F-14D Tomcat (VF-101 "Grim Reapers")

[Andy Mullen]

Kit used - Hasegawa 1/72 F-14D Tomcat (VF-101 "Grim Reapers") # 00805

Proposed Scheme - VF Decals #72002

Restarted 18 April 2009 alongside the >> VF-101 F-14B "Red Tomato" <<

Following on from the main assembly in 2007, I somehow mixed up the differences on the F-14B and F-14D variants, and on opening the two builds, I found I had added a GPS antenna to the F-14B and not to the F-14D.

I have now sanded off the antenna on the F-14B and here is how I added the antenna to this build.

First I drill an 0.8mm hole approx centre of the spine, just up a mm or two from the rivets.

next I stretch some sprue and melt the end to form a semi sphere

then feed through the hole

and finally glue from inside the fuselage, let it set, and then if necessary prune the excess sprue inside.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Andy Mullen

[Andy Mullen]

An update from last week

After finishing construction of the major assemblies, I sprayed the paint scheme, using Xtracrylix Light Compass Grey on the underside, Dark Compass Grey on the sides, and Dark Blue/Grey on the upper surfaces. Once dry I masked up for the Black Skunk stripe and sprayed the Xtracrylix Night Black. On removing the Jammy Dog and Tamiya masking I used, I pulled up various areas of the scheme, which I had to go over with touch ups to repair the damage.

Have to seal in with Klear, ready for decalling.

Also I found the resin seats I had painted up back in 2007

I finally found my Alclad 2 stash and sprayed Grey Primer over the Dr. Pepper resin Exhausts, sprayed Alcad2 Pale Burnt Metal, applied a black wash, and painted up the exhaust shrouds with Humbrol Black. Unfortunately when I unmasked, after painting the silver edges I pulled off most of the black paint, so I sanded it all off and tried again with Tamiya Semi Gloss Black and Citadel Mithril Silver.