Tamiya 1/32 F-14A

I would get an aftermarket cockpit or scratch build details on to the stock 'pit, it's a bit plain. Other than that it's pretty good. You can always add more, just depends on what you want.
Mine's still in the box, like most of my kits

Eric

To be honest, I haven't used much aftermarkets parts before. Especially since I've modeled mainly motorcycles and cars. I've seen those photoetched metal sheets on some aftermarket parts but never figured out how to use them. Any insights? Do you just cut them off and paint over ?

In addition, I need to know one more thing...this is getting off topic, but anywayz...
I'm thinking about upgrading my airbrush. I saw a pretty good deal on an Iwata dual action airbrush. Since it was manufactured in Japan I'm sure the quality is no worry. But I'm not sure I'll be able to find replacement parts here in the US...you know...the parts that wears away after long use such as the nozzle, needle, ect... any ideas?

I would look at what's out there, I got to thinking there's not as much as I thought.
Teknics makes a resin, p/e etc. set for a D variant but then the body would need some changes if you're that concerned about accuracy.
Verlinden makes ejction seats if you want to do the rest on your own.
Photo etch (p/e) takes some work, like other things, the more you do the better you'll get, and yeah, you cut the parts off the brass "tree" bend and glue or solder to shape and cover or replace a kit part with it. Some kit parts you'll have to remove and replace. You have to use CA glue to attach brass (some use future for small parts in some circumstances) model cement won't work on it. Some brass will need to be primed also.
There's lots more so do some research, and good luck on it.

On the airbrush I can't really help you, I've never heard anything on them.

Eric

Cam Decals made an A to D kit but it is out of production.
If you contact them the may let you know if they will re start soon
www.camdecals.com

I am in the process of fitting a Teknics Super Cockpit Set to my Tamiya 1/32 Tomcat and I suggest you follow these words, if you take one of these on...

Test Fit, Test Fit, Test Fit, Test Fit, Test Fit, and finally Test Fit.

Ive also bought the Eduard Interior & Exterior PE sets. I would say that if youre like me and never experienced Mulitmedia Kits before, try something cheaper to experiment on, for example an Eduard 1/48 Hawker Tempest Profipak. Also read the hints and tips given in this forum, website and any others you can find on the web.

I started in Jan and still havent finished the Cockpit yet ;)

Good Luck

Andy

Where can I get those Tecnik and Eduard sets for a good price? Where can I get some good research photos for the F-14D? I'm planning to convert it to a D version

If you take a look at the Camdecals kit it will give you an indication as to what has
to be done to convert it.
Their website has a picture of the contents of the update.
If you are brave get yourself a 1/48 scaleF14 and scale up the bits you need

I just had a look on www.greatmodels.com and found this camr32037 ,the
resin A to D conversion kit

I purchased the Teknics Cockpit Set from Meteor Productions on web at:-
http://meteorprod.com/
and the Eduard Sets from D9 Models here in UK on the web at
http://www.d-9models.co.uk
The Part Numbers are
Tecknics Cockpit = TK32002 (A Model)
Eduard Interior = 32045
Eduard Extrior = 32049
Just to note TK32010 is the F-14D Super Tomcat Conversion Set

Andy

Here's some sites for decent to good Tomcat reference:

http://www.topedge.com/alley/alley.htm
http://www.anft.net/f-14/index.htm
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-14.htm
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-14.htm


Here's a search on Squadron for 32nd Tomcat stuff (not much!):

http://squadron.com/SearchResults.asp?ScaleList=32&TypeList=everything&ManuList=everything&Key=f-14

Do a search on Google for F-14 images. You'll be shocked at what comes up! Try search inquiries like: F-14, f14, Tomcat, Grumman, F-14 cockpit, F-14 intake, F-14 engine etc.


Fade to Black...

There is more to making a F-14A into a D then the cockpit and the double barrel chin pod. The gun bay door and gun exhaust and vents are different. The D has a lot more sensors in the form of bumps and warts. The glove vane has been removed and the glove smoothed over. Also new engines replace the old coal burner.

THANKS!
I can use that information. That will help me make my D as accurate as I can. By the way, I've never had experience with photoetched parts. I've seen them in the counters at hobby shops, they look very detailed yet delicate, very intriguing. This will be my first time dealing with those. Can you guys tell me something that can help me get through it without too much screw ups. I heard you need a lot of experience to use photoetched part, but I can't think of why.

Is the B version more close to the A version? Meaning if I do a conversion to B, there isn't as much outside modifications? But is the B still in service?

The Bravo is similar, aesthetically, to the Alpha except for the engine exhausts. There's a few little things here and there externally that you needn't worry about. There's also alotta internal differences which shouldn't affect the building of your model; avionics and such.

The only things along these lines that would show would be in the cockpit area. But unless you're REALLY concerned with total accuracy, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

All three variants of the Tomcat are still in service at this time.

As for photo-etched stuff, if you've never used it before then you're gonna make a mistake or two. But here's a few things that may help you along:

Before painting (or even cutting) I'd either rinse or wipe the PE with alcohol to clean off any grease or residual chemicals from the etching process. This will aid a bit in paint adhesion.

I always cut the parts off the fret with a SHARP knife, using a piece of glass as a cutting surface. Watch out for flying parts and blade tips! (Safety goggles...)

Try and cut as close as possible to the fret attachment point. More often than not, you'll still have a bit of excess material left from the cut; I use a variety of sharpening stones to grind this excess off. Sandpaper is almost useless in this instance and files can be tough to use, depending on the material the PE is made of and it's physical properties.

For bending, if necessary, I have a variety of small steel blocks that I use in conjunction with razor blades. These are good for straight bends. (A small metal ruler with a bit of pressure; say a clamp or a tiny bit-o-elbow grease, would also suffice in place of a block.)

I'll set a block down on the piece to be bent and place the edge just shy of the bend line. Then I'll slide the blade underneath and fold the piece up until the desired bend is achieved. Simple stuff..

Not so simple is rolling brass. I use a variety of steel rods for this, but you could also use brass tubing or something similar. If anyone else has any other methods for rolling brass (especially small diameters) I'd like to hear about them.


Fade to Black...

Thanks.
On the kit, I noticed the rivets on the front fuselage are "engraved". Is this correct? I thought rivets are supposed to be convex.
What kind of paint do you guys recommand for painting the finish, one that will most accurately portray the real thing?

I like the VF-84 jolly rogers marking from the 80s. Anyone know where I can get the decal for 1/32? Also, was it only for the F-14A version? Thanks.

I got some F-14 books and the drawing of a F-14D shows panel lines which are different from the drawing in the Tamiya instruction booklet. Do the A and D have different panel lines? I guess I won't be converting it to a D version. I've decided to convert it to a B version. My question is this: is there anyway to tell the difference between the A and the B just by looking at the outside (not including the cockpit)? Thanks