Academy 1/72 F-14D Super Tomcat "VF-2 Bounty Hunters" Plastic Model Kit

Grumman F-14 D Tomcat - "VF-2 Bounty Hunters" Fighter Aircraft

Advanced variant of the iconic Grumman F-14 series. The F-14D incorporated numerous upgrades over its predecessors, including more powerful GE F110 engines, an upgraded radar (AN/APG-71), and advanced avionics.

US Navy Fighter Squadron VF-2 operated the F-14D during critical periods, including deployments supporting the Gulf War and later in operations over Iraq and Afghanistan. The squadron was nicknamed the "Bounty Hunters" with distinctive markings adorning the aircraft.

Swing-wings can be built in maximum sweep or minimum sweep. Drop tanks and air-to-air weapons included.

Choice of 2 markings:

• F-14D CVW-14 BuNo 163894, CAG bird of VF-2 "Bounty Hunters, Last Tomcat Cruise", USS Constellation May 2003;
• F-14D CVW-14 BuNo 164348, CAG bird of VF-31 "Tomcatters", USS Abraham Lincoln April 1997.

Designed as the US Navy’s primary fighter, the F-14 Tomcat could perform air superiority, escort and strike missions and was undoubtedly one of the most advanced and technologically advanced aircraft to serve on aircraft carriers. The prototype aircraft first flew on 21 December 1970, and the first aircraft were delivered to the US Navy four years later. The last Tomcat aircraft were not retired from service until 2006, which perfectly illustrates the high quality and excellent performance of this aircraft. The most innovative and characteristic feature of the F-14 is the variable geometry wing. Controlled by computer or manually by the pilot, they can change their angle of attack from 20 degrees at minimum speed to 60 degrees at supersonic speeds.

The variable geometry of the wings also allows for optimal positioning during tight maneuvers, thanks to which this powerful aircraft is characterized by astonishing agility. The heart of the Tomcat's weapon system is the Hughes ANG-9 radar, usually working with AIM-54A Phoenix air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 180 km guided by it. The ability to track and attack more than one target is particularly important. An equally important element of the weaponry, as shown by combat experience from the Vietnam War, is the cannon - in the F-14, mounted inside the fuselage, the M-61 Vulcan, firing up to 6,000 rounds per minute! Of course, other types of weaponry can also be attached to the Tomcat, such as Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles or various types of bombs. The F-14 also owes many of its successes to its excellent power unit in the form of a pair of Pratt-Whitney TF30 engines with 9,300 daN of thrust with afterburning. Technical data: Maximum speed: 2,480 km/h, rate of climb: 153 m/s, practical ceiling 17,100 m, maximum range: 3,200 km, armament: fixed - single, six-barrel M61-A1 cannon, caliber 20 mm, underslung - up to 6,580 kg of payload.