Model Description

Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale HA5239 Grumman F-14B Tomcat 163217, VF-103, NAS Oceana, June 2005. Buy online at Flying Tigers.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, variable sweep wings capable of supersonic flight. The aircraft is crewed by a Pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer who share the tasks of navigation, Navy and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force only. The name “Tomcat” is said to come from the call-sign used by Vice Admiral Thomas Connolly which conformed to the USN tradition of giving Grumman aircraft feline names.

In February 1999 Grumman F-14B Tomcat 163217 joined VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” but in April 2001 it moved to VF-102 until June 2003 when it returned to VF-103. in 2004 this aircraft was the first VF-103 F-14 to receive the new Sparrow Hawk HUD. In 2005 163217 was selected to have the special paint scheme celebrating 60 years of F-14s with VF-103 “Jolly Rogers”. On January 25, 2005 this aircraft was the last F-14 to leave Oceana with the destination of AMARC where it stayed until 2007 when it was scrapped.