DaveJL Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Hello all, Here is my recently completed 1/48 Tamiya F-14D, in the markings of VF-2 'Bounty Hunters' during Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003. The build thread is below: BuNo 164350 was delivered to the Navy in early 1992 and served with VF-11, VF-2 and finally VF-31, with whom it served up until retirement in late 2006. It currently resides at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42, Palmdale, California. During OIF, this jet was one of several jets that were capable of carrying the Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). The F-14 required a modification to allow the ECS (environmental control system) to pressurise the pod in flight. Because of this and the high tempo of operations, VF-2 had one 'designated' TARPS jet and two 'good' TARPS jets which were wired for either the LANTIRN system or TARPS (both could not be carried operationally at the same time, although they could both be carried for transit). 164350 was one such jet. On 17th March 2003, 164350 was one of a pair of F-14s on a TARPS mission over Southern Iraq, but due to the demands for Close Air Support (CAS) the jets were each loaded with a pair of MK.82 bombs. The aircrew of 164350, Lt(jg) Pat Baker and Lt Sean Mathieson, were talked onto a target by a British Army FAC/JTAC near Basra. The target was Saddam Hussein's presidential yacht, Al Mansur, which was moored close to Umm Qasr. The yacht was struck by the four Mk.82 bombs dropped by the pair of F-14s, which, although didn't sink the vessel, rendered it permanently useless. Extras used included Quickboost seats, Quinta cockpit set, DEF model resin wheels, Tamiya update set for canopy mirrors and pitot tube, Fightertown decals and New Ware mask sets. The MK.82 bombs are from Tamiya's latest F-14 release. Paint is mostly MRP with the weathering being a mixture of post shading, Flory wash, Abteilung oils and various Tamiya sets. Thanks for looking. Dave 61 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Very nice! You did it again!! Just in time, but to what standard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Outstanding! A beautiful aircraft even in overall grey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_alfisti_ Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Great looking Cat, also nice to see a low-vice-camo next to the lot of colorful Tomcats on the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Excellent work! I really like the low viz scheme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Excellent work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted May 29, 2022 Author Share Posted May 29, 2022 Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Cracking job on a cracker of a kit, beautifully done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrumBum Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Superb, fantastic, very nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Looks awesome! What a beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabat Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Outstanding Tomcat, that looks brilliant, well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackroadkill Posted May 29, 2022 Share Posted May 29, 2022 Lovely! Very timely, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christer A Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 That's a great Tomcat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted May 30, 2022 Author Share Posted May 30, 2022 Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Superb work, I am in awe of anyone who can carry the grey schemes off so well as this. Duncan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted May 31, 2022 Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 Thanks Duncan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 I can't think of when your F-14 projects haven't been fantastic results. I've run out of superlatives and compliments. I'll simply resort to emojis. -> 👍👍👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 Thanks very much indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 BTW - I think it was a nice that you included the short history of this particular airframe and synopsis of the mission that the loadout depicts. It definitely puts things into meaningful context. Emoji time again - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 7, 2022 Author Share Posted June 7, 2022 Thanks John. I try to add the history of each F-14 I model with information from the references I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulaero Posted June 7, 2022 Share Posted June 7, 2022 Very ,very nice finish, just right with the weathering and mottled touch up's, not overdone as often seen ..... I have one of the launch pose kits in the stash but I'm a serial starter and need to get serially finishing before I start it !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted June 9, 2022 Author Share Posted June 9, 2022 On 6/7/2022 at 12:28 PM, Paulaero said: Very ,very nice finish, just right with the weathering and mottled touch up's, not overdone as often seen ..... I have one of the launch pose kits in the stash but I'm a serial starter and need to get serially finishing before I start it !!! Thanks! My advice would be to start it... you won't regret it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G Posted June 11, 2022 Share Posted June 11, 2022 Great job! One of my favourite Tomcat schemes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now