Aires

1/48 F-14D Tomcat Cockpit For the Hasegawa kit

Stock Number: 4333

Reviewed By  Charles Landrum, IPMS# 26328

MSRP: $35.00 Review copy provided by Aires Models. The F-14 is a popular modeling subject, and the 1/48 Hasegawa offers the most options and detail; that is except the cockpit. While the cockpit is adequate compared to many offered on the market it does not really capture the complex functionality of the area. Aires has released a multi-media cockpit designed to replace the kit cockpit in its entirety.

The offering by Aires is cleanly cast and well engineered. There are only 15 parts in this set; 14 in resin and one fret of PE. Molded in gray resin, most of the tub detail is cast into 5 large components. In a close examination, I could not find any imperfections in the casting. The tub is eye-watering, with all of the switches, displays, wiring and plumbing well represented in raised detail. The throttle and joystick for the LANTIRN pod are cast integral with the tub - I wonder how they pop this out of the mold!? The pilot's instrument panel is cast integral to the coaming, as is the RIO's display. Both fit snuggly into their position in the cockpit tub, there are no alignment issues here. The side panels with traditional gauges are left flat for photo etch inserts. The sidewalls, which are often separate and hard to position in other sets, are cast in one piece per side and interlock into the tub. This removes the guesswork and provides a seamless fit. The ejection seats are also nicely detailed, with the seat belts provided in PE. While I prefer molded seatbelts, the advantage to these is that you can add crew figures without having to modify the seats. The PE fret, in addition to the details already mentioned, provides the pilot's rudder pedals, RIO's foot pedal switches for the radios, the HUD, and the canopy mirrors.

The detail set instructions are clear with respect identifying the parts and assembly. They do not provide color callouts, nor do they indicate what modifications are required, if any to the kit to accept the parts other than a generic statement about thinning the parts. I did a dry fit of the assembled tub into the Hasegawa kit and found it to be a near drop in fit. You will need to remove the detail below the side coaming, but can leave the wells for the boarding ladder and the higher steps intact. The only real issue I have with this fine set is the complexity of the PE harnesses. The harnesses are etched in individual straps and buckles, so you have to be dexterous with small parts in order to thread the straps through the buckles. In all, this is a very nice enhancement for the Hasegawa 1/48 F-14. The engineering and casting of the resin is first-rate and make it a good value for the money. By molding it in gray resin, you don't have to worry about cream-colored resin showing through if you scratch a painted a painted component. Strongly recommended.

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