Micro

Thanks, Habu! That works wonderfully.

Starting to get into the final stages of this tempermental little beast. Also started working on my photography skills. Trying to figure out how to get everything in focus when up close.

Weathering is progressing as I attach all the accessories.

She's done with decals and into the weathering phase. Using a pastel wash first. Then going to explore a couple other new techniques.

After about a 6 momth break from this kit following the HUD disaster, I got back at it not too long ago. She's in the decal phase and progressing once again.

Thanks, Sernak. I agree. They are absolutely phenomenal. Still in disbelief at how well they fit the panels once they are sanded. So just a note about the lack of updates. I was detailing the cockpit with some wires and plumbing and had an accident. The forward fuselage slipped out of my hand and the whole thing fell to the floor. I don't even want to take a picture of the damage that was done. The forward windscreen cracked and the HUD was destroyed. I've been taking time to process that because it really hurt my soul. I'll start up with the repairs in the next few days.

Thank you very much gents. I'm flattered. Steve you were absolutely right and I appreciate you reminding me. I just took a picture at the end of the night before I completed the HUD. That little delicate thing took a few months off my life. It's now got its second piece of combiner glass. Now I'm starting to add the scratch details around the cockpit including ECS plumbing.

Added the piece under the shroud for the HUD camera, and the hood camera itself with a little piece of styrene. I ordered the HUD for the Harrier from Flying Leathernecks. Modifying it to fit and look like an F-14 HUD.

Thanks all for the tips. I found out the stuff I'm looking for is called "high density foam" and is sold at places like fabric stores.

Thanks, Thadeus. Slowly but surely moving along. Forward fuselage assembled. I didn't like the plastic piece fitted to the SSP so I took some ultra fine wire twisted it and created a cable. Drilled out a section for the HUD projector. Filled it with chrome paint first then clear green. Next step is to touch up the comings and build the HUD.

What kind of foam do you guys use to place into areas like painted wheel wells to protect them while other painting is done? And I guess not just what kind but where do you get it? All I've been able to find is floral foam which doesn't work at all.

Quick update. Working on the instrument shrouds. The kit ones are a little too chiseled and unrealistic. So I'm taking some Tamiya putty send with lacquer thinner and creating a more fabric look by dabbing it on the shrouds.

Thanks, Bastian. Working on the cockpit tub now. I'm using the kit tub with the Quinta 3D decals. Scraped off all the raised details from the molds. Laid down Tamia dark ghost Gray which matches the Quinta set. The fit of these decals is absolutely superb. They go right into place. They are pretty glossy so they need a flat coat after being applied. I'm masking off the glass portions because they have a really nice shine to them.

Seats done. I used the Quinta risers, ejection handles, and lap belts repurpose as leg restraints. The photoetched Eduard 3-point lap were more accurate and thus used. I also used the placards that came with the Eduard seats.