[STARMAN 352ND]

RJLee,
Thanks for the update with the stand.
Is the VF-41 there latest F-14 ?
JP

[STARMAN 352ND]

Well i just ordered one from BadCats and it's the same one you have RJ.
I thought it was the VF-41 like they had on the site but it turned out they were out and cats called me up and told me they just got in the other ones Black Knights.
So i got that one.
JP

[RJLee]

The FOV F-14's panel lines are engraved, then inked in a darkish color. It looks kind of grimy.

With respect to the Dragon F-14, I only have the VF-103 F-14B, so I don't know how the later models have turned out. I would put Dragon's model well behind FOV and just a little behind Witty. Like most of Dragon's offerings, the details in the basic mold are very fine and the markings are well-done. However, the wingsweep mechanism is sticky (despite the application of a lot of force I still can't get the wings all the way forward), there is almost no ordnance to speak of (two AIM-9s), and there is the usual surplus of fiddly bits that won't stay attached. The overall finish is probably a little better than Witty (it's matte, so it avoids the plastic look under light), but bears no signs of weathering.

Worst of all (and this will sound funny) -- it has no nose probe. It seems like such a nitpicky little thing, but I never really appreciated how different an airplane can look without a nose tube. If I ever find a 1/72 plastic F-14 I might just have cannibalize the nose probe.

JP: I believe that the next FOV F-14 is a VF-41 airplane, but I haven't seen any U.S. sellers who carry it. In fact, the only source that I'm familiar with is a Japanese retailer (they have the only pics I've seen):

http://www.top-gun.jp/default.html

You have to be careful with ordering this one, however -- I think FOV may have done another VF-41 airplane in the past using the old (terrible) mold. The new one is side number 101 and has red-tipped tail fins.

I can't read Japanese, but on this site there also seems to be a new 1/72 F-14A in the colors of VF-84, circa 1978. (For those of you who aren't Tomcat nuts, this is the classic "AJ"/USS Nimitz, black-and-yellow, skull-and-crossbones scheme, as seen in the film "The Final Countdown.") Not sure who the manufacturer is or what this airplane is like, but...I'm tempted.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Thanks for the heads up on the F-14...
I checked out the site..Your right i can't read Japanese
But the pics looked good.
JP

[Gort]

RJLee ...

My hat’s off to you, buddy. Your comparisons are not only measured and well written, your pics are a delight, too.

I was going to purchase the Witty, but judging from your take on this model, I’m not at all sure I’m going to. I like the FOV, probably better, but I think I’ll wait for half a year or so to see if Witty gets their act together. Here’s hoping their next F-14 rocks!

[Louie]

RJ thanks so much for all of your hard work. I am sure you changed alot of opinions and helped some of us hop off those painful fence boards. I purchased off e-bay last night the FOV F-14. I took a chance but after piecing all the available information together ( and knowing little about F-14's) I went for over-all appeal and yes Witty made theirs look more like a plastic kit. I will be getting my new FOV F-14 in a couple of days can't wait! Bottom line, It will mean buying different models from different companies to build the ultimate collection as like anything else some companies do better jobs on like items. I waited patiently for the right F-14 and am glad I did. I have seen alot of dirty Tomcats on flight decks after continuous sorties and FOV's version looks battle hardened.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by planenuts

Didn't I read on the old forum that FOV was bringing out a VF-41 F-14 I'd like to compare it with Dragon.

I want a VF-41 F-14....and I want one this century Skunky....do you have anything to add?

Well, p-nuts, I've pretty well given up on ever seeing Draggin's long promised one.
I still don't like FOV and I don't like this thing from Witty either. It's really great that it has a nose probe and all but I just can't get past the alien flight crew, frameless windscreen, and white weaponry as well as the fact that it just has a little too much of that "sump'njesdon'lookright" quality to it.

[parsig9]

Seems like just the other day we had this talk about this but it was Revell and Dragon. Was it you RJLEE who told me that the Revell F-14 A was the best on the market? Something about engine nozzel shape or something. Someone on MHI really knew their stuff and I just can't remember who?? Well, I still have my Revell Jolly Rogers but I do like this. NT went over all this too. Just wish I could piece it all together. I might be with you in this Louie, I give the FOV 2 thumbs up for now. Is Badcat the only shop around?

[Louie]

I bought mine on e-bay. A very decent feller is selling them MIB for $28.50. The expert was David Hintgen but he disappeared.

[parsig9]

That's right..Dave. I just couldn't come up with it...

I found them for that too... Hmmm what to do?