by Herb Schmidt
Model photographs by the author
This kit represents Tomcat buno 158979, shop number 40, which was delivered to the Navy October 31, 1973. It was deployed with VF-1 on their second tour aboard CVN-65 U.S.S. Enterprise. Commander �Smoke� Wilson�s name is displayed accurately on the canopy. John R. �Smoke� Wilson is credited with firing the first AIM�54 Phoenix from a Tomcat.
Before going further, let me say that this model is the most accurately detailed F14A in card that I have seen, and in my opinion rivals any in plastic. It is obviously an extensively updated version of the earlier Halinski Tomcat kit #2-3/95, since many of the basic shapes are present. But the similarity ends there.
Kit 3-4/2001 has over 900 individual parts, many very small. The forward fuselage is made using the single bulkhead and joining strip method. The remainder of the fuselage, which includes the movable wing mechanism, is another story. The kit has 5 pages of diagrams, and although very helpful, it could use even more. I referred to the miniscule diagrams of the earlier Halinski kit to fill in some gaps regarding correct assembly of the wing sweep gearing and wing structure.
The biggest problem with this model is the misidentification of many of the parts on the diagrams. Some parts numbers are repeated, some are shown to be placed in duplicate locations, and some parts are not shown on any diagrams. If any model ever needed a step-by-step instruction, this is it.
All this said, I really like the model. When completed, it makes a very attractive and accurate Tomcat. It exhibits great detail with the movable wing spoilers, movable wings, extended in-flight-refueling boom, boarding ladder, 40 piece (each) main wheels, and an open radome with a radar antenna installed. I used a canopy purchased from Saul that was made for the Modelfan Tomcat, and it worked just fine with this kit.
Now that the Tomcat is completed, I can look at it and reflect on my 20 years association with the actual Tomcat, remembering times gone by.
