Hasegawa 1/72 F-14B Tomcat 'VF-143 Pukin Dogs Last Cruise', previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating the experience of air combat against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.

The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform. In the 1990s, it added the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) pod system and began performing precision ground-attack missions.

The F-14 received its first of many major upgrades in March 1987 with the F-14A Plus (or F-14A+). The F-14A's TF30 engine was replaced with the improved F110-GE-400 engine. The F-14A+ also received the state-of-the-art ALR-67 Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) system. Many of the avionics components, as well as the AWG-9 radar, were retained. The F-14A+ was later redesignated F-14B on 1 May 1991. A total of 38 new aircraft were manufactured and 43 F-14A were upgraded into B variants. In the late 1990s, 81 F-14Bs were upgraded to extend airframe life and improve offensive and defensive avionics systems. The modified aircraft became known as F-14B (Upgrade)

This boxing features the aircraft of VF-143 during their last cruise. All of the second generation Hasegawa Tomcat kits provide the same level of detail and include whatever bits are needed for the version being boxed. There is a photo etch fret for things like inner canopy latches, instrument and consoles, afterburner details and such. This is actually etched stainless from what I can see so will be pretty sturdy stuff. Back in the cockpit, there are decals that can be used if you so wish. Two bang seats are fairly well done. All this will fit atop the nose gear well when it is built up. Weight is needed in the nose.

The kit has a lot of inserts so one will have to be careful when installing these. Note also that holes will need to be opened for missile racks, fuel tanks and pylons. Wings can be built swept back or fully forward. For the latter, the slats and flaps can be extended. There are separate inserts for the area behind the wings depending on which you choose. The wings do not 'swing' so you make your choice and stick with it. Some cutting will be required for swept back.

Landing gear is very nicely done and you get both extended and lowered nose gear. I doubt the Iranian planes use the lowered position as they are not catapulted from aircraft carriers. Main wheels have separate hubs so that will help with painting. Intakes are nicely detailed and, in my experience, installing these is usually the biggest headache of Tomcat kits. That and installing the separate nose section. All of the various little lights are separate bits as well so that won't be fun installing those.

As is sometimes the case with Hasegawa's limited edition offerings, this one includes a standard instruction sheet for the F-14A+ with an addendum sheet to include a placement guide for the new decals. It also includes build info for the targeting pod and lau racks that are provided on the Z sprue. Both markings options are for V-143 aircraft in 2005. The box art plane is the special CAG bird with some color and the '143' nose number. This aircraft is painted in overall light gull grey. The other option is a TPS camo plane for the squadron commander. The decal sheet is very nice and includes stencils and the intake walk decals.

Though there are newer 1/72 Tomcat toolings out there, the Hasegawa kit is still very good and provides an option for extended slats/flaps that some others do not provide. It will not be a quick build, but will provide a very nice model when you are done.

KIT #:	00814
PRICE:	3000 yen SRP
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2006 Limited Edition