Hasegawa F-14A

Hi Demono69,

is it the 1/72 or 1/48 kit? I've built both so I'll share what I know. Of the two 1/72 scale kits availiable, the limited edition with recessed panel lines and etched brass is a whole lot better-it's got a lot of detail and goes together quite well. The only thing you need to add is some nice cockpit details-which you have. If you have the standard raised lines 1/72 kit then you will find plenty of use for those aftermarket parts! There is no detail in the "office" to speak of but you get weapons and it goes together OK with a little filling and sanding. Plenty of post shading will make up for the lack of airframe detail.


Now if it's the 1/48 version you've got-brace yourself, it's a fantastic kit and a lot of hard work.[:0] I know a lot of modelers better than I who get so far and give up. However, if you know what to expect, life should be a little easier.
So here's a list of what to look out for:(some of this stuff will be obvious to a lot of folks,but if it helps someone -it's worth writing.)
1. The cockpit-lots of dry fitting required to ensure that the front wheel well lines up with the rest of front fuselage. Also, the walls behind the bang seats need to be sanded down a little to make them fit.
2. The jet intakes-this is where most folks have problems. Depending on the age of the mold that you have(Hasagawa retooled the mold later on in an effort to correct the intakes) you will have to either add plasticard or use a lot of filler-the choice is yours! The bits to watch out for are where the inner leading edges of the intakes meet the airframe-these parts are very thin and quite easy to damage. At the other end, where this part is slung underneath to meet the engine housing-it is supposed to simply click into place- You guessed it, even more filling and sanding needed. Make sure you leave the 'burner cans off until your happy with the intakes.
3.The flaps for the wings are a tad fragile-dry fit them first.
4. Main landing gear,the locating pins can sometimes be a little oversize,so careful sanding/filing will be needed. The metal wheels are quite heavy,so when you attach them, make sure they are well supported whilst drying.
5.Decals-these are pretty good ,but if you are using the box decals be aware that the "no-step" stencils tend to silver,you'll need plenty of solution for these.
6.Weapon hard points-the ones underneath the airframe do not fit flush so a little filling needed here-due to the curves found here,I found this a bit difficult so I used a few drops of PVA to attach the parts and slide them arouind until it "looked right." As for the ones underneath the wing joints-this is a simple hit or miss affair. I put mine on the wrong way round the first time-it's easily done!
The locating pins and holes don't line up on some of these kits so again,dry fit first to be sure..

Apologies for rambling on........just hope this helps.

Regards,

Darren.

Darren,

Thanks for the advice. The kit is the 1/48 scale. I'm also planning on using the Aeromaster "Anytime Babe VIII" decals, so silvering should not be a problem.

I had heard there were some fit problems, but that they had retooled the kit to correct some of the deficiencies in the older sets. I'll just have to wait and see if I still have the old molds.

demono69

I'm building this kit right now- using the Black box cockpit set.

As stated above- a beutiful kit but it takes a lot of work. I've been doing most my work in subassemblies. Right now I'm at the point of putting most of these subs' together to the main fusalage. Yes sir- a lot of sanding and filling to be done. But as it comes together- it's exciting!

Any specific questions- give me a personal E-mail and I'll try to help.