1/72 Hasegawa Grumman F-14B Tomcat

Gallery Article by Jean-Charles GODDET on Mar 3 2011

 

Grumman F-14B Tomcat GRIM REAPERS

   This model is a Hasegawa 1/72 F-14B Tomcat from the box. This special scheme represents the commander's plane of VF101 GRIM REAPERS squadron Oceana NAS, Virginia in September 1995. This squadron had a dedicated role to train new student Tomcat crews about air-air and air grounds flights and tactics, it moved completely at NAS Oceana in 1996, before it was separated into two entities modex 100 at NAS Oceana for East coast fleet and modex 200 at NAS Miramar for West coast fleet plus a special detachment at NAS Key West for ACM training. This squadron used the three variants of the Tomcat F-14A, B and D. This plane serial number 162923 was the flagship plane of this squadron with specific red markings. It was nicknamed Tomato, but this color was not appreciated and it was re-painted after one month late October 1995. The kit is from the Hasegawa old box K113 except the decals were not accurate enough, so instead I used the FIGHTERTOWN 72006 decal sheet. The decals are accurate particularly the famous unit winged skeleton. 

   I followed FIGHTERTOWN instructions regarding colors, the upper and lower camouflage is Grey FS36440 Gunze acrylic H315 , and Red FS11136 Gunze acrylic H327. I added a light weathering on the paint scheme because the paint scheme was used for only one month. There is a mistake regarding the BU number on the FIGHTERTOWN decal sheet 163923 instead of 162923, the Hasegawa decal sheet is wrong too with 162823.

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   To enhance the model I added weapons from Hasegawa accessories Aircraft Weapons VI.  I decided to follow the picture on the box with two Bomb racks with one exercise GBU-24 Laser Paveway III and one exercise GBU-16 Laser Paveway II.  I didn't have in my spare box the rocket launcher and the TALD ADM-141 decoy missile shown on the right side on the box picture. So I decided to copy the left side air-air armament on the right, one exercise AIM-9L/M Sidewinder missile and one exercise AIM-7M Sparrow missile. I added some TECKNICS brand remove before flight streamers and I opened the canopy to show inside cockpit.

   I hope you like my model and pictures. The Tomcat is one my best planes, at the end of his career it was multi tasks, fantastic air-air fighter with its hudge radar and fantastic combination of missiles IR and radar guided but also a very accurate bombs truck. CAG schemes were also always colorful and impressive and to finish this plane was pure design, a beauty. On the patch you can see the last Tomcat squadrons at Oceana in 2004 from left to right VF-103 Jolly Roggers, VF-143 Pukin'Dogs, VF-211 Checkmatters, VF-213 Blacklions, VF-101 Grim Reapers, VF-11 Red Rippers, VF-31 Tomcatters, VF-32 Swordsmen.

LAST TIME BABY!!!

Jean-Charles GODDET

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Photos and text © by Jean-Charles GODDET