1/32 F-14A WIP (Completed)

Thanks John. I would love to build the Tamiya cat but the price tag is a tad high for my wallet.

You are moving right along, PJ.  Probably won't be able to tell it from the Tamiya kit when you are done.

Some progress on the huge cat. Got the added stiffeners and extra details on

M

The canvas dash covers were made from tissue paper and Elmer’s glue then painted

Next stop, paint

Roy Scheider says "You're gonna need a bigger shelf..."

M. Brindos

Lenses can also be made from clear sprue (melt into a mushroom shape with a bic) or googly eyes if you can find some.

I've used both, but melting a little sprue is usually the easiest. Just set in place with some clear gloss.

 

Thanks MB that sounds very interesting.

Lenses can also be made from clear sprue (melt into a mushroom shape with a bic) or googly eyes if you can find some.

I've used both, but melting a little sprue is usually the easiest. Just set in place with some clear gloss.

Straycat  apologies for not thanking you for your suggestion. I somehow missed your post.

The gluing has to be done by small sections to help reduce the gaps. The rear fuselage was not a real problem but the front is a different story. I glued the spine first and it has a good fit but the underside has gaping spaces as you can see in the pictures.

The solution: use my oversized long clamp to close up the gap as much as possible while sandwiching thin plastic sheet to fill and secure with Plast I Weld. Now to let it cure overnight and then release the clamps and continue gluing the side gaps. 

 The smaller clamps close up  the side gaps giving a smooth transition along the join line.

Thanks Greg and Tojo.

Eagle, thought about punching out a small chrome Mylar disc for the reflector then using 15 minute epoxy to form the glass, thanks for the suggestion.

Coming along nicely, Ernie.

Thanks for keeping us up to date.

PJ,

For making lenses on things, I've had success with using clear epoxy.  It just has a natural tendancy to form that nice, sort of domed shape of a lens and cures 100% crystal clear.  I have even tinted it to make colored light lenses on various things.

plasticjunkie

The front to rear fuselage fit was not working out too well so I used the same method I used on the the 1/48 Hasegawa kitties that have the same fit issue and solved with the use of spreader bars made from the kit’s sprues.

Now the sides line up for the gluing stage

These 54’s are just a tad large 

The disc I punched out closes the hollow cavity in the nozzle

I hollowed out the molded light in the nose gear so I can make a more realistic light. 

I have to think on this one.

 

On the landing light, maybe chrome silver inside, then some Micro Crystal Clear for the lens? 

crown r n7

Hey that's a large nose gear . Just getting though this viento plantanero Lol 

 

yea I’m getting plastered by rain up here de ese viento platanero en el sur. That sucka will likely turn into a hurricane once it feeds on the warm Gulf waters.

Hey that's a large nose gear . Just getting though this viento plantanero Lol 

The front to rear fuselage fit was not working out too well so I used the same method I used on the the 1/48 Hasegawa kitties that have the same fit issue and solved with the use of spreader bars made from the kit’s sprues.

Now the sides line up for the gluing stage

These 54’s are just a tad large 

The disc I punched out closes the hollow cavity in the nozzle

I hollowed out the molded light in the nose gear so I can make a more realistic light. 

I have to think on this one.

Tanker-Builder

Geez!

      And I thought the old Monogram kit was Big.

 

Yea TB this thing is pretty big. At least the wings swing back reducing  display space.

Geez!

      And I thought the old Monogram kit was Big.

Thanks Toshi for following along.

As alway's, you're just moving right along.  Looking real good!

Your friend's, Toshi & Ezra

Moving along with this kitty. I punched out some discs to block the hollow Phoenix missile engine nozzles

Looks a lot better now

The missiles are huge

Got the missiles, landing gears and chin pod assembled but they have lots of nasty seam marks that have to be cleaned up. I will be doing a 2-2-2 load on this one. Both 54’s still have to be glued up.

Also got the forward fuselage assembled

HooYah Deep Sea

OOPS!!! my bad, the Martin Baker GRU-7 seat does not have one. Sorry. 

Guess I should do better research before I open my yapper.  For some reason I was thinking that the 14A had Escapacs.

 

No worries. Thanks for taking a peek.

CapnMac82

For 2¢, OOB, the Revell kit at least has panel detail for the IP and cockpi sides, and does not rely on decals.  The "Rubber" tires on the Tamiya have issues.

Tamiya kit has better engineering for the wingbox, and better fit overall, so there's a lot less rescribing after filling.

The Revell kit builds up solid, just needs a touch of work.  The AM doesn't serve the Revell kit much, bu OOB it still builds up nicely. 

 

Yes the ip  and panel details are pretty good on this kitty but very poor compared to the 1/32 Revell F4 E and G. The tires on this one are nice too with good sidewall lettering and other markings. I’m not fond of kit rubber tires which sometimes melt after a while as with the AMT Tigercats.

OOPS!!! my bad, the Martin Baker GRU-7 seat does not have one. Sorry. 

Guess I should do better research before I open my yapper.  For some reason I was thinking that the 14A had Escapacs.

For 2¢, OOB, the Revell kit at least has panel detail for the IP and cockpi sides, and does not rely on decals.  The "Rubber" tires on the Tamiya have issues.

Tamiya kit has better engineering for the wingbox, and better fit overall, so there's a lot less rescribing after filling.

The Revell kit builds up solid, just needs a touch of work.  The AM doesn't serve the Revell kit much, bu OOB it still builds up nicely. 

HooYah Deep Sea

Are you putting a crew in it? If not, don't forget the headknocker in the down position.m

probably closed but no crew either way.  I know what a kneeknocker is but what the heck is a headknocker?

Tojo72

Looks good real nice start,I remember that one,will you be using the Wolf Pack markings

 

Thanks Tojo but will be using Miss Molly decals that he wants on this one.

Are you putting a crew in it? If not, don't forget the headknocker in the down position.

Looks good real nice start,I remember that one,will you be using the Wolf Pack markings

Eaglecash867

Nice work PJ!  Is that the giant Tamiya kit?  Also, is that Milliput in the ejector pin marks in the pics before painting?  I've been wondering if that would work for that purpose in small areas like that where its not exactly easy to get a sanding stick.  It would be great if all you had to do is shape it with a damp q-tip.

Thsnks Eagle. I wish it was the Tamiya one but it's an old Revell but still ok but nothing like a Tamiya. 
For the small pin marks I used PPP, very easy to use and cleans up either sanding or a wet Q Tip.