PNW_Modeler Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) I have just begun work on the Academy F-14A conversion to a F-14D. This conversion, just like with the F-14B conversion, will be done without resin and by using parts from some other kits. The conversion has to be done with the "Bombcat" boxing of the Academy kit, as the older boxing does not have many of the updates needed. First off.....the pilot's instrument panel. The front IP of the F-14D varies quite a bit from other versions. First and foremost is the MFDs are next to each other instead of vertical. This panel came from Revell's new F-14B box. I found the part number and ordered one up....and they didn't charge me for it! The finished panel.... Next up......the RIO's instrument panel Edited June 23, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Here is the RIO instrument panel..... This panel is going to need some work and some scratch building. The F-14D RIO station is very different as well. The reference photos I have found seem to indicate that the center console is round on the F-14D. The kit version of the round screen just seemed a tad bit under sized compared to the pics so I grinded it off in an attempt to make my own. I shaved off all the detail on the right side and the center. I carefully extracted the screen from the right bottom using a razor saw. Then, I notched the top section to accommodate the new screen. Here is the finished RIO panel. The Navigation Control Panel was made by recycling pieces from the unused front IP. The top MFD is the same one I shaved off with the razor saw. I made the large circular Tact Info Display with a hole punch and a cottage cheese lid, same thing for the MFD on the right side. Here is a comparison of the original panel and the new "D" panel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Great start! what are you using to make the screens so glossy? anything special? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Thanks Ben! That's just some Tamiya Clear Green over flat black Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhinolover Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) Nice start . Keep the updates coming. I'm a big fan of the D model. Edited May 14, 2009 by Rhinolover Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) Got some work done today.... Here is the pilot's cockpit all finished The throttle came from a R/M F/A-18C kit that had seen better days And the RIO's.... The LANTIRN stick on the RIO's left is from the same F/A-18C kit, I cut the flight stick in half and mounted it onto the panel. And finally...... One thing I didn't touch on is the seats. The F-14D does have different seats than what is in the box. The F-14D uses the NACES seats. These can be found in the R/M F-14D boxing. I posted an ad in the marketplace and our resident Tomcat fan from the south, Lock N Load helped out. You can find these seats pretty easily as they R/M and Hasegawa F-14Ds have them....look around and see if you can do some trading. Edited June 23, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lock n' Load Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hey Paul, i'm sending out your naces tomorrow! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) OK.....time to tackle those engine fairings. Uh oh! This won't work....since the Bombcat boxing is a F-14A, it has the rounded fairings for the Pratt and Whitney. What to do! Get some tape out, that's what! Then slather on your favorite putty....I like Squadron Green Remove tape..... Sand and smooth.... And presto! That nice square fairing profile that the F-14D uses with it's GE engines. Coming up next.....GE Engine nozzles Edited June 10, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xavi84 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 that's genius. i would have never thought of that for the GE fairings. nice work so far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) Now that the GE fairings are done, time for the GE engine nozzles. For the GE engine nozzles, I used the parts from the R/M F-14A. When they "retooled" the kit to make it a F-14D, they simply added some sprues with stuff like GE engines, NACA gunvents, and NACES seats. The sprue with the GE engine nozzles found it's way into the F-14A boxing. While you could just use the parts on that sprue, I went a step further. When I ordered my instrument panel from Revell, I also ordered 2 other parts from the F-14D kit (Kit #4729). Part number 103 Tail Cone is what you want. Alternatively, you can use the cans that come in the Academy box, you just need to grind a little from the inside to make the nozzle fit. Here are the parts you need for the GE engines. If you are just using the sprue from the F-14A kit, you would just have the engine exhaust petals. If you don't have the tail cones from the R/M F-14D, you can use the Academy tail cones as well...it just takes a little work (not much though)...about 3 minutes with the rotary tool should make it a nice clean fit. A dry fit of the Tail Cone reveals a problem. There is a lip on the piece that sticks out. Never fear! Rotary Tool is here! I trimmed off the lip with my sprue cutters, then grinded it smooth with the rotary tool. Pretty easy....took about 3 minutes. After that, it is just a matter of attaching the petals to the cone. If you are just using the petals, it is better to put the petals together so they make a ring. They won't fit quite right if you glue the petals stright to the inside of the fairing. When complete, you should have a couple of nice looking GE engine nozzles. These will later be painted and decaled with Fightertown's data sheet. SUCCESS! A perfect fit. Total cost of the upgrade - 2.95 for shipping from Revell for the two tail cones. The best thing about using the GE parts from the R/M F-14A is it frees up the much nicer Academy Pratt and Whitney nozzles. The Academy F-14A includes two open and two closed P&W engine nozzles that you can use to replace the crappy nozzles in the R/A F-14A. Edited June 10, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 (edited) There is another useful part located on the left over "D" sprue located in the R/M F-14A. That part is the dual chinpod that is unique to the F-14D. Here it is mounted onto the nose. It looks a tad bit too large. That is because of the shortened nose of the Academy kit. It can be fixed, but as this project is 100% resin free....we aren't going to worry about it. Finally, here is the completed fuselage awaiting a coat of Tamiya Surface Primer. I use the grey as it is a near match for Light Ghost Grey. I am still debating on the hi viz 100, or either the lo viz 104 or 106 This of course has an another advantage...just as using the GE engine nozzles. Using the dual chinpod from the R/M kit frees up the TCS chinpod from the Academy for use on the R/M Edited June 10, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lock n' Load Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hey Paul! On the engines, if they are going to be GE-110, you need to fill up those squared ''thingies'' behind the engine nozzles, don't know what that section is called, but the Carbon Fiber ones in the Bravo and Delta don't have the ''thingies'' like the A did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Nice mod's you've got going there Paul. Keep it up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Hey Paul!On the engines, if they are going to be GE-110, you need to fill up those squared ''thingies'' behind the engine nozzles, don't know what that section is called, but the Carbon Fiber ones in the Bravo and Delta don't have the ''thingies'' like the A did. I was going to say the same thing. You beat me to it! The "panel lines", for lack of a better term, need to be filled in and sanded on both the top and bottom of the engine shrouds. The great part about that is the carbon fiber is a grayish-black color, so no working with natural metal except on the exhausts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 13, 2009 Author Share Posted June 13, 2009 I'm not sure I follow....do you have example pics? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I believe they are talking about the banana link panels just forward of the turkey feathers, on the B/D they are forward of the engine shroud. You need to fill the panel lines that are just forward of the turkey feathers, they are for the A. HTH Reddog :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 OK....huh? Banana feathers, turkey peels? Holy crap you guys have me confused! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reddog Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 The turkey feathers are what we (maintainers) called the nozzles and the banana link panels are the square panels just forward of the nozzles. Sorry, didn't mean to confuse you. Those square panels just forward of the nozzles need to be filled in. Reddog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chuck540z3 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 I'm not sure I follow....do you have example pics? Here's a pic of my engine fairings in progress. Note the lack of panel lines where the nozzle attaches to the shroud (carbon black). The ring at the end should also be painted steel/silver, which I have yet to do in this pic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Those heat shields look great! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Impatient Pete Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Looks great Paul! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) Unfortunately, I had already airbrushed by the time I got info about the "banana peels". But, I don't think it takes that much away from the finished product. I will make sure to remember that for future builds Edited June 23, 2009 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twhite80 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Well done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
D_IcarUS_ Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 A very nice build!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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