US Navy Fighter Squadron 211 (VF-211) Fighting Checkmates was the new designation given to Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) on March 9th, 1959. It traded its F-11F Tigers for F-8 Crusaders in July of that year. In 1961 VF-211 moved to NAS Miramar, which remained its home-base for the next 35 years. The Fighting Checkmates deployed to Vietnam seven times aboard the USS Hancock and once aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. During this period, VF-211 pilots earned the title of "The MiG Killers," having downed eight enemy aircraft. The squadron transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat in 1975 and has been flying the F-18F Super Hornet since 2005.
Please note: An optional display stand is available separately if you wish to display this model "in-flight".
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.
The Calibre Wings 1:72 range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Calibre Wings models are remarkably accurate replicas of their real life counterparts. They are constructed with a significant diecast metal content and include a wealth of features not typically found on other diecast models.
Calibre 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.
