Author Topic: Build a real mock-up....  (Read 1311 times)

Pen-Pusher

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Build a real mock-up....
« on: February 25, 2017, 10:15:59 PM »
For those of you who rushed out many decades ago to buy an armful of Matchbox F.14 Tomcats or, as in my case, just one - you will have soon discovered or have pointed out to your dismay, that despite it being an easy build of the US Navy's most potent weapon at the time, the kit contained so many fundamental flaws that made it next to worthless!

Many years ago I reviewed this kit for a well known modelling magazine and was able to provide an answer from non other than the Grumman Aviation Company. Although not the first F.14 kit on the market, Matchbox had in fact been the first kit company to approach Grumman for the planes specs. At that time the design and dimensions of the plane were super sensitive but an enterprising engineer at Grumman supplied Matchbox with the detailed plans of nothing less than the mock-up prepared several years earlier!

So although you cannot build an in-service variant that was, you can build a unique 'replica' of the original 'mock-up'... what more can you wish for?

Pen-Pusher

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Re: Build a real mock-up....
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2017, 10:01:25 AM »
The major difference between the mock-up and all prototype and production aircraft was the shape of the wing gloves aft of the 'pivot'. As you can see below (Photo#1 Matchbox) - (Photo#2 Fujimi) and a photographs of the 'real thing', the gloves on the mock-up are concave as opposed to being convex later.