Hobbyboss 1/48 F-14A Tomcat (VF-84 Jolly Rogers)

[Mr Flibble]

Hi guys,

Got to the stage where there's something worth showing (I think) on my latest build.

This is the new(ish) competitor to Hasegawa for the definitive 1/48 Tomcat kit.

Is it? Just have to wait and see.

But so far, the fit is brilliant, but there are some options missing for later 'A's. Such as the TCS pod under the nose.

I didn't get round to doing a complete set of sprue shots. Partly because there are so flipping many of them!

Initial shots and progress

[Mr Flibble]

Work on the cockpit and wheel wells.

[Mr Flibble]

...and bit more progress on construction, and we're up to date.

Had a near disaster when I spilled cellulose thinner on the engine sprues. Luckily not much damage was done, and they're not visible on the final model so ... phew!

Engine interior


Fuselage finally together, with tape applying pressure where needed.


Cockpit into the nose section.


Bringing it together!


Cheers,
Phil.

[Kenny]

Superb start Phil. I'm very jealous as I've lost my modelling mojo

[Deacon]

Great start Phil.

Alan

[TomTwin]

Cockpit into the nose section.

That step at the back is an excellent idea from the engineers of the kit, already a plus over the Hasegawa boxing. Great progress, looking forward to more!

[ghostwriter]

[Mr Flibble]

Cheers, chaps!



Did the preshading last night and made a start on the overall medium grey this evening - which I'm doing in stages to help handling (no shots of that yet tho). Wings and elevators have been done already though.
Thought one colour overall might be a good choice, but on a model this size it is pretty boring!

Ta,
Phil.

[scotthldr]

Coming along nicely, this one is a prime candidate for a bit of 'Salt weathering'

[Deacon]

Nicely done sir.

Tried the pre-shading technique myself once, the whole build was black when I finished!

Alan

[Mr Flibble]

Cheers, guys.

Here's the base coat applied and wings dryfitted.





Cheers,
Phil

[Deacon]

Looking good sir.

Alan

[Prime77]

Looking tasty already

We want more

[Mr Flibble]

Cheers, guys.
Bit more progress on the painting to report:



Hope to get the black done, clear coat and start decalling in the week.

Phil.

[Deacon]

I really like the way the panel lines are just showing through there mate.

I have really got to try to get the hang of this ability.

Alan.

[Mr Flibble]

Thanks Alan

Just finished masking and spraying the black.





Phil.

[Mr Flibble]

Here are the decals, work in progress.

But I wonder if any of the F-14 "nuts" could comment on the decals...
I am supposed to be using black stencils and data for this bird as per the Afterburner instruction sheet.
However the rescue arrow is arrow "N" from the sheet, which is grey, shown in the second pic.
Added to that, there was only a black rescue arrow for one side (and it was not arrow "N").
As well as this, the ejection seat triangle, is letter "F" on the sheet, for which one is black and one is red! (confusing!)
Leading me to think that there are some design/printing errors on this - but I'm not 100% sure.

I'll just have to live with it I think!

Here are the pics:





Cheers,
Phil.

[Craig]

I'm no expert on all things US so can't help with your queries i'm afraid but I can tell you it looks damn good!

[Deacon]

Phil,

Looking at the SAM Publications F-14, this a/c has a grey rescue arrow on its port side, so I assume it's duplicated on the starboard side.

Also the ejector seat triangle is black on the port side too.

From the arrow decal you've put on, I think you're doing this aircraft in its 1991 colour scheme. You can do '200' in a 1987 scheme where you would have the yellow rescue and red ejector seat decals.

I'm no F-14 nut mate, but I hope this helps.

Alan

[Fumbles]

Looking great Phil

I have seen this tomcat in so many shots over the years. As Alan says. The Dark grey rescue arrow is right. The Ejection warning triangle. I don't recall that being red.

Can't wait to see the matt coat bring out all the details.

[scotthldr]

Looking great Phil, nice variation with the Greys. With regards to the decals, if your doing this as the " '91' Desert Storm Home Coming" scheme then it's Black arrows and triangles on both sides. However it looks like you have a duff sheet as both decals "F" should be Black. I noticed on the sheet that decal "E" is Black or very Dark Grey but has no data printed on it, is this a two piece decal? As it would be the answer to your problems or you could use decal "G" on one or both sides, when you give the build a Matt down the Black is going to lighten anyway so probably won't be noticeable anyway.

For the Arrows, decals N and R are a pair of Black and Q has one Black so plenty to choose from.

Are you going to do Salt weathering on this one?

HTH

Scott

[Mr Flibble]

Thank you for the replies guys.

Looks like ill go with the grey arrows/triangles and stick with it.

Scott, I'm not going to try salt weathering on this one.

Time is short as I'm getting ready for Teflord and its a technique I've not done before. This is one I can't mess up

Still intend to give it a go at some stage - maybe on some chipping on a WWII model. May go with hairspray or the AK product.

[Mr Flibble]

Still presenting this as WIP as it's not quite 100% there.

Still the weapons pylons to attach as well as the clear parts and crew access ladder.

Anyway - it made it to Telford in this state last weekend, but got "hidden" at the back of the IPMS Avon table as it wasn't complete.





As with the Lynx, I'll do some proper shots when it's complete.

Cheers,
Phil.

[stevieb]

Thats very nice Phil

[Deacon]

I've only just noticed this update! Sorry Phil.

It does look quite superb, even if you say its not 100% finished.

Alan