Janissary Posted April 25, 2017 Share Posted April 25, 2017 I'd really like to give the 1/48 Tamiya Tomcat a try, but I don't like the kit's marking options. I am interested in VF-14 or VF-142 only. But, I am having a hard time finding aftermarket decals I like that are accurate for the kit. With the following list, would you be able to help me out by pointing out what decal sheets I might be missing, or even if the airframe exists? VF-14: I'd really like a black finned VF-14 like this: http://www.flying-tigers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cbw721403-1.jpg Are there markings for this style that would be accurate for the Tamiya Tomcat? The above is a late A it seems (TCS, gun vents, ECM bumps), but did VF-14 ever wear this scheme in the early years? If it did, are there decal sets? VF-142: This would be my ideal build: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/F-14A_VF-142_Ghostriders_Jan_1985.JPEG https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/F-14A_of_VF-142_launches_AIM-54_in_1987.jpg http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-photo-vf142-12l.jpg I realize these are not the exact same airframe, but you get the idea. I could not find any markings for this scheme. Furball at least has the reaper but it is for the B (http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/decals/fad/decal_fad_48036.shtml). I could source hi vis stars and bars and get the VF-142 printed in black for the ventral fin etc. but would the kit be accurate under these markings? I did find quite a few VF-142 Tomcats with the old style vents but not sure about the ECM bumps (I guess I could scratch build them). Just need to know if the above VF-142 examples I gave would be accurate for the Tamiya Tomcat. Furball also has this, but I am not interested in the VF-142 options there: https://www.furballaero-design.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=FDS-48010 I also found this, but not too excited (low vis anyway): https://www.scalemates.com/kits/136631-microscale-48-217-grumman-f-14a-tomcat Are there other decal sets I might be missing? TIA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
achterkirch Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 There isn't any that you haven't mentioned that I know of. But I do like this scheme. maybe one day we will see it in decal form. It would look great on a tamiya tomcat! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Swordsman422 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) Superscale or Microscale did the VF-142 scheme before. I cannot remember but i think it's on a sheet with VF-194. That VF-14 paint scheme is for a jet about 20 years down the line from what you can build with the Tamiya kit out of the box. Steel Beach makes an F-14B conversion that will work if you subtract the engine nozzles. I know Yellowhammer did that very plane. I have a copy, but I'll have to be on the wrong side of the dirt before I part with it. I think there is also an Eagle Strike sheet, also OOP but shows up sometimes on Ebay. Edited April 26, 2017 by Swordsman422 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I want them but not at that price...... http://www.ebay.com/itm/F-14A-D-TOMCAT-2USN-VF-14-214-CAG-EAGLE-STRIKE-DECALS-1-48-/302294774555?hash=item46622c331b:g:ppUAAOSwHHFY~svM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Actually I think I may have the VF-14 portion of that sheet somewhere around. I used the VF-213 decals on a Hasegawa D many years back but never got around to using the rest of the sheet. They're yours if I can find them. Hopefully they haven't yellowed. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I don't know if this decal was ever actually released or not: https://www.masm.fr/Navycag/Decal48/AfterburnerVF142-DakotaCats.jpg Profiles here: https://www.masm.fr/Navycag/news4.html Jonah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Swordsman422 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Not sure of the quality, but these would cover that Tophatters option. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121884813620?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 I wish someone would release decals for this specific kit, so far all the decals have been re-pops of previous releases. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 43 minutes ago, Scooby said: I wish someone would release decals for this specific kit, so far all the decals have been re-pops of previous releases. Furball has a sheet. Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Thank you everybody for the great pointers. 13 hours ago, Gator52 said: I don't know if this decal was ever actually released or not: https://www.masm.fr/Navycag/Decal48/AfterburnerVF142-DakotaCats.jpg Profiles here: https://www.masm.fr/Navycag/news4.html Jonah This is precisely what I am looking for, but I could not see any evidence of being released either. I also saw the Microscale version too. I'll have to chew on these a little bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 That sheet was never released. I asked Geoff at Furball about it, since he used to be with Afterburner. He said he would be releasing that sheet in pieces under the Furball label. So far the the only ones not released are the ones I really want with the yellow fin flash and AG tail code on the inside of the tails. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 11 minutes ago, Darren Roberts said: So far the the only ones not released are the ones I really want with the yellow fin flash and AG tail code on the inside of the tails. Same here. Mine goes back to my childhood with Italeri's 1/72 Tomcat: https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/it/kit_it_1156.shtml This was the kit that got me hooked on modeling and I want to re-live that excitement! Come on Furball! Also, shameless plug, but I am looking for both Hase and Tamiya Tomcats! :http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/298665-lf-148-hasegawa-f-14b-and-tamiya-f-14a/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Whiskey Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 10 hours ago, Swordsman422 said: Not sure of the quality, but these would cover that Tophatters option. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121884813620?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Very interesting indeed. Maybe worth a shot... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Swordsman422 Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Jannisary, are you interested in that Hasegawa F-14B with the decals in it or is it okay without? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Janissary Posted April 27, 2017 Author Share Posted April 27, 2017 Hi, just PMed you. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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