Calling all builders of things that fly

[kyledehart5]

Hi. It’s me, your neighborhood mediocre builder of cars. My nephew came over today and spotted my recently completed FW-190. This piqued his interest far more than any car I have ever built.

Anyways, he has now requested I build him an F-14 for him for his birthday. Of course, I’m happy to do it. But I need recommendations. Which kit to build? I’ve never built a jet before. My first instinct would be to find a Tamiya but I don’t know. But then I started thinking about size. Sort of a big girl so is there a good offering in 1/72? Thanks for any info you can provide this clueless guy.

So far I have had zero luck getting him interested in building models himself although I’ll continue trying. I asked if he wanted to help build the Tomcat but he declined. My next step is to ambush him with a Bandai Star Wars kit when he comes over. 😂😂

[armornutii]

   I think Hasgawa has several 1/72 options available. They are pretty straightforward to build...I build 1/48 and never had issues. Tamiya is the way to go for sure however I think they only offer 1/48 and can be pricey. If you're not so concerned with accuracy, Revell/ Monogram provide good choices and possibly in 72nd as well. 
      Planes build just like cars, follow the instructions, dry fit, and see how it looks before glueing...oh and after decals the finish is usuall flat

[tcoat]

How old is he? There is a pretty nice (for what it is) Snap Tite F-14 in 1/72 that you could perhaps get him to build and paint with you. They aren't hard to find. www.ebay.com/itm/325927928096

There is also a 1/100 snap kit that is pretty cool. I built ne of these with my grandson a long time ago ipmsusa.org/reviews/Archive/Kits/Aircraft/Revell_100_F14/Revell_100_F14.htm

There are scads of 1/72 F-14s out there by just about any manufacturers but if you want to go more detailed I would say the Academy one is the best bet. www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-12563-usn-f-14a--1121829 Just be sure to get one of the 3 new tool versions www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-12578-f-14b-vf-103-jolly-rogers--1443661

As far abuilding a jet goes just think of it as one of your F1 builds with wings and dull paint.

[kyledehart5]

Mar 20, 2024 18:44:16 GMT -5 armornutii said:

   I think Hasgawa has several 1/72 options available. They are pretty straightforward to build...I build 1/48 and never had issues. Tamiya is the way to go for sure however I think they only offer 1/48 and can be pricey. If you're not so concerned with accuracy, Revell/ Monogram provide good choices and possibly in 72nd as well. 
      Planes build just like cars, follow the instructions, dry fit, and see how it looks before glueing...oh and after decals the finish is usuall flat

Appreciate it. I’ve built the occasional airplane and I’m sure I can get one assembled without issue. 

Mar 20, 2024 19:07:25 GMT -5 tcoat said:

How old is he? There is a pretty nice (for what it is) Snap Tite F-14 in 1/72 that you could perhaps get him to build and paint with you. They aren't hard to find. www.ebay.com/itm/325927928096

There is also a 1/100 snap kit that is pretty cool. I built ne of these with my grandson a long time ago ipmsusa.org/reviews/Archive/Kits/Aircraft/Revell_100_F14/Revell_100_F14.htm

There are scads of 1/72 F-14s out there by just about any manufacturers but if you want to go more detailed I would say the Academy one is the best bet. www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-12563-usn-f-14a--1121829 Just be sure to get one of the 3 new tool versions www.scalemates.com/kits/academy-12578-f-14b-vf-103-jolly-rogers--1443661

As far abuilding a jet goes just think of it as one of your F1 builds with wings and dull paint.

Revell has a new boxing of that too. He’s 12 so I’ve really been trying to get him to build something with me but with no luck yet. He just hasn’t been interested. May be a case where I get something and build it and also snag a snap kit to try to corral him into doing with me. Lol. I’ve just been reading reviews on the new tool 1/72 academy offerings. Seems like a solid kit. I may try to pick one of those up and a snap kit. Appreciate the info and advice. 

[stuart]

If you want a decent looking but simple build of an F-14 in 1/72 then I'd really recommend the Hobbyboss kit - It builds up really well, fits nicely and looks pretty ggod - I built one up a few years back but alas never got to finish it before it got lost in my house move. The only issue with it is the lack of detail in the cockpit, but I think you can get a nice PE set for it.

Here's where I got.

Cheers!

[cbaltrin]

I was also going to recommend the 1/72 Hasegawa F-14A -- Just make sure it's the original one from Hasegawa/Minicraft (see Scalemates for more info www.scalemates.com/kits/hasegawa-k12x-grumman-f-14a-tomcat--266421).
It's a great kit as long as you are not allergic to raised panel lines. Relatively few parts and good shapes.  The new-tool version from 1988, while better in some folks opinions,  has about 3 or 4  times the parts (dropped flaps/slats and all the other bells and whistles).

[dupes]

The real question...what does he plan on doing with it? Display case? Doesn't sound likely for a 12 year old. Fly it around and crash it occasionally? My kit recommendation will be drastically different based on your answer! Hahaha

[tcoat]

Apr 23, 2024 7:09:56 GMT -5 dupes said:

The real question...what does he plan on doing with it? Display case? Doesn't sound likely for a 12 year old. Fly it around and crash it occasionally? My kit recommendation will be drastically different based on your answer! Hahaha

At 12 it could go either way. Don't know many 12 year olds these days that would be buzzing around with a model though.

[406 Silverado]

Mar 20, 2024 16:35:28 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Hi. It’s me, your neighborhood mediocre builder of cars. My nephew came over today and spotted my recently completed FW-190. This piqued his interest far more than any car I have ever built.

Anyways, he has now requested I build him an F-14 for him for his birthday. Of course, I’m happy to do it. But I need recommendations. Which kit to build? I’ve never built a jet before. My first instinct would be to find a Tamiya but I don’t know. But then I started thinking about size. Sort of a big girl so is there a good offering in 1/72? Thanks for any info you can provide this clueless guy.

So far I have had zero luck getting him interested in building models himself although I’ll continue trying. I asked if he wanted to help build the Tomcat but he declined. My next step is to ambush him with a Bandai Star Wars kit when he comes over. 😂😂

   Heck I was going to answer the initial question but it looks like these guys have it all covered. I think it's great that your nephew wanted to build a kit with you as there doesn't seem to be as much interest in this hobby of ours as when we were kids ourselves.



Hey.....at least he wanted to build an F-14. My son just hit me up to build a dang 1/48 scale B-17 with him from the Bloody 100th.  Thank you Masters of the Air.  


All kidding aside though, our son has NEVER been truly interested in modeling, even though we built a few together when he was much younger, until now and he's getting ready to be 20 years old. I'll take it as a "win" that he wants to build something with me. Guess I'd better get it in gear and get crackin' on this Ta-152 of mine. 

[kyledehart5]

Apr 23, 2024 10:33:55 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Mar 20, 2024 16:35:28 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Hi. It’s me, your neighborhood mediocre builder of cars. My nephew came over today and spotted my recently completed FW-190. This piqued his interest far more than any car I have ever built.

Anyways, he has now requested I build him an F-14 for him for his birthday. Of course, I’m happy to do it. But I need recommendations. Which kit to build? I’ve never built a jet before. My first instinct would be to find a Tamiya but I don’t know. But then I started thinking about size. Sort of a big girl so is there a good offering in 1/72? Thanks for any info you can provide this clueless guy.

So far I have had zero luck getting him interested in building models himself although I’ll continue trying. I asked if he wanted to help build the Tomcat but he declined. My next step is to ambush him with a Bandai Star Wars kit when he comes over. 😂😂

   Heck I was going to answer the initial question but it looks like these guys have it all covered. I think it's great that your nephew wanted to build a kit with you as there doesn't seem to be as much interest in this hobby of ours as when we were kids ourselves.



Hey.....at least he wanted to build an F-14. My son just hit me up to build a dang 1/48 scale B-17 with him from the Bloody 100th.  Thank you Masters of the Air.  


All kidding aside though, our son has NEVER been truly interested in modeling, even though we built a few together when he was much younger, until now and he's getting ready to be 20 years old. I'll take it as a "win" that he wants to build something with me. Guess I'd better get it in gear and get crackin' on this Ta-152 of mine. 

I also want to build a B-17 thanks to Masters of the Air so I get where your son is coming from. 🤣🤣. I got the snap Revell F-14 and the academy. So I’m going to build one and also get him to build one with me.

[kyledehart5]

Apr 23, 2024 7:09:56 GMT -5 dupes said:

The real question...what does he plan on doing with it? Display case? Doesn't sound likely for a 12 year old. Fly it around and crash it occasionally? My kit recommendation will be drastically different based on your answer! Hahaha

Nah. He’s built some Lego stuff and has a couple display shelves. That would be my guess. But if he wants to fly around the Academy F-14 I build for him or blow it up with firecrackers that’s fine too. Just plastic.

[kyledehart5]

Apr 23, 2024 6:30:34 GMT -5 stuart said:

If you want a decent looking but simple build of an F-14 in 1/72 then I'd really recommend the Hobbyboss kit - It builds up really well, fits nicely and looks pretty ggod - I built one up a few years back but alas never got to finish it before it got lost in my house move. The only issue with it is the lack of detail in the cockpit, but I think you can get a nice PE set for it.

Here's where I got.

Cheers!

Looks great!! Much appreciated. I grabbed the new tool Academy recently. I believe it’ll be ok.

[kyledehart5]

Apr 23, 2024 6:49:41 GMT -5 cbaltrin said:

I was also going to recommend the 1/72 Hasegawa F-14A -- Just make sure it's the original one from Hasegawa/Minicraft (see Scalemates for more info www.scalemates.com/kits/hasegawa-k12x-grumman-f-14a-tomcat--266421).
It's a great kit as long as you are not allergic to raised panel lines. Relatively few parts and good shapes.  The new-tool version from 1988, while better in some folks opinions,  has about 3 or 4  times the parts (dropped flaps/slats and all the other bells and whistles).

this would’ve been just fine too. I know he wouldn’t care about raised panel lines. But I snagged the academy to build for him and the Revell snap kit to build with him