SPA Modeler

Has anyone ever built Tamiya's F-16 or F-14 kits? What's the verdict?

Cheers!

The F-14 is a Italeri kit. I've heard the F-16 is fantastic

Tamiya has two different 1/48 F-16s. An old kit of the prototype/developmental aircraft, and a newer tooled C family of Vipers. The early/older kit is ok and typical of Tamiya kits of that time.

Stikpusher wrote:Tamiya has two different 1/48 F-16s. An old kit of the prototype/developmental aircraft, and a newer tooled C family of Vipers. The early/older kit is ok and typical of Tamiya kits of that time.

I was waiting for Carlos to weigh in on this subject... it’s an interesting question, but I cannot offer a specific answer about which jet kit made by Tamiya is best. To echo Carlos, an internet search I ran earlier kicked up “Viper” as well; for what that is worth.

I really appreciate this question and wish you all the best finding your answer... in closing I really do feel that if I had listened to the more experienced modelers and purchased a Tamiya Thunderbolt in 1/48 I would have finished the kit without losing interest. The Tamiya P-47D is supposed to be one of the Seven Wonders of the modeling world.

Stikpusher wrote:Tamiya has two different 1/48 F-16s. An old kit of the prototype/developmental aircraft, and a newer tooled C family of Vipers. The early/older kit is ok and typical of Tamiya kits of that time.

Thanks Stik - I might take a nose at the C family.

tempestjohnny wrote:The F-14 is a Italeri kit. I've heard the F-16 is fantastic

Johnny man -where have you been?!?!! Tamiya release a brand new tooling of the F-14 last year, I think at the time there was a bit of a moan from various parties about the wings not having optional dropped slats and flaps.

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/61114/index.htm

Granted I could just google a review (and where's the fun in that), but I trust the opinion of you guys here.

speedgraflex wrote:

Stikpusher wrote:Tamiya has two different 1/48 F-16s. An old kit of the prototype/developmental aircraft, and a newer tooled C family of Vipers. The early/older kit is ok and typical of Tamiya kits of that time.

I was waiting for Carlos to weigh in on this subject... it’s an interesting question, but I cannot offer a specific answer about which jet kit made by Tamiya is best. To echo Carlos, an internet search I ran earlier kicked up “Viper” as well; for what that is worth.

I really appreciate this question and wish you all the best finding your answer... in closing I really do feel that if I had listened to the more experienced modelers and purchased a Tamiya Thunderbolt in 1/48 I would have finished the kit without losing interest. The Tamiya P-47D is supposed to be one of the Seven Wonders of the modeling world.

The P-47D is an awesome kit - I had one - and then gifted it

tempestjohnny wrote:The F-14 is a Italeri kit. I've heard the F-16 is fantastic

The F-14 is a brand new tooled kit from Tamiya,maybe two years old,got excellent reviews.I have one,started it,but put it aside for my move.Looks great in box,can’t wait to restart.

I've built the 1/48 Tamiya F 16C Block 32 and the new F 14. Both are typical Tamiya for fit and finish. Pictures of both are in the gallery. I was very happy with both kits. I paid $75 for the F 14 which might be a little high for a 1/48 kit but it's really a good kit. Right now my experience is that The best kits I've built come from Tamiya and Zoukei Mura. I'm waiting for ZM to release the F 4E. I've built 3 ZM kits and several 1/32 Tamiya kits and they are similarly priced and all excellent quality.

wjkunert wrote:I've built the 1/48 Tamiya F 16C Block 32 and the new F 14. Both are typical Tamiya for fit and finish. Pictures of both are in the gallery. I was very happy with both kits. I paid $75 for the F 14 which might be a little high for a 1/48 kit but it's really a good kit. Right now my experience is that The best kits I've built come from Tamiya and Zoukei Mura. I'm waiting for ZM to release the F 4E. I've built 3 ZM kits and several 1/32 Tamiya kits and they are similarly priced and all excellent quality.

Kinda off topic but what do you think of the ZM Phantoms? I've seen and read how the shape of the rear fuselage near the engines is VERY wrong.

As for Tamiya, the Viper is by far the best kit of the F-16. I've heard great things about the Tomcat as well. I was one of those that moaned about it not having positional flaps and slats.

I can't speak to the accuracy of the ZM F 4's but I do know that they crawl all over an airplane to ensure correct dimensions. I've seen pictures of their treatment of the F 4E and they were all over it. I built the ZM F 4J when it first came out and it's a beautiful kit. I hadn't read any criticism of the ZM F 4 series but I'm sure it's out there. The reviews I've read consider ZM F 4 series the new 1/48 standard. I'm waiting for the ZM E to complete my collection of Soesterberg aircraft.

I thought we were talking 72nd scale with the F-14. That's an Italeri kit.

Yes in 48th I've heard excellent reviews