1/72 F-14A "Queen of Spades" 162689 VF-41 "Black Aces" Operation Desert Storm June 1991

F-14A BuNo 162689 was built in 1986 and in 1988 it was transferred to VF-41 "Black Aces" and named "Queen of Spades" on the USS Theodore Roosevelt as 101 AJ. On December 28, 1990 they deployed to the Persian Gulf and remained there until June 1991. During "Operation Desert Storm" VF-41 led the first strike against Iraqi forces and locations. By the end of their mission VF-41 had flown 1,500 combat hours and completed 100% of scheduled operations. Next VF-41 sailed to the Turkish Mediterranean coast to support Kurdish refugees.

Designed to carry the formidable long range AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was first flown on December 21st, 1970. Made famous by the Hollywood film Top Gun, the F-14 replaced the F-4 Phantom II as the US Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter. Its design includes a variable geometry wing that can sweep back for high speed supersonic intercepts and forward for improved positioning in air to air dogfights. Nicknamed "Bombcat," the F-14 spent much of its late career in an air-to-ground role, carrying the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) system.

Features:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.