Michael Phillips Thanks Jos, James, Alexander, and Kerry!

Treehugger, I measured it tonight and it is right around 20 inches from tip of the refueling boom to the edge of the tail. Big girl!

I appreciate the kind words Alexander about the rivets, that is why I didn't worry too much about small mistakes. There are so many all over this machine that it is hard to tell where they are. I am sure you will do fine on your Eurofighter. If you want any tips on what I found works for me, just let me know.

Kerry, THANK YOU for the link. Some really good pics there that I will definitely refer to. As far as the black dots, I have been thinking about that recently. My plan is to use a chisel tip permanent black marker for those since they are relatively proudly raised, so I think that will be the quickest an easiest route. I will then be sure to add a future coat to lock the permanent ink in. Sound like a good plan?

Michael Phillips So I now have MOST of the decals on. Worked on the stencils yesterday, and started the walkways today. That is fun. Not. I still have the sponson walkways to do tomorrow, but once those are done I think I am done with decals. Then it will be on to fading and weathering then the wash. Coming along!

Dominik Weitzer well done! Looks great.

Kerry COX Michael, The only reason I remarked on the engine intake cowling colours was that I screwed up my Stallion with getting over enthusiastic with the paint pen and hoped you would avoid the same dilema I had.
But the chisel tip marker pen sounds like a great solution.
As for the images, I just asked Google for 'images of the super stallion engine covers' and the link popped up.
Glad to help mate.
It's looking quite a great effort and well done too.

Daniel Mysak Great work so far. I like the paint, nice worn look but not overdone.

Thomas Bischoff wow! what an eye-catcher!

Slavo Hazucha The shading & blending work over the decals will be the pivotal point of this match IMHO... And I've placed my bet on the winner Everything is set-up for the showdown, really looking forward to the next steps

Daniel Great to watch this beast come to life really looking forward to the faded and weathered end product

Scott Dutton Looks great

Michael Phillips Thanks Alistair, ice, David, and Scott!

ice, I take it you were in or are a fan of a different squadron?

Jos Jansen Wooaw Michael...that's absolutely a real nice German Tonka !

I did some research and I recently purchased the Hobbyboss Tornado IDS. I wonder if this kit has the same quality as the Revell one? What's your experience with this Revell one...?

Skywalker Congratulations, well done.

Neuling David Thor is right!

Nathan Dempsey Nice work Michael. That's an inspiring build sir.

Michael Phillips Thanks Jos, Skywalker, Neuling, and Nathan!

Jos, from what I understand, the Revell kit is considerably more accurate in shape, I think detail is similar, although the detail on the Revell is very impressive and likely a bit better. BUT, and this is a big BUT, this kit is a MAJOR P.I.T.A to build! It has been a couple of years since I built it, but I do remember thinking that I really did not want to build another Revell Tornado after I finished, although I am now not of the same thinking, since it builds into a very nice model.

Augie
Michael, your spot on, the revell is considered more accurate.. but a pain in the arse to build.
Hobby boss one has some interesting shape issues around the nose and cockpit.

scalemates sweet!

Jos Jansen Nice Michael!

Michael Phillips Thanks Tim and Jos, I appreciate the kind words!

Soeren . Awesome to see you attending here.
What F-14 are you gonna build?

Michael Phillips Thanks Soeren! I am trying to decide, actually. It will either be the 1/48 Hasegawa F-14B of VF-103 that I have on hold that is already started or perhaps an AMK F-14D that I recently got. That is why I have not added an album to the group build yet. Decisions decisions.

Soeren . Hehe
Both are indeed interesting subject's.

I was thinking of joining too, but im not really sure

Slavo Hazucha Congratulations & all the best luck to the freshly married couple!

+ Looking forward to see your benchmark-setting creations again more frequently! Of which this is a good sample - I really like the well prepared and painted 3D landscape & buttons & cables

Michael Hickey Love the pit, well done.

Michael Phillips Thanks Patrick, Slavo, and Michael!

Stay tuned on this one, I plan on coming back to this after I finish my Sea Flanker then the TBD Aggressor for the SCM Aggressor GB.

Stephan Ryll All the best Michael

Spanjaard Congratulations Michael!!! Many many years of love, happiness, health, money and time to enjoy them!

Maciej Bellos Congrats Michael. All the best my friend!

Jos Jansen Tune in on the GB Michael...great modelers make big cats

Scalemates F-14 Tomcat Group build 2020 (0. until 31. December, WW)

Holger Kranich Oh my gosh! Great!

Michael Phillips A recent viewing of some HD "The Final Countdown" YouTube videos has inspired me to take a few screen grabs from the clips. These are some really good references for anyone wanting to do a Final Countdown VF-84 Tomcat.

One thing that is really cool with this scheme is the fact it has the high visibility markings over gull gray top and white bottom, but what is different from the other VF-84 scheme of the era is the fact that all of the upper surfaces are gull gray. Previously they had white on the upper surface of the horizontal stabilator and flaps area. Soon after this movie VF-84 moved to the smaller US roundel to the right of the "vagabonds strip" instead of the large roundel centered in the vagabonds strip and removed white from the underside.

playtime 222 Great film. Love the aerial sequence with the Zeros. The air wing at the end was unimpressive though considering

Jos Jansen BAMMMM....you rock Michael, awesome! This is what I absolutely can use for my VF-84 Cat. I definitely go for this variant from the film, beautiful those larger US roundels...and I love the old skool Navy white with gray ...

Spanjaard Awesome! I have it on my project list for a very long time..... pictures will certainly help!!!

Roland Gunslinger Watching!
Because there are more than one cat builds in progress, i created a Group build event. So we can bundle our builds
Scalemates F-14 Tomcat Group build 2020 (0., WW)
Feel free to join!

Jos Jansen Iam in Roland...great job, finally a group-build again...joy!

Erik Leijdens Another amazing model Michael !

Donald Dickson II Wow. If mine turns out even 1/4 as nice I will be happy

Matthew Stec Beautiful

Michael Phillips Thanks Erik, Donald, and Matthew! Your compliments keep always motivate me to get going!

Donald, your Flanker is really coming along nicely. I think you should give yourself more credit, your work is pretty awesome too!

Daniel Very very beautiful work on that flanker michael, looking both mean and elegant and again spot-on!

Michael Phillips Thanks Daniel, I appreciate the kind words. That is what I love best about Flankers, mean and elegant at the same time. Love them ALMOST as much as Tomcats. Almost. LOL

Tobi Amazing build! The clean yet weathered look is stunning

Michael Phillips Thanks Tobi, I appreciate the kind words! That is exactly the look I was going for, overall clean with a little bit of a worn look to it.

Eelco Gregoire Nice work Michael

Michael Phillips Thanks Peter, Scott, and Eelco! I appreciate the kind words!

Christian Ristits Missed that impressive build, love it and congratulations!

Sebastien G Amazing job!

Michael Phillips Thanks Christian and Sebastian! I am really happy with how this one turned out.

Ricardo Reis Like it very much! Congrats!

Clifford Keesler Very nice Raptor Michael, very well done.

Michael Phillips Thanks Ricardo and Clifford, I appreciate the kind words!

Soeren . Thats one fantastic looking Flanker!
Bravo!

Btw what did you use for weathering?

Megan Harris Yeah, how do you get the awesome faint brown weathering on the surfaces and panels ? Looks incredible

Michael Phillips Thanks Patick, Nathan, Daniel, Slavo, Soeren, and Megan! I really appreciate all the kind words.

Slavo, yep... I was going for an all out air to air load on this one. Unrealistic, perhaps, but fun to arm to the teeth!

Soeren and Megan, for the weathering I really only used two things. First, I used Mig Ammo Deep Gray wash, which has a bit of a brown cast to it and really gives the model life. My secret weapon, though, is Tamiya Smoke. I spray this, heavily thinned, to give it the brownish dirty areas. I try to be restrained with this, as it is easy to go overboard with it, but it really give a nice affect with little work. Give it a try!

Oh, I almost forgot... I did do one other thing... I sprayed very light coats of the light gray base color onto the darker camo areas to give the paint a bit of a faded appearance. I initially overdid it a bit on my first try, but it was easy to fix by just going back in with the darker gray again to tone it down. I did that before the gloss coat and decal stage, the wash and Tamiya smoke was done after the decals, but before the flat coat. Hope this helps!

Daniel Fantastic work Michael, your surface treatment is always on point, even including the unintended treatment Great looking flanker

Michael Phillips Thanks Daniel, I appreciate the kind words! Hopefully I won't have any unintended weathering in the future. That was a scary moment! LOL

Günther Decock A very nice job with the flanker, Michael.

Michael Phillips Thanks Günther! I appreciate the kind words!

Well, this one is done. Final pics can be seen here:

Academy Su-30MK2 Flanker-G - Completed! | Album by Fighting 84 (1:48)

Thanks for being along for the ride on this project, it was great to have you all!

Spanjaard Simply awesome result

Jos Jansen Haha fantastic Michael, recently I also bought this kit ... great prop plane! At first glance, this is a reasonable kit from Hobbyboss don't you think?

Michael Phillips Yeah, it really does look like a nice little kit. I have seen some nice looking models of this kit built! This one will likely get moved up in the queue quite a bit at some point.

Jos Jansen Michael, this kit is highly recommended...put in front of your next build queue, you're now infected by Indonesian aircraft build, awesome!

Michael Phillips LOL yep, I have a strong connection with that country, so it is only natural I would become infected by them. LOL

My next project is for a contest that may or may not happen this summer (LOL), so I will keep that one next since it is probably going to be a long and complicated build. But I am really thinking about doing this after that one. I am going to need an easy one after that! We shall see!

Slavo Hazucha I´ll just hook in here in case the idea gains traction

Maciej Bellos I hope I build mine before you do!!!

Michael Phillips Oh, I am sure you will! I don't even have the decals for this yet. The Caracal sheet is OOP and proving to be very hard to get a hold of. BUT, I saw on ARC forums Kursad, owner of Caracal Decals, has said he plans to release an extended Foreign Vipers sheet that will include all of the ones on the sheet that had the Moroccan scheme plus more. So I will likely just wait for that.

Patrick Hagelstein If you put just a tad more effort into this one as compared to your Arctic Viper, I might join in.

Pierre Sweet, wanna make that scheme in 72, will follow.

Michael Phillips Welcome Patrick and Pierre!

Pierre, sure is a cool looking scheme, isn't it! I just gotta get my hands on some decals for it LOL.

Patrick, I will definitely try to put at least a tad bit more in!

Patrick Hagelstein Pfew.... That got me relieved..... Thanks! I'll keep watching!

Patrick Hagelstein Cool to see by the way how the colors can change per picture, ranging from a dark dull brown to an almost orange in your cover picture. The sand kinda keeps that same pale hue though.

Patrick Hagelstein 'Cut a lot of corners and didn't put my usual effort into it.'

And yet, still come up with such a brilliant finish? Come on Michael! Really???

Daniel Just what I was thinking

Michael Phillips Hahahah Patrick and Daniel!!!

Well, for some reason painting and finishing has always came naturally to me, so I have never really had to try very hard for that step. The issue for me is always construction and seam filling, and cutting corners for me usually involves that step.

But I am happy overall with it, just think it was not one of my better efforts overall.

Patrick Hagelstein

Maciej Bellos Interesting looking Skyhawks! Didn't know Indonesia had them.

Michael Phillips Yep, and I didn't know either until I saw the decals and then did a little research. Kind of a cool story, these aircraft are actually ex-Israeli A-4Es that retained the extended exhausts. Really a cool looking scheme too!

Daniel I admit I was a bit skeptical about post-metallic sheen application at first, but not anymore This is awesome!

William O. Lookin awesome sir! I don't think you could get any more realistic then that, good job .

Michael Phillips Thanks Konrad, Jos, Daniel, and William!

Daniel, I too was not sure what I would get with that approach, but thought there was a chance it could really give me the effect I wanted and a little bit more control over it. I am very happy with how it turned out!

Michael Phillips Ok, exhausts are done! Happy with these, actually pretty easy to do and other than the masking. Will finish up either tonight or tomorrow I think. Getting pumped for the final reveal... I must say, the canopy turned out INCREDIBLE, but I am saving pics of that for the final reveal. ????

Nathan Dempsey You should be Michael. It looks really great. Seeing your build is making it very hard for me to stay on task and keep working on my Aussie Truck

Clifford Keesler It's looking awesome Michael.

Slavo Hazucha Excellent show Michael - just a pleasure to watch & follow step-by step how the colors & wash layers melted together into just exactly the right appearance! Must be just a great feeling seeing how all things come together to make a bigger & better whole ! Great trail of info in the comments as well - once 5th gen starts on my bench, this will be a reference project!

Looking forward to see it with canopy on & in proper light!

Michael Phillips Thanks Nathan, Clifford, and Slavo!

Slavo, this project is now completed, and in case you had not seen the album, you can check it out here:

Hasegawa F-22A Raptor - Completed! | Album by Fighting 84 (1:48)

Michael Phillips Thanks Desi!

Clifford Keesler What a beautiful Viper Michael, very well done.

Michael Phillips Thanks Clifford, I always appreciate your feedback!

Edward MacKenzie Wow, very godd work mate!

Tim Heimer Nice looking bird!

Holger Kranich Lovely lovely lovely build!

Kevin Struemph That is a gorgeous build. She will be a fantastic conversation piece.

Michael Phillips Thanks Edward, TIm, Holger, and Kevin! Your kind words put a smile on my face

Jos Jansen When you start this project, I want to sit at the front row...

Rv Nice subject ! But watch out, your project's picture depicts a 2000D !

Michael Phillips Ah, thanks for the heads up! That's what I get for trusting Google and not knowing much about a subject. I will change it to 2000D, since the kit includes that option too.

Clifford Keesler Awesome looking mate.

Nathan Dempsey Oh now that's looking wonderful!

Patrick Hagelstein Only now, when looking more detailed, that I see you left the intake lip until after painting. Isn't there a seam to fill and clean up???

Henk Haveman Stunning work!

Maciej Bellos Those Alaska Viper are pretty cool jets and Michael does them justice. Well done mate!

Daniel Top notch, this is a feast for the eyes

Sergej I Just beautiful! Clean and crisp! Is there a reason you did not (yet) paint/decal the walk-lines?

Augie *Picks jaw off the floor* Sweet Jesus, I wish I could get that good

Michael Phillips Thanks Roland!

I actually just drill two small holes into the fuselage underside then let the self-tapping screws do the rest. Using two screws makes the attachment very secure, so I never worry about that. I have seen some people cut out holes in the assembly process of a build then superglue in nuts then attach with bolts, but I am never that foresighted when I am building LOL. By the time the fuselage is assembled it's too late to go that route. But since this works for me, I will continue that way.

Demigod Really good work and a splendid paint job, as always! It's not easy to make these blues look realistic, but you nailed it!

Maciej Bellos First things first: congrats for the splendid model. And congrats for your fourth first place this year! Fingers crossed for the next comp!

Jim J Wow! . Fantastic execution on a really attractive camo scheme. Perfect.

Michael Phillips Thanks Slavo, Murad, Tim, Spanjaard, Demigod, Maciej, and Jim! I appreciate all the compliments and congrats on my win!

I think this has moved into the pantheon of my favorite model I have built, slightly edging out the Su-30MKM. I really love this particular camo scheme and am really proud of how it turned out.

Spanjaard with good reason Michael

Donald Dickson II Wow! Yeah, that turned out gorgeous!

Tim Heimer Defiantly a show stopper! Congrats!

Michael Phillips Thanks Donald and Tim!

Maciej Bellos Hey Michael, have you taken a peek at it? How does it look?

Michael Phillips I have not yet had a chance to check it out because it is currently on the slow boat from HK (Lucky Model $10 flat ground rate). So I wont have this, the Su-35, or the Mirage 2000B/D/N for about a month.

But I have heard some nice reviews on the plastic detail and accuracy, so I am excited to get my hands on it!

Patrick Hagelstein I opened the box last week and was flabbergasted about the quality and sad at the same time because I first want to finish my aggressor...... But after that's finished, I'll get to building this one in the lizard wrap around! Looking at the sprues and the finely detailed parts, this kit is awesome!!!

Maciej Bellos Oh boy, that's one kit in the wishlist! Thanks Patrick! Since some German Starfighters ended up serving in the Hellenic Air Force as surplus aircraft, that's an even more tempting model to build.

Murad ÖZER if i could get my hands on one of these i'd build me a nasa spiffy nasa test aircraft.

Konrad Limmer Here as well!

Jos Jansen Beautiful choice Michael...absolute a stunning aggressor!

Stephan Ryll Yes this is also n nice one

Harry Eder Cool choice!

Demigod Watching!

Daniel Klink Cool, Seat taken

Maciej Bellos Joining in from the Viper thread again!

Daniel So glad you build them both

Slavo Hazucha Joning here too!

Maciej Bellos This must be fantastic!