John B

Wow! The in-progress pictures are very instructive and the side-by-side images comparing the parts neatly illustrates the shape differences between the 2 kits. The work to splice the parts is very clean. Equally commendable is the finish. Glossy schemes can be deceptively difficult to pull off. Beautiful result!

That's a really nice result! Can we see more photos?

Wow! The throttle, mixture and propeller pitch controls in that scale must be microscopic in that scale! Very nice result!

I've been following your build and have been impressed with progress so far. That's unfortunate that the tail marking decal is too large. I also purchased the Xtradecal sheet with the idea of doing the same project. Would you consider using the tail marking from this sheet -> Impact Decals VMF/VMFA-531 Review. I think the decals were sized for the Hasegawa F-4B, but it is an alternative to seeking out the Hasegawa kit decals. Impact Decals is no longer in business, but the sheet can still be purchased from on-line retailers. (The irony is not lost on me that it would be using the markings for when the roles were reversed - FAA markings applied to the US Phantom.)

Is it possible that the date stated in the instructions might be incorrect? The decal markings DO depict when the timeframe VF-31 had LANTIRN and the GPS incorporated on their F-14Ds.

I thought you might find these images useful. They were photographed in 1997 when the USS Abraham Lincoln was docked at NAS North Island -

Just tossing in my 2 cents (I'm in the Colonies, folks), when I saw that moment at 1:21 with A-Wings,Y-wings, and B-wings I hit the "Pause" function and just had to see it again. I know I'm an outlier on this, but I never watched the SW saga for the light-saber duels, lifting rocks or the mind-tricking poor Stormtroopers at a checkpoint. For me, the draw in the original trilogy were the X-wings, Y-wings, A-wings, and Snowspeeders. My inner 10-year-old cried tears of joy when he saw the X-wings drop out of hyperspace near the end of Rogue One. When the Y-wings made a successful ion torpedo run on the Star Destroyer in Rogue One, I felt that the pilots of the Y-wings received the on-screen presence they were due. In the Return of the Jedi, the B-wings weren't shown on-screen performing the role for which they were designed - engaging Imperial capital ships. I really hope that the glimpse of the B-wings teased in the trailer points to the B-wing making torpedo runs on Imperial Star Destroyers. (My inner 10-year-old will probably cry tears of joy again and let out an audible squeal. My outer 48-year-old will just blame this kid seated in the next row for losing his self-control. 😉)

Wow. It marvels me how far we've come that kits can be dry-fit with just a little tape, especially with a subject as complex at the F-14 with so many optional positions for flight control surfaces. It gives me hope that I even my fists of ham can assemble a kit without too much filler, sanding, and aftermarket.

Wow! Another nice result from the days of kits with raised panel lines and nothing but plastic parts. Good job beating another "classic" into submission!

Wow! Those images with the hangar in the background look very convincing! It wouldn't have that effect without a well-built F9F.

One quick question - how did you achieve the green tint on the HUD glass?

As a big fan of the Corsair, I really admire your collection of Corsairs. 😁 When you get to the F4U-5/ AU-1/ F4U-7 series, you'll really like the Hasegawa kit even straight from the box. My favorite kits are the F4U-1 series from Tamiya and the newer Hasegawa kits are a close second. 2 of my own Corsairs here.

On first glance, using the AIRES cockpit sounds very intimidating. Upon second read, sounds like the prep work is centered (mostly) on the resin itself. Despite the difficulties, your work still produced an inspirational result! Thanks Dave.

Did you need to do a lot of prep work to the Hasegawa plastic or the AIRES resin to achieve a good fit between them? If so, what tips do you have for using the AIRES cockpit? (Apologies for my very belated comment on a long-completed build.)

What did you think of the AIRES cockpit in regards to ease-of-use/ ease-of-fit into the Hasegawa kit? (Apologies for my tardy reply.)

Absolutely STUNNING! Bravo!

Very nice result! I rode this Phrog from that squadron (gasp) 25 years ago (image below). I resolve to someday build a model of that bird and I've already bookmarked you In-Progress thread to use as a reference! The daily sights and sounds of the Phrogs went away with their retirement, but their effect on my senses will live on in my old brain.

Fantastic choice! I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for the sights and sound of the old War Hoover. Here's another image of the jet at the Miramar Airshow. Looking forward to watching progess on your project.

Very nice result!

Credit where credit is due, good to see you produce such a fantastic result! {thumbs-up}

The original Monogram kit was #5803. There was the orange boxtop with white ends. The same molds with the limited-edition photo-etch was #5832 (It was the gray or light-blue box-top with VF-33 markings). There was also boxing with the original molds and VF-111 markings on the box-top. It was #5822. Be careful to NOT confuse the above kits with 85-5803. It has similar to the original boxart, but it is deceiving. These kits have the altered molds!

This link should help -> Navy Centennial Schemes It's hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that was over 5 years ago and I have yet to model any of those schemes. Too bad it took place 5 years after the USN retired their F-14s 5 years earlier. It would've been neat to see those older schemes on them.

Simply wonderful result. Having seen that particular jet a few times over the years, it does remain constantly changing in appearance. Another item you can hang under the wing is an ALQ-167 jammer pod. I've seen those jets with pylons that don't match the rest of the jet (i.e. "tan pylons on a blue jet") I like your solution to the differently colored canopy. What color did you use for the centerline tank?

Straight out of box with a simple color scheme resulting a nice finish and good-looking result. What's not to like about that? A few questions - 1) what paint did you use for the overall silver? 2) did that paint require you to apply a gloss layer for decalling? 3) did you seal the decals afterwards with something that changed the character of the finish? It's a fine - looking result that I'd like to replicate someday.

Very nice result! I was wondering why I hadn't seen more completed Kinetic Sea Harriers. I will definitely use your tips. If you choose to "populate" your diorama, just 2 or 3 figures will go a long way to add life to the scene. A single figure conveys "loneliness" and "solitude" in the minds of many people. Your results are still good without figures.