[Panther10]

In my opinion, the best F-14 Tomcat hasn't been made yet. Although Century's are still vastly superior to all of their counterparts, They can still be better. I have a feeling after a few years down the road, eventually Century will produce a bird with some more impressive specs like retractable landing gear (instead of swapable), a larger variety of weapon loads, optional LED engines and of course Low-Viz markings. Showbirds are nice, but they don't exactly reflect the reality of the United States Navy. So until that day comes, I'm affraid you're still only seeing second best.

[David Hingtgen]

Retractable gear just isn't feasible for any plane that rotates the wheels as the struts move. That includes a LOT of modern fighters, including the F-14. Some 1/10 scale or larger radio control ones do it, but even they usually have to heavily compromise on scale appearance to accomplish it. (Gigantic wheel wells, simple tubes instead of detailed struts, doors that stay open when they should close, etc)

If you want scale working gear at 1/72 scale, expect to pay $50 for the landing gear alone, plus $50 for the rest of the model. And have them break after one or two retractions.

[Panther10]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Retractable gear just isn't feasible for any plane that rotates the wheels as the struts move. That includes a LOT of modern fighters, including the F-14. Some 1/10 scale or larger radio control ones do it, but even they usually have to heavily compromise on scale appearance to accomplish it. (Gigantic wheel wells, simple tubes instead of detailed struts, doors that stay open when they should close, etc)

If you want scale working gear at 1/72 scale, expect to pay $50 for the landing gear alone, plus $50 for the rest of the model. And have them break after one or two retractions.

Y'know the same could be said for Marvel Legends. until about 7 years ago, cramming 30 pts of articulation into a 6" figure was considered impossible. Nobody knew how to do it. These days, incorporating that much articulation into a single figure is not only second nature to almost a dozen toy companies, but it's become an industry standard. Century has already set that same standard in the world of Diecast jets, and I'm sure with a little more inovation, Century will finally be able to draw their line in the sand.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Panther10

In my opinion, the best F-14 Tomcat hasn't been made yet. Although Century's are still vastly superior to all of their counterparts, They can still be better. I have a feeling after a few years down the road, eventually Century will produce a bird with some more impressive specs like retractable landing gear (instead of swapable), a larger variety of weapon loads, optional LED engines and of course Low-Viz markings. Showbirds are nice, but they don't exactly reflect the reality of the United States Navy. So until that day comes, I'm affraid you're still only seeing second best.

I bought a low viz and and a high viz marking VF-111 1/200 tomcat. To be honest, the High Viz definitely is nicer to look at.

[David Hingtgen]

Adding more articulation wasn't anything new--they didn't have to invent the ball-joint or anything. They just added pre-existing types of joints everywhere. It wasn't impossible or even difficult to do, companies just didn't want to go to the expense. Century would have to figure out how to make collapsible/extending, rotating struts only 3mm thick. I've come up with a basic rotating strut design for model/toy planes that does work with a very simple "mechanism". But don't know if it's actually feasible to produce at anything smaller than 1/32 scale. Hey, if Century wants to try, I can send them drawings. (I already sent the only working prototype to a friend--could make another if I needed to

[skidmarksdiecast]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Retractable gear just isn't feasible for any plane that rotates the wheels as the struts move. That includes a LOT of modern fighters, including the F-14. Some 1/10 scale or larger radio control ones do it, but even they usually have to heavily compromise on scale appearance to accomplish it. (Gigantic wheel wells, simple tubes instead of detailed struts, doors that stay open when they should close, etc)

If you want scale working gear at 1/72 scale, expect to pay $50 for the landing gear alone, plus $50 for the rest of the model. And have them break after one or two retractions.

I think $250 would actually be more realistic. A 1/72 scale F-14 with accurate to scale, detailed, retractable landing gear, would have exponentially higher labor costs due to the much greater complexity of assembly (lots of very small, moving parts).

What would really be super cool would be internally installing two butane mini-torches so you could get real flames to shoot out from the afterburners.

[SKUNKY]

I would have to agree that the feasibility of making accurate looking retracts on a 1/72nd scale jet and be able to keep it even remotely close to being affordable is about nil..The interchangeable parts method works just fine.

[TopHat]

Plus, the gee-whiz effect will be gone after a few retracts. Swapable pieces are just fine with me.

I never retract the gear on my GMPs simply because I don't frequently handle my birds.

[IKONOS]

Originally Posted by skidmarksdiecast

What would really be super cool would be internally installing two butane mini-torches so you could get real flames to shoot out from the afterburners.

Damn, now that would be bad... I hadn't thought about that. Might have to go try it!

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by skidmarksdiecast

What would really be super cool would be internally installing two butane mini-torches so you could get real flames to shoot out from the afterburners.

Hey I like your idea! It doubles as a tobaco lighter.