Page 56 - Tamiya Model Magazine - Issue 292 (February 2020)

FULL-BUILD: MODERN ERA US NAVY JETS
HOBBYBOSS 1:72 F-14B TOMCAT ● KIT NO.80277 Cockpit tub with
HASEGAWA 1:72 F/A-18F SUPER HORNET ● KIT NO.00548 pre-coloured
photo-etched parts
HOBBYBOSS 1:72 F-14B TOMCAT

US Navy F-14B Tomcat BuAerNo 162918/AA100
of VF-103 Jolly Rogers, Operation Iraqi Freedom III,
USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 NAG, November 2004.

he Grumman F-14 instrument panels. The clear fit-problem near the rear
Tomcat has been canopy had a long seam formation lights area, with a
one of my favourite line in the middle but with difference of levels between few scrapes like they were
Tfighter jets for as long some careful sanding and top and bottom fuselage never there. Of course, some
as I can remember. This polishing using Tamiya’s halves, so I applied some sanding work is needed to
sleek supersonic fighter, Polishing Compound the three-second glue on the make sure the surface is
with its unmistakable seam line was history. I affected area and sanded it flat and smooth and then
variable-sweep wings is polished the canopy with few times with different grit I re-scribed the panel lines
recognised all over the coarse grade first, to remove sponges until it looked good. again with 2mm scriber.
World. I have here the the most of the seam line I re-scribed the panel lines
Hobbyboss F-14B Tomcat and to smooth the surface. with 0.2mm scriber and JET OUTLETS
(80277) which I will be The Medium grade improves deepened the rivets by using Exhaust nozzles were
building and using VF-103 the smoothness and finally, a needle. painted gold with gloss
markings. VF-103, Fighter the Fine finishing compound For the ordnance, they’re black as base, then Gunze
Squadron 103 (FITRON more or less polishes the all from Hobbyboss itself 28 Steel, following with
103), nicknamed the 'Jolly canopy to a very clear sheen. except LANTIRN pod, AK841 Polished Aluminium
Rogers' is an aviation unit Then I glued both upper which took from Hasegawa and a few layers of very
of the United States Navy and bottom fuselage halves Aircraft Weapons: IX diluted Gunze 09 Gold. I
and was established in and engine nozzles. I also (35114). I removed the seam then applied a light filter
1952. The Squadron's radio assembled the pylons for lines with the useful and with Burnt Umber oil paints.
call-sign is 'Victory' and it is AIM-54, AIM-7 and AIM-9 handy ceramic knife. Seam The exhaust nozzles are
assigned to Carrier Air Wing missiles. I found a big lines were gone within a etched-parts from Dream
Seven. VF-103 was among
the Navy's last fighter
squadrons to transition to
the Tomcat.
Working with
photo-etched parts for
cockpit and fuselage, I
use Dream Model's set
DM0540. Everything went
smoothly and I fitted 80% Photo-etched radar array parts The radar is seen here in primer, with
of etched parts without any were fitted into the Tomcat’s nose ordnance under preparation behind
big problems. Detail and
quality of the parts was
really top-notch and easy to
form. The only tricky part
was on the left nose area;
I spent over two hours just
to cut and touch up three
slots for boarding steps and
ladders. After spraying Mr.
Hobby 317 (Gray FS36231)
on the cockpit parts, I The kit engine-nozzles (at the back) The engine cans await fitting while The crew access ladder is tiny in 1:72!
started to hand-paint the and photo-etched replacements: the the airframe is sprayed
difference in detail is clear to see
Mini Review...

Timed very well for the release of Tamiya’s new 1:35 Pz.38(t), this set of four
AMMO BY MIG PANZER CREW paints provides all the shades you’ll need to finish a WW2 German tank crewman,
FIGURES SET (A.MIG-72024) in the black uniform. All acrylic paints, the Bluish Grey, Slate Grey, Grey Light
www.migjimenez.com
Brown and Outlining Black can all be used to finish off your figure perfectly.

54 February 2020 TMMI 292