F-14 weathering...what do you think?

[Darren Roberts]

Over the years I've tweaked how I do my weathering techniques for Navy models. I tried something new on this one and I think I like the results. I sprayed the base colors, and then oversprayed the entire model with Tamiya Smoke. Then I went back and with a lighter color and did corrosion control and fading. I still have washes to put on, but here is how it stands now. This will be an upcoming FSM article.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Darren Roberts

[EX_Birdgunner]

I likey, looks quite realistic. Heavy weathering on Tomcats is something that I need to work on. The Tamiya Smoke overspray idea is a good one. Can't wait to read the article.

Denis

[Jennings]

Looks very good. I saw some F-14s at Oceana once upon a time (on a tour) that had what looked for all the world like brilliant Soviet cockpit blue-green touch ups on them. The maintenance officer escorting us said the epoxy paint was very prone to color shifting if not mixed exactly right, or if the atmospheric conditions weren't just right. He said the cans might say "FSxxxx" but you really never knew what color you might get. I've always wanted to do an F-14 with multi-colored touch ups like that. Almost anything goes. He said they also used Sears automotive primer for touch ups as well, any color they could lay their hands on.

[Darren Roberts]

Looks very good. I saw some F-14s at Oceana once upon a time (on a tour) that had what looked for all the world like brilliant Soviet cockpit blue-green touch ups on them. The maintenance officer escorting us said the epoxy paint was very prone to color shifting if not mixed exactly right, or if the atmospheric conditions weren't just right. He said the cans might say "FSxxxx" but you really never knew what color you might get. I've always wanted to do an F-14 with multi-colored touch ups like that. Almost anything goes. He said they also used Sears automotive primer for touch ups as well, any color they could lay their hands on.

The blue-green color you mention is exactly what we have on the Tomcat at the Combat Air Museum in Topeka. It's a former VF-41 and NSAWC bird with the non-standard overall medium gray paint scheme. Over the entire airframe at random places is that teal color you mention. I built a model of it and tried to replicate it as best I could. I always wondered what it was. Thanks for the gouge. BTW, I never got a call back from the 190th. I'll try again and see if I can pics of their 135's.

[Jennings]

Cool Darren, thanks. I actually found a couple more shots of the same airplane online, but I'd love to get some really good ones. I haven't found any of their a/c with nose art, but not all units have any on their jets.

[Parabat]

Looks pretty darn good to me, I love the battered, hard worn look that some are able to replicate, and this looks spot on to my eye.

[zark]

Great!!!!...I'll apply your technique to my next model and I hope it will look half as good as yours!

[THX1138]

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 ?

[kozlok]

Darren builds a Tomcat? I thought I'd never see the day (LOL)! Seriously one of the best. A great new technique, I think I'll steal it from you!

[redcorvette]

Over the years I've tweaked how I do my weathering techniques for Navy models. I tried something new on this one and I think I like the results. I sprayed the base colors, and then oversprayed the entire model with Tamiya Smoke. Then I went back and with a lighter color and did corrosion control and fading. I still have washes to put on, but here is how it stands now. This will be an upcoming FSM article.

Looks good Darren. Looking forward to seeing your article.

Using the Tamiya Smoke over the base colors is a clever idea.

I've always resisted the pre-shading fad, because I thought it was more realistic to paint and weather models in the same manner as the real thing.

Realistic weathering is a fine art, one that a lot of folks overdo. You always seem to have achieve a nice balance in your work.

A bit off topic, but I can remember being at NAS Norfolk back in the '70's when they were delivering new A's from Grumman in overall Gull Gray with just the basic stenciling and no squadron markings. The things were pristine. I've been tempted to model one of those, but I'm sure a lot of folks wouldn't think it was "realistic".

Mark

[dehowie]

Looks great.

I picked up a great dvd from a guy in Spain who dod amazing weathering to a Hasegawa F-14.

Long road to a great finish. but your one looks great!

[Kevan Vogler]

That looks like a properly tatty tabby, I'll definitely keep the technique in mind.

[scapilot]

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 ?

You will get a gloss finish any time you use Smoke, even if in small moderation, and thinned. That's why it's best to go back and do a flat coating towards the end. Thin this stuff with 91% alcohol. Works great, although there is a bit of a science to it (in my experiences anyways). If not thinned enough it can become a disaster in your airbrush, and really be a mess to clean up problem areas on the surface of your work. If thinned too much, I find that it leaves a white, frosty haze with it when it dries. I'm almost certain that this has something to do with the alcohol more than the paint. But I refuse to thin this stuff with anything other than alcohol due to some of my nightmarish experiences with it in the past. Id say run about 50-50 and you should be fine. This stuff builds up quick, even if you can't see it. Don't wait until you see a contrasting shadow of paint before you let go, or else you're going to be looking at a puddle, or a blown soft spot in the center of a ring. Always go light, and come back to it in a few if it's not where you're wanting it. Like most paints, this stuff is more evident after it's had a few minutes to dry a little.

[Darren Roberts]

You will get a gloss finish any time you use Smoke, even if in small moderation, and thinned. That's why it's best to go back and do a flat coating towards the end. Thin this stuff with 91% alcohol. Works great, although there is a bit of a science to it (in my experiences anyways). If not thinned enough it can become a disaster in your airbrush, and really be a mess to clean up problem areas on the surface of your work. If thinned too much, I find that it leaves a white, frosty haze with it when it dries. I'm almost certain that this has something to do with the alcohol more than the paint. But I refuse to thin this stuff with anything other than alcohol due to some of my nightmarish experiences with it in the past. Id say run about 50-50 and you should be fine. This stuff builds up quick, even if you can't see it. Don't wait until you see a contrasting shadow of paint before you let go, or else you're going to be looking at a puddle, or a blown soft spot in the center of a ring. Always go light, and come back to it in a few if it's not where you're wanting it. Like most paints, this stuff is more evident after it's had a few minutes to dry a little.

What he said!

[ST0RM]

Looks like crap Darren. So much so, that you should set it aside and bring it down to John's and let us fix it for you. ;)

Seriously, it's great. Honestly, I like it better than the squeaky clean jets. Adds character without taking away from anything else. Now lets see it again with the decs on.

-Jeff

[Darren Roberts]

Looks like crap Darren. So much so, that you should set it aside and bring it down to John's and let us fix it for you. ;)/>

Seriously, it's great. Honestly, I like it better than the squeaky clean jets. Adds character without taking away from anything else. Now lets see it again with the decs on.

-Jeff

Workin' on it! Let me know when the next gathering is. I got sick the night before the last one. I heard you couldn't make it either. If you guys want to come to KC in the next couple of months, let me know. I know a place where we can go shopping!

[PNW_Modeler]

Dang Darren!

Looking really good

[Cobus]

This will be an upcoming FSM article.

Any idea which month this will appear in FSM? I am building the Hobbyboss F-14 at the moment, and I would love to know how to do this

[Alpagueur]

Any idea which month this will appear in FSM? I am building the Hobbyboss F-14 at the moment, and I would love to know how to do this

I'd like to know, too... so I can buy that number.

That heavy weathered look is very realistic for me.

[Darren Roberts]

It should be the October issue of this year. That was the issue of my very first article back in 1998. Here's a picture of the finished model.

[dehowie]

Nice looking Cat.

Bedt ive ever seen is by Simone Fiorito who put out a DVD on his TPS techniques.

Long process but the result is by no short istance the best ive ever seen.

Getting a tps Scheme looking realistic inolves a lt of teps and colors just like the real deal.

http://digilander.libero.it/f12aaadesign/DVD/DVD.htm

Well worth my money which inspent and was very happy with my results..

[Cobus]

Only October?

I am subscribed to FSM till next March, any chance of a sneak peek?

[Jinxter13]

F-14 weathering...what do you think?

YGBSM, seriously?...Darren there are very few people on ARC who don't need to ask.......and you are one of those. However since you did, several NAVAIR fanatics here have lauded as very realistic; other builds that looked very similar to yours. That my good man is one very "Birty Dird" ;) :D Looks like the 25th week of a 6 month cruise.