DutyCat

Although it never "cost us" in a fight(although it did in accidents), I think it is unfortunate that the Tomcat did not get to be the fighter it was meant to be until late in its service when it got better engines. Even then not all squadrons got the upgrade. The TF-30 was a provisional engine from the start, a stopgap measure, my understanding being because the new Advanced Technology Turbofan was not yet ready. I also understand that the F-14s initial and optimum rate of turn is superior to the F-15, but underpowered A models just could not maintain manuever energy.

They were red first, not black/yellow? Did the black/yellow come about during the Tomcat years? What about the patch? Was it red before?

Oh, and I also don't like the swooped delta spine flash for VFA-31. That is kind of a "trademark" of VFA-14.

Both the red and black/yellow tails look nice, but I agree that there is already too much black and yellow out there. I think it is interesting that we in the modeling hobby are having an influence on the markings applied to these jets. Does anyone know the story of why VF-31 switched up their tail colors from black/yellow to red? That seems rather drastic. The official squadron patch is yellow. What gives? I wonder what they are going to do now?

Well,I am sorry, but 1/48 just takes up too much room. I have splurged on 1/48 for a few special models. I first got sucked in with the Trump Flagon because of that cool 4 color camo alternative paint scheme. A friend found out I had it gave me some A/M exhausts and seemless sucker intakes. Then I bought a pit for it. So now I have to build it, I guess. But it is a huge mutha and I have no idea where to put it when it is done. I also have a 1/48 Hase F-18F, a Revell F-18E, an OEZ Mig 21, an OEZ SU-7, and even a Trump 1/32 Mig-21. But frankly, in hindsite, I wish I had not bought any of

Yeah, they are nice. One kit has that tan brown camo with the warhog tusks. I robbed the AIM-9s and rails to hang on my little 1/144 P-3.

Well, the ones I have seen look like stainless steel.

Lets not go there......you guys know I am a retired Viking Senso. As far as the Rhino goes.....why are they using a two holer for a tanker? What a waste. The E carries more gas. Why isn't the embarked E squadron pulling the tanker duty? Is it because if they did, that is all they would be doing? Do the Rhino squadrons have to share the load?

If you are airbrushing in your garage (not such a good idea, IMHO), or have a dedicated room, maybe you can use that big thing. I don't have that kind of space. I use a simple, quiet Badger "burper" type. I have had it for 25 years and it is still going strong. So don't worry about the money with that kind of longevity.

Poseidon is a very good name for the aircraft. All of the ASW aircraft have had good names. Tracker, Orion, and Viking all fit...and so does Poseidon. Although in my mind I can already hear people calling it a "Posse." You heard it from me first, folks.

Kinda looks like dark ghost gray when compared to the jet. I would think it would be light ghost gray though. Maybe a different batch of paint than the jet, or the jet paint has faded a bit in service. As far as the instructions saying white, they might be prototyped and tested white, but in the fleet gray carries the day. The days of white operational external stores are mostly long gone.

Well, if you are doing 1/48 the brush you have is okay, but if you are doing 1/72 you would be better off with a finer tipped Paasche V or a Badger 100 if you want really fine lines. The rest is just practice and patience. Start out simple, like a two color scheme with the topside one color and the bottom another. I use a separate color cup for each color and interchange them several times, going back and forth all around the model tightening up minor overspray areas to get it gnats *** tight. Anything less in unacceptable in 1/72, for me at least. Also, I can assure you that there are no

This is what works for me. In the construction phase I don't really worry about it. Handling the kit will keep the dust off, unless you go weeks without working on it. When it comes time to paint, I get a lot more anal. Immediately before spraying, I wipe the model surface down with a regular bathroom washrag that has been dipped in warm, slightly soapy water and hand wrung out. It also helps to wipe down your workbench spraying area well right before you start the "paint phase." Once the model has been painted and is in the final assembly stage, I just lay a paper towel over it when I

Didn't Dragon do a 1/72 SU-24 series?

Well, it may be functional, but it looks awful. When I build mine, the canopy will be closed, that's for sure!

From Lucky Model.....Trumpeter J-10, Revell Mig 1.44 and Trumpeter SU-47. All 1/72.

Well, as mentioned previously, it IS a mix of designs. The cancelled Lavi was partially derived from the F-16. I think it is ironic that the Chinese are flying a fighter that has F-16 heritage. I already have one of these on order from LuckyModel.

Are we sure the F-22 is new tool? I'll bet it is an Italeri Re-Pop.

I have two of them....The original release Russian Knights version purchased in 1992 and the newer tri-color sales demonstrator with black/gray/light gray camo. I forget what country it was for. Both are very nice schemes. Not sure what I am going to do with them. Despite the tail, it is still the best kit in 1/72 I think. The new Trumpeter kit is out next year, but I will not junk these two Hase kits for it just because the Hase tail is a smidgen too wide. However, what I REALLY want is a 1/72 SU-33, complete with canards, folding wings and stabs, triple section slats/flaps, offset IRST

You could write a whole article on this subject. We have discussed it here before. Basically it boils down to money, a fleet leadership TACAIR mentality, and the perception that the Viking's capabilties are no longer required. There are no blue water subsurface threats since the Russian Navy has fallen into such disrepair. The rest of the potential hostile subs belong to coastal operating third rate powers, presumedly easily dispatched by VP, HS, SSN, and DDG/HSL forces. The aircraft does have some other notable peripheral capabilities (ISAR, Harpoon, mining), but the airframes are getting

I looked at their site. I saw the modern 1/72 carrier deck listed, but no pics?

I have both of those sheets in 1/72!

It will be interesting to see if the USAF is going to continue to lean on the Navy to support its EW needs. Of course, the Navy relies on the USAF regularly for tanker support, so.....

What?....No dropped flaps? Just kidding. Nice work. See the other thread about the pic of both a SuperHornet and legacy Hornet shut down on deck with the flaps up! I noticed the wasp logo is facing aft on both sides of the centerline tank. Is that a mistake or did they actually paint the real tank like that?

I agree, they are almost completely up. Also, look at the C a little farther forward on the deck. Its flaps appear up also. Anyone who knows Hornets well care to shed a light on this?