Best F-14 Tomcat in 1:48 Scale

[Tiger331]

I'm sure this has been asked before but before I dispose of the last of my Hasegawa F-14 Tomcats, I thought it would be best to check the relative merits (or otherwise) of this kit against others. I have read a lot about fit issues with the Hasegawa kit but that in general terms it is an accurate rendition. Of course, we now have the more recent Hobby Boss kit, which I understand, is easier to build but has some accuracy issues !. So, the question is, which one should I go for.?...ditch the old Hasegawa kit (for which I have loads of aftermarket) and go for the more recent Hobby Boss issues or press on with the Hasegawa kit ?.

Thanks

Mark

[Giorgio N]

Years of building kits of the big Grumman cat lead me to suggest you should sell all the hasegawa tomcats. I'll buy them all from you for a good price, say £20 apiece ?

Ok, let's say it was worth a try...

Seriously, I'd keep the Hasegawa Tomcats ! They might be more difficult to build, but IMHO the Hasegawa kit is still the best in this scale (and in 1/72 too)

[Parabat]

If you have them with a load of AM, you may as well keep them and build them, they are still the most accurate and with some detailed AM will trump the Hobby Boss kit.

The Hobby Boss kit has a load of niggles, the biggest (most unfixable) being the intake issue. It still builds, and very well, into a super model, far superior OOB to most 1/48 kits.

[Smiffy]

Yeah, I'd keep the Hase kits. The HB one is very nicely moulded, but those intakes jump out at you as just being plain (or plane) wrong. Shame really.

I am a bit surprised that none of the aftermarket have stepped in with some replacement intakes, given how popular the Tomcat is. If someone did produce them, then I'd consider getting the HB kit, but not until then, I'm afraid.

[DaveJL]

Hasegawa is the best all round kit, but it is a bugger in some areas and beginning to show it's age.

HB is a much more modern kit, with some great details, but the rivets have been overdone, the intakes are inaccurate and there are some fit issues (no where near as many as the Hasegawa one though) That being said, i've still a HB F-14A on the bench to be finished. I had an absolute disaster with it. I'll be sticking to Hasegawa's. With some time, care and attention, they are great. I've built 16, and have another 5 in the stash.

Keep hold of your kits, especially if you have an abundance of aftermarket.

Dave

[Parabat]

Yeah, I'd keep the Hase kits. The HB one is very nicely moulded, but those intakes jump out at you as just being plain (or plane) wrong. Shame really.

I am a bit surprised that none of the aftermarket have stepped in with some replacement intakes, given how popular the Tomcat is. If someone did produce them, then I'd consider getting the HB kit, but not until then, I'm afraid.

Personally, I don't believe the intake issue is as bad as people make out - clearly it is there and if it 'gets' you then it is probably a kit to avoid. With a bit of strategic thinning, it is hardly noticeable and the HB kit still offers fantastic value and detail OOB.

A Hasegawa Tomcat with oodles of AM is a hard mark to beat though...

[IGKent]

Here is an example of the assembled Tomcat from HASEGAWA kit....http://www.dishmodels.ru/gshow.htm?p=2572&lng=E