I'm sure you all
know all the pros and cons of the Hase 1/72 F-14 kit. I was reading a lot about
it in ARC forums and decided to give it a shot. I opted for a lesser modelled
squadron of VF-103 Sluggers and their markings from their last cruise and
testing of the LANTIRN pod. I've used the Italeri's Flircat decals but I wasn't
satisfied with the noseart decals and decided to build one without them (I still
plan to make custom noseart decals at a later date). I've also replaced the
cockpit thub and seats with the ones from Verlinden detail set along with the
gun bay and ammo drum. I also added two GBU-12 bombs and LANTIRN pod from Hase
weapons set. Since this was an early LANTIRN bird I didn't build PTIDS screen in
the RIO's pit.
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This model was a number of first
for me. For the first time I weathered GE engines (white with pastel powders); I
sanded the nasty mould line from the main canopy and cured it with Future to get
a shiny finish; I made a clear green colour with the use of Future and green
mint food color; I preshaded the whole bird; made intake covers with tin foil...
For a bunch of first times I am really satisfied with the end result... I
managed to get quite a worn out and dirty Tomcat look...
Since most of the guys in the
discussion groups were glorifying the Hase Cat I really wondered what would come
out... At the end I was a bit disappointed... The main issues were:
- a nasty seam when I attached
front fuselage to the rear one
- weird intakes (reason why I covered them)
- tricky part when installing the beaver tail into the rear fuselage
- installing the engine nacelles
- mould line on the main canopy
- two small holes on the inside of each exhaust feather
- too shallow panel lines
Still I somehow to overcome
(mostly) these tricky parts and when I look at the finished model, it really
looks like a Tomcat. I measured the whole thing and its also very near the real
measurements... This ain't a model for a beginner however it is a base to build
an outstanding model.
Sebastijan
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