1/72 F-14D Felix 101

Last remaining U.S. Tomcat conducts the final touchdown

by Alexander Breunig

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I guess for many here around too October 4th 2006 marked a quite special and emotional day. The last remaining U.S. Tomcat would touch ground for the very last time at Republic Airport Farmingdale around 11.40 a.m.

I planned to do this little diorama now for quite some time and eventually found the time and inner peace to give it a little try. 

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There is not too much footage of the event but long island wallpapers has covered the event quite well and thus has generously provided the fan community with plenty of fantastic shots of Felix 101, the last flying U.S. Tomcat. 

I also found a great shot showing Felix 101 in the very second he touched town for the very last time and I thought: YES!!! This is how I want to portrait Felix! This is the moment, the one special heart break moment! The last one, for the last time, never ever again (I know I’m opening old wounds here, sorry!). 

It was the first time I ever tried to show a special Tomcat in a special condition at a special time with very distinctive wear and tear marks and I’m still a little uncertain but at least for me personal that’s pretty much what I’m capable of. I really tried to incorporate as many distinctive features as possible like for instance that tiny little yellow maintenance mark on felix’ right wing, discolorations of the formation lights, the unique form and shape of the stains and wear marks on the fuselage, that strange colour deterioration and breach in colour consistency where ever the darker TPS paint scheme on the back changed into the brighter one on the fuselage’s sides, the very specific marks on the wing caused by the wing sweeping process, the differently coloured stretchers inside the engines nozzles caused by maintenance, the crew’s helmets and the bag which was placed behind the RIO’s seat or where “exactly” Felix eventually hit the runway etc. I also tried to imitate the last wishes of the maintenance crews on Felix’ gear bay doors. I can only hope to have caught about everything possible. Thanks to the in depth footage of long island wall papers I’m not too unconfident. 

Meanwhile Fightertown decals has issued a 1/32 scale decal sheet for Felix in his last moment.  Hmmmmm….makes me have kinda' stupid ideas here hehehe! 

Hope you like it and take care!

Alexander Breunig

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Photos and text © by Alexander Breunig