Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001633
Grumman F-14D Tomcat Diecast Model
USN VF-31 Tomcatters, NK100 Santa Cat, USS Abraham Lincoln, Operation Iraqi Freedom, December 2002 | Limited Edition
800
Pieces Worldwide |
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| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Grumman F-14D Tomcat | | 10.25" | | 10.75" |
US Navy Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) Tomcatters was the new designation given to VF-3A on August 7th, 1948. The squadron transitioned from the F6F Hellcat through the F9F Panther, F2H Banshee, F3H Demon and F-4 Phantom II before upgrading to the F-14 Tomcat in 1981. The Tomcatters deployed several times with the F-14 on various Nimitz Class carriers. They deployed with the F-14 for the last time aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2005 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was during this deployment that VF-31 became the last F-14 squadron to drop a bomb in combat. The squadron returned home in 2006 and and transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, being redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 31 (VFA-31).
In 2002 VF-31 was onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and heading home from Operation Enduring Freedom when they were ordered back to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like many squadrons that were deployed over the Christmas season they painted an aircraft with a Santa theme so F-14D 164601 was chosen. Felix The Cat was painted on the tail wearing a small Santa hat still carrying his fused bomb.
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.
Century Wings' 1:72 scale F-14 is exceptionally rich in detail with every access panel, exhaust vent and antenna faithfully reproduced. Crisp pad-printed markings cover the entire airframe and a detailed selection of weapons is provided. The hinged canopy locks securely in place leaving almost no visible gap, and inside is a detailed cockpit with removable crew figures. The landing gear and doors are reproduced as robust sub-assemblies for easy display. The standard release features an articulated swing wing, and certain special releases feature the aircraft in "launch configuration" with wings fixed in the full-forward position, leading and trailing edge flaps permanently deployed and the nose-gear compressed with launch bar extended.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Century Wings "1:72 Wings of Heroes" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Century Wings 1:72 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.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed removable pilot and crew figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
