VF-103 Jolly Rogers "Santa Cat"

Back in September, while trying to decide what to build next, my wife decided for me that I have to build something "Christmasy" to show off for the upcoming holidays.  So, to keep the peace, I go back to my stash and find the Hasegawa 1:48 F-14B 'VF-103 Jolly Rogers' kit since I recall that this kit includes the VF-103 Jolly Roger's 'Santa Cat' markings.  This plane was the CO's plane while embarked about the USS Enterprise.

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The 'Santa Cat' was built completely of the box.  I will be adding a pair of AIM-54 Phoenix missiles and AIM-9L Sidewinders as soon as Santa brings my weapons set (as we all know, Hasegawa does not like to include any ordnance with their kits).

The kit went together very smoothly except for the main gear wells which just did not fit right.  Ended up tweaking them and filling the gaps with excess styrene and super glue.  Painted using Model Master enamels - dark ghost gray with medium gray upper surfaces.  The kit decals went on fairly well (although I found out that Aeromaster issued the same marking 2 hours later on rec.models.scale which I would have rather used) despite their thickness.  Sealed the decals with a combination of Future and Model Master Acryl Flat.

Gordon Kwan

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