Grumman F-14A Tomcat "Top Gun Iceman & Slider" 1/72 Academy Full Build Video | RWO Models

[@DarksouIjah]

Awesome job. My favorite plane. My father was the Chief Safety Inspector for this plane. He work for Grumman for 35 years.

[@RWOModels]

That is fantastic, appreciate your comment! Hope you and your Dad are doing well. Best regards from Germany. Cheers, RWO

[@DarksouIjah]

@@RWOModels Thank you.

[@josealejandroalvaradobotei8584]

@@RWOModels 👌👌🇨🇱✈️

[@robertjohnston8290]

Academy has come a long way in the precision of their kits. Snap tight to a whole new level. The accuracy of the joints is fantastic.

[@RWOModels]

Absolutely, putting this Tomcat together was a real pleasure. I like the newer Academy kits a lot, fortunately I have a few more in my stash. 🙂 Thanks for watching! 👍

[@sseltrek1a2b]

immensely satisfying watch/build...love how you could still here the "clicking" of the parts coming together, etc...

[@RWOModels]

Really appreciate your comment, happy you like the way I do these build videos! 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@sultanofswing8270]

Probably the best build to date I’ve seen of this kit, absolutely outstanding 👏👏

[@RWOModels]

Thank you, appreciate your kind comment! A lot of effort went into this project, so I'm glad you like it! :) Thanks for watching!

[@grantmiller6570]

That's a great build, I really like the real world, dirty, distressed look of well used modern military jet aircraft.

[@ljscalemodels526]

Stunning RWO

[@darthhokum]

Perfect build 👍👍👍

[@EddiesGarage]

Exellent build with impressive mottling effects.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! For this build I actually tried a few techniques that were new to me and also swapped out my old H&S airbrush for a better, much more precise Iwata which actually made quite a difference... Glad you liked the result. 🙂

[@septiccalling8341]

Stunning, magnificent and a joy to watch.......

[@RWOModels]

Many thanks! Happy you like the video! :)

[@JeiBeeBee]

Great build video and top result. Interesting to see how you used the template for the early mottling effects.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! It was actually the first time I used the template for the mottling, makes it quite easy. :) Thanks for watching!

[@ralphford4302]

Fabulous job, from start to finish, thank you for a great posting

[@RWOModels]

Thanks so much for your comment, happy you liked the video! 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@rafaell.4585]

Really nice work!!! Very realistic paint job, I´m planning to build a Tomcat and your model will be a reference. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@tonydeschryver4682]

Outstanding paint work.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you so much 😀

[@orlandoclark8062]

Very good details. Good job👍

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much!

[@guiduz3469]

Superb

[@peteradshead6566]

Fabulous! If my Academy F-14 looks half as good as yours I'll be very pleased.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! The Academy F-14 is an excellent kit, enjoy your build! 🙂

[@gianluigimarino8264]

Great job. Thank you! 😃😃

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much!🙂

[@gianluigimarino8264]

@@RWOModels Thanks you too!

[@bromhead100]

fantastic build, the first person i have seen on here getting the nozzles right(1 open 1 closed) i got mine wrong.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! Luckily the kit offers optional parts for open and closed nozzles, so after a bit of research I was happy I could replicate the characteristic nozzle positions on the model. 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@kiwiruna9077]

A fantastic build and enjoyable to watch, the soundtrack also was perfect it was not too loud looking forward to your next video, an f-35 perhaps?

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! Glad you liked the build as well as the video. F-35 would be awesome, exceptional bird! I'm still on the fence about what to build next... so many kits here waiting to be done, but I'll keep your suggestion in my mind. 🙂 Thanks!

[@orlandoclark8062]

Like the detail. The weathering is neat looking

[@RWOModels]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@JesusNOTreLIEgion]

this was well done, pleasing and relaxing to watch, great cinematography and editing. I used to build model airplanes when I was a young boy, now at 35yo this video has me wanting to get back into it. How much $$ did this cost? Anyways, thanks for the upload brother. May Jesus bless you and yours during these trying global times. Sending love from the US

[@RWOModels]

Thank you so much for your kind words, very happy you had a good time watching the video and found it inspiring. ☺️ I (re-)discovered this hobby at the age of 49, started with building the Revell Saturn V (it was the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing)🚀. I only bought a couple of basic tools, glue, a few paintbrushes and some acrylic paints required to finish the model, so not much money spent, maybe 50 to 60 Euros including the kit itself. Pretty quickly during the build I decided I wanted to try airbrushing, so I bought the cheapest airbrush set on Amazon for around 80 Euros or so. It was quite a mess at first but I had so much fun with this build that I wanted to do more models, and so I gradually upgraded my tools, accessories, paints and airbrush setup while my skills got a bit better with each new build (I have videos of all my builds on my channel, so if you like you can see how things developed 🙂). Today, three years later, I have a lot of equipment and stuff lying around and spent quite a few Euros for everything. This F-14A kit by Academy (which is of excellent quality) costs around 30 Euros, plus all the paints and stuff, but of course these can also be used on other models. After all, for me personally the most important thing is to have fun and find inner peace and relaxation... Again, very happy I could inspire you, maybe you'll find your way back into the hobby as well! 🙂 All the best to you and your loved ones, take care! Greetings from Germany, Oliver/RWO

[@hobbymodeling]

Very good work 👍

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! 👍

[@AntonioGarcia-kp3df]

Nice setup and nice watch.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! 👍🙂

[@raimee81]

Your airbrush style is slow and must take lots of patience. But the results speak for itself. Wonderful finish of a beautiful bird!

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! The airbrush painting may appear slower than usual because this video doesn't use time lapse camera unlike the majority of build videos out there. 🎥 But indeed this actually might have been the most time-consuming paint job of all of my builds... happy you like it! 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@glenflanderka6504]

Great work. Paint and weathering is superb!

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! Before I started this build I actually changed and improved a few things with my painting/airbrush setup so I'm really happy you liked the results. 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@markryan9708]

Fantastisch, echt super!

[@RWOModels]

Vielen Dank! 🙂

[@matildamodels]

I wanna follow your skill to show your videos. Excellent job!

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much, I'm happy you like my work! 👍☺️

[@kapselek5861]

Great miniature. Well done

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! 👍

[@foreverplastickits138]

*Splendid, your Tomcat is really amazing!*

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! 👍🙂

[@ACP_1123]

Great video, your B-52 model video made me want to get into making these on my own, and so I went out and bought a few kits including that B-52 kit. Unfortunately I haven't found the time to really put things together but nonetheless you've introduced me to a really cool hobby for an aviation buff like me. Keep up the great work man.

[@RWOModels]

Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, really appreciate it! It is a great hobby, very satisfying to hold the finished model in your hands after many hours of fiddling around with all those tiny parts and messing with glue, putty and paints. :) Take your time and begin with smaller, easy to build models with simple paint schemes. The Academy B-52H is one of the absolute favorites in my collection but it is quite big and requires a bit of practice and experience to build although the kit quality as such is excellent and almost everything goes together very nicely. Have fun with your builds, I wish you all the best! Greetings from Germany, RWO

[@PirateMTH_ToddH]

Great work. I think I should try this kit. Thanks!

[@RWOModels]

I think you can't go wrong if you want to build a beautiful, well detailed F-14. I also have the old Italeri F-14A kit from the Top Gun set with raised panel lines and all that, and this Academy new tool kit is lightyears ahead. :) Thanks for watching!

[@swing.wing_singh]

Craftsmanship unsurpassable

[@RWOModels]

Thank you so much, happy you like the model! 👍🙂

[@jackpenny1910]

Amazing build. How do you apply the parts made from the tablet pack without them falling off your tweezers?

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! To be honest I don't know, the parts simply stuck to the tweezers, maybe there were some tiny residues of CA glue? 🤔☺️ Thanks for watching!

[@reybombay4095]

Great built. Although VFA-25 Fist of the fleet is not an F-14 squadron and its mostly flown by A-7s and F/A-18 jets, its the movies error actually. Again great built.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! Yes, some details are not very accurate in the movie... I just tried to replicate the airplane just as it looked and appeared on the screen. 🙂 Thanks for watching! 👍

[@lawtongore7053]

Nice job 👍👍👍....I didn't know that you could print your own specific decals like that? That's really cool....

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! In fact I also didn't know it was possible until my better half showed me this special decal paper/foil which is as thin as the regular decals (if not even thinner). She then printed the names and the "106" with a laser printer for me and it worked great! 🙂 Thanks for watching! 👍

[@lawtongore7053]

@@RWOModels thank you 👍👍👍 I'll have to get some of that decal paper and give it a try...

[@TheModelorian]

Hey Oliver, deine Tomcat ist wieder einmal erstklassig umgesetzt und das Video gefällt mir sehr! Alles sehr stimmig und fast schon meditativ. Die Idee mit den Blisterpackstücken als Gurtschnallen ist mega! Das werde ich mir wohl angucken müssen! 😉 Beste Grüße!

[@RWOModels]

Vielen Dank, Modelorian! Der meditative, reduzierte Stil ohne viel Schnickschnack und Rumgelaber ist ja ein zentrales Element meiner Videos, darum freut es mich sehr, dass es dir gefallen hat. Die Gurtverschlüsse könnte man ohne viel Aufwand sogar noch etwas detaillierter machen ... vielleicht ein andermal ... 😉 Danke fürs Anschauen und viele Grüße!

[@henrikcarstensen2598]

My Dear fellow, what a fantastic build. It is as allways a sublime pleasure to Watch your films. I also Think your choice in music is spot every time. It is EXTREMELY good for my bloodpressure😊. Could you give me at hint, on how you spray Vallejo with such a fantastic result? Marry Christmas from Denmark.

[@RWOModels]

Hello my friend, and first of all apologies for my late reply. I caught covid recently and have been pretty much knocked out during the last couple of weeks... Anyways, thank you so much for your wonderful comment, I'm really happy you had a great time watching my videos! I always try to create a relaxing, "clean" and peaceful atmosphere and actually spend a lot of time selecting the suitable soundtrack, so again, I'm happy you like it! :) Regarding Vallejo paints, I don't do anything too special, maybe the "secret" is to just "read" each paint and its properties since they all seem to be a bit different. I always spray at low pressures and add a good amount of Vallejo Airbrush Thinner, and sometimes also a few drops of Flow Improver to achieve the proper, thin consistency. By now I'm actually switching to other brands if I need a specific new color, mostly Tamiya and Mr. Color... Thanks for watching, and best wishes from Germany! Cheers, RWO

[@henrikcarstensen2598]

Dear RWO. Thank you for your answer, hope you are Well after The covid😊

[@RWOModels]

I'm slowly recovering, thank you, Henrik! Cheers! :)

[@danielcgomez]

Great build!

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! 👍🙂

[@SprueFascinationChannel]

Really nice Tomcat👌

[@RWOModels]

Thank you, happy you like it! Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@VNAV_PTH]

The kit design is very similar to the 48 scale Tamiya F-14D I am building.

[@RWOModels]

I would certainly choose the awesome Tamiya kit as well if I would build 1/48 scale. 👍🙂 Enjoy your build and thanks for watching!

[@VNAV_PTH]

@@RWOModels Thanks for uploading. I mostly build 48 scale because of the size. I would have liked the Gripen in 32nd scale tho because it's so tiny.

[@CFster]

How do you not get clouding on the cockpit glass when using cement?

[@RWOModels]

Before attaching the clear parts I usually do a little test by cutting off a part of clear sprue and adding some cement. If that's fine and there's no fogging visible I'll just continue, otherwise I choose some other type of glue. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@stevenyoung1999]

I don’t understand why you fade-effect some of the decals, ( usaf emblem below cockpit) to the point they’re hardly visible, yet the squadron graphics on the tail and the pilots names are “freshly painted” look. Am I missing some thing? (Genuine question by the way, not a criticism at all, I love the work, just trying to understand for my own info)

[@RWOModels]

Good question, thanks for bringing this up. As far as I know the squadron insignia on the tail were actually stickers they attached to the aircraft used for filming. Also they obviously painted Iceman's and Slider's names over the actual crew names below the cockpit. So these two elements appeared rather "fresh" and crisp whereas the rest of the aircraft looked pretty weathered and the colors faded with a lot of touch-ups. However, I made a mistake on the "104" on the nose of the model. The actual aircraft apparently carried the "106" modex (as still seen on the wings), and they likely just put a "4" sticker over the "6", so this probably should be darker than the rest. Also, the "4" sticker was vertical, the first two digits should be in italics. Unfortunately I only discovered this detail after I had already finished the build. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what I found out during my researches. Thanks for watching! Cheers, RWO

[@nickward4963]

Gorgeous build, well done. Can I ask how long you left the panel wash to dry for before removal, and was it just damp tissue you used to remove if? Many thanks

[@RWOModels]

Thank you very much! The wash dried pretty quickly, on some areas I left in on for 15 minutes, on some for maybe an hour or so while I was doing other stuff. It was the first time I used AK washes, next time I think I'll thin them a bit down since I personally found them a bit heavy. On most areas I used dry towels to remove the excess, some areas needed a bit of turpentine/thinner. Actually quite nice and easy products to work with. Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@llNATEDOGGll]

So was this the Italeri or Academy kit?

[@RWOModels]

It is the Academy kit with the Italeri decals. Sorry if this wasn't clear from the video.

[@colesrc1618]

Love the videos, can’t find anything like this anywhere! Can we get a paint/supply list in the future so we can attempt these ourselves?

[@RWOModels]

Thanks so much for your comment, happy you like the videos! 🙂 Regarding paint/supply lists, I usually add callouts for most products I use in the video, but I see your point of having a complete reference in one place. I think I'll add a product list to the video descriptions in the future... Thanks for bringing this up! 👍

[@frankiehobby]

It’s great.

[@RWOModels]

Thank you!

[@dodgerXIII]

Have no words 😍

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! ☺️

[@dodgerXIII]

@@RWOModels no! Thank you 🙏 for that awesome 🤩 Tomcat legend

[@RWOModels]

Absolutely, the F-14 really is a legendary aircraft! 👍 Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@andrewsartscalemodels]

Description says academy but box is italeri. Did I miss something? Is it a rebox?

[@RWOModels]

Sorry this was unclear from the video. If you watch again you'll see that at first I open the Italeri kit box, take the decal sheet out and put the box away. Now you'll see the Academy kit which I then used for the build. I kept this video sequence as short as possible to continue right into the actual build, but maybe it was too quick. Thanks for watching!

[@fishnchips5826]

Hi can you make a video on how you make your own custom decal? Yours looks amazing 😳

[@RWOModels]

Thank you! I would love to give you some advice regarding the decals but my girlfriend actually printed these for me according to my specifications, and I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about how she did it. I'm sorry. 🫣 Thanks for watching!

[@josegarrido1602]

Hola dónde puedo conseguir la plantilla que usas para dar el blanco insignia gracias

[@RWOModels]

Hi there, I'm not sure if I understood your comment correctly. Which white insignia (?) are you referring to? Thanks!

[@josegarrido1602]

@@RWOModels me refiero ala plantilla que usas

[@Jannik_Stein]

Hi, was für einen Pinsel benutzt du?

[@RWOModels]

Für die Detailbemalungen benutze ich einen Roubloff Kolinsky 101F in Größe 00 und einen günstigeren Kreul 720230 (Rotmarder-Imitation) Größe 000. Danke fürs Anschauen!

[@borcam7381]

16:30 what is this equipment(not paint)

[@RWOModels]

Hi, this is a special paint template made by AK Interactive (also available from other manufacturers). With this template you can easily create so-called "mottling effects" that are used to paint weathered and used-looking surfaces. If you want to learn more about it look for "mottling technique" and/or "black-basing technique". Thanks for watching!

[@anrichipashvili7980]

hello wich airbrush are you using????:)

[@RWOModels]

Hi, sorry for my slow reply. For this build I actually used four different airbrushes. 🙂 In the video you can see my old Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Silverline (0.2 and 0.4mm nozzles) which gave me some headaches in the last year or so due to the sometimes unresponsive trigger and constant issues with air leakages. My new airbrushes are Sparmax Max-3 (0.3mm nozzle), Iwata Eclipse HP-CS (0.35mm nozzle) and my favorite Iwata HP-B Plus (0.2mm nozzle) which I now use for all the detail work as well as the camouflage colors of this build. All of these three airbrushes are very precise and responsive and a joy to work with. Thanks for watching!

[@anrichipashvili7980]

@@RWOModels 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@lgmnowkondo938]

What's your problem, Kazansky?

[@brockclark7404]

Most of them f14s from topgun were vf 111 planes with different paint schemes

[@RWOModels]

That explains why the planes appearing in the movie all look different when you watch closely. Sometimes hard to tell them apart... :) Thanks!

[@pumminnie3112]

104 wing 106

[@RWOModels]

Looks strange but is actually screen accurate. I studied a lot of still images from the movie.

[@HelioWakasugui]

Nose shape still looks a bit off

[@jaimeaquino6088]

Great build! One thing though, how come the numbers on the wing says 106?

[@RWOModels]

As far as I know the original aircraft that was used as "Iceman's F-14" for the Top Gun movie carried the 106 modex. In the movie however Iceman's aircraft had the 104 modex so the production crew quickly needed to change this. On the nose it looked like they simply put a "4" sticker over the 6 but they probably forgot to change the numbers on the wings/flaps. At least that's the explanation I found during my research for this model. I don't know if this story is true or not but I do know that the plane really carried both numbers because you can see it in the actual movie scenes when you watch it slowly frame by frame. It is only visible for a couple of seconds and looks really strange but that's the way it actually appeared in the movie. 🙂 Thanks!

[@jaimeaquino6088]

@@RWOModels Ahh, that’s a cool movie trivia. I’ll keep an eye out for it when i do another rewatch. Thanks!

[@robertjensen1438]

Just a comment for the algorithm

[@collinmccallum]

thats one cool airplane. checkout my video of my trixter beam build. getting ready to start a bellanca cruisemaster!

[@tombaldwin2820]

Awesome build, is there anyway I could email or text you about your paint technique? Tom Baldwin

[@RWOModels]

Hi Tom, would you mind adding a comment below so I can try to answer your questions here? Thanks!