‘Jolly Rogers’ Grumman F-14A; Hasegawa 1/72
‘Jolly Rogers' Grumman F-14A; Hasegawa 1/72
History
The F-14 first flew on 21 December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defence interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform into the 2000's.
THE KIT & BUILD NOTES:
Missing a Tomcat on my cabinet (and having seen Top Gun in my youth) I really wanted to build one so I bought an F-14A to build in ‘Jolly Rogers' livery.
Ended up with the Hasegawa E14 kit, which brings some photoetched (unfortunately without seat belts), and an extra “US aircraft weapons III” set as there are none in the kit.
Although interesting and with some detail, the kits mold already shows its age with some sprues and pieces having an absurd amount of flash. In some sprues, the mold wear is such that there are almost no panel lines. This situation is, I think, due to the fact that some sprues are common to several kits. Still, and with some work, it is possible to achieve a satisfactory final result.
For me the worst parts are the interior of the cockpit, where the photo-etched of the sides and the front panel do not fit well (extra work). Other problems are the fitting of the front part to the rest of the fuselage and the fuel tanks that are a disgrace. Sometimes I chose to cut the location pins and make the adjustment manually with a better result.
Other areas are perfect, with nice fit and detail for this scale.
It is really, in terms of build, a mixed-feelings kit.
However, and after the build phase has passed (with less good instructions, using other references), the kit becomes pleasant, ending in a beautiful piece.
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- 1. Lots of flash
PAINTING
As usual, I used Mr. Hobby Color, with some pre-shading and post-shading and oils to achieve some different tones.
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- 1. scratched handles and seat belts
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- 1. PE mirrors
Hope you like.
Cheers,
Manuel
That's a great Tomcat, Manuel!
Jolly Rogers is my favorite scheme and you did a beautiful job on it!
Nice cockpit.
Saw the flash at the kit parts: quite spectacular, not a so common sight in Hasegawa kits.
Thumbs up, my friend.
All the best!
Thank you Spiros!
Yes, it's my favorite scheme too 🙂
With some work it ended up fine.
All the best my friend!
M
Great Tomcat, even better with skull and crossbones.
thank you!
Manuel, that opening photo is quite deceiving, because I thought I was looking at a build from one of those new 1/48 Tomcats... only when I read the scale did my eyes believed. Superb presentation here, thumbs up! Excelente modelo sem duvida! Parabéns
Thks so much Pedro!
I invested some time and effort in it but it worth.
Obrigado pelo comentário tão simpático
Um abraço
Manuel
Really beautiful build. Not many more impressive looking aircraft than a locked and loaded F-14. Your build quality and excellent paint work make this one look excellent.
That's a great compliment, thank you!
Terrific job, especially with an older kit that has so many issues. You managed to overcome, resulting in a great model.
Thank you!
A real beauty! I think the shading and paint work gave it just the perfect amount of weathering. I have a Has 1/72 Tomcat also that I haven't built yet...
Thks Greg! I tried to keep the weathering as light as seen on photos.
Give yours a try, I enjoyed a lot this build. Lots of work but enjoyable
All the best
Not into jets Manuel, but this deserves a well done comment!
Thks Dale! That's a special compliment indeed!
All the best my friend
For all the kit's failings, you certainly came up with a really excellent result.
"Liked"
Thanks for your kind words Tom!
Very much appreciated
Beautiful build Manual, and so much detail you brought into this model.
Thank you John!
Great looking Tomcat, Manuel! Looks good as a Jolly Roger!
Thks Robert! She surely does
All the best my friend