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Top Gun Maverick's F-14A Tomcat (04966) & F/A-18 Hornet (04965) 1/72 Easy Click System from Revell The Tomcat was a much-loved and capable aircraft that had a unique look, and was brought fully into the mainstream media by the original "Top Gun" in the 1980s. It has its origins in the late 50s and a need in the 60s for a replacement to the (also much loved) Phantoms with something more agile and adaptable. After much faffing about (does all defence procurement do this?), a Grumman proposal was picked for development and to avoid any further flip-flopping by the then US Defence Secretary, building of a prototype was ditched in favour of development airframes. Only four years after first flight, the F-14A Tomcat went on its first deployment in 1974, serving with the US Navy until it was retired in 2006, accompanied by much gnashing of teeth and name-calling of its replacement, the F-18, which took some time to abate. The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is the second generation F/A-18 following on the the F/A-18C. The F/A-18E was developed from the original Hornet and while it may look alike its very much a new aircraft which is 25% bigger. The US Navy managed to keep the F/A-18 designation partly to make the US Congress believe it would be a low risk development from the original aircraft (not the first time in US Aviation this has happened). The new aircraft was ordered in 1992 with a first flight in 1995. The aircraft introduced a new era in electronics including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, bigger displays and a helmet mounted sighting system. To date the Super Hornet has replaced the legacy Hornet in all US Navy operations apart from the USN Aerobatic Team The Blue Angels, and even they will have transitioned by 2021. As well as the E model there is the two seat F model, and the latest development the G or "Growler" Electronic Warfare Aircraft. The F-14 Here Revell have re-boxed the Monogram Snap-Tite from 1980 even though the Spures say Revell-Monogram 1999. As well as the main fuselage halves there are 2 smaller sprues of parts for the aircraft, a clear sprue and a black stand. The stand is needed as there is no undercarriage in the kit. All the parts click together and the wings are designed to sweep. Decals & Stickers are provided depending on the age of the modeller and what they want to use. The F-18 Here Revell have re-boxed the Monogram Snap-Tite from 1980 even though the Spures say Revell 2012. The main issue with this kit though is not its age, it is the fact the Kit is of an F/A-18A Hornet, when the aircraft in the film is an F/A-18E superhornet, perhaps they are hoping the target audience will not notice the difference. There are two sprues of parts for the aircraft, a clear sprue and a black stand. The stand is needed as there is no undercarriage in the kit. All the parts click together. Decals & Stickers are provided depending on the age of the modeller and what they want to use. Conclusion If you really want some snap together models of the aircraft in the Film then these will be for you, or you children/grandchildren. It is a slight shame that they have used these old kits, and one which is a different model of aircraft. F/A-18 F-14A Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or