Here Kitty Kitty

[Leigh]

".............the decision was made to take nearly $600 million earmarked for Phantoms and put it towards F-14s for the Marines. The first F-14 squadrons were to be VMFA-122 and VMFA-531........with three other units to follow................ When James R. Schlesinger became Secretary  the Defence he decided to get the Marines out of the F-14 controversy. On July 2 1975 General Louis H. Wilson announced that the twelve VMFA F-4 equipped squadrons would continue to operate Phantoms until the F-18 became available."
  "U.S. Marine Corps Aviation" by Peter B. Mersky

What If we delete that sentence?

[Leigh]

1/72 AMT F-14A in the 1976 Ferris scheme as adopted by the Marines.

[Leigh]

This was the one I started here for the "One Week build" Ok so it took a bit longer.

[Leigh]

The light was all wrong for taking pictures I'll do some more earlier in the day next weekend.

[Leigh]

and the "up shot"

[Jschmus]

Gods, that's gorgeous!  Gives me inspiration, showing what can be done with that kit.  What a warload: AAMs, Snakeyes and a TARPS pod!  So the 'cat can bore its own hole through enemy air defenses, strike the target, then fly back over for BDA.  Nice, if a little harrowing for the aircrew.

[GTX]

Spectacular - it looks so bloody real!!!!

Reagds,

Greg

[Maverick]

I actually thought it was a photoshopped pic.... very well done indeed, USMC cat has to be among my fave whiff.    

[Ollie]

Best paint scheme evah on a F-14!!

           

[NARSES2]

Leigh you are truely a member of the miodelling Pantheon - wonderfull    

[anthonyp]

Homina, homina, homina!!!      

Been wanting to get a good look at it since ya teased us in the 1-week GB, Leigh!

You did a great job on the Ferris scheme, and they ain't easy to paint.  I really like the loadout as well.

Most excellant!!!

   

[Tophe]

Uh... Before seeing the picture showing the underside, I was absolutely sure: this is NOT a model but a scale 1 aircraft, I probably misunderstood the rest. But a scale 1 aircraft is never turned upside down to show its belly with loads. So... this is an impossible model, I am dreaming, simply. A pleasant dream  

[nev]

Leigh that is totally and utterly gorgeous!!!      Fantastic!!!

And I gotta say, you got some great light there in California, wish I could have some of that when I take my photos.

[LemonJello]

A Tomcat in USMC markings?  Too sweet.  I like the load-out too.  Nicely done.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Awww poo !

I just shot coffee out of my nose and into my keyboard..... and I'm at work !

Fantastic, Leigh, great idea, nice piccies too !

Ian