PNW_Modeler Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 (edited) Hi all, I am new here and I need some help. I am getting back into modeling and I am having a blast. I have built a F-14A and F-14D, both from Revell/Monogram. I remember this kit from when I was modeling as a kid. It is still as much of a pain in the neck as it was then. I want to build another Tomcat but I don't want to do another R/M. The Hasegawa kits are out of the question because my wife would destroy me if I spent that much money on a kit and also, they are hard to find in 1/48th here in Seattle. My local shop has both an Academy F-14A and an Italeri F-14A in 1/48th for $30.00 each. Which one to choose? Which is the best quality? Any help would be much appreciated Edited September 20, 2007 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Oh, man...although the Academy isn't my favorite at all, it's LIGHTYEARS ahead of the Italeri. No question which one to get, between those two; HAS to be the Academy. And, welcome aboard!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Thank you! I am heading that way tomorrow....perhaps I will come home with a new Tomcat kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 (edited) Ditto the Academy. However, if it's construction issues that have you down, you're gonna be in for a shock. The Revell/Monogram kit and the Academy kit go together almost identically (in fact, some parts are completely swappable)... fit is generally a little better though. Edited September 20, 2007 by Skull Leader Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 ... fit is generally a little better though. Unless you get the one I ended up with for the Tomcat Sunset build. MAN, that nose section was beyond any excuse. Fortunately (for everyone else) I seem to have gotten the only one warped like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Or the one I had where the nose did not have enough plastic injected to it. BIG divots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I want to build another Tomcat but I don't want to do another R/M. The Hasegawa kits are out of the question because my wife would destroy me if I spent that much money on a kit and also, they are hard to find in 1/48th here in Seattle. hey dude, you can post a want-to-buy for a hasegawa kit here, I'm sure you can pick one up here for around $30. but if you want it from the hobby shop, get the academy. the bombcat version has cool extras! good luck and keep us posted! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 (edited) I was "in the neighborhood" today so I stopped in and picked up the Academy kit. When I got home, I was amazed with the similarities with the Mono kit.....the construction is very much the same, which is fine with me....it was the fit that, well...gave me fits. I was amazed to see even missle stencils on the decal sheet. The shop owner had a couple of Fujima F-14s in 48th scale that he said he would be willing to part with for a "reduced" price....one was the black bunny from VX-4 and the other was a fleet bird...I think VF-114 Aardvarks.....anyone have any experience with Fujima Kitties? Edited September 20, 2007 by paul.nortness Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I was "in the neighborhood" today so I stopped in and picked up the Academy kit. When I got home, I was amazed with the similarities with the Mono kit.....the construction is very much the same, which is fine with me....it was the fit that, well...gave me fits. I was amazed to see even missle stencils on the decal sheet. The shop owner had a couple of Fujima F-14s in 48th scale that he said he would be willing to part with for a "reduced" price....one was the black bunny from VX-4 and the other was a fleet bird...I think VF-114 Aardvarks.....anyone have any experience with Fujima Kitties? cool, good luck and keep us up to date on your work!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Thanks....will do. I am doing a Mono Tomcat right now for the Monogram GB, pictures will be coming soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Fujimi kitties, IIRC, are the same as the Italeri, reboxed. Best kit in the world, if you're looking for something for your kids to use for target practice. Looking forward to pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 ...if you're looking for something for your kids to use for target practice. i'm doing an italeri now, mainly to practice airbrushing the tps scheme. i don't think its quite that bad, it does have receesed panel lines, and fuel tanks ;) i'm debating on using the box decals or an extra set of nicer Hasegawa's..... i've seen italeri kits alot worse than the cat...but i agree its low on the awsome tomcat model list.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lock n' Load Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I never had problems with the Monogram F-14 hmmmm must be because i'm very familiar with them... But, you may see Cyrus Tan's F-14 as an inspiration, he truly knows how to turn a monogram/revell kit into art. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Yeah, I'm with you; I actually think very highly of the Monogram, as long as you cut off the horizontal tails. And, the nose looks great, better than the Academy any day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 20, 2007 Author Share Posted September 20, 2007 Oh....don't get me wrong....I enjoy the Mono Cat....especially for the price. What I was talking about was the fit around the nose just forward of the intakes.....that has got to be the dumbest thing ever.... Thanks for the welcome Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomcatFanatic123 Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 What I was talking about was the fit around the nose just forward of the intakes.....that has got to be the dumbest thing ever.... Tell me about it :D! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomcatter727 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) The academy kit uses multiple parts for the lower forward half, monogram is a one part affair. Total PITA...IMHO it is harder than the hasegawa kit! Edited September 21, 2007 by tomcatter727 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 So far, I am pretty happy with the Academy kit. The fit is so much better than the Monogram, yet the construction is so similar to the Monogram it feels like spending an afternoon with an old friend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomcatter727 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 So far, I am pretty happy with the Academy kit. The fit is so much better than the Monogram, yet the construction is so similar to the Monogram it feels like spending an afternoon with an old friend. how far along are you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lock n' Load Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I rememer a modeller.. who taught me some things i should do, to make the monogram F-14D easier to build.. it had something to do with removing the innter sections of the Intake Ramps, it's supposed to make filling easier in that section. And removing the Pivot wing mechanism,along with cutting out the pivot wing location pin..or mark, i don't know many technical names This makes the build comfortable,as you don't have to deal with the HUGE wingspan while painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Fujimi kitties, IIRC, are the same as the Italeri, reboxed. No, the Fujimi mess was reboxed by Testors. RUN AWAY!!!!! Even the Italeri kit is light years ahead of the Testjimi ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 how far along are you? I have finished the cockpit tub, and contstructed the wings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Skull Leader Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 No, the Fujimi mess was reboxed by Testors. RUN AWAY!!!!!Even the Italeri kit is light years ahead of the Testjimi ... Having built the Testijimi, I can attest to that. It's a greek tragedy in box. I could name off all the surgery it took to make it even LOOK like a tomcat and there was still a ton of stuff I should've done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 (edited) "Greek-Tragedy-In-A-Box".... I love it! :D :lol: Edited September 21, 2007 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 Well, in that case I am glad I declined his offer on the Fujima's Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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