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Matthew Fletcher
12 articles

Academy F-14A 1:48 (1988 tool)

October 28, 2018 · in Aviation · · 14 · 3.2K

I must say I was always intimidated by builds of modern aircraft but this build changed my mind. The kit is from 1988 and does not stand up to the new Tamiya kit but I managed to have a lot of fun with it. Lots of fit issues and old decals but I think the build came out alright. The cockpit was also a great deal of fun to work with despite how basic it is. The pictures of the cockpit are accompanied by a coin of the currency of South Africa(for scale purposes). I brushpainted the model as my usual fashion. Let me know what you think and any tips you may have for me!

Reader reactions:
4  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


14 responses

  1. I love what you’ve done with the Tomcat, but it has to be said, an airbrush will change your expeience (and satisfaction) with modelling. I’m not saying that hand brushing is wrong by any means, but it’s easier, faster, gives a better platform for weathering, looks great and given how little time I actually have to model - those are all killer arguments.

    That said, great Tomcat.

    ‘Liked’

  2. Your "basic" cockpit looks pretty good to me...as does the rest of the build. I like how you laid out the armament (kinda like the manufacturer would do in their 'promo' shots).

  3. Really nice build! I am amazed what a great job you do with just brushing...really cool. Its looks like a nice, well used, fleet F-14. Good job. I built this kit many years ago. I think its the last F-14 I built. I am do to build another soon.

  4. I've read the other comments and there are arguments to hand painting vs air brush. Myself I hand paint my model even though I have a full air brushing suite right here in my workshop. Airbrushing I fine is more of a nuisance dealing with a mechanical tool and all that goes with it. Cleaning, unplugging clogs. different air pressure for different types of paint, thinning of paints and the list goes on and on. For brush painting all I do is run some water on it and dry with paper towel. For enamel paint place brush in a thiner

    If one is using and air brush all the power to them. Some are very good with this method.These models we do are a piece of 3D art. Like a painting they are not viewed eyeball to eyeball, nose to nose.They are viewed at from a respectable distance just like you do with an actual painting. I like your model and the paint job done on it. You’ve done a very good job hope to see some more of your work. Just so that there are no arguments this is only my opinion.

    • Thank you! I do see what you are saying and I am glad someone sees the hobby in such a way! I am an 'artistic' person myself and I do like to carry that through to my scale models, even if it is just through how I paint with a brush! Yet I could see myself using an airbrush eventually! Cheers!

  5. Matthew I bow to your skills. I have short cuts with the air brush and that is comfortable for me. Your skills are amazing with a brush!

  6. I myself am a slave to the rattle can, although it limits the colour selection. At this stage of the game I'm to thumb tied for the airbrush or hand painting. I love the results of both though.

  7. Up until now, all of my 100+ builds have been brush painted, with the exception of some rattle can solid colors (white, camo. grey, NMF), but I'm transitioning my next builds to airbrush for the sake of time if nothing else, like David mentioned. I do love the act of brush painting, especially for the smaller scale (I build all 1/72). I just want to try to get my stash built before I leave this earth! That said, your Tomcat looks great!

  8. Sounds like some of you modeler's have "mixed-emotions" concerning "brush painting" vs painting with an air brush.

    In the late 1970's my models had no paint on them, I just applied the kit decals on the model;
    (eg: Army P-40's were made with olive drab colored plastic, while the USA Navy planes were cast in dark blue plastic. Thus no paint needed).

    I bought a Badger-200 airbrush. I was advised to mix my paint to a water-like thickness.

    I quit modeling 3 years ago @86 years old and I have nearly 300 models here at home that have excellent paint jobs via the airbrush system.

    3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

  9. Very nice looking F-14. I have the same kit to build. Yours is an inspiration to me, I hope mine turns out as nice as yours did.

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