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Post by Ian H. on Oct 14, 2018 19:42:11 GMT
I don't really like to trash model companies in this day and age because I think the selection of model companies and kits is really incredible now and there are great build opportunities out there for us as modelers. Having said that, I am making an exception here and I am going out on a limb to say the Hobbyboss F-111 series is just horrible. I love the F-111 and I had been wanting to build a SAC FB-111 for quite some time. So, last year I started the Hobbyboss FB-111 and stumbled into numerous issues with the kit. The main problem is the cockpit profile and dimensions along with a horribly molded windscreen and canopy glass configuration. The canopy glass profile is completely wrong and gives the kit an almost bubble-like appearance up front. I had pondered using a Squadron vacu-form canopy to fix that but the dimensions of the kit are so bad I figured making the Squadron canopy glass fit was going to be impractical and quite frankly, not worth it. However, I had an idea for an extreme fix--------replace the whole forward fuselage ahead of the intakes. I had a Hobbycraft F-111E kit in the stash and this was a reboxing of the old Zhengdfu F-111 from many years ago. Although this kit was equally horrible, it had recessed panel lines and the nose/canopy profile was more accurate than the Hobbyboss version. So I decided to get this thing off the bench and I mated the Hobbycraft/Zhengdfu front fuselage on to the remainder of the Hobbyboss FB-111 fuselage. Amazingly enough, the Hobbyboss nose gear well and bomb bay fit into the Hobbycraft/Zhengdfu fuselage section. The joining of the two sections also went pretty well and I ended up with a decent rendering of the FB-111. Also, the Squadron canopy glass is a drop-in fit to the Hobbycraft/Zhengdfu front end which is the main reason I did all this. Of course, Hobbyboss called out the wrong intake parts for the FB-111 in the instructions so I had to do some research to figure out which parts to use for the Triple Plow Intakes on the FB-111 version. I got that sorted out and the intakes were installed. I then got some primer in the plane and I am in the process of smoothing all the joints out. I will be using an old Microscale Decal Sheet to depict the SAC FB-111 "Lucky Strike." I also have a Scale Aircraft Conversions metal landing gear set to use on the project because the Hobbyboss plastic is very soft and the kit gear will not support the plane. I rounded up the camo colors for the SAC SIOP Scheme from Vallejo and Lifecolor. The SAC SIOP colors are now out of production from Model Master and are about impossible to find. I have just a little more seam work to do and then I can move on to the camo. Regards, Ian     |
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Post by Boots on Oct 14, 2018 19:53:26 GMT
You certainly know ya stuff Ian..........great job indeed and she`s a big `ol gal ain`t she  |
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Post by Ian H. on Oct 14, 2018 19:57:13 GMT
Thank you sir! I always have loved the F-111; just wish a decent kit would come out from a manufacturer.
Regards,
Ian
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Post by Boots on Oct 14, 2018 20:21:50 GMT
I`m sure they will..........probably just as you finish this one  |
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Post by SteveM on Oct 14, 2018 21:21:55 GMT
It’s very annoying when a manufacturer messes up a kit so badly as it destroys the market for other kit makers. Revell’s Halifax is a prime example but Trumpy and Hobbyboss are the worst offenders, their A7 is a right mess  Sometimes a kitbash is the only way and you’ve made a great start there my friend  |
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Post by Paul B on Oct 15, 2018 14:02:59 GMT
I'll second Boots and Steve here  . I love this aircraft, I've been trying to find an Academy one for ages now but just no luck  . Maybe one day one will turn up at decent price  . Cracking start there Ian, I am now watching this one take shape |
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Post by nito74 on Oct 16, 2018 10:25:21 GMT
Looking great Ian. That surgery went well, patient is ALIVE !! |
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Post by Robbo on Oct 16, 2018 18:47:44 GMT
Blimey, look at the size of that
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Post by Ian H. on Nov 16, 2018 20:38:16 GMT
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I did make some progress on the FB-111, having gotten the Zhengfu -111 front fuselage mated to the Hobbyboss rear fuselage in an effort to correct the horrible Hobbyboss shape issue. I primered the model with Enamel Model Master Primer and then started work on the camo. The early FB-111's featured the SIOP SAC camo, like the B-52, so I used Life Color FS 34201, SAC Bomber Tan, and applied that first. It laid down really well over the primer and there were no issues with the paint. I then started applying the Mid-Green portion of the camo and Vallejo FS 34159 was used for that. Next I will apply the Dark Green, FS 34079. The slat and flap layout of the -111 is pretty complex so I will paint all that separately and then mask off that to paint the red portions. In keeping with the B-26 backdate fiasco in the other thread, I suppose some company will now do a FB-111 with the correct nose and canopy profile. Best wishes!! Ian   |
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Post by Snipersmudge on Nov 16, 2018 20:56:06 GMT
Nice work mate looks the biz |
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Post by Boots on Nov 17, 2018 15:46:10 GMT
Thats a smashing bit of work Ian...........well done fella  |
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Post by Paul B on Nov 20, 2018 16:04:37 GMT
You are really making me want to buy one of these . Awesome  |
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Post by SteveM on Nov 20, 2018 21:57:12 GMT
Outstanding Kit-bash Ian Just shows the HB kit might have all the bells and whistles but it counts for nothing when the shape is so far wrong. |
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Post by Ian H. on Dec 15, 2018 21:28:24 GMT
Thanks for the kind words regarding the Vark, everyone. During our lovely snow storm I had ample time to jump back on the FB-111A featuring a Hobbycraft/Zhengfu F-111E front end melded to the FB-111A Hobbyboss back end. I got the SAC SIOP scheme applied using Vallejo SAC Bomber Green, Life Color SAC Bomber Tan and Model Master Dark Green. I shot the camo with a Paasche #1 tip since the lines on the actual bird are a very fine soft edge. All the colors went on very trouble free and it was generally a fun scheme to paint. I am pleased with the result so far although it's kind of sad that I had to take the front end of one marginal Chinese F-111 kit and marry it to the back half of another marginal Chinese F-111 kit to come up with a decent overall FB-111. However, in all fairness the Hobbycraft/Zhengfu front section is alot more accurate than Hobbyboss so I am actually glad to have used that section to salvage the Hobbyboss Eff-Ups with the nose profile in their kit. And I am also glad I did not pay full price for the Hobbyboss kit when I bought it because that thing is a train wreck from top to bottom. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Best wishes, Ian   |
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Post by Boots on Dec 15, 2018 22:01:59 GMT
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Post by Ian H. on Dec 15, 2018 22:03:46 GMT
Thank you! I just got the white undersides painted too so we are getting there.
Regards,
Ian
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Post by Boots on Dec 15, 2018 22:09:45 GMT
To be honest Ian what i know about aircraft you could write on the back of a postage stamp.....and a small one at that!!, however i can see and read and appreciate the work that goes into getting it right....i wouldn`t have a scooby where to start on somat like this......hats off to ya sir
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Post by Ian H. on Dec 15, 2018 22:16:29 GMT
To be honest Ian what i know about aircraft you could write on the back of a postage stamp.....and a small one at that!!, however i can see and read and appreciate the work that goes into getting it right....i wouldn`t have a scooby where to start on somat like this......hats off to ya sir Thanks!.......most of my help comes from books and the internet as far as research goes as I am certainly no expert. I just wish Hobbyboss had thought to do some research themselves before they released this thing. And normally I could care less about dimensions and small errors in kits because we really are in the Golden Age of the hobby and there are truly great models coming out.....but damn, they FUBAR'ed this thing. Thanks for stopping in. Regards, Ian |
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Post by Boots on Dec 15, 2018 22:32:45 GMT
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Post by SteveM on Dec 15, 2018 23:03:05 GMT
Great to see you have the skills to pull this off the ‘ modelling way ‘ and not just purchase an armful of resin corrections! Top camo too BTW |
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