Grumman’s F-14 – star of the first Top Gun movie – wore many different markings during its long career. Examples of the glorious schemes worn by this photogenic aerial warrior are shown here, in our dedicated reference feature.
Above: Wearing a patriotic ‘uniform’, F-14A 159421/100 was VF-14’s way of marking the USA’s Bicentennial in 1976. It is shown here at NAS Oceana, Virginia in 1976. Note that even the trademark VF-14 top hat received stars and stripes. (Key Collection)
Above: With its slightly worn FS 36440 Light Gull Gray scheme pinning it to the 1990s, F-14A 162709/100 wears the markings of the Atlantic Fleet Reserve unit VF-201 ‘Hunters’, and a Commander Air Group (CAG) ‘100’ Modex. The high-visibility markings are unusual for the period, as by then, most Tomcats had adopted low-vis décor . (Key Collection)
Above: The presence of exhaust petals for the General Electric F110 engine, as well as the markings, confirm this is an F-14B. VF-102 ‘Diamondbacks’ was the owner of ‘105’, and the painting of ‘Clifton’ on the vertical tail dates the shot to 1995, when VF-102 emerged as the best of the units to have been awarded Battle ‘E’ honours that year. (Key Collection)
Above: Possibly photographed in 1994, CAG F-14B ‘100’ …
