Fleet Defender...

[Stuart]

Got on of these on the way along with an Eduard PE set for the cockpit...



Just need to source some High Viz Grey over white 'Jolly Rodgers' decals.

Cheers!

[Stikpusher]

The real Jolly Rogers of VF-84 or the pretenders of VF-103?

[Stuart]

Whoever this is - Is that VF-84 on the fuselage strake? Basically I want to do a early Grey over white bird.

[Stikpusher]

Yes, that is VF-84 from the glorious days of full color schemes. It may not be overly tactical, but like the Red Baron’s Flying Circus, they will look damn good in battle.

[Duke Maddog]

Yeah, that VF-84 bird is one of the ones I did.

[Stuart]

Got the kit and the PE cockpit - both look very nice. I'm having trouble finding early VF-84 decals thoguh, the only ones I can find are for all over grey birds.

There is one set of markings in the kit for an early grey over white bird. The squadron number escapes me as I type this but it has the large yellow A E on the tail.

[Stikpusher]

If you are getting this kit, the box top markings are for VF-41 Black Aces, the other fighter squadron on the the Carrier Air Wing (8 or 9) with VF-84. They scored the USN’s first Tomcat kills against Libya in 1981. Although by that time, they had low vis markings and an overall Gull Gray scheme







Here is how both squadrons looked with temporary IFF markings for the Iran Rescue Raid In 1980

[Stuart]

That's an interesting bit of history Carlos.

The kit (I have it already) has markings for VF-111 circa 1991, VF-41 (as you said) circa 1978 (high viz) AND 1981 (low viz as in your photo) and for VF-142 circa 1975 aboard USS America.

So I'm wondering VF-142 or VF-41

[Stikpusher]

I’d pick VF-41 myself... just because I’m partial to red.

[Medicman71]

I've never liked VF-142's markings.