[kb466]

One scheme that I would like to see from CW on their F-14's is a VF-1 Wolfpack Tomcat in the gray-white scheme. That would be one attractive F-14. I wonder why they have not done one or even announced one in that scheme?

[zed550]

to do VF-1 in the grey/white scheme they would have to create a new tooling as they operated the early block machines.but i have asked yoshi a few times if we could have at least an overall grey wolfpack tomcat circa desert storm that way we still get the early full colour markings.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by kb466

One scheme that I would like to see from CW on their F-14's is a VF-1 Wolfpack Tomcat in the gray-white scheme. That would be one attractive F-14. I wonder why they have not done one or even announced one in that scheme?

Was VF-1 in The Final Countdown? j/k

Seriously, I'd buy a couple of VF-1. I have the Dragon Warbirds one from the 1970's and it's beautiful (even with all of it's inaccuracies)! I also wouldn't mind a 1975 VF-142 Ghost Riders to remind me of the old Monogram kit from my childhood.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by zed550

to do VF-1 in the grey/white scheme they would have to create a new tooling as they operated the early block machines.but i have asked yoshi a few times if we could have at least an overall grey wolfpack tomcat circa desert storm that way we still get the early full colour markings.

Is Block 95 the earliest block the current CW mold will accomodate?

[David Hingtgen]

If Century would just tool up an early-style probeless nose and gunvents, there's SO many neat schemes they could do. Century likes to to do the most colorful squadrons and markings, right? Well, doing that would allow block 80 and 85 at least, which would open up MANY of the most colorful early schemes---including some of VF-1's planes. They don't need to tool up a whole new fuselage for the early style beavertail, there WERE VF-1 planes that had that later style--we just need an early forward fuselage/nosecone, then there's many squadron's early schemes which could be done. You just have to know which planes to do. I've got the bureau and modex numbers, and even pilot and RIO names for some... (luckily, many of VF-1's planes had no crew names)

Elmer--yes, Century is currently limited to Block 95 and later. (And they don't seem able to do block 115-125). But, with just a new forward fuselage to allow a probeless nose and early gunvents, that would allow block 80 and 85---which means the best version of the Wolf Pack, Ghost Riders, Pukin Dogs, Checkmates, Swordsmen, Gunslingers, Renegades, and the Bicentennial Gunslingers as well.

There is almost nothing that requires a block 70/75 mold. (Tophatters, VF-2). Block 85/90 (early gunvents, but with a probe) is also almost pointless.

But Block 80/85----that's a treasure trove of awesome schemes--and only requires a new forward fuselage mold. Everything from the intakes back is the same as what Century already has.

[rdenham]

the nose would not have to change to a late 70's VF-1’s grey & white paint scheme.

[David Hingtgen]

::edit:: You edited your post while I was responding.
A drawing means nothing, they're wrong because the artist didn't know any better. That is NOT what VF-1's CAG looked like back then. Wrong nose, wrong chinpod, wrong gunvents, wrong drop tanks, wrong tailfins, wrong beavertail, wrong ECM antennas. That drawing's a block 115 or so model, which came out in the mid 80's.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

If Century would just tool up an early-style probeless nose and gunvents, there's SO many neat schemes they could do. Century likes to to do the most colorful squadrons and markings, right? Well, doing that would allow block 80 and 85 at least, which would open up MANY of the most colorful early schemes---including some of VF-1's planes. They don't need to tool up a whole new fuselage for the early style beavertail, there WERE VF-1 planes that had that later style--we just need an early forward fuselage/nosecone, then there's many squadron's early schemes which could be done. You just have to know which planes to do. I've got the bureau and modex numbers, and even pilot and RIO names for some... (luckily, many of VF-1's planes had no crew names)

Elmer--yes, Century is currently limited to Block 95 and later. (And they don't seem able to do block 115-125). But, with just a new forward fuselage to allow a probeless nose and early gunvents, that would allow block 80 and 85---which means the best version of the Wolf Pack, Ghost Riders, Pukin Dogs, Checkmates, Swordsmen, Gunslingers, Renegades, and the Bicentennial Gunslingers as well.

There is almost nothing that requires a block 70/75 mold. (Tophatters, VF-2). Block 85/90 (early gunvents, but with a probe) is also almost pointless.

But Block 80/85----that's a treasure trove of awesome schemes--and only requires a new forward fuselage mold. Everything from the intakes back is the same as what Century already has.

Thanks for the clarification, DH; very helpful.

[valkyrie]

Are there websites with info on the differences between the blocks with picture illustration? Is the gun vent the part that is different between the current VF-84, VF-111 and VF-154, VF-101? A bit confused now.

[David Hingtgen]

I do plan to write an illustrated guide to Tomcat blocks, but might be a few months. I don't know anywhere that really goes into the blocks, but there is some stuff here: Tomcat Alley - The F-14 Website Click on each block for some notes. "Real" F-14's start at block 70---everything else is usually one-of-a-kind and test planes, though VF-124 got a few block 65's.

The gun vents are exactly that---vents for the gun. Gun is on the lower left side of the nose. There are several variations to the gun vents---some are block-specific, some are time-specific. All F-14B's and D's always have the same style, the final style. But the A's were built with 1 of 2 styles, neither of which is like the B/D style. But they were all eventually changed to B/D style. The style on VF-84/111 is the 2nd style. The VF-154 has the 3rd, B/D style as those A's had been modified by then.

(gun vents vary on many planes---the F-16A/B have different ones than the C/D, and F-18's have 2 styles as well, which changed early in C/D production---it is very often a key thing to help identify plane variants, as so many things are internal)