Falklands fighter

[Devilfish]

By the late 60s, the Royal Navy were looking to replace their aging carriers. Unfortunately the nice shiny brand new ones they had hoped for were vetoed by the treasury. As compensation,  a pair of surplus ex US Navy Kittyhawk non nuclear carrives wereally bought and retro fitted with the electronic systems salvaged from the outgoing carriers.
To make up for the disappointment of "hand me down" ships, the government authorised the purchase of new aircraft.
One of the types selected was the new Grumman F-14 Tomcat, known in the FAA as the Tomcat FR.1.
With upgrades carried out by BAe,  the FR.2 was the standard fighter in service in 1982, when the Argentinian forces invaded the Falkland islands.
En-route to the islands, the aircraft of the task force were repainted from their peacetime Gary and white schemes to an all over extra dark sea grey. Squadron and other identifying markings were painted out.
On combat air patrol, the general load out was 4 sky flash and 2 sidewinders, with a TARPS reconnaissance pod to gather intel when over flying the islands.

Tomcat FR.2 of 801 Sqn , HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Academy 1/48 kit.

[Steel Penguin]

nice looking, and a suitable back story as well.
clever on the overpaint blocks as well.

[DogfighterZen]

I like dark, dull planes and this one suits me just fine...  Nice model and story !

[stuart]

That would have made one hell of an impact over the islands - nice work. I like the interesting load out.

[Snowtrooper]

Very nice!

Though with FAA flying Tomcats, the air war over the Falklands becomes a turkey shoot.

[PR19_Kit]

Though with FAA flying Tomcats, the air war over the Falklands becomes a turkey shoot.

They did pretty well flying SHARs. 

[stuart]

Though with FAA flying Tomcats, the air war over the Falklands becomes a turkey shoot.

They did pretty well flying SHARs. 

I've often wondered about that - the SHARS's were pretty hot in combat and had a lot of advantages. I wonder if it would have been such a Turkey shoot if we'd have had more conventional fighters?

[PR19_Kit]

Though with FAA flying Tomcats, the air war over the Falklands becomes a turkey shoot.

They did pretty well flying SHARs. 

I've often wondered about that - the SHARS's were pretty hot in combat and had a lot of advantages. I wonder if it would have been such a Turkey shoot if we'd have had more conventional fighters?

This thread could run and run.......... 

If the FAA had had more conventional fighters they'd have also needed conventional carriers, more than one really, and in that case the Islands may never have been invaded in the first place.

[Cobra]

The Tomcat seems to Look Natural in RN Livery, like it Was Meant to be! Superb Job Keep up the Superb work

[NARSES2]

That looks good 

[sandiego89]

Looks great! Love the paint job.  No Phoenix? 

-Dave

[andrewj]

A very nice concept and execution , well done indeed.

[stuart]

Though with FAA flying Tomcats, the air war over the Falklands becomes a turkey shoot.

They did pretty well flying SHARs. 

I've often wondered about that - the SHARS's were pretty hot in combat and had a lot of advantages. I wonder if it would have been such a Turkey shoot if we'd have had more conventional fighters?

This thread could run and run.......... 

If the FAA had had more conventional fighters they'd have also needed conventional carriers, more than one really, and in that case the Islands may never have been invaded in the first place.

Good Point!

[Old Wombat]

The twin-tailed Cat looks good in RN colours & load-out!

[Captain Canada]

Gorgeous ! he looks so right in those colours and markings. Love the pod as well. Nice touch !