Here are some pics of the engines for my F-14. As my first modern aircraft I have never painted a jet engine before. I think I have done ok on them but was wondering what everybody else thinks. I still feel like they could use something to make them look more authentic but cant quite place it. Oh and I know about the seem, try as I might to get rid of it, it just made it look worse. So as much as I hate it, had to leave it. Luckly it is pretty well hidden while on the aircraft
I think they look good, TLP. [tup] They ususally have some gold, blue and red hues on them but, I am not even gonna act like I know how to do it or explain it. Maybe someone will come in behind me and help you out with a technique to do that. [:D]
I have never built a jet myself…but I spent 2 years at NAS Cubi Point and did my own walkarounds of many a/c.
Your paint looks good. I used to notice some ‘brownish’ weathering almost like a rust color on the outside of the tailpipes. Not sure if it was oxidation or not. There was also a generous amount of soot inside and on the trailing edge of the tailpipes. The soot was ‘burned on’ pretty well, but would come off on you hands if you touched it.
Also…not sure with the F-14…but on Phantoms, the tailhook was also sooty from exhaust…which I guess is why they painted those underside areas in black. Flat black, I believe.
I do know that different a/c had different exhaust habits (according to pilots I spoke with)…certain a/c were more smokey in full military throttle versus full afterburner etc.
That is the extent of my knowledge on this subject[:-^]
On the F-14, the tailhook is “upstream” from the engine nozzles, whereas on the Phantom, the hook was both between the nozzles and “downstream”. As far as I can recall, the tailhook on the '14 is painted in the standard black and white stripes.
EDIT: Not completely upstream, and there is also greater separation between the engines compared to the Phantom
The F-4 tail hook and blast panels were not painted. The blast panels were made of titanium. The tail hook shaft was stainless steel/nickle/titanium. The cover panels over the tail hook actuator and hinge assy was titinium. The hook horse shoe was stainless steel. They turned black due to the early J-79’s smoking so much. After the Phantom got the J-79GE-17G low smoke engines there was very little carbon black on the panels and was actually a brighter color metal.
I thought most of those assy’s were titanium but wasn’t certain. Not being an Airdale…I would go out to the flightline simply because of my love of a/c…but most parts I manufactured were of aluminum or stainless.
Now, I don’t believe titanium rusts…but perhaps there was a certain patina or some kind of oxidation caused by the damp salty climate of the Philippines? I don’t know…just speculation.
