F-14 D Tomcat

[spike7451]

I've just received the Fightertown decals courtesy of Steve (Jacksdad) & am going to do both schemes on the sheet.Looking on the various hobbyshops online.it looks like the are very few 'D' models out there in 1/48,certainly non in stock anyway.So if I was to get the 'A' version,apart from the seats & engines,what other mods would I need to do & which is the best kit.

Thanks.

PS,I know nothing about the F-14 apart from that short bottom flew them in Top Gun!lol

[Dads203]

Spike, you'll need the D model wheels, and chin sensor along with the cockpit, engines and seats matey

Dan

[Giorgio N]

There are a couple of other differences between an F-14A and a D. These are:

- sensor under the chin: a dual IR/TV unit on the D, a single unit on the A

- Cockpit: the instrument panels are different with the D using bigger CRT screens. The D also uses a true HUD while the A has data projected on the windscreen

- antennas and ECM bumps: different on the two versions

- glove vanes: removed from the D

Depending on the kit, the gun gas vents of the D are different, but these were retrofitted on the A as well starting in 1991.

In general the very best kit is the hasegawa one. If you can't find a D, you could buy a B. Converting the engines is not a trivial exercise, as the area around the exhausts was modified as well. The B already has the right engines and would only need the smaller modifications. The hasegawa kit is very good and allows a lot of options, as the flaps and slats open.

An alternative is the Revell/Monogram kit. It's not as good and does not have the correct instrument panels, but can be found easily. It's way behind the hasegawa, with some inaccuracies, raised panel lines and not a great fit. There are some boxes in the US that include updated parts, these would be better than the box sold by Revell in europe.

I wouldn't bother with any other kit in 1/48. Fujimi did a D but it's a very old kit and it was the D prototype, not a true D. Academy and Italeri do an A, some like them but they are not up to the hasegawa level and probably not better than the monogram, although have recessed panel lines. Hobbyboss will issue a D, but I don't know when this will happen.

[DaveJL]

Merv, try spruebrothers.com. American company but good prices and 1st class service. You're best going for the Hasegawa D model. It would cost you a small fortune to buy an A model and all the necessary aftermarket upgrades to make a D model. There's an extra 10% off this week too. I get my Tomcat models from here. (3 of them anyway)

http://store.spruebrothers.com/148-hasegaw...212-p6162.aspx3

Dave

Edited May 19, 2011 by DaveJL

[jacksdad]

Merv,

Yes the Hasegawa kit is the most accurate, but you will be lucky to pay less than £40.00 for one. Revell's Delta crops up on ebay fairly often and is a decent kit at a fraction of the cost of a Hasegawa one. Which is important if you plan on doing a few.

For example:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REVELL-F-14D-TOMCAT-...=item45fa471eff

You could also try King Kit as they quite often have the Revell one in.

If you want a loan of any books giz a shout. It may cost you a sexual favour though.

Steve

[c.smith10]

you can pick up a new hasegawa D from here for just over £30

[T0M4ever]

This may well be useful to help with the differences between the 3 F-14 versions:

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air...howtopic=208719

Edited May 20, 2011 by T0M4ever

[chrisrope]

Merv,

Yes the Hasegawa kit is the most accurate, but you will be lucky to pay less than £40.00 for one. Revell's Delta crops up on ebay fairly often and is a decent kit at a fraction of the cost of a Hasegawa one. Which is important if you plan on doing a few.

For example:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REVELL-F-14D-TOMCAT-...=item45fa471eff

You could also try King Kit as they quite often have the Revell one in.

If you want a loan of any books giz a shout. It may cost you a sexual favour though.

Steve

Sorry to hijack, but I have that kit and it doesn't have the fuel tanks that go under the intakes.

Is there any available?

Cheers

Chris

[Giorgio N]

Sorry to hijack, but I have that kit and it doesn't have the fuel tanks that go under the intakes.

Is there any available?

Cheers

Chris

Yes, Royale Resin, Steel Beach and Wolfpack do/did a set of resin tanks for the tomcat in 1/48.

Mind, that kit also misses a few other parts to be a proper F-14D: wheels and instrument panels for a start