Hi-Decal Line

1/72 & 1/48 F-14A Tomcat -- Iranian and US decal sheet

Product # 72051  #48021

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 17 2006

 

 

 

This is the much anticipated decal sheet containing Iranian and US Aggressor schemes.  This sheet offers the modeller 6 decal options including 4 Iranian and 2 US Tomcats.  This sheet features a variety of interesting camo schemes that are sure to be popular with modellers.

The first decal option is for an Imperial Iranian Air Force F-14A Tomcat 160365 / 3-6067, 73rd TFS -- IIAF TFB 7 Shiraz in 1978 before the Islamic Revolution.  During the war with Iraq, this aircraft was credited with at least 11aerial victories.  The standard combat load consisted of 2 AIM-54A Phoenix, 3 AIM-7 E-4 Sparrow and 2 AIM-9P Sidewinder AAMs.  The paint scheme is Sand (FS 30400), Dark Brown (FS 30140) and Dark green (FS 34079) on the top side and Light Ghost Grey (FS 36622) on the underside.    

The second decal option is for an F-14A 160318 / 3-6020 with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force --  IRIAF; TBF 8 Khatami in 1987.  This aircraft was credited with more than 14 kills during the war with Iraq and was also used in the Iranian "Bombcat" Trials.  All Iranian Tomcats wear standard stencilling, as specified by the US navy.  The paint scheme is Sand (FS 30400), Dark Brown (FS 30140) and Dark green (FS 34079) on the top side and Light Ghost Grey (FS 36622) on the underside.

The third decal option is for an F-14A 160320 / 3-6022 with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force --  IRIAF; TBF 8 Khatami in 1995.  This aircraft was credited with at least 7 aerial victories during the war with Iraq.  It was overhauled in 1995 by IACI and was repainted in this new air superiority scheme.  All Iranian Tomcats were delivered without the refueling bays doors.  The paint scheme is Light Blue (FS 35450) and Cream (FS 33578) and Light Blue (FS 35450) on the underside.    

The fourth decal option is for an F-14A 160339 / 3-6041 with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force --  IRIAF; TBF 8 Khatami in 2003.  This aircraft wears the current standard IRIAF air superiority camouflage, applied since 1997 to the F-14 fleet.  This jet is armed with 2 AIM-9P Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow AAMS.  Note standard stencilling.  The paint scheme is Light Grey (FS 36622) and Light Blue (FS 35450) on the top side and Light Blue (FS 35450) on the underside.  

The fifth decal option is for a US Navy F-14A 159855 / 10 Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), US Navy; NAS Fallon, in 1998.  The typical "combat load" consists of a captive AIM-9L and on an ACMI pod.  Both "10" and "13" have NACA air intakes behind the M61 cannon fairing.  The paint scheme is Light Blue (FS 35450), Aggressor Blue (FS 35109), Light Ghost Grey (FS 36375) and Dark Ghost Grey (FS 36320) on the top side and Dark Ghost Grey (FS 36320), Light Gull Grey (FS 36440) and Pale Grey (FS 36495) on the underside.     

The sixth decal option is for a US Navy F-14A 160913 / 13 Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), US Navy; NAS Fallon, in 2000.  This Tomcat has the modified Phoenix pallets / bomb racks under the fuselage and external tanks installed.  The paint scheme is Dark Ghost Grey (FS 36320), Brown (FS 30117), Pale Sand (FS 33531) and Mid Green (FS 334092) on the top side and Brown (FS 30117), Pale Sand (FS 33531) and Light Ghost Grey (FS 36375) on the underside.     

Click on images below to see larger images

These decals are clearly printed in register and appear very thin, so they should conform beautifully.  The colours look very good.  The 2 pages of black and white instructions includes 4 view drawings of all 6 aircraft featured on this decal sheet.  The painting instructions included all the necessary camo outlines and paint code #'s to get your Tomcat as accurate as possible.    

This sheet will be a very popular sheet.....markings for the Iranian F-14's have been sought after for a very long time. 

Steve Bamford

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford