Grumman F-14D Tomcat (Fine Molds)

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October 14, 2021
The Fine Molds 1:72 F-14D was initially sold as a promotion with three issues of Model Graphix magazine.
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October 14, 2021
In keeping with Fine Molds reputation, the parts are exquisite.
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October 14, 2021
You can easily see that Fine Molds was also planning an A version of the Tomcat, which was eventually released.
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October 14, 2021
The kit includes full intakes and exhausts.
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October 14, 2021
Lots of options for open access panels - even the spine can be built with the maintenance covers removed.
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October 14, 2021
Unlike the Hasegawa kit, the slats and flaps are moulded in the neutral position.
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October 14, 2021
Missile pylons and drop tanks are included, but no weapons.
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October 14, 2021
Crystal clear canopy is protected by the design of the sprue frame.
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October 14, 2021
This is the decal sheet included with the kit, but I'm going to use the Tomcat Sunset scheme from the Hasegawa kit.
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October 14, 2021
The instructions are in the magazine issues - the text is mostly Japanese but the pictures are pretty much self-evident.
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October 14, 2021
In case of a crucial detail, English text is also provided. Just remember to read from back to front!
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October 14, 2021
Colour photos are also provided for each step in the assembly sequence, along with construction tips.
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October 14, 2021
The decal placement drawings.
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October 14, 2021
Here's what I'll be using - the colourful "high-viz" markings over Light Gull Gray and White. This was a special display scheme for the Tomcat retirement ceremony.
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October 14, 2021
Some other goodies - turned metal probes, resin wheels, and high-viz stencils.
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October 14, 2021
Not sure if I'll use these. The headrests look slightly undersize compared to photos.
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October 14, 2021
Here she is at the Tomcat Sunset ceremony. Anytime, Baby!
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October 14, 2021
Consoles are separate pieces. The PE rudder pedals are from the Eduard set intended for the Revell F-14D.
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October 14, 2021
PE also used to enhance the air conditioning vents.
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October 14, 2021
I decided to use the kit decals for the instrument panels and consoles. It took a lot of solvent to make them conform.
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October 14, 2021
The circuit breakers on the rear bulkhead are nicely done, especially for 1:72 scale.
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October 14, 2021
The engineering of the kit is quite different from other Tomcats I've built in this scale.
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October 14, 2021
I decided to use the kit ejection seats. All I added was some PE harnesses from Eduard which are intended for the Revell kit.
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October 14, 2021
I'll leave the seats out until later so it will be easier to mask the cockpit when painting the fuselage.
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October 14, 2021
Adding sidewall insulation (from a paper towel) and additional circuit breakers from the PE fret.
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October 14, 2021
The cannon must be installed before the fuselage halves can be joined. The kit is designed to have a lot of internals showing.
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October 14, 2021
PE cable conduits added to the starboard sidewall, along with some other controls.
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October 14, 2021
Additional insulation, circuit breakers and miscellaneous controls added to the port sidewall.
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October 14, 2021
Fine Molds have the canopy sill as a separate piece. This might come in handy later on.
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October 14, 2021
The instrument panel coamings are added on top of the canopy sill. Everything fits really well.
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October 14, 2021
Some exquisite moulding on the engine faces and the exhaust/flame holders. The metallic blue is shown in most of my reference photos.
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October 14, 2021
The interior of the intakes must be painted prior to assembly. This is the Light Gull Gray pattern shown in the photos.
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October 14, 2021
The main lower fuselage piece. Be very careful removing it from the sprues.
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October 14, 2021
The F-14D did not have the glove vanes, so these are glued shut. They're needed for the A version however.
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October 14, 2021
Note the small parts at the wing pivot point. The wing interfaces with these bits, which are not glued in place.
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October 14, 2021
Upper and lower fuselage parts joined. Note how the rear fuselage sidewall is a separate part.
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October 14, 2021
Looking into the jet pipes.
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October 14, 2021
The inner wall of the main gear bay is added, as well as the rear fuselage sidewalls. Although a complex design, everything fits great.
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October 14, 2021
The boat tail is a separate assembly allowing for different versions.
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October 14, 2021
Those big blocks on top of the intakes are for the ramp actuator. Seems like a lot for a small part.
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October 14, 2021
Intakes pretty much snap in place.
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October 14, 2021
Unlike other Tomcat kits I've built, there is no step between the main fuselage and the nose section. Very positive fit.
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October 14, 2021
The lower wing is an "insert" into the top wing. The leading edge has no seam and the trailing edge is very thin. Why the small bit of flap is separate is beyond me.
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October 14, 2021
Everything goes together well.
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October 14, 2021
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October 14, 2021
The Eduard PE set for the Revell F-14D has a ton of these microscopic bits. I'll use some of them.
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October 14, 2021
The kit's oleo scissors were moulded solid, so the PE versions are much better.
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October 14, 2021
I added the tie down rings, but boy are they tiny!
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October 15, 2021
And some PE for the main gear struts.
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November 26, 2021
Add some white paint...
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November 26, 2021
Test fitting the wings - looks a bit more like a ferocious feline now.
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November 26, 2021
Starting to paint! This is GSI Creos Light Gull Gray over White.
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November 26, 2021
Masking the air brakes was fun...well, kinda sorta.
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November 26, 2021
More masking is coming up as well.
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November 26, 2021
Up on her legs!
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November 26, 2021
Some of the avionics bays are painted with chromate yellow primer, other are white - according to my references.
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November 26, 2021
Detail painting of the avionics will require a very tiny brush! Note the additional antennae on the wing gloves, typical of the F-14D.
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November 26, 2021
My decal sheet includes the cartoon Felix, but not the words. I will have to make my own decals for this.
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November 26, 2021
I created the artwork for the slogan in Corel Draw version 21. Took me all day!
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November 30, 2021
Stickers are on the main fuselage.
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November 30, 2021
The avionics and cannon bays have seen some detail painting.
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December 11, 2021
Much easier to do the red edges with a marker! I used to use a paintbrush...
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December 11, 2021
I'm using photoetch for the canopy locks.
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December 11, 2021
And she's finished! Enjoy the rest of the photos.
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December 11, 2021
The aircraft was freshly painted for the ceremony, so no weathering was applied.
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December 11, 2021
I think they look better nice and clean.
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December 11, 2021
I couldn't find any photos that showed any stenciling, so I didn't apply any.
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December 11, 2021
The canopy mirrors came from the Eduard photoetch set as well. So did the HUD.
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December 11, 2021
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December 11, 2021
Maybe you can see some of the cockpit details?
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December 11, 2021
"Felix Rules" is a homemade decal. I posted the artwork previously - I like how it came out.
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December 11, 2021
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December 11, 2021

Comments

34 14 October 2021, 18:41

Bill Gilman
Hi mates, this is my latest project. I'm building this as part of a Group Build on another forum. It's the 1:72 kit from Fine Molds of the F-14D, and it's a beauty. I'll be using the lovely "Anytime Baby" scheme added to one of the VF-31 Tomcats for the official retirement ceremony. This one is in Light Gull Gray over White (the way all USN planes should be painted!) and has a great version of the twin-tailed cat logo on the tail. This particular aircraft was on static display, while another VF-31 bird with a low-viz version of these same markings flew during the ceremony. This is a beautiful kit, although the engineering and breakdown of the parts is unusual. So far, everything fits really well though. Cheers, Bill

14 October 2021, 19:48

Thomas Kolb
Looks like a really clean and pretty build. You seem to have a good hand with tiny PE stuff! Following with interest!

14 October 2021, 20:18

Maciej Bellos
Watching! Great work so far!

14 October 2021, 20:30

Cuajete
Well done so far. Following!

15 October 2021, 20:00

Bill Gilman
More work on the Tomcat - I need to finish this by December 18, the deadline for the group build on Britmodeller. I might just make it, but it will be close. I need life to get out of the way and let me play with my models! Cheers, Bill

26 November 2021, 19:34

Maciej Bellos
Go Bill, go!

26 November 2021, 20:00

Bill Gilman
Hi mates, I've found the time to add the decals to the main fuselage. These are the decals from the Hasegawa kit, and they went down without too much difficulty. They're not Cartograf by any means, but at the end of the day my decal solvents did their job. We're getting close to the finish. Cheers,
Bill

30 November 2021, 23:31

Cuajete
Looking so good, Bill 👍

1 December 2021, 19:45

Bill Gilman
There is something that doesn't look quite right - ah! The wings! Now, where did I leave them...

1 December 2021, 21:08

Bill Gilman
And she's finished! Enjoy the photos. Cheers, Bill

11 December 2021, 16:06

Cuajete
Well done, Bill.
Congrats!

11 December 2021, 18:14

Hanno Kleinecke
Stunning how you always manage to make your 1/72nd builds look like quarterscale, what a beautiful result !

11 December 2021, 19:29

Mirko Römer
Great work Bill!

11 December 2021, 20:53

Martin von Schreckenstein
I completely missed this! love the idea, love the execution. Nice work on the paintjob, looks just like the real thing!

7 January 2022, 09:27

Michael Kohl
very nice and clean build. I would have applied a very decent wash, just to enhance the panel lines a bit. But this is a matter of personal preference. You delivered a very nice Tomcat. Well done.

7 January 2022, 12:19