trickyrich Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 This build was part of the F-14 Tomcat STGB as well as part 4 of my VF-31 Tomcatters SIG build (built F-14D, F/A-18E, in-progress F-4B). The model of course is Tamiya’s amazing 1/48th F-14A with a few extras thrown in, but to be honest you really only need the Qunita Studio cockpit decals and some nice resin cans (and not the Aires ones like I used, surprise surprise they don’t fit without surgery!!!). The model just falls together, with maybe a couple of tiny spots of filler required, other than that it has to in my opinion as one of the best models out there to build for fit and finish. There were a few details that need to be changed on the model so are to represent an early F-14A-80-GR version, Tamiya includes some but they don’t supply the eastly type gun port vents. The scheme, other than being one of my favourites and if you know your US Navy squadrons a bit different. The decals are form the long since OOP Microscale set with includes decals for a Pacific Missile Test Center bird. When VF-31 replaced their F-4J’s they were still deployed on the USS John F. Kennedy and carried the tail codes AC, they operated off the Kennedy for a bit over 2 years (Oct1981 - May1984). They then moved on to the USS Forrestal, which they stayed with for 8 years with the F-14A’s. Now the USS Forrestal carried the AE tail codes. These decals have the AE code but the USS John F. Kennedy as the carrier. They are not a mistake either, I have only found one photo of this combo, all the others (and there are not many) have the correct carrier name with this tail code. The only other early scheme I have seen was a SuperScale set (again super rare) for the F-14A which had the AC code only and no Felix….. anyway….. ………time for some photos, a link for the build is supplied, plus some extra family photos as well. Thank you for looking, please enjoy. Model: Tamiya 1/48th F-14A Tomcat Paint: AK Interactive Real Color, and MRP, Tamiya Acrylics, Alclad Lacquer Extras: Amur Reaver – F-14 Tomcat Detail set DEF Model – F-14A Early Type wheel set Eduard – BigEd PE set Legend – F-14A/B Ejection seat set LF4046 Mircoscale Decals – F-14A’s. – 159449 Quickboost – F-14A Gun Cover Early Quinta Studio – F-14A 3D Decals ResKit – F-14A Exhausts Open & Closed set .... and some family photos 56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 That's lovely work, and a great family photo! Well done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paramedic Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Wonderful build - and collection. I am really jealous! Excellent painjob! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djos Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Beautiful model, and great collection. Always nice to see the Tomcat, especially done so good. Regards Djordje 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Very well done! Congratulations! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remus389 Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Very cool and impressive collection 😎👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Outstanding model and collection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simont382 Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Stunning result, who doesn't luv a Cat?? I have one waiting to be built as part of my VF-111 quad ( F8, F4, F14 and F5) A question if I may, was the base built by your good self or bought?? Thanks in advance As an aside, if you are a user of YouTube try Ward Carroll. He's an ex F-14 rio and has a series of excellent stories from both his own experiences and from others in the former Cat community. Worth 30mins of your time if you have any to spare as he has loads to tell!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eng Posted December 13, 2021 Share Posted December 13, 2021 Thats Beautiful! The other 'Cat and the Hornet look superb too. Eng 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted December 13, 2021 Author Share Posted December 13, 2021 50 minutes ago, simont382 said: Stunning result, who doesn't luv a Cat?? I have one waiting to be built as part of my VF-111 quad ( F8, F4, F14 and F5) A question if I may, was the base built by your good self or bought?? Thanks in advance As an aside, if you are a user of YouTube try Ward Carroll. He's an ex F-14 rio and has a series of excellent stories from both his own experiences and from others in the former Cat community. Worth 30mins of your time if you have any to spare as he has loads to tell!! thanks. The base was bought off evilBay and I can't remember at the moment who produces it either, but its a good quality one. Will have to check out that channel as well, thanks. My plan is to build every type of aircraft used by VF-31 in 1/48th. Currently I'm only missing the F2F-2 Panther (have 3 more Tomcats to cover the different Carriers they were on and schemes, just need one more for the "Last Flight" bird), though I only just discovered yesterday through one photo that they also operated for a very short time the F2H-2 Banshee, up til then I only thought they used the later/bigger F2H-3 Banshee "Big Banjo", I have the super rare Collect-Aire model for that. You may know this site, really helpful for projects like ours! https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF-squadrons.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Spot on work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simont382 Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 18 hours ago, trickyrich said: thanks. The base was bought off evilBay and I can't remember at the moment who produces it either, but its a good quality one. Will have to check out that channel as well, thanks. My plan is to build every type of aircraft used by VF-31 in 1/48th. Currently I'm only missing the F2F-2 Panther (have 3 more Tomcats to cover the different Carriers they were on and schemes, just need one more for the "Last Flight" bird), though I only just discovered yesterday through one photo that they also operated for a very short time the F2H-2 Banshee, up til then I only thought they used the later/bigger F2H-3 Banshee "Big Banjo", I have the super rare Collect-Aire model for that. You may know this site, really helpful for projects like ours! https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF-squadrons.htm Just tried the link which will come in very handy, thanks very much 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 It isn't easy to make the overall Light Gull Grey scheme look interesting - I know because I've tried - but you've made a fantastic job of this. Well modelled, Rich. Best from NZ Ian. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Superb work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Very smart! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filler Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Different class Rich. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Fantastic Tomcat Rich! Wow, what a scale model! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 What a beautiful collection complemented nicely with the Felix the Cat logo. Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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