[V.Narayan]

Dornier Do-17 Z Luftwaffe WW-2; Battle of Crete; 1:72 scale Corgi
Length ~ 8.5"; Wingspan ~10". I have not fitted the landing gear yet. Will try. Have had some sad experiences in the past with trying to fit Corgi landing gears.

The Dornier Do 17, sometimes referred to as the Flying Pencil, was a light bomber of Germany during World War II. The aircraft was designed as a Schnellbomber ("fast bomber"), a light bomber which, in theory, would be so fast that it could outrun defending fighter aircraft. Though in practice the monoplane fighters of the Allies, such as Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire could outpace it by far.

The Dornier was designed with two engines mounted on a shoulder wing structure and possessed a twin tail fin configuration. The type was popular among its crews due to its handling and maneuverability , especially at low altitude, which made the Do 17 harder to hit than other German bombers. The cockit-crew area was expanded in the Z model to accommodate light defensive machine guns to fire aft-below, aft-above, forward, forward-below and onto both sides.

The Do-17 along with the He 111 were the Luftwaffe's mainstay bomber in the early years of WW-2 in the conquest of Europe and the Battle of Britain.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Dornier Do-17 Z Luftwaffe WW-2; Battle of Crete; 1:72 scale Corgi

One of the famous early German bombers of WWII, I think they were used extensively in the Battle of Britain. Although rather ungainly looking, nowhere as beautiful as your Condor.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

One of the famous early German bombers of WWII, I think they were used extensively in the Battle of Britain. Although rather ungainly looking, nowhere as beautiful as your Condor.

To the mother pig all piglets look beautiful.

[V.Narayan]

Tupolev Tu-160 ; Strategic Bomber; 1:200 Herpa, diecast

Model is about 11 inches in length & in full wing sweep

The Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing strategic bomber. It is the largest and heaviest Mach 2+ supersonic aircraft ever built. It is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft, the fastest bomber now in use and the largest and heaviest variable-sweep wing airplane ever flown.

Crew: 4
Length: 177 ft
Wingspan:
Spread (20° sweep):182 ft
Swept (65° sweep): 116 ft
Empty weight: 110,000 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 275,000 kg
Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h, 1,200 knots) at 12,200 m (40,000 ft)
Cruise speed: Mach 0.9 (960 km/h, 518 knots)
Range: 12,300 km (7,643 mi) practical range without in-flight refuelling, Mach 0.77 and carrying 6 cruise missiles and 5% fuel reserves


Entering service in 1987, the Tu-160 was the last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union. As of 2016, the Russian Air Force has at least 16 aircraft in service.


The Tu-160 active fleet has been undergoing upgrades to electronics systems since the early 2000s. The Tu-160M modernization programme has begun with the first updated aircraft delivered in December 2014.


The aircraft employs a fly-by-wire control system with a blended wing profile, and full-span slats are used on the leading edges, with double-slotted flaps on the trailing edges.

[arunphilip]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Dornier Do-17 Z Luftwaffe WW-2; Battle of Crete; 1:72 scale Corgi

Just wanted to say that at a very quick glance, I thought the first picture was a photograph of the actual plane flying over a desert landscape.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Tupolev Tu-160 ; Strategic Bomber; 1:200 Herpa, diecast

Fantastic looking model. Congratulations. Looking at the pics, it is easy to imagine why the Russians call the TU-160 as the White Swan.

One can see clear similarities in design philosophy between the Russian Tu-160 and B-1.

Meanwhile, got the same one as Narayan sir.

1:80 Hogan McDonnell Douglas/Mitsubishi F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, JASDF 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron









The squadron's emblem is a stylized image of a white-tailed eagle, a raptor which resides in Japan. It is famous among JASDF fighter squadrons as being the largest tail marking. There is a rule that a squadron's tail marking can not be larger than the Hinomaru used as a roundel by Japanese military aircraft, but this rule did not exist when the 302nd's emblem was created. The eagle is designed to resemble the squadron's number, with the wings having three lines, the tail being a zero, and the two feet completing the number.



Model armed with four AAM-3 IRMs, 4X AIM-7 Sparrows , 1 X centerline 610 gallon F-15 drop tank and 2 X wing 370 gallon F-4 drop tanks


Phabulous Phantoms Phorever!!!! - My F-4 Phantom II collection : F-4B, C, D, E(J)




The real 87-8415




About the F-4EJ
From 1968, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) purchased a total of 140 F-4EJ Phantoms without aerial refueling, AGM-12 Bullpup missile system, nuclear control system or ground attack capabilities, keeping in line with building their strictly Self Defensive Force with no offensive capabilities. Mitsubishi built 138 under license in Japan and 14 unarmed reconnaissance RF-4EJs were imported(built by McDonnell Douglas). One of the aircraft (17-8440) was the very last of the 5,195 F-4 Phantoms to be produced. It was manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 21 May 1981. "The Final Phantom" served with 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later transferred to the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron.

Kai Upgrade
Of these, 96 F-4EJs were modified to the F-4EJ Kai (modified) standard.15 F-4EJs were converted to reconnaissance aircraft designated RF-4EJ, with similar upgrades as the F-4EJ Kai. The F-4EJ Kai (the suffix "Kai" means "extra" or "augmented") is fitted with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66J pulse-Doppler radar, which is much smaller and lighter than the original APQ-120, but has more operating modes with better lookdown, shootdown capability. Externally, the installation of the new radar can be distinguished by the presence of a new radome which has fore and aft strengthening ribs.

The F-4EJ Kai has a a new central computer, a Kaiser heads-up display, a Hazeltine AN/APZ-79 IFF system, and a license-built Litton LN-39 inertial navigation unit.

A new J/APR-6 radar homing and warning system is fitted. Twin aft-facing radomes for this system are mounted on the fin tip and forward-facing antennae are mounted on the wingtips. A new, much taller UHF blade antenna is mounted on the dorsal spine, and the lower UHF antenna on the undercarriage door is larger in size. These are about the only externally-visible distinguishing points between the F-4EJ and the F-4EJ Kai.

The aircraft often carries a 610-US gallon F-15 fuel tank on the centerline. This tank is stressed to take higher g-loads than was the original F-4 centerline tank. The F-4EJ Kai can also carry the Westinghouse AN/ALQ-131 advanced multimode electronic countermeasures pod. This pod has a wide range of modules and has reprogrammable software which make it capable of quickly countering new threats.

The F-4EJ Kai can launch the AIM-7E/F Sparrow and the AIM-9L/P Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. In addition, the F-4EJ Kai can carry and launch the Mitsubishi ASM-1 antiship missile.

The following JASDF serial numbers are known to have been converted to F-4EJ Kai standards:

17-8302, 27-8305, 27-8306, 37-8308, 37-8312/8324, 47-8328/8334, 47-8337/8342, 47-8345, 47-8346, 47-8348, 47-8351/8357, 47-8360, 47-8362, 47-8366, 47-8367, 47-8369, 57-8375, 57-8377, 67-8378, 67-8379, 67-8381, 67-8384, 67-8386/8391, 77-8394, 77-8395, 77-8398/8402, 77-8404, 87-8407, 87-8410, 87-8411, 87-8413/8415, 97-8416, 97-8417, 97-8420/8427, 07-8428, 07-8431, 07-8434/8436, 17-8437/8440.

The 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (dai-sanbyaku-ni-hikoutai) is a squadron of the 7th Air Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) based at Hyakuri Air Base (Ibaraki Airport) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is equipped with McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kai Phantom II and Kawasaki T-4 aircraft.

Along with the 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 302nd is responsible for air defense of the Tokyo Metropolitan area.

From 2018 it will be the first JASDF squadron to upgrade to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II.

On December 9, 1987 an F-4EJ operated by the squadron flying from Naha fired warning shots on two occasions when a Tupolev Tu-16 of the Soviet Air Force entered Japanese air space over Okinawa. This was the first time an SDF fighter had fired warning shots at an intruding aircraft.

On October 18, 2017 F-4EJ Kai Phantom II 87-8408 of the squadron caught fire on the ground after its landing gear malfunctioned. There were no injuries.

On Apr. 11, 2018, Japan’s Air Force retired one its F-4EJ “Kai” Phantom II jets: the example serialled 47-8333/”333″ assigned to the 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 7th Air Wing of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force based at Hyakuri Air Base in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan.

The aircraft served with the JASDF for 44 years. Originally an F-4EJ, it was upgraded to “Kai” standards.

The aircraft 47-8333, usually called “Triple 3”, was often called “Trouble 3” as a consequence of some issues it suffered. On the very last day of activity before the retirement, the splitter vane of the “333” sported the text “Tora-san, Thank you”: indeed, this aircraft got the name Tora-san, the loveable character of the Japanese movie series “Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It’s tough being a man)”, the world’s longest running film series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrN210UMLc

[V.Narayan]

1:80 Hogan McDonnell Douglas/Mitsubishi F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, JASDF 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron

BEAUTIFUL. Oh My God the JASDF Phantom is just gorgeous. The underside looks perfectly real. It is almost my favourite child where scale models go. The amount you read on aircrafts is prodigious. Neat video. Sandesh, I need to learn from you on how to take pictures of scale models. Now you need an Israeli F-4.

One can see clear similarities in design philosophy between the Russian Tu-160 and B-1.

Yes the Russians very clearly took inspiration from the B-1 prototypes which were flying by the time the Tu-160 design work got into full swing.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Fantastic looking model. Congratulations. Looking at the pics, it is easy to imagine why the Russians call the TU-160 as the White Swan.

The Russian sisters ....Bear & Blackjack

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The amount you read on aircrafts is prodigious.

Thank you sir. That is partly also because I have flown these jets on flight simulators on PC. Models of these jets and flight behaviour have been modelled with painstaking accuracy. Even cockpit and system details had been modelled. So naturally, one tends to develop an interest in knowing more about the aircraft. That is why I said in another thread, military aviation related information is more openly available than one thinks and is not so secretive anymore.

The F-4EJ mod in the flight sim Strike Fighters 2

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Neat video. Sandesh, I need to learn from you on how to take pictures of scale models. Now you need an Israeli F-4.

Yes, an Israeli F-4E is on my wishlist, so is Hellenic AF F-4E with that wonderful Aegean Ghost paint scheme.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The Russian sisters ....Bear & Blackjack

This is such a treat to see. Can't imagine how proud you must be to own these beauties.

Hogan 1:200 Boeing 737-8 MAX First Flight Colours - N8703J 1A003

The B737 MAX program was launched on August 30, 2011. The first flight was on January 29, 2016. It gained FAA certification on March 8, 2017. The first delivery was a MAX -8 on May 6, 2017 to Malindo Air, which put it into service on May 22, 2017. The 737 MAX is based on earlier 737 designs. The MAX is re-engined with more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines, aerodynamic improvements (most notably split-tip winglets), and airframe modifications.

The first flight took place on January 29, 2016, nearly 49 years after the maiden flight of the 737, a 737-100, on April 9, 1967.The first Max 8, 1A001, was used for aerodynamic trials: flutter testing, stability and control, and takeoff performance-data verification, before it was modified for an operator and delivered. 1A002 was used for performance and engine testing: climb and landing performance, crosswind, noise, cold weather, high altitude, fuel burn and water-ingestion. Aircraft systems including autoland were tested with 1A003. 1A004, with an airliner layout, flew function-and-reliability certification for 300h with a light flight-test instrumentation.

The CFM LEAP-1B engine nacelles have chevrons for noise reduction like the 787 and the engines are 10-12% more fuel efficient than the earlier CFM56 engines powering the 737NGs.

The model has wi-fi radome modelled








The two 737MAXs in my collection:




With its chief competitor - the A320neo




The real N8703J 1A003:




Jet Airways has three or four 737-8 MAXs in service while Spicejet recently received its first 737-8 MAX aptly registered VT-MAX and named "King Chilli".
Both airlines will be receiving more MAXs in the future and will gradually start phasing out older 737NGs.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Tupolev Tu-160 ; Strategic Bomber; 1:200 Herpa, diecast

Narayan thats an awesome model. I always wanted one of those, Kudos to Herpa for making so many models of Russian Aircraft. The Blackjack aka "White Swan" looks great next to the Bear, waiting for a Backfire to join the collection.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Meanwhile, got the same one as Narayan sir.

1:80 Hogan McDonnell Douglas/Mitsubishi F-4EJ Kai Phantom II, JASDF 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron

Narayan is the pioneer in this field on Team-Bhp so its only natural we follow in his footsteps. Coincidentally I am sitting at a Mumbai International airport lounge as I write this and just a few moments back I was thinking of visiting that model shop that Narayan had told me about where he had bought the Phantom model

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Hogan 1:200 Boeing 737-8 MAX First Flight Colours - N8703J 1A003

One of those rare manufacturer liveries which can violate the Indian Airlines only rule in your collection

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

This is such a treat to see. Can't imagine how proud you must be to own these beauties.

Now if only I could lay my hands on a Backfire & Bison. And now that my Russian palate has been satiated time for the B-52 & B-1.

Hogan 1:200 Boeing 737-8 MAX First Flight Colours - N8703J 1A003

The model is a great find. And nice and big. The models that fall in the 6" to 12" length seem to suit me best in looks, detailing and size. The MAX looks more handsome to me than the A320 - what with that classic 737 nose, the nacelles trailing edge and the two piece winglets.[/quote]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Narayan thats an awesome model. I always wanted one of those, Kudos to Herpa for making so many models of Russian Aircraft. The Blackjack aka "White Swan" looks great next to the Bear, waiting for a Backfire to join the collection.

+1 to that.Thank you Foxbat.

Narayan is the pioneer in this field on Team-Bhp so its only natural we follow in his footsteps.

say more nice things about me

One of those rare manufacturer liveries which can violate the Indian Airlines only rule in your collection

Our friend skanchan95 is turning. :-)

And now gentlemen a sneak preview of the next one on the production line.<to the sound of rolling drums> ...still some work to be done.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Coincidentally I am sitting at a Mumbai International airport lounge as I write this and just a few moments back I was thinking of visiting that model shop that Narayan had told me about where he had bought the Phantom model

So, did you visit that store?

Originally Posted by Foxbat

One of those rare manufacturer liveries which can violate the Indian Airlines only rule in your collection

Yup.

1:200 Hogan F/A-18E VF-195 "Dambusters" CVW-5, USS George Washington (CVN-73)
The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm M61 rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. Additional fuel can be carried in up to five external fuel tanks and the aircraft can be configured as an airborne tanker by adding an external air refueling system.

Designed and initially produced by McDonnell Douglas, the Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Low-rate production began in early 1997 with full-rate production starting in September 1997, after the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing the previous month. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was retired in 2006; the Super Hornet serves alongside the original Hornet. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has operated the F/A-18A as its main fighter since 1984, ordered the F/A-18F in 2007 to replace its aging F-111C fleet. RAAF Super Hornets entered service in December 2010.

The Squadron
The squadron was originally named as the Tigers and traces its history back to WW2, where they flew the Grumman TBM-1 Avenger torpedo bomber.

In the late mid-40s, they transitioned to the A-1 Skyraider and in the Korean War, flew Close Air Support missions in support of UN ground forces.

In 1951, the squadron’s Skyraiders, making precise low level runs, delivered aerial torpedoes on the heavily defended and strategically positioned Hwacheon Dam in North Korea. Destruction of the dam had been attempted by Air Force and Navy bombers, but was finally accomplished by VA-195, earning them the nickname The Dambusters.

In the 1960, they converted to the A-4 Skyhawk and flew strike missions in the Vietnam War.

In the early 70s, they converted to the A-7 Corsair II and re-deployed to Vietnam. On July 19, 1972 the squadron delivered the first data link version of the TV guided Walleye Glide Bomb into a cave storage area causing its complete destruction.

VA-195 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (VFA-195) on 1 April 1985 and commenced transition to the F/A-18A Hornet.

VFA-195 was deployed aboard USS Midway when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the squadron flew 564 combat missions, delivering 356 tons of ordinance, and became the first Hornet squadron to deliver a Walleye II glide bomb in combat.

From 1998 to 2008 VFA-195 was assigned with CVW-5 to USS Kitty Hawk. VFA-195 flew in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, striking targets deep in Afghanistan. Called on for duty in the Persian Gulf in 2003, the squadron flew 278 combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, delivered 179,000 pounds of precision guided munitions against military targets over the course of a single month.

During late 2010 the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet.

Personal ride of Capt Daniel S Cave, CAG, CVW-5. Con-incidentally, I have a 1:72 VFA-27 F/A-18E that also has the same pilot's name.









Hornet Fleet:


The real thing:



1:200 Hogan F-16D Block 40 Brakeet 101 Squadron Israeli Air Force
The General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta.

The Fighting Falcon's key features include a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick to ease control while maneuvering, a seat reclined 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot, and the first use of a relaxed static stability/fly-by-wire flight control system which helps to make it a nimble aircraft. The F-16 has an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and 11 locations for mounting weapons and other mission equipment. The F-16's official name is "Fighting Falcon", but "Viper" is commonly used by its pilots and crews, due to a perceived resemblance to a viper snake as well as the Colonial Viper starfighter on Battlestar Galactica.

In addition to active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units, the aircraft is also used by the USAF aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and as an adversary/aggressor aircraft by the United States Navy. The F-16 has also been procured to serve in the air forces of 25 other nations. As of 2015, it is the world's most numerous fixed-wing aircraft in military service.

While the F-16B is a two seat version of the F-16A used for pilot conversion, the Israeli F-16D, called Brakeet (meaning Thunder) by the IDF, is completely different from the F-16C. The back seat is reserved for the F-16s Weapon System Operator, just as one can find in the Su-30MKI or F-15E. Externally, this fighter differs from other F-16D's by having a boxlike extension from the cockpit to the vertical stabilizer, referred to as a dorsal spine.The dorsal fairing was designed, mocked up, fabricated and installed during regular routine assembly while these aircraft were on the production line in Fort Worth. The dorsal spine is believed to accommodate Wild Weasel equipment (amongst others Elisra's SPS-3000 self-protection jammer) which detects emissions from enemy radar sites and pinpoints their locations, and specialized weapon delivery systems, such as 'smart bombs' guided using the back seat's side stick for control. The IAF would confirm only that this space is filled with various electronic systems.

This version of the F-16D is much heavier than the 'standard' production F-16Ds. Its empty weight is 9,525 kg, while the standard version weighs just 7,900 kg. The maximum takeoff weight was extended to 21,770 kg - 4,760 kg more than the standard version, a fact made possible by modifications made to the landing gear. The extent of the modifications called for a different (non-official) model designation, hence the Israeli F-16D was designated IF-16D. As the F-16C's in service by the IAF, the IF-16D is powered by a General Electric F110-GE-100 engine, with an enlarged air intake.

The Squadron
101 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the First Fighter Squadron, is Israel's first fighter squadron, formed on May 20, 1948, six days after Israel declared its independence. Initially flying the Avia S-199, it has since operated the Supermarine Spitfire, North American Mustang, Dassault Mystere IVA, Dassault Mirage IIICJ, IAI Nesher and IAI Kfir. It currently operates out of Hatzor Airbase, flying the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon.

This particular Brakeet, serial number 603, was delivered as part of the Peace Marble III Program(1991-93)






Model armed with six AM-120 AMRAAMs and 3 drop tanks


101 sqdn jets - the Mirage IIICJ Shahak and F-16D Brakeet


The real thing:

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

And now gentlemen a sneak preview of the next one on the production line.<to the sound of rolling drums> ...still some work to be done.

Simply stunning!!!: The SKAT and Kiran heritage will make it such a proud addition to your collection. thumbs up

1:200 Hogan Grumman F-14A Tomcat VF-111 "Sundowners" CVW-15, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, twin-tail, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 was the first of the American teen-series fighters, which were designed incorporating air combat experience against MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.

The F-14 first flew in December 1970 and made its first deployment in 1974 with the U.S. Navy aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), replacing the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The F-14 served as the U.S. Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform into the 1990s.

In fact, it was the only aircraft designed to carry the long range AIM-54 Phoenix.

The F-14A was the initial two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather interceptor fighter variant for the U.S. Navy. It first flew on 21 December 1970. The first 12 F-14As were prototype versions (sometimes called YF-14As). The U.S. Navy received 478 F-14A aircraft and 79 were received by Iran. The final 102 F-14As were delivered with improved Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-414A engines. Additionally, an 80th F-14A was manufactured for Iran, but was delivered to the U.S. Navy


The Squadron
The Sundowners were originally commissioned as VF-11 at NAS North Island on October 10, 1942. By the 23rd of that month, the squadron was on its way to Hawaii with Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats.

While stationed at NAS Maui for intensive pre-deployment training, the fighter pilots were adopted by a prosperous Maui couple, Boyd and Maria Von Temsky, who owned a large cattle ranch on the slopes of Mount Haleakala Crater.
The men appreciated their new home away from home, and while there some of them took steps which ensured the future terminology and fighter spriti of the squadron. They decided VF-11 should have a squadron ensignia and designed one in which the Wildcats were depicted shooting a Rising Sun into the ocean. It was symbolic of their mission.

The name Sundowners refers to the squadron's job of shooting down Japanese "Suns", but it also refers to an old nautical term. A Sundowner was also a ship's captain who directed his crew towards hard work until the day was ended. The term originated i nthe days of sailing ships when grog was customarily served on ships. A strict captain might withhold the ration until dark, but others allowed the grog to be served when the sun dipped below the yardarm.



In July 1948, the Sundowners were redesignated as VF-111, transitioning to the F9F-2 Panther. At the start of the Korean War, LCDR Amen scored the first U.S. Navy jet kill in aviation history, downing a MiG-15 while flying a Panther from USS Phillipine Sea (CV-47).

VF-111 made seven Vietnam deployments, flying over 12,500 combat missions. During the 1967-68 deployment, LT Tony Nargi shot down a MiG-21 while flying a Crusader. In 1971, VF-111 joined CVW-15 and transitioned to the F-4B Phantom II. During this deployment Lt. Garry Weigand and Lt. JG Sam Freckleton downed a MiG-17 near the Tonkin Gulf.

The squadron began flying the F-14A Tomcat in October 1978.

The squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1995 as part of post-Cold War force reductions of the Navy's F-14 numbers, with its aircraft reassigned to other F-14 squadrons.

In November 2006, Fighter Composite Squadron 13 (VFC-13) Detachment Key West was established as Fighter Composite Squadron 111 (VFC-111), thus continuing the Sundowner tradition.

Story behind Miss Molly:
When the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson was launched on March 12, 1982, the honor of christening the ship was given to its sponsor, Molly Snead, the Navy nurse who had cared for Carl Vinson and his wife.

Molly was honored further when a United States Navy's (USN) F-14A Tomcat "CAG" aircraft (Bureau Number - 161621) was assigned to Fighter Squadron VF -111 "Sundowners" in a hi-vis paint scheme with a Sharks mouth and WWII pinup style nose art of a Navy Nurse which also bore her name.

The unique combination of bold artwork and bright squadron markings made "Miss Molly" one of the most colorful F-14s ever flown.

Pilot, Capt. Doyle Borchers III & his RIO Capt. Lyle Dien


Model armed with 4 X AIM-54 Phoenixs, Phoenix, 2 X AIM-7 Sparrows and 2X AIM-9 Sidewinders, 2 X 1000L drop tanks. The Wings can be swept to all sweep positions, just like the real jet.











The Sundowners




The real thing:




A VF-111 F-14A intercepting an Indian Navy Tu-142



1:200 Hogan Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat VF-2 "Bounty Hunters" CVW-2, USS Constellation (CV-64)
The final variant of the F-14 was the F-14D Super Tomcat. The F-14D variant was first delivered in 1991. Manu F-14As were upgradedto F-14D standards and the original TF-30 engines of the F-14A were replaced with General Electric F110-400 engines, similar to the F-14B. The F-14D also included newer digital avionics systems including a glass cockpit and replaced the AWG-9 with the newer AN/APG-71 radar. Other systems included the Airborne Self Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS), SJU-17(V) Naval Aircrew Common Ejection Seats (NACES), and Infra-red search and track (IRST).
The GE F110-400 engine provided increased thrust and additional endurance to extend range or to stay on station much longer. In the overland attack role this gave the F-14D 60 percent more striking range or one-third more time on station. The rate of climb was increased by 61 percent. The F110's increased thrust allowed almost all carrier launches to be made in military (dry) power. While this did result in fuel savings, the main reason not to use afterburner during carrier launches was that if an engine failed the F110's thrust in full afterburner would produce a yawing moment too abruptly for the pilot to correct. Thus the launch of an F-14D with afterburner was rare, while the F-14A required full afterburner unless very lightly loaded.

Although the F-14D was to be the definitive version of the Tomcat, not all fleet units received the D variant. In 1989, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney refused to approve the purchase of any more F-14D model aircraft for $50 million each and pushed for a $25 million modernization of the F-14 fleet instead. Congress decided not to shut production down and funded 55 aircraft as part of a compromise. A total of 37 new aircraft were completed, and 18 F-14A models were upgraded to D-models, designated F-14D(R) for a rebuild. An upgrade to the F-14D's computer software to allow AIM-120 AMRAAM missile capability was planned but was later terminated.

The Squadron
VF-2, known as the "Bounty Hunters," was established on 14 October 1972 flying the F-14A Tomcat. VF-2 completed aircrew training and received its first Tomcats in July 1973, attaining full strength of 12 F-14As in the spring of 1974.



VF-2's initial deployment was in 1974 with her sister squadron VF-1 aboard USS Enterprise. The squadron flew over Saigon in support of Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US personnel in April, 1975.

The squadron was the first Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) unit.

The unit participated in Operation Desert Storm, flying over 500 combat mission from USS Ranger operating in the Persian Gulf. VF-2 performed escort, reconnaissance and Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions. After the 1992-1993 cruise, USS Ranger was decommissioned (along with VF-2’s sister squadron VF-1), and VF-2 was switched to the USS Constellation. At the same time, VF-2 transitioned to the F-14D Tomcat. Several months after the 1995 cruise, VF-2 was awarded the battle "E" and relocated from NAS Miramar to NAS Oceana due to a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision to make Miramar a Marine Corps Air Station.

In April 1996, VF-2's F-14Ds were modified to carry the LANTIRN infrared targeting pod, giving them precision strike capabilities.

During their 1999 cruise, VF-2 supported Operation Southern Watch and on September 9, attacked Surface-to-Air Missile sites and anti-aircraft guns around Basra. The same day, a VF-2 Tomcat engaged 2 Iraqi Air Force MiG-23’s that were heading south into the No-Fly Zone from Al-Taqaddum Air Base, west of Baghdad with AIM-54 Phoenixes. The missiles did not score as the MiGs turned north once they detected the missile launch.

During the 2002-2003 deployment, the final cruise with the Tomcat, VF-2 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom flying a wide range of missions including reconnaissance, close air support, CAP and strike missions. On February 28, 2003, during Operation Southern Watch, a VF-2 aircraft delivered the 1st Tomcat JDAM in combat. During this deployment, VF-2 flew 483 sorties and dropped 294 Laser-guided bomb's/JDAMs/MK-82 bombs.

On 1 July 2003, VF-2 was redesignated VFA-2, and began transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet receiving its first aircraft on 6 October 2003.



Pilot Capt. Larry Burt (DCAG CVW-2) & his RIO, Capt. Craig Geron (CAG CVW-2)


Model armed with 2X GBU-31 JDAMs, 1 X F-14 TARPS pod, 2 X AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 X AIM-9 Sidewinders and 2 X 1000L F-14 drop tanks.








The model has bomb markings for the number of bombs dropped during Operation Iraqi Freedom


The most impressive part about Hogan M-series is that inspite of being so tiny, they have managed to capture minor details. Details are so minutethat my camera is unable to focus clearly on them. For e.g one can see the differences between the F-14A and F-14D. The after burner petals of the F-14A's TF30 engines and F-14D's F110 engines have been detailed accurately. Another he most obvious difference between the F-14D and the F-14A is the presence of the dual chin pod under the nose of the F-14D that contains both the Television Camera System (TCS) and the Infrared Search and Track (IRST)







The real thing.


My F-14s with my small collection of F-14 patches




1:200 Hogan Fighter collection

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Hogan F/A-18E VF-195 "Dambusters" CVW-5, USS George Washington (CVN-73)
1:200 Hogan F-16D Block 40 Brakeet 101 Squadron Israeli Air Force

1:200 Hogan Grumman F-14A Tomcat VF-111 "Sundowners" CVW-15, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)1:200 Hogan Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat VF-2 "Bounty Hunters" CVW-2, USS Constellation (CV-64)

What a collection of beauties to display in a day - F-14, F-16, F-18 all in step. No wonder Hogan said to me, 'sorry we are out of stock!' - I love those Israeli aircraft. I am tempted to follow in your footsteps and get a Tomcat and a Hornet. The quality and detailing is outstanding.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Simply stunning!!!: The SKAT and Kiran heritage will make it such a proud addition to your collection. thumbs up

What should my next one be? - Tejas? HPT-32, HPT-1? - Your & Foxbat's inputs would be valuable.

A VF-111 F-14A intercepting an Indian Navy Tu-142

In the early 1980s one An-32 on a delivery flight from Kiev to (I think) Jamnagar was lost over the Arabian Sea during one such interception by the US Navy.

The most impressive part about Hogan M-series is that inspite of being so tiny, they have managed to capture minor details. Details are so minutethat my camera is unable to focus clearly on them.

+1 to that

Another sneak look ....guys you better turn a solid shade of green They have missed out some tiny antennae so I've requested them to get those on.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

What a collection of beauties to display in a day - F-14, F-16, F-18 all in step. No wonder Hogan said to me, 'sorry we are out of stock!' - I love those Israeli aircraft. I am tempted to follow in your footsteps and get a Tomcat and a Hornet. The quality and detailing is outstanding.

Many of Hogan fighter models are out of stock and no longer available. Our friend DBjets used his contacts to source those four 1/200 M-series models and the 1/80 F-4EJ for me.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

What should my next one be? - Tejas? HPT-32, HPT-1? - Your & Foxbat's inputs would be valuable.

I like and respect the fact that you are going that extra mile in getting models of Indigenous aircraft built.

Considering the fact that you have a fantastic model of India's first home built jet fighter - The HF-24 Marut, the one the will look great by its side would be the Tejas, as it is the next home built fighter. Going by the magic FDM did on your HF-24, Rudra and now the SKAT Kiran Mk.2, I can't wait to see see what they do with the Tejas. But then inspite of its troubled history, most of our finest fighter pilots began their pilot training on the HPT-32 and it is of historic significance. So a tough choice really.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

In the early 1980s one An-32 on a delivery flight from Kiev to (I think) Jamnagar was lost over the Arabian Sea during one such interception by the US Navy.

While I knew about the unexplained loss of an An-32 during its delivery flight, the US Navy interception angle is news to me. Looking around on the internet, other than a couple of articles claiming that US Navy lost a jet in the general vicinity of that area that day, there is nothing concrete about a corresponding loss on the US Navy side.
I am not saying the said botched interception event did not occur, may be the events leading to or after that incident are buried in some secret file somewhere in the name of Plausible deniability. Like MH370, the wreckage is probably too deep or hidden (may be even too small/scattered after a fall from cruising height) to be ever found.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Another sneak look ....guys you better turn a solid shade of green They have missed out some tiny antennae so I've requested them to get those on.

I am full of envy in unrecognizable shades of Green, Black and Blue. That's a truly outstanding model.

I hope you've seen this video of the Kiran's walkaround , in case you are looking at more details. I once had the pleasure of seeing SKAT Kirans taking off in formation from Mumbai airport from the departure lounge 14-15 years ago. What a sight it was!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjNyPkyS_wM

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

I like and respect the fact that you are going that extra mile in getting models of Indigenous aircraft built

The HF-24 Marut, the one the will look great by its side would be the Tejas, as it is the next home built fighter. But then inspite of its troubled history, most of our finest fighter pilots began their pilot training on the HPT-32 and it is of historic significance. So a tough choice really

Eventually it will be both, funds permitting. Let's see. Once you retire financially it is a L-O-N-G glide slope to the ground in an unpowered glider. Interest and the occasional cap gain add gusts of wind that slow the descent.

While I knew about the unexplained loss of an An-32 during its delivery flight, the US Navy interception angle is news to me. Looking around on the internet, other than a couple of articles claiming that US Navy lost a jet in the general vicinity of that area that day, there is nothing concrete about a corresponding loss on the US Navy side.

I think they collided inadvertently. My guess.

I am full of envy in unrecognizable shades of Green, Black and Blue. That's a truly outstanding model.

I hope you've seen this video of the Kiran's walkaround
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=FjNyPkyS_wM

Thank you very much. If you have something on the Tejas please send it.
I am now tempted to acquire a Tomcat and a Hornet thanks to you. To add to my bomber fleet a North American A-5 Vigilante and a Vickers Valiant are on their way.