Unimax Forces of Valor 85237 Grumman F-14A Tomcat Diecast Model USN VF-41 Black Aces, AJ101, USS Theodore Roosevelt, Operation Desert Storm, 1991 |
1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
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Grumman F-14A Tomcat | | 10.25" | | 10.75" |
US Navy Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) Black Aces was commissioned on June 1st, 1945 flying the F4U Corsair. The squadron transitioned through the F2H Banshee, F3H Demon and F-4 Phantom II before upgrading to the F-14 Tomcat in 1976. The Black Aces deployed several times on the USS Nimitz, often sharing the deck with F-14s from VF-84 Jolly Rogers. It was during one of these cruises, on August 19th, 1981, that Black Aces Tomcats shot-down two Libyan Su-22 Fitters over the Gulf of Sidra. This was the first ever combat incident involving US Tomcats. The squadron's final cruise with the F-14 took place in 2001 aboard the USS Enterprise. Upon return, VF-41 transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
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 2003-2013 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.