whiskey

Beautiful paint job. That and the pictures almost make it seem bigger than it actually is. Great job.

I can't remember but was this kit really in 1/48th scale? Also what did you use to update your cockpit with, kinda looks like a mix of a F/A-18 and a F-16.

I was thinking the same thing. I just grabbed 3 Hasegawa's for the same price as one Tamiya so I'll have plenty to keep me occupied until the total reviews of the AMK come out.

You made this look so good. A real beauty you've managed to produce.

There is soooo much information here to try and process I feel overwhelmed. I am sure this is going to turn out to be a wonderful finished product however.

Excellent!

Are you alluding towards a manufacturer is actually in the process of designing one to be released or is this just a rant for wishful thinking? Don't play with my emotions sir.

If anything, Flying Leatherneck Decals will have a great assortment of markings for this.

Very very impressive job. Truly a fantastic piece of work. I've got 3 or 4 of those Revell kits. So basically after some extensive sanding and shimming you were able to fit all the pieces designed for the Hasegawa kit into this, correct?

Wow that's a real beauty you've put together Mark! I've always wanted a Black Widow; now I must go get this one!

I've heard nothing but good things about them as they are actually made in the same factory as the name brand compressors. The only difference is there are no proprietary parts on these.

So I was watching videos of F-14's on YouTube (looking for inspiration!) and I came across one of a DCS simulator "cinematic movie." Anyway I looked some things up because it was so cool and sure enough you can fly a Tomcat in these liveries. I know you built a Royal Navy one before so I figured it would be relevant.

There was a conversion set being produced by Cold War Studios for the HobbyBoss kit but I dunno what happened with it. I'll definitely be picking up a few of these and selling the HB kit I have still.

Yes but they are not currently taking anymore orders for it until they are physically stocked them.

Now there's a squadron you don't see everyday. Wonder if there's any 1/48 markings available. Gonna have to look into that.

Great photos. I didn't know (of course I don't pay much attention to this matter anyway) but when did IAF move from the camo Eagles to Grey?

Red Flag. A very large aerial exercise designed to closely simulate the first 10 missions an aircrew would experience going into combat. The 10 missions has historically been the deadliest and costliest time period during an air campaign so if the good guys can get those out of the way without casualties then chances are higher for a more positive outcome. The Thunderchief has been said to earn the nickname "Thud" for only a few reasons, one of which being that it's such a large aircraft it supposedly made a thud noise when it landed. Another was the sound it supposedly made after crashing to the ground. There's a few more but I can't recall them. As far as I know the "F" designation was kept and not an "A" because it was in the line of Century Series Fighters.

Man I gotta get those conversion sets from Darren! That thing look fabulous!

Seems like a good purchase to make. I've got a set from Canuck Models but I don't believe it's got as many recent aircraft markings as this one so I'll definitely be looking forward to picking one up.

Poop

And we can purchase these where?

A very simple web search reveals that 0392 was actually a double MiG- killer and is currently hanging out at the Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton, VA.

Once again a great model put together Jon, always great to see what you have completed.

Another good example of modelling based mainly on reference photos and not generic information.

Oh wow. I love how rich the tan and the two green colors are. It almost gives that "after-rain" look to it. Very well done sir.