F-14 Tomcat Part 2: Pacific Fleet and Reserve Squadrons

Detail & Scale Aviation Publications

Print and Digital available

Reviewed by Floyd S. Werner Jr.

After having the pleasure of reviewing the Color & Markings of the F-14 in the Atlantic Fleet I was looking forward to the Pacific fleet. I reviewed the F14 in Atlantic Fleet service in printed format but now I had an opportunity to review the F14 in the Pacific Fleet service in digital format and I was interested to see the difference.

First off, why would somebody want to buy a digital book? Well, first off all you need is an iPad or a Kindle and you can store your entire library on that device.   Another nice thing is that you are able to expand the picture and see more detail.  One other thing that can happen is with a printed version once it's printed it's done, but in a digital format it can be updated and new pages or pictures can be added for no additional cost.  For instance, in this book if you buy the printed version it's 127 pages with 330 pictures in it.  If you buy it in the digital format it's 215 pages with 340 pictures in it.  Oh by the way, it is significantly cheaper too.  Talk about a win-win. 

Onto the ‘book’ itself.  Just like the printed version the book is broken down into chapters covering 17 West Coast squadrons.  Simply tapping on that particular chapter will take you right to it.  No page flipping here.  The book is still written by noted historian and modeler., Bert Kinzey.  Rock Roszak still provides world class profile drawings.  Without a limit to the number of pages the value is in the text. 

If you want to print a page, you can print just that page so you can have the picture that you're after. This is the second book in the series with the F-14.  It is the fourth in the Color & Markings series but the second volume dealing with the F-14. There will be another volume that will cover other F 14 units the third issue will contain prototypes test, evaluation and adversarial aircraft.

The book starts with a timeline of which unit had the F-14 and where.  Then we get into the meat and potatoes of the book, the units.  The book follows units from their initial deployment all the way up to when they turn in their Tomcats. It covers all the major paint schemes. There are a lot of one-off paint schemes used by units, including Ferris splinter paint schemes.

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If you can't find something in here that's inspirational for you as a modeler you might want to look for a different airplane because there are a lot of great pictures in here.  Some in full color markings, white and grey, all camouflaged greys, overall grey, experimental paint schemes, some in desert camouflage, there is something everybody.

Some of my favorite paint schemes are on the Sundowners of VF-111.  Another favorite is Vf-124s Bicentennial paint scheme. The temporary grey, brown, and green paint schemes are really cool, especially when they were applied with a broom. 

Again another winning ‘book’ from Detail & Scale.  The F-14 is a perennial favorite and with these two Color & Markings books I’m sure you can find something in there that will inspire you to make a Tamiya or AMK Tomcat.  I can’t wait for the third volume on this iconic aircraft.  The benefits of having a digital ‘book’ are definitely appreciated, especially when looking at detail pictures of the aircraft.  Another great book, whether you go with the printed version or the digital one, it’s a winner.

Highly recommended

You can obtain your copy by visiting their website at www.detailandscale.com .  If you order the printed copy, you will be redirected to the Amazon page to purchase it. The book is also available in Apple books and Kindle format at the same place with even more pages and photos.

Thanks to Detail & Scale or the sample.

Review Copyright © 2022 by Floyd S. Werner Jr.
This Page Created on 3 February, 2022
Last updated 5 February, 2022

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