I've tried searching the Interweb and drawn a blank, so a quick dip in the think tank instead ...

Does anyone know whether VF-31 ever operated the F-14A in the original gull-grey-and-white colour scheme? I've got references that show it in overall gull grey (pre-TPS) but I can't pin down whether they were converted onto the F-14 early enough for the previous scheme. And I only do gull-grey-and-white ...

Ta in advance.

I'll have a check through my references this week end and let you know if i find anything conclusive.

Hi Sean I've had a look through my ref and I found a photo dated 2 October 1982 which shows 161149 AC-212 in all over grey, black nose and 'Felix' on the fuselage in front of the intake.
Bearing in mind that VF-31 starting the transition in August 1980 and then embarked on their first cruise in Jan 1982 (with 3 TARPS aircraft) ending on 14 July 1982 I fear that they did not have the grey - white scheme, but wait and see what Allen (Tomcat31) can dig up.

Ciao
Luciano

Well I've looked though my numerous Tomcat books (Didn't realise I had that many ) and I'm the same as Littorio, the earliest photo I could find was some time in 1981 and it was also the same scheme as the 1982 photo that Littorio found. Sorry I can't be of any more help.

No, that's great - thank you both. If nothing else it narrows down the options. Of course, there's always the "should have been like this" option, too ...