*COMPLETE* The Final Countdown Zero dogfight diorama - Part 1: 1/72 Academy F-14A

[JNordgren42]

Maybe both?

The black areas here for example have a slightly glossier satin appearance compared to the rest of the body

Also things like the missiles I think would be more satin if not full gloss as well?

Yeah, probably both. The white ventral surfaces were usually pretty glossy when new, and the light gull grey was usually more of a satin to my eye. But of course that changed during the course of a deployment as panels were touched up for corrosion control. On the filming birds there were absolutely areas that had a different sheen, the cover up for the pilot and RIO name stencils for instance is clearly different. I'm probably going to go with an overall semi gloss and hit it with flat were appropriate. Gloss just usually doesn't look right on a model unless it's a car or something that is supposed to be super shiny.

 

[Analyzer]

I also find a slightly satin finish vs total matte can actually help to bring out some of the really fine surface details like rivets and panel lines

 

[JNordgren42]

I'm done with the first round of weathering. A nice overall application of AK Kreigsmarine Grey Wash. It's a great color for more subtle panel lines and gets some nice grime in corners. I also got the base colors on the missiles done and a coat of gloss clear in preparation for decals.

 

[JamesM242]

That is some fine work! Stunning results!

 

[Analyzer]

Excellent!

 

[JNordgren42]

After a grueling session, I finished the decals on the missiles. Even without the final paint details and weathering, they really came to life. The finish line is in sight, I can't wait to see the final result.

AIM-9L

AIM-9D

AIM-7E-2

AIM-54A

 

[JNordgren42]

I'm 95% there. I finished weathering the fuselage, sprayed a semi-matte coat (a mix of Mr. Color clear flat and clear semi-gloss, and did the remaining major assembly (horizontal stabilizers, afterburner cans & nozzles, and weapons pylons). The remaining to do items are, the walkway (port side only on this one), wing glove oil streaks, finishing & attaching the missiles, navigation & anti-collision lights, and attaching the sensor probes. Unfortunately the canopy developed a stress crack when it was masked. From some angles it's hardly noticeable, from others it's pretty bad. But there's not much I can do about it though so I'll just have to live with it.

I like the sheen I got with my clear mixture. I think it gives just enough reflectivity without making it look toy-like.

I'm really happy with how the staining and grime came out on the engine nacelles. I didn't want to go too far with it and I think I struck a nice balance.

A hint of grime and exhaust staining on the gun port.

It's nice to be able to see the crew and cockpit again.

The stress crack is really visible from this angle. *sigh*

 

[JNordgren42]

I crossed a couple of items off the checklist: I finished painting the ordinance and did the walkway. The missiles ended up slightly more dirty than I wanted but the really pop, the Sidewinders really look great with the little details painted.

 

[Analyzer]

Fantastic. The decals settled down nicely into the panel lines. Looks painted on

I wouldn't worry about the crack. I think I spotted it, but I would have never noticed if I had not been specifically looking for it

 

[JNordgren42]

Fantastic. The decals settled down nicely into the panel lines. Looks painted on

I wouldn't worry about the crack. I think I spotted it, but I would have never noticed if I had not been specifically looking for it

Yep, I'm not letting it annoy me too badly. There are always things that don't go to plan and can be improved on for the next build. At some point I'll do it all over again with Victory 203. I think I'm going to do the first Zero conversion next though.

 

[JNordgren42]

Well, it's essentially finished. I have two minor tasks left: the anti-collision light, and a small patch of white on the starbord wing glove leading edge that I forgot about. I need to pick up some clear red for the lights and that will have to wait until after I get back from a trip. I also need to work up a display, but I'll probably wait until I have the first Zero done to tackle that. My makeshift Lego stand works pretty well for the time being. I broke out my DSLR to get some good pics, I think it photographs really well.

The business end...

 

[JNordgren42]

OK friends, now that Tomcat #1 is finished, I need to turn my sights on the first Zero and I'm very conflicted. I would like to be as accurate to the film as possible, which means converting a Texan/Harvard to a Zero. However, the kit selection for Texans in 1/72 is very limited. The newest is the Academy kit, which seems "nice" from what info I can find on it but the tooling was done in 1998 and probably isn't up to modern standards. Aside from the little stuff that mostly only I will worry about, my F-14 came out fantastic with really excellent detail. I'm worried about the conversion not living up to the Tomcat. So the other option is going with the Tamiya 1/72 A6M, which by all accounts is a phenomenal little kit, and has the advantage of not needing to put in all of the work on the conversion. But it's not going to be fully accurate to the film. If you were building this display what route would you go?

 

[edge10]

It really is something you will have to answer. Do you want the display to look realistic, or accurate to the film?

 

[Analyzer]

OK friends, now that Tomcat #1 is finished, I need to turn my sights on the first Zero and I'm very conflicted. I would like to be as accurate to the film as possible, which means converting a Texan/Harvard to a Zero. However, the kit selection for Texans in 1/72 is very limited. The newest is the Academy kit, which seems "nice" from what info I can find on it but the tooling was done in 1998 and probably isn't up to modern standards. Aside from the little stuff that mostly only I will worry about, my F-14 came out fantastic with really excellent detail. I'm worried about the conversion not living up to the Tomcat. So the other option is going with the Tamiya 1/72 A6M, which by all accounts is a phenomenal little kit, and has the advantage of not needing to put in all of the work on the conversion. But it's not going to be fully accurate to the film. If you were building this display what route would you go?

Me personally, I would want to go for what was intended, i.e. a real Zero. The Texan made a decent stand in, but doesn't hold up to closer looks and that Tamiya 1/72 A6M Zero is amazing looking and cheap, it is something like $22 on Amazon right now and you can often find it cheaper elsewhere (but still have to pay for shipping elsewhere as well). Tamiya kits in general are just a pleasure to work with. I would have a hard time passing that up for an Academy Texan that I had to try make look like a zero

But I do get trying to match the film. It is the same mindset as ripping out the Bandai Millennium Falcon cockpit to replace with the filming model one even though it doesn't look as good. People are trying to make a model of a movie model, not a composite of what it was intended to be. So in this case a model of what happens to be a 1/1 filming "model".

Of course most people who are not WWII aircraft enthusiasts would be unable to tell which was a real zero or which was a Texan anyway so in the end I vote for going with whatever you think looks better and will make you happier looking at.

 

[JNordgren42]

Me personally, I would want to go for what was intended, i.e. a real Zero. The Texan made a decent stand in, but doesn't hold up to closer looks and that Tamiya 1/72 A6M Zero is amazing looking and cheap, it is something like $22 on Amazon right now and you can often find it cheaper elsewhere (but still have to pay for shipping elsewhere as well). Tamiya kits in general are just a pleasure to work with. I would have a hard time passing that up for an Academy Texan that I had to try make look like a zero

But I do get trying to match the film. It is the same mindset as ripping out the Bandai Millennium Falcon cockpit to replace with the filming model one even though it doesn't look as good. People are trying to make a model of a movie model, not a composite of what it was intended to be. So in this case a model of what happens to be a 1/1 filming "model".

Of course most people who are not WWII aircraft enthusiasts would be unable to tell which was a real zero or which was a Texan anyway so in the end I vote for going with whatever you think looks better and will make you happier looking at.

I see merit in both approaches, but I'm leaning towards going with the Tamiya kit. I think I'll get a better result with less effort in the process. And it will be less expensive overall since I'll have everything I need in the box except for a pilot figure. And sourcing a decent IJN pilot in 1/72 seems to be a bit of a challenge on its own. I really wish Reedoak did one, his figures for the Tomcat are exceptional.

I also did a little experimentation on the navigation lights today. I did a black base with a silver to white gradient towards the center and then clear green over the top. It looks a little messy and dark in the picture, but the effect is pretty cool to the naked eye.

 

[Analyzer]

And sourcing a decent IJN pilot in 1/72 seems to be a bit of a challenge on its own. I really wish Reedoak did one, his figures for the Tomcat are exceptional.

The Airfix kit of the 1/72 Zero has a pilot. Not sure how good though, but it is cheap. I think I saw it for $12.99 on Amazon. Get it for the pilot and use the plane as a "splashed zero" leaving the Tamiya kit in flight still?

1/72 WWII pilots sitting in flight in general seem to be very lacking as far as after market stuff. I have been searching without luck for some pilots to stick in the SBD Dauntless, The Hellcat, and TBF Avenger I have

and that effect for the navigation light looks great

 

[JNordgren42]

I'm calling it complete and it's currently in my small 1/72 corner with my Red 5 X Wing and TIE Advanced X1. I'm pretty happy with how the navigation lights came out, but I think I still have room to improve the technique. Maybe a bright chrome for the underpainting instead of silver?

I also decided on how to proceed with the next stage, I ordered a 1/72 Tamiya A6M2b and it should arrive in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for a new build thread...

 

[Analyzer]

I love it!

 

[modelerdave]

Fabulous! That is an excellent build!

 

[joberg]

Beautifully made from the get-go