Grumman F-14A Tomcat; VF-41 Black Aces (FineMolds 1:72)
F-14 Tomcat doesn’t need special introduction. Being the main star of a Top Gun movie, the aircraft was designed in late 1960’s after the failed F-111B project. Featuring twin tails, twin widely spaced engines and swing-wings, this fleet defender entered operational service just in time to witness the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. Since then it became a backbone of US Naval Aviation serving from its carriers across all the world’s seas. It first drew blood in 1981, when two VF-41 Black Aces Tomcats shot down two Lybian Su-22s and later in 1989, two F-14As of VF-32 Swordsmen again bloodied themselves of the coast of Lybia, this time downing two MiG-23s. It’s fifth and last kill in US Navy service came in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm when an F-14A of VF-1 Wolfpack shot down Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter. The only other Tomcat operator, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force achieved in excess of 130 kills with the venerable fighter against the Iraqi aggressors. With years came the upgrades, first the A+(later redesignated B), replacing its troublesome engines and a whole new package with D, which retained the B engines but had new avionics and radar installed. With the end of Cold War, Tomcat also changed its role from fleet defender to Bombcat, and again VF-41 being the first squadron to bomb targets in anger in 1995, earning the squadron motto “First to fight, first to strike!”.
I have to admit right away that I am a HUGE Tomcat fan. I’ve build a few Tomcats in the past and my long term plan is to build at least one aircraft from each squadron that flew it… During the past few decades I managed to acquire decals to build around 150 Tomcats from almost all squadrons. But that also brings a problem – which Tomcat to build next? Hearing nothing but positives about the Finemolds kit and since it’s been a while since I last built a Tomcat, I wanted to build something special. To build one of the Tomcats I have seen for the first time in person.
In June 1997, USS John F. Kennedy, became the first carrier to visit Slovenian port Koper. Aboard her were two full squadrons of F-14As, VF-41 Black Aces and its sister squadron VF-14 Tophatters. As a huge Tomcat fan, that was like the heavens descended upon me and after a gruesome summer waiting queue of 8 hours, I was finally on a boat towards the carriers fantail.
19 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Pedro L. Rocha said on May 14, 2019
1/72? Hard to believe. Spectacular Tomcat in any scale
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you very much, Pedro!
Valter vaudagna said on May 14, 2019
Great...beautifull model
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Valter!
Craig Abrahamson said on May 14, 2019
72nd scale...? You're kiddin', right...? Prove it ! 🙂
Seriously, that right there is amazing.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Haha, will comparison with a light cruiser in 1:700 will be enough of an evidence? oh and yeah, won gold and silver last Saturday at SVM.
And of course thanks on the compliments!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
gary sausmikat said on May 14, 2019
Well done.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
thank you, gary!
Manuel Magrinho said on May 14, 2019
Awesome! please add some photos of the underside.
The kit is out-of-the-box or did you add after-market itens?
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
There are some photos during the construction phase (check the groups). Aftermarket I used was NeOmega ejection seats, Master pitot, Reedoak USN technician, Eduard Remove Before Flight tags and Northstar Models wheels.
Paul Barber said on May 14, 2019
Like most here I am astonished it is 1/72 - fantastic!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Paul!
Peter Ibes said on May 14, 2019
Amazing, incredible it's 1/72!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Peter!
Richard Mcstay said on May 14, 2019
Awesome build mate, the detail is incredible!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Richard!
Bob Bailey said on May 14, 2019
Remarkable detailing in 1/72. A real showpiece. Exceptional.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Bob!
Glenn Virgo said on May 14, 2019
Awesome work, absolutely stunning. I’ve always wanted to see a tomcat in the sky. Streaking overhead with both afterburners on.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Glenn! I only saw them flying two days at NAS Oceana in 2005 but it was a sight I'll never forget.
Glenn Virgo said on May 15, 2019
You are truly a lucky man.
Robert Royes said on May 14, 2019
Wow, An amazing job, love the green shirt in cockpit! Here's a' Cat on a cat.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thanks, Robert! There's gonna be more green shirts when this project is done.
Robert Royes said on May 15, 2019
How about a brown shirt[plane captain] with his six tie down chains?
Jeff Bailey said on May 15, 2019
What's the guy who looks like he's in the exhaust doing? I'm sure he's not IN the blast, but it's interesting!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 15, 2019
looks like the backend Yellow-shirt signalling everything's clear before the cat launch.
Robert Royes said on May 15, 2019
He's a final checker/trouble shooter from the squadron. The shirt was white.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 16, 2019
I was always under impression, that only yellowshirts handled the catapults and only LSOs wore white vests; guess I was wrong.
And no, I don't plan on brownshirt chain carrying figure for now.
Robert Royes said on May 17, 2019
Their checking the aircraft out i.e. after burner etc. Just kidding about the brown shirt.
Greg Kittinger said on May 14, 2019
Excellent - love the paint work, and all the details. Well done.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Greg!
Tom Cleaver said on May 14, 2019
1?48? Wow. Oh, wait, you said 1/72. BIGGER WOW!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 14, 2019
Thank you, Tom!
bob mack said on May 15, 2019
marvelous kitty
Sebastijan Videc said on May 15, 2019
Thank, you!
Jeff Bailey said on May 15, 2019
Awesome 'Cat, Sebastijan. Like the others, I can hardly believe it's in 1/72nd scale!
Sebastijan Videc said on May 15, 2019
Thanks a lot, Jeff!
david leigh-smith said on May 15, 2019
I’m a real fan of your work, Sebastijan - I think you have an exceptional touch with the airbrush and a wonderful grasp of making your work ‘feel’ real.
‘Liked’ - very, very, very, very much.
Sebastijan Videc said on May 16, 2019
Thank you very much, David! Switch from enamels to Acryllic lacquers was like a whole new world opening to me, especially when I was introduced to Mr.Paint ones. Also I spend lots of time researching given subject, especially if it's a more dear to the heart project.