Top Gun F-14s Take Two

crackerjazz

Sr Member
Hi I'm trying to redeem myself from my failed, or should I say abandoned, project of building Hasegawa Top Gun F-14s. After learning that the Hasegawa wing gloves were too thick I just couldn't unsee them. I also made the mistake of gluing the canopies on to protect the cockpit from dust. After which I saw more and more dust particles clinging onto the canopy walls from the inside and I couldn't do anything since the canopies were glued shut -- all I could do was stare and at them and wonder about my folly. I ended up tossing the Hasegawa F-14s and got these Tamiya F-14s instead to go for a second attempt. Plus aftermarket cockpits, TCS pods and tail stiffeners for a proper movie F-14 build as well as Fightertown Top Gun decal sets which include markings of the movie birds (or cats : )

Posting some pics of the project that has been going on for a while. I'm actually getting pretty close to the end of the build and should be done in about a month or two.

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Installed some rods for mounting.

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Fightertown decals

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Thanks, guys! : ) Same here the Tomcat holds a place in my heart : ) And the movie holds up really well considering its age. There's just something about it that director Tony Scott (RIP) did right. And the cinematography is just beautiful and the fight sequences engaging. When I try to watch movies again from the same decade like Iron Eagle they look old compared to Top Gun.

I was watching the added features the other day and it's amazing how they even thought about such things as putting an off-center wooden disc on a drill strapped onto the camera to make it vibrate while filming the sequences where they used models.

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Lol that would be nice, edge10, and I wish they came in TPS schemes, too : ) Thanks, Analyzer, the kit has excellent details except for the cockpit which might be a bit basic for some. I used the Eduard pit on mine but had to scrape material off the sides of the RIO's IP shroud for the canopy to close.
 
Two of the main jets used in the movie. One distinguishable by the white panel on the spine. Per Brian of Fightertown decals, the badges and modex numbers were interchangeable vinyl stickers constantly switched throughout the filming so the 104 jet could be 114 in some scenes.

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Some painting progress shots:
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And some photos of the other jet. This one had the longer walkway. I noticed the jet would sometimes appear in mirror image in some scenes.

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The two jets compared:
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I love the movie (even if it's total cheese and not accurate), and this is an awesome project. Paintwork is superb.

Now if only the Church of Scientology, erm, I mean, Tom, erm....I mean the studio (?) would release the sequel. Sigh.
 
See, now - THIS is why I don't go back and re-visit the F-14 (though I have been eye-balling the Trumpeter kit). I could NEVER do it the justice you are!

These are studio-quality models; if not better.

Man those were some dirty birds!
 
Thanks, Attirex, yeah, he's waiting for the opportune moment for too long : ) But not releasing it alongside Spiderman was a good idea, I think : ) PHArchivist, thanks for the kind words! : )

Unmasking Iceman and Slider's canopy:
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There was some paint seepage along the middle pillar that's a bit difficult to correct because of the Future coat. Will figure out a way later on if I could.

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Mav and Goose breathing a sigh of relief:
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