Saturday, July 31

Preview: Tamiya's new 1/48th scale F-14A Tomcat (Late Model) Carrier Launch Set

Tamiya's Tomcat has been upgraded and ready for launch with a heap of new features in the new 48th scale "F-14A Tomcat (Late Model) Carrier Launch Set". We have the new information released about the set, the improvements to the kit and everything else we know in our preview...

Preview: Tamiya's new 1/48th scale F-14A Tomcat (Late Model) Carrier Launch Set

Grumman F-14A Tomcat (Late Model) Carrier Launch Set
From Tamiya
Product No#61122
1/48th Scale
Plastic injection moulded kit.
Decals for three aircraft included
RRP: $129.00 (USD)
Tamiya's latest 1/48th kit is a boon for F014 lovers. The recreates the Grumman F-14A Tomcat (Late Model) that saw service from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, but with a few extras that many modellers will relish. The addition of a full deck, lowered (take off) flying surfaces. The kit includes one crew figure (shooter") and a paper flight deck sheet for use on a super realistic diorama set.

The box art version included in the kit is the F-14A "Tomcat" VF-32 "Swordsmen". this is the CAG high-viz aircraft BuNo. 162701 from around the year 2000 with two MiG-23 kills on the nose.
The Kit Features:
• 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit of the Grumman F-14A Tomcat (Late model). Fuselage length: 398mm, Wingspan: 408mm.
• Features fixed depiction of variable-sweep wing supported by a single-piece part.
• The kit depicts wings with deployed flaps and slats which can be attached to the wing by support parts (NOTE: This model CANNOT depict wing at neutral position).
• The catapult shuttle and one-piece holdback bar with its nose landing gear realistically depict the F-14A taking off from the carrier deck.
• New nose landing gear part with retracted "kneeling'' shock absorber recreates the F-14A's takeoff stance.
• Detailed sections such as telephoto camera pod, AAX-1 TCS, ALR-45 radar warning antenna underwing, and four Mk. 82 low-drag general-purpose bombs (LDGP, 500 pounds) for a realistic look.
• Realistically recreated cockpit depicts late model ejector seat cushions, instrument panel and side console panels.
• Includes the catapult officer (called “Shooter” who gives the OK for the operator to release the shuttle) figure and paper flight deck sheet.
• This boxing comes with four marking options: two for F-14As from the VF-32 “Swordsmen” and one VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates”, plus one VF-154 “Black Knights”.
That is all we know about this new kit for now - more on them when we get the "dope" - You can see more of Tamiya's kits on their website...