F-14B Tomcat VF-102 Diamondbacks OEF 2001-2002 Tamiya 1:32

[Andreas Tomcatter]

Greetings everyone!

 

I have been around the site for quite some time following posts and WIPs so I thought it was about time for my first large project. The following WIP will be my first in the 32nd scale and the first one in Large Scale Planes!

 

As the title shows I will be trying my luck on an F-14B, based on the Tamiya 1:32 kit. Initially I was thinking of representing aircraft 105 from VF-41 with full low visibility colors however I changed my mind during the summer after seeing some wonderful shots of an F-14B 1:32 scale with the VF-102 Diamondbacks decals form Fightertown Decals.  The decal set was particularly difficult to track, as it is out of print, however I managed to find a copy in a Japanese online store and in perfect condition no less. The aircraft that will be represented, flew with Diamondbacks during the OEF campaign in Afganistan in 2002.

 

 

I will be using the 2003 version of the Tamiya kit which includes some updates in comparison to the 1994 and the 1980 versions.

 

 

Also the following after market sets will be used accordingly:

 

-Teknics ΤΚ32012 F-14B Tomcat/Bombcat Cockpit Superset
-Teknics TK32013 F-14B Airframe conversion set
-GRU-7(A) ejection seats from Avionix cockpit set BLC32039
-Aires 2099 F-14B/D Tomcat exhaust nozzles
-If it is possible to get my hands on the exhaust nozzles form the 1:32 Tamiya F-16 they will be used instead
-Hadmodels 432003 F-14B/D Upgrade photoetched part set
-Crossdelta CD32002 F-14 Step area & Stiffeners
-Master Model AM-32-031 F-14 Alfa Probe & Angle Of Attack probe
-True Details TDP32202 1/32 F-14D Tomcat Resin Wheel Set (Late)
-Eduard 32144 F-14A Tomcat exterior photoetched part set
-Fightertown Decals 32009 VF-102 F-14B "Diamondbacks" OEF
-Armament from the kit or Tamiya's F-16

 

The construction began with some modifications to the airframe around the cockpit area and the nose. Tamiya's mold in general includes not only raised lines but some panels as well. Initially I thought it was a mistake however it seems that very early Tomcats did have those. I could not find photos form both sides however at least on the right it seems that the panel was raised for some reason. In later photos these areas are not raised, so they were sanded down.

 

 

One thing that is weird is how Tamiya chose to represent the refueling panel. In the kit it is neither closed nor open so since I would not doing it open it was covered with epoxy putty and sanded down while afterwards the panel lines were rescribed.

 

 

Next, a characteristic electronics panel behind the cockpit was rescribed adding a bit of detail.

 

 

 

An area on the Tamiya kit that can be improved are the NACA vents. The kit provides the correct gun vents for a late Tomcat however they are provided as one piece with the airframe. Using a rotary tool the plastic behind each vent was removed, the thickness of the leading edges was reduced and Evergreen plasticard was used to restore them. Eduard's PE was used for the gun muzzle blast fairing.

 

 

HAD models PE set provides a replacement for the grills beneath the aircraft's ladder so the kit's detail was removed using a rotary tool. After the PE was in place, the area was rescribed and epoxy putty was used to restore the raised detail.

 

 

The gun gas exhausts are provided in a slightly wrong position by Tamiya and because HAD models provided PE parts for the re-enforcement plates around them I decided to change their position. The old exhausts were filled with CA and sanded down while on the new positions the kit's plastic was thinned from the inside and new ones were opened accordingly. Initially the PE parts for the re-enforcements were used however I could not get them to glue properly in place so off they went! Two new pieces were created by using Evergreen plasticard and glued in place.  Also HAD provides two pieces for the grills that are found inside them which were used.

 

 

Eduard's set provides some nice details for the ladder in order to be represented in open position so it was the next area I started working on. Unfortunately Eduard provides a simple improvement to the kit's piece so a few additions were deemed necessary to be included. I worked based on photos of the real aircraft while Kai Wolter's                       exceptional F-14 build has been of great assistance and inspiration as well. 

 

Eduard's guide was not followed. Instead the two main ladder parts (1 and 2 ) were used to sandwich a piece of Evergreen in order to increase the thickness of the ladder while the PE steps (parts 73) were not used. Evergreen was used to create the two steps and to add the various small details. Parts 12 and 13 were used to create the handle mechanism.

 

 

So ... that's about it for this time.

 

Thanks for your interest!

 

Andreas

Edited September 16, 2019 by Andreas Tomcatter

[LSP_Paul]

Beautiful Work and  to the Forums. Looking forward to seeing more progress.

 

Paul

[Lothar]

Great workmanship and attention to detail - hats off!!!

Lothar

 

....and yes of course 

Edited September 15, 2019 by Lothar

[LSP_Kevin]

Some terrific work there, Andreas!

 

Kev

[crobinsonh]

Welcome to LSP - that is some fine work very neatly described and captured.

[ROM]

Very nice work!!

A comprehesive guide to upgrade the good old tamiya bcat!

[Andreas Tomcatter]

Thank you for your welcoming comments gentlemen!

 

I am coming from 1/72 scale (and briefly 1/48) so things feel a bit awkward already. I've been collecting various 1/32 kits for some time now and had this one in my stash far too long to ignore it any more. It was about time I tried something new now that I finally found the appropriate space for larger projects.

[chuck540z3]

Terrific work and photography Andreas!  Although the Tamiya kit requires a number of corrections (I've built 2 of them), I still think it looks much more accurate when finished than the Trumpeter kit, even with the intakes corrected.  Based upon what we can see of your work so far, this should turn out terrific!

 

Cheers,

Chuck

[misha71]

great start

will watch with pleasure 

[Alain Gadbois]

Nice attention to those small details, and great presentation!

 

Alain

[MikeMaben]

 

  Hey Andreas 

[P-51D Man]

Looks good so far. Lots of aftermarket goodies going in the mix also.

[A-10LOADER]

Welcome to the forums. Outstanding work so far on everything, it all looks great.

 

Steve

"TOMCATS FOREVER, BABY...!"

[Mel]

First impressions very good, keep up the good work.
I've always thought about it and said it, it would be nice if TAMIYA re-created from 0 this plane, next to the F-4 Phantom (J, C, D)

[F`s are my favs]

Tomcat, Afghanistan, OEF, 2002, Diamondbacks.... sounds like a very nice plan! :) And that's a wonderful start. Make it real good, keep us posted, and WELCOME! :)