ghodges Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 (edited) Like many others, I too jumped on the Tomcat bandwagon, and I have to say: "They were right"! This is one of the best fitting kits I've ever built. Some of the parts literally click into place, with almost no need to cement. Also, the engineering is phenomenal, making the complexities of building an F-14 much easier than any other kit. It also supplies completely adequate (or better) detailing in all areas for all but the most serious detailer. The only drawback is there are no dropped flaps and slats, which are not an option here. However, there's now a resin wing set you buy and use on this kit if you desire to; though almost all ground pics show the wings clean and somewhat swept, as provided in the kit. The markings for VF-41 came from an old Aeromaster set of the Nimitz cruise in "77-'78. I also used many of the Tamiya decals, especially on the missiles. I don't know what was "different", but these were some of the BEST kit decals I've had the pleasure to use in years; so if you don't have aftermarket decals, use the kit decals with confidence. The only down side is there are a LOT of decals to apply, especially on the missiles, so be prepared to spend a lot of extra time there. I did save myself a lot of time and effort with the "no Steps"; as they're all dry transfer rub ons!All in all, this was a very fun build. It's also one of the few times recently where I bought a kit and then immediately started building it, which was a refreshing change too.That said, me being me, I've just started to build my old Monogram F-14.....just to see how it compares! Cheers! GIL :smiley16: Edited May 2, 2017 by ghodges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaglecash867 Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Holy cow, Gil! That was fast! NICE WORK! :smiley20: Eagle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdedig Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Gil That is one very nice F-14. Enjoy the challenges of the Monogram kit( 30 Years Old??) Cheers Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGarthConnelly Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Nice Gil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildBill50 Posted April 25, 2017 Report Share Posted April 25, 2017 Nailed it! Great job...as usual. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiralcity Posted April 28, 2017 Report Share Posted April 28, 2017 Sweet. This is some outstanding work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonL Posted April 29, 2017 Report Share Posted April 29, 2017 Very Nice. Some great memories there - one of the main reasons I build models and enjoy seeing what you guys build even more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2017 While still in "Tomcat mode", I decided to build my Monogram F-14 in the stash...... I'm generally following Darren Roberts tips for building the Monogram F-14 (from FSM.com), which helps ease construction somewhat. Still, it doesn't "click and fit" like the Tamiya kit and requires quite a bit of heavy sanding in many spots. I am having fun though! More pics in a few days! Gil :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2017 (edited) Got the scribing done and some primer applied... Making pretty quick progress so far.... GIL :smiley16: Edited May 7, 2017 by ghodges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navairfan Posted May 4, 2017 Report Share Posted May 4, 2017 Your Tomcat is just superb, Gil. I bought the kit recently, but haven't started it yet. When I do, I finish it as a VF-41 bird, too, one of the 'Fitter-killers' of the first Gulf of Sidra incident. Glad to hear you can confirm reports that the fit is darn near perfect. That will be a pleasant change from the Academy Tomcat I build years ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 6, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 Making some painting progress and thought I'd show the "soft masking" I've been using. It's essentially a strip of tape with a length of thread stuck under its edge. If you look closely, you can see the dark line of the thread under the wave of the tape edge, which raises the edge of the tape just a bit. This shows the wings after masking and painting them. I also decided to add some fading to the panels on this one. Still have all of the black and the NMF leading edges to paint yet.More pics when the scheme is done! GIL :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Nardone Posted May 6, 2017 Report Share Posted May 6, 2017 Nice work, Gil. Which squadron will this one be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2017 Defaulted to VF-84 Jolly Rogers.... :smiley9: GIL :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2017 Most of the painting is done.... Still a ways to go, but making good progress. Gil :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2017 All the paint is on, as well as the panel lines.... Decalling is next! GIL :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdedig Posted May 10, 2017 Report Share Posted May 10, 2017 Looks good Gil Tamiya,ha Cheers bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 Decals are on the plane.... I still have to decal all of the missiles tomorrow....final pics when it's done, hopefully by my model meeting this Saturday! GIL :smiley16: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmorrissette Posted May 11, 2017 Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 Gil: Looks great. What do you use for panel lines? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghodges Posted May 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2017 Drew them on in pencil. The only area that needed rescribing was the fuselage forward of the wings, and the pencil worked on them and the raised lines. Easy-peasy, if a bit tedious! GIL :smiley16: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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