Ghostbase Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 A long stalled project, I started this 1/48th Hobby Boss Grumman F-14B Tomcat over two years ago. I was full of enthusiasm, did a good job on the cockpit then realised that maybe I should have started painting some of the parts *before* I put them together. Then I had my acrylic paints crisis (now solved) and then we went into Covid tiers and lockdowns and here I am! 20211228_134409 by Ghostbase, on Flickr The model is in two main parts in the photo; the wings and the main body, the cockpit and nose section which isn't yet cemented together, as well as the nose cone. 20211228_134417 by Ghostbase, on Flickr I was very impressed with the Hobby Boss cockpit, it has come out very well indeed. 20211228_134438 by Ghostbase, on Flickr My plan was and still is to finish her as a VF-102 'Diamondbacks' F-14B in combat configuration in Operation Enduring Freedom 2001 to 2002. I will be using the Fightertown Decals "Tomcats at War Pt.2 F-14B/D Bravo Delta Showboats" decals. Michael 20211228_134744 by Ghostbase, on Flickr 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 Have made a start on this stalled project the last two days. My objective is just to airbrush the three main paint colours to this large model; these are from top to bottom FS 35237 Medium Grey, FS 36320 Dark Ghost Grey and FS 36375 Light Ghost Grey. I am using Vallejo Air War Color Series paints applied with a H&S Ultra airbrush (0.4 mm nozzle) and mixed with Vallejo Retarder Medium, Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver and Aig Ammo acrylic thinner. The mixing ratios are 20/1/2/6. I am mixing the paints using a drop applicator from a Covid lateral flow test kit (my wife works in a hospital and has to self-test twice weekly so I have plenty to use). 20220101_172438 by Ghostbase, on Flickr The results have been good, I seem to have got the mix right and the paint has airbrushed well. I am happy with this. Yesterday I applied the top FS 35237 Medium Grey and today I applied FS 36320 Dark Ghost Grey. The F-14B Tomcat is a large bird and I have mixed at least 60 drops of each colour. 20220101_201017 by Ghostbase, on Flickr I did mask the cockpit, just a little bit of leakage which can easily be put right. I originally intended to build this Tomcat with everything open and dangling and I think I will still aim to do this. Britmodeller dnl42 is currently building the very similar 1/48 Hobby Boss F-14A on the T-14 Tomcat STGB and he has noted that many of the access doors fit poorly so yes, I think I will try to keep everything open. 20220101_201044 by Ghostbase, on Flickr This is a photo of the underside of the main fuselage section. Why oh why did I attach the main undercarriage legs? Why oh why didn't I construct and paint the wings in their entirety before joining the main fuselage halves? It just makes life so much harder. You can see where I have applied FS 36320 and I will have to re-paint the wheel wells and gear after I have applied FS36375 Light Ghost Grey. To use the much quoted phrase "It is what it is" and just move on... 20220101_202158 by Ghostbase, on Flickr I decided to add weapons to this VF-102 Tomcat to show a typical warload used during Operation Enduring Freedom 2001 to 2002 so I have chosen two AIM-9 Sidewinders, two AIM-7 Sparrows, two GBU-12 and two Mk83 bombs. These are sourced from the kit. 20220101_201550 by Ghostbase, on Flickr Another area where I have to make a decision! The Hobby Boss kit gives options for open or closed jet exhausts. I built the open jet exhausts but they have gaps in them. The closed exhausts are an alternative but they don't seem to fit over the already built jet pipes. I think the open jet exhausts apply to the F-14B at rest on the ground and this is what I am trying to depict. 20220101_201928 by Ghostbase, on Flickr I am happy with the last two day's progress. Hope to apply FS 36375 Light Ghost Grey tomorrow and see where we go from there. Michael 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 10 minutes ago, Ghostbase said: I think the open jet exhausts apply to the F-14B at rest on the ground I believe that they usually had one open and one closed on the ground. (I think because of the shut-down sequence.) I'm afraid you'll have to look it up because that's all I know. Try this: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-engine.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said: I believe that they usually had one open and one closed on the ground. (I think because of the shut-down sequence.) I'm afraid you'll have to look it up because that's all I know. Thanks Bertie, that rings a bell but I wasn't sure which engine that applied to. My project for tomorrow then 😉 Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 These HB Tomcats are a slog. Looking forward to seeing this done! Ditto for mine. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 1 minute ago, Ghostbase said: Thanks Bertie, that rings a bell but I wasn't sure which engine that applied to. My project for tomorrow then 😉 Michael http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-engine-01.htm That's the photo you need 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 12 minutes ago, dnl42 said: These HB Tomcats are a slog. Looking forward to seeing this done! Ditto for mine. I am following your build "with interest" I think is the correct phrase 😎 You can't rush these HB kits, that I have learned! Quite a few years ago I completed the HB 1/48 F-111A 'Vark and despite all the inaccuracies and build challenges the end result was most impressive and still has a very visible place in the display cabinet. Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted January 2, 2022 Author Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) Back to the paint shop today to apply FS 36375 Light Ghost Grey to the undersides of this F-14B Tomcat, thus completing the first applications of all three main colours for the TPS scheme. It went sort of OK but only sort of. Vallejo labels this as a Surface Primer, not an AIR colour however I mixed it the same as the paints that I had previously applied however it felt much thinner leaving the airbrush. I took this photo about 15 minutes after application. 20220102_181951 by Ghostbase, on Flickr And the tail planes... 20220102_182016 by Ghostbase, on Flickr This photo shows the main fuselage and wings after I removed the masking and the paint had a few hours to dry. My initial misgivings are somewhat mollified however this paint application is definitely not as high quality as the previous two colours. So I have a choice; I can claim it is weathering, I can just not worry about it because it will be mostly not visible, or I can add a second coat? Will probably go for the first option. 😉 20220102_202715 by GHostbase, on Flickr And just to finish off a perfect day, what happened when I removed the masking tape on the cockpit section too enthusiastically? Yep, pulled some of the Dark Ghost Grey acrylic paint! Maybe I can present that as weathering too? Nonetheless, it is good to have all the main parts of this Tomcat painted, it feels like I have made significant forward steps the last few days. Michael 20220102_202955 by Ghostbase, on Flickr Edited January 2, 2022 by Ghostbase Speling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted March 2, 2022 Author Share Posted March 2, 2022 Two months later and just a few days before the close of this GB. I have done a lot of work on this HobbyBoss F-14B Tomcat and she is starting to look close to completion. This photo gives the general idea: 20220301_202525 by Ghostbase, on Flickr All of the airbrushing is complete and all the main parts are attached including the two GBU-12 guided bombs. The majority of the Fightertown Decals "Bravo Delta Showboats" decals have been applied and they make this model look very special. 20220301_202317 by Ghostbase, on Flickr I still intend to display her with the gun access doors open and this has made applying the VF-102 Diamondback decals "interesting" to say the least when they have to be cut to fit each door! I had originally intended to have the radar open too but it got too fiddly so it ended up closed. 20220301_202638 by Ghostbase, on Flickr This photo gives a good idea of what remains to be done. I do especially need to paint all undercarriage doors edges red before attaching them.. All weapons are good and ready to be attached. 20220301_202939 by GHostbase, on Flickr This makes the 2021/22 KUTA GB a very successful one for me because I didn't think I could rescue this Tomcat after such an uncoordinated start. I am not going to rush for the finish because I am near the end of enduring Covid (a horrible experience) and today is the first day I feel the mojo for some modelling so, see how we go... Michael 20220301_202622 by Ghostbase, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostbase Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 Sadly this Feline didn't quite make the deadline however I am so close to a finish, maybe just an afternoon's work left to do. I have had Covid the last nine days and that hasn't helped my motivation levels either! Big Thanks 👍 to KUTA 2021 and the people running it for getting me to face up to this kit and nearly get it finished. Cheers! Michael 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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