Merit International has updated their site today with updated images of the JSI 1/18 F-14A Tomcat VF-84 Jolly Rogers in production now at the JSI factories. The largest and most ambitious 1/18 model to date by JSI, the 1/18 F-14A Tomcat features an abundant amount of detail and paint applications. Of course with the VF-84 Jolly Rogers version on it’s way, it’s often wondered what the next repaint or release will be.
Could it be a VF-154 Black Knights release? Or perhaps a VF-41 Black Aces bird? Both squadrons were some of the last to use the F-14A Tomcat in combat, and both did use it as a “Bombcat” during it’s last years in service. Worth mentioning is that the mold itself is a late block F-14A, so the Black Knights and Black Aces later paint schemes are more accurate choices for production. *If JSI decides to retool the mold later on into an older block F-14A, it will be more accurate for numerous squadrons, and perhaps the SU-22 killer F-14A’s from the Black Aces could be made*
The updated images show the following being assembled on the factory line:
- Front landing gear
- Air intake
- Ejection Seats
- Cockpit instrument panels for pilot & RIO
- Randome assembly
- Cockpit side panel
- Speed brakes
