1:48 F-14 D left electronics + canon

F-14D, the left avionics bay and the cannon space, 1:48

An accessory set from the manufacturer Black Dog model for a model of the Grumman F-14D in 1:48 scale. It is not a model of an airplane, but a detailed treatment of the uncovered service spaces on the left side of the forward fuselage, that is, of the avionics and the space of the onboard armament. With the set the model can be built with the panels open, as it looks during maintenance or during rearming.

The real subject

The Grumman F-14 carried a built-in six-barrel 20 mm rotary cannon in the left side of the forward fuselage, right under the cockpit. Beside the space of the weapon there were also bays with electronics on the sides of the forward fuselage, accessible through hinged panels. On the F-14D version new digital avionics and a newer generation of radar were added as well, so the contents of these spaces differed from the first series. Open panels with visible electronics and the weapon are a frequent subject of photographs from the decks of aircraft carriers in the case of the Tomcat.

Building tips

The set is installed before the fuselage is glued, so plan the build in advance. Cut the panels out with a sharp knife or a fine saw in small steps and sand the edges, so that they look as thin as possible. Paint the inner spaces and accentuate them with a wash before installation, as a brush will not reach them later. Lift the barrel cluster and the metal parts with graded metallic shades on a smooth surface. Glue the plastic parts with plastic cement, and elsewhere use cyanoacrylate glue in a minimal quantity. The open panels require careful support, so that they hold the correct angle.

Who the set is for

• Builders of modern combat aircraft in 1:48 scale
• Modelers who want a model with the service spaces uncovered
• Makers of dioramas with maintenance and rearming
• More experienced builders who dare to cut into the fuselage