F-14 decal detail

Seebea, does that VF-103 kit include a LANTIRN set up and bomb racks?

As I sit here (at work) - no idea! It's labelled as a 14B, but I hardly opened it yet. Got it on Friday afternoon and had quite a hectic weekend - for all the wrong reasons.

Has a quick check. There are the normal (seems to me) missile racks - for the normal F-14 payload. Did not open the bags and hunt for the LANTIRN setup, but would presume there to be one.

Dont bet on it. Check the instructions. They usually DONT come with that stuff. Unfortuanaltly.

Which bring me back to my problem - the instructions is for an A+ kit, with a B model included... (for the VF103 one specifically) But missile racks/pylons are obvious in bith the instructions and the parts. Even if it wasn't in the instructions - if they're there, they can be fitted !

My major problem, however, is still the decal delimma. The VF-103 kit at least have an indication, even if with wrong version's instructions. The VF-84 (F-14A) has an A-version instruction booklet, but for the kit including markings for Freelancers, etc. So there I need some pointers for the detail decals.

Sounds like you got the decal sheet from the Pacific Model that they release. There should be two versions from VF-21 two from VF154 and one from VF-111. As for the A+ do not worry the A+ and the B are IDENTICAL. Only difference is that the A+ were modefied A's while the B's are B's off the production lines. They are the same thing. Dont worry about that one.

Are the metal racks there for the bombs? Is there a LANTIRN pod? I am guessing there isn't.

On my "14A" kit, I have got the instructions for the Pacifics, but the model for the Atlantic squadrons. So yes, I know how to add decals for those you mentioned, but I have the decal sheet (correctly) for the other kit - incl VF-84, VF-31 & VF-74... There lies the problem! I'm unsure as to the detail decals for particular a/c and was wonder whether someone can't scan and mail me the decal instructions from the correct booklet! I even have a colour sheet included in my kit (incorrectly) of the Freelancer decal specs! Complete mess...

Anyways, back to your Q's about the racks on the F14B kit. This may be a rather stupid-sounding question, but keep in mind that a/c is not my top modelling preference. WHICH boms are you talking about? I did not even know that an F-14 vould carry bombs! Goes to show... There are missile racks for Phoenix, AMRAAM, Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles (with a few config options). Of course fuel tanks, too. And it seems there's a lantirn pod as well.

If the missiles themselves aren't included, it is overcomeable, since I have their weopons set at a ready.

Box-Man,

A bit about loadouts... Some "standard conventional loads" for your F-14... First off, Toms don't do AMRAAM. Never got the radar updates for the missile. Figured Phoenix was enough since the Toms are leaving the fleet. All can do bombs but some are TARPs, with the big recon pod in the tunnel. LANTIRN and TARPs are mutually exclusive, cannot do both. The TARPS/LANTIRN control panel fit in the same hole on the left hand side of the RIOs office. For OIF, Toms in the Persian Gulf were loaded different than Toms in the Med for a short while. Med Cruise Toms were supporting SOF and the 173rd so they were strictly CAS loads from what Roosevelt's DCAG told me. These were 1000 lbs JDAMs and GBU-12s on Med jets. Loadouts...? It depended on your mission. My good buddy Troll loves tank plinking. He taught Close Air Support (CAS) and Forward Air Control-Airborne (FAC-A) at the F-14 RAG. You always put your most experienced folks in their most experienced roles/missions. His first mission on day one/wave one was to the Basra area toting 4 x GBU 12s, 2 x AIM-9M (remember the BOL Chaff launch rails!), 1 x AIM-7M on the left and the LANTIRN pod on the right. His four ship schwacked 16 tanks with him working as the FAC-A. Same squadron was tasked night one/ wave one with strategic attack. JDAM was the order of the day and they had just gotten this capability on the F-14Ds. F-14Bs (like Jolly Rogers) had it for a while. They had a pretty good idea the bombs were NOT coming back to the boat so they went crossloaded 2 x JDAM and 2 x GBU-16s. That is a JDAM in front and GBU-16 in the back on one side and a GBU-16 in front and JDAM in back on the other. Makes trimming the jet easier. Can do and did 4 x JDAM but the cat shot is going to hurt... very heavy load. Those going "Downtown" carried an AIM-54C on the left because of the high fast flyer threat (which ended up being a "non-player"...buried them under sand!) This cross load looks real good on a model. If MiGs were your game, Air-to-Air mix was 2 x AIM-54C in the front pallets, 3 x AIM-7M...two on the gloves and one in the tunnel, and 2 x AIM-9M on BOL Chaff launchers. They did some of the MIGCAP missions late in Operation Southern Focus and early in the war, but later were used to drop bombs after the IZAF went Tut's Tomb at their airbases. Long answer to short question here...all of these wonderful weapons can be had in the Hasegawa weapons kits except the 1000 lbs JDAMs. Easy to make though, just put a set of bomb body wings like the 2000 pounders and the GPS antennas...you are all set. I know, easier said than done!
Let me know if I can help with the decal solution. I have the kit you have in my garage somewhere. I am at work right now and cannot get at it. I have a good friend in the Jolly Rogers willing to help anytime also.

Hoooooly cow! Thanks for that stack of info, Sluggo! Sounds like you have some interesting contacts too... *sigh*

If you can possibly scan the kit's decal instructions for the Jolly Rogers and mail it to me (cbekker@boebank.co.za), I will be a very happy chappy! Otherwise we can start "talking" about the detail of different decals. I mean, most are pretty obvious, then there stuff general to all as well. But the small things like plane numbers, crew names (incl maint.), which danger triangles to use, etc. That is for the VF-84 kit (Hasegawa P19, if I recall correctly).

For the VF-103 one, I am still in complete confusion as to which of the schemes I am going for. There is the 60 year anniv scheme, the CO black finned scheme and the CAG low-viz scheme, incl his rose nose-art. Something else I picked up (and this is where I'm leaning towards) which you might want to run by your friend - or maybe you know the answer yourself - is the scheme where the tails weren't black, but a dark grey, with the white bones (instead of black bones on light grey) as a "tactical" colourscheme. Was that widely used ? How are they flying it currently?

Once again, thanks for the info! I really appreciate the help.

Box-Man,

Currently, (as of last Friday) nose numbers 101, 102, and 103 are black tails with yellow trim. From noses 104 on are gunship gray tails with the light gray bones.

Good grief, goes to show - I should rather stick to motorsport!
I was under the impression the consession was made just for two to carry "full colours". Can't even remember where I got that idea. If I may ask - who has which (at this stage) of the 101-103 range?

I'm still at work, but will inspect the VF-84 decal sheet in all earnest this eve and pop back with a bucketload of questions, if you're willing to help out there.

Box,

CAG has Jolly Roger 100, the Squadron Skipper and XO have Jolly Roger 101, why 102 and 103 are billboard jets....? Not a clue! As far as questions...Can Do - Easy. May take some time to get back to you but fire away when you need it. If I cannot answer the question I will tell you. A good friend just left the Jolly Rogers and I can ask him.

Okay, once you're ready to face the music - here's the questions!
Note: This is on the VF-84 kit (P19)

First off: Which warning signs do I use? Both the jet intake and the "danger" triangle has two options, one with white trim and one without in both cases (decals 3 thru 8)
Plane numbers: 200 and 213 is as far as I know VF-84 no's. However, I cannot guess which chassis number to use. Seems to be #25 decal, if I should guess according to placement on the decal sheet.
Pilot names: I see none on the sheet that might be for Jolly Rogers... (?) I can get past that, since I have another sheet from SuperScale where I have the names of Cdrs James Cloyd (XO) and Brad Goetsch. Mind you, I see a chassis number with tha as well, so I can use that as well. Will not be accurate, but it's a start.
Placement of the small star - behind the V's?

I know it sounds like uneducated questions, but as said - it's these kind of things that throws me when building without decal instructions! On a subject I'm not exposed to as much as I would like...

Will throw some more at you as my confusion grows...

Another one just popped up. VF-84 had the traditional F-14 nose colouring most of the time, as far as I know. Yet I've seen a few times when they had a smaller, rounded anti-glare black stripe with a white/cream-coloured nosecone.

Was this for a specific tour, or where did that come in?

SeaBee, what other squadrons are represented in the P19 kit? I know that there are at least two options for VF-84, but I don't know who else is represented? Thanks. Check out Aircraft Resource Centers pages with the Tomcats there are a couple of examples of that kit with both sets of markings. See if any of the closeups that are there show the area's you are looking for in your above post. They may be able to help you. Check the instruction sheet and it should tell you what to do and where to install what decal. If you have trouble reading them, go to a Staples or somewhrere that has a photocopier and just blow them up so you can read them a little better. That's all for now. Take care.

If I remember correctly, the other options are for VF-31 and VF-74.

Thanks for the tip - will check Aircraft resource centre for closeups.

You touched on my biggest problem. The instruction sheet I have does not show the decals for this kits - it's for another F-14A! Must've lost my correct instr. sheet with a house move, somehow, but had another Hasegawa F-14A in 1:48. So the building is the same. But that is why I have this load of stupid questions about the decals itself! I don't know enough (like with motorsport models) to get by...

Well the construction is the same. ONLY to warn you some planes had different tails the parts for betweent the upper and lower fuselage. So check to make sure you have the right tail for the right plane you are building. Second make sure that you have the proper Chin pod as there are several versions of that. So check out which one you need. Good Luck.