Fujimi 1:72 F-14A Tomcat "Hello Independence"

ah the venerable Fujimi kit... This is one of the gems in the market, with full engines, stands and a superbly moulded kit.
This kit provides lotsof gimmicks like optional position slats and flaps, 4 different type of nozzles for TF-30 or F-110 engines, openable nose cone with radar dish, "takeoff position" front landing gear, rubber and plastic tyres and some photoetch for the cockpit.. The presence of GE F110 engine nozzles means you can do a 'B' version without trouble. In fact, the Fujimi "D'" boxing uses the exact same mould and sprues, with the exception of the 2 small pieces that make up the 'D's chinpod.

Building:
Whilst the fit is not as good as Hasegawa's, the kit goes together easily in pre-fit. Not much puttying was needed, except at the usual problem areas near the forward fuselage and wing gloves. And do look out for the intake canal housing. Fujimi's tomcat's intake come in 2 long halves that go the entire length from intake lip to exhaust. If the dryfit does not go well sand until it does or you will have a difficult time sanding the seam-line.

My particular kit contains decals for VF-21 and VF-154, both lo-vis, abroad USS Independence during her port call in Yokosuka naval base in Japan. Unfortunately i have already used mine so here's a copy from another site..

cockpit is decals-based but it's been blocked by the photoetch parts. The details are fair enough for a 72 scale, with green LCD screens for some of the displays.. Missile bands for the phoenixes and sparrows are also provided,

Overall:
this is a very good kit that is quite rare nowadays except for the "Re-released" versions such as Black Knight Cag and Bounty Hunters Operation Enduring Freedom. Prices are more expensive compared with Hasegawa's but of course Fujimi gives some extras stuff(like engines) The 2nd best 72 tomcat out there..

Kinetic-Eduard F-16I PE cockpit set

The most contentious is the remove before flight tags. the printing is poor quality and blurred, hence it is not easy to read at all. reminds me of the old decals from airfix that sometimes printed off center

the poor printing quality on the PE parts also cause some graininess

and the flatness and lack of depth of the PE part, might as well stick to the 3D feel of the kinetic kit plastic part

so what did you expect, since the rear is in metal colour, we have to paint the other side of the RBF tags?

compare the pilots right console. the PE is flat, but attempts to lend depth by providing a second layer of PE for the screen mountings.

compare this to the plastic

ejector seat pulling pins are nice though

overall i'll say that the PE is useful for detailing up the screens and displays. because it will take a 0.0005 brush or a toothpick to paint out those details. However, the lack of pop up details, buttons, and moreover the misaligned printing and generally grainy colours means that it will be better to try painitng the plastic yourself. Especially considering that it costs USD$10..
2 stars out of 5. not a definite must buy, but some parts can be used. such as seatbelts..

Weapons Sets - Hasegawa [1:72]

Aircraft Weapons : I
U.S. Bombs & Rocket Launchers (X72-1)

Contents

4 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B) and 1 sheet of stencils, no stripes

Mk. 81 Bomb x 12
Mk. 82 Bomb x 12
Mk. 83 Bomb x 6
Mk. 84 Bomb x 4
Mk. 82 Bomb with Fuse Extender x 6
Mk. 82 Snakeye x 6
M117 Bomb x 6
BLU-27 Napalm x 6
LAU-3 Rocket Launcher (with opt. fairings) x 6
LAU-10 Rocket Launcher (with opt. fairings) x 4
MER (Mulitple Ejector Rack) x 2
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 2

Aircraft Weapons : II
U.S. Guided Bombs & Gun Pods (X72-2)

Contents

4 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B) and 1 sheet of decals

SUU-30 Dispenser x 6
Mk. 20 Rockeye x 6
GBU-12 LGB x 4
GBU-10 LGB x 2
GBU-15 TVGB x 2
GBU-8 TVGB x 4
Pave Spike Pod x 2
Pave Knife Pod x 2
SUU-23A Gun Pod x 2
Mk. 4 HIPEG 20mm Gun Pod x 2
MER (Mulitple Ejector Rack) x 2
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 2

Aircraft Weapons : III
U.S. Air to Air Missiles (X72-3)

Contents

4 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B) and 1 sheet of decals

AIM-9B Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9D Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9E Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9J Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9L Sidewinder x 8
AIM-7E Sparrow x 4
AMRAAM x 4
AIM-54 Phoenix x 6
AIM-4D Falcon x 4
AIM-4G Falcon x 4
GPU-5/A 30mm Gun Pod x 2
SUU-20 Dispenser x 2
AIM-9 Launcher (Air Force) x 2
AIM-9 Launcher (Navy) x 2

Aircraft Weapons : IV
U.S. Air to Ground Missiles (X72-4)

Contents

4 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B) and 1 sheet of decals

AGM-12B Bullpup x 4
AGM-12C Bullpup x 2
AGM-45 Shrike x 2
AGM-62A Walleye x 2
AGM-65 Maverick x 6
AGM-78 Standard x 2
AGM-88 HARM x 2
ALQ-87 ECM Pod x 2
ALQ-101 ECM Pod x 2
ALQ-119 ECM Pod x 2
ALQ-131 ECM Pod x 2
Tow Target System x 2
LAU-34A x 2
LAU-77A x 2
LAU-88A x 2

Aircraft Weapons : V
U.S. Missiles and Launcher Set (X72-9)

Contents

3 Sprues (3 x A) and 3 sheets of decals

AIM-9L/M Sidewinder x 6
AIM-7M Sparrow x 6
AIM-120 AMRAAM x 6
AGM-84E SLAM x 3
AGM-119A Penguin x 3
CBU-87/M Cluster Bomb x 6
AN/APX-95 TACTS Pod (ACMI Pod) x 3
Launcher Adapter for AGM-119A Penguin x 3
LAU-129A/A (F16 Wingtip) x 3
LAU-129A/A (F16 Pylon) x 3
LAU-129A/A (F15 Pylon) x 6

Aircraft Weapons : VI
U.S. Smart Bombs (X72-11)

Contents

3 Sprues (3 x A) and 3 sheets of decals

GBU-10 Paveway II x 6
GBU-12 Paveway II x 9
GBU-16 Paveway II x 3 or
AGM-123 Skipper x 3 (GBU-16 with rocket booster)
GBU-24 Paveway III x 3
F-14 Bomb Rack x 6
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 3

Aircraft Weapons : VII
U.S. Special Bombs & Lantirn Pods (X72-12)

Contents

6 Sprues (3 x A, 3 x Z) and 3 sheets of decals

AGM-154A JSOW x 3
GBU-31 JDAM x 3
AN/AAQ-13 Navigation Pod x 3
AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod x 3
AN/ALQ-184 ECM Pod x 3
F-15 AN/AAQ-13 Rack x 3
F-14 AN/AAQ-14 Rack x 3
F-15 AN/AAQ-14 Rack x 3
F-16 AN/AAQ-14 Rack x 3
F-14 LAU-138 Launcher x 6

U.S. Aircraft Weapon
Loading Set (X72-5)

Contents

3 Sprues ( A, B and C) and 1 sheet of decals

Ford Tractor x 1
MJ-1 Lift Truck x 1
Hydraulic Lift Trailer x 1
General Purpose Dolly x 1
MHU-12M Ammunition Trailer x 1
F-4 370 gal. Drop Tank Dolly x 1
Figures x 4

U.S. Aerospace Ground
Equipment Set (X72-6)

Contents

3 Sprues ( A, B and C) , lengths of Vinyl, Coil Springs, and 1 sheet of decals

Wheel Chocks x 1
Tool Wagon x 1
Fire Extinguisher F4B x 1
TTU-228/E Hydraulic Test Stand x 1
A/M32A-60A Generator Set x 1
A/M32C-10 Air Conditioner x 1
MC-1A High Pressure Compressor x 1
NF-2 Lighting Unit x 1
Figures x 4

U.S. Pilot/Ground
Crew Set (X72-7)

Contents

4 Sprues ( A, B, C and D) , length of Vinyl, Metal Shafts, and 1 sheet of decals

Tool box x 2
Chevrolet Flight Crew Vehicle (with driver) x 1
Fire Extinguisher x 2
Maintenance Platform x 1
Ladder for F-15 x 1
Pilot Flight Bag x 2
Helmet x 2
Oxygen Mask x 1
Pilot Figures x 6
Ground Personnel x 7

Weapons Sets - Hasegawa [1:48]

One of Hasegawa's annoying trends is not to include any weapons in their kits. You have to purchase their Weapon Sets. I have tried to catalogue their various sets that I have, so that hopefully you can see which one you require.

Aircraft Weapons : A
U.S. Bombs & Tow Target System (X48-1)

Contents

4 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B) and 1 sheet of stencils, no stripes

Mk. 20 Rockeye x 6
Mk. 81 Bomb x 12
Mk. 82 Bomb x 12
Mk. 82 Bomb with Fuse Extender x 6
Mk. 82 Snakeye x 6
Mk. 83 Bomb x 6
Mk. 84 Bomb x 2
M117 Bomb x 6
BLU-27 Napalm x 2
Tow Target System x 2
SUU-30 Dispenser x 6
MER (Mulitple Ejector Rack) x 2
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 2

Aircraft Weapons : B
U.S. Guided Bombs & Rocket Launchers (X48-2)

Contents

5 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B, 1 x Clear) and 1 sheet of decals

 AGM-12B Bullpup x 4
AGM-12C Bullpup x 2
AGM-62A Walleye x 2
GBU-8 TVGB x 4
GBU-10 LGB x 2
GBU-12 LGB x 4
AIM-54 Phoenix x 4
LAU-3 Rocket Launcher (with opt. fairings) x 6
LAU-10 Rocket Launcher (with opt. fairings) x 4
Pave Spike Pod x 2
Pave Knife Pod x 2
ALQ-87 ECM Pod x 2
ALQ-119 ECM Pod x 2
ALQ-131 ECM Pod x 2
AERO 5A-1 Launcher x 4
F-4 Sparrow Bay Adapter x 2
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 2

Aircraft Weapons : C
U.S. Missiles & Gun Pods (X48-3)

Contents

5 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B, 1 x Clear) and 1 sheet of decals

AIM-9B Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9D Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9E Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9J Sidewinder x 4
AIM-9L Sidewinder x 4
AIM-4D Falcon x 4
AIM-4G Falcon x 4
AIM-7F Sparrow x 4
AGM-65 Maverick x 6
AGM-45 Shrike x 2
AGM-78 Standard x 2
AGM-88 HARM x 2
SUU-23A Gun Pod x 2 (includes sharkmouth decals)
Mk. 4 HIPEG 20mm Gun Pod x 2
GPU-5/A 30mm Gun Pod x 2
AERO 5A-1 Launcher x 2
AERO 7A-1 Launcher x 2
LAU-88A x 2

Aircraft Weapons : D
U.S. Smart Bombs & Target Pods (X48-8)

Contents

7 Sprues (2 x A, 2 x B, 2 x Z, 1 x Clear) and 2 sheets of decals

 GBU-10 Paveway II x 2
GBU-12 Paveway II x 6
GBU-16 Paveway II x 2 or
AGM-123 Skipper x 2 (GBU-16 with rocket booster)
GBU-24 Paveway III x 2
AGM-84E SLAM x 2
GBU-31 JDAM x 2
AN/APX-95 TACTS Pod x 2
AN/AAQ-13 Navigation Pod x 2
AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod x 2
AN/ALQ-184 ECM Pod x 3
F-15 AN/AAQ-13 Rack x 2
F-15 AN/AAQ-14 Rack x 2
F-16 AN/AAQ-14 Rack x 2
TER (Triple Ejector Rack) x 2

U.S. Ground Crew Set A (X48-4)

Contents

3 Sprues ( A, B and C) , lengths of Vinyl, Coil Spring, and 1 sheet of decals

Wheel Chocks x 3
Fire Extinguisher F4B x 1
TTU-228/E Hydraulic Test Stand x 1
A/M32A-60A Generator Set x 1
Pilot Figures x 3
Ground Crew Figures x 9

U.S. Pilot/Ground Crew Set B (X48-5)

Contents

8 Sprues ( 2 x B, 2 x C, 2 x D and 2 x E)

Pilot Figures x 6 (2 of each = 12 total)
Ground Personnel x 12 (2 of each = 24 total)

U.S. Navy Pilot/Deck Crew Set A (X48-6)

Contents

6 Sprues (3 x A and 3 x B) and 1 decal sheet

 Pilot Figures x 2 (3 of each = 6 total)
Deck Crew x 8 (3 of each = 24 total)

ESCI/Ertl 1/72 F-14 A Tomcat and A plus

this are 2 very very rare kits now in the market, just as well. Kit is fully recessed lines, with the detail somewhat similar to that of academy. Fit wise though this maker is far lacking behind in terms of accuracy. The twin intake canals don't really go down well, and they are round in shape. which is extremely wrong. Next, the front fuselage/cockpit assembly becomes so fat and huge it dwarfs those of the hasegawa versions. The best thing about the wing sweep mechanism is that they provide a T shape spar to slot over the main wing pivots, this jams the whole thing up even further and has to be removed. Another sore point about the kit is that they provide Square shape pins for the fuel tanks, missile pylons and the Tarps pod.. Ugly. And the worse comes with the landing gear bay doors, which have huge ejector pin marks on the inner surfaces, and no hint of any raised details on them. Ad when this is all done you realise the canopy cannot sit on the kit's cockpit and buldges out, raising the height of the cat further.

The 'A Plus" boxing is the same kit as the 'A' there is no F-110 engine nozzles given. I repeat, it is an 'A'. So if you see the box art don't be fooled.

Decals wise they provide some good stuff. The 'A' boxing gives VF-103's original "Sluggers" marking with the arrowhead in grey and yellow, aboard Uss Saratoga. This is the only Sluggers decal without having to buy aftermarket. Also included in the A boxing is decals for Lo-Vis VF-2 abroad Uss Ranger with the skulls/stars in neutral grey. The 3rd set is a hi-vis diamondbacks VF-102 .

The 'A Plus" boxing gives VF-41 Black Aces decals abroad Uss Nimitz and has the markings for the aircraft that shot down Libyan Su-22s. But no Su-22 kill marking is given..The 2nd set is the VF-102 diamondbacks abroad Uss America during operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya. This is a Hi-vis scheme.

Decals are given for the cockpit, but the decals are not spectacular.

Building the kit:

this kit went together as normal, with light trimming and sanding needed for it to fit in places. Some puttying and sanding was involved at the front-rear fuselage joint and the wing glove region. The pitiful landing gear bays and doors was left as is.Another major headache is the square pylon pins, these need to be sanded down in order to fit into the sockets. Canopy couldn't be trim without risking throwing the thing away as it came moulded with the canopy railing, and sanding it would misshape the front fuselage even more.

Overall comments:

this is a average kit, not better than academy, but not as bad as airfix/heller. I would NOT recommend it to anyone, unless they just want to buy it for the decals. I'd rank it 3rd from bottom amongst 72 tomcat makers...