Tomcat wip
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/2/2/6/533226-12906-11-720.jpg)
For a so much praised kit, I was surprised to find a huge number of pin marks in visible parts. While I'm not sure, these will actually be seen, burried deep in engine intakes.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/2/2/7/533227-12906-10-720.jpg)
Cockpit sidewalls are bare in the kit. It's true, only the most curious eyes will look that deep in the cockpit, but I just had to add some canvas wiring covers and the prominent circuit breaker boards in the RIO's pit.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/2/2/8/533228-12906-98-720.jpg)
Using just some careful painting, the cockpit is looking more and more alive. No aftermarket parts are available for this kit, so I have to work with what I've got.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/3/3/3/534333-12906-94-720.jpg)
Cockpit mostly finished
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/3/3/4/534334-12906-77-720.jpg)
Cockpit mostly finished
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/6/5/3/535653-12906-62-720.jpg)
Intakes painted up; one showing the one piece affair and the other one with rear part insert.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/6/5/4/535654-12906-80-720.jpg)
Front view of the intake insert. Stator at the front with a cone was painted Aluminum while the rear one with darker Magnesium, giving a nice sense of depth. Notice the reflections in the intake.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/6/5/5/535655-12906-95-720.jpg)
Cockpit was finally fitted in the fuselage halves and instrument panel shrouds installed. Turtle back behind the rear seat was bare of details so I added a horizontal beam and rivets per reference photos.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/6/5/6/535656-12906-23-720.jpg)
NeOmega seats arrived yesterday and they proved to be of identical dimensions as FineMolds ones but of course much better detailed. RIO's IP shroud received circular cooling vents at the sides and the wire that runs from the top handle to the side.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/2/9/9/538299-12906-20-720.jpg)
Instructions mistake! Do this only if you're planning on closing the canopy!
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/2/9/8/538298-12906-28-720.jpg)
Painting the exhausts... First white then progressively darker thin layers of brownish colours and some dark brown, black and grey pigments at the end.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/2/9/7/538297-12906-33-720.jpg)
Jet intakes finished - the lower rear ramp at the top of the intake is clearly visible including the actuator that opens it.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/3/0/0/538300-12906-73-720.jpg)
Interesting design of the rear fuselage - you have to attach the rear fuselage sides to the jet exhaust piping.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/3/0/1/538301-12906-83-720.jpg)
The whole assembly is then attached to the upper fuselage half.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/3/0/3/538303-12906-81-720.jpg)
The join runs by the panel line and is virtually invisible. The only area needing some filler will be right of the airbrake - nothing a swipe of PPP couldn't solve in few seconds.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/3/0/2/538302-12906-60-720.jpg)
Attaching the lower fuselage was a breeze - fit is just perfect and we finally have something resembling a Tomcat fuselage.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/3/0/5/538305-12906-34-720.jpg)
View of the lower fuselage - again no fuller needed!
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/3/0/4/538304-12906-14-720.jpg)
Oh and for those who didn't know - take a look at Tomcat's fuselage, bring those intakes closer together and voila! A-wing fighter from Star Wars E:VI Return of the Jedi!
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/8/2/4/540824-12906-82-720.jpg)
Spine interior painted. Riveted the edges and ribs.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/8/2/5/540825-12906-70-720.jpg)
Finally coming together.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/8/2/6/540826-12906-62-720.jpg)
Reedoak's 3D printed figures are amazing!
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/8/2/7/540827-12906-61-720.jpg)
Reedoak's 3D printed figures are amazing!
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/8/2/8/540828-12906-49-720.jpg)
Reedoak's 3D printed figures are amazing!
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/4/4/3/544443-12906-43-720.jpg)
Dryfitted the wings and tailerons and attached the fins - Tomcat, baby!
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/4/4/4/544444-12906-61-720.jpg)
Was playing with different shades of metallic colours, picking out single petals, and attacking those with washes. I'll further putt a matt coat on them as they're too shiny now and probably add a little more staining.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/4/4/5/544445-12906-93-720.jpg)
And dryfit of the nozzles - They look really nice attached to the fuselage. Had to bypass instructions a bit so I can remove and install them later in the build.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/1/9/7/550197-12906-49-720.jpg)
After a coat of AMMO One Shot primer I've put a marbled coat of Lt. Ghost Grey on.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/1/9/8/550198-12906-67-720.jpg)
Marbling was first done coarser and will be made finer later.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/1/9/9/550199-12906-40-720.jpg)
Before final painitng I added brown marbling on the areas of higher wear and tear.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/2/0/0/550200-12906-71-720.jpg)
Before final painitng I added brown marbling on the areas of higher wear and tear.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/2/0/1/550201-12906-96-720.jpg)
And the final subtle effect. But the painting is not done yet.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/2/0/2/550202-12906-42-720.jpg)
And the final subtle effect. But the painting is not done yet.
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/2/5/9/553259-12906-33-720.jpg)
Did further weathering of the overpainted panels and added grime and dirt on the most often used panels.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/2/5/8/553258-12906-80-720.jpg)
Added antiglare panel, over-intake walkways and painted the canvas bags and airbrake interior.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/2/6/0/553260-12906-29-720.jpg)
Added antiglare panel, over-intake walkways and painted the canvas bags and airbrake interior.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/6/4/6/562646-12906-31-720.jpg)
The interior compartments were give a coat of White paint.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/6/4/7/562647-12906-28-720.jpg)
Afterwards the details were painted and a wash was applied to enhance the shadows.
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/6/4/5/562645-12906-65-720.jpg)
The right hand side was given the same treatment.
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/6/4/8/562648-12906-51-720.jpg)
With all the details painted and wings and pylons attached, it's time to gloss it up and finally start the decalling process!
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/8/3/4/574834-12906-28-720.jpg)
Decals applied - mix of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/8/3/5/574835-12906-30-720.jpg)
Decals applied - mix of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi.
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/8/3/6/574836-12906-32-720.jpg)
Decals applied - mix of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/8/3/7/574837-12906-96-720.jpg)
Decals applied - mix of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/8/3/8/574838-12906-26-720.jpg)
Decals applied - mix of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/9/8/2/574982-12906-11-pristine.jpg)
NO STEP stencil difference - left wing Airfix, right wing Microscale
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/4/5/6/583456-12906-46-720.jpg)
Landing gear was improved by the use of Albion Alloys brass tubing and Plusmodel lead wire
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/4/5/5/583455-12906-53-720.jpg)
Landing gear painted up and weathered.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/4/5/7/583457-12906-87-720.jpg)
Tomcat after light washes
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/4/6/0/583460-12906-31-720.jpg)
Tomcat after light washes
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/4/5/8/583458-12906-95-720.jpg)
Tomcat after light washes
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/4/5/9/583459-12906-44-720.jpg)
Final look after specific panels were further weathered and certain panel lines over painted.
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/4/6/1/583461-12906-79-720.jpg)
Final look after specific panels were further weathered and certain panel lines over painted.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/4/6/2/583462-12906-41-720.jpg)
Final look after specific panels were further weathered and certain panel lines over painted.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/0/1/1/601011-12906-14-720.jpg)
After a long absence, the Tomcat returns!
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/0/1/0/601010-12906-68-720.jpg)
A lot of details have been added and she's standing on her own feet now as well. More soon!
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/3/1/8/606318-12906-58-720.jpg)
Almost there!
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/3/1/9/606319-12906-54-720.jpg)
Almost there!
Yorumlar
30 October 2018, 22:18
![](/profiles/img/10232-810-s.jpg)
I am in here for sure, Sebastijan. I always wanted to have a fine molds Kitty for my stash. How does the kit feel, so far?
31 October 2018, 16:05
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Thank you, Holger! Well initially I have very mixed feelings. There's a bunch of little details (look at how good the pit looks OOB) that are really great, but on the other hand, the pin marks are really bothering me. I'll get better feel when I start the main construction I guess. Also, it's quite an expensive kit yet you have to buy weapons and even ejection seat harnesses!!! extra!
31 October 2018, 16:50
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
Looking good already Sebastijan! To some comfort, the rest of the kit literally falls together! Everything has a very solid location. The only thing I am doing is putting 0,10 mm strips around the separate panels because I feel the panel lines between those are too wide. Takes some effort but is actually very easy. However....you won't be needing that as your panels will be opened up anyway! 😄
31 October 2018, 18:56
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
FineMolds additional kit | Album by Hagel (1:72)
This gives an idea of the overall fit.
31 October 2018, 18:58
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
You're welcome! I prefer this kit over the Hasegawa and Fujimi ones but am very curious about the upcoming Great Wall Hobby one. 🙂
1 November 2018, 12:07
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Yeah, me too! I have several Hasegawas and Fujimis in the stash; I've seen HobbyBoss ones but there's something off with the shape of the spine with those and I don't like the simplifications of the landing gear area.
1 November 2018, 17:57
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
VF-41 Black Aces from 1997 cruise. First time I saw Tomcat and visited JFK while on port call to Koper, Slovenia.
4 November 2018, 10:45
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Well decals are a slight problem. I've only found those decals in an old Airfix kit. Decals are so so, but I think they will be useable. At least the major ones like tail art, numbers and stuff. I'll probably use stencils from some generic set as Airfix ones are a bit on the thick side. That Airfix release also included VF-14 Tophatters special art tail, with a Tomcat patch on the tail but the cat itself dressed in a tuxedo and a tophat on its head - unfortunately there's a slight offset to the decals and I don't think they would be useable...
5 November 2018, 08:05
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
scalemates.com/kits/206714-airfix-95013-grumman-f-14a-tomcat
This one by any chance? That box looks cool but if the decals themselves are that bad, that would be a shame. Generic stencils are easy to come by, those VF-41 markings would be something different though...
5 November 2018, 16:41
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
scalemates.com/kits/1129094-..-2000-vf-21-freelancers-1995
Could these be used?
5 November 2018, 16:44
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Yeah, I think that's the boxing... I don't have the kit, just the decal sheet. And yes, that VF-14 option from the boxart suffers the most. I have really a lot of Tomcat decal sheets including those CAM stencil ones for hi and low vis options, so I should be covered with that.
5 November 2018, 18:38
![](/profiles/img/14066-708-s.jpg)
Somebody hacked Sebastijan's account and is posting non Soviet models! 😄
Great start, amazing detail.
7 November 2018, 22:18
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Aris, believe it or not, but I think the Tomcat is "guilty" of me, becoming a Soviet/Russian aviation enthusiast. I've become a huge fan of Tomcat after seeing Top Gun sometime in the late '80s and it has been so until 1999, when I saw Anatoly Kvochur perform with his Su-27LL at some airshow in Austria. That was a game changer for me, but if you think of it - There are only 3 aircraft that have a pancake body design - F-14, Su-27 and MiG-29 - it was not hard to fall in love with the Su 🙂
8 November 2018, 07:47
![](/profiles/img/10421-s.jpg)
Your Tomcat looks good and seems the Finemolds F-14 has a great details, how's the fittings? Post more pictures please I really like to see your WIP.
8 November 2018, 13:47
![](/profiles/img/34514-638-s.jpg)
Thats absolutely amazing Seb!!
A little late but this I have to watch until the end 👍
23 November 2018, 17:02
![](/profiles/img/25288-676-s.jpg)
Good job! I agree with you about pancakes! I have to buy a tomcat as soon as I finish my flanker.
23 November 2018, 21:03
![](/profiles/img/16625-287-s.png)
This is simply fantastic work! Looking forward to seeing the next installment!!!
23 November 2018, 21:40
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Thanks guys!
Maciej - it's easy to miss threads on scalemates - not really a forum like format unfortunately.
Patrick - following instructions, you should attach exhausts first then add those side shrouds to them and the fuselage. What I did, was dry attach the exhausts then carefully glued those shrouds only to the fuselage and remove the exhausts. Luckily the fit is perfect so I can paint them separately and install them later in the build.
4 December 2018, 07:01
![](/profiles/img/10792-966-s.jpg)
I came over here from Sven's WIP. Well another impressive built Sebastijan. I'll take a seat to follow.
1 January 2019, 15:55
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
Chime in Christian! This is a feast to the eyes: the kit AND the craftmanship!
2 January 2019, 04:37
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Thanks, guys! I am quite sure Sven will beat me to the finish, but luckily, this isn't a race😉 I am slowly progressing with the build though and I'll probably have something new to show by the end of the week.
3 January 2019, 10:30
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
After a looong looong while, after hitting the wall when trying to decal this beast, I'm finally back with something to show.
11 February 2019, 08:35
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
What happened? Did the (original planned) decals act up on you? This current mix looks really nice though! 👍
11 February 2019, 14:36
![](/profiles/img/11788-s.jpg)
Hey Sebastijan, I´m at the point of decalling, too, now! Are they that hard to apply? I know from the instrument boards that the FineMolds decals are tricky but I hoped the work better on the outside with much smoother surfaces...
11 February 2019, 16:39
![](/profiles/img/12906-s.jpg)
Thank you for your kinds words, guys! What you see here is a combination of Airfix, Microscale and Fujimi decals. Sven, I'm not using kit decals, so I can't comment on their quality, really and I've rather painted up the cockpit than use decals. The most problems I've had was with the Airfix decals, but as I wanted this exact scheme of VF-41 from where I first saw Tomcat in person, they were my only choice. Their biggest problem is that most of the decals are oversize, "NO STEP" stencils being the worst - if anyone's interested I can post a pic where one wing has Airfix and the other Microscale stencils applied.
11 February 2019, 18:27