Julien 8,552 Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 Maverick's F-14A Tomcat (03865) 1:48 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 F-14A was the first model, and because of a change of heart by the powers that be, which resulted in the Marines leaving the list of potential operators, it did not have the air-to-ground capabilities it was originally scheduled to possess. Instead it with a pure interceptor/fleet protection aircraft, armed with AIM-54 Phoenix for Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements for up to 100 miles in perfect conditions. It was also capable of carrying AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder for self-defence and closer intercepts. Later in service, the ground attack capability was added to upgraded A variants, Bs and of course the later D that was dubbed the "Super Tomcat" because of its vastly improved capabilities. The Kit Now in a tie in with Paramount Pictures and the new Top Gun Film, Revell are re-issuing kits from their back catalog. Despite the optimistic date of 1993 on the sprues, it would seem this was when it was re-issued back then by Revell, and the kit is the original 1978 tooling from Monogram. While this is not Monograms worst kit of the time, it is not one of its best either. The best thing to say is that its a product of its time. In addition to the original kit parts there is a sprue with what looks to D model engine exhausts, and a small black sprue with chin camera pod on it. Construction starts with the cockpit. Here there are separate seats unlike some monogram kits of the period. Each seat is 4 parts with separate ejection seat handles. There are decals supplied for the instrument panels and side consoles. Once the instrument panels and seats are in the complete cockpit goes into the upper fuselage. While you get a 1/48 Mav for the front cockpit Goose must still be in the bar. Next on the underside fuselage engine faces are added followed by the intake trunks. The wings (which do move) are fitted into the lower fuselage and the top half is joined. To the now complete fuselage the nose cone is added along with the gun vent on the left hand side. Underneath the front gear leg is fitted along with the doors to the front gear well. At the rear the three part exhausts go in, and the arrestor hook goes between them. Four Phoenix missiles are provided along with two weapons pallets for the underside if you wish t fit them. Next up back on top the vertical stabilisers go on. Flipping the model back over (again) the main gear and their doors are fitted. The underwing weapons pylons have the Sparrow missiles moulded in so leaving them off would involve some surgery and scratch building. The side pylon for the sidewinder, and the sidewinders are separate parts. To finish up the canopy and under nose camera pod are fitted. Decals The decal sheet from Zanetti in Italy (so no issues there) provides the one option to do the Aircraft from the film, so no surprises there. Conclusion If you really want a model from the film then this will do the job. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or 2 Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 409 Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 What is up with those funky US insignia 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Julien 8,552 Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 29 minutes ago, mungo1974 said: What is up with those funky US insignia I would say its how they did them in the film, must have been CGI for any Tomcat scenes. The F/A-18 is the same. Link to post Share on other sites
Paramedic 366 Posted September 13, 2020 Share Posted September 13, 2020 I would pick it up for the decals.. lWho doesn´t want the Tomcat flown by Maverick? The kit, not so much.. Link to post Share on other sites
Basosz 92 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On 9/13/2020 at 1:05 PM, Paramedic said: Who doesn´t want the Tomcat flown by Maverick? *raises hand* I absolutely despise that movie 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Paramedic 366 Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Whoa! Great 80s music and looks, fantastic photo, simple story that works, manly airplanes.. What´s not to like?? Link to post Share on other sites
flyingpiggy 80 Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 On 9/21/2020 at 10:54 AM, Paramedic said: Whoa! Great 80s music and looks, fantastic photo, simple story that works, manly airplanes.. What´s not to like?? Paramedic...don't forget, fast bikes and Kelly McGillis 2 Link to post Share on other sites
anj4de 43 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Worth the decal sheet...I still have three Monogram Tomact kits in the basement... cheers Uwe 1 Link to post Share on other sites
sroubos 1,016 Posted Thursday at 06:19 AM Share Posted Thursday at 06:19 AM (edited) Like the Airfix 1/72 re-release for the movie, why? Probably because it was the cheapest. We don't need kits like this on the shelves anymore. For nostalgia fans it's easy enough to get hold off without them being rereleased every few years. Edited Thursday at 06:20 AM by sroubos Link to post Share on other sites
Beermonster1958 216 Posted Thursday at 09:23 AM Share Posted Thursday at 09:23 AM On 19/09/2020 at 16:44, Basosz said: *raises hand* I absolutely despise that movie Likewise. John Link to post Share on other sites
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