F-14 Tomcat Group Build idea...

Thanks for the info pingtang... lately it's seemed like the MM enamels have been thicker than usual even with the same stirring technique that I have been using for a while. I heard the same thing about Tamiya from the guy at the LHS. I'll see about trying more of the Gunze stuff. When I have used it before it went on really well and was on the mark on color accuracy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by armorman While I'm here... if anyone here uses Testors MM Enamels what are you guys mixing them at for airbrushing? I'm thinking of switching to Tamiya Acrylics.

When I use MM enamels, I thin them with humbrol enamel thinner. I'll just add enough thinner so the paint looks thin enough. They are my favourite enamels, but I prefer acrylics. The problem with Tamiya is that barely any of their colours match FS or RLM colours. But apart from that they are good. I use Tamiya colours for basic colours (flat black, red etc), but for FS equivilants Gunze-Sangyo acrylics are best (They spray smoother too).

Thanks for the update dj- looking good!

Armorman, thanks for the welcome. I updated my Rafale thread in the aircraft forum, mostly for your benefit, re. the other 1/48 Revell kit (Rafale M).

Hiya fellas... how are those Rafale's progressing dj? You are most certainly welcome to grace this GB with your incredible skills! I have been looking for that Revell Rafale you recommended but I have had no luck yet... maybe I'll get lucky on ebay. I have a list of everyone and I just need to add a few more names to get it updated. I think we are at around 20 people or so! Quite Impressive... is it January yet? BTW, pingtang you hit the nail on the head. While I'm here... if anyone here uses Testors MM Enamels what are you guys mixing them at for airbrushing? I'm thinking of switching to Tamiya Acrylics.

Thanks Reggie! I haven't built a Tomcat in nearly 25 years... The last one (and first one too!) was the old 1/48 Revell kit... Yuk! This 1/144 offering is more detailled than that old big beast...

However, I have now 3 Rafales to finish too, on top of a number of smaller projects... Time is a problem... Obviously, I need to sleep less...

Dominique you are more than welcome.

pingtang, you are on the money

Just bought Revell's 1/144 Tomcat... I might join in, if I may...

Looks like we're getting a good turn-out for this GB now. Have we got a list of everyone taking part? Welcome to the fun Audiophile121.

Resin is a two part material (a resin and a hardener are mixed together). Resin molding doesn't have the limitations that injection molded plastic has (like mold seperation lines and ejector pin marks). It is also alot easier to tool up for, you don't need the machined metal molds that are needed for IMP (you can even make your own molds and use store bought resin to mold parts). Parts usually come on pour stubs which can be cut-off.

Like armorman said, Black box is just a company that makes resin parts. There are numerous aftermarket manufacturers like Aires, True details and Jaguar. BB and TD cockpits are usually all resin, but Aires are mostly resin with Photo-etch details.

Resin pits are designed to simply replace a kits cockpit, but it never works out that way. You always need to do alot of sanding and test fitting. Normal plastic cement won't work on resin, CA (super) glue works best.

I think all of this info is correct, someone tell me if I'm wrong.

First and foremost, Audiophile121, you are most absolutley welcome to join this build!!!!! It begins Jan 15 2005 and ends March 15 2005. Any Cat, any scale, all aftermarket or OOB alllowed. Maybe I can answer your questions...
Basically, Audiophile121, resin is a two part process that produces a highly detailed piece that is typically brittle. Some detail companies like: Black Box, True Details, etc make aftermarket cockpit or conversion pieces with resin. Actually the only aftermarket stuff I have worked with has been resin. (Correct me fellas if i am wrong with the definition)
Black Box is a company that specializes in aftermarket conversion or high detail parts. I usually order their stuff through www.squadron.com. Usually these kinds of items require sandpaper(sometimes a lot) and milliput filler. The end result is more detail than you will find OOB- Out Of Box.

I want to join in on this GB!

I will go to a few LHS sites and see what kits are available. Sounds like either Academy or Hasegawa are the kits to aim for .. just depends on what comes up and if I end up wanting to just send off for one that isn't at the LHS's. I will be doing a 1/48 kit .. seems to be the scale that I work with best. Undecided on whether I want a F-14A or F-14D.

Just a couple of quick questions -
1 - What's a Black Box cockpit kit? I've never heard of Black Box stuff before.
2 - What's resin? I've heard about resin, but I'm unsure what it is or how to use it.

I have built the Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1D and it was a breeze on assembly. I built mine to replicate severe weathering that the South Pacific was known for. I want to do their Birdcage version too. I just aquired a 1/72 KC-135A off of EBay for $15. It is complete with all the parts still sealed in the poly bags. I did see an old Aurora CH47 in 1/48 scale selling for $106 so far. It is still sealed in plastic. Nothing on any 1/32 Tomcats though. I will keep my eyes open.

It's very nice... the detail is sweet and it looks to fit pretty good so far with a little test fitting. Time to put it back and wait until January.

QUOTE: Originally posted by armorman That Tamiya Corsair will literally build itself pingtang. It goes together oh so well. I had originally bought the Black Box cockpit for the Hasegawa but since I got my friend to purchase that kit off of me I am going to use it for the Academy... probably require a little sanding but I think it'll fit just fine.

How does the Black box pit look? I've heard they are pretty good, but I've never used one. I'll either get that one or the Aires or true details pit. The pit for the Hasegawa pit shouldn't fit too badly in the Academy kit. Anything will fit with a bit of sanding.

The Corsair is pretty much putting itself together, it's a good kit.

That Tamiya Corsair will literally build itself pingtang. It goes together oh so well. I had originally bought the Black Box cockpit for the Hasegawa but since I got my friend to purchase that kit off of me I am going to use it for the Academy... probably require a little sanding but I think it'll fit just fine.

Thanks pingtang, I've had a look around the ARC before but the other site is new to me

James

Homagerman- Go to www.aircraftresourcecenter.com and have a look in the walkarounds section. There's heaps of cockpit and general detail photos. MATS is also a good site http://www.anft.net/f-14/fw-01.htm .

armorman- The Academy kit isn't too bad looking. The surface detail is pretty good, cockpit isn't great, but I'll replace it with resin. I've still gotta get to the not so local HS, It's a fair trek to get there, so it might be a few weeks. I've decided to wait and do the Academy cat in a few months. I'm now doing a Tamiya Corsair few the USN GB.

hey james,

someone once gave me the name of a site that was great for photos... lemme see if I van find it and I'll get back to you.

Does anyone have a good site/s to get ref pics??

James

I know what you mean Daniel... I am eager as well but I have to get on the ball and work on this Super Bug. It's a beaut of a kit but with most of the small details and cockpit painted I have to see what is wrong with my compressor before i can get going on the fuselage. I am going to stop by the LHS and get a couple of those airbrush bottles and see how they work. The BearAir folks say they aren't bad, so... You got the Academy kit right? I ended up getting the Academy kit as well and I am a fool for jumping the gun and grabbing the Hasegawa several weeks ago. I have a friend who is interested in the Hasegawa so I might sell it to him. Sometimes i get too excited at the LHS. If it can be done cheap maybe convert it to a B. I picked up some decals from TwoBobs for 10 bucks and they look great.

I might have to start this one early. I'm building it for the US Naval aviation GB aswell as this one. I can't afford a different kit for both. Plus it's a good excuse to start early.

Hello fellas, I hate long business trips! Just when you feel like you accomplished a lot you come home and see what has to be done here. I'm so ready to start this build except for one thing... MY COMPRESSOR IS BUSTED! My sweet fiance says she didn't touch it while cleaning and I don't doubt her but it will not turn on. I have called and emailed the BearAir folks and I am sending it to them this afternoon for a service. I have no idea what happened... hmmm. In the meantime, how do those air bottles work? And how long do they last? I gotta get back in the groove especially on the Nav Av GB project. How's everyone doing?

I'm still around, it's just that there's not much doing until next year. Except that I'm trying to keep away from my kit. Gonna have a look at some AM sets for my cat soon, that'll make me even more amped to build it.

I have not seen any new posts lately. Hope all is well with our group. Weather took a dive here. Snow in the mountains is getting lower all the time. Got my F-14 kits ready for the build. Got 2 A-4 kits on the bench now, 1 mid 70's markings and 1 Blue Angels. I will use foil for the trim on the BA bird. Been spending some time with a Vietnam vet who was a crew chief on B-52's. Great infor source!!!!

i might just wind up starting on the hasegawa cat early. hopefully not. its calling out my name. it says "reggie, build me! the cat is baack!" man those 25th anniversary markings for VF-2 are sweeet.

I love building F-14 kits. I have used some Black Box stuff without too much hassle. But I do not think I am going to use any AM stuff other than decals. I am going to rely on painting techniques. I may use resin ejection seats, but we will see!

the black box pit is designed for the hasegawa cat, but im sure it will fit the academy without too much fuss. the aries cockpit is also supposed to be good, but since aries cockpits never go in anywhere without a fight, id reckon that it would fit the academy cat just as well as the hasegawa cat.

Got my Academy 1/48 cat today. Doesn't look like to bad a kit, pretty good actually. I'll see if I can hold out 'til next year to start it, I know how you feel Reggie. Does anyone know who makes the best resin cockpit for a f-14? I'd prefer it to be for the Aca kit but if I need to, I can make something else fit.

I've also got to decide on what scheme to do it in. Probably a low-vis one. Apart from that, I'll just have to see if I can keep my hands off it til next year.

i collected it today, and i dont know it im gonna be able to keep my hands off of it until next year. maybe, maybe not. if i do indeed start on it prematurely, i can always get another. it has occurred to me that the last two kits i bought are stash clearance. hence, i encourace all impulse buyers to please go on and over buy, its all to my benefit!

That is a great price! The import tariffs here cause the prices to be much higher. And never mind shipping to mail order stuff. I am looking forward to seeing your F-14.