June issue: Diecast Model of the Month - Grumman F-14A Tomcat

CENTURY WINGS
Grumman F-14A Tomcat
PRICE: £53.95 LIMIT: 1,500 SCALE: 1:72

“I feel the need, the need for speed!” That was the immortal line from the film Top Gun, which tripped off the lips of young lads everywhere in 1986. It seems corny now, but at the time the film burned the F-14 Tomcat into the public consciousness, and the aircraft adorned the walls of thousands of adolescent males.

Fast-forward to 2010 and the Tomcat has already been retired, despite a new lease of life which put it through both Gulf Wars. Luckily, though, F-14 fans can now get their hands on this superb new model from Century Wings – and it seems no detail has been missed. For starters the wings actually swing like the real thing, and the colour scheme is authentic. It depicts the Commander Air Group (CAG) jet of the fighter unit VF-84, otherwise known as the Jolly Rogers, on its return from Desert Storm in 1991.

Much of the maintenance stencilling has been applied, along with the unique markings of VF-84, but it doesn’t stop there. Pilot figures are included to place on the perfectly-scaled GRU-7 ejection seats, the canopy hinges and a whole host of ordnance is provided, such as Sparrow, Sidewinder and Phoenix missiles, and a Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). The pallet missile pylons are separate items, as are a pair of fuel tanks, and the highly detailed undercarriage units. One can choose from displaying the model in the wheels-up position, on a clear plastic stand, or wheels-down, and even the box is stylish with weapons placement diagrams on the inside. There is also a very cool credit card-style certificate of limitation. What we have here is a lot of model for the money, and it’s highly recommended.