Reddog

Tanker configuration is drop tanks (FPU-11's) on stations 3, 4, 8 and 9 with a buddy store on station 6 or tnaks on 4 and 8 with a buddy store on 6. Reddog

Look at some of the tail markings, I saw an EA-6B with VF-41's Black Ace on it and a RA-5C with the Pukin' Dog on the tail. Reddog

Check out this website, lots of great photos of a P-61 being restored. http://www.maam.org/p61.html Reddog

I haven't built these kits so I can't tell you if they are too small but what Engines are we talking about, F110's or TF-30's? What reference are you using and what does it say the diameter is suppose to be? Reddog

As stated I use the wife's hair dryer or sometimes I feel dangerous and use the good ole Mk 1 Mod 0 Bic. Just have to be real creful and keep the thing far enough away from the flame to not melt the missile but close enough to shrink the heat shrink, talk about living on the edge. Reddog

Should have clarified that a little better, that was for F-14A's and B's. Reddog

What I do to make winder covers is use what is called heat shrink, it's for wires, and shrink it down around the nose of the winder, cut the part left to match the actual cover and paint it yellow. works everytime. You can find heat shrink in any electronics store (raido shack should have them) and gget the size that's a little bigger than the winder. HTH Reddog

You are 100% correct. Reddog

Thanks! Never knew they could put winders on those stations, learn something new every day. Reddog ;)

Jim, School me here, could they put a winder on that sparrow station? I would think the missiles exhuast would go down the intake and flame out the engine. I'm sure you have the references to show it could be done, just never knew it could be done. Reddog (Gerry)

From what I know and have seen, there's no reason why you can't do two Mk 83's on a MER. I would recommend that you put them on the fwd shoulder stations. Reddog

-103, There's always an exception to the norm. I should have said normally a TARPS squadron had at least 3 TARPS jets per squadron. I believe one cruise I was one we had four but can't remember for certian, been trying to forget that cruise if you know what I mean. :blink: Reddog :D

87 to 2000. VF-101 87 to 90, VF-103 90 to 93, VF-101/NAMTRA 93 to 96 and VF-143 96 to 2000. Reddog

Note Usually TARPS squadrons had at least 3 TARPS capable aircraft with them on cruise. I was in VF-103 and VF-143, both TARPS squadrons and we always had 3 TARPS jet with us. Usually they were the higher number side nose, i.e., 110 to 112. Reddog

To add fuel to the fire and for me to digress even more. After blowing up the photo and looking at it very closely I believe that it is a single Mk 83 on station 2 (fwd centerline) of the MER. If you have the SS USN Phanton in combat look on page 20 and 22 and the bottom of page 12. There is a photo of Mk 83 on shoulder stations on page 20 and 22, and a Mk 83 on a centerline station on page 12. This photo doesn't look anything like hte photo on page 20 and 22, and looks more like the photo on page 12. If there was more than one bomb they would be on the shoulder stations and you would not be

Paul, Allow me to digress some. My comments were a little out of line and I apologize. I have had issues on another modeling website with all the so called “experts†contradicting and calling out those who have been there done that modelers. I am by no means an expert, just some one who knows enough to be dangerous. I’m at work current so when I get home I will take another look at the picture. Reddog

Gene, You think your head hurts now, try reading some of the stuff he sends me, I have permanent brain damage now! Oh wait, that wasn't from reading his e-mails, that was from all the JP-5. :) Reddog :wacko:

First, the stations on a MER, starting from centerline aft - sta 1, centerline fwd - sta 2, left aft shoulder sta 3, left fwd shoulder station - sta 4, right aft shoulder station - sta 5, right fwd shoulder station - sta 6. It doesn't matter what station of the aircraft the MER is on, these are the stations of the MER. And BTW, the BRU-41 wasn't around during Vietnam, the MER's where the old A/A37B's, just like the kind we had while I was in A-7's. Second, loading ordnance for 20 years adds some experience to it, I can spot things on ordnance that most people can't spot, just like you can spo

Take if from someone who has loaded Mk 83's for 20 years, that a single Mk 83 on the outboard (sta 6) station of a MER. Reddog ;)

That looks like a M117 750 lb HE GP Bomb. Reddog Here's a pic http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/dumb/mk117.jpg

There was a bomb shortage during the war, I believe it was around 66-67 time frame so there was a lot of times aircraft where launched without full loads. Plus you need to think about max weight, fuel load, etc. Reddog :D

I believe they got their new seats about the same time we (VA-82) got ours, 85-86 time frame. Reddog

The Vietnam era Walleyes (Mk 4) were only around in inert versions, i.e., trainers. Live versions were all ERDL/DL variants. Reddog

AS far as tires go, there was no difference between tires for the F-14, i.e., any tire would go on any aircraft. The pictures are the different versions of the tires used, early, intermediate and late. There was no strict A/B/D tires. If you have the intermidiate tires then I think you will be fine putting then on a D. I use to help change the tires and to my knowledge there wasn't any difference when we ordered them, a main mount was a main mount. HTH Reddog :unsure:

Looks like the rover antenna is on the aft part of station 6 Phoenix fairing and it's pointed forward. Wonder how many times it got busted off from people ducking under the rails going from side to side? Nic pics, brings back a lot of memorys, exspecially the one with the baker boxes in it. Reddog :o