Hasegawa 1/72 F-14D Tomcat "VF-31 Tomcaters"

Kit: No. 00831
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Hasegawa, from Dragon Models USA, 626-968-0322,
Price: $39.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 269 parts (30 photoetched), decals
Pros: Still the best detailed, most accurate Tomcat in the scale; updated molds; good fit; excellent decals
Cons: Some tricky assemblies; tiny parts; no harnesses on seats

Hard to believe, but Hasegawa's "new" F-14 (as opposed to the older, simpler, raised-panel-line kit) is 20 years old. It's been issued dozens of times, usually with just a change of decal markings. However, as the Tomcat evolved into the "A+" and B versions and, eventually, the "Super Tomcat" D model, Hasegawa has tweaked its molds to try to keep up.

I have a couple earlier D models in my stash, but these lacked some necessary upgrades such as the NACES seats and targeting pods.

As the Tomcat was retired, Hasegawa fixed these shortcomings in its kit; now we have the proper seats, pods, and even updated (but tiny) HUD parts. The latest issues also have been featuring new Cartograf decals; this one has "retirement" schemes for VF-31 "Tomcatters," one of the last two squadrons to fly the F-14. Kit options include installing the wings either in extended or fully swept positions; there is no gearing for moveable wings. However, the leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps can be installed in the dropped position. There's a TARPS recon pod, and various pylons for missiles and bombs but, as usual for Hasegawa, no weapons are included. You need to get them from Hasegawa's weapons sets. You can display the speed brakes open or closed. There also are optional "boat tails" and undernose sensors applicable to other Tomcat versions.

With all the detail, building Hasegawa's "little" Tomcat is not a project for beginners. You have to pay attention to the instructions to ensure you've bored holes for attaching the pallets and pylons, determined which of several optional parts is used, and attached the right look-alike parts in the right places.

Overall, fit was pretty good. But I'm still not sure I installed the main-gear well parts correctly; they have to be installed before the top and bottom fuselage halves are assembled. The multi-part exhaust nozzles for the F110 engines are difficult to arrange in a perfect ring.

Some of the newest parts are shown only in the addendum to the instructions, so you must be careful to study them and see where they fall into the assembly sequence.

I chose decals over the photoetched-metal console panels for the interior. The new NACES seats lack harness detail.

I painted with Testors Model Master enamels and Polly Scale acrylics. After I applied a coat of Future floor polish, the beautifully printed Cartograf decals went down perfectly with a touch of Solvaset. I couldn't resist the red-tailed, black-nosed squadron commander's bird that created a variance from the usual relentlessly gray jets.

I spent 42 hours on the model, more than usual, but there were more tiny parts and twists in the assembly than usual. We'll probably see several more issues of Hasegawa's 1/72 scale Tomcat, and why not. It's still the best!
- Paul Boyer