The title pretty much sums it up.
well, John, this seems like one of those Cut and Dried deals, but, there are actually 4 models that “work” in 1/72
wanna just build a few Tomcats and do some different markings and weapons loadouts?,then use the first generation Hasegawa or Italeri/Testors models,after building a few Airfix kits, the old Hasegawa kit seemed like “modern modeling” but with an old fashioned feel to it,and they were a lot of fun to do
if you want only one Tomcat, and don’t want to buy weapons sets to fill your model out, then get your hands on someone’s Fujimi that they are selling off,you get engine and dolly parts for your trouble that way, also
If you want to build only one Tomcat for your shelf,the best of the “Shake and Bake” Tomcat models is the latest Hasegawa molding,but, after you Shake the box, and before you Bake it,you have to promise to reveal just how many Shakes it takes for it to all fall together,they can be a regular authentic “B word” to get all the fiddly bits on correctly for the version you want
other cheap kits you can get used would be the Airfix kit,or even the Esci kit (careful with that one, the last one I have is labeled as “F-14A Plus”, but, it doesn’t have any Plus parts in it, just markings)
Not much of a contest, the newer Hasegawa.
Actually Tarnship You also forgot the Academy 1/72 scale F-14A but you do have to be careful with the Hasegawa kits as each one is the same molding just with different decals and you have to buy the different weapon sets. At least there are a whole plethora of aftermarket decals for the F-14.
Sounds good—I just saw a build up in the Airfix mag that looked cherry…I understand that there is an “old” A-model Tomcat by Hasegawa that has raised panel lines that you have to be aware of. I’m guessing those are the kits in the twenty-something range since the “new” kits seem to be running at least $45 and up…thanks, guys…
I mentioned the weapons sets being needed for the Hasegawa kits,and yes, John, the cheap one is the old mold
but, the new Hasegawa kits are not the same molding,well, they are, if you consider the new Hasegawa Phantom kits to all be the same molding, with different parts for the different versions
I had a longer response typed up,but, I am tired of the “score points for posting” kee-rap that has taken over this place
unlike some,I left off the Academy F-14 kits,because that is a molding I never bought or built,I only talked about some of the 1/72 models that I have actually built,and left the Monogram F-14 out on purpose
I think I’m becoming a BIG Tomcat Groupie…
if you do go with the Hasegawa late molding, and want an F-14B or D,make sure you do a parts inventory, and that you got sprue G for the engines (instead of F) and sprue N with 7 parts instead of sprue M with only 4 parts,and the sprue R is really helpful for your F-14D kits, it replaces a bunch of parts scattered all over the other sprues not mentioned above,other than those things,“all late Hasegawa kits are the same plastic”
Hobbyboss has a new one out in 1/72. An A and D version. Their 1/48 was really nice.
I read lukewarm review’s on the Hobbyboss A model…The build I saw only added resin bang-seats to the Hasegawa kit and it looked great…I believe the Gawa kit also includes a little PE…
I think the Fujimi kit was overshadowed by the “new tool” Hasegawa kit in the late 80’s. Both were released around the same time, both provided separate flaps/slats and exquisite detail. The “Royal Edition” Fujimi kits contain the same plastic, but included extensive PE, cast metal parts and rubber tires. As Rex has mentioned above, both the standard and “Royal” versions of the Fujimi kits include full engines. IIRC, Fujimi did the F-14A and F-14B/Super Tomcat prototype in “standard” and “Royal Edition” boxings.
Both the Hasegawa and Fujimi kits beat the pants off the Italeri kit which was released around the same time.
I wonder if the Hasegawa kits are scaled down from the 48th. I’ve got a Hobby Boss -A on the way. (48th) I was going back and forth between it and a Hase. I tried a Hase several years ago and had to throw $70 worth of model away because of the nightmare with the intakes. My modeling skills were not all that great then, but I didn’t want to chance it since I’ve heard the HB kit builds much easier. It does have some issues, but my understanding is they can be solved. I just don’t care all that much. Apparently there are rivets on the vertical stabs which isn’t accurate. But I’ve got Tamiya white putty so that’s no issue.
I know that in 72nd there seems to be some cult worship for the Fujima…finding it will be the issue.
I’d listen to Tarn though. He makes a living on 72nd Navy stuff. [:)]
geez, don’t I wish, Jimmy, lol
but, yeah, I already forgot who mentioned the PE parts, but, there is a small fret in the new Hasegawa kits
I think you called it Jimmy, when you say the 1/72 is a scaledown,but, I honestly wouldn’t know for sure, a 1/48 Tomcat is not in my history at all
as I often tell JW when he asks about kits,I would part with one if he can’t find it anywhere else,but, in this case, I only have the one Fujimi Tomcat left, the red and white “Super” prototype kit, and I didn’t get any extra Hasegawas
I have a bunch of the Testors kits,but, I don’t think he wants what would today be considered fourth or maybe fifth string quality,if you do decide you want one, JW,pm me your addy, and I will send you one “on the house”,with some flavor or other of Hasegawa decals
Rex
With the Hobby Boss F-14A just watch what markings you put on it. It has the very early configuration between the tails that only a small number of aircraft had.
Yup, that’s what I’ve heard, Bronto. Fortunately, I have the luxury of ignorance and not much caring. Lol. I’m trying to find the hi-vis VF-114 markings. I may just use the kit decals though.
Nothing a knife, file and a little putty can’t fix.
IIRC, Hasegawa also issued a variant of the later kit with an “early A” beaver tail with VF-1 markings. I may have one of these in the stash.
The Fujimi kit looks like its worth a look but you are right about finding one—all of their a/c kits are virtually impossible to get ahold of anymore…
What’s the deal with the AB nozzles? Were they manually controlled—is it possible in real-life that one was open and one was closed??? The World Wonders…
They’re similar, but not identical. Some of the assemblies on the 1/48 version are molded as simplified single parts on the 1/72 kit. Still it has the highest parts count of any 1/72 kit.
Just my quick take on some of the 1/72 kits:
Monogram: The original Monogram kit from the '70’s was actually based in the full-size Grumman engineering mock-up, which it represents pretty well. The later snap-kit was better but not great. I do have one flying MIGCAP over my desk:
Hasegawa: The “old tool” Hasegawa kits were state-of-the-art when they came out in the '70’s, in that they featured some cockpit detail, including side consoles with decals & two-piece seats.
Somewhere along the line they upgraded the “old tool” with more detail for the cockpit, and some other bits and pieces.
The overall shape of the “old tool” was pretty good and they had Sidewinders, Sparrows and Phoenix included. Still OK if you just want to do a closed cockpit “curbside” to show off unit markings. One of the projects in my backlog is to model this guy using one of the old Hasegawa kits in my stash:
Airfix: Modeled after one of the early development aircraft, with the separate RIO windsrceen and the early beaver tail. No gear wells and suspect shapes, but it did have an air-to-air refueling probe, engraved cockpit detail and positionable speed brakes. Airfix supposedly did some updates to it at some point, but I’ve never seen one first-hand.
ESCI: Fit problems and mis-shapen forward fuselage.
Matchbox: Awful, with their classic trenches, multi-color plastic and poor engineering & fit.
Hobby Boss: Haven’t seen one in person, but the 1/48 disappointed me, so I’m not inclined to try the 1/72 version.
Revell / Germany: Have one of their -D’s in the stash. Haven’t gotten to it yet, so will reserve judgement.
That brings us back to the new-tool Hasegawa and Fujimi. IMHO the Hasegawa may be a bit more accurate, but the Fujimi has aircrew, weapons, and the previously-mentioned engines & trolleys. Flip a coin. I’ve got a Hasegawa -B in the early stages on my bench. Will try to get some photos of it soon.
Just my $0.02. Nice to talk about modeling as opposed to other stuff…
Mark
What’s the skinny on those afterburner nozzles??? My earlier question…