Build Review - 1/48 Great Wall Hobby F-14B Tomcat

[@TheModelGuy]

Absolutely love Doog’s reviews. I can count on him being direct, truthful and unflinching in his videos. I’m also jealous that he lives close to Lionheart

[@backpain100]

And it's an actual review, in which he actually build and point out the good and the bad of the kit. Most other channels just do "preview", rather than a "review".

[@edwigbamps3628]

Thanks for your review Doog, loved it. Can't wait to see the continuation of building videos like you did in the past. Love your work!

[@jonathanbaker81]

This is the most effective review format I’ve seen on KZbin. Thanks, Doogs!

[@RWHobbies]

This video makes me want to get a Tamiya F-14 from my stash and build it.

[@brucethemodelnoob]

Loving this review format. Particularly useful when you contextualize the kit being reviewed against other kits already on the market.

[@richardbrumm8348]

Honest, direct and revealing…one of the most helpful model kit reviews I’ve seen. Thank you!

[@DoogsModels]

Wow, thanks!

[@NPractitioner]

One thing that sticks out for me its the fact that the weapons are all multi-piece, a big step down from the amazing slide moulded one piece weapons included with their Flankers. Here in the UK the kit is the same price as Tamiya's - strange that it is so expensive in the US. Great review Doog, much appreciated👍🏼

[@aidenchen1275]

Same price for GWH and Tamiya in China as well. So I guess it's not GWH's problem, it's America's

[@Hunting_Party]

I actually prefer multi piece munitions. The single piece ones I had on their mig29 still requires cleaning up mold lines and ejector pin marks, which are harder since it’s on a cylinder.

[@jcwoodman5285]

Ok im not F14 inclined BUT you should build the Meng 1/32 P40B!!!! I am just amazed by that kit!😊

[@DoogsModels]

GWH you mean? I've got designs on it. But what I want to do requires figuring out how to do some tricky stuff.

[@jcwoodman5285]

@@DoogsModels yeah GWH! It is a truly great kit!

[@gideonschlen4022]

Love the review format and the review itself. It concisely gives me the information I need to make an informed decision with no superfluous gimmicks. You've explained why you came to your conclusions in enough detail that people looking to do unconventional things can assess the viability of this kit without turning the review into war and piece. Keep it up!

[@paulmoore5401]

Great review Doog! I’ll have to check to see what other reviews you do. I really like the “naked build”. It tells the, “rest of the story” beyond cool plastic sitting on a sprue that you THINK is good. The build is definitely the other half. Thanks!

[@monkeyhobbies]

An honest review is appreciated on kits with high prices, an unbiased point of view. From what I saw, I prefer the simplicity and quality of the Tamiya Tomcat. Thanks Doogs.

[@DoogsModels]

Thanks! I really wanted to love this one - I'm a fan of GWH overall and was definitely hoping they had something special to justify that price. Alas...

[@simonCX]

Awesome review. You build the kit and say it as it is. There should be more reviews like this format. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@caudleryan123]

I appreciate the no bullshit review. I was on the fence about this kit. But, now, I'm pretty sure I'll stick with the Tamiya kits.

[@johndillon8051]

I think both of your types of videos are good and hope to see both in the future. The multi-part videos feature techniques and problem-solving and I've found several very helpful. This video is a straight evaluation of a kit and very helpful to someone considering the kit (not me, I'm not a fan of the F-14 but the video was well done and honest).

[@clom177]

excellent review ! thanks a question ! dont you thin the great wall has a shorter nose compere to the tamiya? thanks

[@paulsmessybenchmodels2602]

Thanks for making a review video that doesn't include 5 minutes of cutting open crinkly plastic wrap and parts bags.

[@DoogsModels]

Absolutely. I hate that part.

[@juanizcue5574]

Excellent review, thank you!!

[@hiddevanderdonk9293]

Thank you very much, love this review. It is always good to hear what is not so great about a new kit, as everybody else only seems to focus on what is so good about a new release... Having build the Tamiya F-14a late, yes the gearbays are way too empty, but the engineering of the kit made a very enjoyable build.

[@twelve_birds]

Hey Matt. Great vid - super informative and the efforts you made in terms of editing, cutting and narrating it really pay off. Great review, super informative. The only thing I‘d leave out are the gestures/ finger movements in the build sequences, they don‘t add anything and look a bit quirky. Everything else is on point, funny and interesting. keep em coming!

[@spinster4000]

I built their 1/72 scale F-14B Bombcat and it was a real treat. Some slight fit issues but the quality of plastic was next level. Definitely buying more of their stuff. But with that said, this was an on point review. Sometimes their stuff can be janky and not makes sense at all and fit issues is real sometimes, but overall good detail.

[@beckersmodels]

It seems there's slightly different engineering on the 1/72 -B, it may actually be better than the 1/48 (and its a LOT cheaper). I have the B and D in 1/72, I think they are superior to the Academy, which is basically a pantomine of the 1/48 Tamiya...

[@spinster4000]

@@beckersmodelsagreed

[@rogerstonham3631]

Matt whilst I love to watch your painting skills I actually found this video very interesting. I would certainly watch more of the same - factual truthful and say it as it is.

[@grahamkylevulcan4340]

G'day Matt! Wow... almost five months without our fave KZbinr from Texas! Very nice to have you back, fella. Hope you're doing well. How's your compressor doing? Yeh, had better buy the Tamiya Tomcat kit + the plethora of aftermarket needed for the conversion. This GWH Tomcat kit is... meh. Thank you for the review. Cheers!

[@charlesward3138]

I would love to see the comparison to the AMK kit also

[@newsoft75]

I prefer one 20-ish minute video like this over a multi-part series. Those fit better with your half year builds. 🙂

[@dougeby3996]

I really like this format, especially since it allows you to publish a review quickly while the trigger finger is still itching and not pulled yet. Thanks to you, it’s no longer itching. GWH did the same thing with their P-40 - I’m willing to spend the money but any kit over $200 has to be really special. Would love to see a similar review of the Infinity Val and Trumpeter Devastator!

[@grahamrushall6044]

Matt love this video. More like it please. Keep up the work. Hope all is well in your world.

[@Brucie_Boy]

Even if I’m not remotely interested in the kit, I watch just because of how much you make me laugh. (I’m easy to entertain)

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

Excellent work Doog. I also do after build reviews, and it really is the final word in terms of knowing how good a kit is. You didn't mention the rather disappointing weapons (Pheonix) that are in many, many parts, instead of the usual superb one-piece slide moulded items on things like the Su35 Flankers, but your review clearly shows that GWH have some way to go to beat Tamiya, especially at this high price level. Great work, Dude! 👍🏻

[@kiwiruna9077]

A good and honest review. Cheers mate.

[@randallrosen]

Great review Matt. THIS is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for before I buy a kit.

[@ryanleng11]

Hey Doogs, I loved the review in that format and add to that all the cussing in the comentry. I couldn't wipe the smile off my dial... cheers, bro....

[@mandeladoak7811]

Great review very informative.

[@BigGoy2009]

Thanks for the review. Nicely done. Excellent video.

[@DoogsModels]

Thanks for watching!

[@jayrm77]

Great review, thanks!

[@AlbertD711]

Thanks for the honest review.

[@dorkf1sh]

I thought my modeling shorts were the grimiest pair of worn out beaters ever but, as usual, Doog far surpasses me again

[@benoitbonnier7309]

Hey Matt, to be honest, I like both types. I know that this method is much quicker than a 19-part series. They are completely different and love them both. The longer series type is more on seeing you work and learning technics vs just a review. Just don't stop any !! Cheers

[@davidpalmer4184]

Hi Matt, thanks for the box review (Do more of them please) I laughed at your comment about Becker and his "In flight" addiction. I met him for the first time last week in a modeling convention in Brisbane Australia. Nice bloke, as most modelers are. Cheers.

[@robincrg2979]

How about de AMK F-14D?

[@christopherallington6045]

Doog love your work my only gripe is I wish you had finished the weasel off

[@DoogsModels]

Think of that more as extended hiatus. They shall return. Just don't know exactly when.

[@henryschmitt7577]

I will order the late F-14A from tamiya and make a Bombcat like you said verses this B. Lionheart is awesome and thanks for the straight forward review 😁👍

[@modeltankguy]

As always doogs love the your reviews n great honesty 👌...like always bud keep them coming 👍

[@10percenttrue]

What happened to the Weaseloff?

[@DoogsModels]

doogsmodels.com/2023/08/12/theory-of-the-case/

[@kudukilla]

I’m happy with just about any video that starts with “shut up compressor”. I feel like it’s a good day if I hear that, “what up gangsters”, or “muh frens”.

[@ksprvnksprvn4258]

Honest reviews are appreciated especially for high cost kits. Criticism is to be taken in good stride for improvement. I like the one part format better.

[@patrickhagelstein1810]

Really great review, Matt! Honest and from the perspective of a skilled modeler! One thing though…. You still have that spot in the upper right corner of the screen. 😉

[@thanhquannguyen9624]

Thanks.

[@benshakespeare268]

Would love to see an F-14 build in the way you've done the F-4! Maybe it could sit in a diorama where the Tomcat has just caught a wire.

[@kevinburt44]

So to build a decent F14B, I suppose you could buy Tamiya F14D, and fit it with GRU7 seats? Or are there many other subtle diff😂?

[@40ftinc.42]

Honest, interesting, entertaining, informative...as always and precisely why we watch. Editing on this one seems a little rushed, perhaps a few too many jokey memes. Becker reference A++. Format is fine, but then I'll watch anything you make, cos yeah, fanboy. Thanks

[@R08U5]

I'd appreciate a Doogs funny rant-bare-assembly video every 10 videos but prefer the multi episode series on completing a single kit, showing off skills and methods which inspires me (more).

[@danabrunett4394]

I really wanted this kit to be great, especially for the price point. I’ve had good experiences with GWH kits in the past and was hopeful. But alas, Doogs’ between the eyes honesty has revealed otherwise. Sorry GWH, not this time, not at that price point. Thanks Doogs, keep doing what your doing. It works for us modelers. Stay well!

[@henrypena2547]

Great review I'm going with Tamamya

[@cameronfarrell9076]

This is a real review, great video. Honestly i am a pretty big fan of gwh but seeing what they've put out here even taking price out of the equation is slightly disappointing. Maybe it's my own fault for expecting each kit from a manufacturer to be better than the last, and there's probably a ceiling there. Thanks for the insight matt! You've prevented me from wasting money on what i assumed was a sure fire buy.

[@rodrigoloyolaarmijo1515]

Thanks for this video.

[@jasongood3680]

Really clear review. I like this format of video. I do prefer watching you paint and fill and trying to pick up tips and be generally envious of the finish, but these are really helpful, faster reviews. On pricing, it’s out in the uk for £84.95 from one retailer, and that doesn’t claim to be discounted, so I think they’ve maybe realised they are playing in the wrong league? Thanks again for all your videos - I watch on my TV and it’s hard to comment there. Keep building 😊

[@padelisgk8126]

Although i m a fan of gwh 1/72 tomcats, nothing beats the 48th tamiya. Even with it costing 60euros less.

[@bradpearson9466]

Great review... for a b version you are correct. Burner cans a hud frame seats and the late tamiya a cat is about all you need. After I spent time in the navy crewing for a civilian. Who had a collection of military aircraft. Dale Snodgrass also known as snort flew his aircraft at airshows. Through time I got to know him. One of the questions I had asked what were the differences between the versions. And you are correct in the differences. As for price way to much for my wallet. I think I'll wait for the big t to issue one. After all we don't even have a n version of the phantom yet. And it only takes maybe 5 parts to get that version out.

[@JeffreyStrader]

Finally, somebody who speaks my language (not literally)….Doog, THANKS. Your info helps those of us not sure, if a particular kit is worth the price.

[@tonyascaso6254]

Great review! Sprue Brothers Models has it listed at $149.00. Still would go with the Tamiya kit!

[@richardwl5773]

Entertaining and spot on review. Would be interesting to see where the AMK version sits. Detail wise, it's above the Tamiya one. But way cheaper. But, probably doesn't fit and build as nice. And I wouldn't even rule out the Hobbyboss one, which has shape issues, but is a bargain and the perfect base for adding aftermarket.

[@peterfield2229]

In the UK this is around £90-£100 and you can get the Tamiya F-14s for £75-85

[@TheJimc101]

Great review, disagree with saying user error for the wings, Will is right, bad engineering. For the price, in the UK it retails (before any discounts you can find/from the distributor and in stock at time of posting) is the same as the most recent Tamiya F-14A Late (Hannant in stock price), something seems to have gone very wrong with the retail price in the US

[@fizzelopeguss]

Review is hilarious, easy sub.

[@martinslovak6094]

This style of review suits me better, however the multi-part has some merit as well (I remember rewatching your Kitty Hawk Su-17/22 many times - and it helped me build mine veery much). I guess for the "better fitting" kits, this shorter style is better

[@neilwharfe4499]

Hi Doog. Great work as ever. I’ve got Tamiya and amk 14 Deltas. Also a B conversion set….. like you I love the B. Should I get this or convert one of my D’s?…which one? Surprisingly the GWH is a similar price to the Tamiya kit in the UK. (When it arrives)

[@DoogsModels]

AFAIK the best conversion path for a Tamiya B is from the late A kit. Just need the F110 exhausts.

[@mauriciocastro6363]

What are the differences between the A and the B versions?

[@DoogsModels]

The major difference is the switch from the TF30 engines to the GE F-110. Also a new RHAW system and a few other small things. They were originally designated the F-14A+ and redesignated as F-14B around the time of Desert Storm. It'd literally take Tamiya tossing the F-110 exhausts and (I believe) a new RIO panel into their late F-14A to get to a B. So I'm surprised they haven't done it yet.

[@mauriciocastro6363]

@@DoogsModels thank you for the info. Are there aftermarket exhausts suitable for the tamiya kit? Also, the ejections seats of the A are they good for the B?

[@marcarsenal1]

Not sure why anyone would pay $200 for this when you can pick it everywhere in the uk for £85 Around $107

[@richelias2973]

Good job

[@niteowl7710]

Getting this out of Hong Kong is $89 before shipping (vs. $50-57 version dependent on the Tamiya kits out of Japan). If the MSRP is set that high in the U.S. then some middleman is suggesting a 100% mark-up.

[@ThomisticAmerican13FOX]

Doog, you are the man I trust when it comes to honest objective reviews of a kit. On pricing you nailed it, its about comparitive value, this is the proper way to evaluate it. All the butt joints would piss me off, especially the cans. The lights on the glove vanes are a better way to do it than Tamiya, I like that. Why the hell Tamiya doesn't capitalize on their very successful new tool A and D varients with a B is beyond me. Missed oppertunity, and they would sell no doubt about it. I have seen people praising the AMK Tomcat, and I wonder how it stacks against GWH, but remember boys "there are no points for second place." On the video format, these clean build reviews certainly have their place, and if it means more content from this channel I'm all for it, colorful language included!

[@aidenchen1275]

AMK only has 14D I believe and AMK kit has some serious fitting issue. In terms of small details like bolts and belts AMK is better, or more accurate I should say. ABout the price, british friends in comments say that GWH has the similar price to Tamiya ones, same case in China as far as I know and should be the same in Australia. So not sure what happens in the US

[@ronjeppson6071]

Appreciate the honest review...but 200 bucks.....uh, nope.

[@DoogsModels]

It's tough to overlook the context on this one, absolutely.

[@samuelhobbs3107]

It’s crazy, we have them on sale in the UK for less than 100 gbp, just over 100 usd

[@vai4]

in my box, I had 3D printed seats, probably a special edition

[@paulwilson1529]

super review matt. 👍

[@m.carney822]

I can always count on Doogs brutality honest approach. Whether in reviewing or building a kit. He tells it like it is

[@tonydrake462]

wow - you places the MMC seats there- they are nice, just got a set for my F-4 - all in all, I'll pass based on this - I think you said the cockpit was better detailed, but I assume the 'better' was so minor it didn't rate. OK - I love the B, but with a million kits in the stash, I'll take the 'wait for the next bus' approach and build one of their SU27 kits instead.

[@geordie_mech]

I'm really not sure why they changed the whole engineering from the previous GWH f14. Their first f14 that I build had slide moulded fwd fuse. Also, the price of the tomcat in England is £30 less than the tamiya f14. Everything has changed on this kit and I can't see the point.

[@devgru242]

This is 1/48 scale, not the 72 ones...

[@geordie_mech]

@@devgru242 I feel completely dumb. I was referring to the AMK F-14D super tomcat. Not sure why I thought it was GWH!

[@fmsteve1222]

looks like GWH took a few design features ect. from the 1/32 Trumpy kit, which i'm working on as we speak not horrible, not great of course GW has to be the only B variant available in 1/48, so i think that's where you get the overinflated price from. i'd also say you're probably right that you could go late A tamiya or even the D model and pick up the aftermarket details while still spending less than you would for this kit but hey it's all good. I have built every option available in 1/32 and they all suck one way or another unless you throw once or more over in aftermarket at it, it's a labor of love good job on the review you scared me in the beginning as i didnt really hear any explitives until almost halfway through the review. please dont do tha again lol you had me worried

[@Runway_Models1987]

Thank you!

[@davewellings6281]

Love it! Not the kit, the review.

[@bilk1968]

Thank you for sharing. This is invaluable information from someone, who does not lose his sh*t over miniscule details, but goes right for the most important information: Can the kit be built without an engineering degree and what do you get for your money? I like the format a lot. With ever more complex kits, there's just about no value in "looks good in the box" reviews. Especially when you have to find out the hard way, that it should have better stayed in the box or worse, that your money had better stood in your wallet in the first place. I like the one-take approach, but if a particular kit merits a second video, I am all for it.

[@Mondeoman72]

The $200 price tag is ridiculous Jadlam who are a big model selling company here in the UK have it listed at £89.99 with free delivery. At today’s exchange rate that only works out at $114.43. Someone somewhere is making a killing off this kit.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

Thanks for the review mate. I know know not to buy one lol. Anyway, this kit is on sale for about £85 here in the UK. That equates to about $107. Not the $200 that you mention.

[@mattg5978]

The Hasegawa 1/48 scale Tomcat is trickier to build but the overall shape is the most accurate of the real F-14. One major flaw of the Tamiya 1/48 is the nose random. It is way too thin. On the real one it is almost as wide as is the height. ( looking head on).

[@jkoeberli]

imagine having wheel bays like THIS, only to close them and make the model "in-flight"

[@lucferrari3109]

I have the AMK D version, OK not a B. But i can have 3 of them for the price of the GWH B.That's just stupid $$$$.

[@Diegocordovilla]

thats it, i got the AMK D for 55 euros, included shipping cost

[@danielbrandao3166]

For more kits like minibase SU-33 in this world!

[@TheGrumpyOldModeller]

As usual a great, interesting and instructional review 😎😎😎 it’s a great shame this kits SO expensive 😳🥴🤪 like some of the big expensive kits that are out there, you don’t mind paying more for excellence, but here… what are you paying all that extra for 🤔🤔🤔 for aircraft I’ve always been a Tamiya fan boy and now I’m old and my eyesight isn’t that good anymore I’m making a lot more 1/32nd kits. Yes they’er even more money but, for me, I think the extra details you get from the bigger kits are worth it. Plus the aftermarket parts you can get make them even better. But I digress, I love these F14 TomCats almost as much as I love my Tiger 1’s so I, like you where looking forward to a good B kit. I didn’t know there was a conversion kit for the A late though and if I can get that along with a few other bits n bobs for the same money I know what I’m going to be getting… Tamiya 🤩🤩🤩 I do wish they would remodel there 1/32nd kit though as I’d get that one in a heartbeat 😂😂😂 I think seeing her in my line up of other 1/32nd kits you’d get just how big and striking and gorgeous these Cat’s really are 😍😍😍 anyway… thanks again for your honesty AND knowledge of these kits, AND I appreciate the time and effort in making this video for use. It’s not waisted… and Will would be right if he said those wing spares should not be able to be mounted wrongly by having a simple key so you cannot mess up a $200 kit 😳😳😳 it’s NOT rocket science after all. As its such a prominent and major item you shouldn’t be able to “cock it up” 🥴🥴🥴 anyway… thank you for not covering up your mistake and bringing it to light that it IS possible to get them the wrong way around 🙏🙏🙏

[@robertmunoz7543]

LEON HARDT never heard of it!😳 Radome luv?🙄 Jman

[@Ralle1968]

Nice!

[@Jawazplebs]

Love it.

[@heidihobear]

So at the end of the day. Tamiya f-14 kit wins every time. If you want a f-14b then. It’s get a tamiya kit and convert it

[@richharris1562]

Great review, Matt, and agree 💯 on the price issue. Pretty nervy to put a sticker that big on anything with butt joints these days. I myself am not so opposed to the canopy frame approach, but then I fuckin hate masking and almost invariably fuck it up so YMMV. Even so, the costs of masks are usually the least of the aftermarket expenses, and thinking about the ejection seats, wheels, cockpit brass, etc. there's no way this is worth the initial investment.

[@ИлюхаМан]

Да вы првмльно подметели цена на кота GWH завышенна но тамия тоже не дешёвая, мне кажется что AMK будет актимальна по соотношению цена- качество..

[@DieTabbi]

SInce Top Gun the F14 is the cooles fighter

[@adam_mawz_maas]

In a world where Tamiya’s late A is a set of resin exhausts and maybe a Sparrowhawk HUD (if your desired B had that bit) away from a B, the GWH kit is just a fail. Tamiya put all the other A+/B bits in that boxing.

[@jkoeberli]

190$ can buy you a Tamiya 1/32 kit + aftermarket stuff...think about it

[@nigelsmith7366]

Gwh have made a big mistake with the price... As until you can exceed Tamiyas engineering and details

[@brandtall9639]

I was going to watch until you said the cost of the model. Thanks

[@russelltaylor535]

Just FYI, it’s possible to buy the GWH F-14B for $120, including shipping, direct from China. That said, the Tamiya F-14s can be had for around $57 plus shipping direct from Japan. Figure $25-30 for shipping.

[@ThomisticAmerican13FOX]

That is a good price. Can you share the Tamiya source?

[@russelltaylor535]

@@ThomisticAmerican13FOX HobbyLink Japan