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Post by Ian H. on Jan 7, 2020 18:30:54 GMT
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Post by Boots on Jan 7, 2020 19:09:38 GMT
Thats a worthy entry to start 2020 off with Ian.......very well done indeed bud
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 7, 2020 19:12:14 GMT
Thank you, sir!
Regards,
Ian
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Post by dukemaddog on Jan 8, 2020 21:13:59 GMT
Brilliant start to the new year Ian! You're a Master!
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Post by Paul B on Jan 9, 2020 5:09:44 GMT
Now that is a rather grand start to the new year Ian
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Paul H
Plastic Connoisseur
Posts: 1,929
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Post by Paul H on Jan 9, 2020 8:41:36 GMT
Very nice sir.
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 25, 2020 16:35:29 GMT
I have completed the Hasegawa 1/48th scale F-14A project depicting one of the 1989 Gulf of Sidra MIG Killers from the "Gypsy Swordsmen" of VF-32, USS John F. Kennedy, Gypsy 207. This is how the aircraft appeared the day of the dogfight in regards to markings and ordnance load out. The dogfight itself occurred on 01.04.1989 when tensions were high in the Gulf of Sidra due to Libya's attempts to obtain WMDS's and involvement with terror attacks. On 01.04.1989 two combat air patrols were sent up into the Gulf of Sidra from the USS John F. Kennedy consisting of two F-14A's from VF-14 Tophatters (possibly Camelot 100 and Camelot 101) on the western side and two F-14's from VF-32 (Gypsy 202 and Gypsy 207) on the eastern side. Gypsy 207 was flown by Cmdr. Joseph Connelly and Commander Leo Enwright. Gypsy 202 was flown by Lt. Cmdr. Herman Cook III and Lt. Cmdr. Steven Collins, BuAer# 159437. AWACS coverage was provided by an E-2C Hawkeye, callsign Closeout. At 11:55 hours the E-2C picked up two Libyan MIG-23's departing Al Bumbah airfield which is located near Tobruk. Gypsy 207 and 202 were vectored that way and intercepted the two MIG-23s. The MIG-23s continued to close with both the VF-32 Tomcats, head-on. The F-14s initiated a series of jinking maneuvers to gain advantage over the -23s but the aircraft from both sides continued a head-on collision course. At 12:00 hours Gypsy 207 armed her AIM-9s and AIM-7s as the aircraft continued to close. At 20 miles, with a closure of 1000 knots, both Tomcats had their missiles armed and at 12:01 miles Cmdr. Enwright (207 RIO) launched two AIM-7s but both missed. The MIG-23s continued a head-on track at 550 knots. Meanwhile, Lt. Cmdr. Collins (202 RIO) fired another AIM-7 and shot down one of the Libyan MIG-23s. Gypsy 207 then conducted a sharp right and got in behind one of the Libyan MIG-23s and fired an AIM-9, shooting down the second MIG-23. Both F-14s then exited the battle area at high speed and returned to the USS John F. Kennedy. It was believed the Libyan pilots punched out and but it is not known if they were ever rescued by Libyan forces, from the Gulf. Just as the F-14s from the "Black Aces" of VF-41 had done 1981, VF-32 scored 2-0 in this dogfight as well. The "Gypsy Swordsmen" of VF-32 would gain further fame in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Promise, Noble Eagle, Northern Watch and Iraqi Freedom and now fly the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Gypsy 202, BuAer# 159437, went on to serve with the "Grim Reapers" of VF-101 but was sent to the AMARC facility at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1994. As of 2017 it believed she is still stored there for possible allocation to a museum. Gypsy 207, BuAer# 159610, was remanufactured into an F-14D (dual chin pod, NACES seats and F110 engines) and she continued to serve with the Tomcatters of VF-31. She finished out her career as Bandwagon 105 with VF-31 and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom off the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003. However, during that cruise she dropped no ordnance and served as a parts hack for other F-14s in the squadron. She had an honorary medal painted on her nose denoting her role as a parts tree for other aircraft. She still exists to this day and sits quietly at the Udvar-Hazy Museum at Dulles Airport in Washington DC wearing her "Felix the Cat" markings from VF-31. I have attached a YouTube video of the actual dogfight which includes the complete audio and partial video of the battle. It is a great clip and really shows the intensity of a modern-day dogfight. Here's a list of the participants so you know who is who: VF-32 Swordsmen F-14s-GYPSY 202 AND GYPSY 207 VAW-126 Seahawks E-2C-CLOSEOUT USS John F. Kennedy Battle Group CO- ALPHA BRAVO Two Libyan MIG-23s Build Materials: Hasegawa 1/48th Scale F-14A True Details Resin Cockpit Monogram AIM-9 Missiles AIM-7 Sparrows- No idea--spares box Furball Decals (Information: Wikipedia, Tomcat Alley, Aviation Geek, and Osprey:Tomcats of Enduring Freedom) THIS BUILD IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE VF-32 "GYPSY SWORDSMEN," PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.
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Post by Paul B on Jan 25, 2020 17:53:10 GMT
Absolutely stunning model Ian Grand bit footage too
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 25, 2020 18:31:56 GMT
Thanks again, Paul!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by Armorguy on Jan 25, 2020 20:23:17 GMT
Two superb pieces of art Ian, the jet fighterplane however is a hole in one !!!
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 25, 2020 20:33:50 GMT
Thank you! I really appreciate that.
Best wishes,
Ian
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Post by Snipersmudge on Jan 26, 2020 9:10:07 GMT
Stonkingly gorgeous mate, I could look at it all day
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Post by Boots on Jan 26, 2020 12:17:01 GMT
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Post by Ian H. on Jan 26, 2020 13:02:52 GMT
Pete, Boots....thanks for the kind words!!!
Best wishes,
Ian
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Post by Ian H. on Mar 31, 2020 23:29:51 GMT
Another one in the gallery for a somewhat tumultuous 2020. The 1/48th scale Monogram F-101B is complete. Regards, Ian
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Post by dukemaddog on Apr 1, 2020 1:58:20 GMT
Fantastic lineup for the year so far! Way to go!
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Post by Ian H. on Apr 1, 2020 3:26:27 GMT
Thanks, Duke!
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Post by Armorguy on Apr 1, 2020 6:51:52 GMT
This one was built with passioneel, it shows !
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Post by Snipersmudge on Apr 1, 2020 7:18:26 GMT
Another corker mate, superb work on this oldie
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Post by Paul B on Apr 1, 2020 8:16:28 GMT
Absolutely stunning Ian . That black and white shot looks so cool fella
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