1:72 Grumman F-14 A/B

The real subject

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-based combat aircraft with a two-man crew and a variable-geometry wing. In flight it changes the sweep angle of the wing itself according to speed, so that for a deck launch and for landing it flies with the wing spread, while at high speeds it is folded back against the fuselage. It came about for the defense of a naval task force at a great distance from the carrier, and beside the pilot in the cockpit sits a weapon systems officer. The A and B versions differ in equipment and powerplants, while in external shape they are close to one another.

What the accessory brings

An accessory for a model of the F-14 in the A and B versions in 1:72 scale. Accessories of this kind replace parts from the kit wherever the shape is to be finer or thinner than an injection mold allows. The extent of the delivery, the placement of the parts and the assembly procedure are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so ordinary cement for plastic has no effect on them. They are bonded with super glue applied in drops. Cut off the surplus material with a sharp blade a little away from the part and carefully sand the remainder, so that the mating surface stays flat. Before painting, wash the parts in lukewarm water with a drop of dish soap, let them dry and spray them with a base color. Try the small parts dry beforehand, as once the glue has dried you will no longer move them.

Who it is for

For modelers who build the Tomcat in 1:72 scale and want to take the model beyond the level of the parts from the kit. Whether the parts fit a particular kit should be checked in the instructions before you start modifying the plastic. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.