Darren Roberts Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 (edited) This was my test bed for my Steel Beach F-14B conversion. It should be available sometime in January. This is Tamiya Tomcat #3 for me, and I'm still amazed at how easily it builds up. For this one I added a set of True Details resin seats and Eduard wheels. I tried the burner can petal decals from Fightertown, and they worked great. I think next time I'll lightly spray them with Burnt Metal before putting them on. Also, the area that you apply them to has to be perfectly smooth. They show any defect on the part. I used a mix of Afterburner decals from their VF-84 and VF-103 sheets as well as detail decals from the Fightertown sheet. These were the markings that I put on my very first FSM article and I've always wanted to go back and do them correctly. It brought back good memories...and made me feel old all at the same time! Edited January 1, 2017 by Darren Roberts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coneheadff Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Really looking great Darren!!! Are those your braces at the vertical stabs? They look a bit different than the ones I have Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Darren Looks Awsom! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) 37 minutes ago, coneheadff said: Really looking great Darren!!! Are those your braces at the vertical stabs? They look a bit different than the ones I have Those are actually the vinyl set I have. Those will be included in the Bravo conversion. The resin ones have more detail, but you need to sand them down a bit so they don't stand too proud off the tail. Thanks for the kind words FAR148 and tosouthern66. Edited January 2, 2017 by Darren Roberts Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Sweet! It's Jan 1, is the set available yet? 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
murad Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 i wouldn't imagine i'd say this for a lo vis scheme especially a JR at that but this is a lovely lovely build Darren. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Parabat Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Very nicely done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
my favs are F`s Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Lovely! Gorgeous. I like the muted colors and the subtle weathering, and in the meantime the contrasting nozzles, the windshield, the targeting pod... Beautiful classic! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coneheadff Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 20 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: Those are actually the vinyl set I have. Those will be included in the Bravo conversion. The resin ones have more detail, but you need to sand them down a bit so they don't stand too proud off the tail. Thanks for the info Darren! Looking forward to see your new set Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Very nice build Darren! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 That's a DAMN fine Tomcat! What's the story with the exhaust decals -do they have some feature other than saving a masking chore? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fighting Eighty-Four Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Wow, that is just fantastic Darren!!! Well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 1 hour ago, ChippyWho said: That's a DAMN fine Tomcat! What's the story with the exhaust decals -do they have some feature other than saving a masking chore? They were on the Fightertown decal sheet, so I thought I'd give them a try. I don't think they save any more time than painting the nozzles. The dark "burned" areas are decals, and those save a ton of time! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 43 minutes ago, Darren Roberts said: They were on the Fightertown decal sheet, so I thought I'd give them a try. I don't think they save any more time than painting the nozzles. The dark "burned" areas are decals, and those save a ton of time! Darren Which set are they on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 2 hours ago, tosouthern66 said: Darren Which set are they on? The newer data sheet that he came out with. It has just about everything you'd ever need, including cockpit instrumentation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomthegrom Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 How on earth did you paint the silver ring just before the burner petals? Another great build. I always like how you build cool and rather unmodeled paint schemes. I think you are the man to do the Vark of Arabia. I have never seen anyone do that! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 12 minutes ago, tomthegrom said: How on earth did you paint the silver ring just before the burner petals? Another great build. I always like how you build cool and rather unmodeled paint schemes. I think you are the man to do the Vark of Arabia. I have never seen anyone do that! I'd love to take credit for that, but they are on the Fightertown data sheet. It's a great sheet to have for all the small Tomcat decals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 3 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: The newer data sheet that he came out with. It has just about everything you'd ever need, including cockpit instrumentation. Darren Thanks for the info, somehow I missed this sheet! Which is your next Tomcat you are building? Inquiring minds wants, must know! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ishthe47guy Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Its a pretty complete sheet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 11 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: They were on the Fightertown decal sheet, so I thought I'd give them a try. I don't think they save any more time than painting the nozzles. The dark "burned" areas are decals, and those save a ton of time! Thanks for the information! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 There's an even newer one that's more complete. Tomcat data sheet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afterburner Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Well done Darren. I plan on going back and pulling that FSM article/issue when I get home. About 30% through my first Tamiya Tomcat and I am still kicking around paint/markings. Such a hard decision to make for me. Again, great job sir! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 On 03/01/2017 at 0:43 PM, Darren Roberts said: There's an even newer one that's more complete. Tomcat data sheet Looks like there are a couple of windscreen tints there too... Most importantly, when will the Steel Beach B mods hit the ground? They look superb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 2 hours ago, ChippyWho said: Looks like there are a couple of windscreen tints there too... Most importantly, when will the Steel Beach B mods hit the ground? They look superb. I'm making multiple molds right now. I'm hoping by the end of the month. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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