Hasegawa 1/48 F-14A 'Atlantic Fleet Squadrons', by Spiros Pendedekas

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project. A large and well equipped fighter, the F-14 was the first of the American Teen Series fighters, which were designed incorporating air combat experience against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.

THE KIT

Hasegawa came in 1988 with their very nice F-14A, reboxing it more than 40 times ever since and practically covering (with the occasional addition of some extra parts) all Tomcat versions. The specific kit is the second (1989) reboxing, bought in 2005 from one of my then de rigeur/sadly now closed Athens hobby shop at what seemed a logical price.

The kit comes in a big top opening box of excellent quality, featuring a supreme box art by Koike Shigeo, depicting VF-84 Jolly Rogers 161140/AJ 213 bird. Upon opening the box I was greeted with no less than 256 light gray styrene parts arranged in 9 sprues, a clear sprue, a PE fret, white metal rims and vinyl tires, all neatly packed. Molding is crisp with practically no flash. General shapes of parts look correct, as do the finely recessed panel lines.

Despite the kit's age and the presence of newer, more detailed offerings, the cockpit is still adequately represented, including a good amount of key elements found at the real thing. Instruments and switches are all over raised and will look fine after some dry brushing, though it would have been nice if Hasegawa have also provided instrument decals, since many of us like to apply and make them succumb onto the raised instruments, yielding a very realistic result. The seats look nice, as well, with molded-on seat belts. Finally, two very nice pilots are provided and can be optionally attached.

Quite typically for an F-14 model, the fuselage is supplied in front and rear sections, with the front section split vertically and the rear horizontally. The wings feature separate flaps and slats and can be attached either extended or retracted. The complex air intakes are well done, with correct depth and with compressor faces attached at their end. The exhausts are sufficiently done, including both “open” and “closed” nozzles.

The other key area of the landing gear is also well done, with relatively busy looking gear legs and wheel bays. The wheel rims are nicely cast in white metal (three styles for the main ones are provided, according to the version built). The vinyl tires, though not liked by some, look realistic and, since the rims are made of white metal, no danger of being eaten by the vinyl tires exists.

As is the (not that favorable) norm for Hasegawa models, no other external stores are provided apart from two external tanks and the TARPS pod and have to be purchased separately.

Transparencies are well molded and crystal clear. The MA fret caters for the canopy internal bracing, rear view mirrors and crew ladder. It is of the stiffer stainless steel type, so maybe annealing it with some sort of heat might sound a good idea, in order to make it more pliable.

Instructions are supremely done in typical Hasegawa style, this time in the form of a 16 page booklet, containing a short history of the type, a sprues map, with the construction spread in 40 clear and concise steps.

Four attractive schemes are provided, for a VF-31, a VF-74 and two VF-84 birds, all in single light gray FS16440 shade. Decals are sharply printed, featuring Hasegawa’s older trend to depict ”white” as “ivory”. Though old, they look to be in excellent condition.

Instructions want you to first assemble the cockpit with the nose bay underneath, then trap them between the front fuselage halves. The nose gear is supposed to be attached at this time, but I would wait until later stages. The rear fuselage assembly follows, where you have to decide between extended or retracted wings, in order to attach the correct wing glove seal. Next is intakes assembly and installation, where some extra attention will be required to get everything lined up correctly.

The exhausts are then assembled, where you can choose between opened or closed nozzles, followed by the tail which contains the air brakes (you can choose between deployed or retracted) and the arresting hook. Landing gear is next, where you have to choose the correct main rims for your version, followed by joining the front and rear fuselage section.

Stuff such as covers and antennas are then to be attached (where you can choose to attach the boarding steps extended and construct the PE ladder provided), followed by the canopy where its side internal bracing and rear view mirrors are also provided as PE.

Next steps deal with assembly and installation of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, followed by the external tanks, the TARPS pod and stores’ pylons, ending a build that poses a good degree of complexity, which makes it unsuitable for beginners.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being 35 years old, this is still a very good kit of the iconic Tomcat: general shapes of parts look correct, molding is crisp with finely engraved panel lines, overall level of detail is sufficient, transparencies are nicely done, instructions are clear and decals are well printed and still in very good condition.

Out of the box, a very accurate Tomcat can emerge. As it is not an easy build, the modeler has to take his time and plan ahead. Surely, as of 2024, there are newer kits that might offer more in terms of detail and buildability, but, still, this one is definitely worth tackling.

Happy Modeling!

KIT #:	07019
PRICE:	$50.00 or so
DECALS:	Four options
REVIEWER:	Spiros Pendedekas
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