Here we go - a double build with my buddy Mitja Oberč of GWH 1:72 F-14D Tomcat. The aim of this build is kind of two-fold - by doing a sort of mini group build, we will try to encourage each other towards the finished model but also at the same time evaluate or review the models we are building. We will both be using aftermarket decals for VF-101 Grim Reapers - Mitja will be doing the low-vis bird and me, the high vis one. Also the final configuration will be different (closed vs open wings, etc.) so the review part will be more thorough.
And here is the first part of the build - as usual - the cockpit!

I will be doing the open cockpit with flight crew in the pit (figures by Reedoak) so I've decided to use the kit seats. They are pretty plain and could have been better but will suffice once the pilots are on. Mitja opted for aftermarket seats which come with more detail and seatbelts.

The cockpit itself is done really great. I am well familiar with the layout of the Tomcat's cockpit and I can assure you, accuracy of the switches is 99%. Maybe the detail could have been raised a little bit more, but with careful painting the office will look great. Mitja decided to use the included decals which are also one of the best I have seen so far and are a quick way to finish the pit (if you don't wanna paint all those hundreds of knobs). But (there's always but, ain't it?) there's also a lack of any kind of details on the rear bulkhead behind the pilot - you've got the intricate rivet details on the cockpit floor which will disappear forever when you install the seats yet the busy bulkhead full of wiring and air conditioning ducts is left bare. Weird.

And here's perhaps the weirdest thing about the cockpit and not mentioned by any review I have read on the internet - RIOs instrument panel shroud is too narrow! And we are not talking a millimetre here - more like 6mm! The shroud should go from the edge to the edge of cockpit yet in this model, there's is a gap of about 3mm on each side of the cockpit making the whole thing look really narrow. This also leaves a question what dimension is wrong - is the RIOs panel too small or is the cockpit too wide?

But anyhow, enough of the talk and on to the photos - until the next update.

Mitja's model:

My model:

What an amazing dual build, Sebastijan @inflames
You both started with an amazing interior.
Looks promising for the entire build.

After some exhausting days at work and a short holiday to Spain, here's a new update to this project.

Intakes are moulded really nice and in one piece as you can see (slide mould technology), but as a result, you will have some slight raised edges that need to be sanded off - be gentle and you won't loose and surface details. There are two side-by-side pin marks at the bottom inner part of the intake - I did some puttying and sanding to them, just to reduce the edges but they won't be visible on the completed model anyway. There's also some texture on the inner sides of the intakes - I reckon as a result of moulding but as the real thing isn't smooth either and as those imperfections aren't really visible, I've just decided to let them be.

The inner sides get dirty, tan to sandy look and we both went with it, with Mitja getting it a little more dirty than I did, but there really ain't no right or wrong here.

Looking great, Sebastijan @inflames
Never heard about slide molding but I'm definitely going to read about it.

Thank you, guys! It is a bit slow progress on this one, as we are trying to catch eachother up, so I am thinking of starting another project in the meantime, where I can work and show progress in my own timeline. And I have something special in my mind and something I haven't build in really long time 😉

Superb job there, my friend @inflames!

Thanks guys, hope to have next update ready soon. If all things go well, I'll prime her by the end of the week; hopefully my buddy is not far behind.

Those pylons look great, my friend @inflames!
Superb progress on both cats!