FG2Si

A nice assortment there Paul. I see you buy paint the way I do. Carl

Amazing build and some great inspiration for my own FW. Carl

I managed to get a copy of the XS conversion last year. It looks pretty good in the box and is designed for use with the Trumpeter kit. I'm planning to use it on a Tamiya -1D kit when I get around to it. I keep hoping someone like Halberd or Laminar Flow would do one as it seems like something that would fit into their portfolio nicely. Carl

Yes they're 1/32.

So far, they're very comparable. The ZM details are a bit more refined compared to the Revell but the fit on both has been very good. I'm really happy about that with the Revell kit as their 262 had some fit challenges.

I managed to get the seats out of both cockpits and fixed the belt placement. I was happy that I don't break the buckles as the Wako ones are plastic rather than PE. Back into their respective cockpits.

Thanks Jeroen, that's what I thought but the Eduard instructions showed them on the inside. I'll see if I can figure something out.

I've made some progress on the FWs. I finally installed the pedals into the Revell cockpit. I have the Eduard Brassin' set but the tub was too small. With the pedals done, I installed the cockpit and closed up the fuselage. The wings went on next. I then made up 2 sets of belts. I used a set from Wako. I'm not sure if they're still around or not but I find these to be the easiest to put together. Lap belts attached to the seat. Installed into the ZM cockpit.

These were started a little while back. They then got lost on my bench while I worked on whatever had my fleeting attention. So, having finished the F-16 my bench is ready to get these done. The ZM kit is much further along with the cockpit done, fuselage closed up and the majority of the wings completed as well as the engine. The Revell one has the wings started, the fuselage halves together, and the engine mostly complete.

I like the proportions that were used. It's not too egg shaped. Joycraft does a larger versions as well which I'm tempted to get. It comes in the same Polish/Greek option or as an Israeli Sufa with corresponding detail changes.

The F-16 is finally done. The canopy was installed and that was it. That was a great kit and it bodes well for the forthcoming CT-114 Tutor later this year.

Thanks Paul!

There's always something at the end. I re did the clear on the front canopy but it wicked up some staining from the tray it was in. Close up of the stains. So I broke out the backup, polished it and gave it a dip. Now it's drying. Otherwise, I'm almost done.

Okay, so after Sleeping Beauty woke up and left I was able to get the decals finished. I also installed the underwing stores. I then polished and dipped the rear canopy. Joy Craft gives you two sets of 3D printed clear sections. I used a Godhand sanding sponge set and a dip in Looks Like Glass to get it clear. Final assembly should be the next step once the canopy is dry.

Trying to get some stuff done but Sunny decided to hop in my lap and promptly fall asleep. Will have to try again in a bit when he wakes up.

That's a great looking figure Paul!

IPs are installed in the Viper. Of course it was at this point that I noticed there were decals for some of the instruments. Oh well. Seats in. Onto decals for the fuselage now.

My first attempt at the IPs was a mess so I started over. The second try was much better. I've started on the decals. They're by Cartograf which is nice. I started with the missiles.

Nice work there Rob. It's probably a good thing it's not functional as it looks so delicate.

It certainly is the best detailed I've come across. This is the same company that is doing the Snowbirds Tutor later this year.

It's a long weekend here in the Great White North so I spent some time at the bench working on the F-16. The cockpit goes together a bit differently from usual. Side consoles. Since the fuselage is one piece, I left them out until now. I also masked and painted the intake lip. Lastly, it's been a lot of detail painting with a brush. I think I really should get a hand rest as it wasn't easy to keep my hand steady using a brush. Nothing new with the shaking, that's been happening since I was a teen, more the hand fatigue.

Somehow mine still has clear space on it. I'm making progress on the F-16. Burner can is done. MLG is one piece. Gear bay, legs and wheels are attached to the fuselage as a single unit. You can see them here prior to paint. The same goes for the NLG. I painted and installed both.

Thanks Paul! Can't hide my bench anywhere. I've gone by this forum name on here since I originally signed up.

Congrats on completing your journey to the dark side Rob! 😆 It looks fantastic with the full lighting kit. Now I know what I've got to look forward to. I've also got the 1/100 Master Grade version but it's in Full Armour mode with extra weapons, boosters and shields. Carl

Nice Y-Wing! I built the same kit a few years ago. It's a really nice kit that got overshadowed by the more recent Bandai version. Carl