Custom F-22 ThunderCracker

[Gungho-joe]

Here is my second custom Decepticon F-22. I decided that since I used the original purple logo on Starscream that I wanted to go a different route with Thundercracker. I used dark/subdued logos on this time around (The back story I am working on to incorporate the Decepticons in my Joeverse will explain why Thundercracker has the dark look as opposed to Screamers overt purple logo) I took the helpful advice of much better customizers and taped off for the silver edges of the wings, the advice is and will always be welcomed. So here he is, the methodical and calculating member of the seekers: Thundercracker.

 

[pcsguy88]

That turned out really sharp.

 

[Gungho-joe]

Thanks. I havent tried my hand at customs due to being partially blind in my right eye and not having much feeling in my right hand (I had a stroke and 2 mini strokes that have played hell on the right side of my body). My 2 little boys love them, now they want Skywarp. He will make his appearance when my local TRU gets more in.

 

[xhairs]

your doing a great job matching them up.

 

[Wild weasel]

Looks Great. The only problem I can see is something that is almost standard with most metallic spray, the color builds up extremely uneven. It's not your problem, it's the paint What brand paint did you use? I would suggest use tamiya sprays for the metalics never had a problem with them. How'd you do the red trim? I hope you didn't paint that, becuase thats amazing if you did! It looks almost like the reflecors on a bike. Would you be willing to do me a favor and pm me the logos needed for the diferent transformers f-22s that you've got scanned?

 

[Gungho-joe]

Looks Great. The only problem I can see is something that is almost standard with most metallic spray, the color builds up extremely uneven. It's not your problem, it's the paint What brand paint did you use? I would suggest use tamiya sprays for the metalics never had a problem with them. How'd you do the red trim? I hope you didn't paint that, becuase thats amazing if you did! It looks almost like the reflecors on a bike. Would you be willing to do me a favor and pm me the logos needed for the diferent transformers f-22s that you've got scanned?

thanks for the tip about the paint, I used a blue metallic Krylon. I was worried that it wouldnt even dry and it is very uneven. I got the red trim from a sheet of contact paper I picked up at a craft shop. I was just going to use red paint but when I saw the paper I thought it would look alot better than just paint. I will absolutely send the logos to you, I will make sure that the Skywarp logo is in it to. When the wife gets home I will have her send them to you. I admit I am not very computer smart, thank goodness I have a wife that is a computer genius. If you have any suggestions for a metallic purple to use for Skywarp I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[MAJOR BLOOD]

That came out real sharp GJ! The metallic paint is a little uneven but that's a minor detail. Like WW said, it's a pain to work with. Now is this the beginning of all the transformer jets? I think they would look awesome in this scale and on that platform. Next True Heroes sale might be a good time to get ready for another round of customs. Keep up the good work.

 

[Wild weasel]

I was just looking at tamyias sprays and sadly they don't make a mettalic purple for plastic. They have a few purples but none that are sparkly

Heres 3 other colors that you could use, but you should prime the parts first and do a few light coats and let them sit for an hour or two before respraying. The first two may not be pink enough, and the last may be too pink:

Also, in the last link they show the wrong color, so look at prowler purple on google images


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHM01&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVJP4&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFLH8&P=7

 

[Gungho-joe]

That came out real sharp GJ! The metallic paint is a little uneven but that's a minor detail. Like WW said, it's a pain to work with. Now is this the beginning of all the transformer jets? I think they would look awesome in this scale and on that platform. Next True Heroes sale might be a good time to get ready for another round of customs. Keep up the good work.

Thanks. Oh yes I am hooked on painting Con jets. When my TRU gets another F-22 in then I am going to pick it up and do Skywarp. I am looking for another jet to do Dirge, Thrust and Ramjet, I want to do the next three with a different style jet. I am even thinking of doing Scourge, Cyclonus and Skyquake. Just depends on funds and space. I will be doing Skywarp and the other three for sure. I have also decided that I am going to try a G1 style Jetfire with a 30th ann. Skystriker.

 

[Wild weasel]

if the PTE su-27s or J-10's make it I think they would be good options to use. I would personally love to do the skywarp as an su-37(look at my avatar, su-27 with canards and a few other small mods, also think it has thrust vectoring). Another choice would be the f-18 from pte.

 

[Gungho-joe]

I was just looking at tamyias sprays and sadly they don't make a mettalic purple for plastic. They have a few purples but none that are sparkly

Heres 3 other colors that you could use, but you should prime the parts first and do a few light coats and let them sit for an hour or two before respraying. The first two may not be pink enough, and the last may be too pink:

Also, in the last link they show the wrong color, so look at prowler purple on google images


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHM01&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVJP4&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFLH8&P=7

Thanks for the help. I am not shy about asking for help or advice, I am new to the whole custom thing. I was even looking at different 1:18th scale tanks for a possible Shockwave. I appreciate the links.

 

[Wild weasel]

no problem!

 

[Monkeywrench]

Looks awesome!

I still like your Starscream better but you did a great job

 

[bar]

Great work on this one. I liked Starscream, but i LOVE this one.
If i might offer a bit of advice, RE: the painting(And the comments about it being uneven).
I use a little trick to dry my paints from a rattlecan(And even brushpainting), and i use a hairdryer.
When painting with a rattlecan, you heat the part for a few minutes until it's comfortably warm, then lightly add a coat of your primer(Depending what the final colour is, will determine the colour of the primer you use of course).
When you have a light coat on the item, use the hairdryer to fully cure the paint. You will see it drying before your eyes.
Then you can do the second coat.
This also works with the intermediate stages, like the purple you have used. If you are masking, i'd dry the paint about to be masked over, and leave it for half an hour just to be on the safe side so it won't lift with the masking tape, then spray the next coat over the top, and dry with the hairdryer as before. It cuts even a complicated paintjob down to an hour or so.

Thanks. Oh yes I am hooked on painting Con jets. When my TRU gets another F-22 in then I am going to pick it up and do Skywarp. I am looking for another jet to do Dirge, Thrust and Ramjet, I want to do the next three with a different style jet. I am even thinking of doing Scourge, Cyclonus and Skyquake.

I was thinking the same thing about a different style of jet.
One of these in 1/18 would be perfect for Cyclonus...

 

[lancelot]

I like this paint job alot more than the sky warp one. The colors are better defined in contrast to one another.