One thing I really enjoy about doing this is reading stories like yours. This may just be a plastic kit, but it inspires people to remember and start conversation.

I used to live out that way and loved going to see the Tomcat and Intruder static displays. You must have some great memories. You reminded me of a story I heard back when afterburner was first introduced into carrier aircraft. The crew had not been made aware of the new technology, and some were diving for cover when the burner lit, believing it to be an explosion.

I think the Pratt & Whitney engine you're referring to is the P&W F100-PW-1128. It was a predecessor to the F100-PW-229 which powers the F-16C/D Block 52 as well as ANG F-16C/D Block 42 aircraft and most F-15Es and derivatives after the early 1990s. The F100-229 incorporated technologies developed for the F119 engine used in the F-22 Raptor. While I never heard of the PW1128 powering an F-14 in flight it was tested in an F-15A for a program that NASA managed. It managed at least 27,000 lbs thrust but was called 1128, the "28" signifying potential thrust in the 28,000 pound range. The "-229" in the F100-PW-229 classes it as a 29,000 lb thrust engine. I read a brief mention of the modified F-15A in a book about the F-15. That F-15A potentially could have been the hottest-performing F-15 ever flown. It had at least 6,000 lbs extra thrust over the standard A and C-models and was at least 4000 lbs lighter than the E-model empty I'd bet as long as NASA didn't load it up with a ton of test equipment! I used to own a compilation of military aircraft books called the Great Warplanes (I think) and the F-14 section discussed the potential engine upgrades. This was published before the F-14A+ (the modded F-14 Super Tomcat prototype) flew in 1986 so the book was a little out of date. It was nice though because sometimes these "out of date" books have information the later books don't have!

@joemoore Lucky you to be a part of this project!

That’s awesome! I bet he knows the exact challenges of keeping them flying

@@TheModelGuy Yeah, he could literally talk about Grumman and work for days. I never met someone who loved their job that much. He also inspected the E-2C and a few others but it was all about the F-14.

@@DarksouIjah that’s too cool man! I grew up next to CFB Shearwater and had lots of opportunities as a kid to see panels open

@@TheModelGuy Yeah, I’m really proud of it/him. That’s why I mention it in every F-14 build I see. Lol

​@DarksouIjah My uncle retired from the Navy and worked on the E-2D project until recently. His wife works on the Hornet. Now he works on some super classified stuff. All I can know is that it's called the doomsday plane

Thanks James. I try to be as transparent as I can. If I can help someone save some hours by showing my process, that’s a win

Thanks Chris! The Tomcat definitely isn’t short on history.

Thanks George. I appreciate that

Thanks James! It’s off to the races this weekend

Sorry that it’s not wheels up dude :)

Thanks Dean. I try to be as transparent as possible in my videos. If a kit has been a gong show, I say it. I don’t kiss the ass of manufacturers hoping to get free stuff.

@@TheModelGuy as usual lots of great tips as well 👍🏻

I have to give credit where credit is due!

@@TheModelGuy Glad I could help.

They are awesome kits! I didn’t show the build because it’s very easy and there are dozens of videos of them going together step by step. I figured it’d be more interesting to show the weathering

That’s awesome! I should probably do a car at some point too. What brought you back to the hobby?

Thanks dude. I was town between spread or tucked back but ultimately shelf space made the decision. Those wing bladders probably had the most time researching

Thanks David! It’s my favourite part :)

Thanks Wombat !

It sure does. Any links to pictures of yours?

@@TheModelGuy Unfortunately no. I still have the mode but have never really posted anything on line

That’s great to hear bud, thank you :)

Thanks dude :)

Actually it would be 2 Tomcat's.

I don’t know if I’d use the word “respectable”! Thanks :)

Thanks bud. I took even longer narrating to make sure I didn’t have the clicking sound of the mouse in it

Gotta keep the Canadiana strong

Thank you!

There are two shows in Calgary coming up. September 9th is the AMPS show and October 7th is the GOMBs show

I should be popping in a bit more with a few lower key projects on the go.

Thank you

Thanks bud. It’s definitely one of my favourite builds to date

That’s awesome! It’s very easy to miss stuff when you’re adding aftermarket. Or have different variants

What is the title of that video? I’d like to check it out again

440 Squadron-Twin Otter part 1

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j52VZ9Rzz9rdZJc.htmlsi=945aUtsq416iQaHr

Thanks for the kind words Gordon. I like using Mr Color Lacquers because they are a very durable paint. They hold up to handling well, masking and again be lightly sanded to fix any small errors. Acrylic paints can be very fragile and can be easily removed when masked on. Enamels can take ages to dry, slowing things down.

@@TheModelGuy thanks for your reply. Something for me to think about and practice!

Thanks Kev! They are lacquer paints and I prefer them to AKs Enamel line. Just have to be very careful as they polish with any handling if not sealed under a clear.

I’ll have to look that up. I’m more of a DCS guy

Haha thanks Warren. I hope you found it entertaining

I’m shooting at about 17 PSI.

…and the top gun game haha

There’s no rules that you have to weather it. I’m not a big fan of the CAG paints because they seem too flashy. But I’d still weather them with the same level if I did them :)

PS-270…my wife would kill me if I got a 770

@@TheModelGuy I stand corrected. Well just wondered if the PS-270 0.2mm needle can be replaced with smaller needle? Thanks man..

@@briannolasco4911 They don't make a smaller nozzle for it. You can put a 0.3mm needle/nozzle in the 270.

Is VF-1 the brand? 1/72 is too small for my mechanic hands

@@TheModelGuy the vf-1 is a... modified form of the f-14, mostly a concept from a time when nuclear heated jet engines(instead of avgas/kerosene) was an idea bandied about by the more peculiar people out there. swingwings, twin wide set engines, twin vertical stabilisers and elevators replaced with vectored thrust, a much smaller plane, so in 1/72 even smaller than an f-14. mounts for small guns under the cockpit with a large gun pod about the size of the one built into the a-10, ultimately a boring plane, but holds a place in many peoples heart for some of the special features.

@@felderup oh gotcha why I didn’t know it.

@@TheModelGuy it's also entirely fictional, from an 80's anime, there's kits all over the jungle site.

Not everyone in the world speaks with the same accents you know.

@@TheModelGuy no offense intended it’s just that you’re the only person I’ve ever heard pronounce it that way.

@@majesticgrey4769 really? There are quite a few people on here that say it the same as me. Especially the Canadians

Reminds me of that potato song…

I hear lots of Canadians, Aussies, and Brits say it that way. It’s us Americans that say “Dee-cals”

I think the biggest issue with this build is I’m not passionate about the Tomcat so when it came time to editing the video and narrating, there wasn’t a lot of mojo there. Just looking to change things up for a minute

Not in Canada.

@@TheModelGuy should have known lol 😂

Haha. Sci-fi is definitely not my bag

Ca-na-di-an

@@TheModelGuy lol. You Canadians need to speak American better. Awesome work though man.

@@adamallen7854 I’ll start with just speaking better. Then work on my American

No.

I usually have a planned line up unless I get commission work. What is your request?

Well, I wanted to know if you Could Build me a 1:32 Scale Tamiya F-16C Block 50 using a Separate Set of Declas for the South Carolina 157 FS, "Swamp Fox" in Flight Configuration, No Landing Gear Down, and IF I Already have the Model and the Decals for it, How much would you Quote me for the Build, including Shipping to Miami, Florida. Thank You Here's a Link to a Video featuring the South Carolina 157 FS kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o7Cknd1mrpuUp4k.htmlsi=uwJH2BGJw3ltU4WC

@@tonyyhap3370 send me an email: robbienauffts@gmail.com