1/48 Hasegawa F-14B Tomcat

Gallery Article by John Heller on Mar 24 2010

 

The kit is the time tested Hasegawa F-14B in 1/48.  The decals are the newly released VF-102 OEF decals from Fightertown Decals.  It was painted with Vallejo Model Air Grays and sealed with a dead flat coat of Vallejo matt varnish.  Weathering was done with ProModeller dark and light gray washes.  Tamiya weathering packs were used for staining and streaking.  All metal finishes were done in Alclad Steel and Dark Aluminum. 

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In addition the the OOB kit I added the following details...

  • Windshield rain removal jets

  • Yaw String

  • Power and data lines to the LANTIRN

  • Quickboost seats

  • Pilots w/Tamiya tape straps and Aires jet buckles.  Also, Tamiya tape flotation vests were added

  • Wing glove sealing plates were removed and replaced with sheet styrene

  • Wolfpack refueling probe kit. 

The refueling basket was built from 49 individual pieces.  This was my second attempt at building a basket, and is much improved over my first.  The hose was detailed by adding the red stripe and the metal couplings were painted directly on the hose using Alclad paint.  The refueling probe was replaced with coat hanger wire for strength.   The base is 10" x 13".   The Tomcat is attached to the base with a pic of crystal clear plexiglass.  The image was taken from and altitude of 6000 feet somewhere over the Atlantic by a friend. 

John Heller

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Photos and text © by John Heller