David Hingtgen Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Are there any pics out there of it besides this one: http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-photo-vx4-02xl.jpg The legend is the paint scheme was ordered to be removed after just a few days, but from the description and appearance--the temporary paint did that itself! It's peeling off in sheets. Did this one receive black tanks and Phoenix pallets etc like 159853 did? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
aim9xray Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 David - There were a total of FOUR Black Bunny F-14s. Two in temp black paint (the one other than '444 was done up for "Moon" Vance's retirement as CO of VX-4). Then of course, the "permanent" F-14A and F-14D. '444 was on display at the 87 or 88 Mugu open house in the black color scheme. I shot some slides, but it was a lousy setup - I could not get it clear of people until very late in the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Hingtgen Posted August 8, 2007 Author Share Posted August 8, 2007 4? Yeesh. I'm looking for pics of an A model that is flat black with an 01 modex. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 9, 2007 Share Posted August 9, 2007 The First ( matt) Black F-14A "Vandy-1" was BuNo 161287 ( XF-01 ) and was indeed , as earlier mentioned , used for a Chance of Command ceremony of Capt. R. "Moon" vance . 23 June 1985 , Capt Hank M. Kleeman ( Sukhoi killer ) took over command of VX-4 with in the background the Black Tomcat. ( XF-01 ) This paint scheme lasted only for two weeks ( water base paint ) In 1987 VX-4 presented the second Black Tomcat during the 1987 Point Mugu Airshow , The 161444 XF-1 , flew only for a short while in this scheme , after some photo shoots , a formation flight with another Vandy-1 ( F-4S 158358 ) the matt black paint was removed in October 1987. The third Black Tomcat ( the first Permanent ) was the 159853 XF-1 was accepted by Capt. Fred "Wigs " Ludwig on the 10th of April 1990 . This was done by Grumman after they had heard that VX-4 was planning to use a F/A-18 for the next Vandy-1 . The 159853 flew in it's glossy black scheme untill October 1992. We all know the fourth Black Tomcat F-14D 164604 XF-1 it arrived at Point Mugu on 17 September 1994 ,and it was used as background for the disestablishment / establishment ceremony of VX-4 / VX-9 on 30 September 1994 . This Tomcat flew with VX-9 untill 2004 ( it was WFU on 16 July 2004) I hope this helps . Henk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 (edited) Actually.. The 1st A Model to carry the Vandy 1 modex was during Capt Schraider's Command Circa 82 or 83.. Then the same acft wore Capt. Nash's name. Then Capt. Vance. This acft remained black the whole time from it's 1st painting till I left the unit in Aug 85.. Well actually the second painting.. Squadron Corrossion Control painted the jet.. But did a horrible job the 1st time arround and had to re-do it within a week or so... Sorry no pics or serial #'s Dave Edit: Also.. I don't recal the jet having black external tanks.. In fact back then, We rarely flew the jets with them... Also.. Best I can recollect... Pheonix pallets were not black as well... When she wore them.. They were light gull grey... Edited August 10, 2007 by Tomcat Tweeker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Hingtgen Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 (edited) This is getting more and more interesting--and confusing! My current question is basically this: Did any of the A models wear a "01" modex (as opposed to simply "1"), and black paint, for more than a few days? Or actually, any proof they just wore "01" while in black at all. I can find both 161444 and 159853 with "1", but not any with "01". Edited August 10, 2007 by David Hingtgen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Not that I recal during my tenure there (82-85).. I Think and It'a a big maybe, The only VX-4 Acft that wore a 01 modex was a F-4.. And it wore a standard paint scheme in the early 80's... But again.. I'm not real sure about that... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 There was a F-14A black Tomcat wearing the "01" BuNo 161287 , I have a slide which is dated 26 Aug 1985 . Tomorrow , I will try to scan it , ( my slide scanner isn't the best) , I have to go to work in a few hours. It has black Phoenix pallets , black TCS , black sidewinder rails , only a little part of the windshield and the canopy are still grey . Sure I don't know when this Cat was painted black , but this was the first black Tomcat! Henk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Hingtgen Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 I would appreciate that scan VERY much, thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 There was a F-14A black Tomcat wearing the "01" BuNo 161287 , I have a slide which is dated 26 Aug 1985 .Tomorrow , I will try to scan it , ( my slide scanner isn't the best) , I have to go to work in a few hours. It has black Phoenix pallets , black TCS , black sidewinder rails , only a little part of the windshield and the canopy are still grey . Sure I don't know when this Cat was painted black , but this was the first black Tomcat! Henk Look.. I'm not trying too stir the pot here and the Acft U are refering to May be infact the 1st Black Cat... But... Trust and beleive.. It was painted black well before Capt. Vance's tenure... I was there... And again.. I'm pulling data from the brain that is Over 20 years old.. So I could be wrong on the 01 ref... But as far as when it 1st was painted black.... No doubt in my mind.. Anyway... Good luck on your research! Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Tweeker Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Found this Ref on Andy Mullen's web site... Show's a decal sheet for the 01 acft.. http://maxi.gotadsl.co.uk/models/images/Mi...ls/SS_72636.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 (edited) I don't recall ever actually seeing a photo of the "01" Vandy 1 Tomcat myself, I'm interested in seeing it too ... I met Captain Ludwig when he was at TOPGUN, nice fellow ... Gregg Edited August 10, 2007 by GreyGhost Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 (edited) No hard feelins , I have my data from The Missile newspaper ( the newspaper from NAWS Point Mugu issue 17 volume 48 date 19 sept 1996. ) The article in this newspaper about "Vandy one" was written by Vance Vasquez with whom I had a lively correspondence . So I only quote from this article , I wasn't there , but it would surely be interesting if there has been a fifth Black Tomcat ( the actual first one !!!) I will dig into it !! TIA, Henk Edited August 10, 2007 by sundowner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Incaroad Posted August 10, 2007 Share Posted August 10, 2007 Here are some rather dismal shots of Vandy 1 taken in 1985, and 1987. Point Mugu is a nasty place to take pictures in the am and if you don't know what you're doing in the first place then this is what you get. Anywho I know the shots suck but they are of Vandy 1 in FLAT BLACK fer sure. I wrote the BuNu down somewhere but can't find them so I can't confirm or deny. The strips for the 85 bird only have what looks like 1 star started on each outboard stabilzer... Kinda different. Anywho I hope this helps someone. 1985 1987 Cheers, Larry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Hingtgen Posted August 10, 2007 Author Share Posted August 10, 2007 I wouldn't trust a decal sheet for reference unless it's a last resort---also, the sheet apparently says "158358" for the Bu No--which is an F-4 number. (I've seen this error several times reported for Vandy One---I believe the source may be in the Pacific Squadrons and Markings F-14 book--apparently that has an 01-labled Vandy One) I just received this pic, scanned from said book, and claiming to be 158358: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 David , nice picture of XF-01 , here is the one I promised , but from the other side. Njoy, Henk The date on the slide is 26 aug 1985 . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Here are some rather dismal shots of Vandy 1 taken in 1985, and 1987. Point Mugu is a nasty place to take pictures in the am and if you don't know what you're doing in the first place then this is what you get. Anywho I know the shots suck but they are of Vandy 1 in FLAT BLACK fer sure. I wrote the BuNu down somewhere but can't find them so I can't confirm or deny. The strips for the 85 bird only have what looks like 1 star started on each outboard stabilzer... Kinda different. Anywho I hope this helps someone.1985 1987 Hi Larry , This is a real enigma , please could you find out the BuNo's of these Tomcats and the dates they were taken?? This would be very helpfull !! TIA, Henk Cheers, Larry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Here is my scan of the 161444 , slide taken in Oct 1987 . Henk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 When I was looking for F-4 photo's for "Fuji" , I found this photo , not a F-14 Vandy one , but I surely would like to share it with you guys . A beauty, isnt it?? Henk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
catfan Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 any body have any more pictures of this bird or know the canopy names so i can build it?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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