NOBLE EAGLE Viper Finished

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:13

Well hear it is I am open to any critiques, and tips for futrue kits to I have 2 more viper waitng, this is my first model in over 11 years and I know its hand painted havent quite figured out the Airbrush or the Futre tricks yet. Thanks for you Input. Eugene.

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:15

Lt side

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:16

Pic of the tail and pipe

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:17

Tail pipe not as good as Habu's but how close is the Band on the can?

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:19

Rt side

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:20

Rt wing Load

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:21

Nose pic

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 14 Oct 2005, 22:22

Tired to get the letters even but free hand is hard.

Taco44 · by **Taco44** » 19 Oct 2005, 02:24

Looks good. Can't wait to see a NM bird though. If you need anymore help, let me know. Thanks again for the t-shirt.

Habu · by **Habu** » 19 Oct 2005, 22:19

WOW! This is the first time I've seen decals I've designed on another build! Thanks!

First of all, for the first project in 11 years, I commend you. Especially for doing the FOD cover on the intake. Many people wouldn't have tried that their first go around! So you have nothing to be ashamed of.
Now for the nit-picks....
Looks great for being hand painted, but you gotta invest in an airbrush sometime, it's very well worth it. I suggest the Paasche H. It's a rock solid and cheap single-action airbrush.
Tanks...those fins haven't been sharp edged since the very first days of the Viper. Takes seconds to shave off 1/8" of the edge to give it a flat edge.
Wing RWR-the 'beer can' RWRs are missing. All the CA birds have them now.
Scab plates-the two 'lawnmower blade' plates are missing near the tailbase. All CA jets have these now.
Loadout-The AIM-9s would be carried underwing only. The AIM-120s go on the wintip rails, which also need the LAU-129 launchers. I realize you may not have used the CJ kit, which includes both the RWRs and LAU-129 rails.
One of the few shortcomings of the Hase kit is if you glue the wings flush, pllastic-to-plastic, you end up with a slight 1 or 2 degree anhedral. What I do is glue the wings on with the requisite 0 degree anhedral and fill the gap below the wing. Again, not a big deal, just for future reference.

So keep it up! They only get better from here!

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 19 Oct 2005, 23:15

thanks. I saw your plane as I just started mine so I decided to do the other plane, this kit was the academy block 32 kit it didnt really go togheter well at all, as for the cover i thouht it would be cool, i looked far and wide for a 144th decal or an air national guard decal to go in the middle, but oh well, i wish it came with a smoke canopy to hide the decal cockpit i hate that, and i just couldn't figure out the engine can, i think i got the band close but maybe to light, but i just got some alclad to try on my test bird, and i just bought a an aztek airbrush so we will see an the hornet im doing befor my next to vipers block 30's. thanks for the critique,

Habu · by **Habu** » 19 Oct 2005, 23:56

What, wait, this is the Academy kit??!!?? Haha, I should have noticed. But Academy did use the Hase kit as reference, so the same mistakes were repeated, and then some. Btw...what did you make the FOD cover with?

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 20 Oct 2005, 00:09

Habu · by **Habu** » 20 Oct 2005, 00:14

Oh man...I wish I'd have gotten to you sooner about an airbrush recommendation. I absolutely, positively, 110% HATE Azteks! I recommend anything BUT an Aztek! They're the devil!
Ok, rant over

As for the smoked canopy, I haven't tried it yet, but I do have the new Tamiya TS smoke color spray. I think that should work.

ThunderGrunt · by **ThunderGrunt** » 20 Oct 2005, 03:16

I orderd it thru my hobbie store here in San Diego it is by steel beach, I have 2 more for the largemouths i have.