The Little World

I tips me lid to the artist who painted this Republic RF-84F Thunderflash on the kit box. His rendition proved to be the most helpful reference I could find for this aircraft.

I find colour call-outs fun to look at as snapshots of what one might make from the box. But I still want other internet, magazine, book, or video material to confirm what the artist has laid down. It’s not that I am super-critical, but I’ve seen artistic licences before and some of them looked forged…

This is a milestone for me – the first West German plane I’ve modelled. And the first extensive use of modified panels on a metallic finish. I’m really quite pleased with the way it has come out; in this case building a model strictly OOTB.

While the Sword decals were applied onto the plane using the old soak and rest method, they nevertheless came out very well. Unlike some people, I am never loath to apply decals for things such as wing walks and wing panels. I know they could be airbrushed, but the risk of mask creep or bleed makes the decal more attractive.

But I’m not mad enough to apply a decal to a pitot tube . That’s paint.

And even without panel washes and dirtying-up, I think it makes a pretty good Cold War airplane.