Grumman F-14D Tomcat (Fine Molds)
The Fine Molds 1:72 F-14D was initially sold as a promotion with three issues of Model Graphix magazine.
In keeping with Fine Molds reputation, the parts are exquisite.
You can easily see that Fine Molds was also planning an A version of the Tomcat, which was eventually released.
The kit includes full intakes and exhausts.
Lots of options for open access panels - even the spine can be built with the maintenance covers removed.
Unlike the Hasegawa kit, the slats and flaps are moulded in the neutral position.
Missile pylons and drop tanks are included, but no weapons.
Crystal clear canopy is protected by the design of the sprue frame.
This is the decal sheet included with the kit, but I'm going to use the Tomcat Sunset scheme from the Hasegawa kit.
The instructions are in the magazine issues - the text is mostly Japanese but the pictures are pretty much self-evident.
In case of a crucial detail, English text is also provided. Just remember to read from back to front!
Colour photos are also provided for each step in the assembly sequence, along with construction tips.
The decal placement drawings.
Here's what I'll be using - the colourful "high-viz" markings over Light Gull Gray and White. This was a special display scheme for the Tomcat retirement ceremony.
Some other goodies - turned metal probes, resin wheels, and high-viz stencils.
Not sure if I'll use these. The headrests look slightly undersize compared to photos.
Here she is at the Tomcat Sunset ceremony. Anytime, Baby!
Consoles are separate pieces. The PE rudder pedals are from the Eduard set intended for the Revell F-14D.
PE also used to enhance the air conditioning vents.
I decided to use the kit decals for the instrument panels and consoles. It took a lot of solvent to make them conform.
The circuit breakers on the rear bulkhead are nicely done, especially for 1:72 scale.
The engineering of the kit is quite different from other Tomcats I've built in this scale.
I decided to use the kit ejection seats. All I added was some PE harnesses from Eduard which are intended for the Revell kit.
I'll leave the seats out until later so it will be easier to mask the cockpit when painting the fuselage.
Adding sidewall insulation (from a paper towel) and additional circuit breakers from the PE fret.
The cannon must be installed before the fuselage halves can be joined. The kit is designed to have a lot of internals showing.
PE cable conduits added to the starboard sidewall, along with some other controls.
Additional insulation, circuit breakers and miscellaneous controls added to the port sidewall.
Fine Molds have the canopy sill as a separate piece. This might come in handy later on.
The instrument panel coamings are added on top of the canopy sill. Everything fits really well.
Some exquisite moulding on the engine faces and the exhaust/flame holders. The metallic blue is shown in most of my reference photos.
The interior of the intakes must be painted prior to assembly. This is the Light Gull Gray pattern shown in the photos.
The main lower fuselage piece. Be very careful removing it from the sprues.
The F-14D did not have the glove vanes, so these are glued shut. They're needed for the A version however.
Note the small parts at the wing pivot point. The wing interfaces with these bits, which are not glued in place.
Upper and lower fuselage parts joined. Note how the rear fuselage sidewall is a separate part.
Looking into the jet pipes.
The inner wall of the main gear bay is added, as well as the rear fuselage sidewalls. Although a complex design, everything fits great.
The boat tail is a separate assembly allowing for different versions.
Those big blocks on top of the intakes are for the ramp actuator. Seems like a lot for a small part.
Intakes pretty much snap in place.
Unlike other Tomcat kits I've built, there is no step between the main fuselage and the nose section. Very positive fit.
The lower wing is an "insert" into the top wing. The leading edge has no seam and the trailing edge is very thin. Why the small bit of flap is separate is beyond me.
Everything goes together well.
The Eduard PE set for the Revell F-14D has a ton of these microscopic bits. I'll use some of them.
The kit's oleo scissors were moulded solid, so the PE versions are much better.
I added the tie down rings, but boy are they tiny!
And some PE for the main gear struts.
Add some white paint...
Test fitting the wings - looks a bit more like a ferocious feline now.
Starting to paint! This is GSI Creos Light Gull Gray over White.
Masking the air brakes was fun...well, kinda sorta.
More masking is coming up as well.
Up on her legs!
Some of the avionics bays are painted with chromate yellow primer, other are white - according to my references.
Detail painting of the avionics will require a very tiny brush! Note the additional antennae on the wing gloves, typical of the F-14D.
My decal sheet includes the cartoon Felix, but not the words. I will have to make my own decals for this.
I created the artwork for the slogan in Corel Draw version 21. Took me all day!
Stickers are on the main fuselage.
The avionics and cannon bays have seen some detail painting.
Much easier to do the red edges with a marker! I used to use a paintbrush...
I'm using photoetch for the canopy locks.
And she's finished! Enjoy the rest of the photos.
The aircraft was freshly painted for the ceremony, so no weathering was applied.
I think they look better nice and clean.
I couldn't find any photos that showed any stenciling, so I didn't apply any.
The canopy mirrors came from the Eduard photoetch set as well. So did the HUD.
Maybe you can see some of the cockpit details?
"Felix Rules" is a homemade decal. I posted the artwork previously - I like how it came out.
Comentarii
34 14 October 2021, 18:41
Bill GilmanHi mates, this is my latest project. I'm building this as part of a Group Build on another forum. It's the 1:72 kit from Fine Molds of the F-14D, and it's a beauty. I'll be using the lovely "Anytime Baby" scheme added to one of the VF-31 Tomcats for the official retirement ceremony. This one is in Light Gull Gray over White (the way all USN planes should be painted!) and has a great version of the twin-tailed cat logo on the tail. This particular aircraft was on static display, while another VF-31 bird with a low-viz version of these same markings flew during the ceremony. This is a beautiful kit, although the engineering and breakdown of the parts is unusual. So far, everything fits really well though. Cheers, Bill
14 October 2021, 19:48
Thomas KolbLooks like a really clean and pretty build. You seem to have a good hand with tiny PE stuff! Following with interest!
14 October 2021, 20:18
Bill GilmanMore work on the Tomcat - I need to finish this by December 18, the deadline for the group build on Britmodeller. I might just make it, but it will be close. I need life to get out of the way and let me play with my models! Cheers, Bill
26 November 2021, 19:34
Bill GilmanHi mates, I've found the time to add the decals to the main fuselage. These are the decals from the Hasegawa kit, and they went down without too much difficulty. They're not Cartograf by any means, but at the end of the day my decal solvents did their job. We're getting close to the finish. Cheers,
Bill
30 November 2021, 23:31
Bill GilmanThere is something that doesn't look quite right - ah! The wings! Now, where did I leave them...
1 December 2021, 21:08
Hanno KleineckeStunning how you always manage to make your 1/72nd builds look like quarterscale, what a beautiful result !
11 December 2021, 19:29
Martin von SchreckensteinI completely missed this! love the idea, love the execution. Nice work on the paintjob, looks just like the real thing!
7 January 2022, 09:27
Michael Kohlvery nice and clean build. I would have applied a very decent wash, just to enhance the panel lines a bit. But this is a matter of personal preference. You delivered a very nice Tomcat. Well done.
7 January 2022, 12:19
Patrick HagelsteinWait a minute! Where did this one come from? 😮 Totally missed this absolute stunner! 😮 Beautiful!!! 👍
7 January 2022, 12:23
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1:72 Fine Molds kit
