Tamiya 1:32 F-14

Ancientmariner · Nov 26, 2023

Re the undercarriage I fitted the doors to the front section. I would not do this again as it's proved a real pain in the neck.

Hoping to finish the bulk of the top colours by Monday.....

Ancientmariner · Nov 26, 2023

So more masking, using a fair bit of kit hen roll to minimize tape use.

Sprayed on the lighter blue as it seems 60% of the body is this colour. Light grey and dark blue to go.

Once completed I am going to varnish it all and then black/brown wash it all to tone it down a lot.

Ancientmariner · Nov 27, 2023

So got nowhere near what I wanted done today. Started the masking for the dark blue and grey though which seems luckily quite simple.

Ancientmariner · Nov 28, 2023

So the base coat is done except for.some touch ups and the canopy.

Not too bad all in all for two hours. Blue I picked turned out far more grey so had to use a darker blue in the end.

Ancientmariner · Nov 28, 2023

A little more progress, seem to have found a bag of enthusiasm today!

Does anyone know what colour the parts where the wings fold are supposed to be? From the moulding they look like canvas?

boatman · Nov 28, 2023

LOVE your tomcat James as never seen one in these colours before an i think you have done a very good build an if mine comes out half as good i will be pleased it was easy to fit the eletrics in my small tomcats but in a big 1/32 its gonna be really hard but yours looks great an would be proud to call it mine
ATB James
chrisb

langy71 · Nov 28, 2023

Ancientmariner said:
A little more progress, seem to have found a bag of enthusiasm today!

Does anyone know what colour the parts where the wings fold are supposed to be? From the moulding they look like canvas?

View attachment 496222 View attachment 496223 View attachment 496224 View attachment 496225

I'd hazzard a guess at a dirty / dark grey...

US_Navy_031122-N-9742R-005_An_F-14_Tomcat_assigned_to_the_Checkmates_of_Fighter_Squadron_Two_O...jpg

boatman · Nov 28, 2023

langy71 said:
I'd hazzard a guess at a dirty / dark grey...

View attachment 496229

YES Chris you are proberly right but mine are black in my kit
an love the tomcat pic cheers for sharein it a ive only once seen one in real an its a big aircraft but could not see that bit as the wings were closed up tight in the overswing configeration but dint get a chance at a proper look as ma in law an the missus wanted to walk through the galaxy
chrisb

scottie3158 · Nov 28, 2023

She is really looking the part now.

boatman · Nov 28, 2023

scottie3158 said:
She is really looking the part now.

YES Scottie i think james has done a really fab job on his tomcat an yes may have been a poor fit but he's made a wonderfull job of it
chrisb

Ancientmariner · Nov 28, 2023

So done for today. Masked and sprayed the wheel wells and the tops of the tail fins and tbh it's starting to look better.

I know it's a long shot but I'm going to email Tamiya and beg for a new canopy and surround as it's really not good even after polishing.

Thanks for all the kind comments, glad I didn't put a hammer through it now!

Ancientmariner · Nov 28, 2023

A lot of masking tape and kitchen towel has been used today......

boatman · Nov 28, 2023

WELL James told you done a really good build an yes it might pee you off at times if a few probs surfuce but thats the whole art of modeling an you have sorted it an its paid off with a really nice model very well done sir hope mine comes up as good but im a novice now on plastic kits so got a lot to learn again
chrisb

Ancientmariner · Nov 28, 2023

Bet you'll do a cracking job! I'm looking forward to following along.

Currently researching base. Looked at a preprinted one but it has no texture. Now trying to think of a way of making tie down pad eyes. Planning to drill holes, fill with filler and then make a mould I press in and make the shape rather than buying pre made ones.

Tworrs · Nov 29, 2023

Well James, you get an A+ for tenacity from me mate, and she is looking really good now.
Good luck with your email to Tamiya.
Garry

boatman · Nov 29, 2023

Ancientmariner said:
Bet you'll do a cracking job! I'm looking forward to following along.

Currently researching base. Looked at a preprinted one but it has no texture. Now trying to think of a way of making tie down pad eyes. Planning to drill holes, fill with filler and then make a mould I press in and make the shape rather than buying pre made ones.

HI James yes the model will look good on a concrete lookin base as i bought mine in sheets about 2ft sqaure from HANNANETS an they not exspensive so bought about 6 sheets an yes aggree with you on texture but in this scale i dont think it will really be noticed but just my opinion an James you say I know it's a long shot but I'm going to email Tamiya and beg for a new canopy and surround as it's really not good even after polishing. so i gather your canopy also had a seam down it YEA ?
Chrisb

Ancientmariner · Nov 29, 2023

boatman said:
HI James yes the model will look good on a concrete lookin base as i bought mine in sheets about 2ft sqaure from HANNANETS an they not exspensive so bought about 6 sheets an yes aggree with you on texture but in this scale i dont think it will really be noticed but just my opinion an James you say I know it's a long shot but I'm going to email Tamiya and beg for a new canopy and surround as it's really not good even after polishing. so i gather your canopy also had a seam down it YEA ?
Chrisb

I don't think it had a seam but some clown did drop glue all over it.

I shall look into hose squares from Hannants but I usually make my own bases as I have a lot of wood kicking about currently.

Ancientmariner · Nov 29, 2023

So more progress however I did make the mistake of standing it on it's tail, unattended on what turned out to be not as flat a surface as I thought. A large crash and bye bye fwd wheel well doors.

Anyway damage fixed and under carriage on, also air brakes attached now in the open position.

I did not realise how many of the Mr colour range of paints are actually gloss.

Hope to got all the fwd ladders and pitot tubes etc in place this evening.

boatman · Nov 29, 2023

Ancientmariner said:
I don't think it had a seam but some clown did drop glue all over it.

I shall look into hose squares from Hannants but I usually make my own bases as I have a lot of wood kicking about currently.

HI James COR bet you felt sick when you dropped glue on your canopy dint you ? is it very bad then ? an im not goin to open my canopy bag till im at the end of the build to be on the safe side as accidents happen easy like this so in the bag it will be well protecked but love your tomcat in them colours is it in yank navy colours as i havnt seen this colour scheme before ?
chrisb

Ancientmariner · Nov 29, 2023

Yeah I think it is salvageable with some work.
It's a US aggressor squadron, the air brake inside is not accurate but I like the look, used a bit of artistic licence.