Micro Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) After about another 11-year hiatus I've decided to build a kit that I'm familiar with in markings that have special meaning to me. I finished the cockpit and front section a few weeks ago and I've now started on detailing the landing gear, which I always found fun for some reason. Edited November 3, 2022 by Micro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomthegrom Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Welcome back! Great to see a tomcat. You will want to change the gun vent if you can. You have installed the 8 grill vent, you need the more modern 2 grill vent that came before the naca vent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted November 4, 2022 Author Share Posted November 4, 2022 Thanks! It's fun to get back in to this hobby. So fairly interesting story about that gun vent. In 1989 I was in the Naval Sea Cadets at then Nas Miramar. We spent a week of the summer with VF 124 and each of us were assigned to a plane captain. I still remember my plane Captain taking me on a walk around of the airplane with his name on it. I don't remember the modex or the buno, but I do remember the gun vent. That was because he pointed out to me that that particular airplane still had the "old" gun vent and needed to be upgraded. Anyway, after my walk around I got to sit in that thing and it was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. So I decided to build it as best I could. I ended up buying the Verlinden accessory kit specifically for the old gun vent. Looks wrong I know, but at least in 1989 at VF-124 there was one jet with the old vent still on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 There's the proof. You can't beat personal experience or photographic evidence when putting glue to plastic. Good work! Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 MICRO, Thank you for posting your build along with your experiences with VF-124 so cool to hear about some of the behind the seen story’s. Know one can nit pick your historical accuracy on this build. Please keep us updated when post again. Oh yeah one more thing ; TOMCATS FOREVER ❗️ Two words that can humble the “Nay Sayers and Sudo Know It All’s’’ - PROVE IT. Looking forward for your build, Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 Thanks, Happy. Yeah, I will always be the first to admit that my memory has its shortcomings. But I remember thinking I had to absorb everything that plane Captain taught me. I remember him grabbing some cleaner and wiping down the area behind the gun. Like I said I don't actually remember much about the jet itself, I just remember him complaining as he was cleaning, saying that he wished they would upgrade that jet to the new gun vent. Anyway, Slow progress but coming along. Still working on the landing gear because of how much I enjoy doing the little details. Mostly finish on the nose gear, with plumbing done with solder wire. I also added the abort latch and actuator. I also had to create a new AOA indexer because I lost the kit part. Still some final details to do on that one. Just began work on the main gear. Added the details from the Edward detail set. Now some putty and sanding before painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomthegrom Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 On 11/4/2022 at 4:30 PM, Micro said: Thanks! It's fun to get back in to this hobby. So fairly interesting story about that gun vent. In 1989 I was in the Naval Sea Cadets at then Nas Miramar. We spent a week of the summer with VF 124 and each of us were assigned to a plane captain. I still remember my plane Captain taking me on a walk around of the airplane with his name on it. I don't remember the modex or the buno, but I do remember the gun vent. That was because he pointed out to me that that particular airplane still had the "old" gun vent and needed to be upgraded. Anyway, after my walk around I got to sit in that thing and it was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. So I decided to build it as best I could. I ended up buying the Verlinden accessory kit specifically for the old gun vent. Looks wrong I know, but at least in 1989 at VF-124 there was one jet with the old vent still on it. I stand corrected. What an awesome detail and memory that is. Looking forward to seeing more of this gunfighter! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted November 20, 2022 Author Share Posted November 20, 2022 Still making sporadic and slow progress. Working on random things. Finished the exhaust cans and just about done with the mains. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 (edited) I'm posting basically just to vent! When I was younger hasegawa kits were the top of the line. I had this kit on my shelf for about 10 years and have been excited to build it for even longer than that. Now that I'm building it I'm becoming infuriated. The fit throughout the entire kit is atrocious. I don't know if the molds are just worn out, or if I'm doing something wrong. But the amount of putty and sanding I'm having to do is absolutely ridiculous. I'm giving strong consideration to cutting my losses and getting a Tamiya kit. Okay, rant over. Edited November 28, 2022 by Micro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sodasorb Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 I laughed out loud Micro reading your venting. But the Tamiya kit is a gem and a pleasure to bulid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keroburner89 Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 I hear your pain vis a vis this kit, but persist. It'll be so worth it in the end, I've built 4 (for reasons I don't know; no seriously they've always been a pain in spots but rewarding to finish). And yes, the Tamiya kit will build in 1/3 the time, but you can do that another time. You've come so far and it's so awesome to see a scheme that's very rarely, if ever built... I'm looking forward to it. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 Yeah, keep going. We paid good money for those Hasegawa kits back in time. Had a few that had great fits........and most that did not. Adding Phoenix rails and then a bunch of putty really helps the forward cockpit area to the main body. That underside was 90% of the time a real issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted December 11, 2022 Author Share Posted December 11, 2022 Thanks guys. I appreciate the words of encouragement. Yeah I had put this thing on hold after wrestling with it with about three tubes of putty. And yeah that joint between the forward and a half fuselage is ridiculous. I'm going to get back to work on it in the next few days and just knock it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 Nice. I love a build with a story. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Your Tomcat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted December 15, 2022 Author Share Posted December 15, 2022 Well, back at it. If I had to guess, about 30% of this thing's total weight is going to be putty. I started putting the fuselage together and I'm now in the sanding phase. It's been disappointing to say the least. But, I'm going to use it as a learning experience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted December 18, 2022 Share Posted December 18, 2022 She’s shaping up very nicely. Keep at it, ‘Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted December 19, 2022 Author Share Posted December 19, 2022 Thanks, Happy. Yeah, just kind of throwing it together now. Body painted and awaiting decals then weathering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 This little sucker has been nothing but trouble. LoL. That said, it's still been fun. Decals are on and in the process of weathering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 Got back to work on this over the past couple days now that the holidays are over. Still working on the weathering and putting on the details. But I should be wrapping this one up soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Nice update. She’s really coming together nicely. I like the weathering you’ve done on the cat. Happy New Year and keep building, ‘Mr. Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sodasorb Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Looking good with the decals and paint! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 Always good to see big Cats! Nice job! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Micro Posted January 8, 2023 Author Share Posted January 8, 2023 Well, it's finished. I have an odd love-hate thing going on with this build. It was an absolute bear to put together and is definitely not what I had hoped it would be, but it has a special meaning for me. I'll be redoing the canopy at some point because a big chunk of the Future came off. One thing is certain though, this thing was definitely a learning experience. Thanks for the support during the build. I'll be posting a few more pics in the Display Case forum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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