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how much was that thing?

The only thing here I could critisize would be the pics' focus. So damn beautiful, so impossible to fully appreciate...

I'm no fan of IG, but that is just incredible!

I really like it, it's so wonderfully understated and catches the essence of the prototype beautifully, nowhere near as brash as most 40K projects you see.

Great work so far, however I'd like to offer one bit of insight as a current active-duty F-15 "Crew Chief", in the interest of realism. Please bear in mind these insights are from a USAF perspective, so may differ from references and information you've seen from navy aircraft carriers.

In your photos circa Feb 5th, you show what appears to be what the navy would call an aircraft handler in front of the aircraft, with his hands raised in a marshalling position. While that in itself looks sufficiently decent, there's some other aspects of the scene that clash with that marshaller's existence. For example, you show maintenance work being actively performed immediately behind the left engine - if the engine were operational, that mechanic would be long dead of either asphyxiation from the exhaust, or simply burned to a crisp.

While it's possible to taxi an aircraft on one engine (we do it all the time), the aircraft would be moving - which would prevent the maintainer from reaching that compartment with his maintenance stand, and would prevent the ladder propped against the other wing from staying in place for very long.

My conclusion (Albeit a long winded one) is that the marshaller, while well represented, is not necessary based on elements from the remains of the scene. From my experiences in the USAF at least, we only require a marshaller when the aircraft is actively moving (or about to move, unchocked with no other personnel present), which in this case yours is clearly not.

Aside from my nitpicking that detail, your scene is very coherent and I love what you've done! Keep up the great work!

Thanks Joatmon,

I know what you mean, actually It's something I considered after I had already started the modelling. Orginally I planned it to be launching, then I decided I wanted the crew to be preping the aircraft.

I had imagined it as the Marshal still being in place after the craft had come to a stop, and still being there while the other crewmen ran to the engines etc for maintenance work and refuling etc.

Then I considered him being in a position getting ready waiting for the craft to start moving... as it's preparing to leave...

Still it's been bugging me, as since you point out it's not really correct.

What would you suggest as a possible role for that crewman? I'm no Navy expert so I'm not entirely sure what function he could have without having to completely remodel him.

Thanks to everyone else for the feedback. I total agree with the comments about the camera. It really was poor quality and the focus was a real drag! I'll put some more photos up soon.

As to price the Thunderbolt itself cost £75 from Forgeworld. The rest of the diorama is made up of Tamiya scale model components, Forgeworld Elysian parts, and regular household materials.

Hmm. I'm not really sure where else to fit him in... unless you can find a way for him to perhaps look like he's also doing maintenance, perhaps holding something up? I don't really know. I'd hate to recommend that you remove him entirely, after already putting him together!

Question though, do you have the panels opened in such a way that they can be closed? If you can close up the aircraft and make it flight-ready, he *could* still have a use as a marshaller in sort of an alternate diorama setup... Though one additional comment in that regard - a lesson learned very early in the life of a flightline airman in the air force is to pay attention to where the exhaust of a jet will be pointed when it moves - at idle, an F-15's exhaust has enough velocity to knock a man over (if it weren't so hot he couldn't stand in it) so anything "behind" the jet that isn't bolted down will be easily blown away when the engines are running...

Finally some better quality photos:

Cockpit and upper hull













Wings










Belly

Gorgeous weathering, awesome stencilling -- masterpiece.

sA

if you keep that up, this has to win something, how tough is the open contest in the UK? very very tough I assume

Thanks guys!

I'm also working on a WW2 Scale Model diorama right now as a gift for a relative, so inbetween this one I have a chance to keep busy on that while different stages dry.

The WW2 peice is a Soviet T34-76 Tank with Russian Infantry riding the Tank and running alongside it in a battlefield scene. I'm actually considering putting a blog on that up here too. It's not really Sci-Fi or 40K, but people may find it interesting all the same and all the painting techniques are universal for any models.

Can you post a pic up?

Sounds good!

Hi Tallmantim

I'll go one better and start a new Blog!

This is a great diorama i especially like the weathering you did good job mate keep it up.

Just a quick update photo of the pilot:

Those better pics really show what could be guessed to be there, it's really good looking plane. The weathering and blending of oils is really nice for the most parts. There are some rough areas showing in couple of the pics, but you can blend them in.

The pilot is also looking good, some wear coming to his gear to tie him to the rest of the scene?

Keep us posted on the progress!

You inproved the focu! And it is...

Breathtaking.

Very nice job. Especially great work on the weathering!

It kind of looks like something from the original Star Wars trilogy with all the scorch marks.

I like the the way it looks. looks like it was made by a machine.

Wow, I liked it with the crappy pics, with the new ones my mind has just been blown out of my head. That is some incredible work. Inspirational even, I can't wait to begin using these more advanced FW techniques on my Reaver.

Thanks Metsuri, Yeah I know what you mean. There are some parts especially under the engines on the underside that need more blending and tidying up.

I'm still experimenting with the techniques so it's been a real learning experience, but I feel much happier with the results as I've practiced them more. I feel already that I've learnt alot for my next project the WW2 Diorama.

@ Paul, Balance, jabbakahut thanks guys! I'll try to make it even better before its finished.

@ Kharndude, thanks I was trying to get the whole mass production feeling on the plane. So I'm glad that noticed.

Wow! What a difference between the old camera and the new. Everything I thought might have been there in the old shots jumps right out in the new ones.

Excellent work on the stress leaks bleeding down the wings/fuselage... and the stains from the jet wash are a pretty great touch as well. They're really in scale with the model - they're strong but they don't overpower it. I feel like I'm looking at a well used aircraft instead of at a bunch of weathering techniques.

Subtle with a capital B. Keep up the good work!

It is a gorgeous piece of work.
The only thing I would have done different was use standard uniform colors(khakis, olive drabs, etc) on the ground crew and have their role as crew marked out on the helmet.

But still.
It's gorgeous and I am jealous :(

Great to see all your progress on this model and the techniques. It's still a great inspiration for newbie's to them (I've just got myself an airbrush and compressor so going to play around soon!).

Cheers

Man, the updates were worth waiting for. Your work is fantastic, especially painting in realistic details such as the beautifully rendered weathering effects. Great work again.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

It is beautiful. I'm off to check on the russians!!

It's really nice can't wait to see it done. How about have the marshal gesturing to another plane out of the model?

Thanks Llamahead, actually thats a really good suggestion too. Directing craft "off camera" so to speak might work.

I'll play around with things on that tonight.

Another thought, now that I'm back at work and submersed in that lifestyle again - we also marshal fuel trucks using pretty much the same signals... as well as default to those signals when assisting someone move large ground equipment around the aircraft so they don't put a hole in the skin...

he could have many uses =)


(Edit: keen eyes might have noticed the change in my location flag... not my choice, or I'd leave it US... I'm sad to report that I'm actually stationed in Okinawa, Japan... was home on leave when I signed up...)

Hi Joatmon, thanks for the suggestions much appreciated. I'll play around with some ideas.

Wow over in Japan huh? I hope things go well for you there and that you get a chance to experience the country a little. It's a fascinating place.