S-3B Viking finally finished

It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally finished. I actually started this project back in 2006 but with the amount of work it was going to need I soon got bored and the project stalled until the middle of last year when I felt the need to finish it. So here it is,

S-3 Viking

I’m in the middle of doing the panel lines using Migs Panel Line Wash. I got a couple to see what the fuss is all about but actually I’m quite pleased with the results so far; After the washes are done the model will be matt varnished and I can move onto more weathering. Getting

S-3 Viking

As you will recall I had some issues with the large decals breaking on the fin and upper fuselage walkway. The lightning bolt decal was more problematical as the black fin showed through in places plus it would’nt conform to the top (which I knew would be an issue).To seal the decal I sprayed the

S-3 Viking; Decals are on

I’ve managed to get the decals on the model yesterday evening and this morning and even these decided to put up a fight. The smaller decals were OK to apply (apart from folding up on themselves a few times) but the main decals for the fin and upper fuselage broke into a couple or more

S-3 Viking painted

Today I got the model painted totally, all it needs next is a coat of gloss varnish ready for the decalling and weathering; After spraying the model with Mr Hobby H308 (FS 36375) it was lightened with white and sprayed with a random mottle pattern in between the panel lines. The two panels behind the

S-3 Viking

By the Power of Greyskull the thing is built! The various blade aerials found on the machine will be added after painting as they will only get knocked off when the model is handled plus the pile of bits to the side will be painted seperately and added later; The model will now be washed

S-3 Viking

Time to get this thing nearer the finishing post so the bang seats were fixed into place and the canopy glued on; The actual fit of the canopy is’nt brilliant and it had a tendency to pull in at the bottom either side so small shims of plastic strip were glued to the cockpit bulkhead

S-3 Viking

I bet you all thought I’d forgotten about this did’nt you? I’ve had a rest from the bench for a week or so but last night I was looking at those damned sonobuoy tubes and come up with this solution; I drilled out the holes in the fuselage and inserted short lengths of 2.5mm (outside

S-3 Viking

When I fitted the Wolfpack inner wings there was a slight step between them and the wing roots on the fuselage so after some filling and sanding they look a bit more acceptable. The engraved panel lines did’nt quite match between the resin wings and fuselage so the upshot of all the sanding was their

S-3 Viking

I’ve had enough of detailing the main gear bays and it’s time to get moving with this build so tonight I’ve started to glue the inner Wolfpack wings to the fuselage. As they are quite a big chunk of resin I’m using a two-part epoxy resin glue for strength as for something this heavy I