RAIN Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 (edited) This is one of two in progress threads Im going to update throughout my next two simultaneous builds. My goal is to have both finished by the end of the summer. Im in no rush as Id rather spend more time outside while I can. My other in progress is for a Monogram 1/48 F-105D. Ive gotten back into building models after a 23ish year break. I started back around November last year. My goal with these threads are to get help/suggestions/possible critiques, so that I may get better at my skills. For now you can see my latest model here http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=230602 The first build I did coming back into modeling was an old open box Monogram F-14A. I've dragged that open box with me for the last 23 years, home to home, city to city etc… My wife found this unopened F-14D Revell kit on sale for $9. -I always wanted to build an F-14 from VF-74, and I have some 23 year old decals that should do the trick. -Im going to make this an F-14B. I only really need to steal an IR seeker/ALQ-100 piece from a Hasegawa kit, and Im going to try and make it a TCS (I want the original TCS remaining in the Hasegawa kit for when I eventually tackle that baby). -My only other problem is that this kit comes with the F-14D SJU-17 (MK 14 NACES) seats, and I need two 1/48th GRU-7 seats. I dont have much of a desire to spend any money on proper aftermarket seats (Im saving the real cool stuff for all my other models after the F-105 and this F-14). So Im not sure what Ill do about that right now. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it, no pressure. -The revel kit also does not come with the common fuel tanks you tend to see on these guys. Again, if anyone has any ideas. So, Im missing a few items (and it might just stay that way), but otherwise, its pretty much OOB. So please help/suggest/ideas/or just thoughts. I might use them, I might not, who knows. What I do know is that I'm better for my models because of the ARC The Kit I took some hints from Darren Roberts article on how to build a better Monogram/Revell F-14, so I've cut off the stabs and for my own reasons, I can't stand the AIM-7 attached to the pylon, so I've removed them too. cockpit starting, and no GRU-7 seats in this kit, but don't want to spend lots of $$$, so we'll see on that. and painted black before going over with the proper gray I know these intake trunks are difficult, but I'm still not convinced that Darren Roberts suggestion of cutting off the inner part is the full right choice for me, so we'll see. And I have a corner broken off of the canopy....don't know what to do with this yet. Edited May 12, 2011 by RAIN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted May 11, 2011 Share Posted May 11, 2011 some styrene scrap will fill that broken corner with ease! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 (edited) I noticed, unlike the old monogram kit from the 80's, this Revell kit has lots more flash, and the top fuselage actually has a long mold like straight down the middle from bow to stern that will need removing. I have to think that the mold was more like a "copy" of the monogram one rather than just a transfer of the original monogram one. Why else such differences? And for now, I think I will try and be stubborn enough to fill and pain the inside of the intakes because I like the idea of seeing right down them. Not sure what I'll do yet. some styrene scrap will fill that broken corner with ease! I'm still not sure how to do it with scrap styrene? Details? Edited May 12, 2011 by RAIN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 If you're going to have the canopy closed (which would hide the wrong seats anyway) you could just fill that in with putty since it's the painted section of the rails. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 It won't hide thewrong seats because the gru7's have the ejection handles on the top whereas the kit ones do not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 (edited) Does anyone know if the F-14 ever carried the AGM-62A? I would like to have something other than sparrows hanging from the outer pylons. I know I can use AIM-54, but the kit only came with four, which will be going under the carriage. All I have are the Hasegawa weapons sets A and B. Edited May 13, 2011 by RAIN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 I know these intake trunks are difficult, but I'm still not convinced that Darren Roberts suggestion of cutting off the inner part is the full right choice for me, so we'll see. Trust me, it will make your life so much easier. I am working on my third Monogram F-14, and I wouldn't do it any other way. You really can't properly clean up the seams unless you do it this way. On my first build, I didn't cut them up, and it was a MAJOR PITA to do the seams, and they never looked right. Cheers, -Doug :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 (edited) Does anyone know if the F-14 ever carried the AGM-62A? I would like to have something other than sparrows hanging from the outer pylons. I know I can use AIM-54, but the kit only came with four, which will be going under the carriage. All I have are the Hasegawa weapons sets A and B. After watching the F-14 for a few years on a carrier I never once saw them with anything other than Sparrows, Phoenix or Sidewinder missiles under her shoulders even though they did do some testing with the AMRAM but it never went further than that. I know that in the Tomcats later life they did fit them for AG missions and I am pretty certain it was all smart bomb use and no AGM's like the Maverick, but hey it's your model so you could always do a What-if build. HTH!!!! Jeremy Edited May 13, 2011 by JMan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 13, 2011 Author Share Posted May 13, 2011 Hey, I hope this does not break any rules, but look what I found...it's the only pic of an AGM-62 on an F-14. Not sure if that means I will do it though, if it's not likely. http://www.tomcat521.com/tomcat/walkaround/walleye/f14-detail-walleye.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 The F-14 was never cleared to use the Walleye operationally. AIM-54's, AIM-9L/M's, and AIM-7's are the order of the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted May 13, 2011 Share Posted May 13, 2011 Unless you're doing an in-flight model, intake covers are your friend on the R/M kit! Steel Beach has vinyl covers in a variety of colors. Also, Steel Beach has some resin items that will upgrade your kit to an accurate B. There's an F-14B update set that gives you everything you need in regards to the ECM blisters, front left gear door, TACAN antenna, and TCS chin pod. I'd also look at getting Royale Resin fuel tanks and wheels. They are things of beauty! I've built around 80 of the R/M kits and I love them. Here are a few that I've done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsmith Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 80! I had no idea you had built that many Darren :) Oh, and I would pick up some FOD covers from Steal Beach, they are another life saver :) Darren, do the hard intake covers you have fit the RM kit? I might need to pick up a set from you for my "special project." :) Cheers, -Doug :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 The ones on the market don't fit the R/M kit, but PM me with your mailing address. I have something that will take care of it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalo Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Rain, I just sent you a PM I have seats tanks, and photo etch for you. I also have Phoenix missiles if you want them. Gonzalo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 PM sent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JMan Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 The Revell intake trunking isnt the best in the world but hey it could be a Tamiya intake trunking. For the price you pay for one of those you get a real crappy job. I would definately recommend you cut the intake away from the forward fuselage piece and place them seperate as it was stated before it will make your life easier and will improve the way the FF looks as opposed to leaving it one piece. Again I hope this helps ya! Jeremy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 i will be watching this because a lot of people like me we get models from places like Michaels. because they are cheap some times. and i would love to solve some problems with this kit because i have a ton of them. and i what them to look good. so any help i can get would be appreciated Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Sorry I do not have pictures at the moment (still on my camera), but I've put together loads of bits and pieces (wings, landing gear, AIM-54s, the AIM-9s, etc). I do have think I need help on something. I have followed Darren Roberts article to a T for now, but I still want to show the intakes open. Are there any suggestions on filling the interior seam once glued (which I have not done yet)? How do I paint it once it's together? Or, do I need to have a combination of prepainting the intakes, then gluing, then puttying and repainting with a brush? What about the engine front which is to be glued at the very back of the intake? I can't fit it an after. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Not too much exciting to update. I have cut off the intake sides per everyones suggestions. Cut off the wing folding mechanisms Added some holes so I can still stick a popsicle stick in it for painting Took the Hasegawa IR/ALQ and cut it so I can start making it a TCS Airbrushed cockpit components with FS36231 over the original black. And that's it for now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 when you get to the back area where the GE engine exhaust is let me know. that is the one area of the kit that needs help. i can help you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RAIN Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 when you get to the back area where the GE engine exhaust is let me know. that is the one area of the kit that needs help. i can help you In terms of fit into the body, or do you mean when gluing the exhaust feathers together, because I was going to get to that anytime soon while I wait for the cockpit paint to dry (I gotta keep busy with other stuff while paint dries.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 can i ask what paint job you are doing for VF-74 ? is it one of the camo jets or a differnt paint job? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EX_Birdgunner Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I'll be watching this one as I just pulled it onto the bench, but it will remain a "D". Since it will be my first Revell Tomcat, first 1/48 Tomcat and second Tomcat ever I could really learn a lot from this WIP. I am contemplating doing a simo-build with the Revell F-14A I have too! Denis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 the biggest part that needs to be fixed or work on when making a F-14a+ or a B or a D is the engine fairing. on the f-14a they are rounded. in the other ones it is squared off. so to fix this. you must put masking tape around the outer edge of what shape you want the fairing to be. use enough putty to cover the area then remove the tape when the putty is dry simply sand it to refine the shape and check side view pictures to make sure you have the right shape remember it is square shape on the end Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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