Wow, LittleBro recently forwarded the extended trailer for the "Top Gun" sequel and we can't wait to see it. The reason he was thinking Top Gun is because I found (in the storage box) an F14 Tomcat, 1/72 scale. It's not like I had not seen it before in the box, but paid little attention because I don't build or rehab jets. I'm a WWI-WWII guy. If you follow this Blog you know this and you also know that I recently completed some 1/56 armor for Bolt Action. So, I am waiting for the M3 Lee I ordered, but it is coming from Louisiana and the weather down there has been terrible and held up all USPS shipments.
Instead of continuing to twiddle my fingers I again perused the storage box and picked up the Tomcat. Well, upon closer inspection I see decals along the canopy Lt. Pete Mitchell - Maverick" and Lt. Nick Bradshaw - "Goose". While a bit yellowed with age, they were in tact! I quizzed brother Bob about this, since it was obviously built in the late 80's, early 90's but certainly not up to his capabilities at that time. He vaguely recalls assisting his son who was in a hurry to build it and play with it. Upon further inspection it was apparent that plane had survived quite well - landing gear was solid - canopy was clear and not messy, although it did need some minor frame re-paint work. I figured a bit of paint here and there and locking down some of the decals that were intact but coming loose, and I could spiff up the F14 while awaiting the arrival of my M3. I had no intention of posting something that was a simple re-paint, but the more "spiffing up" I did, the more I thought was needed and soon I was all in. My intention, as I photo the work involved, is some before and after pics and explanation of why I did what I did, after which I will put the Bird on my Carrier Deck for some finish photos.
I marked this photo to illustrate the issues I considered correcting:
1. open seams (poor fit).
2. old decal "white shadow".
3. Canopy framing.
You can see the yellowing of the crew name decals, but that can only be dealt with to a small degree. A paint around has to be precise. I get one chance. If I cover a letter(s) I can't really correct that.
Here is an "after" photo. The seam was sealed with Testors window glue. I did a paint around with my fine brush. This is very tedious work. Many breaks are required to loosen tense shoulders, start breathing again and relaxing hands and fingers to keep down the shakes. When you look close it appears the surface is rather rough. This can't be helped due to the continuous stippling around the decals in order to save them. The arrow decal at the front of the canopy actually came loose (in tact) and I had to "Solvaset" it back on before the paint around.
One regret is that I could not remove the canopy (was afraid to try) and insert pilots. As can be seen, I believe that crew was included in the kit, but I will never know why they weren't used. My brother can only speculate that his son was in a hurry to get it together and play with it. You can see the notches in the seats where the crewmen were to be😒
Another example of the decal "white shadow" that I had to paint around.
This was my Savior. The Light Ghost Gray for the re-paint. Besides this I had to mix a darker gray for certain other elements which can be seen in following photos. There is not a square mm that did not get re-painted, except for the decals.
This photo is for illustration of two things. First, the contrast between the new Light Ghost Gray from the dingy, yellowed wing to the lower right. Also, the paint around of the decals, including spaces between and within the letters. The "NAVY" decal on the port side came loose (again, in tact - whew) and had to be Solvaset back into place.
One fix necessary was the nose, which at some point during it's "play life" had been broken off and then modeling putty applied. I just sanded around the putty, pin drilled the end, inserted a piece of 26 gauge wire and sealed with the window glue before painting.
More before..........
.........during (notice my fine tip brush, without which this re-paint and in-place painting would have been impossible)
......and after. A lot here to show. The wheel wells freshened up with new white. Door edges in safety red and all of the AIM 7 Sparrows completed in combat ready colors. Oh, I did have to fill the intakes with black as they were not painted in the first place.
Another mark up showing the dark gray added, the paint around of the 114 and the tail insignia - Its the only photo that shows all three. The other thing I need to mention here is that there was quite a gap where the verticals were attached so I broke them off, trimmed everything down, re-attached and used my trusty window glue once more to seal up the seams.
This image of a 1/48 scale "Top Gun" F14 I googled shows some of the features I wanted to include, especially the yellow walking strips. I wanted a bit more color to break up the "sea" of gray.
Masking first and then.......
I think it worked! I still have to find an insignia for the port wing upper surface, do some touch up and then a final dullcoat, but I can already "Feel the Need for Speed"!
I added a couple of details along with touch ups and then put the Tomcat on my WWII carrier deck for a few pics.
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