1/48 Hobbyboss General Dynamics F-111A

Gallery Article by Philipp on May 24 2013

 

 

Hey guys this is my F-111A by Hobbyboss.  A really huge kit, well detailed and almost everywhere a perfect fit.  The weapons that came with the bomber is a kit of its own and provides you with various bombs, even JDAM´s!  Also, the kit comes with many parts that aren't needed for the A-Version.  My personal highlight was the PaveTack Pod inclusive clear parts and fitted bomb bay doors!

 

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Back to the kit.  I used the ALQ-87, 12 Mk.83 Snakeye and 12 Mk.83 Low Drag bombs from the Hasegawa Weapons Sets.  The decals came from the kit, except of the TAC emblems.

Further modifications were made at the front wheel bay.  I added wires to represent wiring and hydraulic hoses.  In the cockpit area I added scratchbuilt seatbelts and oxygen hoses to the seats.  Also, I modified the front canopy piece because it is too high and too steep in compare to the original.  On the two canopy halves I added the opening latches that give this characteristic look when looked at the front,  also I added some wiring at the top console in between the two canopy pieces.

Next area that needed attention were the intakes.  I added the little leading edges in the intake that the A-Version had.  The biggest piece of work came in the bomb bay.  The kit doesn't provide you with the option of the M61-Vulcan installation the early A-Models carried.  I needed all my skills and patience to get the modified bomb bay door and the gun installation in shape...and still there is plenty room for improvement.

Also there are parts to add the ALQ-87 behind the M61 fairing, but those parts aren't in the construction.  You have to search the internet, also for the position of the second ALQ-87 behind the rear "fins" on the lower fuselage.  No holes in the fuselage or anything noted in the sheet.

Painting was made with Tamiya black for the underside and the nose.  The SEA scheme is a mix of different Revell colors to get a close match to the look of the original.  The engine nozzles were painted with different Metalizer Colors.

Various layers of lightened and darkened clear coat were spayed on to give it a little shaggy look.  Weathering was made with acrylic colors and the Tamiya weathering set.

Hope you like the Pictures.

Greetings from Germany.

Philipp

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Photos and text © by Philipp