1:72 F-14A Tomcat Cockpit

Resin F-14A Tomcat cockpit in 1:72 from CMK

This is a resin add-on set for experienced modelers, not a model of the aircraft. It replaces the cockpit from a plastic kit with more accurate castings carrying markedly finer detail on the instrument panels, the side consoles and the seats. The set is intended for 1:72.

The real subject

The F-14A Tomcat was an American two-seat carrier-based fighter with a variable-geometry wing, taken into naval service in the 1970s. Its crew consisted of a pilot and a weapons systems officer seated one behind the other in tandem under a common canopy. It is precisely the tandem cockpit, with different equipment at the front and rear stations, that is among the most prominent features visible on a finished model, which is why a resin replacement pays off here even in a small scale.

Building and painting tips

First wash the resin parts in lukewarm water with detergent to remove any mold release agent, otherwise the paint will not hold. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc, never snap them off, and when sanding resin protect your airway and sand under water. Bond the parts with cyanoacrylate glue; cement for plastic has no effect on them. Dry-fit the part carefully before you glue it into the fuselage, as cockpit inserts usually call for the inner walls of the fuselage to be thinned or the outline of the seat to be adjusted. Paint in thin coats, bring out the panels with a dark wash and a dry brush, and mask the glazing and fit it last.

Who the set is for

• For modelers who want to improve the most visible part of a model in 1:72.
• For experienced builders with resin and cyanoacrylate glue behind them.
• For builders of models with an open canopy.
• For collectors of American carrier aviation.

The accessory is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and the base kit are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Check that it is compatible with your kit before buying.