[Black 6]

After three weeks, two of which consisted of my model orbiting between Sacramento and Santa Rosa (thanks a lot FedEx), my Century Wings F-14A finally arrived today. I couldn't wait to open the box to see the model and determine if all the hype and praise surrounding CW models was warranted. I am happy to say YES!

I purchased the F-14A Tomcat model of the US Navy's VF-84 Sqdn. "Jolly Rogers" (AJ210). The first thing the caught my eye was the black box which contained the model. It is well made and has a viewing flap like Dragon and Gemini Aces models. There are no pics of the plane/model on the box except for the side panels which display the vertical stabilizer. The box, with the model inside, is quite hefty.

I removed the model from the box and it is contained in clear plastic like Dragon and Hobby Master models. The plane, its landing gear, fuel tanks, etc., are contained in the main case. The ordnance, of which there is a bunch, is in a separate plastic case in the lid (which slides from its cardboard sleeve). There are no instructions with the model at all which, for me at least (as I am not well versed in F-14s), was a bit confusing when it came time to put some of the parts together. In the bottom of the box are several graphic representations of the F-14 ordnance load-outs which are helpful. However, some of the pics are confusing - again, at least to me as some of the shapes look very similar.

The model is well secured inside the plastic with the addition of three coated wires which keep the two halves of the plastic case together. In addition, there is also the obligatory four pieces of transparent tape along the bottom edges. When all was removed the two halves separated and the F-14 lay in all its glory!

This is one beautiful model! The paint is applied nicely with only two very minor flaws to be found (more on this later). All labels were sharp and legible (even on the ordnance). The finish has a nice wash that isn't overdone at all (take note HM - less is more) and makes it look like it has been outside a bit. The wings swing open and closed with only a little force applied (be sure to hold the model carefully when making adjustments). The horizontal stabilizers (I'm sure I am using the incorrect terms - sorry if it upsets the rivet counters) also move freely, but not so much that they do not hold their position (unknown if they will loosen over time however). The cockpit has incredible detail and looks terrific. The windscreen is tinted in the front panel. The canopy is a bit of a chore to open and I suggest care in doing so. Be careful! The model comes with a crew of two that are packed in the case. You can place them inside the cockpit but it requires some deft fiddling to get them inside without breaking anything. Just be slow and methodical and they should go inside nicely. Pitot tubes and other spikey bits on the fuselage are made of rubber - which is good as I would have broken anything else off while handling the plane when fitting the various parts!

As for the two paint flaws, one was a one inch long scratch on the port side of the fuselage, under the NAVY decal. This had to have happened at the factory as the decal was unharmed (very surprising as the quality of the model is otherwise superb). The other is a paint/finish bubble that mars the paint under the starboard air intake. Both are not bad enough to warrant sending the model back (especially after what I went through to get it here!), but they should not have happened.

I decided to do a wheels down configuration. The landing gear went into their positions with slight pressure applied. I think you need to get them placed just right or you run the risk of forcing, and breaking, them into place. Next the real fun began as I had to decide what ordnance to attach to the model. And boy do you have choices! Using the graphics in the box you have eight different configurations to choose from. Sweet! Problem is, the graphics use shapes and colors to denote what is what. The weapons were easy to figure out, but the missile mounts, TARPS and LANTIRN assemblies were guesses (luckily I got them right, but it took a time or two). I do have one piece that I cannot figure out what the heck it is (it is like that bolt that is left over after working on the car). So I selected the following for my model's next mission:

• 2 x external fuel tanks
• 4 x Phoenix missiles
• 2 x Sparrow missiles
• 2 x Sidewinder missiles

Now that's what I call a mission-capable aircraft! It looks terrific and is now one of my very favorite models in my collection. I would give it a very solid 9 out of 10 points :c lappoint off for the paint flaws and lack of instructions - hey, I work with computers so a good manual is a must!). I heartily recommend adding one of the CW F-14s to your collection!

It looks like I better start saving up as their A-6 models are next to find a home in my collection!

[David Hingtgen]

Could you describe the leftover piece? Also, a VF-84 release shouldn't come with LANTIRN (unless they changed it from the earlier ones---either way, it can't/shouldn't use it, nor the TARPS pod). That should simplify your options.

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Could you describe the leftover piece? Also, a VF-84 release shouldn't come with LANTIRN (unless they changed it from the earlier ones---either way, it can't/shouldn't use it, nor the TARPS pod). That should simplify your options.

Hi David:

Thanks for offering some assistance.

The "leftover piece" is, roughly, shaped like a paddle or cricket bat. The only "guide" I have are the solid-color graphics inside the box and the closest shape it resembles is the M-61A1 Vulcan gun. However, I cannot find anyplace on the model where it would mount. There is a small decal on it that says "Basic wt., Fuel, Gross Wt."

The other piece, again looking at the shapes in the "guide", is either the TARPS (Tactical Air Recon Pod System) or the LANTIRN. The piece itself looks like a small external fuel tank / weapons pod with what appears to be a lens system on one end.

The guide also displays graphics for GBU and "Dumb" bombs that are not included in the set. I thought that might be so you could buy a weapons pack like you can with the Dragon jets, but it could be wrong. The graphic they use, however, is of an F-14.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[David Hingtgen]

The cricket bat piece would be the nose gear doors in the closed position. Pull out the nose gear, and you'll have a hole shaped like your mystery piece.

Your other unknown should be the TARPS pod, as that what comes with the AJ 200 and 203 releases. But that should be approximately the same size as the drop tanks, if not larger. A LANTIRN pod is more the size of a Phoenix missile---smaller even, between a Phoenix and a Sparrow. A LANTIRN has one end spherical, one flat. A TARPS is rather boat-shaped at both ends.

The graphics for GBU and dumb bombs----Century uses the same drawings for all the F-14's, even those which can't carry (and don't include) bombs---so just ignore it for a VF-84 release. (The drawing's wrong anyways, F-14's cannot carry GBU-24's in the positions indicated)

A VF-84 plane of that era is going to carry missiles and nothing else. Even drop tanks wouldn't be too common. (And likely of the earlier design, anyways----but the exact year modeled by Century is right in the "unknown" era for drop tanks---right when the transition happened)

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

The cricket bat piece would be the nose gear doors in the closed position. Pull out the nose gear, and you'll have a hole shaped like your mystery piece.

Thanks David, I now feel dumber than usual. Talk about a "D'oh!" moment. I am so used to the usual "flattened" closed gear doors that it never clicked as it fits well into the gear bay and not on some small ledge. BTW, I didn't mention it in my "review" (now that my credibility is of question), but even the gear wells in the model have details not found in any of the other models I have encountered. Very nice touch!

Your other unknown should be the TARPS pod, as that what comes with the AJ 200 and 203 releases. But that should be approximately the same size as the drop tanks, if not larger. A LANTIRN pod is more the size of a Phoenix missile---smaller even, between a Phoenix and a Sparrow. A LANTIRN has one end spherical, one flat. A TARPS is rather boat-shaped at both ends.

The circled part is what I refer to. So that is a TARPS pod then? (pic from the Century Wings web site)


The graphics for GBU and dumb bombs----Century uses the same drawings for all the F-14's, even those which can't carry (and don't include) bombs---so just ignore it for a VF-84 release. (The drawing's wrong anyways, F-14's cannot carry GBU-24's in the positions indicated)

A VF-84 plane of that era is going to carry missiles and nothing else. Even drop tanks wouldn't be too common. (And likely of the earlier design, anyways----but the exact year modeled by Century is right in the "unknown" era for drop tanks---right when the transition happened)

Thanks for your help on this David, I do appreciate it. So the drop tanks are an unknown that may/may not be correct for this plane as modeled? But to be on the safe side of accuracy, it should be without anything but the missiles (even the TARPS pod)?

I proclaim, and have obviously demonstrated, my complete ignorance of the F-14. However, like art, I may not know it, but I know what I like. And I like this model and the plane it represents.

[David Hingtgen]

You've circled the TARPS pod. The TARPS pod is (AFAIK) slightly too modern for the modeled year, and couldn't be carried on any of their planes as-built anyways.

As for what it should carry----missiles only. TARPS is a definite no-no, and drop tanks----unknown, but unlikely. I've never found a pic of those planes of that era carrying them, and even if they did, there's a good chance they'd be carrying the other type of droptank. Droptanks were carried 24/7/365 once the later type entered service, but for a VF-84 plane that Century made----either never, or probably the other type.

PS---an interesting missile configuration that I'm using on mine is 2 Sidewinder, 3 Sparrow, 2 Phoenix. I'm not sure it's shown on Century's drawings, but it's fairly common in reality. 2 Sparrows go on the wing pylons, 2 Phoenixes on the forward pallets, and the third sparrow in the rear center well, behind the Phoenixes.

There's quite a few more all-missile configurations out there, but Century doesn't include the parts to do them. (They're still the best by far, missile-accuracy-wise, of all diecast companies---Dragon may include a lot more weapons that FIT on their planes, but they aren't correct to use)

[Black 6]

Thanks for all the info on this David and for getting me on the right track. With the actual model being as nice as it is, I wonder what the thought process was by CW in adding incorrect accessories to the model? I mean that takes away some of the luster doesn't it; knowing that many of the parts are not correct for the year the plane is modeled after?

OK, I sadly downgrade my assessment to 8 / 10.

[SKUNKY]

Oh scroo that,Blackie!!!...Put it back to a 9 for heaven's sake!!!

[ZS-VAN]

Great review Black 6. Great additional insights David. The yearning just gets stronger.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

The yearning just gets stronger.

It's been just the opposite for me. I have to go more frequently, especially at night, but the stream seems to be getting weaker and weaker all the time....