Hasegawa F-14A Tomcat - Completed!
Kommentit
1 28 August 2016, 19:09

Thanks Murad! I got a chance to take some decent pictures today. They turned out pretty nice!
28 August 2016, 19:34

Marvellous, splendid, wonderful, i´m running out words to describe this Beauty...
29 August 2016, 13:36

Thanks Holger, I really appreciate the compliments!
29 August 2016, 15:06

Again, spectacular Tomcat, like the scheme very much, great paintjob and photography as well! I already hat a look on the Black-Base method, guess I will give it a try as well.
29 August 2016, 15:11

Thanks Hagel and Clifford! Christian, you really should try the BB technique. I am sold on it's effectiveness, and in your expert hands I have no doubt of the amazing finish you will achieve!
29 August 2016, 16:26

Are you talking about Black Basing? I am thinking of trying it on the F-4 Phantom I am building.
30 August 2016, 19:26

Yep, that is what I did for the first time on this build. If you have any questions about the process or paints, etc, just let me know. I can share my process and experience with ya if it will help! The F-4 is a perfect candidate for this technique.
30 August 2016, 20:10

I don't quite know how to do it, but the paints will be Model Master, ADC(Aircraft Gray).
30 August 2016, 23:11

Thanks Glenn!
Clifford, that should work. Just put down a base of black over all the aircraft, and then draw random doodles and spots all over. There are pics in my "Work in Progress" album of the Tomcat I just finished that show how I did mine. Maybe that will help give you an idea of how to make the light color stippling look.
After that just thin your basecoat color(s) a bit more than normal and build it up until it is as subtle as you want it. It really is pretty easy, just takes a bit more time than normal pre-shading.
31 August 2016, 01:31

You really did an awesome job with your Cat. What colour did you use for the squiggles/dots?
31 August 2016, 05:06

Thanks Michael! For the squiggles/dots I used Tamiya white liquid surface primer. I have seen others use light gray for a more subtle difference, but I used white because I wanted to be able to control the effect better and wanted a bit more of a pronounced affect, since it was a deployed carrier-borne aircraft.
31 August 2016, 13:46

That almost counts as colourful for a post-70s Tomcat - good job 😄
31 August 2016, 21:39

Thanks Mohammad, playtime, and Adam for the kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time to take a look at my work and comment. 🙂
1 September 2016, 00:58

What color should I use for squiggles and dots, when the primary color is going to be aircraft Gray, any ideas?
1 September 2016, 04:31

Thanks Jens, that is quite a compliment!
Clifford, Aircraft Gray FS36622 is a very light gray, so I would use white.
1 September 2016, 16:41

OK, thanks. I got her primed black today, and so far I have to say that I like it. It looks wicked all primed in black instead of gray. My re-scribe job turned out nice as well.
1 September 2016, 21:02

Yeah Clifford, I thought the F-14 looked wicked all black too. LOL I can't wait to see how your BB turns out. I am sure it will look great! I am envious of your re-scribe abilities. That is one thing I just cannot get right.
Thanks Vincent, I appreciate the kind words!
2 September 2016, 20:32

Thanks Soheil and John! I can't thank you enough for the kinds words!!!
Clifford, I look forward to seeing your results!
4 September 2016, 00:09

That's looks great, the turned front wheels add a lot, love the tail markings, a classic tomcat
4 September 2016, 13:29

What color would you use on an aircraft for the marble coat, that is Netural Gray and Gunship Gray? (F-16)? As that will be my next project.
4 September 2016, 22:12

Thanks Scott!
Clifford, you could probably use either one. But try a light gray this time to see how you like it. It will be more subtle, and you will have to be a bit more careful laying down the basecolors as to not completely remove the effect.
7 September 2016, 01:33

Thanks Michael. The F-4 is at a stand still right now, I had to order a new decal sheet. The one I had bought fell apart when I put them in water.
7 September 2016, 21:44

Oh man, that sucks Clifford. Do you have any Microscale Micro Liquid Decal Film? You can save old decals by brushing that on before putting them in water. I have used it once and it did work for me! Just for future reference if that happens to you again.
8 September 2016, 00:51

Thanks Przemek and Guus! You guys are too kind!!!
8 September 2016, 00:52

Amazing work, excellent in every detail! As said before, a true masterpiece!
9 September 2016, 21:36

Thanks Danumurthi, Sebastian, and Rui! Your kind words are greatly appreciated. I am truly honored to have gotten such a warm response.
10 September 2016, 01:33

Damn son! I still can't get over how cool this thing looks! Well done!
14 September 2016, 08:51

I'm totally with David. Your Cat is that kind of built you can look at all Day long and discover new Details all the Time. Phantastic Work.
14 September 2016, 12:27

Thanks Bryn and Andy, your kind words really made my day! David, you know I couldn't have done this without your help!
14 September 2016, 18:44

how did i miss this beauty before? excellent work Michael, stunning paint job!
23 July 2017, 08:24

Another excellent model. Do you know how it compares to the new Tamiya f14?
23 July 2017, 08:24

Thanks Kamal, Spanjaard, Alistair, and Klaus!
It has been almost a year since I built this. I consider this build a milestone in my modeling career. It was a project of firsts for me... first time using black base method, first time building the Hasegawa Tomcat, and first Jolly Rogers build for me. Before I started this, I was SO afraid of building the Hasegawa Tomcat based on what I had read. It was indeed very challenging, but this build, more than any other I had done before or have since, represented a large leap in my skills and abilities. I consider this build the one I am most proud of.
23 July 2017, 14:42

Alistair, the Tamiya Tomcat is by far the better model. The fit of the Tamiya Tomcat is the best I have encountered, and it's really not even close. The issue with the Tamiya Tomcat is the parts in the kit can only build a late 70s very early 80s bird. Also, I feel like the Tamiya Tomcat nose is just slightly too slender and pointy, but that is just my opinion. I feel the Hasegawa forward fuselage looks more right to my eye.
23 July 2017, 15:59

Thanks Spanjaard! I hope my experience with this helps me to get an even better result with my new Tomcat project that I will start tonight. Since this will be a Top Gun bird, it will be rather clean, so weathering will be much more subtle than this one was.
23 July 2017, 16:00

Excellent Michael, very nice "Cat". I too am afraid to build my Hasegawa Tomcats. I will soon be building my first Hasegawa F-16.
23 July 2017, 21:16

thanks Michael. i will be following your top gun bird 🙂 you can count on it 🙂
23 July 2017, 21:59

Thanks Marco and Clifford!
Clifford, the Hasegawa F-16s are actually quite nice. I have built one, and it went together quite nicely. I think you will enjoy it!
23 July 2017, 23:02

Thanks Michael. It is the Thunderbird one. Have you ever tried black basing an all whit airplane?
23 July 2017, 23:06

No. On a Thunderbird F-16 I wouldn't preshade at all, too be honest.
When I built my Blizzard Aggressor F-16 I didn't preshade that either, because the paint on that bird was immaculate, just like a Thunderbird jet is.
23 July 2017, 23:15

Ok, makes sense, that was what I was thinking also, but thought I would ask.
23 July 2017, 23:17