MODELMAKER’S LIFE: TAMIYA’S QUARTER SCALE TOMCAT, THE REMATCH?

I mean come on, who isn’t taken with machines from VF-1 Wolfpack, VF-142 Ghostriders or my personal favourite, VF-211 Checkmates?

28th May 2025

Almost a decade ago (is it really that long?!) I announced with some conviction that Tamiya’s 1/48 Tomcat was the finest kit they had ever released in that scale. Actually, I stated it was the finest 1/48 kit, full stop. The following few years would see me build three of them, two Alpha models and a Delta variant. Hell, I even wrote a book on the subject such was my love of the kit and its potential. 

Nine years on I’ve seen nothing to make me change my mind despite building every 1/48 aircraft kit that Tamiya have subsequently released. In fact, no doubt swayed by my deep affection for all things Tamiya, I’ve seen nothing elsewhere, either. Tamiya’s family of Big Fighters, is still my favourite group of kits, nothing coming close when it comes to design, engineering and the sheer pleasure I got from building each one.

Monday, I took one of my infrequent trips into town. Liz had wanted to get a jacket for a wedding we are attending, so we jumped in the car and popped over to Stafford. As you might imagine, clothes shopping is far from my favourite pursuit (despite grabbing a couple of tee shirts from a local sports shop, whilst there…) so I made my excuses and suggested that I would be better served elsewhere, a local branch of WH Smiths seeming as good a destination as any.

Flicking through the magazine shelves, I happened upon a couple of bookazines, one on the Harrier which I had to buy just because, and one on the Tomcat’s 50 years in development and service “Half Century Baby! Fifty Years Of The Grumman F-14 Tomcat“. Published by Tempest books, this 132 page monograph offers a ton of images, data and profiles that guide you through each decade, showing the development of the aircraft through its different variants A – D. At only £9.99, it seemed like great value as well, so I hopped on over to the counter, paid my shillings to the fine gentleman behind the counter and skipped out of the shop, head filled with ideas and possibilities, until the pouring rain and my lack of a coat, crashed me back to earth with a bang.

Truth be told, I’ve not really had the Tomcat in mind recently, and certainly not Tamiya’s kit, despite having two in the loft to build. Occasionally I’ll come across some images and mull over the idea of building another, but not necessarily in 1/48 and not particularly from Tamiya’s box of tricks. Indeed, following on from my Century Series project, I have a full collection of Monogram Teen Series jets, -14, -15, -16 & 18 that I fancy building, so a Tomcat is just as likely from Monogram’s offering as it is, Tamiya’s. But I digress. 

So my mind had wandered onto all things Tomcat, bringing to mind once again, Tamiya’s kit and how much fun I had building it(them). But what to do? There is certainly a mass of new details to add and I could perhaps create a model in a different scheme that would work with the three I’d already done in various finishes and markings.

There are certainly plenty of colour schemes to choose from, the early Light Gull Gray over white machines being particularly attractive. I mean come on, who isn’t taken with machines from VF-1 Wolfpack, VF-142 Ghostriders or my personal favourite, VF-211 Checkmates? And before anyone mentions it, no, I’m not interested in VF-84! So I let my mind wander a little, flicked through some of my spare decal sheets and then this morning, opened the Book Of Faces on the Interwebz an lo and behold! there was a new Furball Decal sheet, covering all manner of test aircraft. Be still my beating heart!

Having already built three squadron machines, the chance to build something a little different is a more than attractive proposition. They are still bright subjects, but in many ways are more interesting thanks to their specialised roles. A number are based on prototype machines as well, which only adds to the intrigue. In essence, test and prototype aircraft grow in fertile soil, so there is plenty of grist for the mill should I finally take the plunge and build another F-14.

Having used Furball decals for a number of my major projects over the last few ears, I’m very keen to get hold of a copy of this decal sheet to see what I can do with it. I’m certainly planning to build one of my Tamiya Tomcats. but I may also use some of the markings to decorate my Monogram kit, should that box of bits make its way from pipe dream, to plastic reality.

For more information on all of Furball’s decal sheets, please visit their website at the following address:

https://www.furballaero-design.com

So another Tamiya Tomcat in the works? Well, maybe. But which one, the early F-14A, or an all singing, all dancing F-14D? Choices, choices…

See you tomorrow.