1/72 F-14 Collection (Part1)

Gallery Article by Darren Roberts

 

Some time ago, I decided to try and build all of the F-14 Tomcat squadrons in 1/72 scale. I spent the better part of a year collecting the different decal sheets and patches, then searched out as many Tomcat models as possible. Since there would be so many, I tried not to pay more than $10 for any of the kits. I wanted this project to be something that was a break from “serious” modeling. They were going to be shelf sitters, so I built them relatively quickly, with no extra detailing, just making sure that the basics were done, and even then sometimes I skimped on those! 

 

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Academy – VF-2 Academy – VF-74 ESCI (AMT/ERTL) – VF-31,  ESCI (AMT/ERTL) – VF-301

A couple of the kits I reclaimed from when I was a teenager. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint and decals can do. The rest were built over the last 2-3 years. I’m about halfway through the project, so I’d thought I’d share some of the completed models. All different manufacturers were used, so let’s take a little test and see if you can identify which kits are from which company. The answers are down below, so DON”T cheat and go looking for them until you’ve tried.  

Airfix – VF-84

Enjoy the photos.

Darren Roberts

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ESCI (AMT/ERTL) – VF-302 Fujimi – VF-142 Hasegawa (old mold-includes Hobbycraft) – VF-24 Hasegawa (old mold-includes Hobbycraft) – VF-143
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Hasegawa (new mold) – VF-1 Hasegawa (new mold) – VF-101 Hasegawa (new mold) – VF-102 Italeri – VX-4
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Italeri – VF-213 Revell/Germany – VF-154

 

      

Photos and text © by Darren Roberts