I was looking at the Great Models website and see that they have the Revell AG 1/32 F-14A for 41 bucks. If money grew on a tree I would splurge for the Tamiya kit (Black Knights). Since it does not and I have the Tamiya 1/32 F-16C/J(FOR LESS, I might add) I was looking to add another 1/32 to the build que. I’ve seen one review and it says that it’s a decent kit for the money and I figured one of yall might have some answers. 41 bucks is hard to turn down for a 1/32 and I think Revell AG has some pretty good stuff. I wonder if the BB cockpit would fit it? Any comments are welcome.
Coming from Revell AG, it wouldn’t surprize me in the least if it was the old Revell F-14 kit from the early/mid 80s. Its been re issued a couple of times.
Tamiya has made a couple of 1/32 Tomcats. The first was a piece of junk and the Revell kit beat it hands down. I understand that Tamiya did a new tooling of the Tomcat in 1/32 and it is better than the Revell.
Given that it wouldn’t make economic sense to make new toolings of a Tomcat in 1/32 at this late stage in the type’s service career, I’d say you’re probably looking at the old Revell kit there.
The Revell AG kit is the old Revell kit. It has some fit problems, but can be built up into a nice representation. It only has the older grill style gun vents, so you’re somewhat limited to the 70’s and 80’s as far as markings go, if that matters to you. While the Tamiya kit is expensive, it does provide an excellent representation. The landing gear are works of art, and the seats are very nicely done. However, the cockpit still has decals for the instrument panels and the rear half of the model has raised lines while the front half has engraved lines. The Black Knights version comes with everything you need to make a modern Tomcat. So, it’s really up to you, or at least your wallet, as to which one you should get. I’ve seen both done well and not-so-well.
Thanks for the advice Darren and upnorth. After a long and drawn out debate I think I’ll hold off on the Revell and grab the Tamiya kit. I found one for 97 bucks so maybe it’ll drop even more in the coming months. Nice work over on the ARC site with those Tomcats, Darren. I’ve also seen your work in FSM. Again, thanks for the advice!
Not a problem. I’m glad I could be of help. You really scored on the price. You got a great deal. I think you’ll be happy when you get it all done. BTW, thanks for the compliment.
Anytime Darren, it’s well deserved. I am going to get that Tamiya sometime in the next couple of weeks. A friend who owns the LHS will hold it for me until I am back that way. It’ll be hard to get it on the airplane!