Ale85 Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 (edited) Hi there guys! It's time for my third Tamiya's Cat! This time it will be a "D" with the iconic VF-31 markings. Two years ago i've finished the A model with this scheme (it's one of my fav Squadrons!), so now is the time to put alongside it the latest "brother", the D version. This is my A And this what i'm planning to build: Photo credit: jetphotos.com I will use the notorious Tamiya's kit (i have ordered it, i'm waiting for the mail call ). It will be built strictly OOB except for the decals, coming from a beautiful Fightertown set. I think i will paint the red zones. That's all for now, hope to start soon this exciting Group Build. ciao Ale Edited November 29, 2021 by Ale85 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 More Felix! Good choice Ale and it will look great beside your earlier example 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) Mail call for me today! I've received the kit. So tomorrow the fun can begin As I already said, it will a completely OOB build. But i tihnik some "friends" may be helpful in the process: Fine Molds belts and Fightertown's data and weapon decals. Edited September 17, 2021 by Ale85 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 So let's start! I start with some color, painting the fins with dark ghost grey (MRP paint) and then painting the red zones (X-7 Tamiya red). I have to fix some minor issues but i think could be ok. For the loadout i choose the FLIR pod, 1x Sidewinder, 1x GBU-31 and 1x GBU-12 Dry fit assembly for testing the parts and check dimensions. No surprises, it fits like a glove! that's all for now, hope you like it. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Seems like a surprisingly light load? No matter, you're off to a good start in any case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Nice start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted September 25, 2021 Share Posted September 25, 2021 I did mine a few years back with the same load out. Interestingly just 2 stores was quite a common load out, either a pair of JDAMs or LGB's or even a pair for those small GBU-39's. Not too sure why, probably mission parameters. I have a couple of photos of VF-31 birds with TER's fitted to the front stores pylons, none with stores loaded unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted September 27, 2021 Author Share Posted September 27, 2021 Some updates: this kit is stunning, and the build goes quickly. So, i completed the rear part of the fuselage. Minimum amount of putty needed, the parts fit each others like a gloves. Next step: cockpit and the front part of the fuselage. ciao Ale 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfa1983 Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 It really does just fall together doesn't it? I am so impressed how the pieces can go together and you cannot even see the join, it just disappears. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 7 hours ago, arfa1983 said: It really does just fall together doesn't it? I am so impressed how the pieces can go together and you cannot even see the join, it just disappears. Yeah, absolutely impressive kit! And i read online that the Phantom is much better... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share Posted September 30, 2021 A very very small update. Start working on landing gears: coat of XF-85 rubber black as base, then i used the Tamiya's laquer paint LP-2 for the gloss white. First time using this kind of paint and i'm happy of it! For the natural metal part i used the chrome by Molotow. ciao Ale 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortyEighter Posted October 2, 2021 Share Posted October 2, 2021 Nice choice (says the man who started "101" in the Grumman GB, albeit from the Hobbyboss kit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted October 5, 2021 Author Share Posted October 5, 2021 Let's go with the cockpit: oob with some decals from the Fightertown data sheet for the instruments. Also from the Fightertown's sheet came the green zone on the windshield That's all for now, hope you like it. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2lefthands Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 i do 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share Posted October 7, 2021 (edited) Almost ready for the painting room! I was quite unhappy about the painted red zones on the fins so... i removed all and bought another decal sheet. I will use the decals for those red zones. And i have some spare decals in case something goes wrong ciao Ale Edited October 7, 2021 by Ale85 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FortyEighter Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 On 10/5/2021 at 12:54 PM, Ale85 said: Also from the Fightertown's sheet came the green zone on the windshield I tried the same decal on my 'cat but it looked nothing like yours; it was much greener and almost opaque, so it was removed and I went back to a light coat of clear green instead. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 Let's paint! I used the MRP paint: they are mega but very very thin and several coats are needed to cover the preshading. (And i think there will be further coats in the future...) Next step: painting the gloss black radome and canopy. I also painted the weapons 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted October 27, 2021 Share Posted October 27, 2021 Tidy work Ale but can see what you mean about the pre-shade showing through too well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 Hi guys i finished the painting phase on my cat. The black zones are made with Tamiya's X-1. After all, i give a coat of gloss clear (X-22 Tamiya) and now i'm rady to put the decals 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 A handsome gray lady! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 Nice paintwork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ale85 Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 New update. Painting and decaling stages are done, so i think we are ready for the final assembly and the gallery That's all for now, hope to see you soon in the gallery! 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted November 26, 2021 Share Posted November 26, 2021 well done she's looking awesome!!! Yes that MRP paint s super thin, but the really nice part is can build layer upon layer to get the effect/finish you want and still not loose any detail. On my last F-14D build I had close to or maybe over 25 layers of paint on areas of the upper surface and the detail is was still nice and crisp. Go Felix!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 Terrific looking Cat, I love it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 Oh, she's looking gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now