1/32 Tamiya F-14D |
VF-103
Jolly Rogers |
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by Chuck Sawyer |
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Thanks
for viewing my second model and second submission to the ARC.
My first submission was a starter project of Revell’s 1/32 F-15E, which
taught me a lot about plastic model assembly, finishing, weathering and
decaling, which I used extensively on this new project.
I
know, I know, another Jolly Rogers Tomcat, and an “inaccurate” one at that.
Consider this project a compilation of what I wanted in a single F-14
Tomcat fighter, which is:
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A
“D” model of the latest and greatest F-14.
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The
last F-14 BuNo. ever built.
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A
weathered battle-ready bird, vs. a clean museum piece.
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A
high-vis paint scheme.
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A
fighter jet with some history and, of course,
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The
skull and cross bones of the VF-103 squadron.
After
doing a lot of research and viewing hundreds of photographs of the F-14, I found
out that this project isn’t so inaccurate after all.
The paint scheme and decals may be for F-14B- BuNo. 163217, but the last
Tomcat ever built, F-14D- BuNo. 164604, is now painted in almost the identical
paint scheme as it guards the gates at NAS Oceana.
If you do enough research, you’ll find that both of these aircraft have
had a multitude of different paint jobs and labeling combinations, so nothing is
really “correct” anyway.
The print behind my model is from
Deployment Productions
in A2 size,
which I used extensively for painting and decaling details.
In
order to convert the Tamiya “A” kit into a “D”, I used the Black Box (VMD
Studios) F-14D (Late) conversion set, which has the upgraded cockpit, seats,
chin pod and burner nozzles for the F110-GE-400 engines.
Sadly there is no airframe conversion surrounding the engines in this set
like the one from Teknics, so I used a little putty to get it close.
Like
most who tackle the big Tamiya kit, I relied heavily on the build instructions
of Masa Narita, which has to be the benchmark for the 1/32 Tamiya F-14A kit.
As per Masa’s instructions, I filled in panels that were too deep,
sanded off panels that shouldn’t be there, re-scribed every panel line (what a
PITA!!), added new panel lines that should be there and filled in a few that
shouldn’t.
I also did the following:
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Glove
Vane was eliminated (D’s don’t have them).
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Mounting
ring from nozzle to engine was scratch built (one should be there and often
isn’t).
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Antenna
at front of wing glove was made from putty (Tamiya kit part is too large).
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Scratch
built a HUD display (Tamiya and Black Box kit doesn’t supply one).
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“Flattened”
the tires a few p.s.i. to show strain of weapon and fuel tank weight.
Click on
images below to see larger images
All
painting was done with Model Master enamel paints for the exterior and
Tamiya acrylics for most of the cockpit interior.
The anti-skid walkway was painted as were all the rings on each
weapon and I used Eduard’s photo-etched formation lights (8 in all).
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Click on
images below to see larger images
As
you can see, this bird is a combination of dull weathered navy fighter and air
show peacock.
The general application sequence was:
Primer, Color (FS 35237, 36320, 36375 Gray and Gloss Black), Future,
Decals, Future, Oil Wash, Hand Painting of some panel lines, Salt Weathering,
Future and finally an application of acrylic dull coat.
Although most of the black is supposed to be glossy, I knocked it down a
bit with dull coat to give it the proper shine of a slightly weathered paint
job.
Conversely, I had to tone down the salt weathering a bit with another
application of Future, but it’s nice to know that you can if you get a little
carried away.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Although
most use a dark oil wash exclusively for panel lines, I found that most navy
jets have a lot of light colored paint along panel lines to fight corrosion, so
“dark” isn’t always correct.
I also found that the targeting pod was painted in a multitude of Light
ghost Gray and Gunship Cray schemes, so I just picked one I liked more than the
others.
The
decals, of course, are the high quality ones from
Zotz.
They are easily applied and they responded well to Microsol and Microset
without any silvering.
The instructions are a little confusing, however, because at least 3
different jets that can be created have instructions for each that are all mixed
up with other applications.
I also found that the walkway decal is too long for those who may want to
use it.
I included the “Mutha” award decal at the top of the vertical
stabilizers as it was found on BuNo.163217, in photos taken over Iraq in 2004.
The F-14D decal for BuNo. 164604, was created on my ink jet printer using
the correct size and type of font for this more modern aircraft.
As
I experienced a lot with my last model, I learned a ton of stuff on this F-14D.
Besides how to salt weather an aircraft, I also learned that no matter
how many coats of Future you may put on a decal, NEVER use masking tape on one
afterwards.
Don’t ask me how I know!
Chuck
Click on
images below to see larger images
Photos and text © by Chuck
Sawyer
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