F-14A Tomcat diorama; VF-41 Black Aces; Finemolds 1:72

[InFlames]

Hi everyone! Started a new project a few days ago. Finemolds 1:72 Tomcat that will be wearing markings of VF-41 Black Aces of 1997 cruise, when they visited port Koper, Slovenia and I got to see Tomcats for the first time. It will be a heavy maintenance diorama - deck chained aircraft with a number of open panels and crew inspecting them.


For a so much praised kit, I was surprised to find a huge number of pin marks in visible parts. While I'm not sure, these will actually be seen, buried deep in engine intakes.


Cockpit sidewalls are bare in the kit. It's true, only the most curious eyes will look that deep in the cockpit, but I just had to add some canvas wiring covers and the prominent circuit breaker boards in the RIO's pit.


Using just some careful painting, the cockpit is looking more and more alive. No aftermarket parts are available for this kit, so I have to work with what I've got.

[Steve Jones]

Off to great start Seb. I will pull up a chair if I may and watch you work your magic. Good luck

[papa 695]

Great start Sebastijan, looking forward to seeing this one develop. Great idea.

[flyjoe180]

Everyone likes the F-14 (except probably those who have encountered one in anger). Nice choice Seb, and a great start

[colin m]

The heavy maintenance dio sounds like a lot of work. I'm looking forward to seeing this one develop.

[InFlames]

Thanks guys! Cockpit is now mostly complete, apart from the ejection seats of course!

[Fernando N]

Great looking office Sebastijan:thumb2:, as a Tomcat fan looking forward to see how yours comes together.

[papa 695]

A very nice pit Sebastijan

[yak face]

Excellent progress seb , looking forward to seeing the airframe come together , cheers tony

[InFlames]

Thanks guys. So far this is progressing really nicely


Intakes painted up; one showing the one piece affair and the other one with rear part insert.


Front view of the intake insert. Stator at the front with a cone was painted Aluminum while the rear one with darker Magnesium, giving a nice sense of depth. Notice the reflections in the intake.


Cockpit was finally fitted in the fuselage halves and instrument panel shrouds installed. Turtle back behind the rear seat was bare of details so I added a horizontal beam and rivets per reference photos.


NeOmega seats arrived yesterday and they proved to be of identical dimensions as FineMolds ones but of course much better detailed. RIO's IP shroud received circular cooling vents at the sides and the wire that runs from the top handle to the side.

[rtfoe]

Hi Seb,

The office looks great although I would have added a slight green tint to the optical panels but thats just my preference. I know when switched off they may be black but the ones at museum displays are empty. Very subjective as it can go either way.

Cheers,
Richard

[InFlames]

Hi Seb,

The office looks great although I would have added a slight green tint to the optical panels but thats just my preference. I know when switched off they may be black but the ones at museum displays are empty. Very subjective as it can go either way.

Cheers,
Richard

Thanks for your comment, Richard. Actually they are dark green and have a black filter over them. Might not show in the photos though due to shadows.

[papa 695]

Looking very good Sebastijan, really liking the super glossy intakes

[InFlames]

Instructions mistake! Do this only if you're planning on closing the canopy!


Painting the exhausts... First white then progressively darker thin layers of brownish colours and some dark brown, black and grey pigments at the end.


Jet intakes finished - the lower rear ramp at the top of the intake is clearly visible including the actuator that opens it.


Interesting design of the rear fuselage - you have to attach the rear fuselage sides to the jet exhaust piping.


The whole assembly is then attached to the upper fuselage half.


The join runs by the panel line and is virtually invisible. The only area needing some filler will be right of the airbrake - nothing a swipe of PPP couldn't solve in few seconds.


Attaching the lower fuselage was a breeze - fit is just perfect and we finally have something resembling a Tomcat fuselage.


View of the lower fuselage - again no filler needed!


Oh and for those who didn't know - take a look at Tomcat's fuselage, bring those intakes closer together and voila! A-wing fighter from Star Wars E:VI Return of the Jedi!

[papa 695]

Looking good Sebastijan