crackerjazz Posted March 8, 2020 Author Share Posted March 8, 2020 (edited) Thanks Underdog! The F-14's shape never seems to get old, right? Hi Chappie, thanks, be sure to get the V2 (resized for Tamiya) -- or, I think that's the only one available now. Hi Andy, yeah, it's hard to get the TF-30 burn marks/staining right. They seem to all burn differently. But there always seems to be that goldish tinge. I've seen that on my stainless steel cooking pans and it's hard to scrub off -- that's probably the reason they don't bother to clean these areas. They just leave them burned and dirty. Here's my progress so far. No gold or brass paint on this one just oils. I tried the Alclad pale burnt metal but I found it hard to put the burn marks right. So I just used semi-matte aluminum to simulate the stainless steel feathers and the bigger portion of the nozzle, then stained it with oils -- engine grease, starship filth, ghost grey. I think it can use a few more layers and a little more dirtying up to get that burned up look, especially on the middle feathers. One of the drawbacks of oils is the super slow drying time. And the first layer melts when I try to add a second one so I have to apply the first layer, then let it dry for a day or two, then seal it before applying the second one, and do the same for the third -- and all that time you're worrying about how it will all turn out in the end. Right now I'm trying to read up on drying boxes that I've seen on some railroad forums -- I probably have to construct one. Edited March 8, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kurnass77 Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 Terrific job all around mate! Gianni Quote Link to post Share on other sites
weirich1 Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 (edited) Nozzles look great! There is no definite way to match the color variations on them due to extreme heat and unscheduled replacement of parts. Edited March 8, 2020 by weirich1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 (edited) 16 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Thanks Underdog! The F-14's shape never seems to get old, right? Hi Chappie, thanks, be sure to get the V2 (resized for Tamiya) -- or, I think that's the only one available now. Hi Andy, yeah, it's hard to get the TF-30 burn marks/staining right. They seem to all burn differently. But there always seems to be that goldish tinge. I've seen that on my stainless steel cooking pans and it's hard to scrub off -- that's probably the reason they don't bother to clean these areas. They just leave them burned and dirty. Here's my progress so far. No gold or brass paint on this one just oils. I tried the Alclad pale burnt metal but I found it hard to put the burn marks right. So I just used semi-matte aluminum to simulate the stainless steel feathers and the bigger portion of the nozzle, then stained it with oils -- engine grease, starship filth, ghost grey. I think it can use a few more layers and a little more dirtying up to get that burned up look, especially on the middle feathers. One of the drawbacks of oils is the super slow drying time. And the first layer melts when I try to add a second one so I have to apply the first layer, then let it dry for a day or two, then seal it before applying the second one, and do the same for the third -- and all that time you're worrying about how it will all turn out in the end. Right now I'm trying to read up on drying boxes that I've seen on some railroad forums -- I probably have to construct one. Have you ever tried fast drying alkyd oil paints? They look and act just like regular oils but do dry faster. Unfortunately, though, the blending of oil paint layers is considered one of its strengths and makes it attractive to artists. Alkyds dry in hours instead of days, but care must still be taken when layering thin coats with lots of thinner as it can still activate the previous coat. Maybe an water based acrylic filter would work better. I don't know as I have never tried any. When I have used oils, I have tried to take advantage of the blending characteristics. Doesn't always work because you have to plan ahead and know how the various colors are going to effect each other, and I'm not that good at that yet ("yet", at this hobby nearly all my many years and I'm still learning). I will say this, despite the problems you have been facing with oils, those exhausts are outstanding P.S. Great photos of an old F-14A with an early boat tail. P.S.S. Have you tried Liquin additive with your oils? Liquin is an alkyd additive that speeds up the drying time of oils. It also tends to make the finish glossy so a flat coat may be needed. Edited March 9, 2020 by Mstor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Those burner pics are fantastic, great reference. And your approach will be interesting to see, I'll just muddle my way through.☺️ The weather has been against me for the last six weeks, so airbrush time has been extraordinarily limited... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 Great work so far crackerjazz. Try putting your oils onto a piece of cardboard before you use them, the cardboard will absorb some of the excess oil and they should dry sooner. Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 Hi guys, thanks for the comments and suggestions. Hi Mstor, I did a few trials with alkyd after your post as I found it interesting. I got some Galkyd, Liquin and Griffin alkyd oil paints. I found it a bit gummy though so I scrapped the experiment and went back to Abteilung. : ( After a whole week of testing, this is the best I could come up with. I tried killing the goldish color with gray oil and I tried to "burn" the middle feathers some more but it wasn't turning out quite right. Will try to experiment a bit more -- maybe it will look a little better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 53 minutes ago, crackerjazz said: Hi guys, thanks for the comments and suggestions. Hi Mstor, I did a few trials with alkyd after your post as I found it interesting. I got some Galkyd, Liquin and Griffin alkyd oil paints. I found it a bit gummy though so I scrapped the experiment and went back to Abteilung. : ( After a whole week of testing, this is the best I could come up with. I tried killing the goldish color with gray oil and I tried to "burn" the middle feathers some more but it wasn't turning out quite right. Will try to experiment a bit more -- maybe it will look a little better. Interesting. I know that Liquin can be a bit "gummy" but have always found the consistency of Alkyd oil paints to be the same as regular oils. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, crackerjazz said: I don't believe you need to do any additional work on those burners. Perhaps, the only thing you can do (to "feast" our eyes) is to photograph them outside, using the natural light to show the fine work you have achieved, which is very close to the real thing!. Edited March 17, 2020 by SERNAK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) Yeah I'm not sure, Mstor. It could be the Mona Lisa odorless thinner that I use that couldn't dissolve the alkyd paint too well : ( A-10 Loader, Sernak, thanks, guys! Will try to get some outdoor pics once these are done. I was really tempted to get those beautiful PE Eduard ABs but the nozzles come in dissimilar positions -- one open and one closed, which means I'll have to get two sets for just one cat for my purpose. And I'm trying to save up for other stuff -- so maybe another day. Just need to weather the insides of the outer feathers and I'll button these up. I'm actually trying not to feel burnt out from painting burned-up TF-30 nozzles : ) But I have to do more so I need to soldier on. Edited March 19, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Beautiful job !! You should be happy with those. Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnS Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 Your afterburners & nozzles look amazing. I can almost feel the heat. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 22, 2020 Author Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Hey, Steve, thanks! Yeah, just trying my best to give her a little more variation now to make the feathers burn a little more differently. On 3/19/2020 at 8:27 PM, JohnS said: I can almost feel the heat. Thanks, John, that made my day! : ) That means my efforts were not in vain : ) Just trying to experiment a little bit more for the middle feathers of the other Tomcat. Primer plus sharpie dots plus handbrushed polished brass -- but just a single layer so as not to emphasize the "burning" too much, which the oils should take care of later. Masked for some Alclad Burnt Iron for the outer feathers. Then added some oils to weather the somewhat-burned stainless steel middle feathers -- and those totally burned outer feathers. Ok, I think I've experimented enough : ( On to weathering inside the outer feathers and that should really close the chapter on the TF-30s : ) Oh..actually, there's still that steel-gray portion on top : ( Not yet sure what color I'll be using for it -- and hopefully the masking tape doesn't lift the oil layers -- that will be a real nightmare. Edited March 22, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 24, 2020 Author Share Posted March 24, 2020 They're still shiny from sealing with Future... I should be able to darken the middle feathers and weather the outer ones some more after some flat coat. But that's basically what they look like mounted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 24, 2020 Share Posted March 24, 2020 Beautiful work !! The flat coat will take care of it. Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted March 25, 2020 Share Posted March 25, 2020 (edited) Looks real nice 😄 I've found that working with pastelles, pigment and Tamyia makeup sets really gives exhausts that special exhaust feel 😄 http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/Aigore/F-14A Tomcat/DSC_3287_zpsbui7gupt.jpg Edited March 25, 2020 by Aigore Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 25, 2020 Author Share Posted March 25, 2020 Thanks Steve! Hi Janne, those look great! I tried pastels and Tamiya weathering sets but had a hard time making them stick onto the surface : ( I've yet to learn how to use them properly. Hey, what color did you use on the heat shield (section D) on top? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted March 26, 2020 Share Posted March 26, 2020 16 hours ago, crackerjazz said: Thanks Steve! Hi Janne, those look great! I tried pastels and Tamiya weathering sets but had a hard time making them stick onto the surface : ( I've yet to learn how to use them properly. Hey, what color did you use on the heat shield (section D) on top? I think I went with Alclad white aluminium. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 (edited) Thanks, Janne! OK, I think the more I mess with the nozzles the uglier they become, heheh. Trying to get a good view of the nozzles in the movie... That should be enough work on the nozzles; will move on to other parts of the kit. An F-14 isn't all nozzles after all : ) Edited April 1, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted March 28, 2020 Share Posted March 28, 2020 Enough is enough, they look great, time to move on. Steve "TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share Posted April 5, 2020 Did some work on the cockpit while I'm cooped up at home. This will be a challenge to paint but I'll see what I can come up with. The cable on the utility light (learned that from Tim's Jaguar thread) : ) wasn't coiled so I got rid of it. Will be replacing it with some coiled up thin wire. Awful. In James Ingram's words, I did my best but I guess my best wasn't good enough : ) My eyes sure don't focus like they used to. And I think after crossing my eyes they seem to stay that way for a while and everything's blurry around me, haha. Will apply a layer of Future before the decal gauges go on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 Are these the Eduard resin cockpits? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted April 5, 2020 Share Posted April 5, 2020 A hint to save your eyes... Don't worry about getting those black areas perfect....do them ok and the just add a grey wash to make the demarkations between the black panels. I promise it will look alright 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share Posted April 5, 2020 (edited) Yes the Edward ones. I just wish the instrument panels were PE and film like Aires'. Janne good idea! Man, I should have asked you before I started on it : ( Edited April 5, 2020 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 7, 2020 Author Share Posted April 7, 2020 A little more work on the cockpit. Mmmm...yummy circuit breakers! I remember when I installed them one by one for my Hasegawa Tomcats using those plastic broom hairs. This sure saves you all that work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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