HELP NEEDED PLEASE!!!!

The Tamiya 32nd Tomcat is an old kit, first appearing in the catalog in 1981. The forward fuselage is engraved and the rest is mostly raised. This is pretty typical of many Tamiya aircraft kits from that period and earlier.

The exact reason, I dunno. You hear stories here and there but who do you believe? The most common story I've heard is that the kit was designed by two different teams or parties and that's the reason for the raised and engraved lines. Who knows...

Anyhoo, engraving the lines isn't really difficult. Check out my website for an article on engraving lines; SPASTIC FOR PLASTIC

I'd recommend that if you do try to engrave the lines yourself, you practice on a scrap model. Or you can try it out on the inside of the pieces of the F-14 itself, the wings should do.


Fade to Black...

I thought since it's the 94 version it would be pretty up to date with the technology...and also since it's a Tamiya...

anyway, I didn't understand the part with the Jewler's 3 sided file, what is it and where can I get one? Thanks.

The file I use is a triangular jeweler's file. They're also referred to as needle files. I personally call them tripes, that's a local term, so others may not know this label. For engraving, I use the sharp edges to cut lines.

Anyhoo, try looking at Micro-Mark for file sets.

On the homepage, select "Product Search", then "Files and Sanders", then "Files". There are several sets to choose from, but I'd look at the first and fourth sets, as well as the fifth set from the bottom. They look like they contain a triangular file.

You can also try a local hobby shop if you have one, a craft store, or a hardware store. Just ask for small jeweler's or needle files, and be sure to mention that you're specifically looking for a three-sided or triangular file.


Fade to Black...

I built that kit last year and faced the same issue, I basically left the raised lines alone - and focussed more on doing a good weathering job on the differnt lines, ie, running architect pencil lead inside the engraved lines and drybrushing over the raised ones.
Now you can only tell the diff ig you look really really close at the model.

KISS - Keep it simple [silly]

Okay, this is my first time modeling an aircraft, is there any good COMPREHENSIVE books out there on the subject "aircraft modeling"? I've seen a couple of books in my hobby shop and they are pretty expensive for the numbers of pages they have and I looked into it, all they talked about are things I already know from modeling cars... What do you guys think?

Also, what paint do you guys use for the finish on such a large model? I used to use acrylics, but I want something a little longer lasting on my Tomcat. Those Tamiya spray lacquers are nice but they don't produce as nice as a finish as an airbrush. So I guess Modelmaster enamel would be my best bet...?

To top that the Black Knights Kit from Tamiya is excatly the same as the 1994 version with only new weapons sprues and decals added at bout USD30 more than the 94 version.

Andy

A new tooling is needed for that kit. I heard that at the time they started the engraved lines on the forward fuselage and it became too expensive to continue on the rest of the kit. Too bad. I still bought one... or two.