F-84F Thunderstreak

Marius
Flawless, clean painting John!

John
Thanks Marius. I bit off more than I could chew with this one. First rescribing job and first attempt at a "serious" NMF. Along with the usual Monogram fit issues, I've been trying to push through to the end because I'll be glad to have it off my bench. I had a previous bad habit of having kits 90% done, then losing interest so I'm making myself finish this one before starting anything else. It's a weird sort of motivation!

Since I can't leave well enough alone, something was bothering me about the finish. It's metal, so it has to be shiny and that meant that usual weathering wasn't working. Oils would not stick, that sort of thing. But in service, they don't look too shiny, what to do? So...I flat coated it, running the risk of ruining it all. Didn't go crazy, just a light mist coat with heavier on the decals and I think it turned out. Hopefully some light oil work will stay put now.

Alberto
Nice work. I like how the matt coat worked, it looks used but not old & dirty 👍

John
Thanks Alberto. I see why people don't like doing NMFs all that much. Not only are they a challenge to apply, but they are not easy to weather. Even clean metal aircraft have effects of outdoor exposure. Need to pick up some streaking effects and see if they work.

I think I'll do a nice OD green scheme after this one to let my brain heal. 😭

James C
That's a beauty mate 👍

John
Thanks James! This was the most frustrating build I've ever done, hands down. Experimented endlessly with Alclads, finally found something workable, then it came off under masking. Started over, got it decent, then spilled airbrush cleaner on it. Stripped it all and started over. Got it to this stage, then broke off one of the landing gears and drilled a hole for a brass rod. Turned it over and realized I had gone all the way through and there's a nice hole in the top of the wing! Hence the dio...there's going to be a toolbox covering it 😄 It's a good thing I am stubborn or this thing would have been binned a long time ago. The good news is the dio base is done, just need to make some "concrete" tarmac and paint the figures, tools and ladder and it will be complete.

Augie
Really nicely done

James C
It's times like those that it's just best to stay in bed! I too have a love/hate relationship with Alclads. I've used them a little for doing chrome, but found they rub off even with minimal handling. I suspect sealing it with Alclads own gloss may help protect them, but have not tried it (yet) for fear of dulling the finish 😳 Not to mention it's a pain in the arse to clean the airbrush afterwards, and they stink like hell which is why I generally stick with acrylics (as I spray indoors and don't have a fume extractor/spray booth etc)

John
That's one of my main gripes with Alclads. You have a beautiful finish, then to protect it, you have to seal it and then it ends up looking like silver paint. I'm lucky in that I have a window right next to the bench I can open to avoid the worst of the fumes, but certainly they are quite fragrant!

Thanks Augie! 👍

Villiers de Vos
Very nice work.

Mark Sherwood
That's a very nice finish. I usually found Monogram pretty good, mind you that was about thirty odd years ago. I have the Kinetic kit, which I will eventually build. Eventually, if life ( The Wife) doesn't get in the way

John
Mark, thanks for the compliment. This thing is sitting on the shelf of doom, 99.9% finished. I was making a clear cover for the dio and messed up the base dimensions so now the cover won't fit. Will get back to it when I figure out what to do! I have the Kinetic kit as well, interested to see how they compare, though I read that the intake shape is a bit "off" on Kinetic but at least it has recessed panel lines. I really like the older Monogram kits. They are often a lot of work but build into very nice models if you do your part.

Mark Sherwood
Ay' up John. You are welcome. I know what you mean, I did find walking away, doing something else, Gym, Bike ride, BEER, reading, BEER and returning to my Ed FW 190 A8 I got over the block. After seeing Phil Flory, Spencer Pollard tackle a Voodoo and F-100 respectively I have a hankering to do a Monogram kit though, I did build their P-40 many years ago, cue E-Bay. I too have heard the same thing about the intakes, are Kinetic the new Kittyhawk? otherwise a decent enough kit after looking at the plastic

John
Mark, make sure not to forget the BEER. 😉 But I hear you, I've walked away and come back to it several times. Hopefully the last time will be the charm. Kinetic kits seem good but fiddly from what I hear. I'll be getting the QB intake correction for sure in any case.

The Monogram F-100 and F-101 are both great kits. The 101 being more prone to fit issues but both are really well detailed for their age. It'll keep you busy but I think you'll like the result of either. 👍

Mark Broughton
Just want to say you have done a great job with the base. I think the concrete looks perfect, and its also one of the hardest to get right. It gives your model a proper sense of scale, nicely done sir!

John
Mark, thanks. This was one of those rare experiments that worked out. I have added some details to the base and will post some pics later.

Mark Sherwood
Morning John. I think I'll wing it (excuse the pun) regarding the intakes. I suppose if it looks like a F-84 it is an F-84 🤔 and there's a new rallying cry "Never forget the BEER!" 🤣👍🤣🤟🤣

Mid Franconian
A very nice job on this classic kit!

John
Thanks, Mid! I love the old Mongram/Revells and sometimes they're the only game in town in 1/48, like the F-102 or still better than modern offerings like the KH F-101.

Guy Rump
Great build and lovely dio too. 👍

Juskifo
👏

Mr James
What a beautiful finish you've achieved here John. Lovely work. And I really like your dio scene. Well done