CENTURY WINGS Grumman F-14B Tomcat USN VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" 60th CW001637

Description: Welcome to my listing for the superb Century Wings Grumman F-14B Tomcat, this is CW001637 This cold war icon is an B model of Grumman's twin Stick twin engine fleet defender, First flown in the 70s the Tomcat found fame with the "Top Gun" movie but had been the USN premier fighter for over 10 years by the time of the release. This special 60th Anniversary Scheme release is the 46th! Century Wings Tomcat release, (no-one does Grumman's big cat better than Century Wings). This rare and desirable special release example depicts a US Navy F-14B TOMCAT from arguably the most famous USN squadron VF-103 the “JOLLY ROGERS” at the twilight of its career when operating from USS John F. Kennedy, “Last F-14 Cruise” 2004. This release commemorates the special 60th Anniversary markings worn by AA103 during 2004. Stunning in all over low vis gull grey but with High vis CAG and commemorative tail markings, she features USN VF-103 Jolly Rogers 60th artwork on tails, some stores and fuselage alongside high vis national and unit insignia. The release also features 15th anniversary Century wings markings as well as a patch commemorating same. What is there not to like with this 2021 Limited release? Long sold out in shops and online, rarely listed on E-Bay this is a classic already and one that will only become more elusive as time passes. Model is as New 10/10, Box is 9.5/10, a minor tear, marks, and shelf wear, All accessories included, I will consider reasonable offers. WW Limited edition of 1500 models this is Certificate 0461 One of a number of Rare, limited or interesting releases I'm putting up for sale over the next few days. I will happily combine postage, answer questions or provide additional images International offers welcomed, the E-Bay system used but I can and will quote for other methods if it suits. Grumman F-14B Tomcat 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. US Navy Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) was activated in 1952. Three US Navy squadrons have used the name and insignia of the Jolly Roger: VF-61 (originally VF-17), VF-84, and VFA-103. While these are distinctly different squadrons that have no lineal linkage, they all share the same Jolly Rogers name, the skull and crossbones insignia and traditions. VF-103 began life as an F4U Corsair squadron and after progressing through the F9F Cougar, F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom II, it was among the last fighter squadrons to transition to the F-14A Tomcat. In 1989, they upgraded to a more powerful breed of Tomcat, the F-14B. When VF-84 was disestablished in 1995, VF-103 abandoned its "Sluggers" nickname and adopted the famous "Jolly Rogers" name and insignia for itself. After several deployments to the Persian Gulf, VF-103 deployed with the F-14B for the final time in 2004 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy before transitioning to the F/A-18F Super Hornets it operates today.

Price: 169.99 GBP

Location: Tadley, Hampshire

End Time: 2024-11-05T10:03:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 38.49 GBP