[RJLee]

Originally Posted by Dobber

Just a question, I can't tell in the pictures but do you have the Pheonix pallets on the correct sides? The side that looks like it is cut off should be on the outside with the rounded/curved side on the inside. Again not saying you don't know that just making sure cause that MAY be why the pallets don't fit right. Just trying to save you from have to make any cuts.

Thanks -- the Phoenix pallets on all of these models actually only fit one way (if you reverse them you end up having portions hanging out over the edge of the fuselage. Don't ask me how I know.

[RJLee]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

RJ, does the N101 come with pilot figures, or did you take yours out for the photos? My N101 is showing up this week sometime.

It comes with pilots (white helmets, as opposed to the yellow helmets in the VF-84 release). I'm leaving them out of this model, as the FOV VF-154 has fixed pilots and the Century VF-84 AJ202 really needs pilots to avoid looking weird. I'm planning to display this with wings back, canopy open. (I'm considering some 1/72 "remove before flight" tags...)

[zed550]

saw the acedemy 1/48th bombcat at a modelshow today exact markings and loadout!

[David Hingtgen]

I used the "heat and bend" trick on my VF-84 pallets. Got them to lie almost perfectly flat. However, attaching the Phoenixes to them bent them up a little again---but it's still much better than how it was out of the box.

Just a note for owners of this release: while GBU-24's are an accurate load (if very rare), the way Century shows them attached is wrong. They must be staggered diagonally on the Phoenix pallets. Port forward, and aft starboard. They cannot be placed side by side, nor (for some reason) are they approved to be carried port aft and forward starboard.

[Dobber]

Ok my VF-154 '101' and my VF-21 arrived today. My god these things are beautiful. David, I think you'll be happy with the 3 tone paint job it's fantastic...nice a subtle.

Question, what are the correct weapon configurations for the Bombs? Meaning what bombs and missiles can be carried together and at what weapons stations? I know all the missile configurations but I don't know the "correct" bomb/ missile configs. Thanks for any help.

Chris

[David Hingtgen]

Asides from my GBU-24 comment above, basically "if it fits, it's ok". I'll type up some loads later, I have quite a few common configurations for OEF/OIF, and maybe some that are VF-154-specific. Just remember to try to balance the LANTIRN pod on one side with a Phoenix or Sparrow on the other.

[Dobber]

Thanks David, I'd really like to see what you got. I have mine displayed with 2 sidewinders a Pheonix and the Lantirn Podd on the glove pylons and then a GBU and a JADAM on the front Pheonix pallets and then 2 iron bombs on the Rear Pallets. Not sure if I over loaded the Tomcat or if this is even a possible or approved configuration. I just wanted to show a large variety of weapons...you know...."use a little something of everthing" for the display . I would prefer to have a realistic load out though for the bird though. Thanks for any help!

Chris

[Cavtanker]

I unwrapped my N101 this morning.

[David Hingtgen]

Having seen pics of the final version, the only issue I have is:

Why are the engines and shrouds painted "backwards", and like an F-14B/D? The Jolly Rogers release was perfect, but for this, it's like they painted them with the colors of a GE engine. Why the change? Almost a deal-killer for me (due to pointlessness of the change, and being so wrong)

F-14A's do not have black shrouds, no matter how old and dirty they are. The nozzles should be darker than the shrouds, always. Just look at the Jolly Rogers release.

I commented on this from the first sample pics, but still don't have an explanation why. Pics of the real NF101, in that scheme at that time, show the engines should be painted almost the exact opposite of how Century did---like every other F-14A ever.

They do however, get points for correcting the 35237/36320 separation line from the sample. VF-154 did it rather uniquely.

[Panther10]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Having seen pics of the final version, the only issue I have is:

Why are the engines and shrouds painted "backwards", and like an F-14B

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it's because they were built in japan, and the japanese read books from back to front???