Grumman F-14B Tomcat with Shipboard Towing Tractor - 1/48

Grumman F-14B Tomcat with Shipboard Towing Tractor

1/48 scale plastic model kit of the Grumman F-14B Tomcat, including a deck tractor, four figures and diorama accessories.

About the Model:
- 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit
- Fuselage length: 398 mm
- Wingspan: 408 mm (wings swept forward)
- Movable variable-sweep wings
- Detailed F-14B cockpit with head-up display, instruments and side consoles
- Realistically reproduced F110-GE-400 engine fans and exhaust nozzles
- TCS camera pod and AN/ALQ-126 ECM antennas
- Partially deployed boarding ladder; adjustable nose landing gear orientation
- Newly designed deck tractor: length 98 mm with air-start unit, width 37 mm
- Interchangeable front wheels for straight or turned positions, even after assembly; twin rear tyres
- Removable MSU-200NAV air-start unit or alternative rear counterweight
- Magnetically attached, interchangeable driver’s seat for display with or without the driver
- Realistically reproduced air hoses
- Four newly sculpted figures: tractor driver, two deck handlers and one plane captain (brake rider)
- Wheel chocks, ALBAR towbars, tiedown chains and printed flight deck sheet included
- Ordnance includes 2 × AIM-9L/M Sidewinder, 2 × AIM-7M Sparrow, 4 × GBU-12 and 4 × GBU-16 Paveway II, plus 4 × 500 lb unguided bombs
- Decals for three versions: VF-102 “Diamondbacks” CAG aircraft, VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” commanding officer’s aircraft and VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” CAG aircraft

History:
The Grumman F-14B Tomcat represented an important evolution of the US Navy’s carrier-based fighter. Introduced in 1987 as the F-14A Plus, the variant was redesignated F-14B in 1991. Its most significant technical improvement was the adoption of General Electric F110-GE-400 engines, which provided considerably more thrust than the engines of the early F-14A and improved aircraft performance.

During the 1990s, the Tomcat’s mission expanded to include attacks against ground targets. Alongside conventional unguided bombs, it gained the ability to employ laser-guided precision weapons. The introduction of the LANTIRN targeting pod from 1996 marked a major advance. It enabled crews to locate ground targets by day or night and independently designate them with a laser for guided bomb delivery. This additional strike capability earned suitably equipped Tomcats the informal nickname “Bombcat”.

F-14Bs served with squadrons including VF-102 “Diamondbacks”, VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” and VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs”. They combined the Tomcat’s traditional fighter duties with precision air-to-ground missions. The F-14B thus illustrates the aircraft’s transformation from a dedicated fleet interceptor into a versatile combat aircraft that continued to make an important contribution to US naval aviation during the later years of its service.