jward Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Well, after waiting about two weeks for my CAM decals from Greatmodels, I finally got around to applying them over the weekend. I have attached the drop tanks and am in the process of detailing the gear. Will start doing some light weathering this weekend. However, I still have to build the kit supplied weapons. This is my first attempt to post pics here - I apologize in advance if it doesn't work! Very much in the learning process when it comes to digital pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 Another pic - hope you enjoy! This is my first time posting in this forum - so please be kind! This is the kit cockpit - used Stardust confetti for the CRT's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jungle Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 LookingGood! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 More pics to follow - just need to figure out how to resize some of the pics! Sorry for the small cockpit photo! Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 One more of the rear quarter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jotter Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Looks Good. The Wolfpack was the first markings I ever saw a Tomcat in and The one i remember the most. Nice Job!!! Is it in overall light gull grey? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 Thanks for the kind remarks. Yes, it is painted overall gull grey. I have found very few pictures of this plane, and upon further research the past few nights, I think I'll be changing the carrier name to "USS Ranger" instead of Enterprise. I can't verify that VF-1 wore overall gull grey while on the Enterprise. If anyone knows, I would love to have a definitive answer. I did use CAM decals, some spare Fujimi and Hasegawa decals. Here is one more pic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KRI76 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Jward: your Cat is looking great!!! One question: what program do you use for resizing the pictures? they seem to be quite deformed during the process..... Please keep us posted with updates of this project! /Kristian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 28, 2005 Author Share Posted January 28, 2005 Thanks for the kind remarks. I am using HP Photo and Imaging. Like I said, I'm very new at this digital photo stuff so any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated! We bought the Canon Digital Rebel (6.2) and it takes fantastic pictures, but like you, I've been disappointed when trying to resize and keep the same sharpness! Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer! Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 never say never,but i don't think the overall gull grey scheme was used by VF-1 during its three cruises on the USS Enterprise.. they did by the time of their first cruise on the Ranger...but for your model to be correct for that timeframe you have to change the codes from NK to NE...and the unit markings were very small in size....once the Navy started to subdue everything... but that being said its a great looking Tomcat you have there,in markings for one of my favourite units too... cheers, Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevenJ Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Looks good! I hope to one day build an early VF-1 Tomcat (early boat-tail and white undersides and moving surfaces) if I can ever get my hands on that 72nd Hasegawa kit. A great program for resizing images is Irfanview. And it's free! http://www.irfanview.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M'Dog Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 Jim: Looks good. VF-1 has always been a fav... Send more scans when able. M'Dog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 Awesome looking early era 'CAT. ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jonathan_Lotton Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 As far as I know.. VF-1 and VF-2 Tomcats wore the gull gray/white undersides scheme all through their cruises on the Enterprise. When they went to the Ranger, they went to overall gull grey, then further into the 80's, they went to various low-viz schemes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike W. Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 I have some photos of a VF-1 Tomcat from the USS Ranger which I took at an airshow in the early 80's. The markings are very different from what was used on the Enterprise. It's in overall gull gray and there are no unit markings on the forward fuselage. There are also no markings inside the vertical tails and the code is NE which is painted directly behind the wolf's head on the tail. HTH, Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roym Posted January 29, 2005 Share Posted January 29, 2005 I have one photo of a VF-1 overall gull grey with USS Enterprise titles. So your model is accurate for SOME time frame. It's in the Airtime book on the F-14. Cheers, Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 I appreciate all the info the you guys have provided! This is truly why ARC is the best place to hang out! Ray - I would love to see a copy of that photo someday. I knew that this build would not be the most accurate build in the history of F-14 models, but I'm happy with the results. I did this scheme for two reasons. First, I didn't want to tackle a two-tone scheme just yet. This is my fifth completed model in as many years, so I'm still trying to master some of the techniques I see on this site. Second, I have always loved VF-1 markings and got the idea for this scheme (overall gull grey) when I spoke to a former F-14 RIO (VF-31) who was "pretty sure" that he saw this scheme (or something similar) during his training. Maybe he was right?? Anyhow, it looks good to me and I learned far more than expected! Even my wife liked the markings - :o Now that's major progress in the model building world!! Thanks again for the info and I will post some pics when completed. B) Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I have one photo of a VF-1 overall gull grey with USS Enterprise titles. So your model is accurate for SOME time frame. It's in the Airtime book on the F-14.Cheers, Roy That it is! To be picky, the ventral strakes should be red with a white VF-1. Other than that, you're good to go. BTW, the timeframe is 1978-79, just before the 'Pack switched airwings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jward Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 :D :) Thanks for the info Darren and Roy! I will be painting the ventral strakes tonight - just need to make the white VF-1 lettering! And I don't consider your comment as "being picky" at all!! I really appreciate all the critique and help! I painted the strakes grey with the red border based on a photo that was taken during one of the Ranger cruises - hoping it was correct! Anyway, I completed the gear over the weekend and just started the weapons last night. Hope to post more pics soon. BTW - Darren, I really appreciate your article on building the Academy Tomcat! It was without a doubt right on the money! Thanks again for the help! Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.