VFA-103guy
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Everything posted by VFA-103guy
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Were early F-14Bs ever painted in overall gloss 16440?
VFA-103guy replied to dmk0210's topic in Jet Modeling
VF-101 and VF-74 were the first 2 squadrons to take delivery of the A+. F-14A+'s came straight from the factory in the 3 tone TPS (35237,36320,36375). As pointed out, VF-11 and VF-32 did retro schemes as the tomcat's service life was coming to an end. VX-9 and VF-101 had F-14B's (A+'s) painted up in overall 36440, and decals are avaialbe for both through Fightertown. -
I think I have a spare setI an scan in. Also, be advised..since Squadron took over Avionix, they are now including the D pit tub in with the B set. I've got 2 sets and both have F-14D pit tubs. The B's tub is just like the A's..somebody in quality control there needs a lesson.
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Yeah..dem F-14B's are ma thang...especially them VF-103 F-14B's..I only spent the better half of 4 years traveling back and forth to NAS Oceana spending up to a week on the ramp each go documenting their jets..lol
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VF-74 was assigned adversary duties after CVW-17 went to only 1 F-14 squadron and shortly before they disestablished. It was more or less an exclusive short term deal. I think at that time they only had about 4 jets in inventory with the others farmed out/transferred to other squadrons.
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It was upside down on the port wing of Gunfighter 164. The guy who took that photo has a series of walk arounds he sent to me back after 164 hit the airshow circuit. It was why VF-Decals issued a corrected version of the sheet we did.
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No offense sharkmouth, but I'll be the first to say if I was still in the aftermarket industry, I wouldn't accept references from you if you were the last dude on the planet. Your attitude in general is that of a blatant know it all, and your arrogance blinds you. Agreed with D-Rob on his statements. Sio, if you need or want F-14 references, it's best to contact those of us in the know who would be glad to SELFLESSLY promote your product.
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Thanks guys! Small update..drop tanks on and AIM-9L added. A quick note about the Zotz decals..The skull and bones and AA tail codes are printed in DK Ghost grey and should have been in Lt Ghost grey. I have no idea why Zotz did that considering all the information that was given to them by myself and Mike Zwierko. I also think more line jet options should have been included. I had to have custom decals made for Victory 110, so thanks to Brian P at Fightertown for that. I hope to get the landing gear at least painted this weekend.
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I couldn't agree more. And people wonder why I don't run a wash over the entire models I build. Not every panel is seeping with dirt or grime. As much as I strive for a realistic finish, I do believe some artistic license should be taken. Where I lack in weathering skills comes with gull grey over white finishes..I swear I have the worst time with weathering them..TPS..I have to admit I'm pretty good at those (not to toot my own horn), but anything gull grey over white..I'm like..nah..I'll find a low vis version..lol
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LOL..I forgot about the "hot sauce"..oh yeah it was a bottle alright..call it hot sauce all you want but we know the truth..
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In the majority of cases you'd be right, but nothing happened..it was just an inside joke between me and D-Rob. And he kinda brought it up on another thread...lol All in good fun.
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T'was the fall of 2006...the setting..the Tomcat Sunset at NAS Oceana..the crew: Jeremy Houdsan, Darren Roberts, myself, Brian Plescia, Craig Scaling, and Jay (can't recall his last name). Well, after a night of drinking over at Keagan's, me, Craig and Darren stopped off in this little silver bullet diner to grab some ice cream. According to D-Rob, the place had the best ice cream in town next to Friendly's in Norfolk. Our waitress, a gorgeous little red head walks over and practically ignores Craig and me and goes right for ole' D-Rob..grinnin' from ear to ear, I doubt seriously this woman
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Thanks Steve! I've been back at the bench for a while..between my part time gig, beer, and loose women, I'm shocked I still have time to build things..lol
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You have to look at it from this angle...1. I rarely believe anything I read in books. 2. I spent the better half of 2001-2005 visiting F-14 squadrons at NAS Oceana spending more time than I care to mention in 12C (Corrosion Control) looking over manuals, diagrams, talking with the 19 year old kids who actually paint the aircraft for a living, not to mention the countless number of Chiefs and Senior Chiefs who were around the F-14 long enough to know what colors were used and not used. Those guidelines as you've listed above are just that..guidelines especially at the squadron level. For exam
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Thanks Jim..there's more to come
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Dude..I literally died laughing at that last line..that poor waitress had it bad for you that night buddy...lol
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It's more than likely 36081..Navy doesn't use 36118 although both colors are similar.
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I think pre-shading is another form of the weathering process that's highly overrated..in some cases, it looks good, other times it looks too uniform. To each his own I guess, but I prefer my own simple technique as shown below on the the Tamiya F-14 I'm working on..loads of variation on the weathering make for a more realistic finish I think.
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Thanks! This has been one hell of a project so far
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Here's one of my latest and greatest. Tamiya 1/32 F-14B, with Avionix pit, Quickboost seats, Zotz VF-103 F-14B Decals (with custom decals option for Vic 110), WP drop tanks, G-Factor landing gear, Eduard pre-painted GRU-7 seat stencils, Waldron Models canopy locks, Some Japanese company's (whose name I can't recall) pitot tube, Aires GE engines and SB T-stiffeners. The project is a custom job for one of the aircrew assigned to 110. Enjoy..
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markings on the low vis jet are more than likely 36081..that nose number is defintely black.
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Wow..this is good to know..are you talking large areas and small areas? I wonder how this can even be replicated in scale..
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I see your point there. My only real gripe is, I was using those kits for aircrew builds and they were a faster aleternative and cheaper for me to give away.
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Interesting tid-bit of info. Makes sense for the nooks and crannies..every time I think touch ups my mind can't get past the daily and weekly door fasteners on the F-14.
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I've seen guys using good ole' Krylon grey primer touching up jets..when supply runs out of the 36375 or 36320, Wal-Mart special is what they go for. But rolling paint on...no..the Navy uses spray cans.