Did VF-2 F-14Ds wear "Go NAVY"/"Beat Army" slogans simultaneously to OIF Bomb Marks?

[Blacklion]

Dear ARC Forums people,

 

I know that you know everything.

I am working on VF-2 F-14Ds Modex 104 and 106 after OIF. Obviously, I want to make them with the marks representing bombs they expended in the war.

The question is: did VF-2 F-14Ds wear "Go NAVY"/"Beat Army" slogans simultaneously to OIF Bomb Marks? 

I know that these slogans were applied in November 2002 according to https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF/Fighter-Squadron-2.htm, so I highly doubt that they were still present in May 2003. On the other hand, MYK design decals and some other say that they were.

Checking through all my F-14 books, whole Internet, and Youtube, I couldn't find a photo that would show either 104 or 106 with bomb marks and her spine visible. I even asked ChatGPT but it wasn't helpful.  

Thank you!

Edited June 11, 2025 by Blacklion

[kozlok]

I am away from my stash at the moment, but the TwoBobs decal sheet has the photos to answer your question.  You could also contact Bob.

[Blacklion]

Thank you very much for the suggestion!

[eraucubsfan]

Here is the link for the decals on Scalemates with the instructions

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/twobobs-aviation-graphics-72-049-f-14d-vf-2-oif-bounty-hunters--206157

 

But yes it looks like they did carry both markings at the same time 

[Blacklion]

Many thanks eraucubsfan

This is exceptionally helpful! I would love to buy such  TwoBobs decals if find them somewhere. I have MYK design one, but TwoBobs is better. 

[Hoops]

The Fightertown Decals instruction sheet for the same aircraft in 1/48 scale specifically states that "Go Navy" and "Beat Army" markings did not appear at the same time as the mission markings. Instead that the mission markings only started appearing in April of '03, well after the Army Navy game markings had been removed.

 

With regards to USN subjects, I trust the research of Fightertown more than Twobobs.

 

Cheers,

Hoops

[Blacklion]

Oh, thank you, Hoops!

So, with that the question is solved. The conclusion is that I need to pairs of Bullets 104 and 106! 

[Blacklion]

That's sad that it looks like that Fightertown doesn't produce 1/72 scale decals because I would love to collect all the F-14D Bounty Hunters (and Blacklions) ever existed.

[hemspilot]

On a different forum someone posted that for 1/72 ARMY/NAVY F-14 markings, Print Scale 72-272 is what you need, it has Bullet 106 with BEAT ARMY and the mission markings. Unfortunately no Bullet 104 though.

[Blacklion]

Thank you @hemspilot!

So, I only need to find additional 104 and I'm covered. I'm currently having MYK decals for one 104 and one 106 and separate 106 as well. Looks like 106 is the most famous of all low-viz Bullets as several manufactures covered her but not match anything else in 1/72.