Variable Geometry: the Swing Wing GB

Thanks Vetteman42.   This kit was gonna win the fight a month or 2 ago.  But I managed to hang in there so far.

I got all the bomb bay and landing gear bay doors installed last night.  I just gotta finish up the boarding ladder.  I also started the minor surgury on the windshield to get it to fit flush with the surrounding fuselage.  Just some sanding and polishing and it should be all set. 

[quote user="macattack80

I got all the bomb bay and landing gear bay doors installed last night.  I just gotta finish up the boarding ladder.  I also started the minor surgury on the windshield to get it to fit flush with the surrounding fuselage.  Just some sanding and polishing and it should be all set. 

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Got some painting done today well a little bit anyways Pics to follow soon.  

Got to do some painting and clear coating so as promised here are some WIP pictures.

Got the Tomcat all together and preshaded. I wanted to go for a blotchy badly faded look which is how my subject actually looks, it is very dusty too. Must be tough washing an F-14, needs a bit more than a bucket and sponge I would think.  Anyway what I did was preshade it with thinned flat black then sprayed between the preshading with Tamiya XF19 Sky Gray. It seems to have a bit of a tan tint to it. Then after that dried I sprayed over the preshading lightly with again thinned ( 50/50 ) Tamiya XF66 light gray with white mixed in to lighten it up a bunch maybe 20% white. Then I thinned the paint again with another 10 or 15% water and sprayed the whole thing not trying to keep a uniform finish, in fact I moved the air brush rather quickly and didnt stick to any kind of a spray pattern. Here's what I ended up with before the clear coat.

The clear coat, I use future looks like this.

I think I am headed in the right direction here is the real Tomcat I am modeling.

Now for some decals and dust, I haven't figured out the dust part yet,maybe some highly thinned dark gray and some dry brushing ??

Wow Vetteman. Very nice looking so far. I have a lot of pressure on me now. LOL!! Fightertown decals just released the VF-1 Wolfpack decal today. Gotta order them.

Kevin, thanks for the info on the sensors.

Nice looking Tomcat Vetteman. I take it you are building it as a static display as in the photo.

oddmanrush

Don thanks, I'll certainly be taking as much time as I can fixing it up...hence no progress pics. The decals in the box are Italian and come with the crazy black panther scheme. That freaks me out a little bit as they are large and must contour to all the curves and edges...so I will be avoiding that! I have some spare RAF decals in 1/72 so I will be using them and will likely paint it in this awesome winter scheme...

Benn away on business again the past several days.  It's good to see progress being made on several builds.  Oddmanrush, that will be one very impressive Tornado when decked out in arctic camo.Unique.  I've always liked the arctic aggressor schemes that you see on some F-16s ad this look to be similar.  Keep going, guy.

Don

Vetteman:  I'd say that you hit the faded gray scheme spot on!  Looking at the real display, was wondering if you were planning to put this on a board and mount the plane on concrete pads?  From the photo, there seems to be alot that you could do with this in terms of weathering once the decals are applied.

Kevin:  Sounds like you're almost there and that we're just about ready to add Bone #3 to the front page. 

Bish:  Kevin is right that the circular antenna are metallic.  The four that are forward of the front gear bay actually are stenciled "do not paint" on the 1:1 B-1B.  The TwoBobs 1:48 B-1B decal sheet actually included those stencils, but they were so small that I could barely read them.  I kind of forgot about them until you asked your question; maybe I'll have a second look and apply them.

Don

Thanks Don. In that case, 72nd decals would be pointless, but i could deffinatly do the antenna.

Vetteman, awesome job on the preshading!  Looks like its done perfectly.   

I haven't had too much progress on the Bone over the past few days.  The in-laws were in town.........

I made new pitot tubes for the nose....again.  This time I am happy with the result.  I will glue them on tonite after work and snap a few pics.  Then antenna on either side of the flare dispensers are all I gotta make.  A little touch up painting on the fuselage and the windscreen and it will be done.

Thanks guys The weathering on this build really has me on edge. Hopefully I can pull it off and at least get close. I went to the art supply store today and got some Payne Gray and Lamp Black oil paints for washes. I also discovered I am going to have to make more decals than I originally thought.

Don yes I am planning to make a base for this build to depict the real one and where she is sitting as closely as I can. Will be a first time dio for me. The sad part is I can only see what I took pictures of they wont let me get any closer to the Tomcat for some reason. A deep dark secret I guess, or maybe they are afraid I will jump in fire her up and fly away I dunno.  The base I am planning will be as viewed from the side I cant get to, basically I am on top of a retaining wall that will be at the back of the base so I will have to a bit of guessing.

Yeah Vetteman, they've become VERY protective over thier Tomcats. It's almost as bad as the F-117 or B-2. Just cause the Iranians have them too. Sigh.

Well i've started. (Pick your jaws off the floor now). Here's a pic of the True Details cockpit. I was going to post a pick of the cockpit but I ran out of paint (rattle can) in the middle of it. So I gotta bust out the airbrush to finish painting it. More later.

Opps. Forgot to post the pic of the decals. They're from Eagle Strike but I'm not sure if I like them. Gonna try to get the just released ones from Fightertown Decals as they look sooo much better.

Medicman, glad you are getting started.  That resin cockpit set looks awesome.  I always liked the Wolfpack F-14's look.  Great decal choice sir!

Don, did you have any trouble getting the boarding ladder to fit?  I cant seem to get it to sit right.  I may have to close up the door.  Not that big of a deal though.  I fussed with that thing for like an hour last night. 

I did get all the other antenna and sensors on though.  I will snap a few pics tonight I hope.

Medicman71

Well i've started. (Pick your jaws off the floor now). Here's a pic of the True Details cockpit...

 

 

Looks like there's nice detail in the cockpit, Medicman.  Good to see that you've started.

Kevin,  I did not have any issues with the crew ladder.  I simply lined it up using the supporting rods that mount from the aft, then glued the hatch and everything looked to line up.  Sorry that I can't help further.

Don

pordoi

 

Kevin,  I did not have any issues with the crew ladder.  I simply lined it up using the supporting rods that mount from the aft, then glued the hatch and everything looked to line up.  Sorry that I can't help further.

 

Don

 

Huh.  Figures.  Par for the course.  As we already assumed; where you had smooth sailing, I encountered problems.  Oh well.  

Also, I was just wondering what subjects you all usually build.  I usually build 1/48th scale jets.  Although the armor bug bites often and every now and again I will build a car.

macattack80

Huh.  Figures.  Par for the course.  As we already assumed; where you had smooth sailing, I encountered problems.  Oh well.  

Also, I was just wondering what subjects you all usually build.  I usually build 1/48th scale jets.  Although the armor bug bites often and every now and again I will build a car.

I do 1/48th scale aircraft. Mostly modern stuff........for now anyway.

Hi guys, happy to say that filling the seams went a little better than expected. The only problem I have is that the forward half of the fuselage, the area around the nose cone and cockpit, don't align properly still. There is a tiny bit of over hang on one side and a slight under bite on the other. I'm sure it'll be noticeable once complete but I've never been to savvy on fixing that problem. How DO you fix that problem?

Any how, gluing the wings into place did the trick for that goofy lean it had going on....

You can see the wings are nicely parallel now...or at least better than they were previously. I'll be finished up sanding tonight and I hope to get more done for some more pics!

oddmanrush, nice fix on the wing alignment!    As for the overhang.  I would keep sanding the overhang until it is blended in with the forward fuselage. 

macattack80

oddmanrush, nice fix on the wing alignment!    As for the overhang.  I would keep sanding the overhang until it is blended in with the forward fuselage. 

on both points.  Nice fix with the wing issue.  As for the step joint; depends on how serious it is.  If it is not too bad, then sanding a bit more could fix it.  If not, then some putty to blend it in as well as you can will make the joint less noticeable at least.

Kevin, what issues exactly are you encountering with the crew ladder? 

     Also, in response to your question, I build whatever interests me.  When I returned to the hobby several years ago, I started with a few WWI aircraft.  Since then, I've done German armor, US WWII aircraft, a few modern jets and even a Kenworth W900 with flatbed trailer.  Have the Revell 1:144 Fletcher class destroyer on the "to do" list as my first ship build.

Don

pordoi

Kevin, what issues exactly are you encountering with the crew ladder? 

     Also, in response to your question, I build whatever interests me.  When I returned to the hobby several years ago, I started with a few WWI aircraft.  Since then, I've done German armor, US WWII aircraft, a few modern jets and even a Kenworth W900 with flatbed trailer.  Have the Revell 1:144 Fletcher class destroyer on the "to do" list as my first ship build.

 

Don

 

Don, I figured it out.  I was trying to attach it upside down.  Duh!  It would be quite an effort to board the plane thats for sure.

Nice array of subjects!  I have yet go build any WWI planes.  They are interesting but a little intimidating with the rigging.  I haven't built any German armor.  I do have a Jagdpanther in the stash though.  I was gonna try a do a Tractor/Trailer kit someday too. 

Medicman, I usually stick to the modern stuff too.  Usually U.S. subjects.  Although I do like the Tornado.  I'm gonna have to get a few of those kits.  That is one good looking aircraft.

macattack80

 

Medicman, I usually stick to the modern stuff too.  Usually U.S. subjects.  Although I do like the Tornado.  I'm gonna have to get a few of those kits.  That is one good looking aircraft.

I like all modern aircraft, doesn't matter who it was made by or who flies it. I've always been a big fan of the Tornado. I'd have to say that strike aircraft (Air to Mud) are my favorite. Aircraft like the Tornado, A-10, F/A-18, Harriers, etc.

Medicman that TD cockpit really looks nice, cant wait to see some color on it so the detail pops to life. I have 3 more F-14's I want to build and may very well get one of those cockpit kits.

Oddmanrush  nice save on the wings they look great. I have run into that same trouble you speak of with the nose overhangs and such I ended up both sanding and filling and sanding more. The trouble I had was in 1/48 but I had to be very careful not to lose the profile of the nose to waste sections of the model.

Well guys I  ended up having to make some homemade decals finally got that done and applied them today Then came in and checked the picture of the real one I am modeling and I put the wrong star and bar decals on it, the large hivis ones. So I got out the Micro Sol and masking tape, oh and I put earmuffs on my side kick and helper Ruby, couldnt have her hearing the colorful language. Shes only 5 ya know. Anyway I pulled the decals off along with the paint right down to the plastic again. Sanded the spots right below the rear cockpit wouldnt ya know. Got it all smoothed out and repainted.

Will try and get it right in the morning

Vetteman, too bad about those decals.  Sounds like you have most of the problem all sorted out though. 

I have been doing some touch up work/painting over the past few nights.  Not too much accomplished though.  I managed to loosen the window sections a bit taking off the masking material.   So instead of throwing it against a wall I let it sit for a few days.  I might try and fix it tonight.

Macattack I have been there too, best thing to do is walk away for a day or two then come back and fix it.

The good news tonight is got the right decals on, of course that was preceded by sanding and repainting the 3 areas where the decals were removed then waiting for the future to cure again. In the morning ( 2 days late ) I will seal the decals and the scary parts commences. Weathering, and getting the fiddly parts all finished and ready to go on. If nothing else goes wrong ( yeah right ) I should have her finished by Sunday. Ok so I am optimistic

vetteman42

The good news tonight is got the right decals on

WooHoo!!!  Decaling is not my favorite so when that stage of the build is over it is cause for celebration.

I was doing some to touch up airbrushing/handpainting last night.  I didnt want to attemt to fix the window yet.  I put a piece of tape to mask the decal of the refueling area.  As ususal I got rid of some of the tackiness by taping the piece to my hand a few times.  I figured that since the decal was already under a coat or 2 of Future and a couple coats of dullcote it would be ok anyway.  I finished the touch up and removed said tape.  Some of the decal came up when I removed the tape!!!!!!!   UGH!!!!  The plane almost hit the wall.  I can't catch a break with this thing.  It seems like I take one step forward and 3 steps back. 

It is able to be fixed luckily.  I will just have to mask and paint the area of the decal....if I don't pull any more decal up in the process. 

I might take a pic of it just to post a pic of the Bone.  I haven't in a while anyway.  I was gonna just post some shots of the completed thing but it seems as though it will never happen.

macattack80

 I put a piece of tape to mask the decal of the refueling area.  As ususal I got rid of some of the tackiness by taping the piece to my hand a few times.  I figured that since the decal was already under a coat or 2 of Future and a couple coats of dullcote it would be ok anyway.  I finished the touch up and removed said tape.  Some of the decal came up when I removed the tape!!!!!!!   UGH!!!!  The plane almost hit the wall.  I can't catch a break with this thing.  It seems like I take one step forward and 3 steps back. 

I might take a pic of it just to post a pic of the Bone.  I haven't in a while anyway.  I was gonna just post some shots of the completed thing but it seems as though it will never happen.

I had to do some touch up sanding and re-painting around the cockpit windows myself.  I didn't trust using tape alone so I cut pices of wax paper to cover the decals (re-fueling indicator and nose art) and taped them in place with thin strips of Tamiya tape.  Try it next time; works like a charm to protect the decals and is easy to remove.

Also, if you're really in a bind, I think that I have a spare Revell re-fueling area decal since I used the TwoBobs set for my build.  You are welcome to it if it will save you some hassle.

Looking forward to seeing some Bone pics, Kevin; as well as some Tomcat photos, Vetteman.

Don

pordoi

Also, if you're really in a bind, I think that I have a spare Revell re-fueling area decal since I used the TwoBobs set for my build.  You are welcome to it if it will save you some hassle.

Looking forward to seeing some Bone pics, Kevin; as well as some Tomcat photos, Vetteman.

 

Don

 

Thanks Don.  Much appreciated.  I will attempt to fix it first.  If not I might take you up on that.  I will post up some photos tonight.    The Superscale decal sheet wasn't very extensive.  No walkways or flare dispenser markings either.  Kinda bare-bones...pun intended.

OK.  Here are a few pics of the Bone as of now.  I am so close to finishing this thing.  I don't think I am going to try and fix the windows.  If i mess them up even more trying to fix them it won't be worth the effort. 

Here is an overhead shot.

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Here is the messed up decal

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Another shot along with the pitot tubes I attempted to make

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Here is stage 1 of 3 of fixing the decal flub.  I masked of the area and airbrushed some white to get the outline.  After that dries I will cut thing strips of tape and mask the outline and airbrush some light ghost gray in the areas that are that color.

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Any comments are welcome as always.