Rick's Hasegawa 1/72 F-14A Tomcat "Sundowners"

[rickoshea52]

The pre-shading doesn't seem to have worked for me on this, but then I'm not convinced by that technique anyway. I had a second look at this after the paint had a decent amount of curing time and it needs another coat. The pylons need painting too, I did my usual trick of doing the airframe and forgetting the additional bits that I fit later. I'm so glad that I tinted the grey primer, it has made sure that any missed areas of spraying are highlighted, especially when the plastic is light grey and the finished paint colour is light grey.

[rickoshea52]

The next fix of masking has been applied after the Light Grey (which doesn't look very light!) so that the fin tips can be done in red and the exhausts done using True Metal paints applied by brush. I'm sure I saw a photo of this paint scheme with the engine cowling fin painted red too but the instructions don't show it.


The nose masking is for the Barley Grey anti-glare canopy surround. Close observation of this area has shown some minor areas requiring filler.


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RTFM Ricky!

[takeslousyphotos]

This is coming on nicely Rick.

[flyjoe180]

RTFM Ricky!

What was that about engineers a few weeks back? :P


Looking good Rick, you're beating it into submission slowly but surely.

[rickoshea52]

Red applied to the fin tips and nacelle fins and barley grey to the canopy. I've removed the masking from the top of the intakes where I had previously applied barley grey but the contrast between the two shades is very subtle; I'm not convinced that the light grey is light enough now.....hmmm?


The White marks on the nose is residue from some filler that I applied, this should wipe off with a dampened cotton bud then a touch up on the canopy masking.


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[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Rick.

[rickoshea52]

I wasn't happy with the shade of the main grey colour, it was too dark so I have resprayed it a lighter shade and I'm much happier with it. The red fin tips and ventral fins were also a source of irritation so I used a different shade. The barley grey contrasts much better now, this being the anti-glare, tops of the intakes and the wing trailing edge/fuselage root.


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[Guest]

Great job so far, this is looking nice

[colin m]

I've just been 'awarded' a Tomcat in a little game I'm playing on my Kindle. Which of course means I now want to build one, but with a 'new kit embargo' on, I'm stuffed - until you came along with yours. Brilliant timing.


Looking great.

[rickoshea52]

As I was having a spray session today this received a couple of coats of Humbrol Clear - I'm still not convinced by it and I've had mixed results with Vallejo's acrylic varnish, I'm thinking of trying a varnish from Railmatch for future builds.


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[flyjoe180]

That's going to look good under a dirty wash Rick. I use Humbrol Gloss varnish for my glossing needs at present. I used to use Vallejo gloss, no complaints except for the price here in NZ.

[rickoshea52]

That's going to look good under a dirty wash Rick. I use Humbrol Gloss varnish for my glossing needs at present. I used to use Vallejo gloss, no complaints except for the price here in NZ.

My experience of both has resulted in fogging of the finish and in the case of Clear it just doesn't dry glossy enough for me, it's more of a satin finish and also appears quite rough. I have used Railmatch enamels before and their acrylic Matt varnish with good results so I think I'll go back to them.


The next step is my least favourite - decals.

[rickoshea52]

As mentioned on my Hurricane build I'm not happy with the current varnishes I'm using so this received a coat of Railmatch acrylic gloss today in place of the Humbrol Clear, it is so much better a finish.


So now I have two builds at the decal stage but this has a whole lot more than the 1/24 Hurricane. This isn't a priority though, I need to get the Hurricane and my Hawk knocked out first, this can be a distraction when the others are starting to grind.


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[takeslousyphotos]

That is a superb finish Rick.......

[flyjoe180]

Looks good Rick