1/48 Hobbyboss Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star

Gallery Article by Eric Hargett on Nov 27 2019

 

      

My kit represents F-80C (#49-748) 'Beer City Special/Miss BB II' of the 36th Fighter Bomber Squadron/8th Fighter Bomber Group based at Suwon, South Korea in 1952. 

Click on images below to see larger images

I used the 1/48 Hobbyboss F-80C kit (#81725) along with the F-80 interior photoetch set from Eduard (#49685). Markings came from AeroMaster Decals 'Shooting Stars over Korea Pt. III' (#48658).

I wanted this kit to have a finish that best represented the weathered oxidized metal of USAF Korean War aircraft. What I ended up implementing was a modified version of 'Bare Metal Variance', a technique originally developed at doogsmodels.com. I began with a primer coat of Gunze IJN Gray followed by a second primer of Mr. Metal Color Chrome Silver. To create a weathered bare-metal finish, a marble coat of Engine Gray and Neutral Gray was applied randomly while referencing historical photos of F-80Cs during the Korean War. The oxidized look is then achieved by misting various Alclad II lacquers (Airframe Aluminum, High Speed Silver, Aluminum, Duraluminum, White Aluminum) within select panels as well as over the entire aircraft. After a light mist of Future, oil washes of raw umber mixed with flat black were used to enhance weathering. Everything was sealed with a 60/40 mix of acrylic semi-gloss and thinner.

Enjoy!

Eric Hargett

Click on images below to see larger images

 

Photos and text © by Eric Hargett