Code: CL-CA721417 Status: Sold out - Discontinued We regret this item is no longer available for sale. Please see the product description for links to similar items we still have available.
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.