F-14D Tomcat Cockpit

Reviewed by Ryan Hamilton

Aires' 1/48 scale F-14D Cockpit will be available online from Squadron.com
 

WOW! This is a sensational cockpit set.

The F-14 Tomcat has always been a popular topic and its recent retirement from the US Navy service has seen a resurgence of interest with it. The Aries 1/48 F-14D Tomcat cockpit set is designed to be a straight replacement for the 1/48 Hasegawa F-14D cockpit and consists of 13 resin parts, a photo-etched sheet, and a clear plastic film. The resin parts are cast in the grey coloured resin and include:

• Cockpit tub

• Canopy side panels

• 2 x Ejection seats

• Pilot and RIO Instrument panels with shroud

• Small resin parts including flight control sticks, rudder pedals, and small cockpit switches.

The photo-etch fret focuses on enhancing the ejector seats, canopy frame, brackets for the gun sight as well as the rudder pedals. The plastic film is supplied for the gun sight.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

I have test fitted the new cockpit tub to the Hasegawa F-14D, the recommended kit, and found it to be a perfectly fit.

The Aires cockpit has included the Programmable Tactical Information Display System (PTIDS), with the Lantirn control is moulded on to the left side panel of the RIO console.

I am amazed at the detail in this set. The Lantirn and throttle controls are perfectly cast onto the side consoles – where are no separate parts. The cockpit switches and wiring are clear and defined, and come up well with a coat of paint. The cockpit tub floor even comes with rivet detail!

A back to back instruction sheet is included and shows a clear view of the assembly process in black and white line drawings. The instructions could be clearer on where some of the smaller photo etched parts are located, so confirm with your reference material if you are unsure.

The only disadvantage to the set is that canopy breakers on the ejector seats should be higher on the pilot seats then the RIO, they appear to be the same height on both seats. This should distract from the high quality of this resin set, and can be easier rectified if the modeller chooses.

Its amusing as we tend to buy after-market accessories to enhance the original model, but with this cockpit set, I feel I have the Hasegawa Tomcat just so I can use the Aries cockpit.

This is yet another high quality offering from Aires and well worth the investment for the Hasegawa F-14D Tomcat.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Aires for the sample

Aires accessories and conversions are available online from Aires website
and in retail model shops worldwide

Review Copyright © 2007 by Brett T. Green
This Page Created on 11 May, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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