Thanks to some inspiration from Eddie I started working on my Revell 1/48 F-14 Tomcat. For a long time I have wanted to show off my detail work painting cockpits. Painting cockpit detail is the most enjoyable part of building a model for me. I pay a lot of attention to the detail try to reproduce exactly what the cockpit looks like on the real aircraft.
This is an OOB build and the only thing I added from scratch was the throttle handle on the pilots left side console. I used photo references to get the exact detail I wanted and I think this is the best darn cockpit I have ever painted.
Photos are what I have done so far and I will add the seats soon and post an update
Once again pictures are not the greatest but better than usual.
Looking good Airmaster! Cockpits can be one of the funnest things to paint, and also one of the biggest pains in the rear!!! I have a lot of PE for my cockpits, so I don’t paint them much anymore, but I think I want to get away from that a little! Got any tips on painting them?
The best advice I can give you is get a Jewelers Visor or Opti-Visor, have plenty of paint brushes for fine detailing. Most important is have patients and take your own sweet time while painting. Take a lot of coffee breaks while the paint dries.[(-D]
My experience at painting something that small and detailed started with painting Fantasy Role Play gaming figurines (which is another hobby) I still paint and collect. Yes, the Dungeons & Dragons metal figures but I no longer play the game. After doing that for many years I stopped and started building models again and painting the cockpits became the best part of building them. You will always excell at something you enjoy and painting detail like that I love it.
WAHHHHHHH[BH] DANG IT!!! Too late now Berny, the throttle is super glued in place and making any changes now will ruin it. The photo I used as a reference showed the throttle in that position.
I hate to bust your bubble, but you have them in the correct position. [tup] For some reason model makers show them in the full forward position which is wrong. [tdn]
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BABY! hehehehehe No bubble bursted, just happy to know I did it Right! Thanks Berny for letting me know![tup]
Hahaha. Nice work on the throttle. I know what you mean about the cockpit being the fun part… Anything I get to be really detailed on is what I like. You’re doing good Airmaster. Can’t wait to see it done!
Just finished making seat belts and buckles from scratch. I’m going to add those to the seats later after I get some sleep. I will likely finish the cockpit tonight and will post an update with new pictures.
Hmmm[:-^] I wonder were Eddie is? [:-,] HEHEHEHEHE
As an old F-14 Fire Control technician I’m glad to see someone finally paint those danged scopes black instead of green! Jeez major pet peeve of mine. Even when the rear lower scope was operating it wasn’t green, it had green writing but wasn’t green. looking pretty good though. I’m sure you’ve got the right cxolor gray for some of the knobs that were light gray and white for the ones that were white LOL just kidding!!! just trying to ward off the rivet counters
I never ever rely on painting instructions on assembly sheet, which calls out the scopes as green. I always research and print photos and use the photos as my paint guide. I know what you mean about the buttons and knobs, LOL. I see alot modelers detail every button and knob gray or white and they forget there are alot of black buttons and knobs too on the front panels and side console’s. I represented those by coloring them over with a fine line black Sharpie pen according to photos I used as my painting guide. I feel I did a pretty acurate job and I’m really happy wth it.
Eddie, I’d be happy to paint a Tomcat Office for you anytime. You inspired me to start it but it’s going back on the shelf for now so I can finish the Bug and I wont be working on it again til the Mrs. and I have moved to Kentucky this April.
I’ve been wanting to show off my detail work for a long time and painting my Tomcats office gave me the chance because it was big enough to get some half way decent pictures with my crappy digital camera. I got a little envious of you guys posting your detail work with great pictures and I had nothing to show because my digtal cams take lousy pictures. I am happy I was able to share this and show you all how good I am with detail.
