Tamiya Grumman F-14D Tomcat

[Greg Kimsey]

For the twins group build I decided on Tamiya's F-14D Tomcat. I have always liked this pkane, and the version on the box cover is what I will build.

I have ordered this book. 'Spensive as all crap but I hope it is worth it

The book won't be here for another week so I am not moving quickly on her. I started with the cickpit of course

BTW, the silver squares on the side panels are booboos from misreading the number on the instructions, they are now actually black...

 

[Greg Kimsey]

I took pictures of all of the instructions but thought better about adding them. If anyone wants them I will post them. Just say so and "it shall be done".

 

[moon puppy]

Looks good Greg. I don't think silver panels would be uncalled for, sometimes they will fill in a hole with whatever they have.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

Looks good Greg. I don't think silver panels would be uncalled for, sometimes they will fill in a hole with whatever they have.

Hmm, interesting. You are probably right! They were supposed to be XF18 Semi Gloss Black and not Matte Aluminum, or whatever I saw with my fuzzy eyes.

 

[Sharkmouth]

I have ordered this book. 'Spensive as all crap but I hope it is worth it
View attachment 171956

It is definitely worth it but you have a local TMI guy here. how do you know if I have information overload for a subject? Ask yourself, has it ever smiled?

 

[Greg Kimsey]

It is definitely worth it but you have a local TMI guy here. how do you know if I have information overload for a subject? Ask yourself, has it ever smiled?

I, uhhh, I knew that! I was just, umm, seeing if you were paying attention. Yeah, that's what I was doing. And you were!! Way to go LOL. Thanks Saul!!

 

[moon puppy]

I didn't realize the back seat doesn't have throttles. I guess the stick didn't control the aircraft either.

 

[jknaus]

Watching with interest. Very cool project.

 

[Sharkmouth]

I took pictures of all of the instructions but thought better about adding them. If anyone wants them I will post them. Just say so and "it shall be done".

It adds to the effect of a review build. I sometimes post a step to show where pitfalls or mistakes are.

 

[Sharkmouth]

In case you want to print out patches for the pilot figures, these are from F-14D Turkey drivers:

 

[Sharkmouth]

If this is the scheme you're going with, why not have photos of the actual aircraft?

All photos (except last) are copyright of Bill Spidle.

note the Mutha added to the vertical tail near the top:

 

[Rhino]

It's pretty cool the CAG's VF-213 mount is Lion 213 as well.
I thought I saw this model skulking about in the background of your Felicia photos. 4-0 Baby!

I've got one of these patches around here someplace. Since the tornado, God alone knows where.

 

[Greg Kimsey]

If this is the scheme you're going with, why not have photos of the actual aircraft?

All photos (except last) are copyright of Bill Spidle.
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note the Mutha added to the vertical tail near the top:
View attachment 172001

Saul, that is above and beyond the call of duty! These are fantastic!! I can't thank you enough. I will check the decal sheet for Mutha

 

[Greg Kimsey]

I had looked at a bunch of aftermarket parts but decided I would try to add any mods or special features from scratch. Wheel wells will have as much wiring or hosery as I can fit or see. I plan on moderate weathering, as if she is shipboard but hasn't been through hell. I know now that the weapons should be pristine, so that is my plan for them. Weathering sure does cover a lot of booboos so I guess I will have to bring my A game as much as I have one.
I went through the instructions looking for steps that had options and marked which way I wanted to go The instructions look like this:

I have worked on the cockpit a little. I like the way the green screens turned out. I painted with silver chrome in the monitor screen area then decalled over that after it dried. Micro-sol settled them in place. After they dried I tilted the cockpit upright so that the screens were horizontal then leveled to the brim with AK Interactive Gauzy.

I don't want to go much further until the new book arrives on Tuesday, but I thought working on the pilots should be OK. I primed then zinithal style with black base then white airbrushed straight down. After base coloring with thinned transparent color I drybrushed white on the high spots. That is all my progress so far. The blue helmet was decided on from Saul's photos that shows the ReO with a blue helmet

 

[moon puppy]

I think Goose would be right at home.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

The screens look really good Greg!

 

[Greg Kimsey]

I think the pilots ate close now. Maybe a glaze here and there is all that is left. Oh, I noticed I have not painted one of Goose's boots...

 

[moon puppy]

 

[Tojo72]

Fantastic work so far

 

[Rhino]

Do the kit decals include sleeve patches for the pilot and RIO? They are looking good!