VF-103guy

Yep! I built it for one of the JO's who decided to keep it in the display case in the hall. The VF-84 F-14A in there was mine as well.

That would be my F-18F! The revell kit builds up easy and requires a little bit of updating to bring it up to a Lot 26 or higher version. I built this kit straight from the box and the only resin addition was the ACS coaming for the WSO's rear instrument panel, which you'll need if building a VFA-103 F-18F. Decals were from VF-Decals (my old company) and the weapons were from Hasegawa. Hasegawa's F-18F builds up extremely easy as well, except you get quite a bit of extras in terms of dropping the leading and trailing edge flaps and dropping an after market pit isn't too bad either.

Great work Jon!

Nice set of pix!!

Gotta agree with you there..nothin's hotter than a JR F-14!

Thanks! I'm not sure which kit the original builder used. I'm assuming the 1994 version. The kit was constructed fairly well, however there were quite a few noticeable seams left undone when I closer inspected the kit. Whoever originally built the model did take the time to remove the non-existant armor plating off of the fwd fuselage, and they did a fairly neat job of adding the Teknics air frame conversion, but left a ton of excess epoxy exposed which had to be cleaned up. All in all, it has been rather fun to bring this model back to life. One thing I hope is for HLJ to get in some more 1/32 brass pitot tubes so I can replace the missing one.

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

Figured I'd start a series of posts containing my walk around pics from VFA-103's home coming back in May 2007. These pics were used for the new Fightertown Decals VFA-103 First Combat Cruise sheet. ***NOTE: I have not posted the complete series of walk arounds for this a/c Enjoy.. Left side: Right side: Drop tank markings: Overall shot:

I've posted these here once before, but I can't seem to remember where. Hope you guys don't mind a re-post. Anyway, enjoy.. Revell 1/48 F-18F w/ VF-Decals VFA-103 lo vis markings Revell 1/48 F-18F w/ VF-Decals VFA-103 hi vis markings Hasegawa 1/48 QF-4S w/ Super Scale VX-30 markings 1/48 Hasegawa F-14B w/ VF-Decals VF-103 Final Tomcat Cruise markings (still under construction) 1/48 Revell F-14D w/ Super Scale VF-101 markings 1/48 Hasegawa F-14A w/ Super Scale VF-201 markings (this model was a commision build and the owner has since completed it)

Yeah.. I have that effect on places..

Thanks guys! I certainly appreicate the compliments. The TPS paint job is just in the first stage, and I haven't even got to the underside yet!

Here's a refurb project I'm doing for VFA-103. This model has a slightly interesting story to say the least. 2 years before I came on scene, VF-103 had paid a guy $750 to build them a 1/32 F-14 for their ready room. Well, for 4 years, every time I'd go visit the squadron, I would occasionally mention that one dayI'd like to re-finish it. Upon my first close inspection of the model, it was covered with runs in the clear coat, seams weren't filled, and the overall finish was horrible. The JO's in the squadron who had been there a while had always felt they kinda got shafted on the model, so when I went to visit the squadron in 2004, I again offered to fix the model and one of the JO's issued it to me. At the time, knowing that 103 not only was prepairing for their last tomcat cruise but also an a/c transition, I knew I had lots of time to work on the kit. Some friends of mine, Craig Scaling and Randy Woosley donated some parts and weapons to bring the kit up to modern standards, and Darren Roberts supplied some black intake covers. I had also rec'd some decal donations from a couple of guys, but quite honestly, my memory has faded, and I've forgotten who donated them! You know who you are, so please forgive me! Needless to say, my original plan was to put it back in it's original black and white scheme, but that plan went out the window about 6 months ago. I had nearly completed re-finishing the model when one of the JO's and I were on the phone talking one night, and he said the model would look really cool as a last cruise line jet. How could I resist that!! I've been working on the jet a little at a time, and here's where I'm at today. I will be delivering the kit back to VFA-103 in the fall of this year on my next visit. Anyway, enjoy..