HX Toys F-14 Tomcat Super Fighter

The F-14 Tomcat Super Fighter is a rear-facing twin prop plane that looks good, and flys alright for a toy grade RC — but not for long. Not only are advanced tricks and aerobatic maneuvers out of the question, but with its tempermental 2-channel remote system simple turns were often too much for the plane.

The most I was able to accomplish with the F-14 Tomcat was to gain altitude, fly a short distance, turn, and fall. Its light-weight, lightly glued styrofoam construction ensures maximum damage for the slightest bump, flip, or rough landing.

Holding the control stick to the left or the right for more than two seconds at a time causes the F-14 Tomcat to stall out and aim nose first toward the ground. The plane diverts power from one engine to the other to initiate the turn — which in turn initiates stalling and falling.

Because the F-14 Tomcat has no flaps or aerials to assist in maneuvering, all turns are done by power diversion and variations in propeller speeds. This is a major problem as the plane will not maintain enough forward thrust to keep it in the air. It does have vertical assist, but it is insufficient to keep the plane aloft for any appreciable length of time.

The F-14 Tomcat is going to hit the ground at some point. That's true of any type of aircraft. Unfortunately, with this plane even a minor crash can cause massive damage. On an early test flight, a wing slightly brushing the ground upon landing ripped the wing assembly off. Styrofoam is lightweight and will break, but on a well-constructed plane this shouldn't be a problem except for high speed crashes into the ground or crashing into a wall. Whether it is low-grade styrofoam or the poorly glued pieces, the F-14 Tomcat crumbled or fell apart with even the mildest provocation.

The F-14 Tomcat Super Fighter comes pre-assembled and ready to go. The only pre-flight requirement are putting on the wheels and inserting the rechargeable battery in the canopy. The F-14 Tomcat Super Fighter seemingly has everything you need to fly right out of the box.

However, after losing a propeller in a crash I found that the extra propellers in the box were mismatched. I had to purchase new propellers from a hobby shop in order to continue flying the plane. The flimsy landing "gear" (wheels) come off easily and there are no spares. There are no extra wings or other parts so after the first slightly rough landing I had to resort to tape — lots and lots of tape — to hold it all together.

This is a decent beginner plane for those that want to learn how difficult it can be to pilot an RC plane without investing a lot of cash. Experienced pilots who believe they can control it and land it smoothly might get a few more runs out of it before its inevitable demise. I don't feel that the F-14 Tomcat Super Fighter is a must-have for RC airplane enthusiasts.

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