Raptor 3D Project - Edits 08

External fairings, intake ducts, wing joint area, and internal details...

With the exterior wing shape in good condition, it's time to do a wing-joining operation. The main reason for this is that, once the new wings are mated with the (also new) fuselage, there will be some work to do, to create the smooth transition in shapes, between the two parts. (as on the actual aircraft) This is a case where many small operations need to be done, in a certain order. I'll try to point out the "why", as I do each step, so this makes sense.

With the fuselage in white, you can see the shape clearer.

Landing gear fairing "bump" added.

Looks like an F-22 to me!

With the matching textures

Intake ducts have been added.

Thrust vectoring nozzles fitting better now.

Starting on some internal details...

With the exterior close to it's final shape, I'm starting to tweak some of the internal details, including the cockpit, intake ducts, engines, thrust vectoring nozzles, landing gear, etc..As I install items including the landing gear bays and weapons bays, I'll be able to adjust the intake ducts to a more scale shape and position.

A couple of animations of the model as it stands now...

"Assembly" of the model parts:

Have a look at the gear retraction and control surface movement:

(Click to play.) It's my understanding that the F-22 does NOT have independent thrust vectoring, as shown in this animation. (I believe that both nozzles move up or down in unison.) But it was fun to portray it anyway. I haven't done the landing gear doors yet, but they're coming soon. (The animation below loops, once you start it.)