1/32 F-14B BombCat

You've got a nice, big box of awesome to work with, Bimski.   Other than the 2-part design for each intake trunk, what's the issue with them for the Zactoman replacement?   The kit intakes aren't that bad to work with...

I'd highly recommend a resin cockpit set for this model since that area is so large and viewable.

Now this is gonna be one big Cat!

Have not seen the real tomcat up close thinking of driving to San Diego (Midway) next weekend ........@Dre going to try and see the trumpeter cockpit first if I'm not happy with the detail I will replace them with the aires version........was gonna go with the 14D kit but the killer look of the jolly rogers sold me......the trumpe intake will take a lot of work and bondo to correct the shape and lines like re facing the entire plastic piece and you only get 1 shot....i will save the trumpe intake as spare parts

So you have something to compare the kit cockpit parts to:   the Aires F-14D resin set

At any rate, you're gonna love working on this kit.

thanks Dre.... keeping an eye on your F-14 WIP

Oh, don't do that- you'll fall asleep as I haven't worked on it in a loooong time.

should be very impressive build

Dre you need to get on with your build lol, the aires cockpit you painted looks absolutely fantastic! Get on with it man lol! Also I'll be looking forward to seeing this build, Bimski was there any word on the replacement canopy for the F-18?

@Dean30 Still no word(e-mail) from the local importer & trumpeter .......here's the trumpe F14B tub enhance using eduard Zoom PE

That's a great looking set from Eduard, man companies like that really do make such a huge difference, I'm sort of hoping to get a Big Cat again and make one, probs the D version like the one I sold so I could get tickets to Latvia, totally worth it but sort of wish I still had the kit lol decisions eh?

I have this kit in my stash as well, so I'll be following your build closly. I went for the resin cockpit make by wolfpack as aires doesn't make one for the trumpy B. Let me know how those zactomodels intakes turn out, I've been thinking about getting a set

That Eduard PE looks so sharp, Bimski.  

Hmm I wonder if the Eduard PE set for the "A" model could be shoe horned into the Tamiya or Revell "A"

Good looking front office, I'm gong to keep track of this one for ideas on my two "A"s I have in my stash

USMC6094

Hmm I wonder if the Eduard PE set for the "A" model could be shoe horned into the Tamiya or Revell "A"

The pit is shaping up very well.

Hi everyone I am new to modelling were can I get resign cockpits I'm looking for one for a B-25J Mitchell Revell1:48 kit

finish painting and decal applied .....guess the trumpe cockpit is a keeper still need to apply wash to bring out some details

I'm going with airis wheel well to speed-up the build

That PE looks so much more precise than painting resin stuff...  

Wait, did you say decals applied as in you used the Trumpeter cockpit decals?

@Dean30 only on the seat.......on EA-18G the cockpit monitor looked a lot better with trumpe decals,....... needed to complete the cockpit first so I can seal them with the canopy I want this bombcat to look seam less ;)

Ah I see, I have used the cockpit decals from trumpeter before and they looked absolutely brilliant.

all aftermarket parts showed up today in the front door ......will begin work on the nose section

enjoy

I'm looking forward to seeing how you fit those resin rear wheel wells into the kit- I've got the same set and I don't quite know where and what to cut to make them fit.

If you haven't seen the Wheeliant wheels and hubs for the Tomcat- you might want to get them as they're light years ahead of the kit parts.

Wheeliant wheels are great for light kit like Acadamy's F16 , I think rubber tire will look great on this F-14 with its size not to mention the additional resin weight from the intake, Zactomodels AM kit really is a must have for this beast, this will save you time from re-shaping the box looking trumpe intake

Work on the nose section started.........did not encounter any fitting issues on the trumpe plastic

on top is the AM Aires wheel bay bottom is the trumpe kit bay

making sure the landing gear will adopt to the Aires bay

end result.........

dry fitting the Aires bay

wheel bay came out nice.......

machined probe was added

next will be the after market intake..........

Dang, you're moving right along with this, Bimski.   How are you going to pose the wings- swept or full out and flapped?

And you have to love the paint call-outs for those wheel wells- gloss white with the barest amount of detail painting to taste.

Looks great so far! I have to say I am probably part of the 1% that prefers rubber tyres, I mean a little pigments and its as real as rubber trying to look like rubber! To me anyway.

Great looking build. I have the Bobcat model in 1/48 from Italeri that I picked up at a local show for cheap so I will be following your progress.

Thanks ..........Zacto parts prep,cleaned and ready for priming

the 2 intake Zactomodel on the left and Trumpeter on the right

OK, now I can see why you're using the Zactomodel intakes!   I might have to get some myself...  how's the test fit on them?