GW8345 Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 On 1/30/2020 at 4:37 PM, crackerjazz said: If I may point out a little know detail about the Tomcat. If you look at the pics you will see a small white bar going perpendicular to the centerline missile trough, it is just aft of the two white rectangle panels. That bar is what was known as the "staple", it was a heavy, thick U shaped bar used to re-enforce the structural integrity of the aircraft. When I was in VF-101 (88-90) we had several jets with it (older block/high time aircraft) and it prevented the aft Sparrow to be loaded. BTW, the white rectangle panels are where the Weapon Rails Umbilical Bridges go, they connected the aft Weapons Rails with the forward Weapon Rails and also provided electrical power to the wing station Phoenix's (if you have a Phoenix on the wing you will need an umbilical bridge on which ever side you have the wing Phoenix). This goes for the F-14A and B, the Delta's didn't need them. Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread but wanted to point out the stable since this is the first photo I've seen that shows it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 That's the kind of info we need so don't feel like you're hijacking the thread. It's great having a real Tomcat Tweeker around : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 2, 2020 Author Share Posted February 2, 2020 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 4, 2020 Author Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) Strangely, they take on a bluish hue when the background is green but gray when the background is blue.. Edited February 16, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Looking fantastic! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Those tanks look great ! Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Lovely gasbags! They really look handled 😄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) Janissary, Steve, Aigore, thanks guys! : ) I've ordered some TCS pods and L-shaped tail braces for the movie cats and started sanding down the early-type braces from the tailfins while waiting. Was figuring out how other modelers sand theirs --- I didn't want to ruin any of the crisp details in the surrounding areas and wanted to make sure the sandpaper touches only what I needed to remove. I remember I used to have this tool with a sandpaper band around it that your could rotate as it loads up. Built a mini version and cut up a 1mm or so 400-grade sandpaper band. You can do some nice precision sanding with this thing. It loads up very quickly so the rotating band really helps. I tried to just brush away the sanding dust from the tip but that doesn't seem to help a lot. Nothing beats using a new clean section of the sandpaper. Will move on to finer grades, then will have to scribe those panel lines before the newer tail braces go on. Edited February 7, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 Removing the braces from the starboard tail was trickier because of the bend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Awesome solution. Came out very clean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Nice work, very clever solution. Whenever possible I try to wet sand because it gives you less scratches and, the paper doesn't load up with sanding dust. Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 13, 2020 Author Share Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) Janissary, thanks! Hey, I never thought about that, Steve --- will have to give that a try sometime. The reinforcement plates arrived. They look really great but a little too thick to my eyes Opened up the top portion of the rudder... Dragged the braces across some sandpaper to thin them a little. Did the necessary rescribing of some of the panel lines and glued the braces on. I forgot to take a photo but they still stood a little too proud from the surface so I sanded them down some more -- from the outside -- but made sure I didnt go through the top layer, and that the three layers are still visible. I may have to redo some rivets, though. What have I done -- hopefully my having mangled them wouldn't show too well under paint. I'm starting to think I don't like my Tomcats anymore. I wish Tamiya had just supplied extra F-14D tailfin sprues in the box. Or next time I'll probably try those Furball braces or the Steel Beach vinyl ones. Oh well, I'll just soldier on and see how this turns out. Edited February 13, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrew.deboer Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 9 hours ago, crackerjazz said: I wish Tamiya had just supplied extra F-14D tailfin sprues in the box. Or next time I'll probably try those Furball braces or the Steel Beach vinyl ones. Oh well, I'll just soldier on and see how this turns out. Those tails look great. I tried the Furball etched ones, the Steel Beach resin ones, and the Crossdelta metal sticker-type. By far I liked the Crossdelta ones the best, despite having to stack three stickers up to make each brace. Where did you get the small plates close to the leading edge? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 13, 2020 Author Share Posted February 13, 2020 Hey, Andrew, thanks! I didn't know about the Crossdelta ones -- will have to check them out. Are they thinner compared to the Furball braces? The small plates I used are included in the Quickboost set. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
andrew.deboer Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) On 2/13/2020 at 10:30 AM, crackerjazz said: Hey, Andrew, thanks! I didn't know about the Crossdelta ones -- will have to check them out. Are they thinner compared to the Furball braces? The small plates I used are included in the Quickboost set. The Furball set I have are photoetch with some fastener detail. I see that they also make a vinyl set, but I have not tried them and probably will not. I like the Crossdelta ones because they are thin, but they still have rivet detail and they are self-adhesive, so I’ll probably just keep using those. Edited February 17, 2020 by andrew.deboer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 Started painting the nozzles: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keroburner89 Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 On 2/18/2020 at 6:54 AM, crackerjazz said: Started painting the nozzles: The nozzles look excellent, could you please explain the process? Particularly the darker portions Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 I like the work you have done so far, however, I want to say that I Italeri could have done a better job with the decals' sheet. Particularly, with the markings for the Skyhawk. Keep up the good work!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
my favs are F`s Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 Beautiful colors and weathering! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 23, 2020 Author Share Posted February 23, 2020 Hi MFAF, Sernak, glad you like it so far. Hi Keroburner89, thanks. I started with Tamiya light gray primer, then using a sharpie marker dotted the panels at random, putting more dots in the darker areas. I then handbrushed Alclad polished brass per panel for both lighter and darker sections, stippling the sharpie dots to mix it with the primer and lift it a little. After that I did some masking and misted Alclad burnt iron on the dark section. Finally I got some Abteilung light gray oil and weathered the burnt iron a little with a small brush. I'm actually not too happy with how the brass-like areas are turning out. Still trying to figure out how to properly replicate those. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted March 3, 2020 Share Posted March 3, 2020 Love the work so far! I'm working on the same kit after 10+ years of absence. You have already saved me some heartbreak with some of the steps you've taken, so thanks loads. I know what it's like to be your own worst critic...but so far these cats look fantastic! Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) Hi Andy, glad to be of help. And glad you like to so far, despite the slow pace. Would love to to see your work -- Tamiya Tomcats are great, aren't they? I'm experimenting on not using any direct brass colors. I learned from an old post from Vidar that those curved feathers after the burnt area are actually made of stainless steel -- so it seems like they just burn into a goldish color because of the heat. So I'm trying to experiment "burning" them using oils. In some photos I see still exposed bare stainless steel and some feathers are burnt really dark. I'll see how this looks when it dries then burn it some more. Can"t wait to see the new movie but they should've made Top Gun 2 sooner when F-14s were still flying. Tomcats just look good. And the grubbier the better. Edited March 5, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Underdog Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Crackerjazz, The F-14 Tomcat has always been a favorite of mine. You're doing a tremendous job with these, and your attention to details is amazing. That decal sheet is absolutely insane, and keep-up the fine work on your project. I'll be watching this build and wishing you the best! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chappie Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Wow this is an amazing build. I've been on hiatus from the hobby for quite a while, but I still have a stash and lurk around here once I while. With this new sheet with the TOP GUN movie jets, I've thought about doing an airborne display, but had no idea what it took to properly display an F-14A in flight. Gotta keep on eye on this one. Chappie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Slow progress here as well! do, re do.... feeling the pain😁 I'm currently working on the same area, the burners. trying for something that looks right to my eye... artistic license. I might post a pic once I've sorted out photo hosting, and will only be to get your opinion as I'm going for an inflight look as well. I do not want to derail your topic of what is some great work so far. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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