F-14 Tomcat Group Build idea...

Looking good MA Cooke.

Where did u steal the 2nd canopy from?

My helo GB is going to hold me back even further. Still can't get the whole future thing working and mixing tamiya flat base with future didn't turn out well.

Moving onto plan B which involves Tamiya Gloss for gloss coat/decals and using Humbrol flat coat. Luckily I have a couple of stuffed up kits about to test on.

Once I have technique that works will apply to helo kit.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Lookin' good, MA Cooke! It's really coming together nicely. However, for your use of artistic license, you will receive 50 lashes of the cane!!

Hello everyone, from sunny Cincinnati!

Today has been the nicest day we've had yet, partly cloudy to mostly sunny, 76 F for a high. But I was not out enjoying the beautiful weather, no, I was at my workbench, painting my 'Cat.

Fellahs, I am quite pleased...it's not perfect, but I am very pleased. I painted the underside in light ghost grey (FS 36375), Testors Model Master enamels, and then shot the vertical stabs, canopy, and area around the canopy in insignia blue (FS 35044)*. IF you look closely behind the point of the blue around the canopy area, you can see a faint "x" shape...I masked the general outline of the blue area, then went back and lightly sprayed medium grey (FS 35237), but was not thinking about the masking tape. D'oah! Oh well...lots more to do, I'll add that to the laundry list of things to touch up.









This is the plane I'm going to do, markings-wise. I decided to make the blue area around the canopy go all the way to the tip of the nose, instead of stopping short. Oh well.



*The actual color has been discussed in this thread before. I have seen many photos of black-tailed Tomcats where the black looks to be more of a very dark blue, not really black. I made the choice to use insignia blue because it is almost black.

welcome back John , i stop my 500MD just to finish the cat. paint some burner cans yesterday. latedly i din do much either may continue some other day hopefully this week

Hi all

I should be finished with my Attack Helo GB by the end of the week. Then I can throw myself at the F-14 and get some modelling done and some pictures up.

My apologies for not having anything to show yet. Work has been very busy and the painting and stripping of the seats got me bogged down.
But my enthusiasm has returned!

Thanks guys

Modern US aircraft interiors are Dark Gull Grey.

Osjohn , im not sure also but i use light ghost grey on it. Did u try on the aircraft resource site ? they have some cockpit photos there .

www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Mitch i not sure if mine is symetrical. i use a ruler to cut half of the fuselage and my masking tape ends at the line behind the canopy

But i think this is crude. But maybe can use a string which u can pull from the pointed nose to the end of the cat somewhere to the tail hook area then align your tape by criss crossing on one part of the string which maybe behind the canopy ? just a tot only, i havent try it out as i just figures it out when i use my ruler to cut it half

i seen the site thanks mitch hopefully can get a B cat.

Hi all

What is the correct grey colour for the inside of the cockpit?
Dark Gull Grey or Light Ghost Grey?

Thanks

I use draftsman dividers. They seem to work well and keep me from screwing up. I am notoriously bad at symmetry.
On a bummer note... Work has re-scheduled my second week of vacation for my convenience and is sending me to frickin' Dallas for a week. Gotta go and show some folks a new program we are offering. Anyways, I'll have the lap top with me so I can keep up with the build progress. I hope to see more pics! Everyone have a good week.
Jon

I run into this all the time. You just have to keep eyeballing and re-applying the tape until both sides look right. You could try increasing your decal placement guide to the scale of your model in a photocopier and then using that to cut out a mask.

Hi everyone.

I'm having a bit of trouble, and would like some advice, please...

I'm trying to mask the area on the upper forward fuselage, around to canopy, it's going to be black (or dark dark blue). I'm using 3M masking tape, carefully cut into 1/8" strips, and this is working well EXCEPT that I can not seem to get the two sides to be symmetrical.

Anyone run into this problem? Anyone have any suggestions? I'm going to post this in the "techniques" section, too.

Thanks everyone.

sentry: e-Bay has a couple of 1/48 Hasegawa Tomcats, but they're both A models:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50298&item=5965297689&rd=1&tc=photo

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2587&item=5965329502&rd=1&tc=photo

Squadron has the Hasegawa 1/48 F-14D:

www.squadron.com

Do search, then enter 1/48 aircraft kits, type F-14, you should get it.

Hope this helps.

i think im quite stuck up with those F14B , anyone knows where can i get one of those hasegawa B cat in 48th scale . i really like the one in mustang photo. niceeee.

i din do anything ever since my last post .May consider to draw some of those panel lines using pastel diluted with water, as i cant obtain future in my side here, no such item for sale here, thus i don do well in oil wash somehow sighs

nice one usucsn keep it coming

anyway happy easter everyone

Today did some minor work on the Delta Tom. Doing the correction of the exhaust area where it is tapered when it should be squared off.
Before:


After:

Again thanks to Dave Walker and Skull Leader for the heads up.
Not much on the Fujimi kit other than painting the canopy framing black.
Did get some painting done on a GR.1 Tornado just for a change of pace.

Chuck
Fly Navy

Well, not too much done today. I finished spraying the wings and horizontal stabs. Has anyone ever noticed that all the lines on the Academy kit are recessed EXCEPT the horizontal stabs? It's not a big deal.
A little heads up: Great Models has the Hasegawa 1/72 Low-Vis and Hi-Vis(Sundowners) F-14A's on sale for 13 bucks and change. I grabbed one yesterday. My LHS is selling them for $25. Thought yall might wanna know in case the Tomcat bug continues to bite after this GB.
This week will probably be minimal in build time. I might get the second coat of Lt Ghost Gray over the bottom. I have the Phoenix Pallets pre-shaded and ready for paint.
I'll try to finish the gear detailing so all that has to be done there is just to attach them at completion.
Hope the builds are progressing well!

I have to go to the LHS to get some more Gull Gray and they are closed today! Oh well. I am also pounding on a 1/48 F-104C in natural metal and white wings. Something to get my mind off the pain in the can F-14 for a while. Hobbytown is having their Spring Model Contest on the 2nd. I was hoping to have the F-14 done for that, but I do not see that happening. I should have the F-104 ready for the show. I may take several Century Series jets to it. They are always a hit. Sounds like quite a bit of quality building time was had my many this weeekend. Great progress!!!! Everyone enjoy the holiday.

QUOTE: Originally posted by MA Cooke The single most significant observance in Christianity, the crucifixion death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Easter, Chuck, Easter. The single most significant observance in Christianity, the crucifixion death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Chuck, I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I figured you were joking, what I posted was by no means an admonishment. At least you didn't say "Halloween".

Today was a great day, good deal of progress made today. 1st on the Fujimi F14A, painted the canopy frame black. On the Revell Delta Tom, corrected the exhaust fairings by squaring them off. Couple of sharp eyed ARC GB Tomcat pointed that out. Thanks for their input. So that was an easy fix. Images forthcoming tomorrow. Happy Easter everyone.

Chuck
Fly Navy

Well I guess I will go with the VF-103 'showbird' decals....(see signature pic) It's now 9:20p.m. on Sat. and I have the cockpit painted the base color and I am in the process of detailing the instrument panels.I'll post pics of the cockpit upon completion.I am in the process of trying to make a set of GRU-7 seats from Verlinden fit the Aires cockpit,because they are way more detailed.Anyhoo...you guys take it easy..Later on!

Some progress to report on the F-14B build. I have applied decals to the exhaust cans to get the black stripe effect, the wash has been applied overall and the gear is built as well. Tonight I should have the flat overcoat on the model. Almost there!

a68, I would go with the 103 decals. I think you will be happier with the outcome. Those are some nice looking decals.

The decals I have for VF-103 are the 60th Anniversary scheme.You can check them out here.

http://www.twobobs.net/en-us/p_486.html

They are really nice....I got to looking at some of their other decals....man I wish I had some money !! I could spend at least $50 bucks just on decals...can't wait till I get an authentic paycheck again! LOL

which decal set do you have for 103? Is it the final cruise decal set? If so, I would do that one.

QUOTE: Originally posted by A68Trans-AmMustang I guess now it's down to which decals to use...VF-103 'B' model or VF-101 'D'...suggestions anyone?

I really like like that VF-101shark-mouth show bird but it's a tough choice.

Scot, I have that set as well on the VF-101 Grim Reaper decals. Will be using them on the D build. Very nice set. I will be doing a full color bird.
Armorman-That Acadamy Cat is coming right along. You've got that preshaded paint job down pretty good. Can't wait to see more images as you get to the decal stage.

Chuck
Fly Navy

Hey Bstrump...thanks for welcoming me back and giving me all of the specifics. I found all kinds of pics but none of them really explained it in detail as you have.From the previous info I had gathered the RIO's office in the 'B' came with the square CRT's but the 'D' models came with round OR square CRT's depending on date of manufacture.And I read that some squadrons had both types of aircraft,so in the interest in accuracy you almost have to get pics of the EXACT A/C you are going to build.Anyhow....I guess now it's down to which decals to use...VF-103 'B' model or VF-101 'D'...suggestions anyone?

movin' along, Mark- movin' along! I messed around with different colors for the pre-shade. I ended up using Polly Scale 'Scale Black'. Not too dark, not too light. I was fortunate it ended up just perfect. I am very happy with the results. With the umber wash it should look great. Thanks for the kind words fellas!