Tamiya 1/48 F-14A VF-84 Fear The Bones

[406 Silverado]

Sept 4, 2024 19:22:02 GMT -5 jkim said:

Thank you Kyle! Appreciate the feedback!

I think I'm getting to a finishing point in terms of weathering the topsides.  I want to maintain the well-maintained look that I'm seeing of photos of VF-84 Tomcats in 1978/79.  The wing sweep staining was kept very subtle to match the overall weathering.

  What you did with the swept wing staining is something that I have NOT noticed on other F-14 builds that I have seen and would've been overlooked by me if I had built this kit in the past. I've gotta say......that is a good feature that you brought out in this build here. This is like a good movie John......I just don't want this build to end. Good stuff going on in this thread for sure.

[handiabled]

As usual your attention to detail is second to none John. I really like your approach to the lightly weathered finish on this.

[tcoat]

I will also comment on the wing sweep staining. Those things spent about 90% of their time sitting on a deck with the wings folded in tropical sun which means exposed areas are gonna' fade. The area protected would be a darker shade of paint even if not stained by contaminates. Your technique shows that variation perfectly.

[project510]

An absolute master class of a build. Thank you for showing us not only your incredible skills, but your technique also. Wow!

[stuart]

Utterly superb work John as ever.

I keep meaning to try this kit but I know it ain't ever going to look this good.

[jkim]

Sept 5, 2024 3:48:20 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Vey convincing work there. I love this subtle weathering approach.

Thanks again, Kyle! Working on 1/32 WW2 aircraft is my norm so doing a 1/48 jet aircraft is a bit different for me.  Based on pics, it looked like the high-vis F-14's of the late 70's were much cleaner than the all-grey, low-vis Tomcats later on.  But even well-kept aircraft, especially those in military service, have signs of wear and tear.  So maintaining that balance to the weathering has been something that I've been working on.

Sept 5, 2024 4:21:53 GMT -5 TJ said:

The weathering looks great. They were pretty well taken care of during this time period so your approach is very realistic

Thank you Johnny!  I'm not used to "clean" builds so I'm trying to temper my weathering urge!

Sept 5, 2024 4:26:15 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

  What you did with the swept wing staining is something that I have NOT noticed on other F-14 builds that I have seen and would've been overlooked by me if I had built this kit in the past. I've gotta say......that is a good feature that you brought out in this build here. This is like a good movie John......I just don't want this build to end. Good stuff going on in this thread for sure.

Thanks Joe! This one is definitely approaching the finish.  But I've got other projects in the works that I'd like to share with the MSC community including a 1/32 Spitfire XIVe Conversion...




And the 1/32 Italeri Mc.202 Folgore kit that I've decided to re-scribe and rivet...

Sept 5, 2024 9:14:09 GMT -5 handiabled said:

As usual your attention to detail is second to none John. I really like your approach to the lightly weathered finish on this.

Thank you very much! I appreciate this hobby because it actually embraces my OCD tendencies!

Sept 5, 2024 9:30:26 GMT -5 tcoat said:

I will also comment on the wing sweep staining. Those things spent about 90% of their time sitting on a deck with the wings folded in tropical sun which means exposed areas are gonna' fade. The area protected would be a darker shade of paint even if not stained by contaminates. Your technique shows that variation perfectly.

Thank you!  That's good to know about the wing-stain areas!

Sept 5, 2024 10:06:05 GMT -5 project510 said:

An absolute master class of a build. Thank you for showing us not only your incredible skills, but your technique also. Wow!

Not gonna claim master of anything but thank you!  I try to describe my build process in as much detail as possible.  Not only to help others but as a reminder to myself.  I go back to my past build logs all the time to remember what I did.

Sept 5, 2024 11:32:33 GMT -5 stuart said:

Utterly superb work John as ever.

I keep meaning to try this kit but I know it ain't ever going to look this good.

Thank you Stuart!  It's a great kit... typical Tamiya excellence.  I'm sure you'd get a great and unique result building it, especially with your brush painting skillz!

[406 Silverado]

Thanks Joe! This one is definitely approaching the finish. But I've got other projects in the works that I'd like to share with the MSC community including a 1/32 Spitfire XIVe Conversion...

Bring it on John!!

[handiabled]

I'll be watching for both builds John!  

[kyledehart5]

I’d never guessed that jets were not your normal area of expertise!! The skills and look you’re showing off here make it seem like you do these builds everyday!! Having recently built my first “modern” jet which was well outside my comfort zone (also an F14, incidentally) I know that isn’t easy. Can’t wait to follow along with Those big 1/32 piston engined planes as well

[jkim]

Thanks for the dialogue, guys! Input always motivates me!


The last bit of weathering... I've added some oils to the top side including a little bit on the wing sweep stains.



With that done, it is finally time to put the Tomcat on her own legs. The wonderful Detail&Wonder main landing gear is pushed into place. Fit is tight, especially with the parts having a few coats of paint. The starboard side went in with a satisfying snap. I don't think I'll need any glue!



I had a little more trouble with the port side and snapped the support strut that plugs into that square recess on the engine nacelle. I had to repair that with CA glue and then enlarge the hole in the square recess because the part is now weaker due to the break and I wanted to eliminate the resistance going into that hole. After that construction delay, I was successful in getting the port leg into place.


The end strut of the nose gear is glued into place.



Let's see how the metal-reinforced resin legs support the model. The main landing gear legs are set far enough to the rear that no additional weights need to be added to the nose of the model.


Now it's time to add the wheels. Because I had flat spots on all four tires to represent the weight of the aircraft, I need time to adjust the rotation of the tires so that the flat spots are square on the contact surface. JB Kwik Weld 2-part epoxy cement is great for this type of situation. It starts to harden within minutes (not seconds) giving me ample time to check the tires and tune the rotation.




Wheels are on!





And the model is finally on her own feet!



After so many views of the upside down landing gear, we can finally see things right side up.




I think I am just about done with this one. All I have to do now is add all of the bits and pieces that have been previously painted and peel off those canopy masks. I imagine my next update will be the final glamour shots.

[keavdog]

Those gear are just awesome. She is looking pretty close to done.

[garybrantley]

She's looking mighty fine, John!   Sweet build...you, sir, do some real good work! 🏆 😁

[keavdog]

Hey John - how about an F-18 next? Talk about some landing gear!

[handiabled]

Nice save with the broken gear strut. Looks fantastic standing on it's own feet!

[kyledehart5]

Well I can't wait to see the glamour shots with the masking removed. This sure is one beautiful bird. Nice work on the landing gear and working through that issue.

[TJ]

These updates when getting close to the finish are just eye candy. Those LG struts and bays are amazing.

[jkim]

Thank you guys for the positive comments!


I guess I have one more update before the finished shots. Here's the nose gear from the non-upside-down perspective.



I also wanted to highlight the great detail on the Minicraft Collection gear doors, which were finally glued into place.









And finally, the canopy masks have been removed!

[brandonk]

Nothing short of amazing work!!

[jkim]

Ok... this one's a wrap! Working on the finished photos now and will post them on the appropriate board. But here are some sneak peaks from the big camera...

[406 Silverado]

I've been wanting to comment on this one since you posted it all up this morning but was watching the Texas game with my son this morning and only had my phone to see the pictures on. Something told me that it would be much better on my laptop with a good size screen on it and man.......was I ever glad I waited to see it on the big screen John. Such an amazingly well-built aircraft and I learn a ton from you every time you post something up bud. I'm looking forward to seeing this one all finished up.

[jkim]

Thank you Tom!

For anyone that is interested in seeing the completed photos of this build, please follow the link below:


modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/17037/tamiya-48-14a-jolly-rogers

[TJ]

Spectacular finish. Now I have to go look at the glamor shots

[keavdog]

Thanks for posting this build - fun to watch as usual John. Well done

[kyledehart5]

Speechless. I really enjoyed following along with your WIP.

[jkim]

Thanks guys! It was fun and I'm on to my next build, which is live on the WW2/Axis board.