McG Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Like many folk, lockdowns signalled a return to modelling for first time in over 20 years. Unlike my teens where I would brush paint everything, I invested in an airbrush and spent time watching YouTube videos and trying to learn how to use it. I initially tried to build a Tamiya Porsche 911 Turbo without much success but used that as a paint mule to practice airbrushing on. I then decided to build a Tamiya F-14A after reading good things about the kit. 6 months or so later and I have finally finished (apart from needing to polish the canopy). Kit was painted with a mix of Tamiya and Mr Hobby Acrylics. Weathering was a mix of Ammo by Mig Dark Grey and Light Grey Panel Washes, and Abteilung 502 Raw Umber, Black and Faded White Oils. Seats are kit seats with Eduard seat belts and decals. I had bought the Brassin seats but couldn't get the hang of folding and attaching the brass parts to the seats. The skunk stripe and the walkway were airbrushed rather than using the decals. The final coat was a 2:1 mix of flat clear and semi-gloss clear. Now for the bad - I knocked off the small aerial that hangs from the nose pod and can't find it. Removing the canopy masking today I discovered a crack on the right hand side of the windshield. 😢 There are areas I know I could have done better but overall I am fairly pleased with how this turned out. 59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Looking good and spiffy.... you have too love that color scheme ..great build and nicely weathered👍👍👍 cheers, Jan 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share Posted April 23, 2021 Thanks Jan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidrebolton Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Agreed. Looks weathered nicely 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 That is pretty good for build #2 since your return to modelling. The weathering looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share Posted April 23, 2021 Thanks David. The weathering was one of the harder aspects I found. Was never sure if I had applied too little or too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share Posted April 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Abandoned Project said: That is pretty good for build #2 since your return to modelling. The weathering looks great. Thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Superb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 To build a model so very well after a 20 year absence from the hobby is truly commendable. I'm definitely impressed! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theskits62 Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 I'd be pretty chuffed with that result. The fact that is your first real build in 20 years makes it even more impressive. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Excellent work! I would be delighted with that result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggie78usmc Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 looks great! one of my favorite kits and squadrons 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad-4N Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 First model in 20 years? Come on, you are pulling my leg! That's fantastic! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basket Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 20 years off ... and back into the business with a trully beautiful cat. Congrats . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 Welcome back to the hobby, nice Tomcat! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Fantastic finished very nice looking model well done thanks for sharing Eamonn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnobiz Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Excellent build, thanks for showing us what can be done out of the box! Arnaud 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Great build and finish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phone Phixer Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 That is a fantastic result on your return to the hobby. A "Jolly Rogers" Tomcat, what's not to like! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 First model in X years you say,?? I am mighty impressed! Hope to see more here soon! For PE, you need some patience... kind of a meditating thing... but sometimes worth it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Excellent Tomcat with very convincing weathering. Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris148 Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 Very nicely done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gidge Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 Nice work mate. I'm in a similar position to you newly returning to the hobby after 20 years and teaching myself to airbrush. This is giving me hope for my first project 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gidge Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 I'm actually very insisted in doing one of the Tamiya F-14 kits. How did you find it to work with? I'm also reforming to the hobby after 20 years and learning to airbrush so I'm very inquests to hear the perspective from someone in a similar position 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 6 hours ago, Gidge said: I'm actually very insisted in doing one of the Tamiya F-14 kits. How did you find it to work with? I'm also reforming to the hobby after 20 years and learning to airbrush so I'm very inquests to hear the perspective from someone in a similar position The Tamiya kit is excellent. If you take your time then there will be no real issues. I watched a couple of YouTube build videos to get an idea on how it went together. I painted the forward and rear fuselage sections prior to joining them. This made the painting around the intakes easier. However if you are doing this, ensure you properly test fit everything before painting. I didn't really and was left with a small gap on one side of the fuselage join and less than 1mm gaps when I installed the exhaust housings. Having painted everything prior to joining this made it harder to try and rectify these issues. The Tamiya acrylics are good for starting out on. There are some good YouTube videos showing how to thin them. They also spray well in general. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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