I guess I opted for some self-punishment today and picked this kit up because it was half-off...can't go wrong for 8 bucks....can you? Anybody built this? Input appreciated.

If you have built the Revell F-14A then there isnt much difference in the kits.By that I mean all they did was take the A kit and add the D parts to it.The downside of it is you will have to do some updating on it to actually make a D if you dont want to go straight OOB.
There is a featured Tomcat on www.aircraftresourcecenter.com under F-14's and its the black VX-9 Vampires one.He did a pretty sweet job.

Hi Bryan-

Glutton for punishment? I'll say! Seriously though, the kit can be built, but as Zack says, it's going to need a lot of work, and suffers from some serious fit problems, as well as warping of some of the major parts. Then there's the panel re-scribing (if you're into that sort of thing, as I am). In addition, there is a very large raised mold line on the top of my fuselage, and the molds are starting to show their age, with flash on many of the parts.

Another possiblity would be to use the exhausts, ECM blisters, NACA gun vents, and the double barreled TCS pod, and graft them to the Academy F-14A kit. It ,too, has a few problems, but with a little pre-planning, goes together a lot easier than the Revell kit. I've been contemplating this myself to build a 'B', but I have to clear the other two 'A's off of my bench first. Plus, if you decide to do this, you'll still have enough parts left over from the two kits to build an 'A' withe the Revell kit, if you like.

Just a suggestion........

I don't necessarily mind the work...I think it makes adds to the finished product. It can't be any worse than the amt/ertl F-18 I did...lol! I'll have to checkout that build over at ARC...thanks.

Hi Guys , I'm the New in this mighty Group , but I know what it means hard work with F-14 Tomcat by Revell . I had no strength to end this model but I put to much work for now with My F-14 A and this give me a litlle force( this is very similar to F-14 D without TCS/Pod / I'm not sure but cocpit is the same - and You must upgrade this for Yourself to D version) . I joined the plastic cocpit with Eduard Photoetched parts - and it's look lovely but for now I works with panel lines to change structure for recesed standard - and that for ME is like Nightmare.
To be positive I buy F-20 Tigershark from Hasegawa - this model is very easy to kit , maybe after this I return to F-14 A . But be patient

Best Regards
Artur