International Scale Modeller

Hey BigWall and Tomcat, thank you very much!

One more step forward, OK perhaps a couple more steps.......

1) I think I mentioned this much earlier in the build, but this kit has raised panel lines (RPL). I thought that since it was 1/72 it not a major issue (not as if it were 1/32). So there are no recessed panel lines and no rivets, fabric, or anything but those RPL's. When I was assembling the kit in order to clean up the seams some of the RPL's were removed. Perhaps a better modeler would've kept them while cleaning up the seams (?). Since I am not a fan of RPL anyway, regardless of scale, I was not worried. Prior to the camouflage paint I sanded down most of them to a more acceptable small bump as they looked out of scale anyway.

So, how will I show the variation of panel lines in 1/72 without looking further out of scale? I decided not to pre-shade them by airbrushing over each RPL as that would be to large in 1/72. My solution was to use a straight edge and a extra fine lead pencil. Once I had them drawn I lightly airbrushed the same color over the lines but not to obscure them, but rather tone them down. Once again Jarrod got bored quickly watching me draw all the panel lines, but he did like using the airbrush to lay down the ghost spray over the top of them.

While it was drying we looked at more photos of the black paint treatment.

lazy ripple waves


tall even waves


erratic waves up into the cockpit glass


busy even waves:


So the next question is which style do we want on our aircraft? My choice was to merge a couple together. We are going for the lazy even ripple wave in front and something similar but a little busier in the rear.

Once the camouflage was dry we began masking the camouflage. Next was helping Jarrod spray black on the lower fuselage, lower wings, jet engines, and tail. Now we need to let it dry a day or two before we gloss coat it for decals. So, after several hours drawing panel lines, painting over them, masking, and painting the black, this is where we are at the end of the day...

Hopefully, if you stand on one leg, close the left eye, and tilt your head just right, you can see the panel lines in this picture. Oh, and sorry for the cluttered dirty hobby table. I'm getting a new cutting mat as that one is several years and many models old:



And here is a picture of some of the black camouflage. And yes, that is a very old Testers airbrush cleaning station behind the model; then no, there is nothing in the Sprite can except Sprite:



Well, not much more to do at the moment than wait, so we say good bye for now.

Ben and Jarrod

It just keeps getting better, lovely work you two

This is coming along so well! The camo looks great and I like the idea of the pencil panel lines. I'll have to file that one away for later use. Jarrod did a very nice job airbrushing! There's nothing at all wrong with a cluttered, well used work area. It just shows great minds are at work.

Lovely kit , you'v done a great job all round. I couldn't help wonder about the actual aircraft when I saw the top view. It looks like it is nose heavy and wouldn't fly well. No doubt my thoughts are all wrong cause it did fly for many years.

Loving Jarrod's work! Great stuff.
I'm sure you've contributed a bit, but this is Jarrods.

Jarrod and I have gotten the AC-119 gloss coated and have laid down the decals. I am very surprised with how few kit decals this model has. The whole set consists of only 4 insignias, 2 sets of tail numbers, 2 matching 3 digit numbers for the front landing gear doors, 1 broken line box and 2 different nose art 2"x3" total. The I looked at all the various pictures of the AC-119's and I was amazed to see that they really do not have many markings. I would say that this might be one of the least stenciled aircraft in the USAF inventory!









I need to mention that the aircraft with the white tail letters and USAF color shields are state-side training aircraft, not one assigned to any tactical or special operations unit. From the top there is little to no markings for walk ways and "No Step" areas, no markings on the wings for fuel fill locations on most AC-119 versions, etc. The only stencils I found on some photos are for the aircraft data up by the left side canopy, red warning stripes by the jet engines and on the fuselage for the props, and two small warning stencils by the radar domes. I was fortunate to have some decals in my spares to make these items up. Look close and you can see the red stencils mentioned above in the photo below:



In comparison, the civilian and USAF C-119 versions are loaded with markings, stencils and color:





I'm sure the lack of markings was due to the tactical night missions in which it was used. With all this said, I am still surprised by the lack of basic stencils on the AC-119. We are now ready to seal the decals with the gloss acrylic clear coat and then the flat finish over the three tone camouflage. I hope to show some images soon... till then.

Ben and Jarrod

Jarrod and I finally got the flat arylic laid down on the model, pulled the masking, added the little tid-bits, touch-up painted, chipped some of the surface, and added exhaust marks. Other than the painting the nav lights we are calling this DONE.



He is very proud of the result although I would call it a three footer.....















Thanks everyone for following us through the build. Now, what should I build next(?), I have a good idea. Until then here are some bonus photos of the real thing in action:







As always, your comments and critique are welcome.



Ben and Jarrod

Another great build there Ben but I think Jarrod's help as just kicked it into the top draw league

Exceptional, exceptional, exceptional! And, on top of a beautiful build, you've managed to give me an appreciation for the plane.