Devilfish Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 By the late 60s, the Royal Navy were looking to replace their aging carriers. Unfortunately the nice shiny brand new ones they had hoped for were vetoed by the treasury. As compensation, a pair of surplus ex US Navy Kittyhawk non nuclear carrives wereally bought and retro fitted with the electronic systems salvaged from the outgoing carriers. To make up for the disappointment of "hand me down" ships, the government authorised the purchase of new aircraft. One of the types selected was the new Grumman F-14 Tomcat, known in the FAA as the Tomcat FR.1. With upgrades carried out by BAe, the FR.2 was the standard fighter in service in 1982, when the Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland islands. En-route to the islands, the aircraft of the task force were repainted from their peacetime Gary and white schemes to an all over extra dark sea grey. Squadron and other identifying markings were painted out. On combat air patrol, the general load out was 4 sky flash and 2 sidewinders, with a TARPS reconnaissance pod to gather intel when over flying the islands. Tomcat FR.2 of 801 Sqn , HMS Queen Elizabeth Academy 1/48 F-14 Tomcat. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted April 13, 2017 Share Posted April 13, 2017 Nicely done chap, but, you know certain colours suit certain cars and aeryoplanes, I must say in this colour the Tomcat just don't look right !! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Because you're not used to seeing them so dark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Very nice. Your Tomcat looks excellent in Royal Navy colours. I've started a Tamiya F-14 in What-if Fleet Air Arm markings. I've gone for EDSG & White. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 Superb job! If memory serves me right in 1982 the Americans offered the loan of a carrier but Mrs. T. said no. Again, one of those 'if only' aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 2 big carriers with F14s, Buccaneers and Gannets AEWs and 1982 passes without incident. No repainting required. Nice Wiff though and we'll executed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 20 hours ago, Fatboydim said: Very nice. Your Tomcat looks excellent in Royal Navy colours. I've started a Tamiya F-14 in What-if Fleet Air Arm markings. I've gone for EDSG & White. My previous one was EDSG and white. As are most of my RN whifs. Decide on a change this time 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 29 minutes ago, Devilfish said: My previous one was EDSG and white. As are most of my RN whifs. Decide on a change this time That sounds good. Did you post it on here? If so I'd like to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Your Tomcat looks great as an RAF beastie! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallBlondJohn Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Nice Cat. I know the South Atlantic can be a bit rough but the captain of QE should be ashamed of the state of that deck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilfish Posted April 15, 2017 Author Share Posted April 15, 2017 8 hours ago, Gorbygould said: Your Tomcat looks great as an RAF beastie! RAF??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted April 15, 2017 Share Posted April 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Devilfish said: RAF??? Ooops! You know what I mean - you can't expect my brain to work ALL the time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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