This is an Academy
F-14A from their newer "Bombcat" boxing. It is essentially the same
kit as their earlier F-14A, with some new additions. They have added new NACA
gunvents, GPS dome on the spine, current ECM fairings (front gear door, forward
wing gloves, etc), as well as new BOL Chaff dispensors, Phoenix rails for the
shoulder, LANTIRN and of course bomb rails. They have also included GBU-31 JDAMs
and GBU-24 Paveway III bombs to strap under the belly of the beast.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The kit was built
completely out of the box with the exception of Aeromasters "Tomcat
Supreme Pt. 2" decals depicting the VF-154 Black Knights. The model
was painted using Model Masters acrylics and weathered with pastel chalk.
The stencilling on the weapons was included on the kit decals, which were
not as bad as I anticipated. I had heard horror stories regarding Academy
decals and was pleasantly surprised. I probably wouldn't use them to decal
an entire model....but they do the trick in this case. The kit sheet also
includes full aircraft data markings. I had attempted to use them, but
they are printed in a grey that completely disappears against the dark
ghost grey. Oh well.
Paul
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