Academy F117A Night Hawk in 1/72 scale by The Inner Nerd

Instructional time lapse video of the full build, painting and weathering of the 1/72 scale Lockheed Martin F117A Night Hawk by Academy in 1/72 scale as shown by The Inner Nerd

The first part of this video shows the use of Photo Etched parts and scratch building techniques to detail hydraulic pipes and electrical cables professionally and cheaply around both the cockpit and wheel bays. Locitite 406 CA superglue is used in this process combined with CA superglue accelerator/activator to join the two dissimilar materials. Also used are details from CMK and Aires for the cockpit and wheel/bomb bays to add a higher accuracy and scale presentation.

The second part shows surface preparation techniques such as filling panel gaps and seams with Deluxe Materials Perfect Plastic Putty modelling filler/putty and sanding them smooth to get a seamless join between parts using a range of sand papers from 800, 1200, 2000, and 3000p dpi grit papers. Also Black Basing techniques are included in this section using Mr Hobby "Mr Surfacer 1000, 1200 & 1500 Finishing Surfacer" thinned with cellulose lacquer thinners to prime the surface ready for painting, sprayed through an airbrush using Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Solo Needle/Nozzle: 0.15mm with Badger 1100 with AntiPulsation Tank Working Pressure 22psi (1.51bar).

The third part of the video demonstrates the BLACKBASING technique used to achieve a preweathered look and surface texture replicating that of an aged and worn aircraft. Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline is used with Badger 1100 with AntiPulsation Tank Working Pressure 22psi (1.51bar). Also included in this section is the Engine Exhaust painting using Alclad 2 Lacquers (Airframe Aluminium, Aluminium, Steel, Jet Exhaust, Copper & Pale Burnt Metal) and Tamiya clear paints to create a burnt metal effect. 3 layers of Mr Color Gx100 Superclear III seal the decals in. This can be decanted and sprayed through an airbrush such as the Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Solo or sprayed directly from the aerosol spray rattle can.

Decals follow painting with the aid of Mr Hobby Mr Mark Setter & Softer products. These products allow the decal to form to the shapes and panel lines of the surface which you can see in the video.

Next is the weathering of the model. This is started using Abteilung 502 & Winsor & Newton oil paints thinned with white spirit to a wash consistency. Then used as a panel line wash the oil is applied across the model to achieve a dirty, grimey & worn look. Further weathering including Unthinned Abteilung 502 Oil Paints to create streaking and water marks, along with AK Interactive weathering Pigments (Gun Metal, Russian Earth, Europe Earth, Medium Rust and Pigment Fixer, Worn Effects, Dark Streaking Grime Rainmark Effects) concludes weathering.

The final part of the video explains the final assembly of small parts including landing gear, lights, antennas and canopy fitment as the model nears completion. All final assembly is completed with Loctite 406 CA superglue.
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Items Used Airbrush: Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline Solo
Needle/Nozzle: 0.15mm
Compressor: Badger 1100 with AntiPulsation Tank
Working Pressure 22psi (1.51bar)
Paint: Mr Hobby Mr Surfacer 1000, Mr Hobby Mr Surfacer 1200 & Mr Hobby Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 thinned with cellulose lacquer thinner Tamiya Acrylics thinned with Tamiya X20A Thinner Mr Hobby Aqueous Abteilung 502 Oils – Black / Industrial Earth / Olive Green Winsor & Newton Oils – Yellow Ochre / Raw Umber / Burnt Sienna / White AK Interactive Pigments Gun Metal, Europe Earth, Russian Earth, Medium Rust, Pigment Fixer Vallejo Masking Fluid Winsor & Newton UV Cut Matte Enamel Varnish
Brushes: Pure Sable Brush Various Sizes
Glue: Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Tamiya Poly Cement Revell Contacta Professional Loctite 406 CA Superglue
Sanding: 3M 600p / 800p / 1200p / 2000p / 3000p sheets & sponges Tamiya Polishing Compounds (Course, Fine & Finish)