VFA-81 Sunliners F/A-18C Into the Storm

I handpainted some placcards on the ejection seat just to notice afterwards that they are provided as decals... 

The fuselage ready for painting. 

Primer applied 

The smaller items are already painted and got a cover of semigloss coat. 

Mottling on the outer wings... 

...and the centerline droptank. 

Mottling left side 

Mottling right side 

Mottling under side 

Mottling with Light Ghost Grey. I adopted this technique from Jos.  

And the final appearance. 

Some little masking before airbrushing the topside. 

And the result after demasking 

Under the artificial light the difference between Light and Dark Ghost Grey is hardly recognizable - just like the real thing. 

Retouching the black cockpit parts. 

Masking the walkways. 

Major paintwork is done and a coat of semigloss applied.