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dsahling

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Posts posted by dsahling

  1. I'm making very good progress on an 1/32 F-14A from early VF-1, circa 1975-76 and I noticed something from some photos (I'll try to post them soon) that the exhausts seem to have this bright metallic "ring" or "sealing plates" and its not just VF-1, several other early F-14 squadrons had these.  However, most of the aftermarket exhausts out there don't seem to depict this, and I was thinking of trying to scratch build some but I need some good reference photos of these sealing plates and I was wondering if anyone had such photos?  From what I can tell a piece of strip styrene put over the exhausts in the correct place would work but I was hoping to try to see what kind of surface detail I would need to depict.  In short, if anyone has some good detailed/close-up photos of these "sealing plates" on early TF-30 F-14A Tomcats I would be most appreciative.

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

  2. So I'm making progress on my Tamiya 1/32 F-14A from VF-1, and while I've been able to find a few photos of the top of the vertical stabilizers I still was hoping to try to find some more close-up detail as I'm trying to figure out whether to keep the raised detail on the top of the vertical stabilizers, as some of the photos I have show that MAYBE the raised detail is appropriate?  But im not certain, if anyone would be so kind to share any photos without the reinforcement plates I would most grateful.

     

    Dan

  3. So I've almost got my scratch built 1/32 F-14A "boat tail" done (1/32 'Wichita 100 here I come baby!) (I've always wanted to do a 1/32 F-14A from VF-1), the main parts are all installed and it really has turned out much better than I expected.  Right now I'm trying to figure out what types of panel lines I need to scribe/fill on it.  I know there is  panel line that runs adjacent to the end of the airbrake and I have one photo that shows a little of the top of the 'boat tail' but not enough to really make out whether there is another panel line in front of that.  Long story short, does anyone have any good photos that show the 'boat tail' from the top-down whereby the panel lines are more visible?  I would really appreciate it!

     

    Thanks 

     

    Dan

  4. I'm looking for some F-14A Tomcat VF-1 Wolf Pack from the 1970s photos.  I'm looking specifically for those photos of the really nice looking high-viz (light gull grey over white) scheme with the red wolf head and stripes on the fuselage and vertical stabilizers.  I've looked through google and I've found some, I'm really looking for modex 100 and do have phots of both sides, but I was wondering if some of the other nice folks here on ARC might have some that aren't commonly seen.

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

  5. So I've been thinking I'd like to do a Tamiya 1/32 F-14D from VF-213 Blacklions 101, with the "lions head" nose art.  Inspired by that beautiful build Masa Narita did with the carrier diorama.  I always enjoy the USN grey TPS schemes because of how easily they lend themselves to heavy weathering and it can always be fun to be creative with weathering and make it up as you go.   However, its also nice to have some reference photos on hand too, but I've only been able to find 2 with the lion's head on it from the left hand side.  I was wondering if someone else had some more photos of it?

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

  6. So I'm wanting to start a couple 1/32 F-14 builds, one of which is going to be an F-14D in low-viz, TPS markings.  A lot of the D models have the upper surfaces painted in that Blue-Gray haze color FS 35237 (technically blue).  I find one of the best matches to that distinct color is from the Model Master acrylic line, the Mr. Color/Mr Hobby are too dark and too grey.  I imagine there are other good brands that may have a good match (I've heard good things about Mr. Paint, but I just can't do lacquers anymore, just too harsh with the fumes even with the hood for me).  The one tricky area is finding a good set of 1/32 F-14 low-viz stencils that match that color.  Its certainly not difficult to find 1/32 F-14D low viz markings, but what I'm referring to is finding a set that has more of a "blue" hue/tint that the real FS 35237 has.  Does anyone know of a close match?  or are there any photo etch paint stencils like they have for some of the stencils for F-15s and F-16s?

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

  7. So I've been working with the chipping fluid from both MiG and Ak Interactive and they both work very well and produce a really nice worn/chipped/scratch paint in areas.  However, there is a problem I've noticed and I was wondering if some people here have a solution.  The problem comes if you have to put masking tape or even blue tac over it and it pulls the acrylic paint off, even letting it dry/cure for several days doesn't seem to help.  So I'm working on a Bf-109 presently and I clear coated fairly well with tamiya x-22, although in hind sight it didn't have the "candy shell" appearance of a solid gloss coat, but I thought it would work to create a "barrier" over the chipped paint so when I applied the masking tape it wouldn't peel the paint off with it.  I think I'm on to something because most of the paint didn't come off and seemed to work somewhat, its just a few trouble areas where it peeled.  I'm thinking I just didn't have a really solid gloss coat (I let it cure for about 3 days).  Does anyone know of a better type of gloss coat or other solution to preventing the paint from peeling with masking, or think I should just try a thicker gloss coat before trying again?

  8. Yes I'm aware, I've read up a little on both the kits.  A fellow over at Britmodeller did a side-by-side build of them fairly recently, and apparently the Collectaire is a more representation of the prototype YF-23 PAV-1 and it also has the separate control surfaces and such.  Not to mention its a resin kit and sounds like an interesting challenge.  The hobbyboss version has some changes/differences in shape.  And I'm planning on doing the hobbyboss as more of a what-if it was actually selected by the USAF for production.   Then the changes become a little easier to incorporate into the build as there's often changes, sometimes even significant from the prototype to the production variant.  Just take a look at the prototype YF-22 and then the actual F-22.  Out of curiosity do you happen to have a Collectaire YF-23 or know of someone who does?

     

    Dan

  9. Does anyone happen to have any photos of the Su-27SM3 Flanker 'Red 64' RF-90747?  I believe it is or was based out of Krymsk/Krasnodar Krai Air Base?  What I'm really hoping for are some photos that show the upper surfaces of the camouflage scheme.  I've been able to find some photos but mostly from the side/underneath, and a few shots that show a little of the upper surfaces but not what I really need.  I even tried getting ahold of the photographers without success, and I know its probably a long-shot but I tried the Russian Embassy to see if they could help but I doubt I'll hear back from them.  As luck would have it I've been able to find good photos of Red 60, 61, 62, 63...and Red 65, but alas.  For the record the plane I'm referring to above is NOT the Su-27UB 'Red 64' with the Eagle eye/beak on the forward fuselage and 'non-standard' camouflage scheme.

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

  10. On 6/25/2020 at 5:37 AM, ya-gabor said:

    Hi Mario Krijan,

     

    Well answer is easy or not easy, depending on where we look at it from. In 1989 I was in Paris for the LeBourget show, not for the whole event only one day. And it was not on the day of that famous ejection from MiG-29 by Kvochur.

    It was fun in Paris! and was it also the 200 year celebration if I remember right.  

     

    As my work of aviation journalist/photographer travelled to both Farnbourogh and LeBourget in the next years including spending a longer time in Paris in 93 also and shooting dozens of rolls of film (just on the Su-27) at the show. Speaking fluent Russian it was easy to get behind the barriers and speak to the staff get under the airframes. It was a work for / in cooperation with Air Action one of the best quality publications of the time! Those were the days!

     

    Best regards

    Gabor

    I noticed you mentioned you work in aviation journalism and photography.  I'm currently in the middle of very large 1/32 Su-27 Flanker diorama, featuring 3 Su-27s (I've completely added all the rivet work of the actual plane in this project (for all 3 Flankers so you can imagine its time consuming to say the least) to help highlight all the weathering they experienced up in the arctic circle at Kilp Yavr, it also will have an Mi-8 hip and several ground vehicles, ground equipment, tar mac, terrain, etc.  I was thinking of doing another project that would involve making a scratch conversion for a Su-27SM3 for 'Red 64' (RF-90747)I believe its based out of (or was recently) Krymsk Air base in Russia.  

     

    I've been looking all over the internet for photos/videos that depict the camouflage pattern of the upper surfaces of this specific plane, but its been hard to come by any really good photos that depict that plane's particular camouflage pattern.  I've even tried contacting the photographers listed on websites like jetphotos.com, airliners.net, russian-planes.com, etc but I haven't heard back from anyone, I was wondering if you happened to have any photos of the Su-27SM3 'Red 64' RF-90747 or if you might know someone who might?  Or even better someone that lives/works at that base that could take some pictures to help me out (of course i'd be willing to compensate someone for their time/work/photos).  Please let me know.

     

    Thanks

     

    Dan

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