CMK F-14A & F-14D Wheels (Q72377 & Q72378 for Academy) 1:72

[Mike]

F-14A & F-14D Wheels (Q72377 & Q72378 for Academy)

1:72 CMK Quick & Easy by Special Hobby

 

 

Academy’s recent F-14A in 1:72 could always use new detail.  What kit couldn’t?  The quickest way to improve kit detail is to replace the kit wheels with resin ones that add detail, obviate seam hiding and usually giving the modeller a better representation of any tread patterns on the tyres.  You might also get manufacturer’s name, raised tyre stencils and additional hub detail into the bargain, depending on what’s there on the real thing.

 

With these two sets you get all the above in resin, including two main wheels and twin nose gear wheels, all on their own casting block that are quick & easy to remove.  A little wash in warm soapy water, and they are a drop-in (quick & easy?) replacement to the kit parts.  They arrive in the normal Quick & Easy packaging, consisting of a header card with the parts held between that and the outer plastic bag, held closed by a staple, and with instructions on the other side of the green paper as you can see in the above photo.  The brake and hub front detail is exceptional at this scale, and would be best painted carefully with an airbrush to preserve the detail by avoiding flooding it with thick layers of paint.

 

Q72377 for Academy F-14A

 

 

 

Q72378 for Academy F-14D

 

 

 

Conclusion

You can’t beat resin wheels to quicky & easily improve your models, and these have such flimsy attachment points that there will be almost no clean-up, other than a quick rinse in warm soapy water.  It’s also a Tomcat, and if you like F-14s in 1:72, this is a great way to improve your model without breaking the bank.  How many times did I say "quick & easy" in this review?

 

Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of