hemspilot Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Willing to build the latest F-14 model with the DFE F-101s and twin chin sensor, what is the best? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Platycqb Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Hasegawa / Fine Molds / Fujimi is a close call for the #1 spot. Hasegawa is tricky to build if that's your first F-14. Mold is quite old so some flash to be expected (in my own experience of owning 25+ F-14 boxings). No weapons in the boxings. Fine Molds might be hard to find. But it's the latest F-14D kit released. From the reviews/builds + the one I own, assembly is pretty straight forward and detail level is good. Fujimi is easier to build than the Hasegawa version. A few mistakes to correct, but engines and weapons are provided. Revell has way too deep engraving and less details (to my taste). I don't know about the Hobby Boss releases. Didn't have any in my hands or looked into the reviews/builds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RKic Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I'm a big fan of Fujimi tomcats. Many think they're OOP, but they're not. You can find them on Hobby Link Japan, and other online shops. If you have aftermarket decals, then it doesn't matter much if you get an A, A+, or D, boxing, as they all come with options to build either engined version. You'll probably want to go aftermarket for the cockpit, or at least for the seats. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pollie Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I certainly don't want to hijack this thread, but since some of the Tomcat experts have chimed in: what about the F-14A in 1/72? Is the Academy any good shapewise? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 (edited) Bear in mind the Fujimi kit has grossly undersized TCS for the D model, and none of my boxings as a D model ever included NACES seats. I bought extra Hasegawa sprues for those parts from Rainbow-10 back when they were in business. I much prefer the Fujimi kit to Hasegawa's, always have. I covet the FM kit, but want a few of them, which is completely impractical given its availability issues. I basically think of it in almost mythical terms! Edited May 31, 2016 by Dmanton300 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 I built two Hobbyboss Tomcats and I´m planning to build a third, soon. I really like the model, although it´s not as sophisticated as some of its competitors. Have a look here: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=267740 HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
2qwik4u Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 (edited) I certainly don't want to hijack this thread, but since some of the Tomcat experts have chimed in: what about the F-14A in 1/72? Is the Academy any good shapewise? I've never really considered myself an expert on the subject, but I always thought the forward fuse of the Academy F-14 looked a little funky. Like others have mentioned here, the Fujimi Tomcat is really good. KA Models is actually reboxing the Fujimi plastic right now and including precolored PE, canopy mask, and a turned metal pitot tube all in one box. Freetime Hobbies currently have them for $25, which is one heck of a deal if you ask me. I bought a few of them myself. The one thing I don't care for on the Fujimi Tomcat is the exhaust, which is pretty plane. Typically, I will replace them with an Aires set. Here's my Fujimi build log. -Dave Edited May 31, 2016 by 2qwik4u Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shadrik Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 The front fuselage of the Academy 72nd scale Tomcat is undersized. The newish Revell Kit has the same issue. If you have a Hasegawa Tomcat aswell as the Academy kit you can make an easy comparison. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cr7driver Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Fine Moulds! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dkobayashi Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Besides Fine Molds which is going to be pretty hard to get, IMO it's Hasegawa for sure. The Fujimi is a great kit if you're building an "A", but for a B or D the engine fairings are incorrect and the chin pod is off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Does anyone know if the Fine Molds kit will ever be released as a conventional kit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Platycqb Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Does anyone know if the Fine Molds kit will ever be released as a conventional kit? Some people said no, given the previous releases of Fine Molds/Graphix Models (A6M if I recall correctly). The model was released with the magazines, never by itself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Solo Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 But what is the problem? Fine Molds model is still available on HLJ.com. Expensive, but available. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Platycqb Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 But what is the problem? Fine Molds model is still available on HLJ.com. Expensive, but available. Is it? Just looked at HLJ and I couldn't find it. Not that I really care as I got the 3 magazines and the matching sprues already. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Solo Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 It is really interesting. You can find: - weapon set http://hlj.com/product/MDGSA104/Air - Volume 2 http://hlj.com/product/MDGMAG1508/Boo - Volume 3 http://hlj.com/product/MDGMAG1509/Boo But I can not find Volume 1. Who would buy those 3 volumes without first one? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Manuel J. Armas S. Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Don´t forget The F-14 1/72 from Calibre Wings It´s an F-14A but i came with all the stuff for an F-14B/D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dkobayashi Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Don´t forget The F-14 1/72 from Calibre Wings It´s an F-14A but i came with all the stuff for an F-14B/D Isn't that a diecast? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mizar Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 from their store is just a die cast and already sold out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Manuel J. Armas S. Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 (edited) Yes Die-Cast, but looks like a model kit... :woot.gif:/> Edited June 1, 2016 by Manuel J. Armas S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cr7driver Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 If anyone is interested, I'm selling my Fine Moulds F-14 kit. All issues including the weapons set. Its in mint condition. Please PM me if interested. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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