Merit MM64802

U.S. Navy A-4 Skyhawk Color photo Album No.1

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Southeast Asia Grumman Intruders (2) - USN A-6A, A-6B, & KA-6D Intruders in the Vietnam War. This updated 1/48 decal sheet supersedes 48-006 and now includes additional options from 32-023 (VA-65) and 32-027 (VA-75). Five Navy squadrons are covered with multiple options for each squadron. Two squadrons, VA-165 and VA-196, were tied for the most A-6 Intruder Vietnam combat cruises (5 each). Also covered is VA-95, which supported the naval mine clearing Operation End Sweep along the North Vietnamese coast under the Paris Peace Accords. One of the new squadrons covered is VA-65, including the experimental 1966 camouflage trials and the ill-fated 1967 Forrestal cruise. The last new squadron included is VA-75 with coverage of their third and final deployment to Vietnam. [Decals released September 2023] For Hobby Boss 1/48 A-6A Intruder VA-65 Tigers - USS Constellation (1966), USS Forrestal (1967), & USS Kitty Hawk (1968/69) VA-75 Sunday Punchers - USS Saratoga (1972-73) VA-95 Green Lizards - USS Coral Sea (1973) VA-165 Boomers - USS Ranger (1967-68), USS Ranger (1968-69), USS America (1970), & USS Constellation (1971-72) VA-196 Main Battery - USS Constellation (1968-69), USS Ranger (1969-70), USS Enterprise (1971-72), & USS Enterprise (1972-73) New full airframe data/stencils provided for one aircraft; however, additional data/stencil sheets are also available to purchase separately, see 48-023. Decals also included for MERs and fuel tanks.

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U.S. Navy Blues Pt:2 Grumman S2F-1 Tracker 133047 SH/4 VS-26 USN Norfolk NAS 1953 Grumman F6F-5P Hellcat PS127 VF-9A USN 1947

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Grumman F4F-3A Wildcats 1941 (3) Black 72-F-12 VF-72 USS Wasp black tail; Black 41-F-4 VF-41 Red Rippers USS Ranger Willow green tail. Both yellow wings, aluminium fuselage; White 111-F-17 VMF-111 overall light gull grey Navy wargames with red crosses on wings and fuselage

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Sikorsky H-34 Designed for the new MRC/Gallery H-34 kit in 1/48 scale, this decal sheet provides markings for two U.S. Navy and one USAF H-34. Both options sport the later type of undercarriage ('V-leg') and can be built out of the box from the MRC/Gallery kits available at this time(June 2013). The options on the decal sheet are: UH-34D, U.S. Navy, HT-8 UH-34D, U.S. Navy, VC-1 HH-34J, USAF Reserve

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Re-printed! Stearman PT-17 Kaydet / N2S "Kaydet": This decal sheet provides accurate markings for the new Revell kit of the legendary Kaydet trainer. The options on this sheet are: US Army Air Corps PT-17 U.S. Navy N2S2, NAS Corpus Christi, 1943 U.S. Navy N2S3, 1942 Royal Canadian Air Force PT-27 Chinese Air Force pre-delivery markings

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Grumman F7F Tigercat - Part 1 : Our first sheet for the F7F Tigercat provides markings for four aircraft, including one fire bomber and a colorful U.S. Navy drone controller. The F7F Tigercat was the last piston-engined fighter of the US Navy. While it arrived on the scene too late to see service in WWII; the F7F served with distinction in Korea and several examples were used as fire bombers long after the retirement of the type from military service. Our first sheet for the Tigercat features markings for a diverse group of four aircraft. This sheet is designed for the 1/48 scale Italeri (AMT/Esci) F7F kit. Note that the F7F2-D drone controller and fire bomber options will require modifications to the base kit. The options on this decal sheet are: F7F-3 fire bomber N6178C, Cal-Nat Airways Inc F7F-2D BuNo 80349, VU-4, US Navy F7F-3N "Linda", VMF(N)-513, USMC F7F-3N "Nuckle Head", VMF(N)-513, USMC

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US Navy LTV TA-7C / EA-7L "Twosairs" Multiple marking options for US Navy TA-7C & EA-7L two-seat Corsairs. The twin-seat version of the versatile A-7 Corsair II has performed multiple roles for the US Navy: as a trainer, as a capable electronic warfare adversary, and as a test platform to evaluate new systems and weapons. In this sheet, we provide accurate markings for the "Twosair" in both high and low-visibility guises. Designed for the Hobby Boss kit. The options on this decal sheet are: TA-7C BuNo. 156738, Naval Weapons Center-China Lake EA-7L BuNo. 156745, VAQ-34 TA-7C BuNo. 156738, Naval Weapons Center-China Lake TA-7C BuNo. 156787, Pacific Missile Test Center TA-7C BuNo. 156750, Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility TA-7C BuNo. 154477, Naval Air Test Center TA-7C BuNo. 154455, VA-122, USS Lexington EA-7L BuNo. 156751, VAQ-33 EA-7L BuNo. 156741, VAQ-34

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Piasecki HUP Retriever Markings for US Navy / Royal Canadian Navy Piasecki HUP "Retriever" helicopters. One of the most important early helicopter types to enter US Navy service, the HUP Retriever served as a carrier-based rescue and utility helicopter during the 1950s and early 1960s. Our decal sheet for the Retriever is intended to be used on the AMP kit. The options on this decal sheet are: HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.147622, HU-2, USS Shangri-La HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.128489, HU-2 Det.43, USS Saratoga HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.128515, NAS Moffett Field HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.128519, HU-2 HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.128572, NAS Dallas HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.130062, NAS South Weymouth HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.130022, HU-2, USS Roosevelt HUP-2 Retriever BuNo.128496, NAS New York HUP-3 Retriever 116623, Royal Canadian Navy

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US Navy/Marines F-4N Phantom Five colorful marking options for US Navy/Marine Corps F-4N Phantoms. The F-4N was one of the later Phantom versions to serve with the US Navy/Marines; and wore some very colorful markings during the 1970s and 80s. On this sheet, we provide several distinctive marking options for the F-4N both in Navy and Marines units. We designed this sheet to fit the Academy kit, but it should work with Hasegawa and the eventual F-4N boxing of the Tamiya kit when released. The options on this decal sheet are: F-4N Phantom II BuNo.150993, VF-202, NAS Dallas - 1980 F-4N Phantom II BuNo.153067, VMFA-321, MARTO Andrews - 1980 F-4N Phantom II BuNo.150415, VF-21, USS Coral Sea - 1981 F-4N Phantom II BuNo.150438, VF-302, NAS Miramar - 1975 F-4N Phantom II BuNo.152225, VF-51, USS Roosevelt - 1976

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APRIL RELEASE!!! Lockheed F-104 "Test & Drone Zippers" Embark on a journey back to a pivotal era in U.S. Air Force (USAF) history with Caracal's latest 1/48 scale decal set for the F-104 Starfighter, showcasing its less commonly celebrated but equally fascinating roles as a high-speed test aircraft, aerospace trainer, and an unmanned drone! The F-104 Starfighter, with its distinctive slender fuselage and supersonic capabilities, was not only a frontline interceptor but also played a critical role in advancing aeronautical science and flight technologies during its service from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. The missions flown by these "Zippers" were crucial in the development of technologies that shaped the future of aviation and aerial combat, marking the F-104 as a versatile and invaluable asset beyond its combat duties. Featuring seventeen (17) carefully selected and historically accurate marking options, this 1/48 scale set highlights the F-104's involvement in experimental programs, high-speed testing, and its transition into a remotely piloted target drone. We also included markings for NF-104 and JF-104 aerospace trainers. Each option tells a story of innovation, risk, and technological advancement, capturing the essence of an era where the Starfighter was at the forefront of aerospace experimentation. The marking options on this decal sheet are: F-104A 56-0757, US Navy - China Lake F-104A 56-0740, US Navy - China Lake QF-104A 55-2957 QF-104A 56-0741 QF-104A 56-0737 QF-104A 56-0735 F-104A 55-2966, ARDC - Edwards AFB F-104A 55-2965, ARDC - Edwards AFB F-104A 55-2971, ARDC - Edwards AFB F-104D 57-1314, ARDC - Edwards AFB F-104D 57-1315, ARDC - Edwards AFB F-104A "Queenie" 55-2969 F-104A 56-0734, NASA NF-104A 56-0756 NF-104A 56-0760 NF-104A 56-0762 JF-104 55-2961, NASA Accurate stencilling and national insignia to build any one of the options is included. All of sheets in this set were professionally screen printed by Cartograf in Italy

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The Ultimate F-4 Phantom Collection No.3 U.S. Navy Phantoms Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Units 1960 2004 [Phantom 003]

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Re-printed! Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 'Fast Fords' (11) -F4D-1 130747, Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, 1955 -F4D-1 130743, Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, 1960 -F-6A 134806, US Navy Test Pilot School, NAS Patuxent River, 1966 -F4D-1 134809, VF-141 "NK-213", USS Ranger, 1958 -F4D-1 134843, VF-13 "AK-102", USS Shangri La, 1962 -F4D-1 134870, VF-102 "AJ-00", USS Forrestal, 1961 -F4D-1 134497, VF-213 "NP-301", USS Lexington, 1958 -F4D-1 139113, VF-74 "AF-106", USS Intrepid, 1959 -F4D-1 139071, VMF (AW) 314 "VW-20", Ping Tung AB, Taiwan, 1958 -F4D-1 139207, VF-13 "AK-100", USS Shangri La, 1962 -F4D-1 139207, VMF (AW) 115 "AG-110", USS Independence, 1963 Enough National Insignias and stencil data are included to make two complete models. This set is designed to work with the 1/48 Tamiya kit.

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' Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning II Anthology Part III' covers options for seven USMC F-35Bs and one F-35B of the Italian Navy in 1/48 scale. USMC's F-35B. Finally, the F-35 gets some color! This set is also offered in 1/72 scale for Hasegawa's new kit (72-008). Enough stencil and data is provided to build two complete models. The decal sheet itself measures 8.5' x 7.5' . Here are the aircraft covered: -VMFA-121, F-35B 169164, (VK-01), MCAS IWAKUNI, 2018 -VMX-1, F-35B 168312, (MV-52), USS AMERICA, 2016 -VMFA-122, F-35B 168732, (DC-01), MCAS CHERRY POINT, 2018 -VMFA-122, F-35B 168309, (DC-05), MCAS CHERRY POINT, 2018 -VMFA-211, F-35B 168732, (CF-01), USS AMERICA, 2016 -VMFA-211, F-35B 169024, (CF-06), USS AMERICA, 2016 -VMFAT-501, F-35B 168060, (VM-51), MCAS CHERRY POINT, 2018 -GRUPPO AEREI IMBARCATI, F-35B M.M. 7451, (4-01), NAS PATUXENT RIVER, 2018

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a�é-l"Colors and Markings of F-14s PT II (REDUX)! By popular demand....I tweaked this one a bit to work with the Tamiya kit. I also added 2 options from VF-142 and VF-143 from 1981 sporting the early rendition of the Tactical Paint Scheme. Available this springa�é- "Colors and Markings of U.S. Navy Tomcats Part II" is a continuation of our collaborative effort with Detail & Scale. This sheet was designed using the incredible reference resources of Bert Kinzey; one of the world's premier aviation authors and enthusiasts. This sheet is designed to compliment Detail & Scale's new line of digital reference books covering the F-14 Tomcat. Enough stencil and data markings are included to build two complete models. This sheet covers 8 unique and rare-schemed Atlantic Fleet F-14A/Bs . Here's the lowdown on the aircraft covered on this set: -VF-11, F-14A 161869, USS Forrestal, 1991 (AE 100) -VF-14, F-14A 159863, USS John F. Kennedy, 1996 (AJ 201) -VF-31, F-14A 160923, USS Forrestal, 1990 (AE 201) -VF-33, F-14A 160395, USS America, 1992 (AB 204) -VF-84, F-14A 160408, NAS Oceana, 1993 (AJ 201) -VF-101, F-14B 163225, NAS Oceana, 1993 (AD 115) -VF-101, F-14B 161862, NAS Oceana, 1998 (AD 101) -VF-103, F-14B 163219, USS Saratoga, 1993 (AA 201)

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Colors and Markings of US Navy Grumman F-14s Part Ten (F/D&S-4819) features options for (8) F-14Ds: VF-2 F-14D 163898, USS Constellation, 1994 (NE 110). VF-2 F-14D(R) 161163, USS Constellation, 1995 (NE 100). VF-2 F-14D 164603, USS Constellation, 1995 (NE 105). VF-11 F-14D 163900, USS Carl Vinson, 1992 (NK 105). VF-11 F-14D 164347, USS Carl Vinson, 1992 (NK 104). VF-101 (DET. Miramar) F-14D 163894, NAS Miramar, 1992 (AD 100). Pacific Missile Test Center NF-14D 163416, NAS Point Mugu, 1992 Naval Weapons Test Squadron NF-14D 163416, NAS Point Mugu, 1999 (BH 200). Enough stencil and data decals are provided to build 2 complete models.

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Grumman Hellcat. sized for the Eduard kits. 'Colors and Markings of US Navy F6F Hellcats Part 2'. This set options for 12 F6F-5 Hellcats in the Glossy Sea Blue scheme: - F6F-5 VF-7, USS HANCOCK 1944 "White 17" - F6F-5 VF-9, USS YORKTOWN, 1945 "White 9" - F6F-5 VF-11, USS HORNET, 1944 "White 9" -F6F-5 VBF-12, USS RANDOLPH, 1945 "White 32" -F6F-5 VF-20, USS ENTERPRISE, 1944 "White 69" -F6F-5 VF-27, USS PRINCETON, 1944 "White 1" -F6F-5 VF-28, USS MONTEREY, 1944 "White 18" -F6F-5 VF-31, USS LEXINGTON, 1944 "White 99" -F6F-5 VF-45, USS SAN JACINTO, 1945 "White 24" -F6F-5 VF-22, USS COWPENS, 1945 "White 12" -F6F-5 VF-82, USS BENNINGTON, 1945 "White 74" -F6F-5 VF-83, USS ESSEX, 1945 "White 129"

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Building the Supermarine Spitfire The iconic Supermarine Spitfire, the most strategically important British single-seat fighter of World War II. The Spitfire, renowned for winning victory laurels in the Battle of Britain along with the Hawker Hurricane, served in every theatre of the War and was produced in more variants than any other British aircraft. The Spitfire was designed by Reginald Mitchell of Supermarine Ltd., in response to a 1934 Air Ministry specification calling for a high-performance fighter with an armament of eight wing-mounted 0.303-inch machine guns. The airplane was a direct descendant of a series of floatplanes designed by Mitchell to compete for the coveted Schneider Trophy in the 1920s. One of these racers, the S.6, set a world speed record of 357 miles per hour in 1929. Designed around a 1,000-horsepower, 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled Rolls-Royce PV-12 engine (later dubbed the Merlin), the Spitfire first flew in March 1935. It had superb performance and flight characteristics, and deliveries to operational Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons commenced in the summer of 1938. A more radical design than the Hurricane, the Spitfire had a stressed-skin aluminum structure and a graceful elliptical wing with a thin airfoil that, in combination with the Merlin's efficient two-stage supercharger, gave it exceptional performance at high altitudes. The version of the Spitfire that fought in the Battle of Britain was powered by a Merlin engine. Faster than its formidable German opponent the Bf-109 at altitudes above 15,000 feet and just as manoeuvrable, Spitfires were sent by preference to engage German fighters while the slower Hurricanes went for the bombers. More Hurricanes than Spitfires served in the Battle of Britain, and they were credited with more 'kills,' but it can be argued that the Spitfire's superior high-altitude performance provided the margin of victory. Meanwhile, Supermarine was developing more-capable versions of the Spitfire driven by progressively more-powerful Merlin's. The eight 0.303-inch machine guns gave way to four 0.8-inch automatic cannons, and by war's end the Spitfire had been produced in more than 20 fighter versions alone, powered by Merlin's of up to 1,760 horsepower. Though outperformed by the German Fw-190 on that aircraft's introduction in 1941, the Spitfire restored parity the following year and eventually regained the advantage. It remained a first-line air-to-air fighter throughout the war. Spitfires were used in the defence of Malta, in North Africa and Italy, and, fitted with tail hooks and strengthened tail sections, as Seafires from Royal Navy aircraft carriers from June 1942. Spitfires helped to provide air superiority over the Sicily, Italy, and Normandy beachheads and served in the Far East from the spring of 1943. Fighter-bomber versions could carry a 250 or 500lb bomb beneath the fuselage and a 250-pound bomb under each win One of the Spitfire's most important contributions to Allied victory was as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft from early 1941. Superior high-altitude performance rendered it all but immune from interception, and the fuel tanks that replaced wing-mounted machine guns and ammunition bays gave it sufficient range to probe western Germany from British bases. n late 1943 Spitfires powered by Rolls-Royce Griffon engines developing as much as 2,050 horsepower began entering service. Capable of top speeds of 440 miles per hour and ceilings of 40,000 feet, these were used to shoot down V-1 'buzz bombs.' During World War II, Spitfires were exported in small numbers to Portugal, Turkey, and the Soviet Union, and they were flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces in Europe. When production ceased in 1947, 20,334 Spitfires of all versions had been produced, 2,053 of them Griffon-powered versions. Fighter versions of the Spitfire were withdrawn from RAF service during the early 1950s, while photo-reconnaissance Spitfires continued in service until 1954. In Model Aircraft 'Extra Special' #6, the biggest book of this series some 22`Spitfire build projects will be included, in a 'how-to' format, and continue this fantastic series modelling guides from MA Publications, the new name in scale modelling.

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Northrop F-5E/F Tiger Peace Alps Part Two) 40 years ago the F-5E/F Tiger was introduced into the inventory of the Swiss Air Force. The Tiger was the last ��aš-...iinexpensive' mass fighter aircraft for the Swiss Airforce, 98 single-seaters and 12 two-seaters were purchased. It was also the last Jet Fighter that was to be crewed by the militia pilot system; men who followed normal professions but also were professional Fighter Pilots. The end of the ��aš-...iFlying Baker' has been proclaimed for many years. The fleet reduction started already in 2002 when the U.S. Navy became interested in the F-5 to beef up their ��aš-...iAggressor Squadrons'. In the media, the Tiger got called old, night-blind and lame winged. A replacement was required, found and tested, the Saab 39 Gripen came out superior to the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter. Not everybody liked this and in 2014, three million aviation experts voted not to purchase any new aircraft at all. Peace Alps Part Two is the story of an aircraft that has reached 40 years of service in Switzerland against all odds and continues flying. This set offers decals for the very first aircraft up to some retirement schemes of today, but is not covering the end, as the final pages still need to be written. Tigers delivered in the original first batch (J-3001 J-3066 and J-3201 J-3206) did not have the extended Leading Edge Wing Extensions (LERX) or the aerodynamically more streamlined shark shaped radar nose cones. However the second batch (J-3067 J-3098 & J-3207 3212) delivered from 1982 onwards, were built from new with the LERX and the improved nose cone. The prominent VHF antenna was installed behind the cockpit. These modifications were also retrospectively introduced to the earlier Tiger fleet. As has become an established tradition, the last aircraft off the production line received special nose art and J-3066 became Peace Alps I and featured a flying dove while J-3098 had Peace Alps II titles above a flying witch (both aircraft are featured on the 'Peace Alps Part Two' decal sheet). There is hardly any F-5 in Swiss service that did not receive a squadron badge at some time during its service life. Since the aircraft are not assigned to any specific squadron, some aircraft have more than one squadron badge applied or may have had a mix of various badges at different times. Tiger airplanes also participated in training missions and competitions abroad. Sardinia (SAKA) or Waddington (NORKA) in the United Kingdom created new badges. It is imperative to check photo references to get a picture of the exact look of a particular aircraft at any given time. The paint scheme applied was similar to the USAF F-15's of the time. The original colors are F9453 Medium Grey and F9452 Light Grey, produced by the company Walter M��der AG in Switzerland. The closest equivalent is a mix of FS 35237 Grey Blue and FS 36622 Grey in parts 33/67 and 50/50 respectively. With the introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet in 1998, things became easier and the colors were harmonized with FS 36320 Dark Ghost Grey and FS 36375 Light Ghost Grey. This is a matter of evolution, some aircraft were completely repainted, some merely received only a partial replacement while others simply received a touch up, thus leaving a 4 color mottled effect. While similar, the new Ghost Grays are a shade darker than the original colors; a very pleasing challenge to the modeler. In 2002, the U.S. Navy purchased 32 surplus F-5Es from the Swiss Air Force to strengthen their 'Aggressor Squadrons'. Later, a similar deal for an additional 12 F-5E was finalized. Renamed as 'F-5N' , these Tigers now serve with VFC-13, VMFT-401 and also VFC-111 'Sundowners' in Florida, a suitable retirement home for ageing airplanes! Research for this project was extremely interesting and creating the artwork for the decals placed a challenge. I'm aware, that I got carried away. This presents my biggest decal project and while preparing these instructions, I have not seen the finished product myself. I do know, that some registration numbers are missing but they are easy made up with spare numbers. This said with this sheet you will be able to create almost any Swiss F-5 Tiger at some point in time. Extra squadron badges are provided. There is simply not enough space on the instruction sheet for the whole fleet.

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U.S Combat Aircraft Colours Over Vietnam 1964-1975 (Volume 2 US Navy and US Marine Corps) - White Series - Jaroslaw Dobrzynski.

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U.S.Navy Style Font Alphabet 12', 6' And 3'

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White-U.S.Navy And U.S.Marines Assorted Size Lettering

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Grumman EA-6B Prowlers. The EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe We have created a decal sheet that contains four different configurations for you to model; VAQ-136 "Gauntlets", VAQ-129 "Viking", VAQ-132 "Scorpions" and the VAQ-137 "World Famous Rooks". The Prowler has been in service with the U.S. Armed Forces since 1971. It has carried out numerous missions for jamming enemy radar systems, and in gathering radio intelligence on those and other enemy air defense systems. From the 1998 retirement of the United States Air Force EF-111 Raven electronic warfare aircraft, the EA-6B was the only dedicated electronic warfare plane available for missions by the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force until the fielding of the Navy's EA-18G Growler in 2009 - 1/48th Scale Aircraft

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BIRTH OF A LEGEND McDONNELL F4H-1 PHANTOM II 185-pages, 69-color photos, 251-b&w photos, 127-illustrations. In late 1953, McDonnell Aircraft made an unsolicited proposal to the U.S. Navy for a big, carrier-based, supersonic, "All-Weather Attack Fighter". After not much more than a cursory review, it was rejected. That inauspicious beginning subsequently resulted in one of the world's best known jet fighters, the F-4H/F-4 Phantom. This book covers the 1st 47 F4H-1/F-4A aircraft. This monograph by highly regarded U.S. Naval aircraft historian Tommy H. Thomason documents in well-illustrated detail how the Phantom came to be, including previously unpublished information about the Bureau of Aeronautics evaluation in 1954 of unsolicited proposals from other manufacturers competing for the Navy's fighter business that resulted in the award of a development contract to McDonnell for the AH-1; the conflict within the Navy over the decision to convert it to a all missile-armed, fleet-air-defense fighter, the F4H; and the fly-off between the F4H and the Vought F8U-3. Also illustrated in three-view drawings and photographs are the evolution of the configuration from the proposal to the final one that took flight in 1958. The most significant steps in the process of designing , developing, and evaluating the Phantom in the late 1950s are highlighted, with a discussion and depictions of the most significant new technology incorporated and the changes that rested. A description of each of the flights that resulted in records and two that tragically didn't is included. At least one photograph is provided of each of the first 47 F4Hs, along with a summary history of each one from its first flight to the circumstances of its withdrawal from service and the location of the 10 known survivors. Other sections provide a matrix by Bureau Number of configurations, cockpit and technical illustrations of interest to modelers, a summary of model kits/conversions available, and color photographs of notable F4Hs and test pilots. cover NF108 ads.jpg Naval Fighters Number 108

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McDONNELL FH-1 PHANTOM 64-pages, perfect bound, color covers, 159-b&w photos, 4-color photos, 25-drawings, 6-insignias. By Steve Ginter The US Navy's first purpose-built carrier jet fighter was the McDonnell FD-1/FH-1 Phantom, first ordered in January 1943. The small elegant aircraft had a long gestation period due to the delay in development of its Westinghouse jet engines. Originally six and even eight small 300 lb thrust engines buried in the wing were considered as powerplants, before two 1,600 lb thrust engines were settled on. These were mounted just outside of the wing roots and allowed conventional flaps and ailerons of any size to be utilized on the wing. It was fitted with tri-cycle landing gear, tailhook, and catapult equipment. The 500 mph aircraft first flew in 1946, and two XFD-1 protoypes were built along with 60 FD-1/FH-1 production Aircraft with half the FH-1s going to Navy carrier squadron VF-17A/VF-171 and half to Marine squadron VMF-122. The Navy operated its full squadron operationally aboard the USS��aš-Ë Saipan (CVL-48) and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) proving the feasibility of jets and carriers. The Marines fielded a FH-1 Flight Demonstration Team, "The Flying Leathernecks" too. The FH-1 had no vices in the air and with new engines the Phantom was re-engineered into the larger and very successful Korean War carrier fighter, the F2H Banshee. The Phantoms were relegated to the reserves from 1950

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FROM BATS TO RANGERS A Pictorial History of Electronic Countermeasures Squadron Two (ECMRON-2) Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (VQ-2) by Angelo Romano and AMHC (AW) John D. Herndon, USN, Ret. This Pictorial History of US Navy's Electronic Countermeasures Squadron Two (ECMRON-2 or VQ-2), later designated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two (FAIRECONRON TWO or VQ-2) by Angelo Romano and AMHC (AW) John D. Herndon, USN, Ret. is the second title of the new U.S. Navy SQUADRON HISTORIES by GINTER BOOKS. The photo coverage of the history of the Electric Bats, also known as the Rangers, is comprehensive, both in terms of photography and in terms of historical content. Much of the squadron's mission was top secret, as were many of its cold war missions, but the authors were able to utilize official (declassified) documents and first-hand accounts to write this book. For completeness, it is also a history of the U.S. Navy Electronic Intelligence gathering activities going back to WWII, beginning with the creation of the Cast Mike (Counter Measures) Project in 1942 and the deployment of early XARD receivers aboard aircraft like the Consolidated PBY Catalina and PB4Y Liberator. After WWII, the Navy started to use the Privateers as dedicated ELINT platforms and assigned them to two special units operating jointly with the National Security Group. One of these units, designated Port Lyautey Patrol Unit (NPU), was based at Naval Air Activities Port Lyautey, in French Morocco. It was first assigned modified PB4Y-1s and later, the Martin P4M-1Q Mercator. The NPU teamed with the Naval Security Group's Naval Communications Unit 32 George (NCU32G), which provided the ELINT equipment installed on board and the crew to operate them, mostly for covert operations around Europe and the Mediterranean. When the NPU reached its full complement of four P4M-1Qs, the unit and NCU32G, needed to have an administrative identity for budgetary and logistics purposes. Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO (VW-2), based at NAS Patuxent River, was therefore selected to be its "mother" squadron. On 1 May 1953, NPU Port Lyautey became VW-2 Detachment A (or DET ABLE). In 1955, the Navy decided to establish a dedicated squadron for the unique mission rather than continue with a detachment: Electronic Countermeasures Squadron TWO (ECMRON TWO) was established on 1 Sep 1955. ECMRON TWO was assigned the alphanumeric designation "VQ-2". Its mission was to conduct electronic-search in support of fleet operations to obtain adequate and timely information on enemy radar, communications, and other emissions in support of fleet operations. The Squadron inherited the P4M-1Qs from VW-2 DET A and acquired a Lockheed P2V Neptune for utility purposes. On 1 Jan 1960, EMCRON TWO was redesignated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (FAIRECONRON TWO) but still retained the alphanumeric designation "VQ-2". In 1956, VQ-2 received its first Douglas A3D-1Q Skywarrior, followed in 1957 by one A3D-1. In 1958, the Squadron received the Lockheed P2V-5F Neptune to augment the P4M-1Qs. The more capable A3D-2Q/EA-3B arrived in 1959 followed by the big Lockheed WV-2Q/EC-121M Constellation in 1960. The first Lockheed EP-3E ARIES arrived in 1971 and the squadron continued to fly this aircraft until disestablishment in 2012. The VQ-2 history and all worldwide events surrounding it are very well described and documented. This 242-page book contains 180 B&W and 444 color photos, most never published before. Thirty-seven superbly detailed aircraft color profiles show the evolution of the color schemes and markings and the different aircraft types and sub-types, providing very useful information for the benefit of both modelers and aviation historians. The inclusion of many squadron patches completes this masterpiece. THE AUTHORS Angelo Romano Angelo has authored six books: Wings from Coral Sea (Golden Wing Publications, 1986), Naval Fighters (Osprey, 1990), Naval Air Weapons Meet 1956-1959 (Model Publishing, 2006), First and Foremost - An illustrated History of Carrier Air Wing One - CVW-1 Part One 1934-1957 (Model Publishing, 2006), CVW-1 Part Two 1957-1973 (Model Publishing, 2008), and Black Knights Rule! (BKR) - A Pictorial History of VBF-718 / VF-68A / VF-837 / VF-154 / VFA-154 - 1946-2013 (Ginter Books, 2014). John D. Herndon AMHC (AW) Retired U.S. Navy John joined the U.S. Navy in 1978, Assigned to VQ-2 a total of 13 years E-1 to E-7, deployed to six Aircraft carriers in support of the EA-3B aircraft. Additionally deployed to locations all around the world in support of the EP-3E aircraft, Maintenance Control, Aircraft Division and Detachment Leading Chief Petty Officer. Retired out of VQ-2 his last tour which ended in 2000, went on to civilian life, employers ATA and American Airlines and finally the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector, currently the Boeing 787 Fleet Program Manager overseeing United Airlines safety compliance. Very involved over the years in collecting VQ-2 information/ history, assisted in raising funds and restoring a VQ-2 EA-3B Aircraft in Fort Worth Texas Ranger 15 BuNo 146453.

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Martin PBM Mariner. By Steve Ginter. The Martin PBM Mariner flying boat with its distinctive gull wing was proposed to the Navy in 1937 as a replacement for the very successful Consolidared PBY. The major differences were: it was to be a true blue water, open ocean flying boat; capable of extremely long range; with enough offensive armaments to function as a sub hunter or patrol bomber; and enough defensive armament to protect itself. It racked up an impressive wartime record as a sub killer in the Atlantic and as a ship killer in the Pacific. The 1,366 production PBMs were built as PBM-1s, PBM-3s, PBM-3R transports, PBM-3Cs, PBM-3Ds, PBM-3Ss, PBM-5s, PBM-5Rs, PBM-5Ss, PBM-5S2s, PBM-5G and PBM-5A amphibians. In addition to development, testing, variants, and detailed aircraft systems, the book tells each squadrons history and covers usage by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Netherlands, Columbia, Argentina, Uruguay, RAF, RAAF, and civilians. The last PBM was retired from Navy service in 1956 and the last Coast Guard PBM-5G was retired in 1958. 256 pages, 755 black and white, 5-color photos and 61 drawings [PBM-3/5 PBM-5/5A]

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Vought OS2U Kingfisher 1. OS2U-3 Unit: Northern Fleet, No. 1 Two Kingfisher were served in Soviet Union. In Spring 1944 USSR temporary got ex-Italian light cruiser Milwaukee. It delivered on 24th August 1944 to Northern Fleet and renamed Murmansk. Onboard it carried 2 OS2U-3 Kingfisher, they still wore American White/Grey painting and re-coded '1' and used as trainers and liaisons. 2. OS2U-3,Unit: Fuerza Aerea de Chile No. 308,View of the OS2U-3 Kingfisher showing the Nr. 308, first FACH plane flew over the national Antarctic territory in 1947. Note: Chilean Kingfishers wore telescopic sights only for a brief time after its arrival to Chile. 3. Kingfisher Mk.I, Unit: 765 NAS, FAA ,No. Fn678 Sandbanks, England,1943. Seaplane pilot training unit. 4. U.S. Navy NAVAL air base 100: Corpus Christi, Texas, 1942. 5. Vought OS2U-2 of VS-2D1 (First Naval District - Inshore Patrol Squadron), NAS Quonset Point R.I. Spring 1941. Overall Aluminium Varnish with upper wing surfaces in Orange-Yellow. Cowl, Fusalage and pontoon stripes are insignia Red

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LTV A-7E Corsair ll U.S. Navy Part-2

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Navy Grumman F9F-2/F9F-3 Panthers in Combat over Korea Part-1 / 48-159 / 1. F9F-3, BuNo 123025, modex S-202 of VF-52, Valley Forge (CV-45), July 1950. 2. F9F-2 BuNo 127184, modex V-101 of VF-111, USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), November 1950. 3. F9F-2 BuNo 125136 modex K-105 of VF-31, USS Leyte (CV-32),November 1950. 4. F9F-2B, BuNo 123612, modex B-121 'Ozark lke' of VF-191, USS Princeton (CV-37), April- May 1951.

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McDonnell F3H Demon Part-1 1. McDonnell F3H-2 Demon (F-3B), VF-41 "Black Aces", US Navy, 100/AG (BuNo.143479) CVA-62 USS Independence, 1959. 2. F3H Demon, VF-131, US Navy, 104/AE (BuNo.143599) CVA-64 USS Constellation, 1962.

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Grumman S-2 Tracker. Part 1 1. Grumman S-2A Tracker VS-22 (BuAer 133277) NAS Key West FL March 1956. 2. Grumman S-2A Tracker, US Navy, VS-31, BuAer 133362, CVS-36 USS Antietam, 1957.

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U.S. Navy USV Unmanned aircraft (In Action Series) WAS é£11.99. NOW BEING CLEARED!! SAVE 1/3RD!!!

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McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C VMF-A-122 and VFA-192 McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18C Hornets VMFA-122 and VFA-192 Decals for 2 aircraft: US Marines BuNo 164265 of VMFA-122 'Werewolves', Lt Col Rowell and U.S. Navy BuNo 164029 of VFA-192 'Golden Dragons', CAG, Capt Myers, USS George Washington, 2001. Includes national insignia, squadron art, airframe data, color profiles, upper plan view and painting notes. (designed to be used with Hasegawa, Monogram and Revell kits)

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Boeing EA-18G VAQ-130 Zappers. VAQ-130 is the oldest Electronic Attack (EA) squadron in the U.S. Navy. The Zappers are the newest squadron to recently transition from the Prowler to the Growler and this decal sheet captures their new CAG and CO markings for their new aircraft. Full stencils are included in this product and there are also markings for external fuel tanks as well as the AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods. Sized for the Hasegawa Boeing EA-18G Growler kit. Recommended Kits: Hasegawa E/A-18G Revellogram Boeing F/A-18F Steel Beach Boeing EA-18G Growler Conversion Set Avionix Accessories Aires Accessories Eduard Paint Masks Wolfpack Resin Accessories

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Shooting Stars Around the World. The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star (or T-Bird) is an American jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948 piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the U.S. Navy initially as TO-2 then TV-2, and after 1962, T-33B. Despite its age, the T-33 remains in service worldwide. It is possible to make 3 full profiles. - Cuban Air Force - Hellenic Air Force - Italian Air Force - Paraguay Air Force - Turkish Air Force

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Convair (Consolidated Vultee) B-36 'Peacemaker' Conceived when the Americans thought that the stuttering British candle would be snuffed out by Germany, the Consolidated Vultee, Convair, B-36 was intended to take the air war to Europe from the Continental USA. Fortunately Britain hung on and caused the cancellation of the invasion due to the stalwart efforts of the RAF during the Battle of Britain. As global war developed the B-36 programme was put on the back burner as other needs were more pressing. Eventually the B-36 would resume this time as a high altitude long range nuclear delivery platform. Numerous versions entered service with USAF covering both the bombing and reconnaissance versions, both undertaking overseas deployments in support of their intended missions. Continued production of the B-36 caused a great rift with the U.S. Navy whose first super carrier was cancelled to pay for more B-36's that the Admirals regarded as redundant. It would be the emergence of the reliable turbojet engine that would spell the end of the B-36 as a front line aircraft as both the Boeing B-47 and B-52 bombers would quickly see the types demise. Outside the needs of Strategic Air Command there were other uses for the B-36 airframe, one would be used to transport a B-58 Hustler fuselage/ wing assembly for structural testing, another would become the NB-36 and carried a working nuclear reactor aboard whilst the final throw of the dice saw the type developed into the YB-60 eight engined bomber in competition with the B-52. The basic design threw up one more off shoot, the XC-99 transport that saw a new fuselage married to the original wings and fittings plus the original tail feathers, as a unique one off the XC-99 survives in preservation. This book is written by Kev Darling and is superbly illustrated by Richard J.Caruana.

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Douglas C-54/R5D Skymaster and DC-4 The Douglas C-54 Skymaster, a direct adaptation of the civilian DC-4 while still on the production line, became the outstanding long-range four-engined transport aircraft of the Second World War. With its origins as a civilian airliner, it served chiefly on the long-distance haul of Air Transport Command of the United States Army Air Forces on the Atlantic and Pacific routes, where it cut flight hours between the United States and the theatres of operation thousands of miles away. The reliability of its airframe and engines was put to good use also on the India-China 'Hump' route, which was described as the most arduous of all within the responsibility of Air Transport Command. Like its smaller Douglas stable mate the C-47, the C-54 boasted legendary reliability, and was the preferred long-range transport from among its contemporaries. A special VIP version was built for use by the President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt. The Royal Air Force also used it in small numbers during the Second World War, one of which was outfitted as a VIP aircraft for use by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The U.S. Navy acquired it under the designation R5D. All production having been commandeered by the USAAF on the outbreak of war, no civilian DC-4s flew during the war. After 1945, however, hundreds became available for use by civilian airlines, which converted them into airliners with passenger seating and comfort, or used them as freighters. Douglas re-opened its production line for new builds in 1946, but the cheap price of the second-hand market kept back this production to only 79 examples. Also in 1946 Canadair ventured to build a Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered version, which it named North Star, used by both military and commercial operators. The DC-4 was a common sight in the immediate post-war period up to the 1950s flown by leading European and United States airline liveries, until it started to be replaced by Douglas's own DC-6 and DC-7. The aircraft came in handy during the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift, during which it hauled food supplies and even coal to the beleaguered German city, and again during the Korean War, airlifting the wounded to Japan and the United States. Dozens of variants of the C-54 were employed in a wide variety of non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue, scientific and military research and missile tracking and recovery. No fewer than 1,315 examples of Skymasters were built in the United States and Canada, flown by 35 air arms of other countries in a variety of versions and roles, and full information on serials, versions and other remarks are all included in very detailed tables in this book. The Aviation Traders Carvair cross-Channel car ferry is not forgotten in this account, and a chapter is dedicated to this unique aircraft converted in Britain from standard C-54s. This new 96 page Warpaint publication written by Charles Stafrace contains 200 colour and B&W photos plus eleven pages of colour artwork by Richard Caruana.

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Douglas A3D Skywarrior. by Charles Stafrace Never glamorous and not receiving the recognition showered on its deck mates, the shipboard Douglas A3D Skywarrior will be remembered by U.S. Navy fans and historians for many reasons, most of all because it figured prominently in the Cold War crises of the late 1950s and early 1960s, culminating in the Vietnam War that dragged on until the mid-1970s. The Skywarrior will also be remembered for its longevity, the first examples having shared deck space with FJ Furies aboard Second World War-vintage carriers in the 1950s, and the last examples mingling with F-14 Tomcats on nuclear-powered Nimitz Class carriers in 1987. However, this magnificent aircraft, affectionately known as the 'Whale', achieved fame in roles different from that for which it had been designed. After its strategic nuclear bomber role faded owing to changed U.S. Navy and Pentagon policies, the Skywarrior excelled in other roles entrusted to it such as aerial tanking and electronic jamming, electronic and photoreconnaissance, vital tasks which it carried out faithfully in the first line of battle for several years from 1965 onwards. Indeed, the RA-3B version was also used during the 1991 Operation Desert Storm. Some examples were converted into bombardier trainers and VIP staff transports, while others found their way to experimental establishments and aerospace companies as testbeds for various systems and weaponry until 2011, resulting in many strange nose shapes and radomes. The Skywarrior will be recorded, too, as being the heaviest jet aircraft to ever operate from any U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. It served with several types of squadrons - VAH, VAQ, VAK, VAP/VCP, VQ and VR. All versions and squadrons, both shipboard and land-based, are listed in this new Warpaint series by Guideline Publications, written by Charles Stafrace and illustrated by Richard J Caruana. Apart from the usual detailed text that describes each version and its operational service, several other tables are included in this profile, including production serials, versions lists, squadron use and Appendices giving detailed data on each Skywarrior cruise, specifications, and the 1962 type re-designation of U.S. Navy aircraft. No fewer than 200 B&W and colour photos, many of which are being published for the first time, illustrate the various versions of this versatile aircraft.

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Grumman F-14 Tomcat By Charles Stafrace. The US Navy embarked on the VFX fighter programme when it became obvious that the weight, engine and manoeuvrability issues plaguing F-111B, the naval variant of the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX), would not be resolved to the Navy's satisfaction. The Navy requirement was for a fleet air defence fighter whose primary role was intercepting Soviet bombers before they could launch missiles against the carrier battle group. The Navy strenuously opposed the TFX, which incorporated the US Air Force's requirements for a low-level attack aircraft that were not required by the Navy. Grumman came up with a solution in the form of their F-14 Tomcat, a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing aircraft. But what made the Tomcat head and shoulders above all other fighters was its AWG-9 weapons control radar married to the superlative AIM-54A Phoenix air-to-air missile. The Tomcat was all the US Navy required, and the F-111B episode was soon forgotten. The F-14A was the first version of the Tomcat, and it entered US Navy service in 1972 with VF-1 and VF-2 and first deployed overseas on USS Enterprise in 1974, gradually replacing the later versions of the F-4 Phantom on the US carriers' decks. The F-14A served only with one foreign air force, the Imperial Iranian Air Force which, after the 1978 revolution, came to be known as the Iranian Islamic Iranian Air Force. The Tomcat's role in Iran's war against Iraq from 1980 to 1988 is explained in detail. The Iranian, in its locally-improvised versions, is still in service. The F-14A version of the Tomcat inherited not only the AWG-9/AIM-54 system from the ill-fated F-111B but also its troublesome TF30 engine. In the US Navy it was only when the F-14B was re-engined with the more powerful and more reliable F-110-GE-400, as was also the F-14D, that the Tomcat really showed its true potential in the air. The Tomcat went on to serve on all US carriers of the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk Class of carriers and on all nuclear powered carriers built until 2006, the year when the Tomcat was retired from service. During the years it spent on deck, the Tomcat, in its F-14A, F-14B and F-14D versions, participated in all US interventions of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Horn of Africa, and distinguished itself not only as an interceptor fighter, but later also as a ground support and reconnaissance aircraft when the need for these two new roles were needed and when equipped with the LANTIRN and TARPS systems. The Tomcat's story was immortalised by the Hollywood production that made 'Tomcat' and 'Top Gun' household names, but in real life the Tomcat was truly a confirmed 'MiG-killer' and a 'Sukhoi-killer' in encounters with hostile Libyan opposition. Its exit from the US Navy scene in 2006 was a controversial one, as the aircraft was still considered a valuable asset to the fleet. However, its astronomical maintenance hours per flight hours and its ageing systems compared with the newer F/A-18 Hornet worked against it. All this is explained in detail in this new Warpaint title, a 124-page account of America's most famous fighter of recent times, that contains no fewer than 280 photos, ten pages of colour profiles, scale plans, fourteen information tables and a text that give exact details of every squadrons, details of all deployments with carrier, CVW, dates and destination, conversions to later versions, and many other information as now expected from titles by author Charles Stafrace, supported by superb artwork by John Fox.

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Grumman TBF Avenger. No. 87 in the Warpaint series by Charles Stafrace Without doubt the Grumman Avenger was the most successful torpedo-bomber of the Second World War, and certainly one of the wartime aircraft that could most sustain punishment and yet make it back to base. Built by both Grumman under its TBF designation and by Eastern Division of General Motors under the TBM designation, no less than 9,837 examples were constructed until production ceased in August 1945. The Avenger saw action in all theatres of the Second World War with the United States Navy and Marine Corps, Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, and by the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Despite its designated role of torpedo-bomber, the Avenger was more commonly used in roles other than dropping tin-fish. It bombed, laid mines, gave ground support, directed drones, hunted submarines, and in the postwar period was employed as a personnel carrier, bulk carrier, airborne early warning, Carrier On-board Delivery, and other tasks by the major navies as well as by other air forces and naval air arms. It is also significant that after the last Avengers left Fleet Air Arm service in 1946, the Royal Navy again found a useful role for the aircraft for antisubmarine tasks in 1953. The U.S. Navy even needed its last examples of Avengers for specialized tasks during the Korean War. No doubt, carrying out these diverse tasks for so many years in a difficult environment was made possible by the Avenger design's adaptability to change, and thanks to the traditional strength of its Grumman airframe.

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Boeing Stearman Kaydet (7) BuNo 3553/401 USN NAS Corpus Christi 1943 overall yellow with red fuselage band and blue rudder; BuNo 39123/73 U.S. Navy 1944 Yellow wings, fuselage band and tail, silver fuselage. BuNo 29950/241 U.S. Navy NAS Grosse He, MI, USA, Yellow wings with one silver replacement, blue fuselage; Yellow 127 US Army Air Corps 1940 Yellow wings, blue fuselage, red/white striped rudder; 216546 USAAF Kumming, China 1943 Overall Dark reen FJ888 RCAF 36 EFTS RAF Pearce, Alberta, Canada 1942. Overall yellow. Israel Air Force No 31, Flying School Kfir Sirtain 1953, Overall silver, red fuselage band.

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Grumman Wildcat F4F-4, General-Motors FM-1 & Mk.V Collection (8) Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV381, 'Y3.Q' of 759 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy based at RNAS Yeovilton, February, 1945. Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV338, 'S.X' of 882 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy aboard HMS Searcher, 1944. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat '5' of VF-29, United States Navy aboard USS Santee, November, 1943. Grumman Wildcat Mk.V serial unknown, 'D' of 1832 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy based at RNAS Eglington, Northern Ireland, Summer, 1944. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat 3022, 'S31'/'33' of VC-33, United States Navy aboard USS Nassau, September, 1943 Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV338, 'S.X' of 882 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy aboard HMS Searcher, 1944. Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV406, 'P' of 881 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy aboard HMS Persuer, 1944. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat 'F-8' of VMO-155, United States Marine Corps aboard USS Nassau, during the battle of Attu, Aluetian Islands, May 11-20, 1943.

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U.S. Navy lettering in 4 sizes 3', 4', 6', 9' White

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