1400 series Jets

[Sai1704]

Hello, all.
My supplies that were supposed to come from the US have arrived. Over the next few days, I shall try to finish detailing the Mustang. I happened to also get both the F-14 Tomcat and the F-16a Fighting Falcon, when I asked for either As it happens, I even have a Hellcat on the shelf, but I'll start with the Falcon first.
I would also like to see some other builds of the planes of this series, as I don't think many have built these.
BTW I don't think I'll be filling with balsa as I mentioned in an earlier post. It will be tissue or silkspan covered wet.

[Sai1704]

All frame work is done. I am working with the plastics and other details. It has a very different approach on the build.

Now I am deciding if it should be covered or be left as it is. As far as I can see, not covering it gives a better aspect of the intricacy and structure/shape of the plane, but covering it gives it more detail and realism, but with the additional work of painting. Suggestions, please.

[davidchoate]

on Nov. modeler photos a guy did an F-16, left uncovered, but painted the plastic and bones Red, White, and Blue. It looks cool.

[ADW 123]

Cover if you want the challenge. It takes longer and is certainly harder but it is worth it...

[Sai1704]

Covered, it shall be, but maybe not painted. The decals should be enough, I feel, to make it look real enough. Besides, I want the framework to be seen through the covering.

[Billy Mc]

Covered, it shall be, but maybe not painted. The decals should be enough, I feel, to make it look real enough. Besides, I want the framework to be seen through the covering.

I decided to not dope my tissue. After shrinking with water and allowing it to completely dry I lightly sprayed it with Testors 1834 Wet Look Clear one coat lacquer. It looks great and the frame work shows through better than just dry paper.
Billy

[Sai1704]

Done covering, but change in plans. Many overlaps and seams in tissue look kind of awkward, and the tissue looks dull, so I am going to paint it too . Not in any colour scheme though. Silver all over, with touch ups on some of the detail parts and decals.

[Sai1704]

Finished the final assembly. Just looking at it makes me proud .

[ADW 123]

Looks great. FYI silver is tricky to shoot because it tends to highlight any imperfections in the tissue. You'll want to give those overlaps a sand with some fine sandpaper and probably another coat of dope so those overlaps don't stand out.

[Sai1704]

ADW 123, I tried light sanding at the seams, but the tissue began to roll up and I feared it would eventually rip, so i left it.
After 2 coats of silver paint-

I am glad the framework is still showing, so it still looks like a stick and tissue plane.

[Sai1704]

It's done! Overall very demanding and intricate build. Can't wait to do the F-14 after this, but I want to finish my Hellcat first.






Yeah, there are many wrinkles, they developed after spray-painting. I thought the sag would get back to normal. But I don't think it spoils its look much.
Pretty shiny, huh?

[ADW 123]

looks great anyways. It looks like most of the imperfections in your tissue job came from fuselage former corners sticking out in between stringers. tissue will wrinkle at places like these because there is no structure in between formers to hold the tissue up. I usually just sand those corners flat to avoid the issue. some people scallop the formers too to prevent the former edges from showing through. If you don't know what scalloping is you can just search the term on the forum and find some threads with good pictures. nice work


regarding the wrinkles that developed after spray painting: if you try to put too heavy of a coat on the paint will sag the tissue and it will dry before the tissue goes back tight. it demands some discipline but you'll want to use light coats instead to avoid the problem.

great work. keep going.

[Sai1704]

Thanks ADW 123.
I have begun with the build of the F-14 as well. Definitely more complicated than the F-16. I plan to add a twist to the structure, not of my own, I might add. I saw one of these jets with one half covered and painted and the other half left bare. It contrasts the design and actual appearance. I wanted to try this as well. Also, for something more awkward, I will make one side of the wing swept and the other extended.

[davidchoate]

looks nice, but I have never had luck with silver paint. Also if you have the patience infill then use lightweight spackle, and acrylics. I learned this from David Duckett. I posted my P-40 for show, and my Edge which shows how I did it. You should go to Virtual Aerodrome and check out some of Davids buils. he is very good at finish and paint.

[Sai1704]

Thanks David c. I have seen many of David d's builds and they are great.
I have completed the structure and covering.




I want to paint it somewhat like the Blue angels' hornets, blue with yellow tips on wings, stab and fin.