Parabat

This is Eduard's interpretation of the other D-13.

Nice one, just leave the PE4 intake mesh screen off. These build up well and have some good detail, are you going to do it in the box scheme? Very cool if you are, it's a great looking camo scheme.

No dramas, you've inadvertently led me to a very cool airframe, and a scheme that I've always wanted to do. So, thanks! And yes, those operationally carried CBU's are something very cool and different, be good to see this built.

As tank152 mentions, they have a needle travel limiter which could inadvertently be set to have very little rearward travel, and limit the amount of paint. Worth a play around, it could be as simple as that.

Fantastic work, you can clearly see that you have focused your attention evenly and lavishly on all areas, not just one portion of the model. Brilliant work, a real gem.

And there are people who say that Tomcat schemes are 'boring' or 'repetitive'! Whatever you decide on, it will be eyecatching.

All I can say is that this build has been a long time coming. I had about four possibilities for this GB in mind, and when Dangerous Dave chose to do the VF-211 'Checkmates' during Op SOUTHERN WATCH, I knew I had to do this: I'll be using the excellent Tamiya 1/48 F-14D kit, with minimal extras. Those of you familiar with the Squadron F-14 Tomcat Walkaround book may be familiar with the subject. At the time of publication, the F-14D was the hot new thing on the carriers. Not only did it have the excellent GE-F110 engines, but it had a revised cockpit that bested even the minor updated F-14A Plus' cockpit. This picture of the VF-2 'Bounty Hunters' in their blue-grey TPS camo and cool tail emblem had me hooked. Finding decals for this short lived scheme proved to be a patient waiting game. The older, but serviceable Yellowhammer decals provided 'Bullet 102' I'm not going to go hard on aftermarket for this build, keeping it simple with some Tamiya detail up bits for the seatbelts and pitot, maybe some Eduard Phoenix for this early F-14D to be in a classic air to air, fleet protection role. Edit - Well, well, well... Not only is BuNo164602 the VF-213 CAG plane on the Tamiya box top, but it turns out that this F-14D is one of three Tomcats that may be granted authorisation to be flown again! https://www.airhistory.net/photo/926949/164602 https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/congress-maverick-act-could-bring-a-u-s-navy-f-14d-tomcat-back-to-flight.html

Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the aftermarket, hopefully the sender will see fit to resend in better packaging? Ref the Zero paints, they are hot lacquer paints, pre-thinned for airbrushing only.

This was Op SOUTHERN WATCH, policing the border of Iraq and the no-fly zone. I would say that the CBU would be perfect for countering light armour, vehicles and troops.

There goes the neighborhood... This was one of my top options for this STGB, but I have a cunning plan involving a F-14D... 😉 Looking forward to seeing this being built right. 👍

Fair enough, the pictures I've seen looked a metallic green to me, so I made the assumption it was a zinc chromate finish.

I would say early Sabres had black cockpits, later on neutral gray (FS 36231). Wheel bays and brake wells zinc chromate (metallic green).