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Grumann
F-14 Tomcat |
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Sleek...powerful...and
deadly, the F-14 Tomcat was the REAL star of
the movie Top Gun. The F-14 Tomcat followed a history of
"Cats" in the military. The F-4F Wildcat and the F-6F
Hellcat that fought in the skies years before the Tomcat ever
bit the air. In the late 1960's, the US Navy dropped its TFX
program, and decided to focus on an aircraft dedicated to fleet
defense. Grumman had already begun developing the F-14, and was
definitely headed for a "Cat" designation. The person
responsible for this project was Admiral Tom Conolly, Deputy
Chief, Naval Operations for Air. The aircraft was dubbed
"Tom's Cat" long before the official name of
"Tomcat" was ever adopted.
The ability to sweep its wings aft 43 degrees
from the horizontal, coupled with twin 21,000 lb thrust engines
enables the F-14 to achieve speeds in excess of twice the speed
of sound. The degree of variable sweep is a function of aircraft
speed and is computer controlled. As aircraft speed bleeds off
for whatever reason (high-g's, landing, etc.), the computer
automatically compensates by extending the wing for more lift to
prevent a stall from occurring.
The F-14As made a brief appearance over
Vietnam, flying protective patrols for helicopters effecting the
final evacuation of US forces from Saigon with no opposition
from enemy fighters. The Middle East was to become the scene of
the Tomcat's combat initiation during encounters with Libyan
fighters over the Gulf of Sidra in 1981 when several Sukhoi
SU-22 fighters were shot down. In its interceptor roll, the F-14
proved invaluable during the gulf war providing cover for
airborne Navy and USAF support aircraft as well as blocking
Iraqi aircraft from flying to safe-havens in Iran.
Reduction of force requirements and
concurrent cuts in defense spending has resulted in the F-14s
being gradually replaced by F/A-18s. While the
latter aircraft lacks the long range air defense capability of
the F-14, it is cheaper to produce and costs less to operate per
flight hour.
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F-14 Tomcat - "Jolly
Roger"
Premier Series. Loaded with weapons. 1/43rd scale.
11.5" wingspan (wings closed) x 18.5" long.
No. AGN3D-P2. Only $249.95 |
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F-14 Tomcat - "Wolfpack"
Premier Series. Same size as above.
No. AGN3D-P1. Only $249.95 |
F-14 Tomcat -
"Black Cat"
Premier Series. Same size as above.
No. AGN3D-P3. Only $249.95 |
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F-14 Tomcat -
"Jolly Rodger"
Standard Series. 1/48th scale.
9" to16" wingspan x 16" long.
No. AGN3D-S1. Only $139.95 |
F-14 Tomcat -
"Sundowner"
Standard Series. 1/48th scale.
9" to16" wingspan x 16" long.
No. AGN3D-S2. Only $139.95 |
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F-14 Tomcat
Standard Series. 1/72nd scale.
6.25" wingspan (fixed) x 10" long.
No. AGN3D-JR. Only $69.95 |
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