Zach at TKO Customs

Greetings fellow fans.

I wanted to share with all of you my experience with the Special Edition F-14 Tomcat from JSI. I ordered mine from Bad Cat Toys when I first learned that there would be a LED version that lights up this wonderful display model / toy. Some of the most discerning collectors have voiced concern and in some cases frustration over the weathering paint job provided by the manufacturer. The issues of "spots" has become a popular water-cooler topic on message boards and in the collector community itself. I am one of the individuals who fall into this group that I am describing. I decided that the opportunity to finally own a 1:18 scale Tomcat was not going to stopped by these spots so I ordered one. Rob at Bad Cat Toys has helpful in tracking down a Special Edition version and as promised, The big bird showed up in only 2 days to my door step.

Many of you may already know the rest of the story but for those not at the tip of the collecting spear, I opened that Tomcat knowing full well what I was about to do. My plan: Mask off the existing markings, cockpit, engines, and other important details, and then repaint the plane with a nice fresh coat of flat gray paint! That was exactly what I did! 3 hours later and a few modeling supplies from the local hobby shop worked the christmas miracle I was hoping for! A Beautiful F-14 Tomcat with no more spots no sits proudly as a centerpiece in my large collection of 1:18 scale planes. The model itself is sunning. The detail is impressive. If you are a true fan of the F-14 you will not want miss this chance to own one. So, if you are the of the more particular type of collector such as I. I tell you that there is still hope. Don't let spots stop you. I am writing this article to tell you there are options if you can't live with the spots.

I offer a repaint service to those interested in having it fixed turn-key. You can contact me directly via my email address shown in the photos for details if you are interested. The cost to have the plane repainted as shown in my example photos is $100.00 and it includes the shipping cost to anywhere in the continental US. For my friends in other places I offer the service for $80.00 US dollars and then shipping will be calculated on a case by case basis and you will need to pay for that shipping charge as well. That's one option.

Another is simply to take on the project yourself. If you have any basic modeling skills and you are handy with modeling tapes and an exacto knife you can try it at home. For those folks willing to take your own on I have provided the following research of recommended paints and tools you will need to do what I have done here in these photos. It's not too hard to do it's mostly all about the time that it takes (for me about 3 hours)

Tamiya masking tape 18mm (1 roll) Tamiya Spray paint primer (1 can) Tamiya Spray paint- AS-16 Light Grey (USAF) it's a perfect match to the primary paint color used on the JSI model. (1 can) Tamiya Spray paint- TS-46 Light Sand - needed for the front of the nose cone which is easily removed by 2 screws. (1can) Tamyia Spray paint- Flat sealer (use very sparingly, you don't need much to protect the already superior paint.) Exacto knife

Good Luck and enjoy the F-14!