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Best books on the F-14


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Can anybody tell me what the best modeling reference books there are for the F-14. I am interested in color photos and color schemes including color plates. The only reason I am asking is because I went a little overboard (and over budget) trying to find good B-52 books and I don’t want to go there again.

 

Thank you, Jeff

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The DACO book has an unparalleled level of detail, but it wouldn't be a true "one stop shop" as far as color schemes and unit markings are concerned. The book is pretty much a stem-to-stern walkaround including open panels, cockpit, engines, and weapons.

 

The SAM Publications "Comprehensive Guide" (from the "Modeller's Datafile" series) is a decent source of general color photos but the modeling info is limited and the factual accuracy, especially in captions, is less than stellar. I would say ir's worth consideration but only if you can find a copy for no more than $15 or so.

 

A far more comprehensive resource is Airtime Publishing's "F-14 Tomcat - Shipborne Superfighter."  This is lavishly illustrated (mostly in full color) and covers development, operating units, and service history. Unfortunately this one has been out of print for a while, but I'd consider it worth "collector" prices if you have any love for the Tomcat.

 

On more of a budget, Squadron's "In Action" series has covered the F-14 in three different editions (No. 32 from 1977, No. 105 from 1990, and an un-numbered 2018 release in the current "all color" format) plus a "Walkaround" book.  All editions should be reasonably available new or used for no more than $20 each. Each has mostly unique content so all are worth having, but if you're on a tight budget the 2018 version would be the "best buy."

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  • 2 years later...

Be wary of the detail and scale colors and markings books. While the photos are magnificent, some of the captions are not so good. One of the sundowners jets wears an "RR" badge on the nose. The captions says its unknown but might be a rollsroyce logo. Minimal research shows it is in fact a badge for the Recce Rally meet it participated in. 

 

That is just one example off the top of my head.

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Daco book, D&S digital colour and markings series has hundreds of stunning interesting photos, Bye Bye Baby Farewell Tomcat book has the best collection of anecdotal stories and utterly magnificent photos a true coffee table book.  
 

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  • 1 month later...
On 10/11/2019 at 5:22 PM, jbryan911 said:

I would also consider this book as well. Written by Tomcat photographer extraordinaire  David Brown

https://www.amazon.com/F14-Tomcat-Grummans-Vietnam-Persian/dp/0764356623/ref=rtpb_1/139-5179451-4974260?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0764356623&pd_rd_r=b2e7ad7b-51c2-46a4-954b-3b81c7e68c76&pd_rd_w=O7xzN&pd_rd_wg=gM7ct&pf_rd_p=5da730bb-0163-4dd7-b781-c970ec169872&pf_rd_r=BWQBRAN9A0SV35R0V5B6&psc=1&refRID=BWQBRAN9A0SV35R0V5B6

 

Detail and Scale also has a couple of Kindle books that are also very good. Lot's of color pictures of different markings.

https://www.amazon.com/Colors-Markings-Navy-F-14-Tomcats-ebook/dp/B00Y1I9V4S/ref=sr_1_14?crid=2J6HWPEQLNE2Q&keywords=detail+and+scale+books&qid=1570803580&s=digital-text&sprefix=detail+and+%2Caps%2C160&sr=1-14

 

Furball Decals has done a series of sheets based on photos from these books.

Also, lately I have been reading literature about the environment and methods of its preservation. On the page https://samploon.com/free-essays/environmental-issues/ you can find very useful and constructive articles about the current state of the environment and how the human factor has a detrimental effect on the environment.

Great, thanks!

Edited by Brandon Cooper
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On 10/10/2019 at 6:47 PM, Quixote74 said:

The SAM Publications "Comprehensive Guide" (from the "Modeller's Datafile" series) is a decent source of general color photos but the modeling info is limited and the factual accuracy, especially in captions, is less than stellar. I would say ir's worth consideration but only if you can find a copy for no more than $15 or so.

 

 

Added to that is the fact that some of the photos appear more than once in the book, and some are photoshopped to look different to previous ones.

 

Jens

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