Hello.
I
am Albert from Greece and this is my first submission to the ARC. It took about
2 years to complete this project including many dead periods.
The
model is the Tamiya one with Eduard interior set and Kinetic seats. Probably all
Tomcat fans know about the problems of this kit such as the dreadful cockpit,
the half engraved-half recessed panel lines, the poor fitting and some other of
minor importance. On the other hand the shape of the model is dead accurate, the
landing gear is magnificent, the engines very nice and the seats are not bad.
Plus the reboxed bombcat version offers new engine nozzles and very nicely
detailed loads. I had to put a lot of effort on this kit. All the panel lines
were rescribed and a lot of scratchbuilding was done in the cockpit and the
landing gear wells. I decided to stick with the A model and use the kits decals
for VF-14 Tophatters except from the squadron insignias on the tail fins which I
wanted them in low visibility as I saw in some pictures from Afghanistan.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The
colors used were model master and Humbrol enamel paints and Gunze acrylic
paints. The model was weathered quite heavily but I wanted to retain the
shape of the F-14 as much as possible so I didn’t add any open panels
and I fitted both the exhaust nozzles in afterburner zone, also the
stabilators were set in lined with the fuselage and not hanging. The
previous aspects are common on parked F-14’s but there are some photos
from air shows mainly that feature the Tomcat with both cans open and the
stabilators in line with the wings.
This
model won the third place in its category at 2008 IPMS Greece show. Enjoy the
photos. Thanks.
Albert Michailidis
Click on
images below to see larger images
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