Thanks for all the comments guys, appreciate it.

Jesper - nice find and look forward to your big 'Cat.
Luciano - some great pics there, very helpful.
Justin - paint on; I love that part!

Speaking of paint, can anyone help me with the following query. I'm building my 'Cat as a VF-103 bird from Operation Enduring Freedom (2002) - what paint scheme would apply at that time?

Many thanks in advance.
Dermot

It’s been awhile since my last update and I apoligze for that. However I was able to get back to my F-14 project this past weekend. For the most it was close to finished, I picked up the main parts, glued, painted, clear coated and decaled. Now the fun starts when I get to weather her up.

Let me recap, 1/48th Hasegawa F-14, TowBobs VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” decals.

Ok enough and onto the progress pics.











I just finished up my oil wash and waiting to dry shortly to start wiping it off. I will post in the next day with more photos.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

Sweet looking bird joe

Thanks Justin,
these Hasegawa jets are...let just say painful. I think I built my last Hasegawa TomCat kit.

Your project looks as it's coming along well, looking forward to see all the projects in this campaign finished.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

Hey Justin, really like what you've got going on with this kit. I'm really interested to see how it turns out!

Mine is almost ready for some paint, been kinda busy with a Bf 109 for the Hangar Queen campaign, and I've got a MiG 29 getting ready to go... I gotta say that the Tomcat is probably the most difficult thing I've tried lately, but I think it'll look pretty sweet when I'm done.

Hi all
I have made some good progress over the last few days. I left the kit alone for a week to allow the melted plastic to set in the air intakes. The cracked plastic in the wing root was very easy to fix with some very fluid cryo.
Most of the seams are filled with just a little light filler. Just needs rubbing down. The fit of the kit has been pretty good so far. The only bits that needed attention was inside the air intakes.
Next is sorting out those airbags where the wings fold back
All the best.
tim

some good builds going on almost done with the decals myself then on to weathering,landing gear,missiles,touch ups.......... ......I.......

Got the first colour of grey on my build yesterday but all I had in light compass grey were enamels so the kit is in the airing cupboard drying until tomorrow. hopefully it'll be a quick bit of masking and then onto the topside grey this weekend.

I'll upload some pics in he morning

I finally have mine finished, all I need is to add on the few navigational lights. I’m waiting on the epoxy to harden that hold in the clear support rod. This will be displayed as it’s coming onto the carrier to catch the wires, that’s why the hook is down.

Painting was pretty much straight forward, Model Masters light and dark ghost grays and med. gray. For the black I used Tamiyas satin black. It was then clear coated using future floor wax, decals followed by an oil wash. The weathering was achieved using lighter and dark colored grays. After it dried I dull coated it with Testors dull coat. and lastly I used black artiest chalk which I scrubbed in here and there for the final effect.























Happy Modeling,
Joe

Sweet nice bird

Beautiful Tomcat, Joe. You captured that worn, faded, repainted look of the Tomcats really well. Very convincing and realistic!

PS. I know you are a chopper fan, but three nightstalkers little birds in your stash? That is an addiction
Just joking - I am even more addicted having 8 Eduard 1/48 Fw 190s in my stash.

Excellent looking Tomcat Joe, great looking weathered surface.
All the best.
tim

A little more progress on my Cat. It is the first time I make a Tomcat in 1/48 - it is a beast of a model.
I am making the Revell/Monogram F-14. So far the fit is fine with only some minor filler and sanding necessary.

More to follow

Thanks Guys I will say this... that's the last Hasegawa TomCat I'll ever do. It was nothing but nice, I fought this till the end.




Yeah you might be right, there' more thats not seen, you should see the Huey collection

Jesper your Tom Cat looks and sounds like it building up nice. I should look into the Revell kits.

Happy Modeling,
Joe

To Joe: that is one impressive bird you got there. Outstanding job!
Yeah, I totally second your comment on the Hase's cats (mine is 1/72), but by the way yours turned out, you have done full justice to it.

To Tim: great way of putting up with the gaps, coming along real nice.

To Jesper: right on track wingmate!

Finally, my apologies to Allen - Tomcat31: I indeed got mixed up with your scans and the book I have for reference (which only quotes generic maintenance activities at sea)...

To me/myself: get that turkey finished (at least one!!!!) - deadline is coming

Tim and Jesper - both progressing nicely!

Joe - what an awesome finish on your build. Superb. I had planned to finish mine as a VF-103 'Cat also........and with the flaps/slats all hanging down too.
Apologies in advance for any imitation - not what I intended!

Happy modelling Tomcatters!

Best wishes,
Dermot

I'm sure Joe dosnt mind but we will get to see your take on it. Let's not forget that keeper still hasn't landed yet. I just ordered two aim-54's since hasegawa dosnt provide missiles with there tomcat kits Dumbest thing I've ever seen anything to get you to spend more money on a kit that isn't worth the hassle. Sorry just venting

Here's a shot of my build. Making progress.

Glad to see your still in it ray

its about time for progress from me most paint is on and im just finishing up detailing the landing gear preparing missiles etc.





more soon

Nice details on the landing gear, Justin. I might copy that on my Tomcat.

Great job on the decals!

just to show you I'm still at it! I think I should be able to get finnished up by the end of this weekend...

Very nice work fellas - impressive.

Just a quick update before I take a week off wih the family. Joined front and rear fuselage parts to main body - some fit issues behind the cockpit and at the tail but did my best to fill them with stretched sprue. Then a coat of Halfords plastic primer which covered nicely.



Can't wait to start holidays. And paint on this 'Cat!

See you all in a week!

Thanks for looking,
Dermot

I'm finished!!! It was an interesting campaign for me, once again I learned a ton of new skills and my build didn't turn out half bad...

Good job sell and another one hits the deck