Rhinolover

I have been on a bit of a modeling hiatus the past few months but finally managed to finish off a kit. First, I know what you all are saying....It's not a Tomcat or Super Hornet!! You are correct, I needed to get out of my TPS gray colorless world and this was just the answer. This is the stellar AFV-Club F-5N 1/48 kit. For anyone not familiar with it and looking to build one sexy little jet, this is just the answer. The construction took 4 days and didn't require a bit of putty. Just a bit of Mr. Surfacer 500 smoothed over with a Q-Tip finished off any small imperfections with the seams. The camouflage was painted freehand (first attempt) with Vallejo Model Air acrylics sprayed at 40psi for a wicked smooth finish. The sunburst tail was taped and painted to avoid using the large decal. Alclad steel and Pale Burnt Iron finished off the rear. It was topped off with Future, and Steel Beach aftermarket VFC-111 decals were applied. They were sealed with Future, and a final dead flat coat of Vallejo matte varnish sealed it all up. The panel lines were enhanced with black Pro Modeler wash. The reference pictures show these jets to be very clean and in immaculate condition, so I did very little weathering. The base is a standard 8" x 6" cherry plaque. After scouring the internet for the perfect base image, I found the one you see. It is an image of the same squadron, VFC-111, breaking away in the brown camouflage colors. After contacting the photographer, he was kind enough to allow me its use to complement my model. My sincere thanks goes out to Jose Ramos-Navarrete for allowing me to use and tweak his beautiful photograph to include in my display. The photo was covered with a custom made 3/16" acrylic frame with the stand holding the model bonded to it. The model is held in place by its own weight. Hope you enjoy it.

I finished this build off a few weeks ago for the RIO that flew it during it's final cruise.

This is my interpretation of one of the greatest Hoser "Now, this is no Sh!t" stories. For those of you all not familiar with the famous Tomcat v Eagle engagement...here it is as Hoser described it. This passage has been approved for use here by the legend himself. Now, this is no ****! Towards the end of the AIM/ACE -- EVAL, things had heated up between the Eagle and Turkey pilots. At the Nellis O’club many innuendoes and challenges had been thrown out as a result of the high profile dog fights between the Tomcat/Eagle Blue Force and the F-5Es. The Blue Force F-15 drivers were threatened with a court martial, flying rubber dog **** outta Hong Kong and having their birthday taken away if they even thought about locking horns with ACEVAL Tomcats. When the test sorties were finally over, a couple of F-15 instructors in the 415th training squadron took the bait. “Turk” Pentecost and I were a section. Turk was not nearly as cocky, arrogant and boisterous as D-Hose, but just as aggressive, smart, devious and just as good a stick. We briefed a very wide hook, an altitude split of 10k ft. and a radar sort @ 25nm by Bill “Hill Billy” Hill and “Fearless” Frank Schumacher. All pre-merge heat and radar missiles didn’t count. It was GUNS only at the merge. The wide hook enabled Turk and D-Hose to split the fight into (2)1v1’s, with one Turkey high, one low and lots of lateral separation. As Hill Billy and D-hose closed for a 250ft, guns kill on their Eagle, the comm went like this: D-hose: "Where are you Turk?" Fearless: "Right above you Hoser" D-hose: "We got two cons! Who’s out front?" Turk (mildly offended): "Who do ya think?" Both Eagles were gunned, “knock it off” was called, and the Tomcats RTB’d with a 500 knot, 6.5g, half second break at Nellis…cuz that was our salute and tribute to our fine VX-4 maintenance personnel. Knowing the gun camera film would be destroyed by the Nellis Photo lab, it was covertly sent to a secret contact at Grumman for processing. Bout a month later, December 6, the door slams open and General Knight, with 2 of his staff, doggie wobble heads entered demanding to know “who and where are Hoser and Turk?” Falcon (J.W. Taylor), OinC, stepped up asking if he could be of assistance. The General respondes with, “Your fighter jocks have no idea how their playful antics affect important political decisions!” Well, as General Knight proceeded to explain, Japan had contracted for twenty one F-15s, but an article in Aviation Week had talked about the F-14 being superior to the Eagle. With gun camera film to prove it, Japan was considering buying F-14s instead. The General told JW he wanted ALL copies of the gun camera film, the TVSU/VCR tapes, and audio recordings on his desk by 0900 the next day. He was obviously ****** when he arrived, but as a result of the humility and contrition displayed by Turk and D-hose, he was satisfied that his mission was accomplished. Of course, D-hose and Turk didn’t want to embarrass the F-15 community, and they never mentioned the incident again…UNTIL NOW! ……. A few months later at a VX-4 at JW’s , D-Hose sez “Hey Falcon, I know ya got a copy of that 16mm gun film,,,, how bout it? JW bugs for a few and returns with film I have in my hand right now. PS: The 8” x 10” single frame of the 16 mm gun film on my bulkhead in my ‘ war room’ shows a F-15 thru a F-14 HUD, radar lock, @250ft, Vc zero, piper on the pilot’s helmet, gun selected, No X over the ‘G’ = master arm on = half detent on trigger depressed, (which activates gun camera and opens the gun gass purge doors) with… Zero rounds remaining……. Good Thing!!! Here is the original image from the Tomcat gun camera... The Model... This is the Hasegawa 1/48 kit. It was built OOB with a bit of scratch styrene added. The decals are the great FT VX-4 Test Cats sheet. The base image is the original gun camera image cleaned up and enhanced. It was then dropped into the F-14A windscreen and instrument panel image. **Notes** Hoser worked with me to get the correct configuration of the Tomcat at the time of the Eagle kill. Notice the port spoilers are up about 4" and the Tomcat is in a decending turn to the left rolling down and over on the Eagle. The wings were full forward, slats deployed, and flaps full down. The airbrake had just been closed. The engines were at full idle and the cans were full open per Hoser. Also, and interesting note is the lack of red under the control surfaces. It was painted over to mask the configuration of the A/C to the adversary A/C. Red only remained under the spoilers. Signed by the legend himself...

Thanks for all the kind words regarding my build. Here is a photo of the model from a similar angle to the original picture. Also, a few more taken off the base.

This model is for all you Tomcat and Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass fans.... This is my most recent build and an ambitious attempt at recreating one on the most iconic Tomcat moments in history. The model replicates what is affectionately know as "The Shot" I'm sure many Naval aircraft modelers are familiar with this image. For those who may not be familiar with it, this short blurb from John Sponauer's interview with Captain Snodgrass sums it up nicely. "...it was my opening pass to a Tomcat tactical demonstration at sea. I started from the starboard rear quarter of the ship, at or slightly below flight deck level. Airspeed was at about 250 knots with the wings swept forward. I selected afterburner at about 1/2 mile behind and the aircraft accelerated to about 325-330 knots. As I approached the ship, I rolled into an 85 degree angle of bank and did a 2-3 g turn, finishing about 10- 20 degrees off of the ship's axis. It was a very dramatic and, in my opinion, a very cool way to start a carrier demo. The photo was taken by an Aviation Boson's Mate who worked the flight deck on the USS America. Just as an aside...the individual with his arms behind his back is Admiral Jay Johnson, the immediate past Chief of Naval Operations for the Navy." "The Shot" From the VF-33 command history (Courtesy of David Brown) "July 23, 1988- Dependents Day Cruise Aboard CV-66. Cdr Snodgrass and Lt Lackey perform F-14 Demo in aircraft 210." This model was built from the Hasegawa 1/48 kit. The VF-33 Starfighter decals were custom printed by another exceptional modeler for my use and I'm deeply appreciative for his time and effort. Extensive scratchbuilding was done around the wing gasket seal area. Many of the vents were cut open and interior details were added. The rails for both the AIM-7 and Phoenix missles were scratch built as well. While I tried to gather as much information as I could regarding the exact aircraft flown, information was limited and hard to come by. Through a few sources I was able to replicate the set up and aircraft flown that day fairly accurately, I think. If not, we can just refer to this build as "Inspired by events of that day." The model stands at over 18" tall. The Tomcat is held in place by a custom made 3/16" polished acrylic stand that was set into a 15 x 13" wooden base and glued with epoxy. The water was replicated by painting the base with a mixture of blue and green and then topped with a heavy acrylic gel.

I love the Aires pit for the HAS Tomcat. I found the bottom needed to be sanded down to fit over the forward gear well. I did not need to thin the side walls at all. I did have to remove a small bit to accommodate the indention for the step. You only need to remove the rail under the top of the canopy sill and the small tabs for the rear IP. I think I spent about 45 minutes doing all this. After the small bit of work the pit fit like a glove.

Beautiful Scooter. Excellent paint and weathering. Also, love the B-1 Fighter Bracelet...Nice watch.

The kits are both 1/48 Hasegawa.

I recently completed two models displayed in-flight while performing some type of in-flight action such as refueling or dropping bombs. I started to wonder what they would look like in their natural environment. I was able to find two fellow modelers willing to help me out. These two modelers have been very gracious with their time and superb Photoshop talent to put my models into their natural surrounding. I'm truly grateful for their work, effort, and hours of time devoted to this project. I provided them with images of my models photographed outdoors under full sunlight. I was also able to provide them with a few background images provided to me from friends. With both these images in hand they were able to work their magic. I would like to share the results of their hard work. The original models.... After the magic...

Built OOB...

This is the HAS 1/48 kit. I added the Aires D resin cockpit. The model was paited wtih Vallejo Model-Air acrylics and weathered with the highly recommended Dark Promodeller wash. Weathering finishing touches were added wtih Tamiya weathereing packs. Decals are the great Two-Bobs Rampant Lions over Afghanistan. I hope someday more love will be shown to VF & VFA-213 with some respectable updated decal sheets. I also hollowed out an old HAS helmet and made the helmet bag with tamiya tape and CA glue.

I built the in-flight Tomcat to participate in the regional IPMS show. The Tomcat came through strong grabbing a 2nd place it it's category. Just a bit excited tonight. Who says in-flight builds can't win??

First...Thanks all for the warm welcome and kind words regarding my builds. Eng... Thanks...I was happy with the way the wing area came out as well. It was my first Tomcat with open wings and I wanted to get it as accurate as I could. I made a pattern and little jig to get it as close as I could. Here is a better look at the area.

The most common loadouts for recent missions over Afghanistan for both E and F Hornets is refered to as the "Double Ugly." One AIM 9 on the port wing tip 2 GBU-38's on the port wing Centerline tank Drop tank on inner starboard pylon GBU-12 middle pylon. Both outer pylons are not in use and typically removed. Here it is under a 103 F jet but you would see it on the E's currently as well .

Hello to all of you from this side of the water. I recenty stumbled onto your great forum and will slowly assimilate into the Brit modeling underworld. My interest tend to gravitate towards modern naval aviation because of my skill level, and the fact that my airbrush only knows how to spray gray paint. Anyway, I look forward to your advice and input along the way. Here is my most recent completion after being on an in-flight display kick. The kit is the awesome Hasegawa F-14B in 1/48. The decals are the newly released VF-102 OEF decals from Fightertown. They went on smooth as silk and were a pleasure to use. It was painted with Vallejo Model Air Grays and sealed with a dead flat coat of Vallejo matt varnish. Weathering was done with ProModeller dark and light gray washes. Tamiya weathering packs were used for staining and streaking. All metal finishes were done in Alclad Steel and Dark Aluminum. In addition the the OOB kit I added the following details... Windshield rain removal jets Yaw String Power and data lines to the LANTIRN Quickboost seats Pilots w/Tamiya tape straps and Aires jet buckles. Also, Tamiya tape flotation vests were added Wing glove sealing plates were removed and replaced with sheet styrene Wolfpack refueling probe kit. The refined refueling basket was built from 49 individual pieces. This was my second attempt at building a basket. It is much improved over my first. The hose was detailed by adding the red stripe and the metal couplings were painted directly on the hose using Alclad paint. The refueling probe was replaced with coat hanger wire for strength. Anyway, here are the results. I hope you enjoy it and I welcome any comments or critiques. And my previous two others both using the HAS 1/48 Super Hornet kit. The bomb dropping Victory 204... Fast Eagle 110....Going Texaco