1:48 Grumman F-14D Tomcat open exhaust nozzles

Replacement nozzles for the F-14D in 1:48 scale

The rear of the fuselage is the place on a Tomcat that everybody looks at. The nozzles are deep and broken up, while the plastic part from a kit tends to be shallow or split into two halves with a seam down the middle. This set offers finished replacement nozzles in the open position, that is in the wide opening the engines have on a standing machine or at full thrust.

Which variant to choose

The position of the nozzles changes with the engine setting and with whether the aircraft is standing, taxiing or caught in flight. The manufacturer therefore offers a whole trio of sister sets: this one with the nozzles open, another with the nozzles in the closed position and a third which carries both forms together. Choose according to a photograph of the particular machine, not by guesswork, because the difference between an open and a drawn-together nozzle is clearly visible on a model.

Building and painting tips

• the parts are not polystyrene; they are glued with super glue
• cut the surplus material and the traces of manufacture off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder down
• wash and degrease the parts before painting, otherwise the paint holds badly
• test the fit into the fuselage dry and level any difference by sanding
• build metallic shades and heat discoloration in thin coats according to photographs of the real subject

Terms of supply

The set of nozzles alone is supplied. A kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise. The number of parts and the assembly procedure are given in the manufacturer's instructions.