cowie165

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Is there anything Zactoman can do about that? Or is it too difficult for one man to take on a Chinese mega-company over a non-protected corrections set? Is there anything John could do to protect his work? I guess HobbyFan's inventory says there isn't much anyone can do to stop it... They've copied work from just about every manufacturer

Petar, great weathering! The exhaust looks great too.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I didn't intend to use black decals; I had planned on using a low-vis set from the Hase decal #3 (the set with UN MARINE/UN NAVY/etc.) Underneath the Tomcat I was able to use UN NAVY decals, which turned out quite cool, but when I applied them to the fuselage they were too good a colour match for the FS36231 or whatever the intermediate colour is, and they completely disappeared! The original kite decal is actually sitting underneath the black one. It really was a lot of fun. The Tactical Paint Scheme was fun to try, plus the dark grey Mac Zero markings afterwards. Weathering was fun and turned out (I think) just about right for 1/100. With small scales it's easy to go overboard. The darn canopy was just a crummy fit that was very tough to mask. @PetarB: Yep, here is about the only place I'd ever post pictures, considering that sci-fi decals on a Tomcat is IPMS blasphemy! hehe @Berttt: I'm actually going to give it a miss. After checking out the pics from the Wave site, it really does seem like a Bandai 1/100 with some extra panel lines. I have one more 1/100 jet left to go, as a TV early Hikaru, and I think that'll be it for jets in 1/100. What about you mate? Is 1/100 done and dusted for you? @jardann: Cheers Bill! I'm undecided on what to do next - but having a go at the factory is a really good idea you know. Then I'd have a dio background for photos and it'd display nicely on my shelf now that I have a few models to go in it. Sorry about the long post

Academy 1/100 F-14A "Valkyrie Experiment" Ok this one was just for fun. My sister bought a few kits for me last Christmas and I decided to have a crack at the little Tomcat. I'm pretty sure it is a reboxed AFV Club kit. Decals were from the spares box, in a custom Mac Zero scheme for an F-14 test/R&D aircraft. Gunpod from the Bandai 1/100 VF-1. I scratched some GRU-7s with black and yellow handles, but skipped over the other micro detail stuff, like brake lines, MV lenses, and drooped horizontal stabs - it was really just to practice the TPS how-to from VFA-103guy at ARC http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....howtopic=109516 I also tried out a few of the photo tips some of the guys suggested after the 1/100 Regult Scout. The Good It's a Tomcat Parts fit was ok, except for the canopy. Poseable wings The Bad No cockpit detail Heavy panel lines on the nose The nose looked too short. I filled in a few vertical panel lines and tried a paint scheme that made it look longer, kinda like a vertically striped shirt makes you look taller. The kit is made to have the AIM-9s fitted underneath. Without them, there are lots of holes you can't fill easily. They also let a little dust creep inside the cockpit. Grrr. The Ugly Canopy fit Masking the canopy was a pita. It turned out real nasty, as you can see in the front-on pic. Bring on 1/72 scale.

Sure. Sorry, I didn't need to post that last sentence. We both know that already and I'm not trying to cause an argument.

There's no need to be rude mate. Please read my post again - I was agreeing with you. Yes, the cleaning station is stupid and I won't buy one. No, you aren't meant to take the tip apart. Yes, you do need to take it apart to keep it clean, contrary to the instructions. Yes, I can read instructions, cheers. When you read the instructions I'm sure you'll be pleased to note that it actually says spray thinners until clear, not a full bottle.

Right. I was interested in what you wrote and just wanted to be sure you were talking conditioned responses. спасибо!

Did you mean Pavlovian?

Looks great Petar. The colour scheme looks particularly good - the decals offset the tan very nicely. Pardon the silly question, but what anime is it? Crusher Joe or something like that? Where is the kit from? How good are you at vacforming? If you can scratch 1/72 rebel pilots, vacforming will be a cup of tea.

I've been using an Aztek for seven years and yes, you do need to be disassembling the nozzle for a clean, it takes maybe 60 seconds to do so. I've never had a broken nozzle or needle, so my experience has been quite good with Aztek. Diff'rent strokes...

Wow, cool. Is the VF-1 the one that was on the front of Hobby Japan the other month? The Tomahawk looks nice - a little 1/200-like front on, but the oblique shots showing the opening hatches look good. indigo should I even ask how you possibly came across those images on a Japanese site? Is there a Japanese google reader?

I loved that show

Wow, looks like I'm a minority with MT using an Aztek! I've had a few - most recent is a 470 double action. I find it easy to clean and the changeable heads and gravity fed make it a winner in my books. I've never tried an Iwata though I've always wanted to!

lol +1

Any chance of casting some of the OOP 1/72 Tanmen? I'm out of patience with Hobbyfan

Nice! Hard to believe it hasn't seen a lick of paint! Well done miriya Next thing I know you'll be poking fun at the "toy" collectors! Welcome to the glue sniffers

How long are you gonna hold onto two Cat's Eye kits? I know a good home in Australia that will take good care of one Or, if Tanmen isn't making them anymore maybe we could make moulds from one, like the VF-4 last year So bummed I missed Tanmen kits but stoked to be on MW for Moscato resin!

Very cool Ron. How long did it take to build? Great matt finish there. Edit: took out the pics from the reply

Nice! Just this morning I was decaling a 1/100 F-14A as a Mac Zero jet - I fitted it with a gunpod as part of the Valkyrie Experiment.

Same here. Nice collection Gunny. I have 1/72 Q-Rau envy How about some pics of the display cabinet?

1/100 Bandai isn't crap! They are fun and make for a nice finished model. You might consider making it a fixed pose though, as the joints aren't exactly Yamato-style. A year or two ago I finished one as a Millia gerwalk. I highly recommend gluing some weight (fishing sinkers or nuts) into the leg section. It'll help it balance when standing and will make it feel less like a toy. 1/100 FTW!

I would recommend an acrylic wash over any pencil method. It is sooooo much easier to do a good job. What type of thinner did you use on the 1/144 Gundam? You can always use artist's water based paints to create a wash that wipes away with a damp rag - guaranteed not to damage the original finish.

10seconds! Ack! I was going with 10minutes! Cheers for the info John