[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The MiG-19 "Farmer"

Another brilliant build, Foxbat. Well Done & Congratulations on a making such a beautiful looking model.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The MiG-19 was tested by U.S. pilots in the United States in 1969 after receiving a Chinese J-6 (F-6 exported model) from Pakistan. In addition to finding the aircraft to have a good canopy allowing good visibility for the pilot, along with three hard hitting 30mm cannons, U.S. pilots found the MiG-19 (J6/F6) to be an excellent fighter, "like the MiG-17, it could easily out-turn the Phantom...and could out-accelerate the F-4 out to Mach 1.2, but was slower than the MiG-21.

Pakistan was the largest operator of the F-6/J-6 outside China. They were the only country to arm it with AIM-9s. The F-6 also packed quite a punch in the ground attack role. The cannons along with two rocket pods proved a useful close air support role and the PAF used the F-6 effectively in that role against Indian armour and support vehicles. One of the most embarrassing losses for the PAF was the loss of a F-6 to an IAF Su-7, which was on PR sortie over a PAF airfield. 2-3 F-6s were lost to IAF MiG-21s in air combat. To increase the range of the F-6, the later variants ( F-6C - the varinat with braking parachute at the base of the rudder) was fitted with a belly mounted conformal fuel tank.

[V.Narayan]

Boeing 747 SP :: metal diecast :: 1:400 scale, JC Wings
Wingspan ~5.5”; Length almost 6”

The Boeing 747SP (for Special Performance) is a shorter longer-range version of the Boeing 747 airliner. It first flew in July 1975 and entered service with Pan Am and Iran Air in early 1976. Boeing needed a smaller aircraft to compete with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar trijet widebodies, introduced in 1971/1972. While the 747 SP did carry a smaller load of pax (~276) it could not compete with the Tristar in fuel efficiency in a decade that saw the first of several oil price shocks. Same story of 4 engines versus three. We saw that again in the A340 versus B777 battle - four versus two. Where it did excel was in range clocking 10,800 kms with a full pax load and reserves. This in 1976 was exceptional.

The SP is 47 feet (14 m) shorter than all other 747 variants. The vertical stabilizer and horizontal tail planes are larger to compensate for the shorter movement arm and its wing flaps were simplified for the lower MTOW. With a 700,000 lb (318 tonnes) MTOW it was lighter than the standard B747-200’s 375 tonnes of that era. Sales did not meet the expected 200 units, and only 45 aircraft were ultimately produced. It was the first jet airliner in which 13 hour long flights were practical.

At 187 feet it is the shortest of the iconic Boeing 747 family. But not the lightest. That title went to the 747 SR (Short Range) designed for Japan Air Lines’ super high density short range routes.









-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Boeing 747 Dream Lifter::metal diecast :: 1:400 scale, JC Wings
Wingspan ~6.5”; Length ~7”

Re-built from existing 747-400s the Dream Lifter's primary role is to ferry fuselage parts of the Boeing 787 across the world from Japan and Italy to USA. Similar in concept to the Guppies and the Beluga. It has a cavernous hold of 65,000 cubic feet and a rear sideways opening tail to facilitate loading. Maximum payload is 113 tonnes. In comparison the standard Beluga has a hold of 53,000 cubic feet and the Beluga XL of 78,000 cubic feet. A remarkable plane considering the wake the fuselage must be churning up for the tail plane and vertical stabilizer to contend with.








The two siblings together:-



I am sadly behind on my postings on this thread due to my extensive travelling last few months. There is the MiG-29, the Sukhoi Su-24 and a certain carrier based ASW aircraft dear to all Indians :-) :-). More after 15/8. On the road till then.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

The MiG-19 "Farmer" was the first supersonic fighter built in the former USSR.
Love the "Phantom Killer" tag line but shouldn't it be in Vietnamese Air Force livery rather than Pakistani !

Foxbat strikes again with yet another first for this thread. I yearn for a MiG-19 but alas JC or HM don't seem to have anything on offer yet {hope, hope, hope}. Hearty congratulations on this rare and unique scale model and for the brave attempt at putting it together. :-). The MiG-19 reflected how advanced the Mikoyan Gurevich Bureau was in the 1950s and 1960s - clearly their hey day. It was if I recall right the first operational supersonic jet. And those huge 30mm fired milk bottle sized rounds almost twice as hard hitting as atypical DEFA/Aden cannon!.

In Vietnam it was discovered that not only was this machine very nimble but it could take a l-o-t of battle damage and still get back to base and a single shell from those NR 30mm's could seriously damage an opponent.

Well done Foxbat.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Boeing 747 SP :: metal diecast :: 1:400 scale, JC Wings
The Boeing 747SP (for Special Performance) is a shorter longer-range version of the Boeing 747 airliner. It first flew in July 1975 and entered service with Pan Am and Iran Air in early 1976.

I believe this is your 2nd SP? JC Wings has great detail even in 1:400 especially the recent models.

The 747SP is the rarest variant of the 747 still flying today, I believe there are just 1-2 air worthy planes currently. I spotted this Iran Air 747SP at Mumbai airport 6 years ago:


I coincidentally also have Pan Am 747SP in 1:500 but a different registration(posted a few years ago along with an American Airlines SP).

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I yearn for a MiG-19 but alas JC or HM don't seem to have anything on offer yet {hope, hope, hope}. Hearty congratulations on this rare and unique scale model

Yes its a pretty rare model to come by even in plastic kits, most of them are very low quality like this one. Don't know why model makers give so little importance unlike the Mig-15 and Mig-17.

[FrozeninTime]

Ukrainian Airforce SU 24M 1/72



The Su-24M front-line bomber is a supersonic all weather aircraft designed and manufactured by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Joint Stock Company, based in Moscow, and the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association, Novosibirsk, Russia. It was produced from 1967 - 1993.

The Su-24M entered service in 1983 and is a development of the Su-24, known by the NATO codename ‘Fencer’.

More than 900 Su-24s have been delivered, and the aircraft is in service with the Russian Air Force and Navy, and the air forces of Azerbaijan, Algeria, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Ukraine.

The Su-24M front-line bomber is designed to penetrate hostile territory and destroy ground and surface targets in any weather conditions, by day and night. Variants of the Su-24 have also been produced, designed for reconnaissance and electronic countermeasures.

400 Russian Air Force Su-24M were upgraded to M2 standard with navigation and weapons systems to enable launch of new versions of Kh-29 and other missiles. Upgrades include a new SV-24 computer, liquid crystal displays, ILS-31 head-up display, digital moving map and global positioning system. In 2010 the Russian Air Force began replacing the Su-24 with the Su-35.



Design
The aircraft has a conventional aerodynamic configuration with a variable-sweep shoulder wing. The fuselage is of rectangular-section semi-monocoque design, with a two-seat pressurised cockpit. The wing sweepback angle varies from 16° to 69°, with respect to the wing leading edge with four outer-wing panel fixed positions of 16°, 35°, 45° and 69°.

The tail unit comprises all-moving horizontal tail surfaces and a single-fin vertical tail fitted with a rudder. The horizontal tail surfaces function as an elevator when deflecting symmetrically, and as ailerons when deflecting differentially. Tricycle-type landing gear allows the aircraft to be operated from either concrete or unpaved runways.

Weapons The Su-24 is armed with the following types of air-to-surface missiles: Kh-23 or Kh-23M (NATO codename AS-7 Kerry) radio-command guided missiles (range 5km; up to four missiles carried); Kh-28 (AS-9 Kyle) and Kh-58 passive radar-homing missiles (range 90km; up to two missiles carried). Up to two Vympel R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) IR-homing air-to-air missiles with a range of 3km are also carried.


Source: Internet

[Foxbat]

1/72 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (NATO reporting name: Fresco A), Bort number “Blue 88″, Soviet Air Force. During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968.











With its predecessor, the Mig-15 and successor, the Mig-19.





Another excellent model by the Russian kit manufacturer Zvezda.


A few Mig-17s have been restored and are privately owned. Here is one giving a demonstration of its manoeuvrability showing why it was able to run rings around US F-4s and F-105s in the Vietnam War.

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

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Boeing 747 SP :: metal diecast :: 1:400 scale, JC Wings



Boeing 747 Dream Lifter::metal diecast :: 1:400 scale, JC Wings
Wingspan ~6.5”; Length ~7”

Congratulations Sir!!!Great Looking 747s. Your Dreamlifter is a "Flaps Down" model, so that makes it even more special. It will look great on a stand - as if it is coming in to land.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

a certain carrier based ASW aircraft dear to all Indians :-) :-). More after 15/8. On the road till then.

Let me guess.. Alize?

Originally Posted by FrozeninTime

Ukrainian Airforce SU 24M 1/72

Congratulations on owning such a high "Calibre" model!!!! Like Narayan Sir, you have a great taste in selecting your models. More pics please, especially with weapons loaded.

It is amazing how similar the Su-24 and F-111 looked and that they were intended for the same role - that of a supersonic & low level bomber & interdictor. The Su-24 still flies, while the F-111 is long gone.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

1/72 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (NATO reporting name: Fresco A), Bort number “Blue 88″, Soviet Air Force. During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968.

Simply Amazing, Well Done. Every model you build, outshines the other!!!

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

1/72 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (NATO reporting name: Fresco A), Bort number “Blue 88″, Soviet Air Force. During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968.

With its predecessor, the Mig-15 and successor, the Mig-19.

Congratulations once again. Its raining MiGs thanks to Foxbat. This is the best of all the models you hand made and painted. Really top class finish. The line of the -15, -17 and -19 makes an interesting study in wing planforms from subsonic to transonic to supersonic. I adore the design and wing planform of the MiG-17. The aircraft adorns the face of my mobile phone :-). The downside of course of those sharply raked 'designed for speed & acceleration wings' is that looong take off run as seen in the video. Kudos my friend. Time for an all MiG models photo shoot.

Originally Posted by FrozeninTime

Ukrainian Airforce SU 24M 1/72

The Su-24M front-line bomber is a supersonic all weather aircraft designed and manufactured by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, Joint Stock Company, based in Moscow, and the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association, Novosibirsk, Russia. It was produced from 1967 - 1993.

The Su-24M entered service in 1983 and is a development of the Su-24, known by the NATO codename ‘Fencer’.

Congratulations What a detailed scale model. To enable us lech and oogle you need to post a few more photos :-) In the 1970s the word Foxbat was the scare word on the lips of Western Air Force leaders. Similarly in the 1980s it was Fencer. Before the Su-30 came along the Fencer was the most competent strike asset the Russian AF had. Still a very potent aircraft with long legs.

[skanchan95]

1:200 Air India Airbus A300B4-203 VT-EHQ "Cauvery" (Hogan)
The Airbus A300 is a discontinued wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Airbus. The prototype first flew on 28 October 1972.

The first twin-engine widebody airliner typically seats 247 passengers in two classes over a range of 5,375 to 7,500 km (2,900 to 4,050 nmi). Initial variants are powered by CF6-50 or JT9D turbofans and have a three-crew flight deck. The improved A300-600 has a two-crew cockpit and updated GE CF6-80 or PW4000 engines, it made its first flight on 8 July 1983 and entered service later that year. The A300 is the basis of the smaller A310 (first flight: 1982) and was adapted in a freighter version. Its cross section was retained for the larger A340 (1991) and A330 (1992). It is also the basis for the oversize Beluga transport (1994).

Launch customer Air France introduced the type on 30 May 1974. After limited demand initially, sales took off as the type was proven in early service, beginning three decades of steady orders. It has a similar capacity to the Boeing 767-300, introduced in 1986, but lacked the 767-300ER's range. During the 1990s, the A300 became popular with cargo aircraft operators, as passenger airliner conversions or as original builds. Production ceased in July 2007 after 561 deliveries.

Indian Airlines was the world's first domestic airline to purchase the A300, ordering three aircraft with three options. From April 1976 onwards, the first three Airbus A300s were introduced by Indian Airlines.

Airframe stats
Status : Scrapped
Registration : VT-EHQ "Cauvery"
Airline : Air India
Serial number : 190
Type : 300B4-203
Delivered : 05/11/1982
Test registration F-WZMI
Engines : 2 x GE CF6-50C2

Air India had ordered received three A300B4-203s between July & November 1982 (VT-EHN "Ganga", VT-EHO "Godavari" & VT-EHQ "Cauvery"). All three of these AI A300s(named after Indian rivers) were donated by India to Afghanistan in 2002. VT-EHQ became YA-BAC with Ariana Afghan Airlines and it served with the airline till 2013 after which it was scrapped.

Ariana set to take delivery of first Indian A300

22-Jul-2002: Ariana Afghan Airlines is preparing to take delivery of the first of three Airbus A300B4s being donated by India to help the embattled carrier rebuild its operation.

India's government said in May it would donate the three A300B4-200s operated by Air India to Ariana to help it expand. "We plan to take all three A300s from India so we can add more routes," says the airline's president Jahid Azimi, who expects the first aircraft soon.

The carrier was left with one working Boeing 727-200Adv and one Antonov An-24 after the US-led air strikes on Afghanistan following the 11 September terrorist attacks. Its 727 fleet has doubled with the acquisition of an ex-American Airlines 727-200Adv in May, but the An-24 is now out of service as it requires overhaul work, Azimi says.

Ariana has been working to rebuild its shattered operation since December, when limited domestic flights were resumed. International services were re-started in January after UN sanctions were lifted.

The carrier recently added services to Tehran in Iran. It has also launched services to Amritsar and New Delhi in India, Islamabad in Pakistan, and Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Domestic services link Kabul with Herat.

Azimi, a pilot and 15-year Ariana veteran who took over as president four months ago, says the first of the three A300s will fly to Europe, with services to Frankfurt in Germany via Istanbul in Turkey. The launch is planned for the first week of August, depending on the delivery of the first A300.

Azimi says the A300s will initially be crewed by Air India pilots "until our crews get training".

Azimi also claims business has been growing steadily in recent months and is positive about the airline's future.

Source: Flight International

Hogan's A300 model is one of their few plastic models that has antennas modelled. However, the tiny antennas are quite weak and can snap off easily, if one isn't careful while handing the model.
















Airborne!!!












With the 1:400 IC A300 VT-EHD








The real aircraft


As YA-BAC with Ariana Afghan

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

This is the best of all the models you hand made and painted. Really top class finish.

In terms of imperfections and mistakes it is the best model I have made, I'm surprised you were able to identify it from just the pics But the kit had only 49 parts so probably not fair to compare withs like the Fulcrum which had 240+ parts.

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

I adore the design and wing planform of the MiG-17. The aircraft adorns the face of my mobile phone :-).

Looks like you have finally upgraded from the Blackberry , a Mig-17 on mobile phone background must be a one in a Billion, Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich would be so

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:200 Air India Airbus A300B4-203 VT-EHQ "Cauvery" (Hogan)

Another unique addition to your Indian fleet, I spent a long time trying to find a A300 and A310 and then eventually lost interest. If I recall correctly A300 was the first jetliner by Airbus and the worlds first twin aisle and twin engine passenger aircraft. They however had to jump through a lot of hoops to get airlines to buy them initially.

[skanchan95]

1:72 Grumman F-14A Tomcat Iceman/Slider VF-213 (Fictional/Top Gun) [Calibre Wings]
For anyone who is an aviation buff and who has seen the movie Top Gun, it probably would among the top three aviation movies on their list (ignoring the errors/ goofups/ MiG "placeholders" etc)

This Iceman/Slider F-14 from Calibre Wings is one of their three releases featuring Top Gun movie F-14s. The other two being F-14s flown by Maverick & Goose, till Goose's death and the other F-14 flown by Maverick & Merlin in the last scene of the movie.

Iceman/Slider in the movie Top Gun

Lt Tom "Iceman" Kazansky


Lt(JG) Ron "Slider" Kerner


The Iceman/Slider Top Gun Plaque winning F-14 from the movie

Lt Tom "Iceman" Kazansky(played by Val Kilmer) & his RIO Lt(JG) Ron "Slider" Kerner(played by Rick Rossovich) are one of only a few F-14 crews to be sent to TOP GUN. Iceman is shown as an extremely cocky personality, has a big ego, as does his RIO, Slider. Iceman's signature bleached hair tips are closely associated with the fact that he is "the best pilot" in the new class of TOPGUN students. Iceman & Slider are shown to be pilot/RIO of US Navy's VF-213 "Black Lions" Squadron. But on their F-14 and on the squadron patch of her flight suits, they have the squadron logo of VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet"(which was a F/A-18 sqdn) with VF-213 painted instead. Originally VF-213 was supposed to be the squadron of another set of Top Gun F-14 crew- that of Lt Rick "Hollywood" Neven & LTJG Henry "Wolfman" Ruth( who get shot down in the movie's last scene). But they are shown in the movie to be from VF-213 (the same squadron as Iceman & Slider)

From Maverick & Goose's first day at Top Gun, it was clear that Iceman & Slider were going to be difficult partners to fly with. Throughout the movie, both crews competed with each other for top place, desperately wanting their name on the plaque that recorded the names of the best pilot from each class.



Two weeks before graduation, Maverick and Iceman went in the air together on one of their last exercises for the school.



As Maverick moved in for a shot, he was cut off by an overly-competitive Iceman, who then found himself too close to "fire" at the aggressor A-4. Iceman pulled up and away, which forced Maverick to fly through his jet wash. The air stalled Maverick's engines and sent him into a flat spin. Maverick was able to eject safely, however his RIO, Goose, was killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJWrHqW2O9g

Iceman & Slider eventually graduated at the top of the class after Maverick nearly dropped out.



The two once again went into the air on their first official mission together and Maverick saved Iceman from several enemy "MiGs", allowing Iceman to finally respect Maverick. At the end of the film his last and famous line "You can be my wingman anytime," was delivered.

Top Gun: Maverick
Iceman is set to return 30 years after his exploits in Top Gun in Top Gun: Maverick. He has achieved the rank of Admiral and is serving as the Chief of Naval Operations. His son is one of Maverick's students at Top Gun.

The Calibre F-14
Holding the model in hand, I realized why the Calibre F-14 is rated as the best diecast F-14 model out of there. Everything just seems perfect- the shape, the detailing, the pilot figures - simply fantastic. The pilot figures have been done tastefully with Iceman & Slider's helmets painted in remarkably beautiful detail. Both cockpits have been modelled in great detail and the model has beautifully done "dirt and wear & tear" effects on the fuselage. The wings sweep fully & smoothly. Just as in the movie, the model is armed with 2 X AIM-7 Sparrows & 2 X AIM-9 Sidewinders. There is also a camera pod mounted on the forward port side belly station. Grumman, the manufacturer of the F-14, was commissioned by Paramount Pictures to create a camera pod to be placed upon the aircraft that could be pointed toward either the front or rear of the aircraft providing outside shots at high altitude and that is the pod is the reason why the movie had such stunning air to air visuals.

Only issue is that the wing glove station does not fit(and stay on) by default. Other than that, this is a truly stunning model of the legendary Tomcat!!! I dare say that shape & detail wise, this Calibre F-14 is slightly better than my HM F-14.



No. 929 of 1000 produced
























The white coloured camera pod that was used in the movie



Great detailing in the cockpit, just like HM


Working tail hook. The elevators move, so do the airbrakes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p890hIa1w9k

[skanchan95]

My 1:72 F-14s
Farthest from the camera and displayed on the stand is the HM VF-84 F-14A, in the middle is the Easy Model VF-143 F-14B and nearest to the camera is the Iceman/Slider F-14A.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

1:72 Grumman F-14A Tomcat Iceman/Slider VF-213 (Fictional/Top Gun) [Calibre Wings]
For anyone who is an aviation buff and who has seen the movie Top Gun, it probably would among the top three aviation movies on their list (ignoring the errors/ goofups/ MiG "placeholders" etc)

Wow thats a seriously well detailed model . The F-14 was one of my childhood favourites, I remember having this folder sometime around class 2-3 in the early 1990s:


I like your HM VF-84 F-14A the best, it has the best mix of dull and bright colours. Given that its a diecast model it should weigh a ton and also cost a ton !

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I like your HM VF-84 F-14A the best, it has the best mix of dull and bright colours. Given that its a diecast model it should weigh a ton and also cost a ton !

Thank You. Yes, the Calibre F-14 is heavier & costlier than the HM one. Not that HM one is bad, I believe each brand has its own strengths & weaknesses. But apart from the wonderful wear & tears effects on their models, the Calibre F-14 has some very cool features that the HM & JC Tomcats don't have - it has deployable glove vanes, wheel chocks & engine intake covers, option of engine nozzles in closed/open positions.

Besides that, the canopy & pilot seating posture on Calibre F-14 is much more closer to the real thing. Look at this comparison pic below - The pilots in the HM F-14 sit much lower and is a bit odd:

Notice the difference in clearance between the pilot's helmet & the canopy in both models


I made use of an acrylic case that had come with a Portronics wireless mouse. Was about to throw in the dustbin when my wife had a brainwave and suggested me to use it as a display case for the smaller 1:200 fighter models. The IAF Flanker fits perfectly!!!













I made the Runway base from a 2 mm foam board and stuck a runway printout over it. Turned out to be much better than I had expected!!! It fits a 1:400 Boeing 737-200 well too(with enough clearance on both sides for the wings but anything bigger than that is a tight fit.

[skanchan95]

1:43 T-72A/T-72M1 "Ajeya"
The T-72 is a family of Soviet/Russian main battle tanks that first entered production in 1971. About 25,000 T-72 tanks have been built, and refurbishment has enabled many to remain in service for decades.

The T-72A was the slightly upgraded version of the T-72 Ural and first came into service in 1979. The T-72A had a laser rangefinder and electronic fire control, turret front and top being heavily reinforced with composite armour, provisions for mounting reactive armor, smoke grenade launchers, flipper armour mount on front mudguards and some internal changes. The export version of the T-72A was designated as the T-72M.

T-72M1 Ajeya
In the late 1970s, the Indian Armoured Corps was looking for a modern replacement for its fleet of British Centurion & Vijayanta (which was basically a licensed version of the Vickers Mk.1) tanks and older T-54/T-55 tanks. Trials of AMX-40 & British Chieftain tanks were undertaken and AMX-40 was eventually considered for license production, but it was soon realized that the AMX-40 was considered too lightly armoured for 1980s standards. Meanwhile, after coming back to power in 1980, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi requested additional evaluation of tanks from the Soviet Union, following which an offer for supplying T-72M tanks and setting up lines for licensed-production of the T-72M tank to the MoD-owned Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu, was made. The T-72 was equipped with a 125 mm 2A46M main gun. Secondary armament, like the T-55, was 7.62 mm machine gun or 12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun.

After review of trial results, T-72M were selected as Army's future MBTs, and a procurement contract for 2,418 T-72s was subsequently inked (direct supply + license production). The T-72M was named "Ajeya" in Indian service. Over the years, the T-72s in Indian service received many upgrades which included new Fire Control Systems, Thermal Imagers, Navigation Systems and installation of DRDO developed Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) tiles in the critical/vulnerable areas of the tank. The Indian Army has around 35 armored Regiments operating the T-72.


T-72A/T-72M1 Specifications
Type : Main battle tank
Place of origin : Russia

Specifications:
Mass : 41.5 tonnes (45.7 long tons)
Length 9.53 m (31 ft 3 in) gunforward, 6.95 m (22 ft 10 in) (hull)
Width 3.59 m (11 ft 9 in)
Height 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)
Crew : 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Armor : Steel and composite armour with ERA

Main Armament: 2A46M 125 mm smoothbore gun

Secondary Armament : 12.7mm Kord Heavy machine gun, 7.62mm PKMT

Engine : V46 780 hp (580 kW) 12-cyl. diesel engine
Power/weight : 18.8hp/tonne (14 kW/tonne)
Suspension : Torsion bar
Operational Range : 460 km (290 mi) (without fuel drums)
Maximum speed : 60 km/h (37 mph)



















Closeup of the turret. The smoke generators, searchlights, secondary gun and other details visible






With the T-90. The T-90 & T-72 are the mainstays of the Indian Army Armored Corps tank fleet


















An Indian Army T-72M1 conducting shallow fording through a man-made lake. The tank's 125mm main gun, has been covered to prevent water from entering the barrel.

[skanchan95]

1:72 F-14A Tomcat 3-6045 Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force TFB 8(Khatami AB), Iran, 2003 (JC Wings)

Having to hunt and kill the people who had unintentionally saved my life, was now my profession.
- Anonymous Iranian fighter pilot, awaiting execution before being released to fight the Iraqi Air Force

When the US Navy signed the contract for the F-14 with Grumman, some 700 Tomcats were to be built. But at some point the Navy cut back its order to some 300 F-14s which was a serious problem for Grumman. So the company was looking for foreign customers to buy their fabulous aircraft.
The first and only foreign country to fly the F-14 was Iran. Back in the early '70s the Shah of Iran was about to buy new fighters for the Imperial Iranian Air Force(IIAF). The choice was either the MDD F-15 Eagle or the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. After a competitive show and certainly a lot of talks about the pros and cons of both fighters, Iran decided to go for the F-14 Tomcat.
BuNos 160299 to 160378 (3-6001 to 3-6080) were built for Iran with the last one (BuNo 160378/3-6080) remaining in the US after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This particular aircraft was put into storage at Davis-Monthan AFB until it was refurbished and used at the PMTC at Point Mugu, CA.

In 1974, a contract was signed for 30 F-14A Tomcats with associated spares, weapons, engines and personnel training. Later that year, 50 more F-14As were ordered, taking the total upto 80. The Shah, wanted even more US built fighters and showed interest in acquiring the F-16A and F-18L(land based variant of the F/A-18). A contract for the F-16 was apparently signed(Letter or Intent for 160 F-16A/Bs was issued).There were also talks to acquire E-3A AWACS for the IIAF. But the order could be executed, the Shah was deposed and F-16s were diverted for an Israeli order.

A brand new airbase was built in Iran for the F-14s(Khatami Air Base near Esfahan, Iran). IIAF F-14 Pilots, RIOs and ground crw trained in the US. The first two F-14A were delivered to the IIAF in January 1976. Iranian F-14s were based at air bases in Esfahan and Shiraz. US instructors and technicians were based in these two air bases for training IIAF F-14 crew. In 1977, an Iranian F-14A armed with a full load of Phoenixes, Sparrows and Sidewinders intercepted a Soviet MiG-25R over Iran at 65000 feet at Mach 2+ and managed to achieve a full lock on. After this overflights by Soviet MiG-25s stopped. BY 1979 79/80 F-14As were delivered. the 80th Tomcat was in the US undergoing modifications for fitment of a refueling system to support refueling by flying boom system on an aerial tanker. BY 1979, about Iranian pilots and RIOs were fully operational on the Tomcat.

Shah's Exile & the fate of the Iranian Tomcats and its crews
The Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979 and the hardline Islamic Ayatollah Khomeini, who returned from exile, seized power. Such complex systems required specialized training and support, an arrangement which would not last long under the new Islamic regime. Iran’s new regime and the US began a sour relationship. Following the ’79 hostage crisis, a weapons embargo was in place. The last and 80th F-14A was never delivered and was retained by the US.

The new regime viewed the US trained flight crews of the IIAF/IIAA with a great level of mistrust(indeed most of them were pro-Shah). Many of the senior and experienced pilots, RIOs, WSOs were arrested and jailed. Some were forced into early retirement and some even executed. As a result, the air wings of Iran suffered. Most senior officers of Iran's armed forces faced trial and some were even executed. This led to some outrage within the Air Force and a coup attempt was even made by the pro-Shah camp. The plan called for a force of 30 to F-4s to bomb the Ayatollah's residence, government buildings and weapon depots. But the plan was compromised just hours before it was to be executed. More than 300 officers and crew were arrested and many executed. In July 1979 , the Shah died of cancer in the US, with him ending the aspirations of the pro-Shah camp to get rid of the Islamic regime that took over Iran.

When Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, the IRIAF did not have enough pilots, RIOs/ WSOs and technicians to fight the war. The new regime did not have any choice but to free the jailed crew after a brief "Re-education" camp. Almost all of them, seeing their country in danger, flew for the same people who had threatened to execute them. Thus began the saga of the F-14 in Iran, which continues till date.

Against the onslaught from a numerically superior enemy, the "new" IRIAF found itself with a rapidly-declining stockpile of weaponry and spare parts. The IRIAF’s force of American-built F-4s, F-5Es and F-14s was pitted against Iraq’s Soviet MiG-21, 23 and 25s and French Mirage F1s. The MiG-25 was the fastest fighter in the world, and was manned by Iraq’s elite fighter pilots- and was a daunting opponent. In the attack role, Iraq had the Super Etendard (armed with the AM39 Exocet) and the rugged Su-20 and 22s. Lack of US support meant the Air Force suffered. Many F-14s were cannibalized to keep the few flyable F-14s operational. Many F-14s were forced to fly armed with sidewinders and guns only and had relied on GCI for intercepts. Nevertheless, inspite of the problems, Iran's F-14s did a fabulous job of protecting Iran's skies. Despite being arch-enemies after the Iranian revolution under the Ayatollah, Iran did receive F-4 spare parts and weapons from Israel. F-14 and other aircraft spare parts and possibly weapons were received from the US through other sources. Not elaborating it further, as the post will get political.

The first confirmed kill by an IRIAF F-14A during the Iran–Iraq War occurred before the formal start of hostilities: on 7 September 1980, an IRIAF F-14A destroyed an Iraqi Mi-25 Hind helicopter using its internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. Six days later, Major Mohammad-Reza Attaie shot down an Iraqi MiG-21 with an AIM-54 Phoenix while flying a border patrol( the world's first AIM-54 kill). A single AIM-54 fired in July 1982 by Captain Hashemi may have destroyed two Iraqi MiG-23s flying in close formation. The use of AIM-54s was only sporadic during the start of the war, most likely because of a shortage of qualified radar intercept officers, and then more frequently in 1981 and 1982—until the lack of thermal batteries suspended the missiles’ use in 1986.There were also rumours that suggested that Iran’s Tomcat fleet would be upgraded with avionics derived from the MiG-31 “Foxhound”. However, IRIAF officials and pilots insist that the Soviets were never allowed near the F-14s, and never received any F-14 or AIM-54 technology. Also, the AIM-54 missile was never out of service in the IRIAF, though the stocks of operational missiles were low at times. Clandestine deliveries from US sources and black market purchases supplied spares to top up the Phoenix reserves during the war, and spares deliveries from the USA in the 1990s have also helped. Furthermore, an attempt was made to adapt the MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles that were also a carry-over from the pre-revolution period, to be used as air-to-air missiles for the F-14; at least two F-14s have been successfully modified to carry the hybrid weaponry.

All in all, the IRIAF was said to have launched possibly 70 to 90 AIM-54A missiles, and 60–70 of those scored. Of those, almost 90 percent of the AIM-54A missiles fired were used against Iraqi fighters and fighter-bombers. Only about a dozen victories by AIM-54s were claimed to be against fast, high-flying targets such as the MiG-25 or Tu-22 ‘Blinder’.

One IRIAF pilot distinguished himself in combat by becoming the all-time top scoring F-14 ace. Major Jalil Zandi is credited with shooting down eight Iraqi aircraft. He is additionally credited with three probable kills, bringing his total to 11 air victories. These include four MiG-23s, two Su-22s, two MiG-21 and three Mirage F1s. He is the most successful F-14 Tomcat pilot worldwide.

The Model
Being as JC Wings model, it threw up its usual tantrums - Attachments not fitting easily or staying in place, "Oversized" pilot figures, antennas detaching & some minor, but barely noticeable errors in the markings on the aircraft. But what JC Wings has done so wonderfully well in this model is the wear & tear and fluid leaks effects all over the fuselage and the paintwork just feels so realistic. The photos doesn't do justice to how good the model texture actually looks.

No. 641 of 750 manufactured






























Working tail hook






Fabulous detailing on the underside and missiles


Lovely weathering effects


















The real 3-6045. Iranian Tomcats were delivered in the Asia minor (brown/sand/green) paint scheme. Sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, IRIAF F-14s were re-painted in this grey/blue paint scheme.