1/48 Hasegawa F-14D Tomcat  

by Chew Eng Hui

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When Tweety Bird of Looney Tunes fame said "I tot I taw a puddy tat" it must have ment puttying the Hasegawa 1/48 F-14.  The problems of the 1/48 Hase kit were addressed using online sources and primary from a Model Graphix magazine featuring the Tomcat.  This kit was build for the Tomcat Farewell in Kuala Lumpur organized by f-4dablemodels and E-Hobby Hq.  I added a few aftermarket additions, TwoBobs' "Last Pac Cat" decal sheet ,Eduard's F-14D Zoom set and Finemolds  F-14 Pitot set .  The refueling probe was scratched built from solder and plasticard for the housing.  The pylons for the GBU-16s were scratched built also and bombs and pods were from Hase's 1/48 weapon sets.  Pilots were robbed from a Hase F-4 kit as the F-14's pilots were distorted, helmets had to be modified of course.

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The kit was designed to be built canopy open, as I wanted to close it, I had to do a few modifications.  The inner canopy frame part was modified, the actuator behind the rear seat was cut down, the rear end of the canopy itself had to be sanded down to reduce the step between it and the body.  I had a blast building this bird, although it has its fair share of problems, with a little patience and care, it pays off well.

It was painted using Gunze MrColor.  I had to blend and tone down the paint to create the color variation seen on the kit.  Weathering was done using pre-shading, post shading watercolors and  pastels.  The swing marks were made using a cotton bud (Q-tip) soaked in watercolor Burnt Umber.  One end was hooked the wing to fuselage notch and the other wiped in a circular motion with the center of the circle being the notch.

Many thanks to friends who helped with advice and support for this project.  Also a big "Thank You!" Steve Bamford for this fantastic site and hosting this article.

Tomcatters are Go!!!

Chew

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Photos and text © by Chew Eng Hui