This is the first in a series of aircraft I plan to build from CVW-1. Although I would rather do Operation Enduring Freedom markings there are not any markings available for the rest of the air wing on the market at this time. So instead I chose to do them, as they appeared when they deployed aboard the U.S.S. George Washington in the mid 1990’s.

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 Here is my Hasegawa 1/48 scale F-14B Tomcat. It was painted with Model Master paints. I painted it overall light ghost gray an out lined panels with dark ghost gray and flat gull gray. It was weathered using an enamel wash and pastel chalk. I chose to model this Tomcat ready for launch. There’s something about a kneeling Tomcat, it drives me wild.

The landing gear was detailed using photo-etched parts from the Eduard F-14A detail set and copper wire. This was actually an Alfa kit that was updated to Bravo standards. Thanks Brian for the afterburner parts. The left nose gear door was cut in three places and rearranged so there vent would be in the correct position. The ECM bump was made out of sprue that I sanded to shape. The pilot and RIO are from the Hasegawa pilot and deck crew set. The pilot is saluting just as he would do to signal the Cat officer he is ready for take off.

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I wanted to show it ready for take off so I put it in the kneeling position and the elevators are in full deflection. The wings are fully extended and the flaps and slats were put in the down position.

The cockpit was pretty much left alone. I did add the PTIDs and LANTIRN hand controller. The canopy was detailed using photo-etched parts from the kit. She is armed 2 AIM-9Ls and 2 Zuni rocket pods on the wing glove pylons, 4 AIM-7s under the belly, and 2 fuel tanks under the intake trunks.

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The Sidewinders and Sparrows are from Hasegawa's weapons set C. The Zuni pods are from Hobbycraft's A-4C kit.  

I hope you enjoy the article. 

Creighton

www.creightonsmodels.com

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