Subject: Re: Gallery Submission - Academy 1/72 F-14A Tomcat VF-84 Jolly Rogers
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Michael Choo" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 12:26:10 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Choo 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 1:46 PM
  Subject: Gallery Submission - Academy 1/72 F-14A Tomcat VF-84 Jolly Rogers

  "Academy 1/72 F-14A Tomcat VF-84 Jolly Rogers"

  by Michael "Chewie" Choo

  Forum screen name: Mike C
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  Phew! I finally finished this project. It didn't take that long, but with the amount of effort that I had put into this building this kit, it felt like a very long time. I built this kit strictly OOB.

  If you're interested, the build thread can be found here: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=267564

  I have always wanted to build a Jolly Rogers bird, especially a Tomcat. But being a somewhat lazy and stingy modeler, I waited until Academy released their special edition Jolly Rogers boxing a few years ago, with the fantastic Cartograf decals. Although all the reviews I've read of the kit all said it was pretty bad, I still bought it anyway because of the price. Was it worth it? I think so. Sure it's got lots of issues, but they can be overcome with a bit of patience (and tons of putty and elbow grease!!!). I'm quite happy with the end result.

  Will I build another Academy F-14? Depends. Yes for in-flight, but No for wheels down.

  I initially wanted to build this wheels down, but since Academy completely stuffed up the wheel bay (there was probably literally a dozen ejection pin marks - see my WIP thread), I decided to build this bird in-flight. But, I can't be bothered with putting pilot figures in the cockpit. 

  I made a few "boo boos", but hey... it's a constant learning process, isn't it? ;)

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  - Overall coat: Gunze Aqueous H315 (FS16440) - this paint is very glossy, and quite a bit more translucent than Gunze's semi-gloss greys
  - Pre-shading: Tamiya XF-54 Dark Sea Grey
  - Wing bladder seal: Gunze Aqueous FS36118
  - Tamiya X-18 Semi-Gloss Black
  - Missiles' body: Gunze Aqueous Gloss White
  - Burner cans: 3 different metallics from Mr Metal Color range. Dark Iron, Iron, and mixture of Dark Iron + Aluminium (which ended up the same colour as Stainless!!)
  - Leading edge of the vertical stabs: Gunze Aqueous H311 FS36622
  - Gloss coat: Gunze Aqueous gloss clear
  - Weathering: oil wash and a bit of Tamiya Smoke
  - Finishing coat: Tamiya Semi Gloss Clear

          
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  BTW, the stand is Academy's Display Stand.

  Hope you like it!

  Michael "Chewie" Choo

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