F-15 C 482° FW RAF Lakenheath
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/3/5/2/357352-32605-36-720.jpg)
This is my project's subject, an F-15 C MISP II based at RAF Lakenheat.Here it's got a darker nose cone, probably a sparefrom an E, but I'm going to represent it at a different time of its life, with its original one.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/2/1/9/357219-32605-39-720.jpg)
Let's get started with a little dry test, to see the fitting ofthe front halves and the back fuselage.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/2/6/9/357269-32605-66-720.jpg)
Being an MISP II version, there are a few modifications to be done, first of all the landing hook's frame to be removed.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/2/7/0/357270-32605-88-720.jpg)
That was easy! better now!
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/2/3/8/357238-32605-75-720.jpg)
Here I've added a little detail to thhe dash board.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/2/3/9/357239-32605-19-720.jpg)
Front view
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/2/3/3/357233-32605-48-720.jpg)
The kit's seat, on the right, and the one I used, from an F-16 Italeri, on the left.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/2/3/4/357234-32605-37-720.jpg)
I'll represent the aircraft landing, thus a pilot is needed.An old Hasegawa should do the job, but the helmet will have to be modified.The guy fits well to the seat...
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/2/3/5/357235-32605-45-720.jpg)
...and to the "office"!
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/2/3/7/357237-32605-86-720.jpg)
The "office " fits well to the font fuselage halves.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/2/4/0/357240-32605-95-720.jpg)
Once painted, the panel should be ok.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/2/3/6/357236-32605-87-720.jpg)
Let's put it in!
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/2/6/5/357265-32605-27-720.jpg)
The junction between the front and rear fuselage is a bit tricky as there aren't any location pins.I had to stick some strips of plasticard at both sides,to help shapes pairing.Filler will be needed.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/2/6/6/357266-32605-89-720.jpg)
I also added the P.E.parts to the nose wheel bay, but then I realized the door will be closed!!!
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/2/4/1/357241-32605-37-720.jpg)
Seems ok.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/3/7/2/357372-32605-84-720.jpg)
Rear view.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/2/4/2/357242-32605-32-720.jpg)
Let's check how the canopy fits.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/3/7/1/357371-32605-76-720.jpg)
Now is time to fit the canopy frame, as it'll complete the front fuselage. I attached a piece of plasticard at its base, to improve and beef up the assembly.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/3/7/3/357373-32605-65-720.jpg)
The front of the frame fits ok
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/3/8/5/357385-32605-25-720.jpg)
This gap can be easily filled.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/2/4/3/357243-32605-98-720.jpg)
It's time to start giving it some colour!
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/3/8/6/357386-32605-54-720.jpg)
The canopy frame has been glued in position.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/2/4/7/357247-32605-74-720.jpg)
The seat belts will be added later, for now the seat is done.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/2/4/5/357245-32605-45-720.jpg)
Gray first, then a bit of masking and some black.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/2/4/8/357248-32605-74-720.jpg)
I should be nearly there.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/2/4/6/357246-32605-54-720.jpg)
Black dry brushing over the grey base brought some detail out.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/2/4/9/357249-32605-87-720.jpg)
Let's see what it looks like once in place.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/2/5/0/357250-32605-14-720.jpg)
mmh...seems ok!
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/2/5/1/357251-32605-62-720.jpg)
The panel isn't bad.I'm happy I saved some money on a resin pit.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/3/8/4/357384-32605-90-720.jpg)
The oxigen hose must be extended, so I've tought top replace it with some made out of brass wire of different sizes: a thicker one as a core and a thinner one to replicate the corrugation.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/2/5/2/357252-32605-25-720.jpg)
The canopy frame is ready to be glued. It's now time to check the pilot and the oxigen hose.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/2/6/0/357260-32605-42-720.jpg)
Should be ok, time for some painting now!
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/2/5/3/357253-32605-63-720.jpg)
Painted pilot.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/2/5/4/357254-32605-86-720.jpg)
Painted pilot and seat.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/2/5/5/357255-32605-28-720.jpg)
Ready to be inserted in the front fuselage.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/2/5/6/357256-32605-76-720.jpg)
Here the guy in his Office.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/2/5/7/357257-32605-19-720.jpg)
Here the guy in his Office.(2)
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/2/5/8/357258-32605-74-720.jpg)
Here the guy in his Office.(3)
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/2/5/9/357259-32605-54-720.jpg)
Rear view of the the guy in his Office.
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/2/6/8/357268-32605-75-720.jpg)
The main wheel bays were detailed, There isn't much in the real ones and doors will be closed, so I kept it soft.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/2/6/2/357262-32605-23-720.jpg)
I hate sanding, but I couldn't avoid it here!!!Once happy with the finish, white paint
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/2/6/4/357264-32605-90-720.jpg)
Once fitted into the fuselage,thefront was adapted, sanded and painted white.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/2/6/1/357261-32605-89-720.jpg)
Time to concentrate on the engines ducts...what can I say...a bit of fantasy must be used if you want to depict the model without the FOD.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/2/7/2/357272-32605-52-720.jpg)
The engine fans are painted and fitted at the ducts' back.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/3/8/2/357382-32605-16-720.jpg)
This is how it looks like .
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/2/6/7/357267-32605-73-720.jpg)
Time now to glue the back fuselage halves and wings.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/2/7/1/357271-32605-97-720.jpg)
Some tape and clamps will keep everything together. until the glue dries.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/2/7/4/357274-32605-81-720.jpg)
Timre to glue the front section too.
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/2/7/3/357273-32605-42-720.jpg)
The right back section on the MISP II version differs from the left one, so I started some shaping work by using pieces of sprue, plasticard and cianoacrylate (superAttack super glue)to get the right shape.
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/2/7/5/357275-32605-41-720.jpg)
Here a step forward and dry fit for the tails,previousy cut and re-positioned with a alight angle.
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/2/7/7/357277-32605-87-720.jpg)
Nearly there!
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/2/7/6/357276-32605-58-720.jpg)
Falps were glued in the landing position and ailerons were positioned with an angle for a more dynamic look.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/2/7/8/357278-32605-88-720.jpg)
Rear view of the beast.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/2/7/9/357279-32605-60-720.jpg)
Having to fit the P.E. grills, I cut their perimeters off...
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/2/8/0/357280-32605-28-720.jpg)
and added some pieces of plasticard glued from the inside, to be slighty deeeper.
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/2/8/1/357281-32605-89-720.jpg)
Same thing under the belly.
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/2/8/2/357282-32605-39-720.jpg)
Once painted black they should give it some depth.
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/2/8/3/357283-32605-44-720.jpg)
Let's try and we'll see if it works.
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/2/8/8/357288-32605-34-720.jpg)
Added the grills and sanded the excess of color away, to see how it looks.
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/2/8/4/357284-32605-25-720.jpg)
Time to paint the weel bays interiors: black first to getsome shadows...
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/2/8/5/357285-32605-43-720.jpg)
...and then a very. diluted white, to keep some shadows
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/2/8/6/357286-32605-57-720.jpg)
Then the main wheel bays.
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/2/8/7/357287-32605-29-720.jpg)
Same procedure.
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/2/8/9/357289-32605-38-720.jpg)
And now a bit of good old scratch!The air brake interior's detail is a little bit poor.So I cut a plate from a plasticard sheet and detailed it with ROSIE the riveter
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/2/9/0/357290-32605-36-720.jpg)
With the addition of this, it looks far better!
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/4/2/4/357424-32605-54-720.jpg)
...and detailed, it looks far better!
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/2/9/2/357292-32605-46-720.jpg)
Now the same treatment as for the weel bays: blak first...
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/2/9/3/357293-32605-21-720.jpg)
...and then white, followed by a wash to highlight the detail.The only problem is...the airbrake interior...ISN'T WHITE!!! So, later in the project, i had to paint it the same grey of the top fuselage!!!
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/2/9/4/357294-32605-68-720.jpg)
Now the time has finally come for the airbrush to do its trade!A base of black , to start with, and then the two greys.
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/2/9/5/357295-32605-38-720.jpg)
I know it's a bit unortodox to proceed this way, but it was my first time to test this technique and I wasn't sure the black base wouldn't have darkened the colorss, so I started this way and...I just went on!
![Album image #71 Album image #71](/albums/img/2/9/7/357297-32605-88-720.jpg)
I like this technique, as it allows you to have good control over the level of shades you want to achieve.
![Album image #72 Album image #72](/albums/img/2/9/6/357296-32605-45-720.jpg)
my tidy work bench...the kitchen table!!!
![Album image #73 Album image #73](/albums/img/2/9/8/357298-32605-96-720.jpg)
We're nearly there!
![Album image #74 Album image #74](/albums/img/3/0/0/357300-32605-64-720.jpg)
Painting the tails was real fun.The left one had thecontrol panel replaced and thus the black and yellow stripes aren't complete.
![Album image #75 Album image #75](/albums/img/3/0/1/357301-32605-40-720.jpg)
The right one.
![Album image #76 Album image #76](/albums/img/2/9/9/357299-32605-62-720.jpg)
Once painted and with decals, I didn't glue them until the end of the project, as they could easily be removed.
![Album image #77 Album image #77](/albums/img/3/0/2/357302-32605-85-720.jpg)
The camouflage was corrected a few times , to get the darker "clouds" right.
![Album image #78 Album image #78](/albums/img/3/0/3/357303-32605-78-720.jpg)
The nose cone is slightly different, but it's a C cone at this stage of the aircraft's life.
![Album image #79 Album image #79](/albums/img/3/0/4/357304-32605-51-720.jpg)
Then I masked the back area...
![Album image #80 Album image #80](/albums/img/3/0/6/357306-32605-23-720.jpg)
...to spray it with Alclad aluminium.
![Album image #81 Album image #81](/albums/img/3/0/5/357305-32605-14-720.jpg)
Once dried, I shadowed some areas, to give some volume, with Smoke Tamiya.
![Album image #82 Album image #82](/albums/img/3/0/7/357307-32605-52-720.jpg)
It's now time for some wash to highlight the panel lines and some touches to represent leakings and dirt.
![Album image #83 Album image #83](/albums/img/3/0/8/357308-32605-25-720.jpg)
Back view of the painted model.
![Album image #84 Album image #84](/albums/img/3/0/9/357309-32605-80-720.jpg)
Back view of the bottom side.
![Album image #85 Album image #85](/albums/img/3/1/0/357310-32605-72-720.jpg)
Bottom side, quite dirty, but this area is always the dirtiest one.
![Album image #86 Album image #86](/albums/img/3/1/1/357311-32605-35-720.jpg)
Top side with washes and decals.
![Album image #87 Album image #87](/albums/img/1/7/5/357175-32605-17-720.jpg)
It isn't resin, but, once painted , it shouldn't be bad!
![Album image #88 Album image #88](/albums/img/1/7/4/357174-32605-43-720.jpg)
The kit exausts with the P.E. applied.
![Album image #89 Album image #89](/albums/img/3/1/4/357314-32605-98-720.jpg)
Once painted, they aren't bad at all!
![Album image #90 Album image #90](/albums/img/3/1/3/357313-32605-42-720.jpg)
In order to depict the aircraft while landing, I extended the front wheel leg.
![Album image #91 Album image #91](/albums/img/3/1/6/357316-32605-68-720.jpg)
Back first...
![Album image #92 Album image #92](/albums/img/3/1/7/357317-32605-32-720.jpg)
...and whire, as fo the wheel bays.
![Album image #93 Album image #93](/albums/img/3/1/8/357318-32605-20-720.jpg)
The kit wheels have a very nice detail , highllighted by a good wash.
![Album image #94 Album image #94](/albums/img/3/3/2/357332-32605-10-720.jpg)
The ventral tank is a reminder of the old camouflage worn by the Eagles.Here I've masked to paint some stencils.
![Album image #95 Album image #95](/albums/img/3/1/9/357319-32605-63-720.jpg)
Bottom view wth the ventral tamk.
![Album image #96 Album image #96](/albums/img/3/2/0/357320-32605-49-720.jpg)
Main gears legs are added and flares didpencer ( painted red )
![Album image #97 Album image #97](/albums/img/3/3/1/357331-32605-45-720.jpg)
The weapons set from a Kinetic F-16 came to help and supplied the missiles.
![Album image #98 Album image #98](/albums/img/3/2/1/357321-32605-86-720.jpg)
The kit launchers were modified , as those from the kit are old style.
![Album image #99 Album image #99](/albums/img/3/2/3/357323-32605-10-720.jpg)
the P.E.set gave a bit of detail.
![Album image #100 Album image #100](/albums/img/3/2/2/357322-32605-81-720.jpg)
The full set is ready to be fitted to the model.
![Album image #101 Album image #101](/albums/img/3/2/9/357329-32605-11-720.jpg)
Launchers and missiles painted and ready to be fittd.
![Album image #102 Album image #102](/albums/img/3/2/7/357327-32605-17-720.jpg)
the landing gears dooes being painted.
![Album image #103 Album image #103](/albums/img/3/2/4/357324-32605-59-720.jpg)
A bit of scratch was needed to detail the airbrake.
![Album image #104 Album image #104](/albums/img/3/2/6/357326-32605-31-720.jpg)
airbrake and doors ready.
![Album image #105 Album image #105](/albums/img/3/4/3/357343-32605-20-720.jpg)
at the front left side there are some exercise markings.
![Album image #106 Album image #106](/albums/img/3/2/8/357328-32605-77-720.jpg)
All sub-assemblys are ready.
![Album image #107 Album image #107](/albums/img/3/3/0/357330-32605-64-720.jpg)
Once detalied with some piping and fitted, the main gears were painted and washed.
![Album image #108 Album image #108](/albums/img/3/3/3/357333-32605-57-720.jpg)
Front landing gear and door fitted.
![Album image #109 Album image #109](/albums/img/3/3/4/357334-32605-30-720.jpg)
Main gears, doors, ventrall tank and missiles fitted.
![Album image #110 Album image #110](/albums/img/3/3/5/357335-32605-29-720.jpg)
Now it's time to concentrate on the stand.
![Album image #111 Album image #111](/albums/img/3/3/6/357336-32605-35-720.jpg)
Painted grey first , then masked and pained the white lines ,shaded at both ends.
![Album image #112 Album image #112](/albums/img/3/3/7/357337-32605-49-720.jpg)
Added the frame.
![Album image #113 Album image #113](/albums/img/3/3/8/357338-32605-53-720.jpg)
...and the Squadron badges, printed and laminated.
![Album image #114 Album image #114](/albums/img/3/3/9/357339-32605-48-720.jpg)
Here it is, the finished model on its stand.
![Album image #115 Album image #115](/albums/img/3/4/0/357340-32605-61-720.jpg)
![Album image #116 Album image #116](/albums/img/3/4/1/357341-32605-51-720.jpg)
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![Album image #128 Album image #128](/albums/img/3/5/5/357355-32605-89-720.jpg)
Comentarios
3 23 June 2017, 19:32
![](/profiles/img/16625-287-s.png)
Well done, and great build documentation! It really looks like it took a lot of work to get this kit to look as good as yours does, especially from a fit standpoint. Love the diorama too. Thanks for sharing!
25 June 2017, 16:40
![](/profiles/img/32605-530-s.jpg)
I haven't finished my comments , but I'm new and it takes alittle while to do it.Thank you anyway!
25 June 2017, 18:03