F-14 Tomcat--Grim Reapers

[Quaralane]

Thanks, guys.

I'll likely be using Aves for my filler on those gaps

 

[13aceofspades13]

Thanks, guys.

I'll likely be using Aves for my filler on those gaps

aves rocks... nuff said.

 

[ShutterAce]

hang in there F-14's are notorious for being difficult to put together. Italeri especially. What are you using to fill the seams

I've heard this a lot regarding F-14's. Even the high dollar ones.

 

[Quaralane]

More assembly work, and more seams.
Got the landing gear doors in place now, and both og the main door sets have some fit issues that will need to be addressed.
Starboard side gear doors, the worst of the batch


Port side gear doors went together only slightly better


Nose gear doors went in fabulously. No issues here.


Deciding not to play with the seams yet, I opted to get the crew figures done.
So, I got their arms glued on and then attached them to the lid of a small jar for painting.



And they get painted. After, that is, I knocked off the "GIB's" left arm and had to replace it due to the carpet monster getting hungry.
Their flight suits were painted with interior green, then given a black wash.
Boots, gloves, and masks were painted in with flat black
Helmets were painted in with red.
Visors were done with metallic dark blue



Youtube link:
Navy/Marine-Group Build-F 14 Tomcat-Part 4

 

[JMac]

Crewed and in flight, nice. Good update Q. Good progress.

 

[noc5659]

nice update Q. I feel your pain on those seams. That is the primary reason I have all but given up on building italeri kits. No matter which one there is always an endless amount of seam filling. hang in there i am sure the result will be worth the effort. i applaud your decision to do an inflight version. combat aircraft always look best that way.

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks for the comments, guys.
Mostly went for the "in flight" because I'm short on shelf space.

 

[Chris S]

You seem to be having a lot of issues with that kit Q !! ,but Im sure you'll over come The pilots look good .

Chris.

 

[13aceofspades13]

you can get those issues fixed, a little aves here and there, buy the way the pilots look really nice.

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks, Ace.
Aves work is now well underway

 

[Quaralane]

After time debating what to do, and doing other things while I debated, here is an update on my "Grim Reapers" Tomcat.

We start with the joys of seam filling with Aves Apoxie Sculpt.
There were quite a few areas that needed work








I also got the pilots installed into the cockpit



Got the canopy installed and masked, then gave the whole bird a coat of Krylon Grey Primer



Though the pics don't show it, the underside is now flat white.
I gave the upper side a coat of the lighter "Colorspray" primer from WalMart to get a color closer to the one actually used on these birds



Youtube link:
Navy/Marine-Group Build-F 14 Tomcat-Part 5

 

[noname]

It's really coming together now. Should be smooth sailing from here on out.

 

[Quaralane]

Keeping my fingers crossed, noname

 

[NecronautDrummer]

Looks good so far, Q! My only F-14 build was rife with seam filling too.

 

[Chris S]

Hey Q ,

Quite a bit of filling needed in that one huh ! Looks like you got her sorted ,the big girl is looking good with a coat on ....Very neat

Chris.

 

[hilld]

Enjoying your installments. I can't find Aves in any local stores. I will order some online. It looks like a good filler.

 

[JMac]

Looks good Q. Lots of seams, but now that the primer is on, all that work paid off.

 

[Eastrock]

looking good from here, Q!!! Aves sculpt is great than Miliput... it really has a lot of uses.

 

[Quaralane]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.
I use Aves as both a filler, and a sculpting medium for custom parts

@hilld,
I get my Aves online, usually from the Starship Modeler online store.

 

[redraider56]

Looking sharp Q!