Author Topic: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix  (Read 26316 times)

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #25 on: March 05, 2012, 07:25:14 AM »
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Interesting  8)

Offline tc2324

  • Just slightly on the edge of madness......!
Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #26 on: March 05, 2012, 09:50:57 PM »
Thats one hell of modded F-14.

Great job so far. :)
Whiffing is for Life...., not just for Christmas!!!

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #27 on: March 07, 2012, 08:26:48 AM »
Well... Since I can't find decals for a 1/48 VF-0 and i've never used the dry transfer decal technique.
I'm just gonna use 1/48 F-14 Jolly Rogers decals.
I have revised the LERX slightly and have continued painting the aircraft.
My father's friend is looking for F-14 or F-15 engines to put in so I can start scratchbuilding the thrust vectoring nozzles.
I can probably get some pics up by tonight.
Keep checking!  :))

Sentinel Chicken

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #28 on: March 07, 2012, 08:32:28 AM »
This is one epic kitbash! All the more impressive given the scale, I can only guess that the amount of putty might but a crimp on sotoolslinger/Ron's use!

Offline Artoor_K

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #29 on: March 07, 2012, 09:22:17 PM »
Well... Since I can't find decals for a 1/48 VF-0 and i've never used the dry transfer decal technique.
I'm just gonna use 1/48 F-14 Jolly Rogers decals.
I have revised the LERX slightly and have continued painting the aircraft.
My father's friend is looking for F-14 or F-15 engines to put in so I can start scratchbuilding the thrust vectoring nozzles.
I can probably get some pics up by tonight.
Keep checking!  :))

Nice to know that there is a progress. When I'll be home I'll raid my decal stash , maybe I have spare decals for YF-19 and VF-1 :D
Sickening, weakening
Don't let another somber pariah consume your soul
You need strengthening, toughening
It takes a bit of dark to rekindle the fire burning in you
Ignite the fire within you

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #30 on: March 08, 2012, 07:00:41 AM »
To tell ya the truth.  I think i'm gonna stick with the U.S decals.
Be interesting to see what it looks like in NAVY markings!  8)
But thanks for your offer Artoor!
Anyways, here's some pics

Reprofiled the Lerx a bit. Added the black stripe as you noticed in the first pic.


If you're wondering why that black wall is on there. It's because at the top of it will be the end of the canopy.
I need too work on that later.

I painted the ventral fins black and taped off the necessary shape and used Gunship Gray.

I was gonna put individual slats but that would be overly annoying.....

This is my first REAL conversion so don't expect greatness from my skills.
Also don't have the proper tools in order to get such beautiful lines.
Thanks for looking anyways!
« Last Edit: March 08, 2012, 07:06:02 AM by mikejapan »

Offline sotoolslinger

  • A World Champion Blackbelt in Putty-Foo…the man means business (just look at his photo!)
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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #31 on: March 08, 2012, 08:02:45 AM »
Mike, first off , for your first "real" conversion, heck for anyones work, your overall shaping ang conversion work is outstanding :-*
Now,( you knew this was coming), as a fellow putty monster, I do most of my sanding and shaping with stuff like popsickle sticks wrapped with sandpaper :o
Look for tiny,rigid, junk like cheap microfiles and just wrap fine grain sandpaper around the shapes.
The "secret" is to buy the crap tools at Harbor Freight(or the equivalent ) but wrap em in wet/ dry sandpaper (used WET)  :)

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #32 on: March 08, 2012, 12:42:00 PM »
Thanks Slinger ;)
Aight, so I decided to remove the alternate canopy because it was just the wrong shape and would take unnecessary work.
So I went back to the original F/A-18E Super Hornet canopy.
Honestly, i'm happy about this decision. :)

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #33 on: March 10, 2012, 12:10:33 PM »
More progress :)




Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #34 on: March 10, 2012, 12:12:04 PM »
You know.... I should get Tamiya masking tape.
This scotch tape really isn't doing well.
No matter how much I try to seal it tight. It just keeps bleeding through.
Not even using alot of paint.

Offline sotoolslinger

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #35 on: March 10, 2012, 10:39:23 PM »
Tamiya tape is good but so is the blue tape at hardware stores.

Offline Rafael

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #36 on: March 13, 2012, 09:26:30 AM »
Mike, you deserve a Bravo Zulu!!!
Skilled or not, you managed a feat that not many achieve and much less dare to try. Thumbs up on that, my friend.
Also, you have attained a very credible appearance. The lines, the style, and the overall look cry Macross loudly and clearly. As it should have been.
Thanks for a very enjoyable conversion which includes kitbashing and scratchbuilding. Not bad for a first crack at all. Keep it up.

Rafa
I don't take life seriously. I'm not getting out of it alive anyways.

Offline Artoor_K

  • On the run from Polish Rivet Counters...
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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #37 on: March 13, 2012, 11:18:25 PM »
I would like to suggest you something... hope I will not be condemned for it...Check out this:
http://www.macross2.net/m3/macrossf/vf-25f.htm

Your VF-0 looks very nice now but judging from this photo...



...it looks more like VF-25 than VF-0. Think about making it as VF-25...

Anyway , she's looking better with every update and I'm pretty sure that she'll be great (no matter which VF you'll choose :) )
 
Sickening, weakening
Don't let another somber pariah consume your soul
You need strengthening, toughening
It takes a bit of dark to rekindle the fire burning in you
Ignite the fire within you

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #38 on: March 14, 2012, 03:53:58 AM »
That's coming along very nicely, Mike! I really like the colorful paintwork!

Brian da Basher

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #39 on: March 14, 2012, 05:20:19 AM »
It does look live a VF-25 Messiah honestly.
But what could I do ;)
More progress





Offline taiidantomcat

  • Plastic Origamist...and not too shabby with the painting either!
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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #40 on: March 15, 2012, 08:16:40 PM »
Lovely  :-*
"They know you can do anything, So the question is, what don't you do?"

-David Fincher

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #41 on: March 16, 2012, 03:53:47 AM »
Any admiral worth his salt would be green with envy not to have a bird this hot on his deck!

Brian da Basher

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #42 on: March 16, 2012, 05:20:27 AM »
Thanks guys ;)
Don't worry, hopefully I'll buy those GE exhausts soon.
I've been too busy with school work and being tight on cash.
Oh yeah, i've added more details to the plane itself last night.
Started painting the AIM-200 AMRAAMS.
2 AMRAAMS will be put on each wing station.
The belly will have the 35mm gun pod (GPU-9)
If you're wondering about the head of the robot, I will try and scratchbuild that later.
This model won't be done for a while so it's still gonna be a good ride for everyone :)
Thanks again!
« Last Edit: March 16, 2012, 05:23:45 AM by mikejapan »

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #43 on: March 21, 2012, 06:36:54 AM »
Just some more pics.
FYI= I was building a 1/48th scale Hasegawa F-16C for my friend but we had some "problems" and the plane will stay with me.
WELL! I could either make it a regular Falcon or possibly convert it to the QF-2200 Ghost ;)
Bad thing is.... Wings are already super glued on and that'll be interesting to remove........





« Last Edit: March 21, 2012, 06:38:55 AM by mikejapan »

Offline Artoor_K

  • On the run from Polish Rivet Counters...
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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #44 on: March 21, 2012, 07:24:16 AM »
WELL! I could either make it a regular Falcon or possibly convert it to the QF-2200 Ghost ;)

I hope You'll convert it to Ghost  :D Everything looks very good now , I'm waiting for more :)
Sickening, weakening
Don't let another somber pariah consume your soul
You need strengthening, toughening
It takes a bit of dark to rekindle the fire burning in you
Ignite the fire within you

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #45 on: March 22, 2012, 03:48:45 AM »
Nice work on the decals, especially the smaller placards. Details like that really add to the realism. I should know, I omit them constantly.

Seriously though, you should be mighty proud of this baby and it's not even done yet!

Brian da Basher

Offline sotoolslinger

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #46 on: March 22, 2012, 04:02:37 AM »
Sweet  :) Keep it up bubba.

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #47 on: March 22, 2012, 06:11:15 AM »
THANKS AGAIN GUYS!
Yeah i'm surprised that it used to be a regular F-14A.
Came a long way to become what it is now :)

Offline mikejapan

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #48 on: March 30, 2012, 05:01:19 AM »
Small update on the Phoenix
I will buy F-15 engine nozzles tonight.
I picked the Eagles engines because they resemble the VF-0's much closer than the GE motors used in the F-14.
Sorry for the long absence on this project

Offline finsrin

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Re: Converting Academy 1/48 F-14A to VF-0 Phoenix
« Reply #49 on: March 30, 2012, 10:48:57 AM »
Looks as bad, fast and fuel thursty as they get.  Sweet build.  :)