Got my first Spotcat!!!!!

[Airacobra]

I picked up one of the scratch and dent Tomcats from Badcat and it arrived today. This thing is AWESOME!!!!!! Spots look bad but that will be taken care of. I am so happy I decided to get one. The problem is, I have no idea where I am going to put this thing. I just have to glue the radar back on and figure out how to get the lights to work. Overall, I couldn't be happier. I think I am going to start saving up for my next Spotcat.

[Jolly Roger]

Regardless of what people complained about, the Spotcat is a wonderfully awesome thing. Mine still in the box, still is amazing to look at in my room, if anything it has become the defining element in my Display.

[Airacobra]

Regardless of what people complained about, the Spotcat is a wonderfully awesome thing. Mine still in the box, still is amazing to look at in my room, if anything it has become the defining element in my Display.

I agree with you. The F-14 will be the crown jewel of my collection as well after I repaint it. I figured out the lights, but they are very touchy. I will have to re-solder the main connection to keep them working properly.

[pcoughran]

You'll really love it after a good repaint!
Here's a couple shots of mine.




PS - check out my avatar for a good giggle.

[Airacobra]

Looks really nice without the spots. I plan to repaint mine like one of the VX-9 Vampire squadron. I like the black one on the page below. I know it's a D model but I don't care all that much. Any idea of what the main differences are between the A and D models are?


http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vx9.htm

[CessnaDriver]

Congrats. It cleans up just fine. The hardest (boring) part is masking off everything.

As for where to put it....
It can be hung from the ceiling if you quadruple up some strong fishing line.
I totally torture tested some line until I was confident it would never break. Though I expect it is a good idea to replace the line every year or two to keep it fresh and strong.
I did drill a hole in one of the nozzles to hang it from.



I also hang my F-16 and P-38 against the wall gear down.

I would not be able to collect 1/18 aircraft if I didn't do these things.

[Black_Dragon_One]

i kept mine special addition spotted... i repaint the 2nd when i have time

[tmanthegreat]

Glad you like the F-14, issues and all

While I agree with the general consensus that many of the paint and QC issues that were present on the model should never have occurred, the F-14 is a fantastic model and the pinnacle of 1:18 aircraft. All the detail is incredible.

After repainting it, I displayed my model for some months sitting on its gear, but then decided to hang it using 50lb test line from a securely-fixed hook. (I was uneasy the first few days I had the plane hanging, waiting for the lines to fail or something and the plane to come crashing down...)

The plane looks even better in the air and it creates further space "on the ground" where I can display other models

[AMERICAN_GRENADIER]

im still kicking myself for not keeping the bbi f-4
nice collection i should empty my dining room and display like that