Detail & Scale has published in print the final volume of the trilogy documenting the Color and Markings of the F-14 Tomcat, Tim takes a look


With the third part of Detail & Scales: Colors & Markings of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat now published the trilogy is complete. They have been co-written by Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak. This is the third incarnation of Detail & Scale study of one of the most iconic military aircraft over the last 40 years. The first series which was in print and published in the 1980's and covered the Tomcat in two volumes. The second series again was two volumes, but only available in a digital format. The third series is now available in digital and book formats.

The volumes include:

Part 1: Atlantic Fleet and Reserve Squadrons

Part 2: Pacific Fleet and Reserve Squadrons

Part 3: Protypes, Test, Evaluation, and Adversary Aircraft

Part 3, the sunject of this review, covers the Protypes, Test, Evaluation and Adversary Aircraft. It’s a comprehensive look of the prototypes and non-fleet aircraft used for the sole purpose of test and evaluation as well as its role as an adversary for training. It includes:

  • Introduction
  • Grumman Prototypes & Test Aircraft
  • Adversary Tomcats
  • Navy Fighter Weapons School, TOPGUN
  • Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center
  • Atlantic Coast Test & Evaluation Tomcats NATC
  • Pacific Coast Test & Evaluation Tomcats
  • Naval Missile Center
  • Pacific Missile Test Center
  • Naval Air Warfare Center
  • Weapons Test Squadron
  • VX-30 “Bloodhounds”
  • VX-4 “Evaluators”
  • VX-9 “Vampires”
  • NASA
  • Appendix I: Tomcat Paint Schemes
  • Gloss Light Gull Grey Over Gloss Insignia White
  • Overall Light Gull Grey
  • Tactical Schemes
  • Appendix II: Tomcat Stencils & Standard Markings

The first part covers the twelve protypes sporting a number of colours, many with areas of red. A couple of interesting images one in overall gull gray with a stylised logo of Grumman on the tail. Could almost be mistaken for a squadron badge. The other interesting image is another prototype toting a mixture of ordnance including an AGM HARM missile. The Tomcat was never certified to carry the HARM. The Tomcats role in Naval Fighter Weapons School [NFWS] and later with the Naval Strike & Air Warfare Centre [NSAWC] is well documented. With the Tomcat sporting many finishes including one fascinating adversary Tomcat imitating a MiG-31 is.

The test and evaluation section takes up a considerable amount of the book. The role of the Tomcat is examined while operating for the Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center, Atlantic Coast Test & Evaluation Tomcats NATC, Pacific Coast Test & Evaluation Tomcats, Naval Missile Center, Pacific Missile Test Center, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Test Squadron, VX-30 “Bloodhounds”, VX-4 “Evaluators”, VX-9 “Vampires” and NASA.

Appendix I takes a look at the various paint schemes of the Tomcat in US Navy service. There are seven pages with profile and plan drawings of the Tomcat illustrating the camouflage. The schemes start with the initial classic gloss light gull grey and gloss insignia white up to the final tactical scheme variation of overall dark ghost grey. All the paints have FS standards for easier reference to your favourite paints.

Appendix II features all the Tomcats stencils and standard markings. This is a fascinating section of the book and documents the change from hi-viz health warnings to the barely perceptual ones. There is an extensive section providing details of the location of Stencils and markings. Several plan and profile views provide location points and each poit is numbered for you to find the relevant stencil or marking. Seven pages are devoted to illustrations of the stencils and markings.

The sheer number of color photos is impressive, 246 in all. More than enough to keep the creative broth simmering. The authors thoughtfully point any subtle variation in the text accompanying the photos. All very useful if you are a keen modeller of the Tomcat and would like to ring the changes with your F-14 model flight line.

The photographs are an outstanding record of the appearance of the Tomcats under test and evaluation as well as a good selection of active Squadrons in the painting schemes and markings section. 

As mentioned, the volumes are available in printed form or digitally through Apple Books and Amazon Kindle. Purchasing the digital format represents a considerable saving over the printed version. It’s worth noting if you already have the digital versions there is no new material with these latest digital editions. 

Conclusions

Just glancing through this book provides what could be several years of modelling projects featuring the Tomcat in a considerable number of finishes. Color & Markings F-14 Tomcat part 3: Protypes, Test, Evaluation and Adversary Aircraft is a considerable body of research bringing together quite a pool of contributors, hence the sheer number of photographs and information. It is a comprehensive documentary of the testing and evaluating of the Tomcat by Grumman, US Navy and NASA. A real go to reference for anyone historian or modeller interested in the Tomcat. Highly Recommended

Detail & Scale

Color & Markings of the F-14 Tomcat part 3: Protypes, Test, Evaluation and Adversary Aircraft

  • ISBN 9798410341745
  • Authors: Bert Kinzey and Rock Roszak
  • 124 Pages
  • 246 Color photos
  • 8 Color profiles
  • 14 pages of stencils and standard markings and their locations 

https://www.detailandscale.com/

Many thanks to co-author Rock Roszak for providing this review sample.

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