Hachette Collections Combat Aircraft HADC14
Grumman F-14A Tomcat Diecast Model
USN VF-31 Tomcatters, AE202, USS Forrestal |
| 1:100 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Grumman F-14A Tomcat | | 7.5" | | 7.75" |
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).
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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hachette Collections "Combat Aircraft" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. To help keep the price down, these items arrive in low-cost, discardable blister type packaging.
Hachette Collections "Combat Aircraft" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal and plastic construction.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
