With the Trumpeter MiG-21F-13 and T-80BV off the bench and safely in the display cabinet, and the Hobby Boss T-26 well into the painting and weathering process, it’s time to start getting some new projects off the ground!

Two weeks ago, I had no idea what I was going to chase my Russian trio with…then things kind of…coalesced.

First up…

1/48 Eduard McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II

I’ve been itching to do a Phantom for a while now, and no time like the present, right? This is Eduard’s limited edition “Good Morning Da Nang!” boxing of the Academy F-4B, packed with photo etch, Brassin goodies, and a decal sheet by Furball Aero-Design.

It’s, uh, got a few parts.

As for markings, I’ll be doing the included VMFA-323 “Death Rattlers” ship.

I’m drawn to this one because the F-4s of 323 were pressed into service as close air support, meaning they got down low and dirty, resulting in some more interesting weathering than you see on a lot of Vietnam-era carrier-based F-4s.

Alas…this is the best picture I can find of a Death Rattler F-4B…and I can’t run down a higher resolution. Note the weathering on the radome and the off-color panels on the fuselage.

1/48 Freedom Model Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS

The X-47B is an unmanned strike aircraft being developed for the Navy. You may have seen it recently completing the first unmanned cat shots and landings aboard a carrier at sea. Currently its doing some trials to demonstrate how well it can operate when manned aircraft and the usual carrier deck chaos are swirling around it.

Don’t know why I’m drawn to this one…drones aren’t my thing. But there’s something just super futuristic about this one. That and…no canopy to mask!

It should be added that this thing is an absolute beast. Here’s the main fuselage next to the Eduard F-4…and keep in mind that the F-4 is a monster in its own right.

1/35 Trumpeter LAV-AT

After the 1000+ parts of the Trumpeter T-80BV, I’ve been contemplating something vastly different for my next armor build, and the LAV-AT is it. Much simpler design, far fewer parts, and no tracks!

I’ll be doing this as a USMC LAV-AT serving in Operation Desert Storm. While a lot of vehicles got slapped with some hasty Desert Sand paint for the conflict, this particular LAV-AT still wore its green/brown/black scheme…like the example below.

The specific one I’m doing has “DUDE” written in tape on the TOW Hammerhead launcher, and what looks like might be desert-painted wheels.

So there you have it. The next three. Stay tuned!