We all know that the Tomcat is on the last of its 9 lives and is currently being replaced by the F-18F. However, it is still a viable and potent weapons system and those units still extant have been flying them in combat during the last few years. This particular sheet concentrates on those that were used in Afghanistan and other areas of operation.

There are two planes on this sheet, both with black tails and canopy areas. Both are painted in the three grey scheme of FS35237 upper, 36320 on the sides and 36375 underside.

The first plane is an F-14B from VF-103, which took over the 'Jolly Rogers' nameplate after VF-84 was disestablished. This ex-'Sluggers' Tomcat has a small nose art on the starboard radome and is called 'Kate's Nickel'. Haven't a clue as to what that means.

The other is an F-14A from VF-14 that took part in operations over Afghanistan in 2001. Despite the lack of tail color, this is the CAG bird from this USS Enterprise aircraft. Frankly, I was unaware that the Enterprise had been transferred to the east coast as is shown by the AJ tail codes. Guess these sorts of things have lost their importance to me in the near decade since I retired. VF-14 has since transitioned to the F-18F.

The instruction sheet offers no data placement information so you'll have to use some other source for the small stencils included

Review copy courtesy of YellowHammer Models

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