1/72 Grumman F-14A Tomcat - Miss Molly - 161621 VF-111 - Sundowners - USS Carl Vinson 1989

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a twin-engine, variable sweep wings capable of supersonic flight.
The aircraft is crewed by a Pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer who share the tasks of navigation,
target acquisition, ECM and weapons usage. The Tomcat was operated by the United States
Navy and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force only. The name "Tomcat" is said to come from the
call-sign used by Vice Admiral Thomas Connolly which conformed to the USN tradition of giving
Grumman aircraft feline names.

On March 15, 1980 the USS Carl Vinson was launched and commissioned in 1982. The ship was
named after Senator Carl Vinson considered the father of the modern US Navy. The honor of
christening the ship was given to the Navy nurse who had been a long time nurse/aide to the
Senator and his wife. Molly Snead AKA "Miss Molly" was also honored when a C-1A transport
was named after her. In 1989 the C-1A retired and the name and nose art were given to
VF-111 F-14A 161621.