Daco Publications

Uncovering the Grumman F-14 A/B/D Tomcat

by Danny Coremans

Product #  DCB003   MSRP $34.75 Euro

Product Article by Michael Mettman on June 21 2006

 

 

 

We all remember the first hint of this book and how everyone was saying that this was going to be the one "true" in detail book on the beloved 'cat.  Danny Coremans and several others that are credited in the opening pages have provided us with said book.  My copy arrived a short time ago through direct order from DACO, I also ordered the incredible CD/DVD that was also completed for the release.  I sat down and began to thumb through the pages.  Amazing photography and detail will keep any individual studying each page over and over.  The thought occurred to me as I was sitting down "learning" all the new things about the TOMCAT, remembering from the first images from TOP GUN on the BIG Screen.  I swear I think I smell jet fuel in my copy with a hint of hydraulic fluid.  DACO continues to provide complete coverage that has the set the bar higher now for all other detail books to take notice.

As with any of the other walk books that DACO has provided us with this one again starts with the front of the aircraft.  Each section is systematically arranged with a colored aircraft area tab on the outside edge of the page so when the reader flips through the book they can quickly find the area they might be working on for their model.  Clarity in each picture is of the highest caliber.  The text provided for each page is kept to a desirable minimum.  More information is here in this book than any other publication has ventured to obtain.  A picture speaks a thousand words here.  I particularly like the interesting note that is made on the canvas "bag" that covers the RIO's glare shield and its discoloration of the material over time when the Tomcat is in the Fleet.  Something I think every modeler has to agree on, we never painted ours that way.

The book itself measures the same as in the previous four titles so it fits perfectly on any bookspace.  The two double sided fold out drawings at the end of the book are amazing.  Willy Peters astounds me every time I see his work.  It provides clearly every possible detail and reference that the modeler can obtain "legally" outside the technical blueprints.  Note here too in the fold out section is the list of bureau numbers of the F-14 Airframes converted from A's to B or D's.  This book is and always will be the sought after reference material for years to come, now that the TOMCAT has graced the free skies for the last time.  The CD/DVD is packed with 250 additional pictures and Video.  I have now watched this DVD at least three times and the viewer will definitely get the feel of the carrier deck here.  Picture quality is good but it is noted that the Radar from the ship does show in any shot with a quick line.  The launches and traps are impressive.  There is no narration here so you are not watching a documentary.  Your watching raw video.  So I can safely say that this book now takes a high spot on my reference shelf for projects to come.  Now to crack open that Tamiya F-14 and get modeling.  Enjoy the book, I know I certainly do.

Regards, 

Michael

Photos and text © by Michael Mettman