The model shown here
is the F-14A (Block 95), BuNo. 160414/"AJ-201" from VF-84 "Jolly
Rogers". This plane was based with other units on the USS "Chester U.
Nimitz" (CVN-68) in 1981. An original photo was provided by and courtesy
of Vladimir Nazarov (on Ru.Modelism also known as Nazar+) - it was shot by
his father (a pilot of a Russian AF), so I am very grateful to him for real
plane photos.
Actually my model was
bought as a repacked by "Modelist" company (St. Petersburg, Russia).
It is absolutely identical to Academy model, but the repack contains a very bad
quality decals, while the whole kit is undoubtedly cheaper than Academy kit.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
So, as I planned to
use aftermarket decals anyway, I bought this kit and saved some dollars:) For decals,
I used decals from C.A.M. - Tomcat Alley, it has three very interesting variances
of famous prototypes. Besides I used a resin cockpit set from Pavla models and
wheels from Russian firm Equipage. I usually try to use wheels of this
manufacturer as they usually give an acceptable quality and the wheels look as
good as the real ones after painting and weathering.
I corrected the whole length of
the fuselage by inserting a section made from 3-4 mm. plastic. A comparison was made
with drawings from "Aeroplane" magazine. The canopy was vacu formed from
clear plastic and washed in Glaenzer to make it more clear. Some ECM warning
antennas were removed from lower surfaces of a center-section, some scribing
was done too. Several little details like a fuel dump tube were scratch
built.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
I used enamel paints Akan and
Testors metalli zers.
There was an attempt to make "rain-marks",
"weathering" and "tarnishing" to make the model look like a
real carrier-plane. The model looks very dirty, but it's supposed to, carrier-planes
usually are more "weathered" than usual military planes. Anyway
I will be
very grateful to you for criticize my Tomcat.
As a reference I used
books:
- - F-14 Tomcat in Detail and
Scale;
- -F-14 Aerodata;
- -F-14 In action;
- -F-14 Lockon No.18;
- -F14 Walkaround No.3;
and a lot of shots taken from the
Internet and from the best site about Tomcat I know - Home of M.A.T.S. (http://www.anft.net/f-14/index.htm).
I hope you like the model too.
Denis
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
|
|