The bug to build some F-14s bit so dragged out two of Tamiya's 1/48 Tomcats.

As photo shows have already made plenty of progress. My biggest stumbling block is decals. VF-41 Fast Eagle 107, I have the 1982 Derail&Scale decal sheet still sealed but the age worries me. My other 'cat the only decals for it are in 1/72d scale. Who knows of anyone where I can order without either buying 250 copies or paying almost $100 for one sheet?

Thanks.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Great entries and both progressing nicely already, David @kahu
Looking forward to those interesting schemes.

Mission Model paints bit me when it reacted with the floor wax. Luckily a paper towel soaked in isopropyl alcohol and a few swiped cleaned off the bottom of the wings and stabilators. Then found in paint stash an unopened bottle of Model Master enamel Light Ghost Gray and that went on like a champ.

For the VF-41 Gulf of Sidra Sukhoi Killers I have two decal sheets with markings.

The most correct is also the oldest, I happened to luck into on eBay still sealed. Detail & Scale's 1982 release that allows one to build 102/101 and 107 through several phases. Second decal sheet is by HAD for VF-41 planes in the movie The Final Countdown, one from Operation Eagle Claw, Queen of Spades, and finally Fast Eagle 107.

Second thru fourth pictures shows two of the big differences between the sheets. D&S has the Bu Nos as stencils while HAD has them solid. Beware of Blast warning is different and HAD has you use the black ones to boot. The HAD also has the different nose 107s as seen on plane but instructions do not call the correct right side one to be used.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Interesting to see all these slight differences between the decal sheets, my friend @kahu.

Spiros @fiveten and John @johnb

Yes it is. Right now trying to stop myself from building both Sukhoi killers like 102 before engagement with 2+2+2 weapons load and 107 upon return to home station. First have to find out if the decals are still good.

Excellent job, among the best Tomcat cockpits I have ever seen, my friend @kahu!

Cockpits look great, David @kahu. I use a lot of old decals (some of mine are 40 years or more old) and I usually don't have any trouble with them. If I am worried, I pick a spare decal from the sheet and try it out. I spray them with a light layer of clear gloss if they come apart. Looking forward to the rest of this multi-build.