The Final Countdown in 1/72 - Academy F-14A Tomcat and Tamiya A6M-2b Zero

[JNordgren42]

Here are the completed models for the first half of my Final Countdown dogfight build. I did the 1/72 Academy F-14A first, with 3D printed cockpit decals by Quinta Studio, pilot figures by Reedoak, VF-84 decal set by Wolfpack Design, and ordinance by Reskit (the stock ordinance was one of the very few let downs in an otherwise stellar Academy kit). The Tamiya 1/72 A6M-2b Zero was built out of the box with only the addition of a Hasegawa pilot figure from their IJN pilot set. They're both still on a temporary LEGO base until I get the other pair built and come up with a more permanent and dynamic display.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shoopdog]

Very cool, makes me want to rewatch the movie.

[Jim B]

Both aircraft are very well done.  Nice job.

[TooOld]

Man that's a nice looking aircraft , and it's going to be a very cool display when finished !  Very well done !

[JNordgren42]

  On 8/23/2024 at 1:38 AM, shoopdog said:

Very cool, makes me want to rewatch the movie.

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Thanks! You have no idea how many times I watched the dogfight scenes for this build to get the little quirky little details right. The Tomcat is pretty spot on, down to the mismatched Sidewinders. I decided to take some artistic license on the Zero. They used converted AT-6 Texans in the movie (they were originally modified for Tora! Tora! Tora!) but I couldn't find a 1/72 Texan kit that matched the quality of the Academy F-14. So I decided to just go with the equally gorgeous Tamiya A6M-2b Zero. The tail code is not correct to either of the Zeros in the film, but it's at least a red AI number from the Akagi. Otherwise I was able to pretty much match the paint scheme from the film.

  On 8/23/2024 at 2:00 AM, Jim B said:

Both aircraft are very well done.  Nice job.

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Thanks!

[TransAmMike]

Super builds, great job Jason!!

[Goose1957]

Very cool builds. I love that movie, one of the best naval movies made,  even if it is fantasy. Your attention to detail is fantastic. I can't wait to see the other planes. Good job.

Jeff

[slusher]

Great looking pair!

[Nacho Z]

Excellent work on both aircraft, Jason!  Good Lord, it has been eons since I watched that movie!  I may just have to watch it again!

[DJMar]

Those are both insanely good builds. That Zero is exquisite.

The old VF-84 Jolly Rogers livery looks as good as it ever did.

[LDO]

At a model show here in central Texas, someone had an in flight diorama of the dogfight. I don’t remember if it was forced perspective (two different scales).

[JNordgren42]

  On 8/23/2024 at 9:04 PM, TransAmMike said:

Super builds, great job Jason!!

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  On 8/23/2024 at 11:12 PM, Goose1957 said:

Very cool builds. I love that movie, one of the best naval movies made,  even if it is fantasy. Your attention to detail is fantastic. I can't wait to see the other planes. Good job.

Jeff

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  On 8/24/2024 at 4:50 AM, slusher said:

Great looking pair!

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Thanks!

  On 8/25/2024 at 4:13 AM, Nacho Z said:

Excellent work on both aircraft, Jason!  Good Lord, it has been eons since I watched that movie!  I may just have to watch it again!

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Thanks! It's still a good watch. And there is some interesting reading about how they got it filmed. And also some scandal about it, the CAG of the air wing apparently vastly undercharged the production company for the flight hours.

  On 8/25/2024 at 4:53 AM, DJMar said:

Those are both insanely good builds. That Zero is exquisite.

The old VF-84 Jolly Rogers livery looks as good as it ever did.

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The high viz Jolly Rogers scheme is still my all time favorite. I just added a Hasegawa 1/48 VF-1S Valkyrie from Macross and plan on doing a little reverse inspiration and using actual USN VF-84 markings instead of the Skull Squadron markings that come in the kit.

  On 8/26/2024 at 3:48 AM, LDO said:

At a model show here in central Texas, someone had an in flight diorama of the dogfight. I don’t remember if it was forced perspective (two different scales).

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I thought about doing forced perspective but I think I can get a fairly dynamic pose without it (not that I have much choice at this point ?). They won't have a separation that's at all realistic, but I think it will still look good.

Edited August 26, 2024 by JNordgren42