Jon020 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Most of the build aspects of this were documented in my WIP thread that can be found here, but my F-14A 162603 HIP Killer Wichita 103 is now complete and ready for inspection. I’ve posted a number of photos to illustrate various aspects, views and details and I’ll happily take any questions. Overall, it’s a nice build; a well engineered kit that gives a good level of detail with crisp panel lines and not an overly complex build; it’s a good compromise. Gripes are few. I’m sure the nose leg still looks a little long and I do wonder if measurements were taken from either a very light weight aircraft or one with an over pressurised oleo. It doesn’t detract too much, but I think it’ll look odd if you hung 6 phoenix missiles from it. The horizontal stabilisers have a clever means of attachment – well, nearly. There’s a nice little bit of frame just inside the rear fuse to support the inner section of the stab pivot, but it’s on the lower half rather than the upper half, so there’s nothing to support the weight of the stab when it’s right way up. Did I forget anything? Not sure – take a look at the WIP if interested. Anyway... a first photo to illustrate what’s been tackled, and then some general views. F-14A Wichita 103 Academy 1/72 - details by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Overview to scale by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Wichita 103 and crew by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr USNavy deck crew. Reedoak figures now painted by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Painted kit seats with painted Reedoak pilot and RIO (still awaiting helmet details) by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Underside by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Starboard nose close up by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr The hot end by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Short range goodies by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Pointy end close up by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Cockpit detail by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Nose details by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Canopy rail detail by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Canopy details by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Nose colour variations by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Nose gear bay by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Main gear detail by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Rear fuselage/beaver tail detail by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Underside details by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Upper surfaces details by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Wing upper surfaces by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Wichita 103 nose profile by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr No.1 intake by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr F-14A Wichita 103, VF1 Wolfpack by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Wichita 103 by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Wichita 103 with crew by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Feel the need... the need for speed by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr Thanks for reading... Jonathan 52 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 25 minutes ago, Jon020 said: Fantastic job and great photo's,this one is begging for a background maybe the superstructure of a carrier.... 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 No question about it, you do very impressive work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger331 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Nice Job on that VF-1 F-14 Tomcat. I seem to remember seeing this particular jet on a post-Gulf War 1 visit to USS Ranger during her port visit to Hong Kong. It was a target rich environment with a whole host of aircraft (A-6Es in particular) spotted on deck, all sporting mission markings and, in some cases, artwork too. Well Done, Sir ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2lefthands Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 wonderful work! the string, the counter-lightning stripes on the canopy, nothing is missing :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaminCam Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 This is just super Jonathan! Gorgeous photos and I really enjoyed following along with the fantastic WiP. Will definitely be using this as a reference when I finally get around to making my own 'A' 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daryl_five_zero Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Stunning, I usually prefer 1/48 and I like my Tomcats in TPS, but your build has me considering a change in scale and I suddenly feel like there's space in my cabinet for an all - light gull grey scheme F-14... Thoroughly enjoyed your WIP and its so good to see your RFI after all the hard work that has gone into it. Hats off to you! Daryl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 A truly beautiful build, Jon. If you hadn't said anything, i count myself among many who woulda mistaken it for the 48th scale Tamiya kit, which is one of the highest compliments that can be paid to a well - executed 72nd scale model. Having built several myself, i appreciate just how fiddly these models become in the end game. -d- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 That looks excellent! Oh, criminy, this is 1/72? Dude!? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomthounaojam Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Outstanding job, really like it, cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice Simon Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 truly outstanding job ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Stunning build, best Cat I've seen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Epic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 epic Tomcat, fantastic build, well done!!! cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autle Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Stunning work, I originally thought it was 1/48 as well. I think you've really captured the look and feel of the F-14A, the figures add greatly to the overall effect. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ2016 Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Hi Jon, not to take away anything from other great Tomcat builders but I'm pretty sure this is the best Tomcat build I've seen here.... that pretty much sums up how impressive this is to me ! Well done mate !! Cheers Jeremy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon020 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 Wow. Thank you all for your very very kind comments. I was quite pleased with the result and have a couple more enroute for future builds. GWH next, so we'll see if I can not make a mess of that one. Scheme for that one was decided upon but I'm wavering a little at present, so we'll see where that ends up. Thanks all J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon020 Posted July 10, 2021 Author Share Posted July 10, 2021 One more image that I meant to share... Shades of Light Gull Grey by Jonathan Hughes, on Flickr When I was researching the build of Wichita 103, one aspect that was very apparent was its very faded finish; something that was common to many of the late build/delivered A model Tomcats, this one being from the last small batch that retained the three washer jet nozzles ahead of the windscreen that I added. The colour tonally is very close to FS36495 "Light Grey" but that has a much bluer hue similar to the TFS scheme greys than the warm tone of Light Gull Grey (depicted here by the VF111 CAG machine behind "103". After some experimentation, I created my own mix of a faded (light) Light Gull Grey adding one part white (or usually insignia white) to 3 or 4 parts LGG... varying this to some degree to provide a less uniform finish. The end result is, in my opinion, sufficiently close to the colour carried by the majority of VF1 aircraft during their last cruise before disbandment in 1991 at Miramar. It is depicted armed, carrying the (then) typical short-range interceptor fit of four Sidewinders and sparrows (no Phoenix missiles) carried during the Gulf War. The addition of some Reedoak figures (that I painted) adds to the scene; the RIO in "103" showing my attempt to depict Steven Riker, who helped me research the aircraft details and provided me with a few photos, reflecting a photo of him in the rear of another tomcat whilst on tour in the Gulf. Hobbyboss at rear. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaleModelHobbyist Posted July 10, 2021 Share Posted July 10, 2021 Jon, that’s a stunning build. The F-14A is one of my favourite aircraft. There are many things on your build that look very realistic. I agree with the bloke in the Pilot’s seat, this one gets the thumbs up. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarawakia Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Absolutely brilliant. Hard to believe this is 1/72. If only I have 10% of your skills. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted July 12, 2021 Share Posted July 12, 2021 Astonishing work! Very inspiring to me (for a 1/72 Hasegawa F-14 kit I have in my stash) - but I could hardly expect to get a result as superb as this! Wow! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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