Subject:  
Grumman
F-14D Tomcat
Kit Used: Hasegawa 1/48

Review & model by:
C.J. Blachford
Pictures: R. Forys

May 2003
Junior
Model of the Month






[]



History:  Grumman Aircraft started development of the F-14 Navy fighter in the late 1960's when its F-111B program failed to be adopted for fleet use.   In late 1970, the project suffered a major setback when the first prototype crashed.   However the program recovered, and the aircraft entered service less than 2 years later with VF-125, before embarking for the first operational tour with VF-1 and VF-2 on the USS Enterprise in 1974.   The F-14 replaced the F-4 as the main fleet defense fighter, and has come to be regarded as one of the finest interceptors flying anywhere in the world.   Despite this, the aircraft is not without its problems.   It has experienced a relatively high accident rate, and persistent engine issues have caused escalating maintenance costs, which have actually led to the development of the more economical F-18 fighter program.   A total of 478 F-14As have been delivered to the U.S. Navy.



[]


In 1973, the Navy tried to develop a "B" model using more powerful Pratt & Whitney turbo fans, but ran into budget problems and was forced to cancel the project.   Therefore, the Navy continued to use the "A" model with its original engines.   It wasn't until 1984 that a "D" model surfaced using General Electric F110 turbo fans that produced 6000lbs more thrust per engine.   The "D" model also received a redesign of the cockpit instrumentation, an updated APG-71 radar system, and an improved defensive suite and tactical jamming system.


[]



The Kit:  This project combined the nice Hasegawa F-14D kit with a Black Box F-14D resin cockpit, Cutting Edge F-14D wheels, Yellow Hammer "VF-2 Anniversary" decals and a Lantirn pod from a Hasegawa F-14A kit.   This was a long term project that started on September 15, 2001 and was completed on March 29, 2003.


[]


CJ states that even though the kit has an excellent overall appeal, with great detail and lots of options, and lots of extra parts for the parts box, it was not an easy build.   He mentioned some fit problems with the fuselage halves at the spine, and weak attachment points for the small parts.   Besides the extra resin parts, CJ also opened the panels for a scratch built in-flight refueling probe and the ground refueling port.



[]


Finishing:  The kit was painted overall with Model Masters acrylics and detailed with more Model Masters acrylics and enamel paints.   As mentioned earlier, the decals came from a company called Yellow Hammer.   The finished model was weathered along the panel lines, walk ways, and the cockpit area, and exhaust and fluid stains were added as desired.


[]


References:
F-14 in Action, Lou Drendel, Squadron/Signal Publishing, 1984
F-14 Walk Around, Lou Drendel, Squadron/Signal Publishing, 1995
Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Shipborne Superfighter, Jon Lake, Airtime Publishing
Jane's F-14 Tomcat, David Rockwell, HarperCollins, 1999


[]