1:48 F-22 Raptor from Hasegawa

[qeialto]

Hi all,
I must admit that this is the end of a real nightmare. I got the very nice kit from Paul and I started assembling it right away.

But it proved to be simply too much for my little capabilities. The model as such is good, some fitting issues here and there and the assembly of the different missile bays came out to be really stressful to me...

For some reasons the painting was changing frame and colour after a couple of days and I'd to repaint a couple of times.

In a nutshell, again, a nightmare...

Now it's over, I'm glad about it!

Comments and feedbacks are as always more than welcome.
Cheers,
Antonio

[Hawkins6685]

Yeah I'm doing the revell f22 raptor at moment. But I have to say I've lost heart with it as well and if it wasn't for the fact that I promised my son he could have it when finished I would probably have shelved it by now. But yours came out great mate so hopefully when I get round to mine it will be ok in the end lol.

[timtamtung]

I think the reason was probably because the f22 is just a boring plane in general. Doesn't look nice, boring scheme... etc.... I did it in 1/144 and I was bored. Yours does come out nice!

[chief5437]

Boring?! I like it. Cool paint job, with a weird gloss/Matt finish, a s*!t ton of missiles in three bays, interesting nozzles. Just a load of stuff that's different to a normal jet build. IMO of course.

Nice work buddy, looks great!

[Bissyboat]

Nice one.

[JediBoer]

Stunning paint job mate! Excellent detail in the intakes!

[qeialto]

Thanks all.
It was not really boring but very difficult to me. The end result I like, it's a really huge bird and my son it's really proud about it.
Cheers
Antonio

[hockeyfan2013]

Nice job I have this exact same kit and I also plan to mark it in the markings of the 49th Fighter Wing. Once again nice job.

[countzero99uk]

Very nice Really nice photos as well Get a real good feel of the plane from them Must have taken a long time to decal it .

[Homerlovesbeer]

Hmm I've got this kit in the stash and am keen to build it however I'm not so sure now after what you are saying!

Yours looks great. Do u have a build thread so I can see the problems you had?

[qeialto]

Hmm I've got this kit in the stash and am keen to build it however I'm not so sure now after what you are saying!

Yours looks great. Do u have a build thread so I can see the problems you had?

Hi,
Thanks for the compliments. Overall I'm satisfied, it's like the same feeling you can have after 150 km on bicycle or a marathon (I've done both many times...). Rewarding but really painful during the run....
Unfortunately I'm not used to write build thread. But I can summarise.
I'd big big problems with the side missile bays. Either the instructions are wrong or I misinterpreted I could not manage to build them open as the side covers could not fit to the bays. So I decided to remove the parts already mounted and build them closed (other parts) but then I'd big issues with the fitting. All was already painted and coated (poor decision as in the initial dry fitting of the "open" approach everything looked ok). Now at a close look the fitting issue is very visible.
The other big problem has been to insert the canopy at the very end, with the HUD and some additional part to be mounted at the very end of the instruction booklet.

Minor problems with the landing gears due to the small size of some parts, but over there I'm sure that is due to my skills.

Fuselage fitting is generally good, especially thanks to the different pins you have to insert, makes the whole structure very solid. I've read some reviews of another model (I think accademy or Revell) that claims that the structure is very weak. Given the size of the bird it makes very much sense.
I only has a minor issue with the right engine intake, had to put some putty, but a very small gap.

Decals also require some special attention.

Cheers,
Antonio

[Homerlovesbeer]

Thanks Antonio, I'll keep this is mind when I have a crack at my F22. What's your next build going to be?

[qeialto]

Hi,
I'm now doing some tests on https://www.scalemates.com/kits/107353- ... 0e-warhawk.

I've purchased the Vallejo primer (to replace the expensive Tamiya cans), I'd like to test the satin varnish and some chipping techniques that I've seen on youtube.
Basically an easy and relaxing time before going into the next big guy (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/101400- ... e-intruder).

It will be either or

Cheers Mate!