Nate

So as Stefan said, the white=A and grey=C assumption I made was incorrect....that's good though - I believe my hobbydecal stencils are only for C's anyways Thanks

I'm wondering if A's and C's would ever be combined during the time that the C's were introduced into the fleet in the mid-80's....One all white missile would be neat just because it's different and to give an idea of some of the changes that occurred during the Tomcat's life.... Thanks!

It worked pretty well, I put it on kinda thick and then sanded it down so shrinkage wasn't too much of a problem.....This was way cheaper than Mr. Surfacer! Thanks again....

Those are indeed the kit decals from the 1/48 "Atlantic Fleet Squadrons" boxing. I'm building it now and comparing to the 1/32 CAM sheet, which I think is the same as the 1/48, the modex is 201 and the stars and bars are the big ones. The kit decals are modex 213 with the smaller stars and bars. HTH!

I hadn't thought of the liquid paper, I'll have to give that a try.....plus, I've already got some, so I don't have to buy anything! Thanks guys!

I have a rather crummy homemade resin cast display base loaded with pinholes up to about 0.015 in diameter....I know Mr. Surfacer would be great for this, but I don't want to waste a whole bottle of that stuff (I have ~0.75 sq ft to cover). Is there an autobody or hardware store alternative that would work pretty well? TIA

You mean the F-16MV (minivan) or the F-16SB (schoolbus)? I dunno, i don't think F-16's look good with sliding doors or painted bright yellow..... Think how many extra cupholders it would have though!

I'm thinkin I'm going to have to man up and go with the spine+CFT's+ a lot of crap hanging off it. So, what can I hang off a HAF D? I'm thinkin 2XAIM-120, 2XAIM-9, 2X LGB, 2X HARM or more bombs, 1X litening? Now....how well can I copy Marcin's technique for CFT's.......time will tell I suppose....

Greetings! I'm debating about pulling out my 1/72 Has F-16D and maybe actually finishing a kit for a GB for once. I just can't decide what looks best! The clean versions are pretty slick and have the nice curves of F-16's but I'm not super fond of the way the canopy transitions to the fuselage, the dorsal spined ones are unique but the spine seems to destroy the lines of the bird, and the CFT's make it look burly but I can't decide if it uglies it up. What do you guys think? -Nate *Edit - apparently I'm not bright enough to insert a poll....well, discuss away!

I would cut a panel from 0.005in styrene to match the panel missing rivets and emboss the rivet pattern from behind with the tip of a needle or scriber. When you turn it over, you will have a series of small raised bumps - rivets! Just be careful not to punch through the styrene and if you use liquid cement, be careful not to use too much and melt the sheet (don't ask me how I know...) HTH

I second that - Having used the superglue approach before, I think Mr.Surfacer would shrink too much and you'd have to do many coats....HTH

Looks awesome, but I gotta know - how on earth do you paint the cockpit after it's in the fuselage?! It seems like it'd be tricky to get everything, especially the sidewalls..... -Nate (watching with great curiosity )

You guys are awesome! Those pics are perfect

Does anyone have pictures of an F-14 Data Plaque? MATS has a blank one on the BuNo page, but I want to see a completed one. Thanks!

Thanks for the info guys - gull gray it is, and since I won't be using bombs the question now is tarps or no tarps.....oh so many decisions! Anyways....thanks!

I found this bird on Airliners.net, but what FS gray is it? It looks like dark gull gray or dark ghost gray, but I can't tell for sure....it looks like it is caught in between the white and gull gray 70's and the TPS times.... Airliners.net Also, when did Tomcat's start operating with bombs? Doing this bird as it is in 1980 is probably too early for bombs, isn't it? TIA Nate

To add to what MarkusN said - you will never be able to glue PP or PE successfully, but most plastic packages are labeled with the type of plastic on the bottom. Look for the triangle with letters inside. PETE, PS, ABS, PC, and most of the number 7's, "other," could be usable. A quick way to find styrene is the bend it sharply and if the bend turns white it is most likely styrene or abs. Another good rule is if it floats in water, don't use it. PP and PE will float, the rest should sink, just make sure there aren't tiny bubbles on the other plastics making them float. Hope that helps

Exactly what I needed to know, thanks guys!

While doing some research for my IDF Phantom, I came across this article on ACIG saying the Phantoms could carry two Mk.82's and one AIM-9 on the inner wing pylon. ACIG (it's in the caption for AC114) Is this true, and if so, how would it work? Best I can figure is that there is no way you can mount a sidewinder on a TER, but could you do it on the rack that holds three AGM-65's? Thanks!

Howdy - I'm going to be moving from B'Ham, WA to Vancouver, BC for a few years and am going to replace my compressor with a tank setup. A few questions: Where do you recommend I go for a tank and air? Nitrogen or CO2? Would it be cheaper in the States or Canada? Thanks!

I'm most interested in the GBU-12's, but the JDAM would be nice too. I'll buy or trade for these - I have a random assortment of ordinance floating around so let me know if there's anything you're looking for. Thanks for looking!

I don't know if you can call my advice authoritative, but I've used the Testor's decal system a few times (with an inkjet) with no problems. The only real challenges are getting the artwork sized properly, matching colors, and working around not being able to print white. I have an Epson Stylus R200 inkjet, used both clear and white Testor's film with their overcoat and have printed a few decals with no problems. They definitely aren't up to Microscale standards, but they get the job done. The Testor's film is very thin and worked well with the Micro-scale system. It isn't expensive eithe

Wow, I did not expect there to be such a short debate....very interesting indeed!

All this talk of Christine has made me curious about other famous 'cats, specifically the A models....sooo, what BuNo F-14A would you consider the most famous and why? :)

I've had exactly the same problem on multiple kits as well! I've had it happen on Tamiya, Has, and Revell plastic....whether I leave it on for 15 mins, 45 mins, or a couple hours doesn't matter. I've given up on it entirely and I think I'm going to try ELO or Strip a kit from now on.....