Hobbyboss f-14d 1:48

[Apaleftos]

<t>Hello everyone. Im a huge tomcat fan, I tried to build the hasegawa 1/48 kit in my re-introduction to modelling in 2012, guess how that went. I have the tamiya 1/48 which im not touching untill im happy with my painting skills and the 1/72 revell which i like but ive given up that scale and time consuming models. I wanted hbs tomcat but 75 euros were a bit too much since i knew of its innaccuracies, mad rivetting, etc. I also knew that it beats hasegawas in fit and weapons. During a xmas visit to the hobby shop for some paints I requested a price check because its 47euros price seemed strange plus i didnt want to get my hopes too high. Anyway for that much i wouldnt mind having fan building it with no major regrets. <br/>
At first i was dissappointed by its fit in main wheels, nose panels etc plus it had some damage. But the more i build it the more i like it. I think most difficulties can be overriden. I like the way things fit.<br/>
Some photos of my progress:</t>

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[Apaleftos]

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Has anyone completed the seat belts? Cause the instructions confuse me. A photo would be very helpful. Also i cant attach the main landing gear after the wheel well is installed in the fuselage so im thinking of building and painting the entire subassembly and then mask for the overall coat. Has anyone tried this?

[DoubleDigit12]

Nice progress, good luck with the rest!

[Apaleftos]

Couldnt resist dry fitting. Helped restore my motivation. Unfortunatelly ill have to build and paint wheel wells and landing gear as a subassembly and then install since i cant install the gear later. Dry fitting hhelped me.realise this. The fit is really good. I might have some issues with the wings but gladly this is for.the distant future since i have so many rivets to fill. Any tips on filling rivets? Im trying vallejo mr color humbrol and stretched styrene for seams.

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[Apaleftos]

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[Apaleftos]

A little progress. Im testing different kinds of putty. Today i used mr dissolved putty. I think it ll need more apps. It stinks a lot. I also primed the front wheel well. Pretty pleased with it. Im getting better and more confident at spraying because im gettin used to the paints the airbrush and the compressor.

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[DoubleDigit12]

Looks nice, paint going on smooth!

[Apaleftos]

Thanx. The black isnt smooth enough i was using too much pressure. Had better luck with 25 psi and better thinning with vallejo white. The primer is Ultimate its great so far the gloss black is great too.

[Apaleftos]

For some reason i cant attach more than 3 photos. Anyway some i missed in previous posts

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[aur0ra145]

Great looking build so far!

[Apaleftos]

Sprayed some white some khaki and brushed some khaki. Happy with airbrushed khaki and white. Mixed results with brushed khaki. Model air paints.

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[Apaleftos]

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Small update. Didnt go well. Too much clogging. Sprayed at 20-25 psi. Its hot and humid. The compressor was very hot and afterwards i noticed humidity in the transparent moisture container. I thinned vallejo model air white 7/2 with a.b. cleaner. I also had problems spraying Ultimate gloss black earlier today. I was very pleased with white last time but it was cooler then.
Ps i noticed that some transparent fluid was building on the airbrush's edge probably the thinner or window cleaner i used to clean the needle.

[Apaleftos]

Still not happy. Airbrush clogs, incosistent spray patterns, spills etc. Again i did a full ab clean. The needle was full of dried paint when i finished, forgot to check while spraying.
I also sprayed some filled areas, definitelly need more filling and sanding. I hope ill make some progress tomorrow and on the weekend

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Update: its getting pretty boring with all the filling and sanding and repeating. With tamiya id just glue 2 pieces and id have a wing. Definitelly takes some fun out of the build

[DoubleDigit12]

It is looking great. Keep fighting!

[Apaleftos]

Hello
i didnt have much modeling time and mood/inspiration lately (work, responsibilities) but had some good moments. Im geting my confidence back with the airbrush. I clean the needle with a brush diped in window cleaner and i get a few moments of decent spraying. But the air doesnt flow back easily when i clean it as it used to. Maybe its the weather. Anyway some photos of my progress:

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[Apaleftos]

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Ps i made a huge mistake. Tried to fill the wings' rivets with superglue and a toothpick. Guess how that went. Spent 2 hoirs or so trying to sand it and theres more left. Live.and learn