Grumman F-14A Tomcat by Academy

1/72 scale
Kit No. 12504
Price: $32.00
Decals: Two U.S. Navy versions by Cartograf (VF-1 “Wolfpack” aboard U.S.S. Ranger, and VF-24 “Fighting Renegades” aboard U.S.S. Nimitz); markings include stencil and other details for all missiles
Comments: Engraved panel lines, fair cockpit (decals provide the only instrument detail), full complement of AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, raised relief wheel well detail

History

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was a two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fleet defense interceptor in service with the U.S. Navy from 1974 to 2006. Even before the failure of the General Dynamics F-111B program (for which Grumman Aircraft Corporation was to have been a prime contractor), Grumman went to work on a replacement interceptor more closely tailored to the Navy’s needs, but employing several of the F-111B’s components. The dirty little open secret was that from the outset, the Navy had vigorously resisted the very concept of the F-111B, the navalized version of an Air Force design for what was essentially a precision strike aircraft (translation: bomber — despite its F- designation) that Defense Secretary Robert McNamara’s 1962 standardization program had tried to shoehorn into the Navy’s requirements for a fleet defense fighter to replace the McDonnell F-4 Phantom.

McNamara had previously compelled the Air Force to purchase the F-4, which had been developed specifically for the Navy and Marines. It may have seemed fair play to then force the F-111B, a variant of the Air Force’s F-111 resulting from the TFX (Tactical Fighter Experimental) program onto the Navy, but it did not make for good procurement policy. A major factor that rendered the F-111B airframe unsuitable for carrier operations was the fact that it was just too heavy, in part due to the cockpit/escape capsule which was an integral part of the design — and no modification had been able to cure this. After years of development work, the Defense Department formally cancelled the program in July 1968.

Grumman’s new design flew for the first time on December 21, 1970. Designated G-303, it incorporated the F-111’s variable sweep wings, AWG-9 fire control radar, Phoenix air-to-air missiles, and Pratt & Whitney TF 30 twin-engine powerplant. Like the F-111, it was also a two-seater, but there the similarities ended. Grumman had collaborated with General Dynamics on the F-111B, the intended carrier-based escort fighter, but even before its cancellation, Grumman had quietly begun work in 1966 on an alternative carrier-borne aircraft that could serve in the air superiority, escort fighter and interception roles. Ultimately it would also be modified for precision air strikes, but initially that was not among its primary missions.

The F-14 was equipped with four AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles, the only aircraft in the U.S. inventory so armed. The million-dollar Phoenix had a range of 120 miles, giving the Tomcat over-the-horizon offensive capability. Radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrows, along with a 20mm cannon and four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for close-in engagements, provided the F-14 a variety of options to engage and destroy threats to itself or the carriers it was designed to protect.

Its variable sweep wings could be moved fully forward to provide the lift needed for take-offs and landings, or swept back to a dart-like configuration for high-speed, supersonic flight. In November 1987 the F-14B was introduced with new General Electric F-110 engines. A 1995 upgrade incorporated new digital avionics and weapons system improvements to improve the Tomcat’s multi-mission capability. The F-14D, delivered from 1990, added upgrades to the engines, radar, electronic jamming capability, and infra-red search and track system. Precision strike capability came with the introduction of LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting and Infra-red for Night), night vision compatibility, new defensive countermeasures, and a new digital flight control system. LANTIRN pods fitted below the right wing allowed the F-14 to drop laser-guided bombs with accuracy in complete darkness.

An F-14 maneuvers for missile lock on a Sukhoi Su-22 over the Gulf of Sidra, 1981.

The F-14’s debut combat deployment was to Southeast Asia. Operating from the U.S.S. Enterprise, VF-1 provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the helicopter evacuations from Saigon, South Vietnam on April 29-30, 1975. The Tomcat proved itself in combat on August 19, 1981 in what became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident when two F-14’s from the U.S.S. Nimitz were intercepted by two Libyan Sukhoi Su-22 fighter-bombers. The Su-22’s were initially sent after a Navy S-3 Viking patrolling in the Gulf of Sidra off the Libyan coast but reportedly still in international waters. The F-14’s were sent in for protection while the S-3 was directed north out of harm’s way. An Su-22 fired on one of the Tomcats with an AA-2 Atoll missile and missed, after which the F-14’s engaged and shot down both Su-22’s. This event was part of a day-long series of cat-and-mouse incidents in which Libyan aircraft staged mock attacks on the Nimitz carrier group, only to be chased off by F-14’s.

A second Gulf of Sidra incident occurred over the same waters on January 4, 1989 when two Tomcats shot down two Libyan MiG-23’s. Tomcats also provided fighter protection to a variety of strike and reconnaissance missions during the 1991 Gulf War. The only country besides the U.S. to deploy the F-14 is Iran, which began taking deliveries in 1976 prior to Iran’s Islamic Revolution two years later.

Of the 80 aircraft Iran ordered along with 424 Phoenix missiles – to cope with frequent incursions of Russian MiG-25 Foxbats into Iranian airspace — 79 F-14s were delivered along with 270 Phoenix. The final deliveries were cancelled after the Islamic Revolution. Despite significant maintenance difficulties (the complex F-14 has always been expensive and time-consuming to maintain) the Iranians have kept a portion of them flying, probably by cannabilizing some aircraft to keep others airworthy. It is estimated that the Iranian Air Force has about 30 operational Tomcats. According to some sources the Iranian F-14 played an important role in the Iran – Iraq War, shooting down over 30 enemy aircraft. After over 30 years of service, the F-14 was decommissioned by the U.S. Navy in September 2006.

Watchful Eye: A Tomcat of VF-1 closely escorts a pair of Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 strategic bombers.

The Kit

Released in 2013, Academy’s Grumman F-14A Tomcat is based on earlier molds from the same manufacturer going back at least to 1990. Some kits of this vintage can be disappointing, but Academy’s Tomcat borders on superb. Molded in a pale grey-green reminiscent of Revell kits, it consists of 116 detailed, injection-molded parts, many of which feature engraved panel lines. In the cockpit, while the seats are fairly detailed and do not overlook the ejection pull handles, the tub and main instrument panels are devoid of raised detail as decals are provided for the main and side instrument panels for both the pilot and his RIO. Separate instrument panel hoods are also provided, each of them featuring raised detail. The completed cockpit assembly is cemented inside a separate nose section.

Variable sweep wings are provided; each wing has gear teeth that interlock with the other, allowing them to move in concert. This assembly is remarkably simple and does not involve unnecessary parts, but it will require care to ensure that the teeth are properly aligned before the gears (an integral part of each lower wing) are sealed inside the upper and lower halves of the main fuselage.

There are two fairly detailed parts for the Tomcat’s intake fans, although they may not be very visible buried deep inside the intakes which are separate parts to be cemented to the ventral surface of the main fuselage. For the aft detail, modelers have a choice of open or closed exhaust fans, as well as separately mounted ventral strakes and tail surfaces. The landing gear are nicely detailed and the tires feature radial tread.

The Tomcat comes with a full complement of AIM-54 Phoenix, AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, all of which are detailed with raised relief, and in the case of the Phoenix, engraved panel lines. Parts are included for the distinctive pallets to which the Phoenix missiles are secured. The kit decals include markings for all missiles in addition to stencil detail. The F-14’s trademark drop tanks are also provided. The canopy is in two parts but unfortunately does not include an option to depict it raised. A series of small parts consisting of exterior antennas and sensors complete the kit.

Markings

The kit decals are by Cartograf, feature excellent color and are all completely in register. The first set of decals are provided for VF-1, “Wolfpack,” aboard the U.S.S. Ranger just after the 1991 Gulf War. VF-1 along with VF-2 were the first F-14 fighter squadrons, with VF-1 receiving its first F-14As on July 1, 1973. The squadron insignia was a red wolf’s head designed by Grumman Commercial Artist, George M. Kehew who himself is a WWII combat veteran. VF-1 was decommissioned in 1993.  The second set are for VF-24 “Fighting Renegades” aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz circa 1988, featuring black vertical tails and ventral strakes with a red arrow-like flash on the tail surfaces. Several stencils are provided both for the aircraft and its air-to-air missiles.

Conclusion

This is a highly detailed kit of the early version of the F-14. Highly recommended, especially for those seeking both a smaller and more affordable alternative to the Tamiya’s F-14 in 1/48 scale.

References

• Combat Aircraft Since 1945 by Stewart Wilson; Copyright 2000 Stewart Wilson and Aerospace Publications, Fyshwick, Australia.
• A Handbook of Fighter Aircraft by Francis Crosby (Imperial War Museum, Duxford); Copyright 2002 Anness Publishing, London.
• military.wikia.com
• seaforces.org