- Model Description: Designed by Ronald Tewes, this model replicates the F-14 Tomcat with dynamic variable-sweep wings, a bubble canopy for simulated piloting, and detailed military systems, including AIM-54 Phoenix missiles and M61A1 Vulcan cannon. It features retractable landing gear, combining sturdiness, aesthetics, and high collectible value.
- ⚙Background: The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a retired U.S. Navy carrier-based fighter jet originally designed for air superiority, responsible for fleet air defense and long-range interception, centered around aircraft carrier defense. It was the first fighter jet designed by the U.S. Navy after the Vietnam War, with a special focus on close-range dogfighting and excellent sustained turning ability. Consequently, the F-14 possessed both powerful long-range beyond-visual-range attack capabilities and excellent close-range combat abilities.
The F-14 was designed by Grumman, with its first flight in 1970 and it entered service in 1974, replacing the F-4 Phantom. Initially tasked with defending U.S. carrier strike groups, it gained precise ground-attack capabilities in 1994. The Navy had planned to upgrade the F-14 for service until 2015, but this plan was canceled due to the end of the Cold War, and the F-14's role was temporarily filled by the F/A-18E, originally designed to replace attack aircraft like the A-6 and A-7. After 32 years of service, the F-14 was officially retired on September 22, 2006.
Outside of the U.S. Navy, the only other country to operate the F-14 is Iran, which received 79 F-14As in the 1970s. During the Iran-Iraq War, the F-14 achieved impressive combat performance, with estimates suggesting that Iran's F-14s, despite lacking original manufacturer support, downed 160 Iraqi aircraft. Although Iraq claimed to have shot down over 70 F-14s, external estimates suggest that only about 10 F-14s were actually lost. Iran still operates F-14s to this day.