Bulldog 09 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 Really like the markings for VF-51. Dave Fassett Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 Yikes! I would have gotten someone a little more experienced/knowledgeable to build the kit that was going to be showcased. 😧 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 To put it simply, price point and availability. The Fine Molds F-14D was a limited edition kit bundled with several issues of Model Graphix magazine. The GWH kit retails for almost US$45 where I’m at. The Academy kit will probably retail for half that. Mark Ok, I get that part. Yet I thought Fine Molds did two different tomcats. The first one was the limited edition, but thought second was mass produced. Gary will Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 In addition to the points you make, the GWH is only a D. The Academy can be used to build just about any Tomcat expect ones with the original beaver tail. Hmm, this might be an opportunity for a resin piece. 😊 Will the Academy build into a very early tomcat? Glt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 Will the Academy build into a very early tomcat? Glt Nope. You would need the original beaver tail. That's why I was thinking about a resin one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keroburner89 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Does anyone else think the front/nose area looks a bit off? (Hesitated to write that above comment- didn't want to get into AMK territory)... VF-51 decals are cool though! RRP is $25USD, personally, I'd go the Hasegawa standard for $16USD or the Fujimi repops at around $19USD any day of the week compared to this. They're just consistent kits that were done right the first time IMO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Ok, I get that part. Yet I thought Fine Molds did two different tomcats. The first one was the limited edition, but thought second was mass produced. Gary will The mass produced ones, are the excellent F-14A kits: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10521582 https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10486938 The latter is set to be re-released this month Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 (edited) RRP is $25USD, personally, I'd go the Hasegawa standard for $16USD or the Fujimi repops at around $19USD any day of the week compared to this. They're just consistent kits that were done right the first time IMO I'm with you on those two. The Hase kit is still very good in my book (and going for only US$15+ at HobbyLinkJapan). The Fujimi ones are still available & I love the fact that they include 2 very good pilot figures (with posable arms & helmets) and a full weapons load + displayable engines with trolley: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10363197 ( Even cheaper at HLJ...the links are too long. Just key in Fujimi Tomcat at the HLJ search engine) Edited October 20, 2019 by JackMan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Inquisitor Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 F-14A, B, and D can be built in this box, but decals only for an -80GR. The wing sweep mechanism looks to have been omitted this time around. Curious that they have decals for the oil streaks left by wing sweep. There is a swing wing mechanism. The pieces are on the same B sprue as the wings, they're right below the B letter. Seems they don't use gears to synchronize them and seems to have only 3 notches, speculating they're for open, swept back and parked positions. They also seems to be installed first and let you slide the wings into the tab like Tamiya's after painting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keroburner89 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) I'm with you on those two. The Hase kit is still very good in my book (and going for only US$15+ at HobbyLinkJapan). The Fujimi ones are still available & I love the fact that they include 2 very good pilot figures (with posable arms & helmets) and a full weapons load + displayable engines with trolley: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10363197 ( Even cheaper at HLJ...the links are too long. Just key in Fujimi Tomcat at the HLJ search engine) Don't forget these re-pops https://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/ww7evryexrl1nsodrfaf.html The VF-124 option is awesome There's a VF-84 one around too. It's the Fujimi kit with a few little additions, some PE from memory. But case in point, a good few dollary doos and so much more kit from the outset. Edited October 21, 2019 by Keroburner89 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Nope. You would need the original beaver tail. That's why I was thinking about a resin one. I thought Quickboost or somebody else did the beaver tail Glt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 I thought Quickboost or somebody else did the beaver tail Glt They did a 1/48 late A or B beaver tail. The one Darren is talking about is the original first beaver tail used on the early F-14As. See pic below. Its the one marked "F-14A (early)". Quickboost's is the bottom on in the pic. Darren has made a resin early beaver tail for the 1/48 Tamiya kit (also is included with some Hasegawa F-14A kits). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Don't forget these re-pops https://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/ww7evryexrl1nsodrfaf.html The VF-124 option is awesome There's a VF-84 one around too. It's the Fujimi kit with a few little additions, some PE from memory. But case in point, a good few dollary doos and so much more kit from the outset. Ah, yes. The Fujimi re-pops are really value for money. The VF-84 one was kitted by KA-models and features not one but TWO sets of P.E as well as "glow in the dark" decals for the formation "slime" lights: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-72-F-14A-Tomcat-Jolly-Rogers/323765448143?hash=item4b61ecadcf:g:sPIAAOSwXj5XF5TD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 I'm with you on those two. The Hase kit is still very good in my book (and going for only US$15+ at HobbyLinkJapan). The Fujimi ones are still available & I love the fact that they include 2 very good pilot figures (with posable arms & helmets) and a full weapons load + displayable engines with trolley: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10363197 ( Even cheaper at HLJ...the links are too long. Just key in Fujimi Tomcat at the HLJ search engine) Just occurred to me that I have four Fujimi early tomcat kits in the storage room. Guess what? I'm good to go! Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 For those interested in the Academy F-14 I just noticed that as of this weekend it's showing up on retailer sites as "In Stock". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Meh, it's not Hasegawa Tomcat, it doesn't count 😋 Seriously though, it looks like it's not the easykit-ish version Academy seems to pop out nowadays. Looks like one could even open canopy without too much fuss. Great news! Love the VF-51 option. Liked it on the original Academy F-14 too. Just didn't bother looking at reference pictures 🙂 Didn't want to spoil the first impression. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 Picked up the kit from my LHS over the weekend. Looks really nice! Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 On 10/16/2019 at 7:57 PM, Darren Roberts said: One stop shopping for almost all variants! Here's hoping they scale it up and release it in 1/48 as well. Will your beaver tail option for an initial F14 work on this kit? The Fine Molds kits are too hard to come by these days. Of course there's the Fujimi for an early version Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 27 minutes ago, ChesshireCat said: Will your beaver tail option for an initial F14 work on this kit? The Fine Molds kits are too hard to come by these days. Of course there's the Fujimi for an early version Gary Unfortunately, I don't have one in 1/72 scale. ☹️ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 Have this kit mostly built, painted, and mostly decaled for review in FSM. FANTASTIC fit! Great Cartograf decals. It isn't the "be all - end all" Tomcat kit; no separate flaps, no open boarding ladder, no separate engine, no radar, etc. But it does have parts for A, B, and D, excellent ordnance. Wings can be swung from full extended to folded for deck, but they are not geared. I've not built (and probably won't build) some of the newest Tomcat kits (GWH, Fine Molds), but this one has plenty of advantages over some of the old classics. Especially the top-notch fit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 On 12/24/2019 at 9:46 PM, Paul Boyer said: Have this kit mostly built, painted, and mostly decaled for review in FSM. FANTASTIC fit! Any indication which canopy mask set will best fit this release? Eduard has 3 different 1/72 F-14 mask sets... been wondering which one to choose when I place my order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted December 26, 2019 Share Posted December 26, 2019 I don't use canopy masks. I apply Bare-Metal foil, trim the foil from the frames, spray, and remove. Any adhesive leftover rubbed away. The F-14 canopy is easy to mask with only five "panes." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bushande Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 (edited) On 10/19/2019 at 10:22 PM, Darren Roberts said: Nope. You would need the original beaver tail. That's why I was thinking about a resin one. Don't want to sound too much like a smart fool but the old one is actually called a "boat tail". The beaver tails are the leaner ones. Just in case you do later on market a resin set and don't want potential buyers to be confused. Back to topic: Is there already a release date? Just scored a GWH 1/72 F-14D for a mere 15 bugs and free shipping and I'd say considering the albeit subtle but still evident flaws in the shape I wouldn't pay a single cent more for it, certainly not the rough 40 bugs it usually goes for. In that respet a hopefully roughly correct 1/72 Tomcat in the 20 bugs range would certaibly be welcome. Edited December 29, 2019 by bushande Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raceaddict Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 On 12/26/2019 at 10:49 AM, Paul Boyer said: I don't use canopy masks. I apply Bare-Metal foil, trim the foil from the frames, spray, and remove. Any adhesive leftover rubbed away. The F-14 canopy is easy to mask with only five "panes." Never tried that technique, but I doubt I'm that good... steady hands, not my strong point. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shadrik Posted December 31, 2019 Share Posted December 31, 2019 On 12/29/2019 at 6:55 PM, bushande said: Is there already a release date? It is already out, I have two on the way 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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