{"id":1189,"date":"2022-01-31T17:25:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T17:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scalemodelhub.com\/?p=1189"},"modified":"2023-12-31T12:28:08","modified_gmt":"2023-12-31T12:28:08","slug":"best-f-14-tomcat-model-kits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scalemodelhub.com\/best-f-14-tomcat-model-kits\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Grumman F-14 Tomcat Plastic Scale Model Kits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat <\/strong>is one of the most popular subjects aircraft modelers build. During the last decade, we have seen a stunning number of new kits by numerous manufacturers. All of them tried to beat each other to deliver the best Tomcat kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-14 is possibly the best-known US jet aircraft ever made. Partly because of its role in Holywood’s blockbuster called Top Gun. And partly because of its stunning design. It’s often claimed the Tomcats, together with the Soviet SU-27 Flankers, are the most beautiful aircraft ever produced. Though I have to admit, I prefer the raw mean look of the F-14 predecessor – the F-4 Phantom II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat fighter developed specifically for US NAVY needs. Just like the F-111, the Tomcat was designed with variable-sweep wings. During its career in the NAVY, it was used as an interceptor, air superiority, and multirole fighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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F-14D Super Tomcat<\/em><\/strong> – U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g. Scott Timmester<\/a>, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first flight of the aircraft took place in 1970. Four years later, the Tomcat entered the service. After more than thirty years in service, the tomcat was retired in 2006 and its roles were taken over by the Hornets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, several variants of the aircraft have been produced and the total number built reached 712.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initial and most numerous version was the F-14A. Later in 1987, the Tomcat received major upgrades. The original engines have been replaced and a radar warning receiver has been added. At first, the upgrade was simply called F-14A+, and later it was renamed F-14B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final variant was the F-14D known as the Super Tomcat<\/strong>.  The aircraft again received upgrades including better avionics and a new radar to stay competitive with newer jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were ever only two operators of the F-14 – the United States<\/strong> and Iran<\/strong>. Iran received the F-14s before the revolution and they are still in service. Iran used the Tomcats heavily during the Iran-Iraq war<\/strong> and according to their claims, at least 160 Iraqi aircraft fell victim to the Tomcats, but the total number has never been reliably confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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