First plane since 1984? Old Monogram F14 Tomcat

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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Hi all,

Well, normally you find me over in the Armor section, but I recently got the “nostalgia” bug after selling off some of my old models, and I decided to re-do a kit that I built as a young turd back in 1984 (?) or so. The model I built back then had a fogged canopy, silvered decals, and a rather unimpressive finish, so I wanted to see what I could do with this old dog now.

Well, it ain’t perfect, and isn’t going to win any trophies, but it sure looks neat sitting among the armor. If you’ve built this kit, you know it’s a mess to clean up, and I confess that I did put one wrong part on—it’s on the left front, under the first pilot. It’s part of the fuselage above the wheels, and the correct part has two cut-outs over one of the bulges on it. I’m not familiar enough with places to know the difference when I saw it on the sprue! [:$]

Painted with Tamiya paints. Here’s my Tomcat. [:)] Go easy on me now… [8-|]

With the canopy off, showing the cockpit. No, the kit doesn’t come with two pilots;I had to get a second kit because I glued part of the air intakes framing to the wrong part of the body and ruined the upper fuselage. [whstl] Might as well use the second pilot? [:$]

The wings are functional. Cool…by the way, the panel lines were all scribed in with pencil.I tried to resist over-weathering it, but did do a few pin-washes in a few places.

If it looks like a gap in the canopy-body fit, it’s cuz the canopy isn’t glued on yet.

The bottom. OH man, did those missiles give me fits to get those lines on them! I would up getting a decal from China of just black lines for the task.

Thanks for looking in, guys. Well, this has been a fun project, but I think I"m going back to the “targets” as you guys over here like to call 'em! [:D] Comments and crits always welcomed and appreciated. [B]

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Doog, she looks good man! A real “blue-flame” special too.[;)] I’ve been hanging on to this very kit since the late '80s, and I would like to think I could pull it off half this well. Kudos to you sir![Y]

Gary

3

Looks good to me my friend! What is there not to love about the old Monogram kit in her hi viz glory days paint scheme? Maybe it’s not perfect, but it looks pretty dang good!

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Hey, thanks sincerely, Gary and Carlos! This has always been one of my favorite kits–really visually striking, and I"m just relieved to have gotten it together well enough to get some positive feedback on it. It was like a whole other learning experience from armor!

5

Looks good Doog, I only hope I could do as well.

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Excellent job, Doog. That was one of my first kits, too and was almost my last, lol! By the way, the back seater in an F-14 is called a NFO(Naval Flight Officer) not a pilot. My only nitpick.

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I thought the backseater was a RIO- Radar Intercept Officer?

8

WOW, do my eyes deceive me. That’s a great looking build, I think you done a good job on the weathering.

Great work.

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Splendid! [Y]

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Thanks, all. Really, I’m flattered and humbled at the kind comments. This build was pretty far out of my comfort zone, and it’s a real treat to know that it’s found favor with the “professionals” over here in the Aircraft forums!

11

Wow, that is one really really nice looking Tomcat. Nice job after such a long time away.

12

I JUST came down from that attic not 5 minutes ago where I saw the remnants of this kit poking out of a paper grocery sack along with a half dozen other busted creations from my childhood. You brought dignity to the old bird. Well done!

13

Great job! Now you know you need a sister bird in Jolly Rogers (VF-84) markings!

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Doogs, Your Tomcat looks fantastic. You have really done that classic kit justice. I’m rather impressed how managed to resist giving it a filter job, some splotches of mud and rust streaks [;)]. Excellent work. Thanks for venturing into the “Wingy World”.

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Looks great. I think we all know this kit can be a bear at times. Love the old Hi Viz paint. All my cats are faded and beat up. Now I have to build another. Oh well…any excuse to go to the LHS!

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Once again, humble thanks to all. [:)] Once again, it’s so much appreciated, and makes me think that this may not be the last plane I do. I have a gigantic Stuka from a friend here that I’ve still got to get the guts to start. It may be in my future line up some time soon!

Thanks again for the kind compliments and comments, guys! [t$t]

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Very nice work Karl-you really need to build more ‘wingy-thingies’

18

Is that a 1/24th Stuka. You have my attention already.

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Wow, she’s an absolute gorgeous build! Who cares if she can win any trophies, or not ?!? Great job all the way around, Raymond

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You’re both correct. A RIO is type of NFO. NFO are all non-pilot flying officers so the B/N in the A-6 was a NFO also. I believe ‘pilot’ is an Air Force term whereas in the Navy they are called aviators.