Vampy Growler in progress
The new Quickboost ECS pipes were installed. I also used the Eduard PE set of my F/A-18E to add the circular vents correcting the kit. The circular PE (part # 55 for the AoA area) was added with one of the unused mesh parts.
Here, trying to add more detail to the instrument panel coaming. More to be added.
A general view of the major components and the built-up wings with the new aftermarket set from Flight Line Resin.
The "missile fin area" has been filled using a styrene sheet on both sides. I am not sure how Trumpeter decided this was an actual part of the aircraft.
Added weight inside the radar housing and placed on the kit forward fuselage. I also added the Master AoA probe. The kit wants you to have the refueling probe and electronics bays open. When closing these up, a bit of work is to get it flush.
The underside of the forward fuselage has no gun vents. Those need to be filled/sanded. Also added some more PE from the Eduard set to the forward landing gear bay. The Flight Line Resin gear is highly detailed and fits like a glove on the front.
The cockpit tub was cleared of the raised detail for the Quinta Studio set.
GT Resin, I hope this goes well trying to use this set. I am not sure what is harder, using the kit-provided parts or this.
The engine faces from GT Resin. So abysmal. I will have to open the intake where it meets the engine to get the kit parts to fit.
This is the kit-provided exhaust cans and exhaust. The engine is a cool add-on but of course, will not be seen.
We can see the ResKit exhaust is much superior.
Because I got the Quinta Studio light set (not the full), I will have to add the side wall panels once in the kit. But first the priming and painting stage.
The kit provided HARM missile, not too bad.
The ALQ99 does not have the correct shape. My skills are not good enough to shape it correctly. Hopefully, soon, someone can come out with a good 3d printed set.
Modified the JHMCS sensors. Trumpeter decided that the pilot would have two, one on each canopy rail. Looking at the Eduard interior set instructions, I added the detail for the lower part of the aft canopy as well.
Here I added the aft bulkhead using thin styrene.
The back seat instrument panel needed sidewalls.
Added additional reinforcement plates for the WSO's glare shield.
Added vanes to the bypass pressure vents which the kit was devoid of. The openings were sanded down a bit more to give the vents a thinner look.
More detail was added to the canopy actuator area. Hopefully, I can source the interior Eduard set to add more to this area.
Looking through my stash, I found this aftermarket HUD for the Academy legacy bug and I wondered, "Can I make this fit?" Not too shabby...
Looking through the forums over at Large Scale Planes, one of the members did this and I must admit, the WSO's rear instrument canopy looks much better now with the added handles.
Added a bit more detail in the canopy actuator area which resides above the turtleneck on the most aft canopy section.
Jack Melampy's book has been invaluable in this Growler build. I love it yet it makes me add more work to this kit.
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7 5 July, 07:33
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Sporadic pictures of my build progress. I am using this to capture the build process for future builds.
Many after-market items are being added to this build as well as some scratch building to try to get this Growler as close to the real thing.
