[EC-135]

VF-103 B Model used for the integration of the LANTIRN system

VF-114

VF-194 Along with VF-191 the 2 most short lived Tomcat squadrons

VX-9


VF-14

VF-302 Miramar Reserve Squadron

[EC-135]

And one more....


VF-33 Batmobile
image credit David F Brown

I think that this is the best scheme to ever grace a Tomcat with VF-1/VF-2 coming in a close second

[tripoli]

I like the "Batmobile" scheme.
After seeing the Grim Reapers in hand, I have to say, the less the markings and contrast, the more boring the piece seems to be. Not a bad thing, but with the blues over most of the model, the only real color you see is the squadron marking on the model. Which is why I really like the Jolly Rogers piece. Also the Texan one I noted earlier, you have the nose with some color anlong with the contrasting weapons systems. It makes it all stand out a bit more for a display piece.
I understand, why the low visibility might not sell as well, because the piece looks so plain. Although personally, I would like to see that serious low-vis going for the kill scheme, for multiple pieces in my collection, I think those like the Jolly Roger or Sundowners are going to be more popular because they are a bit more showy on the display stand.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by EC-135

VF-33 Batmobile

Yes i think the VF-33 Starfighters have a nice looking scheme.
In 1993 the VF-33 airframe became the first F-14 to log 5000 flight hours.
When the Navy decided to assign only a single TARPS Tomcat squadron per carrier air wing.
VF-33 was not TARPS capable and despite the squadron's success in Desert Storm VF-33 was disestablished October 1, 1993.
JP

[tripoli]

You know what else woudl really sell these; A history of the aircraft and squadron. I know they probably want to keep the cost down, but having a printed history that draws you more to what that airframe or aircraft experienced in it operational lifetime would be cool. Really tell the living history of who, what , why where and when it was operational. That would be nice to have with each one. When I looked up the history on the Grim Reaper Squadron, ither were some really great stories behing them. I would love to know more about the squadron that I was going to be purchasing. Gives a bit more incentive to the piece you are purchasing.

[Colin J.P. Campbell]

Hi Dave!
A Nice Wolf Pack pic indeed. Still not the original delivery scheme. The original had a full wrapped black canopy and a clean nose. No radome tan colour with the white wrap. The tail says Wolf Pack under the Wolfs head in red. And the leading edge of the tail fins are silver. Not sure how many came from Calverton in this livery. maybe there was only one like this. My search continues please help me find a few pics of it. Someone must have some somewhere.
cheers.

[David Hingtgen]

That's gotta be a one-off. The pic I posted is about as standard a early VF-1 scheme as there is. There are a few subtle variations, but I posted what I consider to be the standard 1973-1977 scheme or so. I did find a pic listed as being the flightline at Miramar in 1973, and it said the crews were applying the final touches to the VF-1 scheme after delivery---and several of the planes do lack some markings. I think it's quite possible that the VF-1 scheme was applied by VF-1 themselves, not liking how Grumman did it on the first one!

[EC-135]

I know the scheme that Colin is talking about. It was taken during the delivery and commissioning of the first 2 ships to VF-1 and VF-2 in 1973. I actually saw the picture just last week but can't remember where I found it. And I think that you're right David. I don't think that VF-1 liked what Grumman did with the scheme upon delivery from the factory so they modified it to suit their needs, so to speak. I will see if I can find it again

[Dobber]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Now that's the Wolfpack Livery that I know and love. David, what was the variation of VF-1 that you first posted several pages back...the one that didn't have the radom painted or the white underbelly? I don't think I've ever seen the one that Colin is refering to either.

Chris

P.S. Whileyouweredeployed has some great VF-1 t-shirts at the moment. I have both the Red and white versions!!

[David Hingtgen]

I'm actually unsure of the history of the first one I posted. It's a scan of a slide I saw up for auction. I know it is 159000 and that's about it. If you look closely, it might have a white belly, but hard to tell. Also, it almost looks like it's in low-vis 36320 grey or something, not 70's gull grey. It is not VF-1's first "114".

My copy of Tomcat alley has good pics of the following VF-1 delivery scheme planes:

101, 158989, Block 70
111, 158993, Block 70
106, 158995, Block 70 Hmmmn. This one has a scheme very much like the "mystery" scheme of 114, 159000 above. Says delivered in 1974, lost in 1978. Perhaps an early experiment with low-vis?
102, 158996, Block 70 Lost, May 1977.
104, 158998, Block 70
112, 159001, Block 70
115, 159461, Block 80
114, 159465, Block 80 (the first 114 for VF-1, based on paint scheme)
102, 159467, Block 80 (replacement for 158996, delivered in Aug of 1977)

I've already uploaded a decent pic of 105, and here is a pic of 107, which like the CAG plane, has the "connected" stripes on the tail--they're not separate from the wolf's head:


PS--yes, it is annoying that so many VF-1 pics have all the RBF tags and covers hanging on the nose, making it hard to read the modex and messing up the stripe's appearance. For really good pics I'd have to hook up my scanner and start scanning from books.