Phil's AMK 1/48 F14D SuperTomcat

[PhilJ]

Hi All,
Hope everyone who reads this is happy and well.
This is pretty much full circle I guess, as an 80's kid an F14 was probably the fist kit I built with my late father (rather badly).
Seeing a Tomcat in my local hobby shop in Welling in Kent blew my mind, I'd seen it in topgun and I'd seen it at airshows now I could build one. Loads of glue and humbrol enamel paint later something resembling a F14 was hanging from my ceiling.
Since I picked up the hobby a few years ago I knew I'd do one but concentrated on my WW2 models, now I have a couple of commission builds under my belt I feel relatively comfortable taking this on.
I still don't get much time but I'll post when I can and apologies for not following everyone as much as I'd like.
The kit looks pretty awesome with some nice features I'll point out along the way.

 

[PhilJ]

Made a start on the "office" the seats were a bit clean so I distressed them a bit with the dremmel, a sanding stick and some extra thin.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Phil
I don't think I have heard of AMK kits before. It will be interesting to see how this build up.
Jim

 

[scottie3158]

Hi Phil,
Welcome aboard and I will follow along.

 

[Dave Ward]

AMK = Avantgarde Model Kits - I don't know if they are still going, their website doesn't exist anymore, and their Facebook page hasn't been updated since Nov. 2021.
They produce(d) 1/48 & 1/72 Aircraft models - super detailed models, with some superb slide moulded parts ( single piece Phoenix, Sparrows, & Sidewinders! ) - I have the AMK IAI 1/72 Kfir C2/C7 in the stash - very nice!
Dave
I did an inbox review of the 1/72 Kfir https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/amk-1-72-iai-kfir-c2-c7-avantgarde-inbox-review.38680/

 

[Fernando N]

Nice Super-Tomcat Phil, looks a nice kit to build have fun

 

[PhilJ]

Hi Phil,
Welcome aboard and I will follow along.

Been on board a while, just been quiet of late, hope I can do the build justice

 

[PhilJ]

Hi Phil
I don't think I have heard of AMK kits before. It will be interesting to see how this build up.
Jim

AMK = Avantgarde Model Kits - I don't know if they are still going, their website doesn't exist anymore, and their Facebook page hasn't been updated since Nov. 2021.
They produce(d) 1/48 & 1/72 Aircraft models - super detailed models, with some superb slide moulded parts ( single piece Phoenix, Sparrows, & Sidewinders! ) - I have the AMK IAI 1/72 Kfir C2/C7 in the stash - very nice!
Dave
I did an inbox review of the 1/72 Kfir https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/amk-1-72-iai-kfir-c2-c7-avantgarde-inbox-review.38680/

Yep, Dave is right. Avantgarde model kits, this is a new tooling from 2021 so pretty new and definitely the newest kit I've ever built. Having had a good look it's as good as the Tamiya by the looks of things, was a bit cheaper too so bonus. The details is pretty impressive with some slip moldings and missles molded in a cage styles so no seems.
Can't wait to get stuck in

 

[colin m]

AMK is new to me as well Phil. Overall, is the detail good ?

 

[Code no 10]

The build is coming well, Phil. What sort of missile does the kit the comes with?

 

[PhilJ]

AMK is new to me as well Phil. Overall, is the detail good ?

The detail looks as good as I've seen on a F14 to be fair will take a shot of some of the sprues and post

 

[PhilJ]

Nice detail on the martin bakers, about 15 pieces make up each seat including the PE belts, I also added a little strap between each harness and also some clips for each belt

 

[PhilJ]

Some decals have been added to the cockpit, fiddly but went down pretty well I thought, still more detail to be added

 

[Jim R]

That's a great looking cockpit and seats Phil. I hope it will be seen when it's in the fuselage.

 

[PhilJ]

Here are some images of the sprues, you'll see some parts come in there individual boxes such as the ordanance which some are moulded in a cage for easy separation. Also the nose/fuselage looks like it must be slip molded (the cockpit slides into it).
The canopy has a couple of options either open or closed, and can be built as usual masking and painting or paint the frame and add the glass, looks pretty cool I think

 

[Mickc1440]

Nice start Phil, I've not built a Tomcat since school days so look forward to seeing yours come together.