The F-14, now retired from Navy service, is one of my favorite airplanes. Blame “Top Gun” and “The Final Countdown”. Who can forget the immortal line, “Splash the Zeros!”? Anyhow, the Academy F-14 is a nice kit and much cheaper than the Hasegawa kit. There are a couple of options for those wanting to add more detail. Aires provides three separate options for the turkey feathers – closed, open and varied positioned. This review is for the varied positioned offering.

The F-14 exhaust section can be seen in any of the positions, which is why Aires offers the varied set. Normally, while sitting on the ground following the shutdown procedures, the nozzles are controlled hydraulically. During the shutdown, it is normal for the right nozzle to be closed and the left one opened. It makes for a unique look. Here is a good synopsis of what happens: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-engine.htm

Included in the normal Aires packaging are six pieces of light grey resin which are perfectly cast without any blemishes. The vanes on the exhaust are beautifully represented, as well as the detail on the exhausts themselves. The exhaust section is segmented just like the real thing and there are beautifully cast subsections in the exhaust. Removal of the casting blocks should be easy enough.

There is a fret consisting of two PE afterburner rings in a nickel finish that I won’t even paint.

Adding the parts to the kit is easy enough. Just use them as replacement for the kit parts.

The unique-looking exhausts and the perfect casting will add to the finished look of the model. A simple and effective upgrade for your Academy F-14.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Aires and IPMS/USA for the review copy.