Century Wings 1:72 Wings of Heroes 001635 Grumman F-14A Tomcat Diecast Model USNFWS, TOPGUN 30, USNFWS TOPGUN, NAS Miramar, CA, 1995 | |
1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
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Grumman F-14A Tomcat | | 10.25" | | 10.75" |
In 1969, the US Navy established its Fighter Weapons School (NFWS), more popularly known as TOPGUN, at NAS Miramar, California. Its objective was to develop, refine and teach air combat maneuvering tactics and techniques to selected fleet air crews flying against aggressor squadrons. The aggressor aircraft are flown by TOPGUN instructors in a way that simulates the tactics and capabilities of air forces deemed most likely to be a threat to the US.
Adversary aircraft are typically painted to simulate aircraft from air forces that pose a likely threat to the US at the time of training. In 1995, F-14A BuNo 159855 was painted in a blue-splinter paint scheme, representing an Su-35 Flanker of the Russian Air Force.
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.
Century Wings' 1:72 scale F-14 is exceptionally rich in detail with every access panel, exhaust vent and antenna faithfully reproduced. Crisp pad-printed markings cover the entire airframe and a detailed selection of weapons is provided. The hinged canopy locks securely in place leaving almost no visible gap, and inside is a detailed cockpit with removable crew figures. The landing gear and doors are reproduced as robust sub-assemblies for easy display. The standard release features an articulated swing wing, and certain special releases feature the aircraft in "launch configuration" with wings fixed in the full-forward position, leading and trailing edge flaps permanently deployed and the nose-gear compressed with launch bar extended.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Century Wings "1:72 Wings of Heroes" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Century 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.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moveable control surfaces.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed removable pilot and crew figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.