I have been interested in the F-14 bombcat and the Italeri kit caught my attention. Since I have to watch my spending(being married I am on a strict budget) and this kit has the parts for the Bombcat in one box, I am thinking of buying it.
Just out of curiosity, can anyone comment on this kit ? I am particularly curious about the nose, since I have heard a few things regarding the Italeri F-14’s nose cone.
Thanks in advance.
Min Soo,
I recently completed a complete work up on the Italeri 1/72nd scale Bombcat in the form of an article for publication. The Italeri kit is good, however I think you would be more satisfied with the various Hasagawa kits currently available. The Italeri kit’s pros are that it is less expensive, easy to build, fairly arcurate shapes and there are a few aftermarket sets available to spruce it up if you desire. I would be happy to share with you some in-progress photos and text on the build. Send me an email and I’ll send you some material. I hope to have the article published in FSM when time permits. My impressions on the kits where that the nose will need a minor re-shaping with a new/ more acurate pitot tube (stretch sprue technique), the chin pod is inacurate, cast a new one out of resin is you can or replace with a spare kit, raised panel lines thoughout but preshading can help as well as tracing the panel lines with a .3mm tech. pencil. Also, the ejection seats were very inacurate, replace them with the Verlinden set #416, GRU-7A seats.