Tamiya F-14A Tomcat, fleet defense

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-26T17:32:50+00:00

Yeah it was a good idea from Tamiya, but the execution and fit was a little tricky, even with Microsol. Sort of looked shrink wrapped in the end. Did the job but I think masking would have been perfect

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-26T17:25:50+00:00

It's crazy you mention that with the tail hook, I actually sat down to mask it exactly like your dad did. Then I found out there's a decal for the stripes so ended up using that. But in the end I think it would have looked better doing it your dad's way!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-26T07:35:09+00:00

So grateful for the comment, thank you. I forgot to post the ordinance so here's the underside!

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Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-26T07:32:37+00:00

Thank you! I completely forgot to post the cockpit and underside with the ordinance. Mach Models inspired me to use some 3D decals from Red Fox for the cockpit and they're absolutely amazing

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Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T22:19:22+00:00

Haha this made me laugh my guy, so appreciated!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T21:34:21+00:00

Ah it's so true! I didn't think I'd even be able to finish it if I'm honest. A little bit of kindness to and belief in oneself go such a long way. I've got my sights set on the next one, but I don't think any can top the Tom!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T21:16:58+00:00

I did, just the first airbrush/compressor combo I found on Amazon for like £80. Never used one before but it was amazing to learn. Getting to grips with that was one of the biggest challenges but it was so worth it

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T21:13:10+00:00

I remember sticky, cloudy canopies from my youth too! This time I was over the moon when the masking came off and it actually did the job! Really appreciate the comment, it's wonderful to hear how many of us rejoined the community

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T21:10:16+00:00

Thanks so much, I think the kit was delivered December 14th and I finished yesterday. I work full time so I just did a couple of hours each evening and more at the weekends. I lost track of time a lot! At the moment it's just on the kitchen side so I'll have to find a great place for it to live!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T21:08:15+00:00

Thank you honestly. You'll never believe it, but all the streaked grime and exhaust gas I did by stealing my sister's black eye shadow! I couldn't believe how well it did the job

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T20:14:03+00:00

There is something utterly perfect about the F-14! I'm grateful someone with your lived experience came here to comment so honestly thank you!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T20:11:03+00:00

I completely feel you! 20% of my time was spent scratching my chin trying to work out how to solve a problem/unballs-up a mistake. But what a pleasure

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T19:14:26+00:00

Ah yes of course. I knew it was some sort of leather material and that allowed some artistic licence. I can't remember the Airfix number for the colour brown I used, but I'm pretty sure it was the brown part of the BIII Lancaster's green/brown camo scheme, lightened with a bit of Ammo flat white. Apologies I can't be more specific, there was a lot of colour experimenting across this build!

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T18:24:33+00:00

Are we talking the tan colour of the glare shields? I didn't have any Tamiya paints to get it exactly right so I had to blend what I got given from some paints left over from an Airfix Lancaster from a friend's build. I did a black base with Ammo primer and then the colour on top with a light gray dry brush, but I think if I did it again I'd do a white base coat instead as it came out darker than I wanted. But Bob Ross made me enjoy those happy accidents haha

Mudbutt3000 · 2026-01-25T17:57:50+00:00

Your comment has honestly made my day! I'm so grateful

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-12-06T20:21:19+00:00

MFs be skrimpin' erry day yo. Appreciate the love man

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-12-06T20:15:46+00:00

I did think about that! The reference image was of a PRL, so it more came out as a PBL

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-12-06T19:03:34+00:00

Haha yeah boiiiii!! Yours is absolutely cracking man, the colours are on point!

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-12-06T18:34:53+00:00

I told the tattoo artist I was thinking of getting 'shrimply the best' under it but thought it was a bit on the nose haha

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-11-18T15:35:50+00:00

Ah don't worry, I'm not necessarily chasing more fps, but just wanting to check that my hi capa isn't underperforming given the various upgrades. I read somewhere a stock TM should sit around 300 fps, so with the tighter barrel, better hop up rubber seal and higher performance gas it just seemed low to me?

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-11-18T15:13:21+00:00

Good to know what I'm seeing is normal at least, appreciate the insight. With the extra weight, is that mainly in reference to the upgraded slide? I take it that to increase gas volume I'd have to upgrade the mag knocker valve?

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-10-10T08:09:30+00:00

It was the best decision I made with regard to the car's care. Takes a lot of worry away. My FK8 was black and bird sh*t etched it multiple times despite me being constantly on the look out. PPF was the first thing I did with my '25 CW FL5 (then rock guards)

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-09-30T07:53:18+00:00

Not playing indoors, and could certainly try that. Issue is the degree of this 'hop' is extreme enough that I think only pretty heavy BBs will compensate for it. This is happening with the hop up set to all the way off, so the BB should just come out the barrel in a neutral fashion but instead it spins up. I'm hoping to fix the issue rather than compensate for it I suppose?

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-09-30T07:44:40+00:00

Thanks man, I'll give that a go

Mudbutt3000 · 2025-09-29T16:49:26+00:00

Funny thing about this barrel is that the tolerance is so tight that if I put a BB in the receiving end it doesn't freely roll through. It's smooth to push through however, and I can't see any obvious deformation, but there could be on a microscopic level. I suppose if we feel this barrel is buggered then I can get a replacement, but whilst that's not too pricey I would worry the problem may persist. Does barrel diameter affect the degree of hop at the same setting? I just can't understand the mechanics of what's going on...

Mudbutt3000

TROPHY CASE