F-14 Real Size Scale Model

[marianmadalin32]

I am rebuilding a full size replica (a scale model) of an F-14 Tomcat. I am calling all of you, people, to action. Please give me drawings, plans, step by step guidance. 

[HubertB]

Hi, you had the same post on LSP before it vanished, and then you post here, how strange ... 

If your intentions are real, you will get the same type of answers than on LSP: this is a vey ambitious (and not cheap) endeavour, and you need to make sure you get the grasp of what it means to build a full-size static replica of a modern jet. If you are aware of it, and have the drive for what is a very long-haul project, than fine. After all, a Chinese man built, on his own, a steel replica of an A-320...

A word of advice however : you may not be a native english-speaking person. But, in a first post, asking for donations rather than eliciting help and advice is a « surprising » approach, especially when I remember reading on the - apparently deleted -post on LSP that you had no intention of spending one cent ...

HTH

Hubert

[Wumm]

Well firstly, this is predominantly a Modelling website, where most of the members work in plastic or polyurethane resins. A very few are experienced in using metal to skin their builds, but this is an art form beyond most of us here. 

Plastic is probably the way to go. An accurate full sized F-14 in the actual construction materials would require a lot of Titanium for the wing box. As you're seeking donations, sourcing recycled metals would be an easier route; but unless you're Greta Thunberg and have contacts to help you manufacture a fast mode of transportation out of cans, old bicycles and your own sense of entitlement, I wouldn't waste your Childhood on it in my opinion.

Plastic will need to be reinforced internally. Search "Zoukei Mura" on this Forum for examples of unnecessary internal details that will never be seen.

If you can watch some videos in preparation, that will help greatly. Don't hire the movie "Tomcats"; contrary to the title, there are no F-14's in this movie. Similarly, "Top Gun" features an F-14 where the pilot pushes the throttle forward to "hit the brakes"... This is completely wrong, and while it might work for Tom Cruise, it's enough to make most viewers jump up and down on the couch. For this reason alone, disregard every aspect of this particular movie.

Another video to watch, and a possible quick and easy solution for your particular problem; is the title "Firefox", where an American Pilot steals a fully functional fighter aircraft from the former Soviet Union. While it has absolutely no details of F-14's in it, the star of the movie got away with it by simply being able to "think Russian". This aspect alone may greatly assist you in obtaining plans or documents from the current U.S. Administration.

Back to construction... If you're considering plastic, you really need to keep it out of the sun. In my youth, I took a small F-14 model to my Grandmother's house once, but left it in the car by mistake - when I discovered it an hour later, the wings had sagged, and wouldn't retract back into the swept position. So, you'll be able to take off and land, but not go supersonic... And where's the fun in that? You will need to construct a large hangar, at least 20 x 20 metres to house it. But tell no-one. If they find you, they will kill you.

In fact, since you've already put it out here, I'd just give up now. Anyhow, it would probably take less effort to make a Trans-Atlantic fast yacht out of recycled cans and old bicycles.

Unless you can think in Russian, that is.

[marianmadalin32]

@Wumm and the rest of you, thank you very much for being ironical. You just proved your limitations. You don't actually help anyone, because let's face it, you have no idea about scale modelling. But most of you are here only to do what you do best. Rubbish talking. I will close the topic. For me it's very clear what kind of people are here.

[Mikester]

This topic is not really scale modeling related in the traditional sense so I'm locking it down.  Good luck with your project.

[Dave J]

I can understand why people are commenting in the way they are, as you weren't very welcoming asking for assistance. Instead of demanding action and information  @marianmadalin32  , you could of asked in a better way. Maybe like, I am looking at taking on a huge project of building a 1/1 Tomcat. I am looking for information and reference, can anyone point me in the right direction or assist me?

Well, I am not knowledgeable in the said subject, but there is lots of people on Facebook that are very knowledgeable in that area. I would start looking for F-14 Tomcat groups and start looking from there. At my place of work we have built scale props of things using scale models as the base for measurement. Perhaps look at getting new Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat kit (there is A & D versions), and start using that as your base for measurements. From what I understand its are really good kit and the best on the market and its pretty accurate on shape. There are tons of F-14 walkarounds on the net also.

What are you planning to use to build this replica? Wood as the frame and then sheet metal for the skin?

[marianmadalin32]

@Dave J finally you're a guy who knows what he's talking about. Yes, you are right. Wood for frame/structure and then metal for the outside. Metal which is resistive to rain, freezing cold and snow. But should I beg to find out info like you just did ? You must admit that most users registered here have no idea about scale modelling. That is why I need this topic closed. Because people instead of telling me or send me videos with the steps to make: "cut that, do that, draw that, assemble that etc" they're just posting bad things not related to the subject.

[Clunkmeister]

As Mikester had already stated, this site is a scale model site, and your subject material doesn’t really mesh with the spirit and format of the forums. But I do agree with Dave’s recommendations on construction materials.

However, since Mike and Dave jumped on this first, have not yet acted on any thread action, I’ll leave it open. For now.

[Mikester]

20 minutes ago, marianmadalin32 said:

@Dave J finally you're a guy who knows what he's talking about. Yes, you are right. Wood for frame/structure and then metal for the outside. Metal which is resistive to rain, freezing cold and snow. But should I beg to find out info like you just did ? You must admit that most users registered here have no idea about scale modelling. That is why I need this topic closed. Because people instead of telling me or send me videos with the steps to make: "cut that, do that, draw that, assemble that etc" they're just posting bad things not related to the subject.

Marian, first of all you come to a scale plastic modeling website asking for guidance on a full size scale replica F-14 and then insult us when we express some skepticism about the viability of said project.  There is literally a ton of information on the F-14 out there on the internet, please feel free to get off your lazy ass and do your own research rather than expecting us to do it for you.  Piss off.

[John Stedman]

Genuine demilitarised F14 Tomcats are believed to be still available from specialised scrapyards and "boneyards" in the USA. These will be sans engines, weapons and avionics, and may be incomplete. Several have been purchased by film studios for use as props, for example the producers of JAG and NCIS acquired an example. Prices are believed to be in the region of $5,000, and purchasers would be required to undergo security screening. Exporting an F14 whole or in parts outside the USA could raise issues with Homeland Security and US Customs, not least because some of these aircraft were previouly exported to Iran. This may well be the most practical and affordable way to acquire a "replica" of the aircraft, which could then be restored using techniques usually adopted by those who rejuvenate classic cars. Alternatively, if someone genuinely wished to build a full size replica of an F14 from scratch, this would need to begin with the production of a comprehensive business plan that covered all practical aspects of the project, such as finance, timetable, personnel, build location, transport and logistics, equipment required, and some idea of the eventual display location of the beast. Other issues, such as sourcing dimensional information, pale by comparison.

[Ryan]

On 10/4/2019 at 9:30 PM, marianmadalin32 said:

@Dave J finally you're a guy who knows what he's talking about. Yes, you are right. Wood for frame/structure and then metal for the outside. Metal which is resistive to rain, freezing cold and snow. But should I beg to find out info like you just did ? You must admit that most users registered here have no idea about scale modelling. That is why I need this topic closed. Because people instead of telling me or send me videos with the steps to make: "cut that, do that, draw that, assemble that etc" they're just posting bad things not related to the subject.

My many trophy's and other modeling awards would say otherwise.

This is a project that will never see the light of day, it seems you are after a full size prop and not a scale model, perhaps you could contact Disney for some help and perhaps a fitting for a mouse costume.

[Clunkmeister]

8 hours ago, Ryan said:

My many trophy's and other modeling awards would say otherwise.

This is a project that will never see the light of day, it seems you are after a full size prop and not a scale model, perhaps you could contact Disney for some help and perhaps a fitting for a mouse costume.

And Iranian junkyards would be a good place to source any needed AM.

[Clunkmeister]

On a serious note, I can't even imagine the logistics of something on this scale.  Like Mr. Stedman said, perhaps sourcing an demilitarized shell would be the way forward. And if one isn't available out of the USA, perha[ps a semi useable hulk COULD be sourced from Iran.

The big problem is that the US Government knows that the F-14 is still a very viable and capable combat aircraft that in the wrong hands would pose a serious and credible threat to US and Allied Forces. With Iran still flying F-14A's, spare parts would have a huge demand on the black market, so as a result, they've gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that surplus F-14s were smelted down or destroyed/ made inoperable by the most effective way possible.

[Ryan]

I'll drop the nuke.

Forget about the the air frame, that would likely be the easiest part to recreate, you could build this like a giant balsa kit with ply and other materials scaled up from a kit or plans,

Here comes the H bomb though....the canopy, I couldn't fathom the cost just to recreate it.

 

What address do I send my consulting fee to Marian, I also take Paypal.

[marianmadalin32]

11 hours ago, John Stedman said:

Genuine demilitarised F14 Tomcats are believed to be still available from specialised scrapyards and "boneyards" in the USA. These will be sans engines, weapons and avionics, and may be incomplete. Several have been purchased by film studios for use as props, for example the producers of JAG and NCIS acquired an example. Prices are believed to be in the region of $5,000, and purchasers would be required to undergo security screening. Exporting an F14 whole or in parts outside the USA could raise issues with Homeland Security and US Customs, not least because some of these aircraft were previouly exported to Iran. This may well be the most practical and affordable way to acquire a "replica" of the aircraft, which could then be restored using techniques usually adopted by those who rejuvenate classic cars. Alternatively, if someone genuinely wished to build a full size replica of an F14 from scratch, this would need to begin with the production of a comprehensive business plan that covered all practical aspects of the project, such as finance, timetable, personnel, build location, transport and logistics, equipment required, and some idea of the eventual display location of the beast. Other issues, such as sourcing dimensional information, pale by comparison.

Your information is old and outdated. Just a simple small talk from behind the line. There is no "possibility" to buy one. If it was, many civilians would have one by now .

[marianmadalin32]

1 minute ago, Ryan said:

I'll drop the nuke.

Forget about the the air frame, that would likely be the easiest part to recreate, you could build this like a giant balsa kit with ply and other materials scaled up from a kit or plans,

Here comes the H bomb though....the canopy, I couldn't fathom the cost just to recreate it.

 

What address do I send my consulting fee to Marian, I also take Paypal.

Keep waiting until death comes for you, mister. Thanks for the info, but I already started to get the things done.

[marianmadalin32]

15 minutes ago, Clunkmeister said:

On a serious note, I can't even imagine the logistics of something on this scale.  Like Mr. Stedman said, perhaps sourcing an demilitarized shell would be the way forward. And if one isn't available out of the USA, perha[ps a semi useable hulk COULD be sourced from Iran.

The big problem is that the US Government knows that the F-14 is still a very viable and capable combat aircraft that in the wrong hands would pose a serious and credible threat to US and Allied Forces. With Iran still flying F-14A's, spare parts would have a huge demand on the black market, so as a result, they've gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that surplus F-14s were smelted down or destroyed/ made inoperable by the most effective way possible.

True. Then why the small talk ? 

[marianmadalin32]

9 hours ago, Ryan said:

My many trophy's and other modeling awards would say otherwise.

This is a project that will never see the light of day, it seems you are after a full size prop and not a scale model, perhaps you could contact Disney for some help and perhaps a fitting for a mouse costume.

Yeah, thanks for the huge support. You are really helpful !

[marianmadalin32]

Admin, please close once and for all this thread. If someone very serious have something to share with me, I'll expect a pm. When I'll get it done, I will post a picture with the scale model in a separate topic. Until now, asta la vista, baby !

[Wumm]

Despite the irony in my previous post, on this I was deadly serious...

Keep up with this fanciful notion of yours of building a replica of an embargoed warplane... They will find you, and they will kill you.

3 minutes ago, marianmadalin32 said:

Keep waiting until death comes for you, mister.

Be careful what you wish for.

[Ryan]

Marian, if they close the thread we won’t see all of your in progress pics.

[Dave J]

Totally love to see the what he has done already..

So I am not closing this one down at the moment.

[Guest DannyVM]

On 10/5/2019 at 2:45 AM, marianmadalin32 said:

@Wumm and the rest of you, thank you very much for being ironical. You just proved your limitations. You don't actually help anyone, because let's face it, you have no idea about scale modelling. But most of you are here only to do what you do best. Rubbish talking. I will close the topic. For me it's very clear what kind of people are here.

No need to insult people over here. This forum runs on people who have the same interests, en i can insure you, most of us here are very skilled modellers who know what they talking about. Maybe it's best that you ask your question to a more appropriate forum regarding such matters.

I wish you all the luck, and hopefully you can build your full size replica.

Danny

[Clunkmeister]

Exactly, Danny. this does seem like a fanciful project, and most of us, myself included, would have no earthly idea where to even start. An Iranian shell might be the best start. At least you'd have the general form correct. :-/

[smitty44]

Here you go, Make the frames, rivet them together, and then use your metal working skills to skin the aircraft. Go take some measurements at the museum.