My son’s friend wants to build one but all of the Hasegawa’s are out of his price range. Who makes a good one for less money?
Thanks
Mike
monogram
Hi Mike,
FSM came out with an issue comparing the different makes of the F-14 Tomcat in different scales, I think that was last year. I believe for 1/72 they gave good marks for the Italeri kits (aside from Hasegawa, of course, and I think Fujimi), though there were a few inaccuracies noted. Can’t remember the other brand(s) recommended but I’ll look at the issue when I find it. Anyway, for the price, Italeri may be worth it for your son’s friend.
By the way, if it’s still being sold, stay away from the AMT/Ertl Commemorative Desert Storm 1/72 F-14 Tomcat kit. Lots of flash, poor fit and molding, and soft plastic are my memories of this kit when I bought and built it in '93. This is IMO the worst F-14 kit that I’ve done and was close to being scrapped a few times were it not for my love for the Tomcat. I think that’s why afterwards I bought a Hasegawa! [;)]
Cheers,
onyan
Find a Fujimi one, and give it to him for Christmas!
Chris.
Both the Revell/Monogram and Fujimi 1/72 scale Tomcats look really good in the box. I can’t wait to build 'em. Both run around $20, though.
Regards,
I agree with lufbery, the Revell one doesn’t look too bad, and at a good price. It all comes down to what you can afford at the time.[:)]
Mike
Academy’s kit #1679 is an excellent kit and excellent value as well. Crisp detail and engraved panel lines, though with decal instruments. I know academy decals are usually crap but the one I have camee with Scalemaster decals. Right now, Great Models has it on sale for $10.90 but I imagine from your LHS it’ll be around $15. Hope this helps.
I forgot to ask, is your son’s friend looking for an A,B or D? Academy’s kit is for the A model.
I think $20 usd is pretty bad for a 1/72, but this is coming from the guy who bought a hasegawa 1/72 eagle for $37. on sale for $17
eagle was featured on arc a while ago, it has since been in the bone-yard.
most expensive model I have EVER bought was the 1/100 bandai Kampfer gundam.
Mike, do you have a Michael’s in the area? The reason I say this is because my local Michael’s has both the Revell 1/72 and 1/48 F-14D Tomcat’s. The 1/72 scale is about $28 and the 1/48 is I think about $19. The reason the 1/72 scale is a higher price is because it comes with an Operation Iraqi Freedom 48 page full color book (which btw, ain’t a bad book. I figured it would be crap, but the one that came with my Revell AV-8B was actually pretty informative and had many full color photos) Additionally, everytime Michael’s runs an ad, they have a 40% off coupon for a single non-sale item with it so that could knock down the price even further.
Thanks everyone.
Hawk,
Yes we do have a Michaels nearby and I will have him check that.
Mike
Have you tried looking on eBay?? I’ve found alot of good deals in the past on current & old hard to find kits. Sometimes you’ll find them without the shrink wrap, but everything is usually there, still sealed in the plastic bags. Here’s a link from my bookmarks, it’s searching for anything with “tomcat” in the model kits category.