Time for another Tomcat build and this time it’ll be in the sunset markings with the red tails.
This is my first GWH kit but I’ve read that the details on their kits are very nice and this bears out with the crisply molded parts.
A quick dryfit with tape indicates that it will be a good fitting kit. But it also features a few inserts. Let’s hope those fit well.
The seats are nicely done although they come beltless so it’s out with the Tamiya tape.
The instrument panels come with the details molded on so you can happily paint and detail them.
I chose to use the decals provided instead. In this scale with the canopy closed I think the results are better.
Once painted, washed and drybrushed the cockpit looks sufficiently busy.
To differentiate between the vintage of the F-14 GWH provides inserts for the gun vents and the reinforced rear boarding step. The latter fits well but the gun vent fits with a noticeable step. I added spacers under the insert to get a better fit. GWH provides the option for the steps to be opened but as usual, I go with the buttoned up option.
I added some weight into the nose and everything buttoned up with no issue.
I believe this kit will fit better with everything available opened up but the nose isn’t too bad with some shimming.
The refueling door however, doesn’t quite fit well and will need to be addressed.
The bleed air doors that open towards the rear are separate pieces but otherwise, the upper fuselage half is molded as one piece.
Where the the wing inserts into the fuselage is a separate part though. Not really sure why.
To help with fitting I added strips of styrene on the inside as guides.
The most complicated part of the build are the intakes which are made up of quite a few parts. These unfortunately won’t really be visible once closed up. The commitment to the detail is appreciated though.
Build Log
Pt.1 – Construction | Pt.2 – Construction | Pt.3 – Construction
Pt.4 – Painting | Pt.5 – Painting & Finishing
