[Vifam7]

I ordered CW's Grim Reaper F-14D at the Flying Mule but I'm not sure if the model is accurate. Looking at the photos, it does seem to have the correct GE F110 engine nozzle shapes. But are color of the nozzles correct? I've photos where the nozzles were silver/bare-metal-ish in color. Also, the photos seems to suggest that the cockpit is that of a F-14A. The D-model had an all new glass cockpit and CW's model doesn't seem to have that.

Am I wrong about the accuracy of CW's F-14D? I tried searching the forum for answers but I couldn't find a definite answer.

[lanslide]

Stand by for brother David Hingtgen! I have this model and love it...it was my first Century Wings model and it is unique as being the only F-14D I think. I'm not sure about its accuracy but it looks great!

[David Hingtgen]

Best pics of Century's D are the ones at the Mule I think. Based on those, I'd say the cockpit is an A/B. Seats are a D. Nozzle color is fine--it varies a lot. It is on the "dark" end of the scale for B/D engines for sure.

[firefighterpilot1]

I think CW's Tomcats have the nicest cockpits of any diecast aircraft, at least the ones that I've encountered. Yes it's not perfect, and not totally accurate for an F-14D but compared to HM's F-4 instrument panels, it'll do!

[Vifam7]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Best pics of Century's D are the ones at the Mule I think. Based on those, I'd say the cockpit is an A/B. Seats are a D. Nozzle color is fine--it varies a lot. It is on the "dark" end of the scale for B/D engines for sure.

Thanks. Good to know that CW got it right with the ejection seats. As for the cockpit, well, I can pretend that it's an early 14B (prior to upgrade). Though IIRC if so, it'd be incorrect to be equipped with a LANTIRN pod. IIRC use of the LANTIRN pod required the Tomcat to have a new TID in the rear cockpit.

[ZS-VAN]

Based on Davids' comment it's good to go. I have one and am very pleased, one of my first CWs. No model is ever going to be perfect, some just come closer than others.

[David Hingtgen]

The rules for LANTIRN vs GPS vs JTID vs cockpit are INCREDIBLY complex on the F-14B and D, and is almost to the point of "plane by plane, day-by-day---even sister-planes at the same time in the same squadron that are externally identical--will have very different cockpits".

Lacking the D's unique GPS/RWR box on top of the RIO's glareshield is far more obvious anyways than any guage/display, that's quite visible at any angle even with the canopy closed.

[ZS-VAN]

Great insights David. Is it reasonable for us to have such a high level of expectation as to accuracy in a model though? A huge can of worms l'm opening here l guess, but accuracy costs and we're talking mass produced models.

[David Hingtgen]

I think we certainly should expect it to have a D's cockpit-----just not be gauge-by-gauge correct for any individual plane/squadron/year.

A D's cockpit is visible even from outside the plane, due to the box on the RIO's glareshield. Look here:

[firefighterpilot1]

To further illustrate David's point