Frank Steffens Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 (edited) My wife got me this kit for father's day...she was really disappointed when she found out I already had two of them. I wanted to do something special with it, so I decided to build it as if its a United States Marine Corps sponsored match racer. I made up some decals for it in Paint Shop Pro, and printed them out. I wanted the decals to be kinda like the "lo-vis" line jets, but repurposed for a car that would essentially be used as a recruiting tool if it really existed. Here's the decal art (the image is compressed into a jpeg, so it has lost resolution): I had previously built a model of the Marine Corps' "Black Knights" Squadron's (VMFA-314) Boss Bird in digital camouflage. The real F/A-18C was painted as a tribute to the new MARPAT camouflage pattern that is used on the Marine's fatigues, only it uses varying shades of gray. Here's a couple of pics of the 1/72 model: So I started by cleaning up the body and painting it Model Master Dark Gull Gray, then I cut up pieces of masking tape that will be the "pixels" in the digital camouflage pattern, and arranged them in a random pattern over the body...here's what it looked like waiting for the next color, Medium Gray: And after the Medium Gray (kinda hard to tell the difference): Next up will be Dark Ghost Gray, then more masking, and the final color, Light Ghost Gray. Then detail painting and the decals. It will have a semi-gloss finish. More photos coming soon.... Edited August 25, 2008 by Frank Steffens
Raul_Perez Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 That is just too freakin' cool!! I can't wait to see this one finished!!
JAFFA Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 Looking good! Ill be following this one, got any 1:1 pics?
Clay Posted July 4, 2008 Posted July 4, 2008 My wife got me this kit for father's day...she was really disappointed when she found out I already had two of them. I wanted to do something special with it, so I decided to build it as if its a United States Marine Corps sponsored match racer. I made up some decals for it in Paint Shop Pro, and printed them out. I wanted the decals to be kinda like the "lo-vis" line jets, but repurposed for a car that would essentially be used as a recruiting tool if it really existed. Here's the decal art (the image is compressed into a jpeg, so it has lost resolution): I had previously built a model of the Marine Corps' "Black Knights" Squadron's (VMFA-314) Boss Bird in digital camouflage. The real F/A-18C was painted as a tribute to the new MARPAT camouflage pattern that is used on the Marine's fatigues, only it uses varying shades of gray. Here's a couple of pics of the 1/72 model: So I started by cleaning up the body and painting it Model Master Dark Gull Gray, then I cut up pieces of masking tape that will be the "pixels" in the digital camouflage pattern, and arranged them in a random pattern over the body...here's what it looked like waiting for the next color, Medium Gray: And after the Medium Gray (kinda hard to tell the difference): Next up will be Dark Ghost Gray, then more masking, and the final color, Light Ghost Gray. Then detail painting and the decals. It will have a semi-gloss finish. More photos coming soon.... I am gonna have to follow this one and save it so I can try it. Nice work o far, and I LOVE IT. I was really disapppointed when the Marines dropped the NASCAR sponsorship and havent really seen any others that would take it on either. I am really happy to see this. If you want I can take a picture of my cammies and send it to you for a better reference pic if you dont have any.
Frank Steffens Posted July 5, 2008 Author Posted July 5, 2008 (edited) Looking good! Ill be following this one, got any 1:1 pics? Sure, here's a link: http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Marin...-18C/1337208/M/ I am gonna have to follow this one and save it so I can try it. Nice work so far, and I LOVE IT. I'm glad you like it so far Clay....here's some more pics with the camo painting done: Edited July 5, 2008 by Frank Steffens
Brian Fishburn Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 If you want I can take a picture of my cammies and send it to you for a better reference pic if you dont have any. I never knew you were a Marine, Clay. I slept really well last night, and I hold the corps responsible for it. A huge thanks to you and your brothers and sisters!
Clay Posted July 5, 2008 Posted July 5, 2008 I never knew you were a Marine, Clay. I slept really well last night, and I hold the corps responsible for it. A huge thanks to you and your brothers and sisters! Yep been one for 6 years the 23rd. And my body is feeling it And I thank you for your support.
Clay Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 I'm glad you like it so far Clay....here's some more pics with the camo painting done: Wow that looks awesome now that I can see the pictures. Keep it up!!
Raul_Perez Posted July 6, 2008 Posted July 6, 2008 That is just looking too freaking cool!! Keep up the GREAT work!!
Frank Steffens Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 (edited) More pics with the decals on: I'm gonna wait a couple of days for the decals to dry, then clear it with semigloss. I used Testor's decal sealer for the first time on the homemade decals, and it worked REALLY well. Previously, I had used Micro Decal Film, and the decals still chipped when applied. Not this time! Clay, do you notice the USMC reference in one of the sponsor decals? There's another USMC reference in the driver's name on the door: Lewis "Chesty" Puller...it's hard to see in that pic, but its there! Edited July 20, 2008 by Frank Steffens
Raul_Perez Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 That is just too freakin' cool!! Great job, Frank!!
MikeMc Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 That is just too freakin' cool!! Great job, Frank!! AAAH...........YEP....That does say it all..
Clay Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 More pics with the decals on: I'm gonna wait a couple of days for the decals to dry, then clear it with semigloss. I used Testor's decal sealer for the first time on the homemade decals, and it worked REALLY well. Previously, I had used Micro Decal Film, and the decals still chipped when applied. Not this time! Clay, do you notice the USMC reference in one of the sponsor decals? There's another USMC reference in the driver's name on the door: Lewis "Chesty" Puller...it's hard to see in that pic, but its there! Wow, I am speechless. THat is just awesome. I love it, all the decals, the historical references, all of it. Simply awesome!!!
diymirage Posted August 11, 2008 Posted August 11, 2008 looking good me likey any chance we could see the 1:1 for reference ?
Frank Steffens Posted August 11, 2008 Author Posted August 11, 2008 what happened with this one? any progress to report? Dave Not much progress of late. I finished up the body and I'm slowly working on the engine/chassis. I've gotta get some carbon fiber decals for the manifolds and valve covers, but I have just about everything else I need to keep going. More pics comin' soon! looking good me likey any chance we could see the 1:1 for reference ? Thanks! There is no 1:1 for this one. Its all in my crazy head!
Clay Posted August 11, 2008 Posted August 11, 2008 I am use to this, hurry up and wait is the Marine Corps motto I cant wait for it to be finished. Good luck on those kidney stones.
my80malibu Posted August 24, 2008 Posted August 24, 2008 That is simply Amazing Soldier!!!!!!!!!! keep up the good work. Thanks for your Service! Gabriel.
Frank Steffens Posted August 25, 2008 Author Posted August 25, 2008 (edited) any updates? i really love this build, it's awesome! Dave Funny you should mention it Dave! Yes I do...I started on the engine and chassis. I have most of the major painting done. I went with Tamiya TS-30 Silver Leaf for the sheet metal, and the roll cage and chassis is Tamiya TS-39 Mica Red over TS-30 Silver Leaf. The engine and tranny is a mixture of Testors Metallizers. It has MCG dominator carbs and a Detail Master distributor. The disc brakes up front are Detail Master rotors with MCG calipers. The rest is box stock. Here's some pics: (Yikes! I just looked at the carbs in that picture and they look crunchy! Funny, they don't look like that in reality!) That is simply Amazing Soldier!!!!!!!!!! keep up the good work. Thanks for your Service! Gabriel. Thanks for the compliment Gabriel! Unfortunately, health problems kept me out of the service, but I've always had a huge respect for those that serve our country, and in particular, the United States Marine Corps. I'm building this one to honor them, and hope to have it finished for the LIARS' (Long Island Auto Replica Society) Model Car Challenge on November 8th (two days before the Marine Corps' 288th birthday). Edited August 25, 2008 by Frank Steffens
Clay Posted August 25, 2008 Posted August 25, 2008 Still love it!!!!! Keep it coming!!! Maybe I can actually go and enjoy this years Ball.
jarheadndn Posted August 30, 2008 Posted August 30, 2008 Semper Fi Frank, love the car man!!!!!!! question, would you want to seel a couple sheets of decals??? i would pay whatever for them, as i cant make them myself and cant find anythang like them anywhere. holler at me man!!!
gary westervelt Posted August 30, 2008 Posted August 30, 2008 Love the build Frank.Keep up the great work.
Frank Steffens Posted August 30, 2008 Author Posted August 30, 2008 Thanks for the kind words guys! Semper Fi Frank, love the car man!!!!!!! question, would you want to seel a couple sheets of decals??? i would pay whatever for them, as i cant make them myself and cant find anythang like them anywhere. holler at me man!!! PM inbound
abedooley Posted August 30, 2008 Posted August 30, 2008 That is just AWESOME!!! I have this kit too and I've been wondering what to do with it. I ran across this pic and LOVE the color, but I don't know what would come close to it. Can anyone help??
ajulia Posted August 30, 2008 Posted August 30, 2008 Hola amigo!!! This sportsman's the heavy duty business and this would make any american feel good I mean look at it..... The choice of subject is a dead give away for a brute pavement beater and the decals at least thats what i thought they were... ( awesome take on camo) by the way but the class this build is' shes a champ fer sure fella and keep on wit the keepin on!! peace ajulia
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