THX1138

Never saw him again ? At Nellis ? Must be the Aliens then.

They'd both better have wingfolds, since the wingspan of both the S-3 and the E-2C is enormous in 1/32. It would be very cool, but doubt they would actually do it. Chances are low I think. We're talking A-6 prices or even higher and a relative small target audience compared to the A-6. To be honest, I'd much rather see them do both in 1/48 and go nuts with the detailing.

Let's hope it crashes on the next takeoff with that moron at the stick.

It should work with any kind of paints, al long as you stick to one kind. If you apply enamel over acrylics, you could run into nasty issues. Same goes for laquer over enamel. Arcrylics and lacquer would work best, since they dry very fast and are rock solid. Enamels stay softer for a while longer, and the chipping won't work as good. I'd avoid spraying enamels altogether. Salt weathering is not easy. Pratice on something cheap (old kit) before doing it on the real thing.

I saw this in real life today at Euro Model Expo 2014 in Germany. It's about 10 times better compared to the pictures. Best display of the show I would say and it wasn't even entered in any of the contests. I have the same F-4 in my stash, really want to start doing it now. Once again, top notch work Stephan.

The good old times. The 70's were definitely better looking.

Holy smoke......this is awesome. Not just the modeling but the lighting and photography too. Thanks for sharing. You have a winner here..

Seems like this kit was just made to show off the engine bay. Unlike many other Trumpeter kits which include a full engine, it works out ok here. Very cool.

It's a flying operational Cat. It's cool by default.

And don't forget to put the LANTIRN on the right pylon, since only that one is wired to carry it.

I already made one of those pink Tomcats. Got another one in the stash. It's a joy to spray-away all the pink stuff with grey after a while. Easier on the eyes :) Looking forward to see more.

Looks to be much better then the Hasegawa weapon sets too, which are overkill if you only need the AIM-54's

When overspraying with smoke, did you get a more glossy finish ? Since X-19 is a gloss colour not matt. Ot did you thin it down and upped the pressure ?

Since all the other perfectly airworthy Cat's have been chopped into pieces at AMARG, these are all that are left. Let's hope they keep on flying for many years to come, perhaps under more peacefull circumstances.

Looks very cool those intake ramps. This scale and kit lends itself to go much further and you did ;)

So all we are saying is that Trumpeter needs to release a 1/32nd SU-33 ;) Fine by me.

I can never get the Alclad chrome to stick to the Gloss Black base. Rubs off like mad. Other Alclad NMF's are much less easy to rub off. Shame because with a nice smooth black gloss finish, the chrome looks great. Sealing it in with Future is the only option, but airbrushing this on kills the nice metal shine. And handbrushing it on is tedious and leaves the surface looking plastic.

I saw this model for real at the AMS store near Amsterdam yesterday. Looks everybit as awesome as in the pics. Would love to see it go into a diorama one day.

The trouble with metal parts is that they don't really have a colour, but more of a texture. Depending on how shiny, smooth, dirty or weathereed it is, it can look different. And then there's the reflection factor. A shiny metal surface reflects is surroundings, and therefore takes on it's colour too. I would not use Silver or Chrome. That's too shiny and reflective. Better stay with Aluminium or Steel.

I actually was more surprised to see the Mk20 clusters on a TA-4 then the sidewinders.

Most aftermarket conversions for the Tamiya A were made when their kit was the only 1/32 out there (apart from Revell, but that's pretty rare and doesn't come close to Tamiya). Since Trumpeter released all 3 models now in 1/32, it's gotten easier to just get the right version from the start. The intake angle on the Trumpeter kits really isn't that bad. Not any more then the partially raised detail on the Tamiya A model. If you plan on replacing the exhausts with aftermarket ones (Aires) already, you essentially replace one of the biggest differences between the and B/D. Same goes for the coc

Trumpeter is reaking havoc on my bank-balance next year. With all 3 A-6's, and now this Albatros. Very excited though.

Just love seeying this kit again. Been 2 years since I build one. And you are doing one hell of a job to it :)

Seems like a great kit. I will be picking up one for sure when I have the chance. Keep on going Raymond !!

If the decide to update any of the 1/32 jets the F-14 would be the one that needs it most. But the market for this is small, especially with the current economy. We're talking kits that cost well over $100, and an update would increase that even more. That being said, imagine an F-14 or an F-4 for that matter with the technology and construction like we've seen in the recent P-51 and Spitfire. It would be simply awesome. But Tamiya is in this business not to just be awesome. It's to be awesome and make money. And the Chinese rivals are definitely breathing down their neck.