Unimax Forces of Valor 85040
Grumman F-14A Tomcat Diecast Model
USN VF-32 Swordsmen, AC207, USS John F. Kennedy, Gulf of Sidra, January 4th 1989 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Grumman F-14A Tomcat | | 10.25" | | 10.75" |
In 1973 Libya claimed much of the Gulf of Sidra as its territorial waters and subsequently declared a "line of death", the crossing of which would invite a military response. Tensions between Libya and the U.S. were high after the U.S. accused Libya of building a chemical weapons plant near Rabta, causing the U.S. to deploy the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) near its coast. On the morning of 4 January 1989, the Kennedy battle group was operating some 130 km north of Libya, with a group of A-6 Intruders on exercise south of Crete, escorted by two pairs of F-14As from VF-14 and VF-32. In a near-repeat of the events of August 19th, 1981, a pair of Libyan MiG-23 Floggers took off from Libya and flew towards the group. The two VF-32 F-14s, coded AC202 and AC207, turned towards the MiGs while the F-14s from VF-14 escorted the A-6s back to their carrier. Eventually, the MiGs closed to within 20 miles and AC207 fired upon them with an AIM-7M Sparrow. The missile failed to track and a second was fired which also failed. After some maneuvering, AC202 fired a third Sparrow, downing one of the MiGs. AC207 was then able to get into position behind the second MiG which it downed with a Sidewinder. Both Libyan pilots managed to eject but the Libyan Air Force failed to recover them. AC207 (BuNo 159610) is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy location near Dulles International Airport.
Designed to carry the formidable long range AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was first flown on December 21st, 1970. Made famous by the Hollywood film Top Gun, the F-14 replaced the F-4 Phantom II as the US Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter. Its design includes a variable geometry wing that can sweep back for high speed supersonic intercepts and forward for improved positioning in air to air dogfights. Nicknamed "Bombcat," the F-14 spent much of its late career in an air-to-ground role, carrying the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Forces of Valor's 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcat is loaded with many of the same features seen on higher priced models. Special attention has been paid to the canopy, which is hinged and can either be opened—revealing an extensively detailed cockpit with crew figures—or closed and securely locked, leaving almost no visible gap. The complex F-14 landing gear is included as robust sub-assemblies that can be quickly and easily configured for in-flight or ground display. Other fine features include a detailed selection of weapons, articulating swing wings that can be configured in varying sweep positions and independently movable stabilators.
© Copyright 2003-2015 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Unimax "Forces of Valor" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military aicraft.
Unimax "Forces of Valor" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Fixed display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed pilots and crew members.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
