Trumpeter 1/32 F14B Tomcat ‘bomb-cat’

[Steven000]

Very nice progress Barry, interesting to see both planes together :thumb2:
Steven

[BarryW]

a bit more benchtime today so I did the touch ups and glued the main two structural sections together.

I used medium superglue initially along the rear join and at the intake end. This enabled me to hold the two sections together while the set solid. I then ran around in various places with Mr Cement S. I found that I needed to clamp as in the picture below the make sure these sections join correctly.


I will then fit the panel in the bottom. A test fit suggests a bit of a challenge here so a spot of sanding may be needed. Then I will glue the front Phoenix rails into place. These will add some rigidity to the structure.


here is a pic of the top. As you can see there is not a lot of touching up to do though the seams will need a spot of work.

[BarryW]

I struggled to fit the panel to the underside. It just did not fit at all and I spent a lot of time sanding and testing before I got it to fit and I am left with a fair bit of filling and sanding to do. It was agrevated by it also 'pushing in' so getting it level and even was a real challenge. Not the best engineering. This is the only real fit problem I have encountered.

This is how it looks....

[BarryW]

I have done some sanding and fitting and am now ready to touch up where needed.





as you can see am doing some work on the spine. When that lot is done it will be the turn of the wings....

slow progress but we are getting there.

[Steve Brodie]

coming along very nicely

[BarryW]

Touch ups done and I am now preparing to fit the wings.

I have decided to cement them into place in a swept position. While the wing structure is stronger than the Revell Tornado I still have doubts about how strong it will be when you move the wings. This is such a big model I want to keep its footprint down on the shelf, hence the swept position.

here is what it looks like now:




It looks smaller than it is on the bench but rember I have a big bench, the Hobbyzone modules being about 12 inches so that makes the model nearly 2 feet long....

[BarryW]

Wings attached...
I decided in the end not to glue them solidly in swept position and to allow some movement, but I will just make sure i dont play around sweeping them back and forth too much...

I had to remove the shoulder pylons (came away easily and in one piece) to enable me to clamp the wing pivot.







Here are the other parts ready to attach at the right time.


And, of course, the stores are in the middle of preparation.

[BarryW]

Twin tails on and the fillet over the wing mechanism glued in place.




glad I decided not to fix the wings in the swept position as it enabled me to calm the rear part of the filler for glueing.

[boatman]

HI Barry lookin good but do you really need all them clamps to hold the parts togeather is it that bad a fit or are you just clampin so you don't have to hold the parts togeather while its gluein ?
chris

[BarryW]

It not bad fit but the parts do need holding down and in position while cement dries

[BarryW]

Solid progress being made





I have lightly sanded where needed and touched up. It was easier than expected. This is such a huge chunk of plastic it was a good decision not to leave all painting until last. Moving this model around on the bench takes a lot of care and two hands. i will post pics showing the touched up aircraft later.

I have started decaIing on the stores. I am having to use the awful Trumpeter decals for this as the a.m. set does not include these.

There are 19 decals for each Phoenix.
not a good start , typically twisting and splintering. The first one fell apart so this missile wil ]l be on the inner rear positions where the problem does not show.


looks Ok above but under...


I got there in the end one down 18 each to do...

the Sparrows not so hard, both done. still a few issues.

[boatman]

lovely job Barry on this tomcat build an don't get dishearetin due to decalls problem as for me its gonna help me with mine an thanks for tellin me about the fit that the parts need pullin down with clamps again a great help to me as im goin to put your notes about some parts of your build written out in my kit for the future when I try an build my big kits in about 4 yrs time after ive built my tiger hope you don't mind me doin this ?
chris

[Jack L]

Just wait for the 60 odd 'NO STEP' decals...

[boatman]

Just wait for the 60 odd 'NO STEP' decals...

YEA Jack its a bit tedious as I found out on my 1/48 th tomcat but that's the whole fun of moderling as it requires patience to fit them all but it will happen as Barry is a preimer modeler that's if the decals behave themselves that is
chris

[Jim R]

Hi Barry
You have certainly made some excellent progress. Looking superb as always. You work is so very thoughtful, neat and organised.
Jim