I've been busy with my photography for the last few years and haven't had time to work on any of my models. Not to mention that there has been so many things that I've had to do other than photography or models. Part of that is organizing the house so that taking care of chores is done quickly...rather than spending all day on it. In some ways, I hate the way that chores get in the way of stuff that is more enjoyable to do. But that's the way it works out.
But sometimes I do find that I'd like to be able to finish off that 1/48 F-14A Tomcat. It's trying to find a tire black that doesn't dry glossy when I use a brush to paint it on, same with the cockpit area. the ability to be able to paint it with a brush so that I get a matte finish.
I think I may have to strip off some of the paint and get it freshly repainted with the proper paint. I've thought about using Chaos Black from Citadel Paints for the cockpit and the tires. Then I have to redo the cockpit with Dark Gull Grey (FS36231). I tried Aircraft Interior Black (Testors) FS 37031, and ended up with it coming out extremely glossy. What I'm going to have to do is try what David Aungst did with his own F-14 Tomcat: Engine Gray (FS36076), European-I Gray (FS36081), or even Black-Gray (RLM 66) - Although I'm not sure where I can get RLM66. I've also found that I've had to get "flat-coat" or "dull-cote" in order to bring the sheen off the instrument panels.
I feel like I'm going to have to pay a visit to my local hobby store to get a few 10/0 brushes.
Brush painting is a pain in the ass, but I find that way it lets me have more control over where the paint goes, than by flat out spraying with an airbrush. I just have to find the right mixture of thinner/paint to paint-brush with.
After the F-14A Tomcat, I'm going to go after the F-117A. What's pathetic is that I bought the model mid-way through it's service and then did nothing with it and now the actual aircraft is now retired. Oh, well...it'll go OK on my shelf once I get that done.
