IN THE BOX

The kit replicates the back engine housing/afterburner assembly used on the F-14A Tomcat. Material is made from resin and is gray in color. Also included is a photo etched sheet of afterburner nozzles. All the parts were in excellent condition.

CONSTRUCTION

Initially, I trimmed the engine housing exhaust and afterburner housing. The end sprue material was not needed. I painted the interior prior to the assembly of the fan blades, can interior, and afterburners. Note: the F-14 kit I used did not have a “kit part” as noted in the instructions. I was able to adapt this exhaust nozzle kit to the F-14A Testor’s kit. It worked just fine – I did have to make some adjustments, however.

FINISH

The paint used was store-bought spray primer (gray), ModelMaster enamel (steel), and on the outside exhaust housing I used acrylic (steel).

COMMENTS

This kit can be assembled by any age model builder. The plans are very easy to follow.

Modern special operation forces made their first appearance during the Second World War and have been involved in every major and many minor conflicts since. The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with wide open spaces and heavily armed insurgents, have seen the employment of a large variety of special operations patrol vehicles. These vehicles allow the special operators to cover long distances rapidly while carrying the weapons necessary to confront a wide range of targets.

It’s hard to think of an aircraft that has had a longer career than the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, frequently called the Scooter. That career started in 1954 (a very good year, by the way) and continues to this very day. The design was the result of Ed Heinemann’s efforts to give the Navy the attack aircraft it wanted while making it fit on any aircraft carrier the Navy used. The maximum unfolded wingspan the Navy stipulated for carrier aircraft, 27’ 6”, determined the span of the A-4. The ability to carry the then-current Mk. 7 nuclear weapon resulted in the stalky landing gear with which we’re all familiar. The product of Heinemann’s genius was a reliable aircraft that could carry a useful weight of weapons a considerable distance while being tough enough and maneuverable enough to bring the pilot home after delivery.