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F-14A Bombcat squadrons in combat

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Stanley Parker - 10 May 2004 17:26 GMT
Am building a 1/32 tamiya F-14A, to be a LGB version.  What squadrons flew
the A in combat in Bosnia, Afghanstan & Irag.

Also, what squadrons flew inn combat dropping dumb bombs.

Thanks for the help.

Stan Parker
Rufus - 11 May 2004 01:34 GMT
> Am building a 1/32 tamiya F-14A, to be a LGB version.  What squadrons flew
> the A in combat in Bosnia, Afghanstan & Irag.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Stan Parker

I'm informed by an F-14 WSO acquaintance of mine that VF-41 was the
first to take LANTIRN into combat over Bosnia.

CAM has a nice set of decals for a grey VF-41 combat machine, and I have
a similar project on my bench right now.

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     - Rufus

Francis X. Kranick, Jr. - 11 May 2004 15:24 GMT
    Am I wrong in believing the -A was incapable of bombing?  I thought
that capability came with the development of the -B and subsequently the
-D.  It's also my understanding the -A was wired and physically prepared
to accomodate bombs but that was through design and not practice, until
the -B came along.  Is this correct?

Frank Kranick

>> Am building a 1/32 tamiya F-14A, to be a LGB version.  What squadrons
>> flew
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> CAM has a nice set of decals for a grey VF-41 combat machine, and I have
> a similar project on my bench right now.
Rufus - 11 May 2004 20:09 GMT
No - from what my F-14 driving friends tell me the F-14A has always had
the capability to drop bombs.  Mission tasking requirements and the
availability of the A-7, F-4, etc. just never pressed the capability
into service.

...but now that they need a job...

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     - Rufus

>     Am I wrong in believing the -A was incapable of bombing?  I thought
> that capability came with the development of the -B and subsequently the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>> CAM has a nice set of decals for a grey VF-41 combat machine, and I
>> have a similar project on my bench right now.
Francis X. Kranick, Jr. - 11 May 2004 21:42 GMT
> No - from what my F-14 driving friends tell me the F-14A has always had
> the capability to drop bombs.  Mission tasking requirements and the
> availability of the A-7, F-4, etc. just never pressed the capability
> into service.
>
> ...but now that they need a job...

    Indeed, your remarks are what I thought...  So, it would be incorrect
to model an F-14A with bombs on the pallets?  All the images of
'Bombcats' I've seen are of the re-engined versions (-B, -D).  With the
retirement of the attack types and the upgrades of the Tomcat, there
are/were no -A's used as bombing platforms, true?  Have you images of
any -A's set up to bomb?
    Not that I'm a 'Doubting Thomas' but I've not seen one.  I beg your
indulgence...  ;-)

Frank
Ant Phillips - 11 May 2004 22:01 GMT
> > No - from what my F-14 driving friends tell me the F-14A has always had
> > the capability to drop bombs.  Mission tasking requirements and the
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Frank

Hi all,

VF-41 was indeed  the first to take the LANTIRN pod into action, over
Bosnia, with the F-14A, there are plenty of photographs in the World Air
Power Journal special on the Tomcat, fitted with both smart & dumb bombs.

The book is well worth seeking out.

HTH
Ant
'Standing on the shoulders of giants'
Rufus - 12 May 2004 02:28 GMT
>>>No - from what my F-14 driving friends tell me the F-14A has always had
>>>the capability to drop bombs.  Mission tasking requirements and the
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Ant
> 'Standing on the shoulders of giants'

Ahhh...that's one worth looking for!

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     - Rufus

Rufus - 12 May 2004 02:34 GMT
>> No - from what my F-14 driving friends tell me the F-14A has always
>> had the capability to drop bombs.  Mission tasking requirements and
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Frank

Ask away...

Depends on the time-frame, period of service, or theater of operations
for the jet you are modeling.  For example, it may be wrong to model a
full-color 1970's/mid-'80's F-14A with bombs on the pallets, but a later
drab combat grey one might certainly be "correct".  The VF-41 jets I
mentioned were certainly F-14A's; dropping LGB's.  Remember - the A's,
A+/B's, and D's have all operated side by side at some point(s) in time.
 I can't say exactly when without checking some references - which I
always advise folks to do.

I seem to recall seeing a picture of an F-14A fitted with adapters for
dropping Mk-76's a LONG time ago somewhere...sometime...can't recall
where.  I do know that most of my Tomcat driving friends, when I've
questioned them, have said that they've always had the capability but
never trained to it until recently.  (If you'd ever seen any video of
F-14A HUD symbology you'd understand why...)  LANTIRN is what made the
difference, IMO.

Most (if not all) remaining F-14's on deployment are being used in the
role of fast strike/attack nowadays...take a close look at recent combat
photos - you'll find most carrying LANTIRN.  If they are, they are bombing.

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     - Rufus

Francis X. Kranick, Jr. - 12 May 2004 16:53 GMT
Ant & Rufus -
    Many thanks for the info and direction to the WAPJ.  I'll have to seek
it out.  I always aspired to build a Bombcat but had neither 1) a
Hasegawa F-14 of any subtype nor 2) and suitable conversion for one.
Now, my options expand by the knowledge of -A models being able to drop
bombs.
    Thanks for your help.

Frank Kranick
Allen Epps - 12 May 2004 12:05 GMT
> Ant & Rufus -
>  Many thanks for the info and direction to the WAPJ.  I'll have to seek
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Frank Kranick

Just as an early alternative. When we did Airwing Fallon in 1990
(CVW-8) VF-41 and 84 both dropped inert ordnance (Mk-84's IIRC) with
F-14A's. The problem was not the carriage or separation but instead the
software. After one of the squadron bracketed highway 50 Waaaay off
range that silliness stopped until the aiming software was updated.  As
a consequence you could use markings form that era and be fine.

Pugs
Rufus - 12 May 2004 19:45 GMT
> Ant & Rufus -
>     Many thanks for the info and direction to the WAPJ.  I'll have to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Frank Kranick

You're welcome...:)

Signature

     - Rufus

Stanley Parker - 13 May 2004 04:21 GMT
Just saw a book on VF-41 over Bosnia, it mentioned them flying A's &
dropping LGB's, so I guess they at least had the ability.  They also mention
the same of their sister squadron but I can't remember them.  Am leading to
the VF-41 A with 2 LGB's.

Stan
Ant & Rufus -
Many thanks for the info and direction to the WAPJ.  I'll have to seek
it out.  I always aspired to build a Bombcat but had neither 1) a
Hasegawa F-14 of any subtype nor 2) and suitable conversion for one.
Now, my options expand by the knowledge of -A models being able to drop
bombs.
Thanks for your help.

Frank Kranick
deeman - 16 Aug 2004 03:27 GMT
Rufus you old dog.  How are you doing.  After a bunch of twist and
turns, I am finally returning to the modelling scene.  I'm gonna have
to replace all of my equipment starting with an airbrush and
compressor.  I look forward to hearing some of your advice.  Shoot me
an email.  I dont have your old address, as it got lost the last time
my computer crashed.

Derek
Rufus - 16 Aug 2004 03:34 GMT
> Rufus you old dog.  How are you doing.  After a bunch of twist and
> turns, I am finally returning to the modelling scene.  I'm gonna have
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Derek

HEY!!! Welcome back!  I've been busy buying, if not busy building, in
the meantime.

...and I KNOW you've got the new 1/72 U-boat from Revell.

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     - Rufus

 
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