[F14lvr]

My BRAND NEW VX-9 Vampires F-14 just broke. The swing-wings aren't connected anymore. They swing separately now and don't sit well in the swept back position. It works OK in the swept forward position(far from perfect, but it holds). Does ANYONE know a way to fix? I have messed with them TRYING to get them to lock together, but I can't seem to find the catch......

Thanks

[admin]

I'm thinking that disassembly will be required to find the cause of the problem.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by F14lvr

My BRAND NEW VX-9 Vampires F-14 just broke. The swing-wings aren't connected anymore. They swing separately now and don't sit well in the swept back position. It works OK in the swept forward position(far from perfect, but it holds). Does ANYONE know a way to fix? I have messed with them TRYING to get them to lock together, but I can't seem to find the catch......

Thanks

Welcome to the Dragon F14 club F14lvr - your initiation has just begun ...

[F14lvr]

Originally Posted by admin

I'm thinking that disassembly will be required to find the cause of the problem.

Unfortunately, I think you are correct.... However, I am totally lost on how to do that.... I can't seem to find a "weak point" in it's assembly......

I LOVE dragon models. I have had a few for a while, but this is my 1st F14..... Dragon's are great model, but it seems I use a LOT of glue for a model that supposedly doesn't require any!

I guess for a while it's going to be displayed in wings swept forward position...... Oh well............

Thanks for the replies

[planenutsfrog]

I haven't even dared insisting to operate the wings of my Dragon's F14, when I felt a reluctance to move.

And Corgi's Tornado swing wings are little better !

In contrast, Revell swing wing action on both its Tornado and F14 is faultless : smooth and strong.

[slammin]

You can pry the lower front part of the intakes off, which gives you some access to the wing mechanism. My Dragon jolly rogers F-14 came with a broken wing mechanism which I had to do sergery on. Dragon uses a single pin and fork for the wings, instead of a gear like mesh. Unfortunately the way the pin sits, it limits the forward and aft sweep of the wings. I ended up just dremeling off the pin on mine. The upside to this is that the model will now do the full range of sweep from oversweep to unswept. The downside is that the wings do not move in unison and they tend to droop when unswept.

Chris

[F14lvr]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

I haven't even dared insisting to operate the wings of my Dragon's F14, when I felt a reluctance to move.

And Corgi's Tornado swing wings are little better !

In contrast, Revell swing wing action on both its Tornado and F14 is faultless : smooth and strong.

I agree, bot my Revell F-14's(Jolly Rogers & Tomcatters) have GREAT swing movement.

Well, for now they are swept back and they look the same as my Revells, but if you touch it, one of the wings usually moves.... Guess I'm just going to have to buy a new one! I want the black tail Tomcatter(Final Cruise) F14.

Also thought about buying the Witty VF-11 F-14 because I've heard they've corrected the front windscreen.

[roh_kudus]

Oh I'm thinking to buy a dragon F-14 soon. Like this week. Is it worth it. I'm getting confused because some people are complaining abt their dragon F-14 while some put it as their favorite dragon model. The money isn't cheap either costs about US$45 here at my local toyshop. So should i buy it? I already have several dragon WWII aircraft Bf109G-2, Fw190D-9 and A clipped wing Spitfire Mk Vb. They're small, quite nice finish but the small parts are troublesome. In comparison i also have a Gaincorp Su-27 and i like the solidly built model compared with my WWII dragon aircraft model. Any thought guys? Don't want to waste my money on US$45 heap of metal that i would regret for the rest of my life.

Already saw the pics from the flyin mule and i must admit dragon F-14 models looks astonishing when even compared to Witty's F-14.

Need reply ASAP. Thx. Why can't first time member start a new thread btw? Kind of annoying restriction.

[skysurfer808]

Looking at all this talk of Dragon modifications makes me stand by my contention that Dragon's Tomcats have serious issues. Aside from rivet counting inaccuracies, the fact is that their wing sweep mechanisms are cheaply put together. ROH Kudus, STAY AWAY FROM DRAGON TOMCATS. Their prop planes are okay, but their F-14 is a waste of money. Get the new Forces of Valor one, or a Century Wings one if they are available. $45 for a Dragon just isn't worth it. I have two, and I'm selling them off because I never displayed them due to the issues quoted above.

Skysurfer808

[roh_kudus]

Thx Skysurfer 808. Too bad you didn't open the box(first person experience). Some ppl in the forum admit that they're fond of their dragon Tomcats.

Too bad the localshops don't sell witty or Century Wings. I prefer not to buy Forces of valor. I've been dissapointed by their tank models and looking at their !:32 aircraft model....gosh it's just so 'dirty' and crude.

Trying haaard to resist. Anyone else? pls