, bad luck with the decals. Luckily, it's a popular kit with lots of  them available.

 

Paint job is superb, Craig.

Thanks Ken

It's just a small bump in the road those decals. Replacements will be here soon.

[GrandpaPhil]

I’m sorry to hear about your cousin.  You have my condolences.

Edited January 17, 2020 by GrandpaPhil

[CDW]

A few days ago when I last worked on the decals for this model, I managed to spill the entire bottle of Microsol decal solvent in my lap. Today, I went to my local hobby shop to buy a replacement bottle of Microsol and found another product made by the same manufacturer called: . I thought it was worth the cost (less than $5) to buy a bottle to try and restore the old, dried out decals that left me stranded with this build. The decal sheets have been given a coat of the product and I will be testing out the decal sheets with the application very soon after the solution has had ample time to dry. Will post my results...keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Javlin]

I have heard of this stuff never used it myself and I trust CD that's the trusty 1.0s in the background? I do not wear glasses any other time but reading and the shop can still plug a 3" circle @100yds open sights and a good barrel. Kevin(hearing sucks)