Subject: Re: F-35 Artical
From: "Steve Bamford ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "The Williamson's" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 21:53:03 -0700

Hi Joe,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks for sending it in.   

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com
 
Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: The Williamson's 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Cc: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 11:47 PM
  Subject: F-35 Artical

  Gallery Template #08

  "1:48 Panda F-35" 

  by "Joe Williamson"
  --------------------

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  This is the 1:48 Panda F-35 Joint Strike Fighter built straight from the box with a few exceptions. I would say that this kit is about 90% excellent (especially for $28 Canadian). The fit was great and everything went together easily. The only thing lacking was the cockpit. For the most part, I scavenged and scratch-built the cockpit. The kit's instrument panel was replaced with a touch screen panel. I found a screen capture from some JSF computer game and shrunk it down to proper size. I then glued it to a sheet of clear plastic (for strength and shine) and cut it to size. I also built the control sticks from various sizes of stretched sprue and lots of super glue. The kit ejection sheet was rebuilt with parts from the kit seat and an old Revell F-14 seat. I also added masking tape for the belts and various bits of wire and stretched sprue to finish off the seat.

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  After assembly, I painted all the panel lines black for pre-shading. I then painted the underside MM Light Gray, the front MM Aggressor Gray and the back half Gunship Gray lighted a bit with White. After the paint was well cured, I gave the model several coats of Future and let dry. I applied the kit decals and a couple more coats of Future. The kit decals went on easy and settled down nicely with a bit of Microsol. I then applied a wash of Black and Burnt Umber (about 50/50 mix and diluted with 90% thinner) Oil paint. The final step was to seal everything up with a couple coats of MM Flat Clear Coat.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  As I said above, this is a rather good kit and with a little bit of effort it can be a great kit. For me, the big thing was that the fit was excellent (with no filler needed) and there were nicely recessed panel lines.

  This is my first submission to ARC so I hope you enjoy. Now that I have a new digital camera (that takes excellent pictures) I plan on many more articles in the future.

  JOE

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  Photos and text © 2004 by "Joe Williamson"