F-14s in RAAF service

Supertom · January 17, 2012, 06:13:11 AM

OK, hopefully with a build that goes all year round I'll have enough time to do this for once!

My thinking is that the RAAF had looked at both the F-14 and the F-111, and had decided to go with the F-14 (chipping in the funds to develop its air-to-ground capability). They needed an interceptor/air superiority fighter too, so they bought the F-14 in two flavors. The advantage? Parts commonality.

I can't decide if I want to do the ground attack or air superiority version, but since my story has both, I'll do both. I'll most likely use the Academy or Hobbyboss kits, and I do believe I have enough spare decals lying around (if not I could print some up).

I'll take photos tonight.

Thorvic · January 17, 2012, 12:29:44 PM

Quote from: Overkiller (aka Buffy) on January 17, 2012, 11:03:11 AM
Pics, or it didn't happen...

Duncan

Toms about 8 hrs behind us Dunc

Supertom · February 13, 2012, 11:58:48 AM

Well, three weeks after ordering the stuff, and one week after it was supposed to show up, my F-14s haven't shown up from Lucky Model. I talked to them last week and they said sometimes they get stuck in customs. They've suggested I file a claim with them if I don't get it by the end of this week. That really sucks, this is the first time I've had an order go wrong with them. $:-\$

Aussie_superbug · February 15, 2012, 06:44:45 PM

Hi Tom,

Just wondering what models are you doing. I'm considering doing a A model ( 77 SQN ) circ 1985, with the TF-30 engines

Brendon

Supertom · February 16, 2012, 05:59:38 AM

Hi Brendon,

I do not plan on using 77SQN markings. I'd bet it will look awesome! I look forward to seeing your work. I will be sourcing out my squadron markings from the Hasegawa TF-18A kit and the Fujimi F-18A kit. Both will have TF-30 engines.

The current plan is to divide the Aussie Tomcat fleet into specialized air interception and ground attack squadrons, thus creating two distinct camouflage schemes, though lately I had also looked into doing RAAF and RAAN versions instead, basing the RAAN versions on the Skyhawk marking scheme. I'm also looking at building the RAAF version based on one of the Tomcat 21 concepts.

Old Wombat · February 16, 2012, 03:09:47 PM

Quote from: Supertom on February 16, 2012, 05:59:38 AM....

The current plan is to divide the Aussie Tomcat fleet into specialized air interception and ground attack squadrons, thus creating two distinct camouflage schemes, though lately I had also looked into doing RAAF and RAAN versions instead, basing the RAAN versions on the Skyhawk marking scheme. I'm also looking at building the RAAF version based on one of the Tomcat 21 concepts.

RAAN? Is this some strange new force I was unaware of? The "Royal Australian Air Navy", perhaps?

Supertom · February 17, 2012, 06:13:17 AM

Oops - RAN I mean

Old Wombat · February 17, 2012, 03:37:17 PM

No need to "Oops", Supertom.

The Royal Australian Air Navy idea was filling my head with all sorts of ginormous steampunkish dirigible warships & the like...... Amay-zing!

Thanks!

Burncycle · February 21, 2012, 12:47:43 AM

And really, Australia has such a vast area to cover that the long legs, powerful radar, and long ranged missiles allows fewer aircraft to cover more territory, and since threats will be coming in over the water the radar's issues with ground clutter will be reduced up until software upgrades could fix it. I <3 the idea!

Supertom · February 22, 2012, 06:25:12 AM

Good news, my kits showed up yesterday after being stuck at customs for almost 3 weeks. I will post up piccies soon.