I’m looking at doing an F14 as my next build… 1/48 scale. Looking for opinions on what the best kit to use is. My primary focus is on fit with detail 2nd.
I skimmed the forums but the last discussion I found on the topic was from 2003… thinking maybe theres some new info out there! Thanks for the help!
[dto:]
Hasegawa = Great detail but poor fit
Academy = Good detail and a good fit
Revell = OK detail and OK fit
Hasegawa is the class of the field. I think most of the fit problems have to do with the high parts count in areas like the intakes and wheel wells - you have to be careful with all the sub-assemblies or things don’t fit together well later. It is also the most expensive and doesn’t include any weapons.
IMHO, the Academy and Revell/Monogram kits are pretty close.
I like the additional weapons options included in the new Revell F-14B and -D kits. The weakest point of the Revell kit is the fit of the lower intake and the section of the forward fuselage attached to it.
Mark
How do the Hasegawa kits go in terms of accuracy? I’ve read that their F-16’s all use old molding’s nothings really been updated for their new kits/versions are their tomcats like this as well? Is it better to go with say Academy and get one or two AM products to make better for the same price as an OOB hase?
Andrew
The Hasagawa and Academy kits have the correct Beaver Tail for the F-14. They also include different pylons for use of any combination of missiles. Also included are drop tanks. Both have choice of open or closed exhaust nozzels.
Revell/Monogram has the older style Beaver Tail which was only seen on the early block F-14A. Choice of weapon pylons are limited with the AIM-7 molded to the pylon. Drop tanks are not included with the kit. Exhaust nozzels are molded open.
I finished the Hasegawa F-14A a couple of months ago. The fit issues weren’t that bad. The big trouble areas were the main wheel wells and the rear engine nacelles. The main landing gear didn’t mate to the fuselage at the correct angle so I added a little of my own styrene plates to get it right. Also, the cockpit is very lackluster. If detail is a priority then you will definitely want to go AM. Be prepared to perform some surgery to make it all fit together, though. And, like someone already posted, you have to supply your own weapons.
Hasegawa retooled their kits so that the intakes fit much better so make sure you buy a later kit. I think cybermodeler has info on how to tell if the kit is a retooled one or not in their reviews (It’s the code # on the box or something like that).
And, if you look around enough you can find good deals on the Hasegawa kit. I found mine for $35, on ebay I think. It was definitely worth it for that price.
The latest Revell -B’s and -D’s have been re-tooled to include optional shoulder pylon configurations including LANTIRN with an AIM-54C on the opposite shoulder, quad AIM-9’s, four AIM-7’s for the tunnel, TARPS, AN/ALQ-167, GBU-31 JDAM’s, GBU-12’s, MK-82’s, optional nose sensors, a HUD, and tanks.
The rear cockpit of the -B still has the round scope in the rear cockpit used on early -B’s, but Steel Beach has a resin coversion with the later square 8" PTID used with LANTIRN.
The bottom line is that with all the weapon options in the current Revell releases you can mix and match to model almost any war load carried by the Tomcat over Afghanistan or Iraq. I’ve been perusing through my old copies of The Hook magazine for ideas of what I what to build. I’d like do a couple that are historically significant and that I can document.
If someone still wanted to use the Hasegawa kit, I’d suggest buying one of the new Revell kits just for the weapons - it would be less expensive than using the Hasegawa weapon kits.
Mark
Early next year I am going to be building up 3 Revell F-14s. An A,B,and D.
I was thinking I was going to do an old paint scheme on the A and put 6 Phoenix missiles on it with drop tanks and markings from something 1985ish… Alas, I am hunting drop tanks, and I think I need a wing palette for the Phoenix on one side.
I was going to build the B with a TARPS pod… But I am still hunting a TARPS pod.
I hadn’t really decided on the D yet.
Having Built a couple of Revell Tomcats in the past I can’t see a good justification for paying the Hasegawa prices when there is very little wrong with the Revell kits… Unless you are going to be doing competitions and need very specific details.
How about the Tamiya 1/48 Tomcat [whstl]
Hobby Boss?
Would be a winner, if only they made one… As far as I am aware, Tamiya only makes it in 1/32.
In 1/48, I’d be leaning towards Hasegawa.
Way back in the 80’s when it was first released, I heard that the Academy kit was made by first cloning the then Monogram kit and adding their own “improvements”. Can anyone who has built both confirm/deny?
Don’t even bother looking at the Fujimi kit. Hiding beneath that lovely box art is late 70’s/early 80’s plastic.
Yes Phil,I know there isn’t one,[:(((]just wishing,and wondering why not ? They put out the F-15 and F-16 in both scales,why not a Tomcat,if it’s as good as the F-16,it will be a real winner !!
Hasegawa the way to go for 1/48 Tomcat…
Just to add a wee bit of clarification to what Red Corvette posted, the current Revell kits come with the beaver tail with the big RHAW hump on it.
PaintSniffer, I’ve got plenty of TARPS pods from all the Hase F-14 kits around the house. Right now, I’m on a 4 day layover transiting through Kuwait on my way back home to Dallas. I should be home by Sunday, so I can pop one or two in the mail for you anytime after that.
If you have the Academy F-14 kit use the TARPS pod from that kit.